US2949303A - Illumination for bowling alleys - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 16, 1960 K. c. SHERMAN ILLUMINATION FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Oct. 7, 1958 MW I ILLUMINATIQN FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Kenneth C. Sherman, Monessen, Pa. (Box 67, Gambrills, Md.)

Filed Oct. 7, 1958, Ser. No. 765,823

'3 Claims. (Cl. 273'1) This invention relates to means for efiiciently illuminating bowling alleys in such a way as to avoid objectionable shadows on the alley or glare in the eyes of the bowlers. it is a further object of the invention to conceal the balls which are being returned from the pit after being thrown down the alley.

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following description thereof, and to the drawing, of which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of two adjoining alleys with a ball return and illumination means between them; and

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure l, but on a larger scale.

Virtually all commercial bowling alleys are multiple, that is, comprise a number of individual alleys side by side. Ball returns are located between successive alleys. Various lighting systems are employed to illuminate the alleys without glare in the eyes of the bowlers and spectators. To avoid distracting the bowlers, it is desirable that the returning balls be wholly or partly concealed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lighting system which is superior to those now in use and which also serves to conceal the returning balls.

For this purpose depressed open channels are provided between successive alleys 12, the bottom 14 of each channel being well below the surface of the alleys, these channels being of a size to accomrnodatestandard bowling balls 16 for duck pins or for any other type of pins for which the alley is intended.

Brackets 18 are arched over the channel 10 at intervals to support one or more series of fluorescent lighting tubes 20 arranged end to end from one end of the alley to the other, two such series being indicated in Figures 1 and 2. The tubular lamps 20 are mounted in holders 22 which are carried by the brackets '18 at a height a few inches above the level of the alley surfaces.

A suitable screen 24, preferably opaque, is supported by posts 26 which rise from the brackets 18. Each screen extends longitudinally from one end of the alley to the Patented Aug. 16, 1960 other and transversely spans the series of lighting tubes beneath it so as to direct the light from the tubes to the alley surfaces on either side. The margins 28 of the screen are preferably curved downward to shield the eyes of players and spectators from any direct rays from the lighting tubes, and also to protect the tubes from injury in case a ball is thrown in such a way or caroms from a pin to cross a gutter 30. The screen 24 and lamps 20 partially but sufficiently conceal the balls returning in the deprwsed runway or channel 10.

This arrangement of lighting units throws the light on the alley surfaces with no objectionable shadows, the side edges of the alleys being especially well illuminated, as is desirable.

I claim:

1. In combination with a pair of adjoining bowling alleys, an open ball-return channel between said alleys, said channel having its bottom below the level of the alley surfaces, a series of electric lighting units mounted over said channel a few inches above the level of said surfaces, and a screen mounted over said lighting units arranged to direct light from said units to said surfaces and to shield the eyes of observers from direct rays of light from said units.

2. In combination with a pair of adjoining bowling alleys, an open ball-return channel between said alleys, said channel having its bottom below the level of the alley surfaces, a series of fluorescent lighting tubes extending end to end substantially continuously over said channel from one end of the alleys to the other at a height of a few inches above the level of said alley surfaces, a screen over said tubes shaped and arranged to direct light from the tubes to the alley surfaces, and means for supporting said tubes and screen.

3. In combination with a pair of adjoining bowling alleys, an open ball-return channel between said alleys, said channel having its bottom below the level of the alley surfaces, a series of spaced brackets spanning said channel, two parallel series of fluorescent lighting tubes extending from one end of the alleys to the other, the tubes in each said series being arranged end to end and mounted on said brackets over said channel and a few inches above the level of the alley surfaces, and an opaque screen mounted on said brackets over said lighting tubes to direct light therefrom to the alley surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,175,750 Edwards Oct. 10, 1939 2,219,383 Dillion Oct. 29, 1940 2,270,474 Recher Ian. 20, 1942 2,710,336 Iorn June 7, 1955 2,835,788 Phillips, May 20, 1958

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