A string bowling pin as described herein incorporates one or more improvements that extend the time between maintenance and repair events that might otherwise be required at the place where the string leads from the top of the pin. A free-floating bushing improves the longevity of the string and pin connection. In another example, a radiused opening at the top of the pin improves the longevity of the string and pin connection. Also, both the improved bushing and radiused opening at the top of the pin, either alone or together, make the pin less likely to tangle with other strings and pins during use.

A string bowling pin as described herein incorporates one or more improvements that extend the time between maintenance and repair events that might otherwise be required at the place where the string leads from the top of the pin. A free-floating bushing improves the longevity of the string and pin connection. In another example, a radiused opening at the top of the pin improves the longevity of the string and pin connection. Also, both the improved bushing and radiused opening at the top of the pin, either alone or together, make the pin less likely to tangle with other strings and pins during use.

A bowling pin setter mechanism comprising a vertically-arranged lift assembly and a combined spot and re-spotting assembly. The latter includes a top member including a chute, the top member configured to move in a top plane; a bottom member including a bottom opening having an area of a first size and a support plate disposed adjacent the bottom opening, the bottom member disposed in a bottom plane; a middle member including a middle opening and a channel extending from the middle opening at a neck area, the middle member disposed between the top member and the bottom member, the middle member configured to move in a middle plane parallel to the top plane and the bottom plane; and an actuator configured for lowering and raising an aggregate group of said top, middle and bottom members.

A bowling pin setter mechanism comprising a vertically-arranged lift assembly and a combined spot and re-spotting assembly. The latter includes a top member including a chute, the top member configured to move in a top plane; a bottom member including a bottom opening having an area of a first size and a support plate disposed adjacent the bottom opening, the bottom member disposed in a bottom plane; a middle member including a middle opening and a channel extending from the middle opening at a neck area, the middle member disposed between the top member and the bottom member, the middle member configured to move in a middle plane parallel to the top plane and the bottom plane; and an actuator configured for lowering and raising an aggregate group of said top, middle and bottom members.

A bowling pin setter mechanism comprising a vertically-arranged lift assembly and a combined spot and re-spotting assembly. The latter includes a top member including a chute, the top member configured to move in a top plane; a bottom member including a bottom opening having an area of a first size and a support plate disposed adjacent the bottom opening, the bottom member disposed in a bottom plane; a middle member including a middle opening and a channel extending from the middle opening at a neck area, the middle member disposed between the top member and the bottom member, the middle member configured to move in a middle plane parallel to the top plane and the bottom plane; and an actuator configured for lowering and raising an aggregate group of said top, middle and bottom members.

A bowling pin setter mechanism comprising a vertically-arranged lift assembly and a combined spot and re-spotting assembly. The latter includes a top member including a chute, the top member configured to move in a top plane; a bottom member including a bottom opening having an area of a first size and a support plate disposed adjacent the bottom opening, the bottom member disposed in a bottom plane; a middle member including a middle opening and a channel extending from the middle opening at a neck area, the middle member disposed between the top member and the bottom member, the middle member configured to move in a middle plane parallel to the top plane and the bottom plane; and an actuator configured for lowering and raising an aggregate group of said top, middle and bottom members.

An apparatus for cleaning belts of a bowling pinsetter comprising at least one cleaning member for cleaning at least one belt of the bowling pinsetter and a frame for coupling the at least one cleaning member to the bowling pinsetter. The apparatus further comprises at least one positioning member comprising a mechanism for moving and guiding the at least one cleaning member between a cleaning position and a non-cleaning position, wherein the cleaning member is coupled with the bowling pinsetter in the cleaning position and in the non-cleaning position.

An apparatus for cleaning belts of a bowling pinsetter comprising at least one cleaning member for cleaning at least one belt of the bowling pinsetter and a frame for coupling the at least one cleaning member to the bowling pinsetter. The apparatus further comprises at least one positioning member comprising a mechanism for moving and guiding the at least one cleaning member between a cleaning position and a non-cleaning position, wherein the cleaning member is coupled with the bowling pinsetter in the cleaning position and in the non-cleaning position.

A bowling ball stop assembly for a pinsetter of a bowling lane is provided. The bowling ball stop assembly can include a moveable blocking feature that moves between a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions include an extended position with the stop arranged in front of the pinsetter to block or obstruct bowling balls moving down the bowling lane, and a retracted position with the stop raised away from the bowling lane to allow passage of bowling balls and the play of bowling games thereon. The bowling ball stop assembly further includes a frame supporting the blocking feature and configured to guide or facilitate control of movement thereof between the extended and retracted positions. Other aspects also are described.

A bowling ball stop assembly for a pinsetter of a bowling lane is provided. The bowling ball stop assembly can include a moveable blocking feature that moves between a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions include an extended position with the stop arranged in front of the pinsetter to block or obstruct bowling balls moving down the bowling lane, and a retracted position with the stop raised away from the bowling lane to allow passage of bowling balls and the play of bowling games thereon. The bowling ball stop assembly further includes a frame supporting the blocking feature and configured to guide or facilitate control of movement thereof between the extended and retracted positions. Other aspects also are described.