A bowling centre system (100) comprises: a bowling lane (1); a plurality of pins (2) positionable at predetermined points on the bowling lane (1); a plurality of strings (3), associated at one end, with a corresponding pin (2); for each string (3), a constrain system (4) positioned above the bowling lane (1) and having the other end of each string (3) connected to it; a pulley system (5) for managing the strings (3), positioned between the connecting system (4) and the pins (2) and comprising a motor-driven drawbar (6) operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string (3) present along the pulley system (5); the drawbar (6) is movable between a first position, allowing the pins (2) to be lifted from the bowling lane (1), and a second position, allowing not only the pins (2) to be lowered onto the bowling lane (1) into the predetermined position but also each string (3) to be slackened by the release of a further first working length so that the pins (2) can fall freely when struck by a ball (7) thrown along the lane (1) or by other pins struck by the ball (7) during play; a control device (8) for controlling the position of the movable drawbar (6); and a drive and selection system (9) connected to the movable drawbar (6) and to the control device (8) and configured to allow the movable drawbar (6) to move, when required, to at least a further, third operating position allowing the string (3) to be slackened by the release of a second working length different from the first working length of string (3) released when the second operating position is reached.

Systems and methods for masking pinsetters of a bowling center. The systems comprise a modular masking unit that comprises a first array of displays structurally supported by a support frame. The support frame is mounted to the ground so that the array of displays extends over a pair of bowling lanes and masks the p insetters for the pair of bowling lanes. The displays are arranged such that they can be independently controlled to provide a plurality of small displays or collectively controlled to provide a single large multi-panel display. The support frame is height adjustable such that a distance between the array of displays and the ground is adjustable (e.g., so that the masking unit can fit in between or in conjunction with all types of pinsetters, bowling scoring systems, and/or other masking units).

Systems and methods for masking pinsetters of a bowling center. The systems comprise a modular masking unit that comprises a first array of displays structurally supported by a support frame. The support frame is mounted to the ground so that the array of displays extends over a pair of bowling lanes and masks the p insetters for the pair of bowling lanes. The displays are arranged such that they can be independently controlled to provide a plurality of small displays or collectively controlled to provide a single large multi-panel display. The support frame is height adjustable such that a distance between the array of displays and the ground is adjustable (e.g., so that the masking unit can fit in between or in conjunction with all types of pinsetters, bowling scoring systems, and/or other masking units).

A bowling center system includes: a bowling lane; a plurality of pins positionable at predetermined points on the bowling lane; a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin (2); for each string, a constrain system positioned above the bowling lane and having the other end of each string connected to it; a pulley system for managing the strings, positioned between the connecting system and the pins and including a motor-driven drawbar operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string present along the pulley system; the drawbar is movable between a first position, allowing the pins to be lifted from the bowling lane, and a second position, allowing not only the pins to be lowered onto the bowling lane into the predetermined position but also each string to be slackened by the release of a further first working length so that the pins can fall freely when struck by a ball thrown along the lane or by other pins struck by the ball during play; a control device for controlling the position of the movable drawbar; and a drive and selection system connected to the movable drawbar and to the control device and configured to allow the movable drawbar to move, when required, to at least a further, third operating position allowing the string to be slackened by the release of a second working length different from the first working length of string released when the second operating position is reached.

A bowling center system includes: a bowling lane; a plurality of pins positionable at predetermined points on the bowling lane; a plurality of strings, associated at one end, with a corresponding pin (2); for each string, a constrain system positioned above the bowling lane and having the other end of each string connected to it; a pulley system for managing the strings, positioned between the connecting system and the pins and including a motor-driven drawbar operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string present along the pulley system; the drawbar is movable between a first position, allowing the pins to be lifted from the bowling lane, and a second position, allowing not only the pins to be lowered onto the bowling lane into the predetermined position but also each string to be slackened by the release of a further first working length so that the pins can fall freely when struck by a ball thrown along the lane or by other pins struck by the ball during play; a control device for controlling the position of the movable drawbar; and a drive and selection system connected to the movable drawbar and to the control device and configured to allow the movable drawbar to move, when required, to at least a further, third operating position allowing the string to be slackened by the release of a second working length different from the first working length of string released when the second operating position is reached.

A bowling pin setting system with a reconfigurable array of bowling pin retention mechanisms with a contracted configuration with two rows of five pin retention mechanisms and an expanded configuration wherein the pin retention mechanisms are disposed in an equilateral triangle. The array of pin retention mechanisms can be movable, such as by operation of a gantry or pivotable arms, between a pin setting position above a pin deck and a retracted position removed from above the pin deck. A bowling pin assembly and loading system with a pivoting magazine and at least one pin loading magazine can receive bowling pins from the pin deck, assemble the pins into an organized format, and load them into the array of pin retention mechanisms.

A bowling pin setting system with a reconfigurable array of bowling pin retention mechanisms with a contracted configuration with two rows of five pin retention mechanisms and an expanded configuration wherein the pin retention mechanisms are disposed in an equilateral triangle. The array of pin retention mechanisms can be movable, such as by operation of a gantry or pivotable arms, between a pin setting position above a pin deck and a retracted position removed from above the pin deck. A bowling pin assembly and loading system with a pivoting magazine and at least one pin loading magazine can receive bowling pins from the pin deck, assemble the pins into an organized format, and load them into the array of pin retention mechanisms.

A drop target bank assembly including: a plurality of drop target units mounted next to each other on a drop target bank bracket; wherein each of the plurality of drop target units includes: a target; a trip mechanism; a reset mechanism; and a sensor; wherein the trip mechanism is configured to move the target from a first position to a second position; wherein the reset mechanism is configured to move the target from the second position to the first position; wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether the target is at the first or second position; and wherein the trip mechanism and the reset mechanism in a drop target unit are individually activated independent of other drop target units.

A drop target bank assembly including: a plurality of drop target units mounted next to each other on a drop target bank bracket; wherein each of the plurality of drop target units includes: a target; a trip mechanism; a reset mechanism; and a sensor; wherein the trip mechanism is configured to move the target from a first position to a second position; wherein the reset mechanism is configured to move the target from the second position to the first position; wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether the target is at the first or second position; and wherein the trip mechanism and the reset mechanism in a drop target unit are individually activated independent of other drop target units.

A machine for setting up bowling pins in predetermined positions. The machine includes: a movable distributing arm, suitable for releasing the pins one by one each at one of the predetermined positions, and a primary system for positioning the distributing arm with respect to the predetermined positions. The primary system is devised for an operating cycle moving the distributing arm according to a fixed sequence. A lifting wheel sweeps away the pins and delivers the pins to the distributing arm. A motor moves the distributing arm, the primary positioning system and the lifting wheel (3). A secondary system interferes with the primary positioning system enabling the user to define a position chosen from the predetermined positions with a view to the set-up, by the machine, of a pin in the chosen position.