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 positioning system for bowling pins includes: a support frame; levers, each independently rotatably associated to the frame, according to an oscillating axis oscillating between rest and perturbed positions; cables, each having first and second ends, fixed to a respective lever; a carriage slidably associated to the support frame; first guides connected to the carriage, each configured to contact a respective cable between the respective lever and pin; a positioning template, provided with accommodating openings of the pins, in which a portion of a corresponding cable is inserted; brakes, each connected to the support frame, associated to a respective cable and actuatable between a blocking position and an unblocking position; an electric motor to actuate the carriage between first and second positions; sensors, each of which is associated to a corresponding lever and is configured the lever position; a control, which detects lever positions and manages the motor and brakes.

A positioning system for bowling pins includes: a support frame; levers, each independently rotatably associated to the frame, according to an oscillating axis oscillating between rest and perturbed positions; cables, each having first and second ends, fixed to a respective lever; a carriage slidably associated to the support frame; first guides connected to the carriage, each configured to contact a respective cable between the respective lever and pin; a positioning template, provided with accommodating openings of the pins, in which a portion of a corresponding cable is inserted; brakes, each connected to the support frame, associated to a respective cable and actuatable between a blocking position and an unblocking position; an electric motor to actuate the carriage between first and second positions; sensors, each of which is associated to a corresponding lever and is configured the lever position; a control, which detects lever positions and manages the motor and brakes.

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.