BOWLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to bowling systems and, more particularly, to bowling systems comprising a string pinspotter system for recovering and setting bowling pins on a bowling lane and methods of use. The system includes: a plurality of strings associated with corresponding bowling pins; a pulley system configured to place the corresponding bowling pins into a first position onto a bowling lane and a second position raised above the bowling lane; and an actuator independent of the pulley system, the actuator adjusting a string length of the plurality of strings between at least a first string length and a second string length.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a plurality of strings associated with corresponding bowling pins; a pulley system configured to place the corresponding bowling pins into a first position onto a bowling lane and a second position raised above the bowling lane; and an actuator independent of the pulley system, the actuator adjusting a string length of any combination of the plurality of strings to allow a slackening of the plurality of strings associated with the corresponding bowling pins when the bowling pins are in the first position to allow the bowling pins to fall freely.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is moveable between at least a retracted position and an extended position.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the retracted position provides the plurality of strings with a first length and the extended position provides the plurality of strings with a second length.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first length is shorter than the second length.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is moveable between any position between a retracted position and an extended position to adjust a string length of the plurality of strings.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is remote from the plurality of strings when the bowling pins are above the bowling lane.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the pulley system moves the plurality of strings such that the pins are placed between the first position and the second position, independent of any movement of the actuator.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is at least one of a electromechanical actuator or an electronic actuator.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a drive control system configured to control movement of the actuator into different operating positions allowing the plurality of strings to be slackened to different lengths, independent of movement by the pulley system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator interacts with the plurality of strings when the corresponding bowling pins are knocked down.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the pulley system comprises a motor driven drawbar, movable along a predetermined path and operatively configured to manage a predetermined length of each string present along the pulley system to place the corresponding bowling pins into the first position or the second position, independent of actuator adjusting the string length for a bowling game.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a drive motor unit for controlling the position of the movable drawbar.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the drive motor unit comprises a brushless motor with Hall effect sensor assemblies or probes used for controlling the position of the movable drawbar.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor to determine a position of the actuator.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensor is configured to determine a working length of the plurality of strings.

16. A bowling center system comprising: a plurality of pins positionable at predetermined points on a bowling lane; a plurality of strings, associated with a corresponding pin of the plurality of pins; a pulley system comprising a drawbar movable along a predetermined path and independently operative to manage placement of the plurality of bowling pins onto the bowling lane; and an actuator which is independently controlled from the pulley system, the actuator being independently moveable between a retracted position and an extended position such that an operating position of the strings can be slackened to different lengths independent of the bowling pins being placed onto the bowling lane.

17. The bowling center system of claim 16, further comprising a control device controlling the position of the actuator.

18. The bowling center system of claim 16, further comprising a control system to independently move the drawbar.

19. The bowling center system of claim 16, further comprising a sensor to determine a position of the actuator.

20. The bowling center system of claim 16, wherein the actuator comprises one of a mechanical actuator or an electronic actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] These and other innovative aspects, or advantageous features are set out in the appended claims and the technical features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed description which follows of preferred embodiments of it, to be considered purely as non-limiting examples. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a string pinspotter system, amongst other features, with bowling pins in a raised position above a pin deck in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows a string pinspotter system, amongst other features, with the bowling pins in a lowered position on the pin deck in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows a string pinspotter system, amongst other features, with an actuator in a first position to maintain a first string length in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows a string pinspotter system, amongst other features, with the actuator in a second position to maintain a second string length in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 5 shows a representative computer infrastructure, which can be representative of an electronic control system or other computer device used in a bowling center for managing the string pinspotter system in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 6 shows a top down view of the actuator in the first position in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 7 shows a top down view of the actuator in the second position in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present disclosure relates to bowling center systems and, more particularly, to bowling systems comprising a string pinspotter system for recovering and setting bowling pins on a bowling lane. As described herein, the term bowling center system may include a single structure which may be one of a plurality of similar single structures in a bowling alley establishment.

[0015] In embodiments, the string pinspotter system includes an actuator which is capable of independently adjusting a string length. For example, the string length may be adjusted independently from the placement of the bowling pins into a raised position above the bowling lane (e.g., pin deck) or into a lowered position with the bowling pins on the bowling lane. Advantageously, for example, the actuator does not interfere or interact with the strings of the string pinspotter system when the bowling pins are in a first position, lifted from a bowling lane or, in embodiments, initially in the lowered position on the bowling lane. As to the latter feature, for example, the bowling pins may be lowered onto the bowling lane without any control from the actuator. Instead, the actuator interacts with the strings to provide different string lengths, e.g., slack on the strings, when the bowling pins are knocked down by a bowling ball.

[0016] More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a bowling centre system for stabilizing bowling pins in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a string pinspotter system 100, amongst other features, places or maintains bowling pins 2 in a raised position above a pin deck (e.g., bowling lane) 1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As further shown in FIG. 1, for example, the string pinspotter system 100 comprises a plurality of strings 3, associated at one end, with a corresponding bowling pin 2. By way of non-limiting example, the accompanying drawings show four bowling pins 2, but the number of bowling pins 2 may be higher, e.g., ten bowling pins.

[0017] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the string pinspotter system 100 is capable of positioning the plurality of bowling pins 2 on the bowling lane 1, for example. In FIG. 1, for example, the string pinspotter system 100 places the bowling pins 2 in a first position, lifted above a bowling lane 1; whereas in FIG. 2, the string pinspotter system 100 places the bowling pins 2 in a second position, onto the bowling lane 1. On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows the bowling pins 2 knocked down with an actuator 100 in a first position to maintain or limit a first string length; whereas FIG. 4 shows the bowling pins 2 knocked down with the actuator 100 in a second position to maintain a second string length in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, the actuator 110 is used to allow for a slack on the strings 3 and may work independently of other subsystems of the pinspotter 100.

[0018] As further shown in FIG. 1, the actuator 110 does not interfere with or interact, e.g., contact, with the strings 3 of the string pinspotter system 100 in this first configuration, e.g., bowling pins 2 raised from the bowling lane 1. Also, in embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the actuator 110 may not interact or adjust any length of the strings 3 when the string pinspotter system 100 places the bowling pins 2 in the second configuration, e.g., bowling pins 2 are lowered onto the bowling lane 1. Instead, the pulley system 5 and related subsystems will be used to limit the string length in order to place the bowling pins 2 onto the bowling lane, independent of the actuator 110. In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, the actuator 110 will interact with the strings 3 to limit the amount of string allowed when a pin il falling and pulling on the strings 3 during different bowling games. Accordingly, as described in more detail herein, the actuator 110 works independently of systems which set of the bowling pins 2 on the bowling lane 1 or which raise the bowling pins 2 above the bowling lane 1.

[0019] The actuator 110 may be, for example, an electromechanical device or an electronic device. For example, the actuator 110 may be a rack and pinion gear, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic system, a manual level system, or an electronic linear actuator using, for example, motors or solenoids. It should be recognized, though, that other actuators may also be included in the present invention.

[0020] In embodiments, the actuator 110 may be provided in an extended position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 and 6) or a retracted position (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 (and FIG. 2 but when the pins have not fallen)). It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that the actuator 110 may be in a retracted or extended position or any position therebetween when the bowling pins 2 are in the raised position above the bowling lane as shown in FIG. 1. This is due to the fact that the actuator 110 works independent of the setting of the bowling pins 2 and does not interact with any of the strings 3 during these operational stages.

[0021] In FIG. 3, for example, the actuator is in a first position to maintain a first string length; whereas in FIG. 4 the actuator 110 is in a second position to maintain a second string length. Also, it should be recognized by those of skill in the art that the actuator 110 may be in any position between the retracted or extended positions in FIGS. 3 and 4, depending on the desired slack required for the strings 3. In this way, the actuator 110 may be used to limit the length of the string 3 when the bowling pins 2 are knocked down by a bowling ball 7 as described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4. Accordingly, the actuator 110 will interact or contact with the strings 3 when the string pinspotter system 100 is in either of the configurations shown in FIG. 3 or 4 as described in detail herein.

[0022] The actuator 110 may include a sensor 110a, e.g., encoder 110a. The sensor 110a may be used to determine the position of the actuator 100 in any of its positions. This, in turn, can be used to determine the length of the strings 3, i.e., by determining the position of the actuator 110 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As should be understood by those of skill in the art, the sensor 110a sends a feedback signal that can be used to determine position, speed, or direction of the actuator 110, e.g., the position of the actuator 110 and how fast the actuator 110 is being moved. The sensor, e.g., encoder, 110a may convert motion to an electrical signal that can be read by controller 9 and/or controller 8 in order to determine its position and, hence, the adjusted length of the string 3. The sensor 110a may be a linear sensor/encoder, an optical sensor/encoder, a magnetic sensor/encoder, a capacitive sensor/encoder or an inductive sensor/encoder, as examples, and as is known in the art such that no further explanation is required for a complete understanding of the present invention.

[0023] In embodiments, the actuator 110 may be independently controlled by the controller (e.g., selection control system) 9. That is, the actuator 110 may be controlled independent of the mechanisms of the string pinspotter system 100 which raise the bowling pins 2 into a first position lifted above the bowling lane 1 as shown in FIG. 1 or which lowers the bowling pins 2 into a lowered position onto the bowling lane in FIG. 2. In alternative embodiments, the selection control system 9 may work independently or together with the control system 8, which manages the other mechanisms (components) of the string pinspotter system 100.

[0024] FIGS. 1-4 further show, for each string 3, a constrain system or reel system 4 positioned above the bowling lane 1 and having the other end of each string 3 connected thereto. The string pinspotter system 100 also comprises a pulley system 5 for the strings 3, positioned between the reel system 4 and the bowling pins 2. In embodiments, the actuator 110 will work independently of the pully system 5.

[0025] As illustrated, the pulley system 5 comprises a motor-driven drawbar 6, movable along a predetermined path and operatively configured to move each string 3 along the pulley system 5 between the raised position of FIG. 1 and the lowered position of FIG. 2. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drawbar 6 is movable between a first position, allowing the bowling pins 2 to be lifted from the bowling lane 1 (see FIG. 1) by pulling the strings 2 upward, and a second position, allowing the bowling pins 2 to lower onto the bowling lane 1 into the predetermined position (FIG. 2) by providing additional length to the strings 3. In embodiments, the actuator 110 will work independent of the drawbar 6. For example, the actuator 110 is moved independent of the drawbar 6 and is used to adjust the length of the string 3 by retracting the actuator 110 as shown in FIG. 3 or extending the actuator 110 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0026] And, as illustrated, the string pinspotter system 100 is associated with the control device 8 for controlling the position of the actuator 110 and, hence, the length of string managed by the actuator 110. For example, in the position of FIG. 3, for example, each string 3 may be slackened by the release of different working lengths, after the bowling pins 2 have been positioned, so that the bowling pins 2 can fall freely when struck by a bowling ball 7 thrown along the lane 1 or by other bowling pins 2 struck by the bowling ball 7 during play (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0027] The string pinspotter system 100 further comprises the selection control system 9 connected to the actuator 110 and, in alternative or additional embodiments, to the control device 8. The selection control system 9 is configured to move the actuator 110, when required, between different positions (e.g., operating positions) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, independent of any movement of the drawbar 6. The movement of the actuator 110 into different positions, e.g., extended or retracted, will independently allow for different lengths string for when the pins fall in a pit 25 of the bowling lane 1 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0028] For example, in the retracted position of the actuator 110 in FIG. 3, the strings 3 can be slackened to a first length; whereas, in FIG. 4, in an extended position, the strings 3 can be slackened to a second length, longer or greater than the first length. By way of further illustration, in FIG. 4, the actuator 110 may be extended farther than that shown in FIG. 3, such that the strings 3 may be released a further working length different from the previous working length of the strings 3 shown in FIG. 3. It should be understood that the selection control system 9 may set the actuator 110 to these different positions (e.g., between an extracted and retracted position or any positioned in between) or, alternatively, the actuator 110 may be set manually to the different positions, independently of the movement of the drawbar 6 or pulley systems described herein. In this way, the string pinspotter system 100 is structured and configured to release the strings 3 to place the pins on the bowling lane 1 or above the bowling lane 1, whereas, the position of the actuator 110 will adjust the string length 3 depending on the desired operating configuration required by a bowling game on each occasion. The operating positions of the actuator 110 may be more than the two described above without thereby limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] It should also be recognized that an encoder 110a may also be used with the actuator 110, which provides feedback to the selection control system 9 (or the control device 8), indicating an exact position of the actuator 110. The selection control system 9 may be manual, mechanical or electronic/computerized, depending on the choices of the constructor of the string pinspotter system 100. In further embodiments, the actuator 110 may be manually controlled, independent of the selection control system or the control device 8.

[0030] As further shown in FIGS. 1-4, the pulley system 5 comprises a fixed pulley subsystem 10 for each string 3 disposed between the drawbar 6 and the bowling pins 3. The fixed pulley subsystem 10 may be configured to allow each bowling pin 2 to be positioned at the predetermined point of the bowling lane 1. In light of this, the fixed pulley subsystem 10 may comprise a plurality of pulleys 21 (equal in number to the number of strings 3 present) connected to a supporting frame 22 and positioned above the bowling lane 1. Each pulley 21 is mounted, in height, at a position above the predetermined initial position which the respective bowling pin 2 must have on the bowling lane 1 below. The actuator 110, again, works independently of the fixed pulley subsystem 10.

[0031] The string pinspotter system 100 may also comprise a stabilizing board 11 positioned between the bowling pins 2 and the drawbar 6. The stabilizing board 11 is provided with a plurality of openings 12, engageable by the corresponding bowling pins 2 while they are being lifted into the first position, e.g., raised position above the bowling lane 1, so as to stabilize the bowling pins 2 before starting to lower them.

[0032] As further shown in the figures, the drawbar 6 is provided with a plurality of sheaves 13 for unreeling the strings 3 (the sheaves used are equal in number to the number of strings present in the system). The actuator 110 works independently of the sheaves 13. Also, in embodiments, the drawbar 6 may be rigidly, fixed to an endless chain assembly 14.

[0033] The drawbar 6 may also be composed of a plate 6a associated with the active section of the chain 14 to which the sheaves 13 for unreeling the strings 3 are articulated. The drawbar 6 may thus be associated with the endless chain assembly 14 looped around a pair of pulleys 15, 16. It should be noted that one of the pulleys 15 may be connected to a drive motor unit 17 connected to the control device 8. In a non-limiting constructional example, the chain assembly 14 is associated with a frame 23 mounted above the bowling lane 1 so that the (horizontal) active section of it, on which the drawbar 6 runs, may be parallel to the bowling lane 1. Also connected to the frame 23 is the reel system 4 of the strings 3. The reel system 4 may comprise a plurality of tensioning elements 20, independent of each other and the actuator 110 and each acting on a corresponding string 3. The tensioning elements 20 may also be configured to modify the total length of each string 3 available between the element 20 itself and the corresponding bowling pin 2.

[0034] Also, as illustrated, the drive motor unit 17 comprises the control device 8 for controlling the position of the drawbar 6. Similarly, the control device 8 and/or the selection control system 9 may be used to manage the actuator 110 as it reaches the different positions along its predetermined path. It should also be recognized by those of skill in the art, though, that the drive motor unit 17 will act independently of the actuator 110 and will not be used, for example, to adjust a string length for different game operations as described herein.

[0035] The drive motor unit 17 may comprise a brushless motor with Hall effect sensor assemblies or probes 18 for controlling the operating relevant position needed to move the drawbar to the predetermined positions. The actuator 110 may also include an encoder or Hall effect sensor assembly or probe 110 for controlling the position of the actuator 110 and for measuring the length of string 3 managed by the actuator 110 or other means to allow for managing the extension between 2 or more positions. A control device 19 may also be used for checking the movement or sliding of the strings 3 and positioned between the movable drawbar 6 and the fixed pulley subsystem 10 and/or the actuator 110.

[0036] Preferably, the control device 19 is connected to the drive motor unit 17 and/or the selection control system 9. In a constructional example, the control device 19 for checking the movement or sliding of the strings 3 comprises an optical encoder. Preferably, the control device 19 for checking string movement or sliding is associated with the aforementioned frame 23. Also, in embodiments, the selection control system 9 is configured for checking that the strings 3 effectively are adjusted according to movements of the actuator 110. The drive system 17 in addition to the selection control system 9 and/or controller 8 may be connected to an operator interface unit 24 from which it is possible to set/select options to define the different positions of the actuator 110 to define the different lengths of string 3 to be made available for the bowling pins 2.

[0037] Thanks to this type of system, the aforementioned aims of the invention are achieved by making it possible to have at least two different operating configurations for the working length of string for the pins. Accordingly, when a pin is knocked down, a configuration with longer strings can make its behavior more similar to that of a free fall system since the string does not excessively limit the behavior of the falling pin (the pin can move and rebound freely within the end zone of the machine without the string limiting its movements). A configuration with relatively shorter strings considerably reduces the risk of the strings frequently getting entangled with each other, even in the case of throws by pro-bowlers.

[0038] As further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, a zone 115 is provided for temporarily collecting the fallen bowling pins 2 after a throw of the ball 7. The zone 115 comprises a collection pit 25, with inclined surfaces, formed at the far end of the bowling lane 1. On one side of the pit 25, there is an opening 26 for removing the bowling ball 7 from the bowling lane 1.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a representative computer infrastructure 1000, which can be representative of an electronic control system or other computer device used in a bowling center for managing the sting pinspotter system in accordance with aspects of the present invention. For example, the computer infrastructure may be representative of the selection control system 9 and/or controller 8. A computer system/server 1200 is provided in the computer infrastructure 1000, which is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system/server 1200 include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

[0040] Computer system/server 1200 may be described in the general context of computer system executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/server 1200 may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, computer system/server 1200 is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system/server 1200 may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units 1600, a system memory 2800, and a bus 1800 that couples various system components including system memory 2800 to processor 1600.

[0042] Bus 1800 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures as is known in the art.

[0043] Computer system/server 1200 typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server 1200, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

[0044] System memory 2800 can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cache memory 32. Computer system/server 1200 may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a hard drive). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus 1800 by one or more data media interfaces. The memory 2800 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention.

[0045] Program/utility 4000, having a set (at least one) of program modules 4200, may be stored in memory 2800 by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Program modules 4200 generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

[0046] Computer system/server 1200 may also communicate with one or more external devices 1400 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 2400, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server 1200; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server 1200 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 2200. Still yet, computer system/server 1200 can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 2000. As depicted, network adapter 20 communicates with the other components of computer system/server 1200 via bus 1800. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server 1200. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

[0047] In general, the processor executes computer program code (e.g., program control), which can be stored in the memory and/or storage system. The program control provides the processes described herein. The program control can be implemented as one or more program code stored in memory as separate or combined modules. Additionally, the program control may be implemented as separate dedicated processors or a single or several processors to provide the function of these tools. While executing the computer program code, the processor can read and/or write data to/from memory, storage system, and/or I/O interface. The bus provides a communications link between each of the components in the computing device.

[0048] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the program code can be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable storage medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. Any combination of one or more computer readable storage medium(s) may be utilized. A computer readable storage medium is non-transitory, e.g., is not a signal per se. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable storage medium is not a signal per se. The computer readable storage medium is non-transitory.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows a top down view of the actuator 110 in the first position and FIG. 7 shows a top down view of the actuator in the second position. . . . As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the actuator 110 is in a retracted position, whereas, in FIG. 7, the actuator 110 is in an extended position. In this way, the actuator 110 can limit and/or adjust the string length.

[0050] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.