Ball Accelerator Device for use with a Ball Lift Assembly

Abstract

A ball accelerator device for use with a ball lift assembly includes a first set of rollers configured to engage with a rotating belt of the ball lift assembly. The ball accelerator device comprises a second set of rollers configured to engage with the rotating belt of the ball lift assembly, wherein each roller of the first set of rollers and the second set of rollers is freely rotatable upon engaging with the rotating belt. The ball accelerator device comprises a top bracket with a securing assembly configured to secure the ball accelerator device with a cylindrical tube assembly of the ball lift assembly. When the rotating belt rolls a bowling ball, the ball accelerator device maintains a frictional engagement of the bowling ball between the rotating belt and a lift rail of the ball lift assembly.

Claims

1. A ball accelerator device for use with a ball lift assembly, the ball accelerator device comprising: a first set of rollers configured to engage with a rotating belt of the ball lift assembly; a second set of rollers configured to engage with the rotating belt of the ball lift assembly, wherein each roller of the first set of rollers and the second set of rollers is freely rotatable upon engaging with the rotating belt; and a top bracket comprising a securing assembly configured to secure the ball accelerator device with a cylindrical tube assembly of the ball lift assembly; wherein the rotating belt is configured to roll a bowling ball and when the bowling ball is present, the ball accelerator device is configured to maintain a frictional engagement of the bowling ball between the rotating belt and a lift rail of the ball lift assembly.

2. The ball accelerator device of claim 1, wherein the rotating belt is a V-shaped belt.

3. The ball accelerator device of claim 1, further comprising a first side bracket, the first side bracket is configured to hold the first set of rollers, and the first side bracket comprises a first set of through holes configured to receive a first set of fasteners to hold the first set of rollers.

4. The ball accelerator device of claim 3, further comprising a second side bracket configured to hold the second set of rollers, the second side bracket comprising a second set of through holes configured to receive a second set of fasteners to hold the second set of rollers.

5. The ball accelerator device of claim 4, further comprising a first side wall and a second side wall attached to the first side bracket and the second side bracket, respectively.

6. The ball accelerator device of claim 1, further comprising a set of upper plates and a set of lower plates defining a gap therebetween, the gap enabling the securing assembly to receive therethrough the cylindrical tube assembly, thereby securing the ball accelerator device to the cylindrical tube assembly.

7. The ball accelerator device of claim 1, further comprising one or more gripping portions configured to engage with the bowling ball.

8. The ball accelerator device of claim 1, wherein the lift rail further comprises a track portion, the track portion is configured to allow the bowling ball to roll up as the rotating belt applies pressure to the bowling ball.

9. A method for accelerating a bowling ball for use with a ball lift assembly, the method comprising: engaging a first set of rollers with a rotating belt of the ball lift assembly; engaging a second set of rollers the rotating belt of the ball lift assembly, wherein each roller of the first set of rollers and the second set of rollers is freely rotatable upon engaging with the rotating belt; securing the first set of rollers and the second set of rollers to a top bracket that comprises a securing assembly that is secured to a cylindrical tube assembly of the ball lift assembly; and when the rotating belt rolls a bowling ball, the first set of rollers and the second set of rollers maintains a frictional engagement of the bowling ball between the rotating belt and a lift rail of the ball lift assembly.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the rotating belt of the ball lift assembly is a V-shaped belt.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising a first side bracket, the first side bracket holding the first set of rollers, and the first side bracket comprises a first set of through holes receiving a first set of fasteners to hold the first set of rollers.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a second side bracket holding the second set of rollers, the second side bracket comprises a second set of through holes receiving a second set of fasteners to hold the second set of rollers.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising one or more gripping portions configured for engaging with the bowling ball.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the lift rail further comprises a track portion, the track portion allowing the bowling ball to roll up as the rotating belt applies pressure to the bowling ball.

15. A ball accelerator device for use with a ball lift assembly, the ball accelerator device comprising: a first set of rollers configured to engage with a rotating belt of the ball lift assembly; a second set of rollers configured to engage with the rotating belt of the ball lift assembly, wherein each roller of the first set of rollers and the second set of rollers is freely rotatable upon engaging with the rotating belt; a top bracket comprising a securing assembly configured to secure the ball accelerator device with a cylindrical tube assembly of the ball lift assembly; a first side bracket, the first side bracket is configured to hold the first set of rollers, and the first side bracket comprises a first set of through holes configured to receive a first set of fasteners to hold the first set of rollers; and a second side bracket configured to hold the second set of rollers, the second side bracket comprising a second set of through holes configured to receive a second set of fasteners to hold the second set of rollers; wherein when the rotating belt rolls a bowling ball, the ball accelerator device is configured to maintain a frictional engagement of the bowling ball between the rotating belt and a lift rail of the ball lift assembly.

16. The ball accelerator device of claim 15, further comprising a first side wall and a second side wall attached to the first side bracket and the second side bracket, respectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a ball accelerator device configured to be coupled to a ball lift assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present specification;

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view the ball accelerator device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present specification;

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the ball accelerator device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present specification;

[0025] FIG. 4 depicts a bottom isometric view of the ball accelerator device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present specification;

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of the ball accelerator device secured to a cylindrical tube assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present specification;

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a lift assembly comprising a lift rail, the cylindrical tube assembly, and a belt, in accordance with one embodiment of the present specification; and

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a zoomed-in view of the lift assembly in operation with the ball accelerator device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

[0031] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described below are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in the drawings. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0032] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and the like. In other instances, well-known elements associated with bowling ball return assemblies and bowling ball lift assemblies have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

[0033] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word comprise and variations thereof, such as, comprises and comprising are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as including, but not limited to.

[0034] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise, and the vice versa. It should also be noted that the term or is generally employed in its broadest sense, that is, as meaning and/or unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0035] The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

[0036] The present invention relates to a ball accelerator device for use in a ball lift assembly of a ball return system for use in bowling alleys. In bowling alleys, after a player rolls a ball down the bowling lane, the ball needs to be returned to the player at the player area for the next roll. The ball return system facilitates the return of the ball. The ball return system comprises a pit area generally behind the bowling pins, the pit area being configured to receive the ball after the players has rolled the ball down the bowling lane. From the pit area, the ball needs to be elevated and returned to the player. The ball lift assembly facilitates in elevating and returning the ball to the player area.

[0037] The ball lift assembly may include a pair of pulleys coupled to a cylindrical tube assembly. The cylindrical tube assembly may include an upper tube inserted into a lower tube with a compression spring therebetween. The pair of pulleys may be configured to rotate a hump-backed belt. The ball is entrapped between the belt and a lift rail such that when the pair of pulleys are driven, the ball is rolled between the belt and the lift rail and raised towards a down-sweep for further delivery back to the player's area. The belt may include an outer surface having raised areas or humps for wedging the ball between the raised areas and the lift rail, whereby the wedged bowling ball is rolled up the lift rail and down the raised areas so as to lift the ball to a top of the lift rail, i.e., to the down-sweep.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a ball accelerator device 100 configured to be coupled to a ball lift assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ball accelerator device 100 may be configured to engage with a belt of the ball lift assembly. In an embodiment, the belt may be a V-shaped belt. In an embodiment, the belt may comprise one or more raised areas for engaging with a bowling ball. In operation, the ball accelerator device 100 may prevent concaving of the belt when the bowling belt, wedged between the belt and a lift rail, is being lifted to the top of the lift rail.

[0039] It is appreciated that although the operation of the ball accelerator device 100 may be explained in conjunction with the V-shaped belt, the ball accelerator device 100 may function in conjunction with other belts as well, such as belts without raised areas.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the ball accelerator device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the ball accelerator device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Details of the ball accelerator device 100 will now be described by referring collectively to FIGS. 1-3.

[0041] The ball accelerator device 100 may include a first set of rollers, collectively referred to with numeral 110, and a second set of rollers, collectively referred to with numeral 120. Each of the first set of rollers 110 and the second set of rollers 120 may include a pre-defined number of rollers. In a non-limiting example, the first set of rollers 110 may include ten rollers while the second set of rollers 120 may include ten rollers. It is appreciated that the number of the rollers in the first set of rollers 110 and the second set of rollers 120 may be decided based on the operational requirements, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0042] In an embodiment, the rollers of the first set of rollers 110 and the second set of rollers 120 are configured to freely rotate when a rotational force is applied to the rollers. The rotational force may be applied, for instance, by the belt of the ball lift assembly when the belt is driven by a set of pulleys (not shown).

[0043] The ball accelerator device 100 may include a first side bracket 112. The first side bracket 112 may be configured to hold the first set of rollers 110 so as to allow free rotation of the rollers of the first set of rollers 110. The first side bracket 112 may be formed of a suitable material, for instance, metal or alloy. The first side bracket 112 may include first set of through holes 113 configured to facilitate coupling of the first side bracket 112 with the first set of rollers 110. The first set of through holes 113 may correspond to the first set of rollers 110, in that, the first set of through holes 113 may align with receiving holes 114 in each roller of the first set of rollers 110.

[0044] The first set of through holes 113 and the receiving holes 114 may be configured to receive a first set of fasteners 115 therethrough. Each fastener of the first set of fasteners 115 may be configured to couple the first side bracket 112 with a corresponding roller of the first set of rollers 110. In order to secure the coupling of the first side bracket 112 with the first set of rollers 110, a first set of nuts 116 may be configured to engage with the first set of fasteners 115 and hold the first set of fasteners 115 engaged through the first set of through holes 113 and the receiving holes 114. In a non-limiting example, the first set of fasteners 115 may Allen head screws that are 2 long.

[0045] The ball accelerator device 100 may include a first set of roller tubes 117 configured to be received within the receiving holes 114 of the first set of rollers 110. The first set of roller tubes 117 may allow the first set of rollers 110 to freely rotate when the rotational force is applied to the first set of rollers 110. The first set of roller tubes 117 allow the first set of fasteners 115 to pass therethrough, in order to enable the first set of fasteners to pass through the first set of through holes 113 and engage with the first set of nuts 116. In a non-limiting example, the first set of roller tubes 117 may be long and with outside diameter.

[0046] For instance, a first roller 110a may be coupled with the first side bracket 112. The first roller 110a may comprise a receiving hole 114a while the first side bracket 112 may comprise a first through hole 113a. The receiving hole 114a and the first through hole 113a may be configured to receive a first fastener 115a. The first fastener 115a may pass through the first roller tube 117a. The first fastener 115a may be held in place by a first nut 116a that engages with the first fastener 115a. In an embodiment, the first fastener 115a may comprise a threaded surface so as to enable the first nut 116a to be coupled thereto in a secure manner.

[0047] It is appreciated that the details provided above with respect to the coupling of the first roller 110a to the first side bracket 112 is applicable for each of the first set of rollers 110.

[0048] The ball accelerator device 100 may further include a second side bracket 122. The second side bracket 122 may be configured to hold the second set of rollers 120 so as to allow free rotation of the rollers of the second set of rollers 120. The second side bracket 122 may be formed of a suitable material, for instance, metal or alloy. The second side bracket 122 may include second set of through holes 123 configured to facilitate coupling of the second side bracket 122 with the second set of rollers 120. The second set of through holes 123 may correspond to the second set of rollers 120, in that, the second set of through holes 123 may align with receiving holes 124 in each roller of the second set of rollers 120.

[0049] The second set of through holes 123 and the receiving holes 124 may be configured to receive a second set of fasteners 125 therethrough. Each fastener of the second set of fasteners 125 may be configured to couple the second side bracket 122 with a corresponding roller of the second set of rollers 120. In order to secure the coupling of the second side bracket 122 with the second set of rollers 120, a second set of nuts 126 may be configured to engage with the second set of fasteners 125 and hold the second set of fasteners 125 engaged through the second set of through holes 123 and the receiving holes 124. In a non-limiting example, the second set of fasteners 125 may Allen head screws that are 2 long.

[0050] The ball accelerator device 100 may include a second set of roller tubes 127 configured to be received within the receiving holes 124 of the second set of rollers 120. The second set of roller tubes 127 may allow the second set of rollers 120 to freely rotate when the rotational force is applied to the second set of rollers 120. The second set of roller tubes 127 allow the second set of fasteners 125 to pass therethrough, in order to enable the second set of fasteners to pass through the second set of through holes 123 and engage with the second set of nuts 126. In a non-limiting example, the second set of roller tubes 127 may be long and with outside diameter.

[0051] For instance, In some embodiments, a second roller 120a is coupled with the second side bracket 122. The second roller 120a may comprise a receiving hole 124a while the second side bracket 122 may comprise a second through hole 123a. The receiving hole 124a and the second through hole 123a may be configured to receive a second fastener 125a. The second fastener 125a may pass through the second roller tube 127a. The second fastener 125a may be held in place by a second nut 126a that engages with the second fastener 125a. In an embodiment, the second fastener 125a may comprise a threaded surface so as to enable the second nut 126a to be coupled thereto in a secure manner.

[0052] It is appreciated that the details provided above with respect to the coupling of the second roller 120a to the second side bracket 122 is applicable for each of the second set of rollers 120.

[0053] In some embodiments, the ball accelerator device 100 further includes a top bracket 130 configured to be coupled to the first side bracket 112 as well as the second side bracket 122. The top bracket 130 enables the ball accelerator device 100 to be attached to the ball lift assembly, such as to a cylindrical tube assembly that may be arranged to couple the set of pulleys and the belt.

[0054] In some embodiments, the top bracket 130 includes a base 131, a first side wall 132, and a second side wall 133. The first side wall 132 and the second side wall 133 may extend downwardly from the base 131. The top bracket 130 may be attached to the first side bracket 112 and the second side bracket 122 by means of the first side wall 132 and the second side wall 133. In particular, the first side wall 132 may include through holes 132a corresponding to one or more through holes of the first set of through holes 113 and the second side wall 133 may include through holes 133a corresponding to one or more through holes of the second set of through holes 123. By virtue, thereof, one or more of the first set of fasteners 115 may be received in the through holes 132a in the first side wall 132, in addition to being received in the through holes 113 of the first side bracket 112 and the receiving holes 114 of the first set of rollers 110. Further, one or more of the second set of fasteners 125 may be received in the through holes 133a in the second side wall 133, in addition to being received in the through holes 123 of the second side bracket 122 and the receiving holes 124 of the second set of rollers 120.

[0055] In some embodiments, the top bracket 130 further includes a plurality of apertures 134 at the first side wall 132 and the second side wall 133. The plurality of apertures 134 may be configured to receive a plurality of long bolts 135. The plurality of long bolts 135 may be secured to the first side wall 132 and the second side wall 133 by means of corresponding nuts 136 on threaded ends of the long bolts 135. In a non-limiting example, the plurality of long bolts 135 may be 4 long bolts.

[0056] In some embodiments, the top bracket 130 further includes a plurality of long tubes 137 configured to allow the plurality of long bolts 135 to pass therethrough. The plurality of long tubes 137 may be arranged so as to be positioned between the first side wall 132 and the second side wall 133, when assembled. The plurality of long bolts 135 may pass through the apertures 134, and through the long tubes 137, so as to engage with the corresponding nuts 136. In a non-limiting example, the plurality of long tubes 137 may be outside diameter, 3 long steel tubes.

[0057] In some embodiments, the top bracket 130 further includes a securing assembly 140, the securing assembly 140 being configured to secure the top bracket 130, and thereby the ball accelerator device 100, to the cylindrical tube assembly. The securing assembly 140 may comprise a set of upper plates 142 and a set of lower plates 144. The set of upper plates 142 may be distanced from the set of lower plates 144 so as to provide a gap G therebetween. The set of upper plates 142 may be held at a distance from the set of lower plates 144 by means of a set of pins 146, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3. The set of pins 146 may be secured by means of corresponding nuts 148. The gap G allows the cylindrical tube assembly to be passed therethrough, thereby securing the securing assembly 140, and thus the ball accelerator device 100 around the cylindrical tube assembly.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 5, an isometric view of the ball accelerator device 100 secured to a cylindrical tube assembly 150 is illustrated. The cylindrical tube assembly 150 may be an assembly that facilitates a set of pulleys (not shown) to drive a belt 160. The cylindrical tube assembly includes a first tube 152 and a second tube 154 coupled to the first tube 152. As depicted, the securing assembly 140 is secured around the cylindrical tube assembly 150, in that, the second tube 154 passes through the gap G between the set of upper plates 142 and the set of lower plates 144. Further, when the securing assembly 140 is secured around the cylindrical tube assembly 150, the belt 160 is underneath the ball accelerator device 100. In particular, the securing assembly 140 is positioned so as to face a bottom surface 162 of the belt 160. The first set of rollers 110 and the second set of rollers 120 may be distanced from the belt 160, when the ball lift assembly is not in operation. surface 162 of the belt 160, may be configured to come into contact with the first set of rollers 110 and the second set of rollers 120, as will be described further below.

[0059] The belt 160 may be a V-shaped belt. The belt 160 may include a V-section or segmented cogs on the bottom surface 162. The first set of rollers 110 and the second set of rollers 120 may be spaced from each other so as to allow the V-section or the segmented cogs of the belt 160 to pass there-through. That is, the first and second set of rollers define a gap between them so as to allow for room that the V-section of the belt 160 to ride in the gap. Details regarding the V-shaped belt are described in U.S. D1, 004,025 S to Vincent F. Lanzetta, Jr., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0060] FIG. 4 depicts a bottom isometric view of the ball accelerator device 100 secured to the cylindrical tube assembly 150 (not shown for illustration purposes). As depicted, the belt 160 is underneath the ball accelerator device 100. The belt 160 is spaced from the first set of rollers 110 and the second set of rollers 120 by a distance D. The distance, D, may be maintained when the belt 160 is in an idle state, i.e., when the belt 160 is not being driven by the set of pulleys to lift a bowling ball. The belt 160 may include a front surface 164 configured to contact and engage with the bowling ball during lifting of the bowling ball. The front surface 164 may include one or more gripping regions 166 thereon. In operation, when the belt 160 is driven, the belt 160 rolls the bowling ball by virtue of the one or more gripping regions 166. In an embodiment, the belt 160 may be a V-shaped belt, for instance, as described in U.S. D1004025 S to Vincent F. Lanzetta, Jr., which is incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the one or more gripping regions 166 may be raised areas or humps on the front surface 164.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 6-7, the operation of the ball accelerator device 100 will now be described. It is assumed that the belt 160 rotates around the pullies to which it is held. FIG. 6 illustrates a ball lift assembly 170 comprising a lift rail 172, the cylindrical tube assembly 150, and the belt 160. FIG. 7 illustrates a zoomed-in view of the ball lift assembly 170 in operation with the ball accelerator device 100. The ball accelerator device 100 may be secured to the cylindrical tube assembly 150, for instance as described above with reference to FIG. 5. The belt 160 may be coupled to the cylindrical tube assembly 150 by means of a set of pulleys, the cylindrical tube assembly and the set of pulleys being arranged to as to keep the belt 160 in a tensioned state. The set of pulleys may drive the belt 160 along a looped path around the cylindrical tube assembly, for instance in a counterclockwise direction. The lift rail 172 may enable the belt 160 to roll a bowling ball 180 by frictional engagement of the bowling ball 180 between the lift rail 172 and the belt 160, in particular, the front surface 164 of the belt 160. The total number of rollers freely rolling against the rotating belt 160 that prevents the belt 160 from concaving (bending) around the bowling ball 180 as the ball is being lifted. In an embodiment, the lift rail 172 may define a curved path having a ball receiving portion 174 for receiving the bowling ball 180 as the ball exits from a pit area positioned generally behind the bowling pins. The lift rail may further comprise a track portion 176 that enables the bowling ball 180 to be raised from the ball receiving portion 174, as depicted by arrow A. After the ball has rolled over the track portion 176, the bowling ball 180 can be returned to a player area.

[0062] The lift rail 172 may be spaced from the belt 160 by a space S. the bowling ball 180 may be rolled in the direction A within the space S by frictional engagement of the bowling ball 180 between the lift rail 172 and the between the bowling ball 180 and the front surface 164 of the belt 160, i.e., frictional engagement between the bowling ball 180 and the front surface 164 of the belt 160, and frictional engagement between the bowling ball 180 and the lift rail 172. During frictional engagement between the front surface 164 of the belt 160 and the bowling ball 180, the ball accelerator device 100, the bowling ball 180 may tend to bend the belt 160 in a concave manner, i.e., inwards towards the cylindrical tube assembly 150. The ball accelerator device 100 significantly reduces the concave bending of the belt 160 which enables the belt 160 to maintain the frictional engagement with the bowling ball 180, and further, enables the bowling ball 180 to remain in frictional engagement with the lift rail 172. the bowling ball 180 can thus continue to be rolled on the track portion 176 of the lift rail 172.

[0063] Due to the presence of the ball accelerator device 100, when the belt 160 tends to concave inwards, the belt comes in contact with the first set of rollers 110 and the second set of rollers 120 of the ball accelerator device 100. The first set of rollers 110 and the second set of rollers 120 coupled to the first side bracket 112 and the second side bracket 122 prevent further concaving of the belt 160, as is depicted by portion 165 of the belt 160. The first set of rollers 110 and the second set of rollers 120 being freely rotatable allow the belt 160 to continue being driven around its loop path, thereby also allowing the belt 160 to keep the ball rolling over the lift rail 172 in the direction A. In the absence of the ball accelerator device 100, the belt 160 may concave inwardly to a greater extent to the extent shown by portion 165, which may lead to a greater space S between the belt 160 and the lift rail 172, and consequently loss of frictional engagement of the bowling ball 180 between the lift rail 172 and the belt 160. However, as described above, the ball accelerator device 100 may be configured to maintain the frictional engagement of the bowling ball 180 between the lift rail 172 and the belt 160 during ball without affecting the drivability of the belt 160. The ball accelerator device 100 may apply a pressure on the portion 165 of the belt 160, and consequently on the bowling ball 180 so allow the bowling ball 180 to be rolled in the direction A.

[0064] Generally, the ball lift assembly 170 and/or the cylindrical tube assembly 150 may be configured to pivot the belt 160, allowing the belt to rise up and down when a bowling ball enters then exits, respectively. A shock absorber and a spring holding it down on a stop may be integrated in the ball lift system. When a bowling ball enters, it allows the ball to fall under the belt and the shock absorber supplies resistance to the belt while rising as the ball goes up maintaining constant pressure against the ball. This resistance supplies pressure and friction against the ball by the rotating belt while pushing it against the lift rail, i.e., a set of rails that guide the ball to the top. The spring pulls the ball lift assembly 170 back down after the ball rises to the top and leaves the ball lift assembly 170. This works well providing there is enough pressure to prevent slipping. The problem that occurs is the belt concaves and bends around the ball dramatically reducing the needed pressure and friction that prevents slippage when oil from lane conditioning builds up on the belt, the rails, and the ball. The purpose of the ball accelerator is to prevent the concaving and bending of the belt, resulting in increased and constant belt pressure and friction to the ball, preventing the belt from slipping on the ball as the ball rises. Additionally, by preventing the belt from concaving, the ball accelerator allows the ball lift to rise much further in order to supply needed pressure from the shock absorber for a much longer period giving constant pressure as the ball rises.

[0065] Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

[0066] It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.