US2494351A - Fiber-reinforced bowling pin - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 10, 1950 M. P. MONTERO FIBER-REINFORCED BOWLING PIN Filed DSC. 17, 1947 Patented Jan. 10, 195) NITED STATES PATENToFFIcE 2,494,351 FIBER-REINFORCED BOWLING PIN Modesto P. Montero, Newark, N. J. Application Decanter` 17, 1947, serial No. 792,145

1 claim.y (o1. 27s-s2) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in bowling pins.

Heretofore attempts have been made to construct bowling pins more durable than the usual wooden bowling pins. However, these prior attempts did not meet `with material commercial success for numerous reasons. If the materials from which they were constructed were vmore durable, the sound of the pins when struck with the bowling ball in the playing of a match was not satisfactory. If the sound Was satisfactory then the material did not possess all desirable physical properties of strength, durability, etc. A

This invention proposes a new and improved bowling pin and a method for its construction which will have a satisfactory sound when struck by the bowling ball during play, and which will be more durable than pins heretofore used.

The invention proposes to -accomplish the main objects stated in the prior paragraph by making use of a strip of vulcanized bre bonded around the central bellied body portion of the pin. A certain substance is proposed for bonding the vulcanized fibre strip in position to eliminate air spaces and pockets which otherwise would give the pin a hollow sound, or a split sound, when struck by' a bowling ball, which sounds are highly objectionable to 'master players.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a bowling pin as described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a ma,- terial part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the body portion of a bowling pin formed with a circumferential groove required for constructing the bowling pin in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a `fragmentary .perspective view of a strip of vulcanized fibre used in the construction of the new bowling pin.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged central vertical sectional view of an unfinished bowling pin constructed from the body portion illustrated in Fig. 1 upon which the vulcanized fibre strip, illustrated in Fig. 2, has been applied.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating the finished bowling pin.

The construction of the new and improved bowling pin may be best understood by studying the method by which it is constructed. A wooden bowling pin body portion I of standard form has a circumferential groove I I formed in the portion which is normally the central bellied portion of the bowling pin.: I'Ihe bowling pin body portion .If the bowling pin body portion l0 ismade from an old bowling pin that is being renished, then the bellied central portion I5 is turned down. If the bowling pin body portion I0 is a new one it may be made from` a smaller size of wood stock than the usual allwooden bowling pin and turned down into the requiredshape.

Fig. 2 illustratesy astrip of vulcanized fibre I6. Any of the well known vulcanized fibre strip ina-- terials now on the'm'arket may be used. This material has Va high impact strength, is arc i resistant, and Vis formable and ma-chinable. It is proposed that the strip I6 be wound around the circumferential groove II. First the end portion of the strip I6 should be beveled, preferablyA by sanding. The line AB divides off a section of the end portion of said strip I6. The bevel should lbe formed fromthe line AB tothe left hand end ofthe strip lffThen the .vulcanized bre strip I6 is softened, preferably with steam. A coating of a specially prepared animal glue is applied to the strip I6 and it is wound around and around in the groove l I to the shape illustrated in Fig. 3. The strip I6 must be long enough so that it can be wound around a number of times to a diameter equal to or slightly greater than the normal large diameter of the central bellied body portion of the bowling pin.

It is very important that the vulcanized i'lbre strip I6 be applied in position in a manner so that there are no air spaces or air pockets between the Wound layers thereof, because such spaces or pockets will interfere with the sound of the pin when struck by a bowling ball. Air spaces and pockets will give the pin a hollow or split sound. I have discovered that if ordinary animal glue is used it is virtually impossible to avoid the existence of spaces or air pockets between the wound layers of the vulcanized fibre strip. I have furthermore discovered that all spaces and air pockets can be eliminated if the wound on vulcanized fibre strip yis caused to.

swell so as .to close all spaces and alr pockets and is .furthermore caused to become set in its enlarged condition. I accomplish this by adding an alkali to the glue to cause the vulcanized fibre strip to swell, and by adding formaldehyde to the glue to set the swollen vulcanized fibre strip and prevent it from contracting when the glue drys.

In order to better understand the invention one formula-fof 'fglue'will be given.A Take 9 lbs. of dry animal glue and about l lb. offormaldehyde and add the necessary Water and boil to.

produce a glue of proper consistency. Then add an alkali, like carbonate of soda'f'to raise'thepI-I of the prepared glue to a pH of fromv 8 to l0.

While this is the particular formulaihavesed successfully it should be understod ythat any" specially prepared animal glue would bev satis- `:fe'rred embodiment of my invention, it is to be factory provided it is prepared with formalde- Ain itsjtvudfconuiienjhnebewung pinl body portion; When suitairlfyV dried :and bonded fthe fjectjfng parmensof thejwegnufvuicanized'fibre lstripA i F6; "are 'machined-down intoj the i proper central bellie 'bodyportinfshape The bowling en;anestesia-wies pfciriveaceung, 8 `of"j,pairit,I or others uiifablej` protective or covering material;

*It as sisef-advisablethatetpefbowling pin be eci-.ive busningfzeof oise Iconstruction herein disclosed and the right is'es'er'vedtoall changes and modications com- `within^th'e:sc,bpe=0f the invention as defined MoDEsfro P: y-1v1oNlTEao- :REFERENGESY CITED A*riieffeuewingjfeferees are f reeed 1n the

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