John N Harrell

US Patent:

56833024, Nov 4, 1997

Filed:

Feb 18, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/801954

Inventors:

John N. Harrell - Salina KS
Enoch Harris - Salina KS

International Classification:

A63D 500

US Classification:

473 58

Abstract:

A laser bowling ball guiding apparatus includes a projector, a laser beam emitted from the projector, and a diverging lens or at least one movable mirror for receiving the laser beam and projecting the laser beam onto a surface of a bowling alley and onto bowling pins so as to display a proper release point, trajectory and impact point for a bowling ball to follow. The apparatus can also employ a control mechanism connected to the projector for controlling transmitting of the laser beam. The projector is generally mounted to a ceiling or on a tripod. The control mechanism is adapted to receive an input of information and is operable to calculate the proper release point, trajectory and impact point for the bowling ball to follow. The diverging lens converts and projects the laser beam into the form of a line onto the surface of the bowling alley and onto the bowling pins. The movable mirror transmits the laser beam in the form of a dot and undergoes oscillatory and/or rotary movement to thereby cause a line to form on the surface of the bowling alley and on the bowling pins.