Thomas J Mclane

US Patent:

44705980, Sep 11, 1984

Filed:

Sep 28, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/425290

Inventors:

Kenneth L. Steele - Brea CA
Thomas J. McLane - Ridgecrest CA

International Classification:

A63D 500

US Classification:

273 54R

Abstract:

A bowling apparatus is provided for use by an operator in a wheelchair to triggerably launch a ball, the ball rolling in a preselected direction on a navigable surface such as a bowling alley. The bowling apparatus is further adapted to control the terminal velocity and spin of the ball at release. The bowling apparatus comprises: a frame disposed in relative horizontal relation with the navigable surface; a coupling system for coupling the frame to the wheelchair; a ball receiver for holding the ball in registration; a spin control unit for controlling the spin imparted to the ball prior to release, the spin control unit, being coupled to the ball receiver and being interposed between the ball receiving means and the ball and being further adapted to couple the predetermined directional thrust from the ball receiver to the ball; a propulsion unit for imparting a preselected thrust to the ball receiver, the propulsion unit being further adapted to couple the ball receiver to the frame in wheelchair driven, frame coupled, target pointing relation for imparting a predetermined directional thrust to the ball receiver; a release unit for actuating the propulsion unit, the release unit being responsive to operator triggering thereby, allowing the propulsion unit to impart the predetermined directional thrust to the ball receiver.