Bowling bumper system and method of use and installation

1. A bowling bumper system comprising an actuator configured to contact and move a bumper rail between a raised position and a lowered position, the actuator having a first bracket arm which is pivotable mounted to a bracket and which contacts a portion of the bumper rail and which is configured to be decouplable from the portion when placing the bumper rail into the lowered position, and a second bracket in contact with a bumper arm of a respective bumper rail, the first and second brackets operating in unison via a connection to a shaft extending a width of a bowling lane.

2. A bowling bumper system comprising an actuator configured to contact and move a bumper rail between a raised position and a lowered position, the actuator having a first bracket arm which is pivotable mounted to a bracket and which contacts a portion of the bumper rail and which is configured to be decouplable from the portion when placing the bumper rail into the lowered position, and a trough for accommodating the bumper rail and the portion of the bumper rail, the trough having at least one slot for accommodating a bracket extending from the actuator and contacting the bumper arm in a decoupled manner.

3. A method of installing or retrofitting a bumper system, comprising:

removing a gutter system or portion thereof;

mounting an actuator between two stringers of a bowling lane substantially in a location under where the gutter system was removed;

extending a first bracket which is mounted to an extending and retracting arm of the actuator through a first slot on a first side of the bowling lane;

placing a second bracket through a second slot on an opposing side of the bowling lane;

making a connection between the first bracket and the second bracket via a shaft extending under the bowling lane;

aligning the first bracket and the second bracket with a first arm and a second arm, respectively, of bumper rails such that the first bracket and the second bracket make physical contact with the first arm and the second arm, respectively; and

installing the gutter system or the portion thereof.

4. A bowling bumper system, comprising:

an actuator having an extending and retracting arm;

a shaft extending on an underside of a bowling lane between gutters;

a first bracket coupled to the extending and retracting arm and to the shaft at a first side; and

a second bracket coupled to the shaft on a second side, and which is moveable when the extending and retracting arm moves the first bracket.

5. The bumper system of claim 4 , wherein the bumper system is fitted into a preexisting bowling lane.

6. The bumper system of claim 4 , wherein the actuator is mounted between stringers below the bowling lane.

7. The bumper system of claim 4 , wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are in contact with respective bumper arms on opposing sides of the bowling lane.

8. The bumper system of claim 4 , wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are both decouplable from the bumper arm.

9. The bumper system of claim 4 , further comprising a control system for monitoring and controlling operations of the actuator.

10. The bumper system of claim 4 , further comprising a limit switch to control a limit of extension and retraction of the actuator.

11. The bumper system of claim 4 , wherein the bumper rail and the bumper arm are below or at a surface of a bowling lane in the retracted position.

12. The bumper system of claim 4 , wherein the actuator includes an internal actuator thermal overload protection system.