US Patent 7575521 Bowling bumper system with lowered leading edge

A bowling bumper system is disclosed comprising a bumper rail and a positioning system configured to move the bumper rail between a first position below a bowling lane surface and a second position above the bowling lane surface. When the bumper rail is in the second position, an end portion of the bumper rail near a foul line of the bowling lane extends toward the bowling lane surface. In another embodiment, a bowling bumper system is disclosed comprising a bumper and a positioning system configured to move the bumper between a first position below a bowling lane surface and a second position above the bowling lane surface. The positioning system comprises a plurality of pivotable links, wherein a pivotable link closest to a foul line of the bowling lane is shorter than at least one of the other pivotable links.