Patent ID: 6155403
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: A63B,B65G

Abstract:
Apparatus for conveying a column of spherical balls along an upwardly extending path of travel comprising:a wheel centered on an axis of rotation and being rotatable thereabout, said wheel having a circumferential surface which is contacted by said balls, at least a peripheral portion of said wheel being formed of resilient material,a drive motor coupled to said wheel for rotating said wheel about said axis of rotation,a curvilinear track extending along a portion of said circumferential surface of said wheel and being spaced from said surface sufficiently to enable balls to travel along said track while in contact with both of said track and said surface, said track having a ball inlet end at which incoming balls are received and a ball outlet end at which balls leave said track, a first portion of said track being spaced from said circumferential surface of said wheel by a distance sufficient to cause a first degree of compression of said surface by balls traveling therealong and a second portion of said track being spaced from said circumferential surface of said wheel by a lesser distance to cause a greater degree of compression of said surface by balls traveling along said second portion of said track.