Patent ID: 6276517
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B65G,F25C

Abstract:
An ice conveying apparatus comprising:a cable having two ends which are formed into a loop by a connector assembly;a plurality of paddles fixed to the cable at regular intervals, wherein a first distance is defined between each pair of neighboring paddles measured along the cable, wherein the connector assembly is spaced between two neighboring paddles;a conduit through which the cable and paddles extend;a drive motor;an integral plastic drive wheel connected to and driven by the drive motor, wherein the drive wheel has a plurality of radially projecting teeth spaced around the perimeter of the drive wheel, wherein a paddle trough is defined between two subsequent teeth, portions of each tooth adjacent a paddle trough defining a bearing face, the cable extending around a fraction of the drive wheel, such that the paddles extend within a paddle trough with portions of one of said paddles engage a tooth bearing face as it is engaged by the drive wheel, and wherein portions of each tooth, spaced from the paddle trough, define a connector trough, and wherein the connector assembly extends within one of said connector troughs when passing around the drive wheel.