Patent ID: 6848356

Claim:
An apparatus for the blending of ice cream having: (a) a frame; (b) input link means including an operator handle adapted for rotation about a first axis located in said frame; (c) hopper guide means mounted in said frame for reciprocal, straight-line motion; (d) straight-line motion assembly means in mechanical communication with said hopper guide means and said input link means and operatively connecting said input link means with said hopper guide means for imparting reciprocal motion to said hopper guide means; said straight line motion assembly means including: (i) a first pivot point; (ii) a second pivot point wherein an axis is defined between said first and second pivot points; (iii) four links of a first predetermined length forming a rhombus and defining in combination four pivot points at the intersection of adjacent links, wherein a first rhombus pivot point is on the ram means; (iv) a lever arm having a first end mounted for pivotal motion about said second pivot point and a second end depending there from, and on which lever arm is mounted a second rhombus pivot point, and wherein a third and forth rhombus pivot points are disposed between said first and second rhombus pivot points; said second pivot point being disposed between the first pivot point and the second rhombus pivot point; and (v) first and second lateral links connected between said first pivot point and said third and forth rhombus pivot points, wherein the pivoting motion of said lever arm about said second pivot point is translated into the reciprocating linear motion of said ram means.