GB809900A - Bowling ball elevating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

809,900. Skittle alleys. AMERICAN MACHINE & FOUNDRY CO. Oct. 14, 1957 [Oct. 12, 1956], No. 32013/57. Class 132(2) Relates to skittle alleys in which balls from a pit are rolled up a vertical track 18 to a return run-way 24 by an endless conveyer 20 frictionally engaging the balls, According to the invention, a ball on track 18 moves the conveyer away from the ball-receiving portion of the track so that a second ball cannot be engaged by the conveyer until the first ball has been discharged on to run-way 24. As shown, the elevator is disposed between two alleys from. the ball-pits of which balls can run through apertures 12 and down ramp 16, on to an arcuate lower section 26 of track 18. The periphery of the bottom wheel 28 of conveyer 20 is spaced less than a ball's diameter from track section 26 and a ball on the latter is carried forward by the conveyer which is swung upwards by the ball to allow this. The frame 30 carrying the top and bottom conveyer wheels 29, 28 is carried by top and bottom levers 94, 92 pivotally mounted at 80, 102 to allow the upward swinging of the conveyer. As the ball proceeds up track 18, the lowest part of the conveyer is spaced more than a ball's diameter from track section 26 so that a second ball will not be gripped. Frame 30 is telescopic, the parts being spring-urged apart to tension the conveyer. Motor-driven belt 70 drives the conveyer and passes over a jockey pulley 76, the arrangement being such that initial lifting of the conveyer tends to tighten the top run of belt 70, the motion of which thus Thelps to lift the conveyer. Spring 120 counterbalances in part the weight of the conveyer. Track 18 consists of two rods covered with resilient material and discharge pad 42 is reversible so that a worn side can be replaced By an unworn side.