US2531167A - Bowling alley pin and ball separating and conveying mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 21, 1950 r A. M; SIMPSON 2,531,167 BOWLING ALLEY PIN. AND BALL SEPARATING- AND CONVEYING MECHANISM s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April is, 1946 L nvmvr og. fir BY Ilkmqonoru C? qr Nov. 21, 1950 A. M. SIMPSON 2,531,167 BOWLING ALLEY PIN AND BALL' SEPARATING AND couvmms MECHANISM v Filed April 18, 1946 I s Sheets-Sheet '2- Q .INVENTOR. I

guwwm Nov. 21 1 950 A. M. SIMPSON BOWLING ALLEY PIN AND BALL SEPARATING' AND comma MECHANISM Filed April 18, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nbjv. 21', 1950 I Filed'pril 18,1946

v A; M. SIMPSON 2,531,167 BOWLING ALLEY PIN AND BALL SEPARATING v 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 AND CONVEYING MECHANISM INVENTOR. ,ayglwm. 111/11 0? 071/ Nov 21, 1950 A M. SIMPSON 2,531,167

BOWLING A. PIN- AND BALL SEPARATING r AND' CONVEYING MECHANISM Filed April 18, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. v

db flqjgon/ BY w g Gaga Nov. 21, 1950 A. M.' SIMPSON BOWLING ALLEY PIN AND BALL SEPARATING AND CONVEYING MECHANISM Filed April is, 1946 6 sheets-sheet 6 IN V EN TOR. ,Q MWL IQ l yoo/on/ Patented Nov. 21, 1950 BOWLING ALLEY PIN AND BALL SEPARAT- ING AND CONVEYING MECHANISM Arthur M. Simpson, Niles, Mich., assignor to The Kawneer Company, Niles, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 18, 1946, Serial No. 663,018

11 Claims.

The present invention relate to pin and ball separating and conveying mechanism for bowling alleys of the type in which the manual clearing, setting and resetting of the pins and other manual operations-normally required in connection therewith are dispensed with and such operations are automatically accomplished.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel means and mechanism for automatically delivering the balls and pins collected in the pit after the ball has been thrown and the alley swept clean of fallen pins.

Another object is to provide a novel means for separating the ball from the pins, delivering the pins to a system of conveyors and hoist which ultimately delivers them to automatically actuated mechanism for resetting the pins, and delivering the ball to a ball hoist which ultimately returns the ball to the front of the alley.

The invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of part illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and While there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation of the complete assembly of bowling alley mechanism including an illustrative preferred embodiment of a segregating and conveying systern according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rear end of a bowling alley, showing the novel arrangement of the transverse belts in the pit for automatically separating and discharging the thrown ball and fallen pins collected in the pit after the ball has been delivered.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the novel arrangement of pit belts, the view being taken in a plane represented by the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 6 7

showing an alternative arrangement of pit belts and associated mechanism for separating and discharging the pins and ball collected in the pit, the belts being broken away at their ends.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view on a reduced scale showing the complete pit assembly of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view in vertical cross-section taken in a plane represented by the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a view in front elevation of the novel cushion and showing its relation with the transverse belts at the rear of the pit.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentaryview in side elevation of the rear end of the pin conveyor disposed at 2 one side of the pit for delivering the pins from the pit conveyors to mechanism for hoisting the pins and delivering them to a pin setting mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view showing certain details of the pin conveyor.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view showing the pin conveyor in cross-section and the manner of deliverlng the pins to the pin conveyor from the pit conveyors.

Fig, 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the mechanism and mounting for the pin hoist and its hooks or gripping members for carrying a pin to the pin setter.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view, part in vertical cross-section and part in side elevation, showing the manner of gripping and elevatvention comprises mechanism disposed adjacent the pit end of a bowling alley for collecting the fallen pins and thrown ball, separating the ball from the pins, and separately delivering the ball to a ball hoist which causes its return to the front of the alley, and the pins to an automatically operated setting mechanism for setting the pins in a manner'similar to that manually performed by a pin boy.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rear end I of the bowling alley 2 is provided with locating spots 3 upon which the pins 4 are placed. At the rear of the alley is provided the pit 5 for receiving the fallen pins and ball and suitably mounted toward the rear of the pit is a cushion 6 suspended above the bottom of the pit. An important function of the Fig. 3 mechanism is to separate the ball and pins, whereby the ball is delivered to the rear right corner of the mechanism and the pins are discharged from the left side of the mechanism. The separated pins are then delivered through a suitable arrangement of conveyors to a pin hoist I having a plurality of spaced depending hooks 8 which carry the pins upwardly and then over the rear end of the alley and automatically drop these pins into spaced chutes 9 upon the actuation of suitable electrically and automatically controlled tripping mechanism, the chutes leading to a pin setter H) which is vertically movable into and out of pin'setting position above the alley.

The ball II is delivered to the side of the pit opposite to that of the pins where it is received upon a ball hoist |2 which elevates the ball and discharges it upon an inclined support I3 connecting with a transverse runway or ball return l4 from which the ball moves onto a return runway I6 extending longitudinally of the alley whereby the ball is returned to the front of the alley for the bowler. Suitably mounted at the rear of the alley is a pin sweep i6 which sweeps the alley clear of pins.

The present invention pertains to automatically operating bowling apparatus and especially to certain improvements on the various mechanisms, features and constructions shown in the Flanagan Patent No. 2,319,925, granted May 25, 1943. In the present drawings there is shown diagrammatically the complete assembly to facilitate understanding of the mechanism and its operation, with the present improvements shown in more detail in the drawings and set forth in the claims.

In Figs. 2 and 3 is shown the novel arrangement of pit conveyors comprising a transverse conveyor belt I! moving in the direction of the arrow A for delivering the pins to the pin conveyor l8 disposed longitudinally of th alley and along one side of the pit 5. Associated with the pit conveyor are transverse pit conveyors i9 and 20 and an intermediate pit conveyor 2 I, with the pit conveyors l9 and 20 moving in the directions of the arrows B and C, respectively, while the longitudinally extending intermediate pit conveyor 2| moves in the direction of the arrow D. To assure separation of the ball from the pins in the pit and the delivery therefrom of the ball and pins to their proper position for discharge or removal from the pit, the belts are inclined in such manner that the transverse pit conveyor I! which extends completely across the pit is pitched forwardly at the left side thereof (Figure 3) and rearwardly at the right side thereof so that although this conveyor is moving in the direction of the arrow A to carry th pins in that direction, the ball will automatically roll toward the rear and to the right of this conveyor (Fig. 3) and pass onto the pit conveyor l9. As clearly shown in Figure 3, the front end of the roller 24 is lower than its rear end, but is higher than the forward end of the roller 23. The roller 23 is higher at its forward end than at its rear end, so that the general over-all slope of the belt I I is downward and toward the right. As the ball rolls toward the right on belt II, it moves rearwardly toward the rear right corner after it passes the roller 25. As clearly shown in Figure so that the ball rolls thereto for delivery to the ball hoist l2. The pit conveyor belt 20 is pitched downwardly toward the intermediate conveyor 2| and forwardly toward the pit conveyor IT for conveying any pins collected thereon toward either the conveyor 2| or the conveyor Likewise, any pins collected on the pit conveyor 9 will be directed inwardly toward the conveyor 2| and conveyor II. To maintain the pitch of these belts, the upper surface of each belt preferably passes over a plate having the desired pitch and over a pair of rollers. Any suitable drive mechanism may be provided for rotating each of the driving rollers and its corresponding belt. For example, a single drive roller 23 may be provided for rotating the belts l1 and I9, while the other roller 24 for the belt I! and the roller 26 for the belt l9 are preferably but idlers and free to rotate with the belt. Similarly, conveyor belt 20 passes around a pair of rollers 26 and 21 and the transverse belt 2| is carried around a pair of rollers 26 and 29, one of each pair being driven and the other providing an idler.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show an alternate construction of pit conveyor belts consisting of a transverse conveyor belt 36 extending completely across the pit, and transverse conveyor belts 3| and 32 disposed rearwardly of the belt 39. v

Mounted above the conveyor belts 3| and 32 is a so-called "activated plow" 33 consisting of a plate 34 having forwardly and downwardly inclined portions 35 and 36, and merging into laterally inclined portions 31 and 38 whereby any pins collected or projected thereon will roll'by gravity towards the pit conveyors 30, 3| and 32. The activated plow is suitably mounted above a base plate 39 having an upstanding bracket 46 at its rear portion for mounting the plow in a rigid inclined position. The activated plow is also provided with a pair of round belts 4|, one at each side thereof. Each belt passes around spaced pulley wheels 42, 43 and 44, the pulley wheel 42 being mounted upon a stub shaft 46 carrying a bevel gear 46 at the upper end thereof. This bevel gear is in continuous mesh with a bevel gear 41 upon a horizontally disposed shaft 44 carrying a pulley wheel 49 at its other end. Each pulley wheel 49 is maintained in contact with its respective transverse conveyor belt 3| or 32 and is driven thereby to rotate the bevel gears 46 and 41 and drive the pulley wheel 42 for rotating the belt 4|.

As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, these belts are disposed below and adjacent the lower edges of the activated plow but project beyond these lower edges in such manner that any pins, or for that matter a ball, will be directed inwardly toward the transverse conveyor belt 30. The belt 30 is so inclined that a ball will roll and be directed toward the ball hoist i2 while pins which lay upon and are carried by this belt, will be directed toward the pin conveyor I6. The transverse conveyor belts 3| and 32, each mounted upon a pair of rollers 3| and 32", respectively, are also preferably inclined as shown in Fig. 7 so as to direct the ball to its proper location for discharge and return by the ball hoist.

Disposed above the pit and pit conveyors and at the prescribed spacing from the rear end of the alley, is located the cushion 6 depending from a pair of arms 50 suitably supported from framework above the pit. This cushion preferably has a facing 5| of leather, canvas or other suitable fabric having a filling 52, an intermediate layer of rubber or resilient rubber-like material 63 and a backing of metal or other rigid material 64 to which the arms are attached. The lower edge of the cushion is inclined at and 56 and notched at 51 to permit a ball H to pass thereunder to the rear of the pit adjacent the ball hoist and ball return.

As it frequently occurs that the cushion and especially the lower edge thereof becomes worn or damaged in use, the cushion is made reversible. As clearly shown in Fig. 7 the notches 51 are substantially diagonally opposed to each other. The cushion is made reversible by similarly contouring both the lower and upper edges of the cushion so that if the lower portion becomes worn or damaged, all that is required is to disconnect the screws or other means connecting the arms Ill of a suitable rigid material and preferably covered with leather, canvas or other wear resisting material, with each segment carried by and secured to an angle bracket 60, the brackets being mounted at suitably spaced points upon spaced chains 8| passing over sprocket wheels 52 and 63 and over an idler sprocket Bl. These segments 59 are so contoured as to receive and convey pins when such pins are in a position extending longitudinally oi the conveyor with either their butt or their head foremost and then to deliver them at the rearward end of the pin conveyor to suitable mechanism at the extreme rear of the pit in proper position to be collected and elevated by the pin hoist. This mechanism is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In order to secure the angle brackets 60 upon the chains 5|, there is provided suitable brackets 55 secured to the brackets 50 and disposed at the opposite sides of the chains and provided with transverse pins or other securing means for anchoring the brackets 65 to the chains. In order to guide the chains and arcuate segments 59, there is provided a kick-back 66 which may be in the form of a heavy wooden board and a metal backing 51 lining the interior thereof and providing one side of a housing or enclosure E through which the returning segments pass, as shown in Fig. 10. This housing is provided with a base 68 and an opposite side wall 69 suitably contoured at its upper end to provide a flange ll over which the upper brackets 60 pass as the pin conveyor is moved. The side wall 61 is indented or provided with a set-back at. H and the side wall 69 is similarly indented or provided with a set-back at 12 to provide guides for the collector conveyor i8.

This collector conveyor is so designed, constructed and arranged that it is impossible for pins to ride side by side or piled thereon. Also the width of the collector conveyor, which in the preferred embodiment is approximately 3% inches from the back of the conveyor chain, is such that a pin will not lay on this conveyor unless it is in longitudinal arrangement thereon. Ii. a pin is not properly located on the conveyor i8, one end thereof will hang or project over or outside the conveyor and the pin will be pulled away by the pit belt 20 (Fig. 2) or 32 (Figs. 4 and 5) at the rear of the pit which operates away from the collector conveyor. This assures that pins cannot pass along this conveyor in an interlocked position. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 10, it will be appreciated that the arrangement of the collecting conveyor I8 and the pit belt which delivers to this conveyor, is such that the bowling ball rests on the pit belt ll (Fig. 2) or 3|! (Fig. 5) to the left of the center of the pulley 24 for the belt I! or 30 so that the ball is always free to roll to the bottom of the pit at the side opposite to that of the collecting conveyor I8.

The pin or collecting conveyor I8 is so constructed and arranged that only single pins may be collected and conveyed thereon, and at the same time no ball can be deposited thereon. From the collecting conveyor the pins are next delivered to a conveyor II which deposits these pins singly and with their butt ends foremost in a delivery cup I4. After each pin is deposited in that manner, the spaced hooks I on the pin hoist I pick up these pins and carry them upwardly and over the end of the alley, and then deposit them by suitable tripping mechanism in any one of a plurality of pin chutes 9, requiring a pin. From these chutes, the pins are deposited in the pin setter ill for delivery to the alley.

In Figs. 11, 12 and 13 is shown the novel means and mechanism associated with the pin-gripping members or hook carriages 8 adjacent the delivery cup or receptacle 14, for securely positioning each pin 4 between the hooks or spaced arms 15 of the hook members 8, as it is lifted out of the delivery cup. These pin-gripping members or carriage hooks are provided at spaced intervals along the chain hoist I, the spacing being such that there is no interference between the gripping and lifting of successive pins. The showing of the pin 4 in dotted outlin in Fig. 12 is notintended to show the spacing between succeeding pins as the hooks are spaced a distance greater than the height of the pins. To assure that successive pins will be removed from the cup, the latter is provided with an inclined rear wall 16 so that the pin 4 while in the cup assumes the dotted line position shown in Fig. 12.

Each set of hooks or arms 15 are mounted in a hook carriage 8 pivotally carried upon and depending from a transverse pin I1 bridging the spaced chains 18 on the pin hoist I. These chains pass over and are driven by spaced pairs of sprockets 19, 80, 8i and 82, with the chains driven in the direction of the arrows shown in Figs. 1 and 12. As the chains 18 pass over the sprockets 18 (there being one at each side with each sprocket rotatable on a stub shaft 83), the cam 84 formed at the upper end of the hook carriage engages the rounded or cammed surface on the member to tilt the hook carriage outwardly from its normal, substantially vertical position, as shown in Fig. 12. In this inclined or tilted position, the ends of the spaced arms 15 grip the neck of the pin and a the chains are continuously operated, lift the pin out of the cup. At such time the cam 84 on the upper end of the hook is disengaged from the cam surface 85 and the hook and the pin being carried swing to the vertical, depending position shown in full outline in Fig. 12.

To insure that each pin is securely held in its hooks or arms I5, the invention utilizes mechanism for engaging the pin and forcing it rearwardly in the space between the hooks or arms 15 of the hook carriage. This comprises a substantially U-shaped frame 86 having a pair 'of spaced arms 81 each pivotally mounted upon a pin or stub shaft 88 in the encompassing housing 89. Also carried upon a pin or stub shaft 90 at each side of the frame 8 3 is roller 9| and depending from this bracket or frame is a U-shaped member 92 carrying a single roller 93 disposed intermediate the rollers 9i and in the path of a. pin 4 as it is elevated by the hooks to a position adjacent the bracket or frame 86. Mounted upon the transverse pin I1 adjacent its opposite ends are provided a pair of rollers 94 positioned in alignment with the rollers 91 and directed in their movement by the roller guides 95. Thus. as the hook assembly grips and raises a pin, the

rollers 94 engage the rollers and move the single roller ll into contact with the head and neck of a pin 4. As the rollers 94 continue their movement, they move out of contact with the rollers 9| and the single roller SI is then free to engage and follow the contour of the larger or butt end of the pin and is moved into the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 12, wherein the rollers 9| are in a position to be contacted by the next set of rollers 94 on a succeeding hook carriage. I

As clearly shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, the sprockets 19 are journalled at 96 in the upright supports or frame 91 and with the chains ll disposed between these supports. To guide these chains and the cross pin 11, the ends 98 of this pin are received in the guide channels 99 provided in the frame 89 (see Fig. 11). As shown, the frame is provided with a bracket I", on which the U-shaped frame 88 is pivoted, and a skirt orplate It! providing an enclosure and stop for limiting the outward pivotal movement of the frame 86 and member 92.

The frame 91 includes the spaced members I02 and Ill! forming guides for the pin carriages 8. the spaced members I03 at the back side of the frame through which the pin carriages travel as they move downwardly prior to the carriages reaching the sprocket l9, guiding the pin hooks or arms to assure proper centering of these hooks or arms for engaging and retaining a pin 4 therebetween (Figure 11). To pivot each pin carriage upon a transverse pin 11, the carriage is provided with a plate I04 having its inturned ends I05 provided with a, recess I08 for suspending the carriage upon the transverse pin.

'The bowling pins 4 after passing through the housing 89 are carried by the hoist l and spaced pin carriages I thereon until they pass over-the tubes or chutes 9 leading to the pin setter l0. As they pass over an empty tube or chute 9, the trip lever ID! on the pin or hook carriage 8 is tripped by a suitable solenoid or switch ill! to release the pin carried thereby, in a manner more particularly disclosed in the Flanagan Patent No. 2,319,925.

In the operation of the present novel mechanism, after delivery of a ball, the alley is swept clean of fallen pins and these pins and ball are collected in the pit. Through the operation of the novel pit belts or conveyors and he manner of sloping these to allow the ball to roll to one side of the pit to discharge through a rear gate and be picked up by a ball hoist l2 and returned to the front of the alley, and to permit the pins to be carried by the pit belts or conveyors to the other side of the pit and picked up by the pin or collecting conveyor It, the ball and pins are separated and returned for continuous bowling. In view of the manner of operating these pit belts, any jam of pins is avoided and by reason of the construction and arrangement of the pin or collecting conveyor 18 only one pin at a time can be delivered by the latter conveyor to the delivery cup.

Any excess pins accumulated around the collecting or pin conveyor are carried away therefrom by the rear pit conveyor 20 or 32 (Figs. 2 and 5) and again deposited on the pit conveyor I! or for re-delivery to the pin or collecting conveyor I8. Any pins collecting on the pit conveyor l9 or 31 adjacent the ball gate and hoist I 2, are carried away from the corner of the pit and deposited upon the transverse pit belt or conveyor 11 or I0.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:

1. In a pin setting apparatus for bowling a1- leys, a series of conveyors positioned in the pit at the end of the alley and comprising a trans"- verse belt for delivering the pins to one side of the pit, a pair of oppositely moving transverse belts located to the rear of the first mentioned belt and moving inwardly toward each other, and a moving belt positioned between the pair of belts and extending longitudinally of the alley for delivering pins to the first mentioned belt, said belts being arranged in a substantially closed pattern.

2. In a pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys, a series of conveyors positioned within the pit at the end of the alley and comprising a conveyor extending across the pit and adapted to move the collected pins to one side of the pit, a second conveyor positioned to the rear of and delivering pins from the rear of the pit to the first mentioned conveyor, and a conveyor positioned at each side of the second conveyor for dischargin pins collecting thereon onto the second conveyor and from it onto the first mentioned conveyor, said conveyors having a general overall slope such that the ball rolls away from the discharge end of said first-named conveyor.

3. In automatic pin setting apparatus for bowling alleys, a pin conveyor at the side of the pit and moving toward the rear of the alley, a conveyor positioned across the front of the pit and movable transversely of the alley for delivering pins to the pin conveyor, a second conveyor positioned to the rear of the first conveyor and so constructed and arranged as to deposit pins collected at the rear of the pit upon the first conveyor, and means disposed at each side of the second conveyor for depositing pins thereon, one of said means being disposed adjacent said pin conveyor for leading pins away from a clogging zone.

4. In a pin setting apparatus associated with the pit of a bowling alley, means in the pit for collecting the ball and pins and separating the ball from the pins, said means including a conveyor positioned adjacent the rear of the alley and extending across the pit, a pair of conveyors located behind the first conveyor and moving inwardly in opposite directions, and a raised forwardly inclined member located between the pair of conveyors for directing and depositing pins from said pair of conveyors onto the first mentioned conveyor.

5. In a pin setting apparatus associated with the pit of a bowling alley, means in the pit for collecting and depositing the pins at one side of the pit, comprising a moving conveyor positioned across the front of the pit and adjacent the end 1 of the alley, a pair of conveyors disposed at the ill rear of the first conveyor and extending parallel thereto, and a forwardly inclined member disposed between said pair of conveyors for receiving and directing onto the first mentioned con-, veyor any pins collecting upon the pair of conveyors.

6. A pin conveyor system for the pit of a bowling alley, comprising a conveyor disposed at the end of the alley, a pair of conveyors moving toward each other in opposite directions and disposed rearwardly of the first conveyor, and means disposed intermediate the pair of conveyors and adjacent the first conveyor for receiving any pins collecting on the pair of conveyors, and depositing these pins on the first conveyor.

7. A pin conveyor system for the pit of a bowling alley, comprising an endless belt positioned 9 at the rear of the alley, a pair of belts disposed to the rear of and alongside the first belt, and a member associated with said belts for receiving pins collected on the pair of belts and depositing these pins on the first belt.

8. In a bowling alley pit, a mechanism for delivering pins to a transverse pit conveyor comprising three conveyors disposed rearwardly of said transverse conveyor and means for driving them, the middle one of said conveyors moving longitudinally toward said pit conveyor whereby to deliver pins to said pit conveyor, the other two of said conveyors moving in opposition to each other and toward said longitudinally-moving conveyor, thereby to deliver pins away from clogging zones to said longitudinally-moving conveyor.

9. In a bowling alley system including a transverse conveyor within the it and a longitudinally moving pin conveyor extending from a point of departure at the transverse conveyor to a point beyond the pit, a mechanism for delivering pins away from a clogging zone adjacent to and beyond the point of departure of said pin conveyor from said pit conveyor comprising a second pit conveyor moving away from said zone, and a third pit conveyor moving away from the terminus of said second pit conveyor to said transverse conveyor, said second and third pit conveyors cooperating to lead pins away from said clogging zone and to deliver them to said transverse conveyor. I

10. In a bowling alley pit, a mechanism for delivering pins to the side of the pit comprising the combination of a transverse pit conveyor within the pit and three additional conveyors disposed within the pit, the middle one of said conveyors moving longitudinally toward the said pit conveyor whereby to deliver pins to said pit conveyor, the other two of said conveyors moving in opposition to each other and toward said longitudinally moving conveyor, thereby to deliver pins away from clogging zones to said lon- 10 I gitudinally moving conveyor, the over-all slope of said combination toward the corner diagonally remote from the discharge side of said transverse pit conveyor being such that the ball rolls toward said corner to separate itself from the pins.

'11. In an automatic bowling alley, a system of conveyors for separating ball and pins comprising a transverse conveyor for discharging pins from the pit, said conveyor being inclined toward the front of the pit at its discharge end and toward the rear at its opposite end, a pair of oppositely moving pin conveyors to the rear of and generally parallel to said transverse conveyor for moving pins from clogging zones to a central zone, the outer end of that one of said conveyors near the said opposite end of said transverse conveyor being similarly inclined toward the rear, and a longitudinally moving conveyor between said pair of conveyors for moving pins to said transverse conveyor, the general over-all slope of the combination and its surface frictional characteristics being such that due to the inclination of the conveyor a ball rolls rearwardly and transversely away from the discharge end of said transverse conveyor but pins are delivered at said discharge end.

ARTHUR M. SIMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,190,644 Hedenskoog July 11, 1916 1,190,645 Hedenskoog July 11, 1916 1,190,651 Hedenskoog July 11, 1916 1,557,177 Lorenz et al Oct. 13, 1925 2,306,825 McGill Dec. 29, 1942 2,319,925 Flanagan May 25, 1943 2,388,708 Bates Nov. 13, 1945 2,389,643 Schmidt Nov. 27. 1945

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