Remote actuator for ball injector
First Claim
1. An apparatus for counting a plurality of balls, comprising:
- a shaft rotatably driven by an electrical motor;
a helical rib radially extending from the shaft and adapted to support the balls, wherein the balls are dropped from the helical rib when the balls reach the bottom of the helical rib;
a plurality of target mounts spaced circumferentially around the shaft;
a selected number of targets, each of the targets releasably affixed to one of the target mounts on the shaft;
a sensor adjacent to and apart from the shaft, and positioned in close proximity to the targets, wherein the sensor senses each target as each target rotates past the sensor, and wherein the number of targets sensed per revolution of the shaft is equal to the number of balls dropped from the helical rib per revolution of the helical rib; and
a counter in data communication with the sensor, wherein the counter counts the number of targets sensed.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical motor rotatably drives a motor shaft, and a helical rib radially extends from the shaft. The helical rib supports a number of balls, and forms a channel to accommodate the balls. The balls are dropped from the helical rib when the balls reach the bottom of the helical rib. Several targets are affixed to the shaft. A sensor is located adjacent to and apart from the shaft, and is positioned in close proximity to the targets. The sensor senses each target as each target rotates past the sensor. The number of targets sensed per revolution of the shaft is equal to the number of balls dropped from the helical rib per revolution of the helical rib. A counter in data communication with the sensor displays the number of targets sensed, and thus displays the number or balls dropped from the helical rib.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for counting a plurality of balls, comprising:
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a shaft rotatably driven by an electrical motor; a helical rib radially extending from the shaft and adapted to support the balls, wherein the balls are dropped from the helical rib when the balls reach the bottom of the helical rib; a plurality of target mounts spaced circumferentially around the shaft; a selected number of targets, each of the targets releasably affixed to one of the target mounts on the shaft; a sensor adjacent to and apart from the shaft, and positioned in close proximity to the targets, wherein the sensor senses each target as each target rotates past the sensor, and wherein the number of targets sensed per revolution of the shaft is equal to the number of balls dropped from the helical rib per revolution of the helical rib; and a counter in data communication with the sensor, wherein the counter counts the number of targets sensed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for counting a plurality of balls, comprising:
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a cylindrical housing; a shaft located concentrically within the housing and rotatably driven by an electrical motor; a helical rib radially extending from the shaft for rotation therewith; a replaceable bottom plate in the housing at a lower end of the shaft, the bottom plate having a selected number of apertures therein and spaced circumferentially around the shaft, the shaft being rotatable relative to the bottom plate, for dropping balls through the apertures in the bottom plate as the shaft rotates; a plurality of rods spaced around the rib within the housing, the rods being parallel to the shaft and stationarily mounted in the housing to prevent the balls from rolling down the rib; a plurality of target mounts spaced circumferentially around the shaft; a plurality of targets, each of the targets releasably affixed to one of the target mounts, the number of the targets equaling the number of apertures in the bottom plate; and a sensor adjacent to and apart from the shaft, and positioned in close proximity to the targets, wherein the sensor senses each target as each target rotates past the sensor, and wherein the number of targets sensed per revolution of the shaft is equal to the number of balls dropped from the helical rib per revolution of the helical rib. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. An apparatus for counting a plurality of balls, comprising:
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a shaft rotatably driven by an electrical motor; a helical rib radially extending from the shaft and adapted to support the balls, wherein the balls are dropped from the helical rib when the balls reach the bottom of the helical rib; a plurality of threaded holes formed in the shaft and spaced circumferentially apart from each other; a plurality of threaded members, each having a head thereon that is formed of a ferrous metal, the threaded members being secured to the threaded holes in the shaft; a magnetic sensor adjacent to and apart from the shaft, and positioned in close proximity to the heads of the threaded members, wherein the sensor senses each head as each head rotates past the sensor, and wherein the number of heads sensed per revolution of the shaft is equal to the number of balls dropped from the helical rib per revolution of the helical rib; and a counter in data communication with the sensor, wherein the counter counts the number of heads sensed.
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Specification