Object assembly device for assembling rolling objects

An object assembly device for automatically assembling a collection of rolling objects of identical size and shape, said assembly device comprising:

• (a) an assembly housing having an inlet for receiving rolling objects and an outlet through which the rolling objects are discharged;
• (b) a rotary feed cone rotatably mounted within said housing between the inlet and the outlet, and defining a single-line helical travel channel having an entrance end and an exit end, and a width sufficient to accommodate no more than a single line of rolling objects moving downstream in succession from the entrance end of said travel channel to the exit end;
• (c) a removable stationary cone base mounted within said assembly housing and having a conical interior wall adapted for receiving said rotary feed cone, and an object discharge opening operatively aligned with the exit end of said travel channel to allow passage of objects outwardly through said cone base for discharge in an assembled single-line condition;
• (d) means for removably securing said cone base in position relative to said rotary feed cone;
• and
• (e) a drive shaft operatively connected to a motor and to said rotary feed cone for rotating said feed cone relative to said cone base to avoid obstructing accumulation of rolling objects at the entrance end of said travel channel.

An object assembly device for automatically assembling a collection of rolling objects of identical size and shape, said assembly device comprising:

• (a) an assembly housing having an inlet for receiving rolling objects, an outlet through which the rolling objects are discharged, and a pivoted lid located at the inlet and adapted for being opened to allow insertion of objects into said assembly housing;
• (b) a rotary feed cone rotatably mounted within said housing between the inlet and the outlet, and defining a single-line travel channel having an entrance end and an exit end, and a width sufficient to accommodate no more than a single line of rolling objects moving downstream in succession from the entrance end of said travel channel to the exit end;
• (c) a removable stationary cone base mounted within said assembly housing and having a conical interior wall adapted for receiving said rotary feed cone, and an object discharge opening operatively aligned with the exit end of said travel channel to allow passage of objects outwardly through said cone base for discharge in an assembled single-line condition;
• (d) a spring-loaded ball plunger positioned within said cone base and adapted for engaging a wall of said assembly housing for removably securing said cone base in position relative to said rotary feed cone;
• and
• (e) a drive shaft operatively connected to a motor and to said rotary feed cone for rotating said feed cone relative to said cone base to avoid obstructing accumulation of rolling objects at the entrance end of said travel channel.