Patent attributes
The present invention is directed to a magnetic indexing device that can be connected to a conveyor, the device firmly holding a golf ball in a particular orientation for the purposes of printing of indicia and logo on the ball when device and ball move along the conveyor. The device includes a stationary base portion and a rotating cup portion which are magnetically coupled to each other. Each portion has recesses for housing magnets to create a magnetic field of attraction which firmly locks the two portions together. When rotation of the cup portion to the base portion is required, the rotation is substantially friction-free because of a thrust bearing ring set in the base portion. The cup portion is caused to rotate 45° or 90° upon being biasly urged by station locks located on the conveyor. The cup portion has an open bridge section wherein cam surfaces of the station locks can engage and cause the cup portion to rotate, which is necessary for each new procedure, whether it be inspection of the ball, pad printing of indicia and logo, or curing the printed ink with ultraviolet light.
