U.S. patent application number 10/707831 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-21 for ball return device.
Invention is credited to Houston, David J., Houston, Peter D..
Application Number | 20050159251 10/707831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34749146 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050159251 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Houston, David J. ; et
al. |
July 21, 2005 |
Ball Return Device
Abstract
A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball retrieval during play
on a game table having a net, such as table tennis (ping pong),
comprises an elongated first ramp member positioned parallel to and
adjacent the net. The first ramp member is configured to facilitate
movement of a ball away from the net and towards a player when the
ball hits the net during play of a game on the game table. End
brackets may be connected to opposing ends of the first ramp member
to further facilitate the redirection of the balls. The ball return
apparatus may also include a second ramp member configured in the
same manner as the first ramp member and connected to the first
ramp member through the net such that balls that hit the net will
not fall and be trapped between the two ramp members.
Inventors: |
Houston, David J.; (East
Lansing, MI) ; Houston, Peter D.; (East Lansing,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOSTER, SWIFT, COLLINS & SMITH, P.C.
313 SOUTH WASHINGTON SQUARE
LANSING
MI
48933
US
|
Family ID: |
34749146 |
Appl. No.: |
10/707831 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 67/04 20130101;
A63F 7/34 20130101; A63F 2007/345 20130101; A63B 69/0097 20130101;
A63B 47/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/459 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/00; A63B
069/38 |
Claims
1-4. (canceled)
5. A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball return or retrieval
during play on a game table having a net, comprising: an elongated
first ramp member adapted to be positioned substantially parallel
and adjacent to the net, said first ramp member being sloped to
facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and towards a
player when the ball hits the net during play of a game on the game
table; and a first end bracket and a second end bracket said, end
brackets being connected to opposing ends of said first ramp
member, wherein said first and second end brackets each comprise a
deflecting surface extending substantially vertically above said
first ramp member.
6. The ball return of claim 5, further comprising an elongated
second ramp member adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of
the net from said first ramp member, said second ramp member being
adapted to be positioned adjacent to and parallel to the net and
comprising a lower edge spaced from said net.
7. The ball return apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first and
second ramp members are connected together at least one
location.
8. A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball return or retrieval
during play on a game table having a net, comprising: an elongated
first ramp member adapted to be positioned substantially parallel
and adjacent to the net, said first ramp member being sloped to
facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and towards a
player when the ball hits the net during play of a game on the game
table; an elongated second ramp member adapted to be positioned on
an opposite side of the net from said first ramp member, said
second ramp member being adapted to be positioned adjacent and
parallel to the net and comprising a lower edge spaced from said
net, wherein said first and second ramp members are connected
together at least one location, and wherein said connection
comprises a connector member extending through the net and
connected on one end to said first ramp member and on a second end
to said second ramp member; and a first end bracket and a second
end bracket, said end brackets being connected to opposing ends of
said first ramp member, wherein said first and second end brackets
each comprise a deflecting surface extending substantially
vertically above said first ramp member.
9. The ball return apparatus of claim 8, wherein said connection
comprises at least one hook.
10. The ball return apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first ramp
member comprises a plurality of connectable sections.
11. The ball return apparatus of claim 10, wherein said plurality
of ramp sections are frictionally connected together.
12. The ball return apparatus of claim 10, wherein said plurality
of ramp sections are telescopingly connected.
13. The ball return apparatus of claim 6, wherein said second ramp
member comprises at least one support element connected to a back
side of said second ramp member and configured to support said
second ramp member, said support member adapted to be supported on
a top surface of the table.
14. A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball return or retrieval
during play on a game table having a net, comprising: an elongated
first ramp member adapted to be positioned substantially parallel
to and adjacent the net, said first ramp member being sloped to
facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and towards a
player when the ball hits the net during play of a game on the game
table; an elongated second ramp member adapted to be positioned on
an opposite side of the net from said first ramp member, said
second ramp member being adapted to be positioned adjacent to and
parallel to the net and comprising a lower edge spaced from said
net; and further comprising a first and second end bracket
connected to said second ramp member, wherein said first and second
end brackets each comprise a deflecting surface extending
substantially vertically above said first ramp member.
15. The ball return apparatus of claim 14, wherein said first and
second end brackets comprise a deflecting surface extending
substantially vertically above said second ramp member.
16. (canceled)
17. A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball retrieval during
play on a game table having a net, comprising: a first ramp member
and a second ramp member adapted to be positioned on the game table
on opposite sides of the net and substantially parallel and
adjacent to the net, said first and second ramp members being
sloped to facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and
towards a player positioned at an end of the game table; and a
first end bracket and a second end bracket connected to opposite
ends of said first and second ramp members and each comprising a
deflecting surface extending substantially vertically above said
first and second ramp members.
18. The ball return apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first and
second end brackets comprise an extension portion configured to
direct the ball substantially toward the middle of the game
table.
19. The ball return apparatus of claim 18, wherein said extension
portion is angled relative to said deflecting surface.
20. The ball return apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first and
second ramp members are connected together at least one location
along the length of said first and second ramp members.
21. A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball retrieval during
play on a game table having a net, comprising: a first ramp member
and a second ramp member adapted to be positioned on the game table
on opposite sides of the net and substantially parallel and
adjacent to the net, said first and second ramp members being
sloped to facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and
towards a player positioned at an end of the game table; wherein
said first and second ramp members are connected together at least
one location along the length of said first and second ramp
members, wherein said connection extends through the net; and a
first end bracket and a second end bracket said end brackets being
connected to opposing ends of said first ramp member, wherein said
first and second end brackets each comprise a deflecting surface
extending substantially vertically above said first ramp
member.
22. The ball return apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first and
second ramp members each comprise a support element connected to a
back side, said support element configured to support said first
and second ramp members on the game table.
23. A kit to facilitate the retrieval of a ball during play on a
game table having a net, the comprising: a kit in a packaged form
having an elongated first ramp member adapted to be positioned
substantially parallel and adjacent to the net, said first ramp
member being sloped to facilitate movement of a ball away from the
net and towards a player when the ball hits the net during play of
a game on the game table; and a first end bracket and a second end
bracket, said end brackets being connected to opposing ends of said
first ramp member, wherein said first and second end brackets each
comprise a deflecting surface extending substantially vertically
above said first ramp member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a ball return
apparatus and particularly to a ball return apparatus configured
for use on a standard game table having a net, such as a table
tennis table.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0004] A common problem in the game of table tennis occurs when a
ball is caught by the net and either spins off the table or remains
at the base of the net. Devices to return a table tennis ball to a
user are currently available, but are complicated and expensive and
do not solve the problem of balls hung up at the net that are
difficult for shorter players to reach. Some such devices are
positioned along the sides of the table to capture balls that stray
off the table and roll them back to the end of the table where the
player is typically positioned. Unfortunately, these devices do not
aid in directing a ball towards the player in situations where the
ball hits the net and loses its momentum. Here, the ball tends to
stop near the net on the table surface. Devices designed only to
redirect balls that have fallen to the sides do not address this
problem. U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,625 discloses one such device and is
configured to be attached along the side edges of a table tennis
table and only assists in moving balls towards the player when the
ball has rolled to the sides and off the table. In Japanese Patent
JP10192469, a ball return device is disclosed that is configured to
be attached on the table top near the ends of the net, and again is
designed only for redirecting balls that have strayed to the sides
of the table.
[0005] Other complicated table tennis ball retrieval devices are
configured to attach to a table such that one person may practice
or play against himself. Again, this type of system does not aid in
facilitating the movement of balls that lose their momentum and
remain near the net. This system also does not redirect balls that
stray to the sides of the table during play between two
players.
[0006] Thus there is a desire and need in the art for a simple
device to facilitate ball retrieval when a ball is hit into a net
that is either moving in the direction of escaping, for example an
area to the sides, or has lost its momentum and stops at a location
at or near the net.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention provides a simple,
inexpensive device configured to facilitate ball retrieval during
the play of a game, such as a game table having a net (e.g., table
tennis), but does not significantly interfere with play. The
apparatus of the present invention is lightweight and may easily
attach to a standard table tennis game table, and is configured to
redirect balls moving towards the sides of the table or those that
have lost their momentum and have stopped at or near the net on the
table surface. The apparatus may also be easily removed and stored
in the event a match using formal rules of table tennis is to be
played.
[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a ball return
apparatus to facilitate ball retrieval during play on a game table
having a net includes an elongated first ramp member adapted to be
positioned substantially parallel and adjacent to the net. The
first ramp member being sloped to facilitate movement of a ball
away from the net, and towards a player when a ball hits the net
during play.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention a ball return
apparatus to facilitate ball retrieval during play on a game table
having a net includes a first and second ramp member adapted to be
positioned on the game table on opposite sides of the net and
substantially parallel and adjacent to the net. The first and
second ramp members being sloped to facilitate movement of a ball
away from the net and towards a player positioned at an end of the
game table.
[0010] Other features of the present invention will become more
apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the
present invention pertains from the following description and
claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing features, as well as other features, will
become apparent with reference to the description and figures
below, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the ball
return apparatus of the present invention positioned on a standard
table tennis table;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the ball
return apparatus of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of a ball return
apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of
the ball return apparatus of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an end bracket of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a back view of an end of a ramp member of the
present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] While the invention has been described in conjunction with
specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives,
modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the
present invention attempts to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims.
[0021] The present invention generally relates to a ball return
apparatus configured to be positioned on a standard game table
having a net, such as a table tennis table (ping pong). After a
table tennis rally, the ball is often stopped in a position such
that neither player is able to reach it without walking around the
table to the side, and/or reaching across the table to retrieve it.
This is especially true for younger or shorter players. Also, when
a player strikes the ball into the net, the net's shock absorbing
qualities often leave the ball very close to, if not touching the
net. Leaving the playing position to retrieve the ball may be
distracting and time consuming and result in less playing time and
less enjoyment for the players. The ball return apparatus of the
present invention is a simple and cost effective device that
effectively redirects balls towards the player positioned at the
end of the table that would otherwise be moving towards the sides
of the table. It also redirects balls that may have lost momentum
and remain near or touching the net. The apparatus of the present
invention is not allowed by the formal rules of table tennis, but
is ideal for casual play and practice while not significantly
affecting play.
[0022] Referring now to the figures, a ball return apparatus 20 of
the present invention may include an elongated first ramp member 22
configured to be positioned adjacent and parallel to a net 26 on a
standard table tennis table 48 as shown in FIG. 1. The first ramp
member 22 may extend laterally across the width of table 48
(typically approximately 122 cm (48 inches) by convention and rule)
and extend substantially to the side edges of table 48. First ramp
member 22 includes a lower edge 50 and a top edge 52 and may be
positioned adjacent to net 26 such that first ramp member 22 is
angled downwardly and away from net 26 to help facilitate the
redirection of balls that may hit net 26 or first ramp member 22
and roll down first ramp member 22 onto table 48.
[0023] In one embodiment, first ramp member 22 is positioned such
that top edge 52 is positioned below a top edge of net 26, and
lower edge 50 contacts a top surface of table 48 at a location
spaced from said net. Ideally, first ramp member 22 will be
positioned close to net 26 or touching net 26 along its length.
This close positioning will ensure that balls will not fall after
hitting net 26 and get trapped between net 26 and first ramp member
22. First ramp member 22 may be constructed of a variety of
inexpensive materials such as plastic, aluminum, rubber, or steel.
Since the balls used in table tennis are extremely lightweight, it
is not necessary to construct first ramp member 22 out of a robust
material. Preferably, first ramp member 22 would be constructed of
a lightweight material such as plastic or aluminum to reduce the
cost to manufacture and ship and to provide a device that is
lightweight and easy to handle by the user.
[0024] During play, as a ball hits net 26, if it does not return to
the player it will tend to either roll towards a side and
eventually off table 48, or lose its momentum and come to a stop at
or near net 26. Ball return apparatus 20 is configured to
facilitate the movement of such balls towards a player positioned
at an end of table 48. First ramp member 22 is configured to be
positioned adjacent to net 26 such that the missed balls roll onto
first ramp member 22 and towards the player at the end of the
table. First ramp member 22 prevents balls from losing their
momentum and hanging up or stopping near net 26 and also
facilitates redirecting the movement of a ball that would otherwise
tend to roll towards the side of table 48.
[0025] The ball return apparatus 20 may also include at least one
support element 28 connected to a back side of first ramp member 22
supporting upper edge 52 of first ramp member 22 as more clearly
shown in FIGS. 2 through 6. Support element 28 may include one
continuous substantially vertical member configured to support
first ramp member 22 on table 48. Alternatively, support element 28
may include segmented pieces spaced along the length of first
support member 22. Support element 28 may also be configured as a
horizontal support as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4. Ideally,
support member 28 will be designed not to interfere with any
standard support element of net 26.
[0026] First ramp member 22 may also include end brackets 32 and 34
connected on opposing ends of first ramp member 22 as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. End brackets 32 and 34 may include a deflecting
surface 36 and a flange 38 as shown in FIG. 6. End brackets 32 and
34 may also include an extension portion 59 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3
and 6. Extension portion 59 may be angled relative to deflecting
surface 36 or one continuous curvilinear portion, to direct a ball
rolling against bracket 32, 34 away from the edge of the playing
surface and towards the center of the playing surface.
[0027] End brackets 32 and 34 may also be constructed of a variety
of materials similar to first ramp member 22. Flange 38 may be
connected to a bottom side of first ramp member 22, or formed
integrally with first ramp member 22, adjacent an end of first ramp
member 22 by any of a variety of means (See FIG. 7). For example,
the attachment of flange 38 to first ramp member 22 may be achieved
by an adhesive attachment, friction or snap connection, welds,
interlocking members, screws, clips, and the like. When end
brackets 32 and 34 are connected to first ramp member 22,
deflecting surface 36 will extend substantially perpendicular and
vertically above a top surface of first ramp member 22 as shown in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Deflecting surface 36 and extension portion 59
are configured to assist in redirecting the motion or movement of
missed balls that have hit the net 26 and are traveling towards a
side of the table. The ball will hit into deflecting surface 36
(and/or extension 59) and be redirected inwardly towards the middle
of the table where it may roll down first ramp member 22 towards
the player at the end of the table.
[0028] In an alternate embodiment, first ramp member 22 may include
two or more sections, such as sections 40 and 42 shown in FIGS. 2
and 4. By providing first ramp member 22 in sections, smaller
packaging may be utilized for shipping and marketing the ball
return apparatus 20. In this embodiment, sections 40 and 42 may be
connected by any of a variety of attachment methods such as the
friction fit connection shown in FIG. 4. For this connection, one
of sections 40 and 42 may include a hole 44 and the other may
include a tab 46 configured to be slidably received within hole 44.
Tab 46 and hole 44 may be sized such that a friction fit between
the two components is achieved. Other types of attachments may
include a snap fit, brackets, screws, clips or any other attachment
that will hold the sections 42 and 44 together. Again, because of
the lightweight balls used in table tennis, a substantial or robust
connection is not required.
[0029] Another optional embodiment of first ramp member 22 may
include a two part telescoping configuration as shown in FIG. 8. In
this embodiment, first ramp member 22 may include a hollow first
section 40' configured to receive a second section 42' therein in a
telescoping fashion. When not in use, second section 42' could be
slidably received within hollow first section 40' to shorten the
length of first ramp member 22 and allow for easier storage and
transport. This configuration would also allow the user to slidably
adjust the length of ball return apparatus 20 by sliding second
section 42' out from first section 40' to a desired length to fit a
particular width of game table.
[0030] The present invention can be utilized as a single ramp
member on only one side of the net on a game table as has been
described above, or alternatively may include two ramp members
positioned on opposing sides of the net. In this embodiment, a
first ramp member 22 and a second ramp member 24 may positioned as
shown in Figure 3. Second ramp member 24 may be constructed in the
same manner as first ramp member 22 and be positioned on table 48
on an opposite side of net 26 from first ramp member 22. Second
ramp member 24 may likewise include at least one support element
28, as with first ramp member 22, and may be constructed as one
unitary component, or alternatively include a plurality of sections
connected together. End brackets 32 and 34 may also be attached to
second ramp member 22 in the same manner as first ramp member 20
and may optionally include extension portion 59 for further
deflection capabilities.
[0031] To ensure the ball return apparatus is securely held in
position, first and second ramp members 22 and 24 may be connected
together as shown in FIG. 5. The connection also helps ensure balls
that hit the net will not fall down between first and second ramp
members 22 and 24. First and second ramp members 22 and 24 may be
connected using a variety of attachment methods known in the art,
such as a hook attachment as shown in FIG. 5. To facilitate the
attachment of first and second ramp members 22 and 24, first and
second ramp members 22 and 24 may include one or more apertures 54
near top edge 52. Apertures 54 may be positioned at substantially
the same location along the length of first and second ramp members
22 and 24 to allow for a connection between the two components
through net 26. In the hook attachment embodiment shown in FIG. 5,
a strap 56 extends between first and second ramp members 22 and 24
and through net 26 in a manner such that the apertures do not
interfere with the operation of the apparatus if the attachment of
first and second ramp members 22 and 24 is not used. Strap 56 may
be constructed of a rigid material such as a rigid plastic, metal
or the like, or alternatively out of a flexible material such as
wire, string, cord, flexible plastic and the like. Strap 56 may
also include a hook 58 on opposing ends of strap 56 that hook onto
apertures 54 to hold first and second ramp members 22 and 24
together. Other attachment methods may also be used, such as a
simple string that loops through apertures 54 that may be tied to
hold first and second ramp members 22 and 24 together, or an
opposing magnetic connection (such as a magnet on one ramp member
and a metallic component on the other ramp member) may be included
on first and second ramp members 22 and 24 to magnetically connect
the ramp members together. All the attachment methods described
must be configured to ensure the attachment does not interfere with
the proper operation of ball return apparatus 20.
[0032] Although ball return apparatus 20 has been described for use
on a table tennis table, it is to be understood that the same
principles apply in the game of tennis played on a tennis court.
The apparatus can easily be configured in a larger configuration to
be utilized with this type of tennis activity.
[0033] While the invention has been described in conjunction with
specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives,
modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the
present invention attempts to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *