U.S. patent application number 10/955511 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-30 for tennis ball collection, dispensing, and transport apparatus.
Invention is credited to Lloyd Mendoza.
Application Number | 20060068948 10/955511 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36100000 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060068948 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mendoza; Lloyd |
March 30, 2006 |
Tennis ball collection, dispensing, and transport apparatus
Abstract
A tennis ball collection, dispensing, and transporting apparatus
is disclosed. The apparatus includes a ball collection hopper for
collecting tennis balls by a wheel-mounted sweeping apparatus. The
ball collection hopper includes a forward facing opening for
receiving tennis balls collected by the sweeping apparatus, for
directing tennis balls over a one-way deflection panel and into the
interior of the ball collection hopper. The deflection panel
prevents collected tennis balls from accessing the sweeping
apparatus and jamming the collection device during use, as well as
retaining collected tennis balls during transport on and off the
tennis court, as well as for securing the balls within the hopper
when being dispensed.
Inventors: |
Mendoza; Lloyd; (West Hills,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Marshall E. Rosenberg, Esq.;Registered Patent Attorney
P.O. Box 966
Woodland Hills
CA
91365-0966
US
|
Family ID: |
36100000 |
Appl. No.: |
10/955511 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/460 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2102/02 20151001;
A63B 47/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/460 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/38 20060101
A63B069/38 |
Claims
1. A transportable game practice aid device for collecting a
plurality of game balls from a ground surface, said device
comprising: a hopper for retaining and storing said collected game
balls, said hopper having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a
plurality of side walls supporting said top wall to said bottom
wall; a cover removably attached to said ball dispensing port at
said top wall, said cover being selectively transitioned between an
open position during a ball dispensing mode, and a closed position
to secure the contents of the hopper; a pair of ground engaging
wheels supported by a central web, said wheels having inner
surfaces, said wheels positioned parallel to said ground surface
for supporting transport of the game practice aid device about the
ground surface; a support bail extending from a central axis of at
least one said wheel, the support bail mounted to enable rotation
of at least one said wheel thereto, and a directing handle
supported by and extending from the support bail, the hopper being
secured at a connection point to the support bail; said central web
including a plurality of vanes arrayed about a longitudinal axis,
adjacent pairs of vanes and inner opposing sides of said wheels
defining a generally rectangular ball entry having a first edge
parallel to and proximate said ground surface in said ball
collection mode during rotation of the wheel when in moving contact
with said balls during collection; a ball dispensing port provided
in said hopper having an opening shaped and dimensioned to allow
insertion of said player's hand and manual removal of said game
balls; and said handle being collapsible for rendering the device
in a compact, transportable package to secure the device in a
closed position to secure contents supported therein during
transport and storage.
2. The device recited in claim 1, further comprising a pair of
support bail arms extending from both wheels.
3. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the rotatable shaft
supports three outwardly extending vanes.
4. The device recited in claim 3, comprising a selected number of
vanes extending outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the web, said
number based on the outer diameter of the game balls to be
collected by the device.
5. The device recited in claim 4, wherein the vanes extend to about
the outer circumference of the supporting wheels.
6. The device recited in claim 5, wherein the game balls captured
by the vanes during rotation of the wheels are delivered to an
entry port provided in the hopper.
7. The device recited in claim 6, comprising an upraised lip
provided adjacent the entry port of the hopper over which collected
balls are rolled by urging action during ball collection.
8. The device recited in claim 7, wherein the upraised lip is
integrally formed with a floor of the hopper.
9. The device recited in claim 3, wherein the vanes and wheels are
provided in an integral unit.
10. The device recited in claim 1, further comprising a holder for
supporting the directing handle when detached from the support
bail.
11. The device recited in claim 1, further comprising a support
wheel supporting a bottom wall of the hopper above the ground
surface.
12. The device recited in claim 1, further comprising a carrying
handle provided on a side wall of the hopper.
13. The device recited in claim 1, further comprising a tripod
mount secured to the underside of the device for raising the device
to an elevation.
14. A transportable game practice aid device for collecting a
plurality of game balls from a ground surface, said device
comprising: a hopper having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a
plurality of side walls supporting said top wall to said bottom
wall; a cover removably attached to said ball dispensing port at
said top wall for providing access to the contents therein; a pair
of ground engaging wheels supported by a central web, said wheels
having inner surfaces and outer surfaces, said wheels positioned
parallel to said ground surface for supporting transport of the
game practice aid device about the ground surface; a support bail
extending from a central axis of the wheels, the support bail
mounted to enable rotation of the wheels, and a directing handle
supported by and extending from the support bail, the hopper being
secured at a connection point to the support bail; and said central
web including a plurality of vanes arrayed about a longitudinal
axis, adjacent pairs of vanes and inner opposing sides of said
wheels defining a generally rectangular ball entry having a first
edge parallel to and proximate said ground surface in said ball
collection mode during rotation of the wheel when in moving contact
with said balls during ball collection.
15. The device recited in claim 14, further comprising a ball
dispensing port provided in said hopper having an opening shaped
and dimensioned to allow insertion of said player's hand and manual
removal of said game balls.
16. The device recited in claim 14, wherein said handle is
collapsible for rendering the device in a compact, transportable
package to secure the device in a closed position to secure
contents supported therein during transport and storage.
17. The device recited in claim 14, wherein the rotatable shaft
supports three outwardly extending vanes.
18. The device recited in claim 17, comprising a selected number of
vanes extending outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the web, said
number based on the outer diameter of the game balls to be
collected by the device.
19. The device recited in claim 14, wherein the vanes and wheels
are provided in an integral unit.
20. The device recited in claim 14, further including an upraised
lip provided adjacent the entry port of the hopper over which
collected balls are rolled by urging action during ball collection.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] not applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT:
[0002] not applicable
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to the field of sports
equipment and more particularly, to apparatus for collecting,
dispensing, and transporting tennis balls.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] Practice for the game of tennis is necessary to develop the
skills required. However the game requires at least two players,
and is often played by four players, and one or three practicing
player(s) may not be available to join another player for practice.
Practicing alone on a regulation court can be accomplished, but one
must be able to have immediately available a desired number of
tennis balls and be able to retrieve these balls or the practice
primarily turns into an exercise in obtaining and retrieving tennis
balls, rather than a practice session devoted to service and
playing skills development.
[0008] As noted, retrieving tennis balls is an especially tedious,
time consuming and unproductive task for a student or teacher or
practicing player. One alternative is not to practice in a
regulation tennis court, but rather, to practice against a wall
with or without simulated net markings. This is not satisfactory to
many players as it changes the character of the play in tennis ball
practice service where placement strategy is of great importance,
as well as tennis ball rebound characteristics that is completely
unrelated to a tennis game played on a standard regulation court.
Mechanical serving devices are also available, but again reloading
the device and collection of balls is a time consuming process.
[0009] The primary objectives for a tennis ball collection and
practice aid are (1) easily used collection device for quickly
collecting tennis balls laying at random on the tennis court or
other practice surface, that is (2) readily portable, (3) having a
desired capacity for the storage of tennis balls collected by the
device, and (4) includes a tennis ball collection hopper that is
conveniently within reach for reaching the so-collected tennis
balls. Moreover, the tennis ball collection and practice aid should
be small so that it will not interfere with the practice and not
overly obstruct the court. It should also be light weight, rugged
in construction, pleasing in appearance and low in cost. When the
practice aid is deployed in each of the three modes (collection,
storage and dispensing), a minimum of effort to convert from one
mode to another mode is also desirable.
[0010] Most of the current practice aids may do one of these
objectives well, but others poorly or not at all. Ball hoppers
conveniently provide access to dispense balls during practice, but
many do not allow storage (covered) or transport. Others provide
storage and access, but do not retrieve balls.
[0011] Ball storage devices also tends to be separate, typically in
the can in which purchased. Transport to and from the storage
location requires lifting. Larger storage devices accommodate many
balls but are difficult to lift and transport.
[0012] Ball retrievers tend to be complex and cumbersome, limiting
transport, access and use. Examples of ball collectors which do not
function in the other modes and do not satisfy the other practice
objectives include U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,484,437; 4,318,654; and
3,717,371. All of these devices only collect balls and all require
separate hinged/rotating and/or fixed fingers/projections to lift
and/or remove balls for placement into a receptacle. Many of these
devices also tend to get caught by nets and fencing. Since these
locations are likely places for balls to come to rest, this can be
a major problem.
[0013] Prior art which attempts to accomplish all three of the
primary objectives tend to be even more complex and cumbersome to
lift, transport and use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,490 uses a spring
loaded trapping mechanism, a non-rotating ball engaging surface
mounted to a jointed frame which allows multiple positions, wheels
and a handle. The handle also serves as one of the supports when
the device is used to dispense balls, but fold out legs are also
required. The cage is also separate from the structure which
supports these folding, multi-position elements. In addition, the
spring mechanism must be periodically actuated, i.e: the process is
a batch type for each ball or group of balls, rather than a
continuous process.
[0014] In another approach to achieving a multi-mode practice aid,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,533 uses a rotating drum, belt driven by
traction wheels and axle, removable extension members to support
the device in the dispensing position, a removable ball receptacle,
a frame, a means to adjust the frame, an arcuate ball guide, and
handle. The handle can be folded out of the way of the player
during the dispensing mode and a ball guide with wheels can be used
for partial support in the dispensing mode.
[0015] These prior multi-mode approaches have many limitations.
These are primarily related to the multiplicity of elements
required to accomplish the three operating modes, creating added
cost, weight and space. This multiplicity of elements, weight and
space particularly detract from the storage and dispensing modes.
In addition, they also tend to get caught by nets and fencing
located within the court in the collecting mode of operation.
[0016] None of the prior art cited incorporates positive collection
(balls retained in a container with covered openings or openings
smaller than the ball diameter) to allow immediate transport and
storage without the use of additional movable elements in addition
to traction wheels and an axle. None allows conversion to a
dispensing mode without additional structure. Further, all also
tend to get caught when in contact with nets or fences when in the
collecting mode.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide tennis ball collection and practice aid that overcomes the
shortcomings of the related art.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
tennis ball collection device for quickly collecting tennis balls
laying at random on the tennis court or other practice surface
[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
readily portable tennis ball collection device that is easily
transportable while securing a plurality of tennis balls collected
therein.
[0020] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a tennis ball collection device having a collection hopper that is
conveniently within reach for reaching the so-collected tennis
balls.
[0021] These and other objects are achieved, according to the
present invention, with a ball collection hopper for collecting
tennis balls deposited therein by a wheel-mounted sweeping
apparatus supported by the rotatable axle to which a pair of
forward apparatus wheels are mounted for rotation. The ball
collection hopper includes a forward facing mouth or opening for
receiving tennis balls collected by the sweeping apparatus, which
directs tennis balls over a one-way deflection panel and into the
interior of the ball collection hopper. The deflection panel
prevents so-collected tennis balls from accessing the sweeping
apparatus and jamming the collection device during use, as well as
retaining collected tennis balls during transport on and off the
tennis court. A hinged panel secures the upper portion of the
collection hopper. During transport off the tennis court, the
sweeping apparatus is rotated into a transport position and locked
in place such that one of a plurality of sweeping vanes is locked
adjacent the deflection panel, while the hinged panel is secured in
a closed and locked position, together preventing unintended
spillage of tennis balls even when the entire apparatus is upended
as when the portable apparatus is carried about between practice
sessions. The collection apparatus of the present invention is
steered by a handle mounted to the collection apparatus which
disassembles and in the disassembled form is housed in dedicated
receptacles provided on the sides of the collection hopper. When
the collector is intended for use in practice mode, the handles may
be assembled to become supports for the collection hopper.
[0022] The above objects and description together with other
objects and description of the invention, along with the various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed
out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part
of this disclosure. For a more complete understanding of the
present invention, its performance, structural and operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
shall be made to the accompanying drawings and description in which
there are presented exemplary preferred embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tennis ball collector,
dispenser, and transporter apparatus of the present invention,
showing the apparatus in the fully assembled position for
collecting tennis balls randomly distributed on a tennis court.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tennis ball
collector, dispenser, and transporter apparatus shown in FIG.
1.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the tennis ball collector shown in
FIG. 1, showing additional elements of the inventive apparatus.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sweeper mechanism
shown in FIG. 2, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2, showing the
sweeper locking apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals
designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several
views, and according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the tennis ball collector, dispenser, and transporter
10 of the present invention, hereinafter referred to as
"collector". The collector 10 is sized and configured to receive a
plurality of tennis balls 12 (or other game balls having a
generally spherical shape for which the collector is sized, shaped
and configured to receive as the skilled artisan will appreciate)
randomly placed on a surface 14, such as the playing surface of a
tennis court or other sport court, practice court, or the like.
Collector 10 includes a sweeper apparatus 16 for sweeping the balls
into a ball collector hopper 18. The collector 10 is manipulated at
least during ball sweeping/collection by a compound handle 20.
[0028] Sweeper apparatus 16 includes a pair of opposing support
wheels 22 having a traction rim 24 comprised of a non-marking,
non-abrasive material approved for use on tennis courts and sports
courts having an engineered playing surface. The wheels 22 are
supported for rotation by a web 26 (with an optional axle-not
shown) comprised of a plurality of angularly-offset ball sweeper
collection vanes 28. The web 26 and wheels 22 assembly may be
fabricated in an integrated unitary structure, or provided in
separate components for subsequent assembly. Although FIG. 2 shows
three vanes 28 spaced apart at 120 angles, it will be apparent to
the skilled artisan that a greater or lesser number of vanes 28 may
be employed depending on the size, texture and compressibility of
the balls 12 for which the collector 12 is intended to collect.
Further, each vane has a radial depth of about seven inches
measured from the axis of rotation of the wheels 22 to
approximately the traction rim 24, and that dimension is likewise
amenable to change as required or desired. No matter the radial
depth and quantity of ball sweeper collection vanes 28, the vanes
will be cooperatively engaged with upper edge 30 of the receiving
mouth 32 of ball collection hopper 18, and leading edge 34 of
deflector plate 36 located at the lower portion of receiving mouth
32 of hopper 18, in the manner to be more fully described
below.
[0029] Again with referral to FIG. 2, ball collection hopper 18 has
a self-supporting housing structure 40 having a top side 42, bottom
side 44, side walls 46, and rear side 48. The bottom side 44
includes the leading edge 32 of deflector plate 36 as previously
described, the deflector plate 36 having a front ramp 50 against
which balls 12 are driven up and over into the ball receiving
recess of the hopper 18. Upper edge 30 of the receiving mouth 32 is
the forward edge of top side 42. A wheel or caster 52 is optionally
provided on the bottom side 44 to provide support of the ball
collection hopper 18, especially when carrying a load of tennis
balls 12, thereby preventing scraping of the playing service 14
unlike other apparatus of the related art.
[0030] During use, tennis balls 12 are collected by a sweeping and
rolling motion by a biasing pressure against ball collection vanes
28 when the collector 10 is operated in a forward motion, thereby
driving the collected balls up and over the front ramp of the
one-way deflector plate 36 and into the ball receiving recess of
the hopper 18. The hopper 18 is configured with sufficient height
and width to accommodate a quantity of so-collected balls 12, and
retained against loss out of the top side 42 by a hinged panel 43
rotatable about a hinge 45 that can be latched into the opened
position during dispensing as would occur during a practice
session, or into a closed and locked position as during transport.
Also, in the fully secured position, the collector 10 may be
gripped for transport by handle 60. According to another embodiment
of the invention, one or more of the wall portions of the hopper
may be replaced with a frame supporting a flexible material such as
netting, cloth, or plastic sheeting each of which may be provided
with expandable panels for supporting a larger quantity of
collected game balls. The optimum angle and height of deflector
plate 36 for a particular game ball application may be determined
to meet particular needs, all intended to prevent rollback during
collection operation yet not of such extreme dimension that
relative slow operation of the collector prevents sufficient urging
action of a collected ball over the deflector plate 36 into the
hopper 18.
[0031] The collector 10 of the present invention is manipulated at
least during ball sweeping/collection by a compound handle 20.
Handle 20 is comprised of a lower portion 62 having rotational
bearing units 64 for engaging with wheels 22. The lower portion 64
is removably engaged with and supports middle portion 66, which is
removably engaged with and supports top handle portion 68. A
spring-loaded engagement device 69 provided internal to the outer
end of middle portion 66 is selectively engagable with recesses 70
provided along the length of top handle portion 68 to enable the
user of the collector 10 to tailor the exact overall height of the
handle assembly 62,66,68 to place the top handle portion 68 at the
optimal height so selected. During transport, the handle assembly
is readily disassembled into its constituent portions 62, 66, 68 to
be received in comporting longitudinal cavities 72, 74 provided in
side holster 76 supported by either or both side walls 46. Further,
to secure the web 26 against rotation during periods of non-use and
to securely contain the contents of the hopper 18, a removable pin
80 having shaft 81 is removably projected into recess 82 provided
in wheel 22 and through overlapping recess 84 provided in a side
wall 46 to lock the wheel 22 against unintended rotation. The pin
80 may be provided with a tether to secure it to the apparatus for
reuse.
[0032] A tripod mount or other support structure may be used either
in separate form or integrally formed with the underside of the
collector to bring the hopper to a raised, and therefor more
comfortable access height.
[0033] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
shown and described, changes and modifications may be made therein
within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the
spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *