U.S. patent application number 11/185635 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for tennis ball collection bag.
Invention is credited to Shaun Smithson.
Application Number | 20070017948 11/185635 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37678133 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070017948 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smithson; Shaun |
January 25, 2007 |
Tennis ball collection bag
Abstract
A bag for collecting, storing and carrying tennis balls and
similar sports equipment. The bag has a first opening to attach to
a collection device such as a tube collector. The balls are
directed into the bag when the collection process has completed or
when the collector overflows. The bag is detachable from the
collector. The bag holds over twenty balls for easy carriage and
access. The bag may be worn over the shoulder with an attached
shoulder strap. A second opening with a closing mechanism allows a
user to quickly access or dump the balls within the bag. The second
opening may be positioned along the top or bottom of the bag. This
opening allows the bag to be used in place of a ball hopper. A
third opening may be present on the top or bottom of the bag
opposite the second opening.
Inventors: |
Smithson; Shaun; (Redondo
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
37678133 |
Appl. No.: |
11/185635 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/663 ;
206/315.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/0045 20130101;
A45C 3/00 20130101; A45F 3/02 20130101; A45C 2003/002 20130101;
A63B 47/021 20130101; A45C 2003/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/663 ;
206/315.9 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; A45F 3/00 20060101 A45F003/00 |
Claims
1. An article comprising: a bag for holding a plurality of balls,
the bag defining a first opening for receiving a plurality of balls
from a collection device; an attachment mechanism to couple the bag
to the collection device; and a strap coupled to the bag, the strap
enabling over shoulder carriage of the bag.
2. The article of claim 1, further comprising: a zipper to control
a second opening along a first length of the bag to allow access to
the plurality of balls.
3. the article of claim 2, wherein the second opening is along a
bottom of the bag.
4. The article of claim 2, wherein the second opening is along a
top of the bag.
5. The article of claim 4, further comprising: a third opening
along a bottom of the bag.
6. The article of claim 1, further comprising: a drawstring to
adjust a size of the first opening.
7. The article of claim 1, wherein the bag is formed from a
mesh.
8. The article of claim 1, wherein the bag is formed from a
fabric.
9. The article of claim 1, comprising: a tube collection
device.
10. The article of claim 1, wherein the bag holds at least twenty
tennis balls.
11. The article of claim 2, wherein the zipper adjusts the size of
the second opening.
12. The article of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is an
interlocking structure.
13. The article of claim 1, wherein a first end of the strap is
coupled to a first end of the bag and a second end of the strap is
coupled to a second end of the bag.
14. The article of claim 1, further comprising: a shoulder pad
coupled to the strap.
15. The article of claim 1, wherein the bag defines a funnel
section.
16. The article of claim 1, wherein the strap is adjustable.
17. The article of claim 1, further comprising: an exterior pocket
coupled to the bag.
18. The article of claim 1, wherein the first length is more than
three fourths of a length of the bag.
19. The article of claim 1, further comprising: an elastic band to
bias the first opening to a closed position.
20. An article comprising: a bag for holding a plurality of balls,
the bag defining a first opening for receiving a plurality of balls
from a collection device, the bag defining sufficient space to
enclose at least twenty tennis balls; and an attachment mechanism
to couple the bag to the collection device.
21. The article of claim 21, further comprising: a first zipper to
control a second opening; and a second zipper to control a third
opening.
22. The article of claim 21, further comprising: a plurality of
pockets.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application relates generally to collection systems for
tennis balls and, more specifically, to an article for collecting,
storing and carrying tennis balls for use in practice sessions, as
a replacement for a ball hopper or to complement ball collection
devices.
BACKGROUND
[0002] During practice or training sessions for sports like tennis
a large number of balls may be used to maximize the amount of time
spent playing and minimize the time spent tracking down the balls
being used in the training session. For example, tennis instructors
often use a basket or even a shopping cart full of tennis balls to
feed to a student during drills so that a specific technique being
taught or practiced can be repeated quickly and for a significant
duration to assist in the learning process. Without a large supply
of balls, the lesson must be continually interrupted to pick up and
collect the balls.
[0003] Individuals or small groups who are practicing also use
similar devices to facilitate their practice sessions. Tube
collectors, as shown in FIG. 1, are often used to speed up the
collection of tennis balls during practice sessions or lessons.
Tube collectors are long hollow plastic tubes with retention straps
at each end that can be used to collect tennis balls on a court by
pressing one end of the tube onto a tennis ball on the ground. The
tennis ball is pressed through the retention straps into the tube.
This device allows a user to avoid having to bend over to pick up a
ball and to easily store the balls in the tube. A collection tube
can typically hold between 12 and 18 tennis balls.
SUMMARY
[0004] The embodiments of the invention relate to an article for
collecting sports equipment such as tennis balls and similar items.
The embodiments include a bag formed from fabric or mesh that
defines at least one opening. This opening may be attached to a
collection device to augment the storage capacity and receive
collected items from the collection device. The collection device
may be a collection tube. The bag may define a funnel shaped region
to group the items in one end of the bag. An interior and/or
exterior pocket may be coupled to the bag. The bag may be formed
from a mesh, a fabric, or a combination of mesh and fabric. The bag
may hold over twenty tennis balls.
[0005] The bag may have an attachment mechanism to couple the bag
to the collection tube. The attachment mechanism may be an
interlocking structure, elastic band, drawstring or similar
mechanism. The bag may include a strap that enables over the
shoulder carriage of the bag or similar hands free carriage of the
bag. A first end of the strap may be coupled to a first end of the
bag and a second end of the strap may be coupled to a second end of
the bag. A shoulder pad may be coupled to the strap. The strap may
be adjustable. In another embodiment, the bag may have multiple
straps to allow the carriage of the bag as a backpack.
[0006] The bag may include a zipper or similar mechanism that opens
and closes a second opening of the bag to allow access to the balls
stored within the bag. This second opening in combination with the
shoulder strap facilitates the use of the bag as a replacement for
a ball hopper or similar device. The zipper and second opening may
run three fourths of the length of the bag. A third opening in the
bag may similarly be controlled by a zipper or similar mechanism.
The second opening may be along the top of the bag and the third
opening may be along the bottom of the bag. The third opening may
be used to easily dump collected balls into a ball hopper or
similar device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the
accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar
elements. It should be noted that references to "an" or "one"
embodiment in this discussion are not necessarily to the same
embodiment, and such references mean at least one.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of a typical
collection tube.
[0009] FIG. 2A is a diagram of a first embodiment of the bag.
[0010] FIG. 2B is an end view diagram of the first embodiment of
the bag.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a second embodiment of the bag.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a third embodiment of the bag.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram of one embodiment of a combined
collection bag and tube.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a fourth embodiment of the bag.
[0015] In accordance with common practice, the various features
illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly,
the dimensions of the various features. may be arbitrarily expanded
or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may be
simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of
the components of a given apparatus or method. Also, like reference
numerals denote like features throughout the specification and
figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The invention is described below, with reference to detailed
illustrative embodiments. It will be apparent that the invention
may be embodied in a wide variety of forms, some of which may be
quite different from those of the disclosed embodiments.
Consequently, the specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are merely representative and do not limit the
scope of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a first example embodiment of a bag
for collecting balls. In one embodiment, the bag 200 is formed from
a mesh material 207. The mesh material 207 may be a nylon, acrylic,
natural fiber or similarly constructed mesh. In one embodiment, the
mesh material 207 may be a sports mesh capable of withstanding the
conditions typical of sports activities including exposure to the
elements, relatively high levels of wear and tear and similar
conditions. In another embodiment, the material 207 may be a
natural or synthetic fabric.
[0018] The mesh material 207 may be woven to define a bag with a
roughly rectangular shape. The bag may have an opening 203 at one
end. The bag 200 may have a range of sizes that expand to enclose
from 10 to 45 or more tennis balls 201 or similar objects. The
material 207 may be flexible and easily folds and compresses into a
small space when empty to allow for convenient storage and
transport of the bag 200. In another embodiment, the bag 200 may
have any shape or size. In one embodiment, the bag 200 may have a
roughly square, oblong, ovoid or similar shape.
[0019] In one embodiment, one end of the bag 200 may have a
progressively smaller size as it approaches the opening 203,
forming a funnel section 211 or similarly shaped section of the bag
200. The funnel 211 section may facilitate the insertion of balls
or similar objects into the bag 200 by directing them toward the
far end of the bag making space for additional balls to be
inserted. The funnel section 211 directs inserted balls toward the
far end of the bag 200 with a sloped surface that is slopes
downward toward the far end of the bag 200. Gravity naturally pulls
balls inserted into the bag 200 through its opening 203 toward the
end of the bag 200 opposite the funnel section 211.
[0020] In one embodiment, the bag 200 is approximately two and a
half feet to three and a half feet in length. The height of the bag
may be approximately one to two feet in height. The depth of the
bag may be six inches to one and a half feet. FIG. 2B is a diagram
showing an end view of the bag 200. The opening 203 is positioned
roughly on a centerline of the bag 200 from an end view. The
opening 203 is near the upper end of the bag 200. If the bag 200 is
held horizontally, the balls inside will not easily fall out
because of the positioning of the opening 203 in an upper end of
the bag 200.
[0021] In one embodiment, the size of the opening may be adjusted
using a drawstring 205. The drawstring 205 may loop around the
opening 203 to contract the mesh and make the opening 203 smaller.
Physical force may be applied to reverse the affects of the
drawstring 205 by pulling on the internal edge of the opening 203.
Other similar mechanisms may be used in place of a drawstring. For
example, a zipper, loop and hook cover and similar mechanisms may
be used.
[0022] In one embodiment, the opening 203 be specifically adapted
to be expanded to fit over the end of a tube collector or similar
ball collection device. The maximum size of the opening 203 may be
large enough to fit over the end of a tube collector or similar
collection device. Once fitted over the end of the tube device or a
similar part of a ball collection device the drawstring 205 or
similar opening adjustment mechanism may be pulled to tighten the
opening 203 around the end of the collection device thereby
securing the bag 200 to the collection device. The tightened or
secured position of the adjustment mechanism may secure the bag 200
to the collection device by interlocking structures, form fit,
friction fit, or similar securing mechanism. In another embodiment,
the attachment mechanism may further include a hook and loop
mechanism, clasping mechanism or similar securing mechanism. In one
example, the mesh 213 may include openings or gaps near the opening
203 that allow protruding sections of the collection device to fit
through thereby interlocking the bag 200 with the collection
device.
[0023] Once secured, the collection device may be tipped or
similarly oriented to allow the balls collected to enter the bag
200 through the opening 203. Once the balls have been inserted into
the bag, the opening 203 may be widened again and the collection
device decoupled. The opening 203 may then be adjusted to a closed
position again to secure the balls in the interior of the bag 200.
The opening 203 may be enlarged when unattached to a collection
device to allow a user access to the balls 201 stored inside or to
allow the user to dump the balls 201. For example, the balls may be
dumped into a cart, ball machine or similar device.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a second embodiment of the bag. The
bag 300 has a more square shape than the bag 200 of the first
embodiment. The bag 300 includes an opening 303 for connecting with
a collection device and allowing access to the balls stored in the
bag 300. The size of the opening may be controlled by a drawstring
305 or similar mechanism. In addition, other attachment mechanisms
or structures may be present to assist the coupling of the bag 300
to a collection device.
[0025] In the second embodiment, a strap 317 may be attached to the
bag 300. The strap 317 may be used to conveniently carry the bag
300 over the shoulder, across the chest, in hand or in a similar
position. In another embodiment, multiple straps may be attached to
allow the carriage of the bag 300 as a backpack. For example, the
bag may have two lengthwise adjustable straps with padding that a
wearer can fit over each shoulder to wear the bag as a
backpack.
[0026] The strap 317 may be attached through stitching,
inter-joined loops, clips or similar mechanisms to the bag 300 at
each end of the strap 317. The attachment points of the strap 317
may be at opposite ends of the bag 300 to provide balance in
carrying a partial or full bag 300. In one embodiment, the strap
317 may include a shoulder pad 313. The shoulder pad 313 may be an
enlarged section of the strap 317 with padding to prevent the strap
from focusing the weight of the bag 300 on a narrow strip on the
wearer's shoulder causing discomfort to the wearer. The shoulder
pad 313 may be repositioned and slide up or down the strap 317 to
be best positioned for the comfort of the wearer. Similarly, the
length of the strap 317 may be adjusted. The strap 317 may include
an adjustment mechanism 315. Any type of adjustment mechanism may
be used. In one example, the adjustment mechanism 315 may be
plastic or a similar material. The adjustment mechanism 315 may use
its shape to create a friction fit with the strap 317 that allows
the strap 317 to be looped into the adjustment mechanism 315 and
held in place to vary the size of the strap 317 based on the size
of the loop in the strap 317.
[0027] In one embodiment, the bag 300 may include an outside or
exterior pocket 311. The outside pocket 311 may be positioned
anywhere on the bag 300. Any number of outside pockets 311 may be
placed on the bag 300. The outside pockets may be closeable through
a snap flap, zipper, loop and hook mechanism or similar mechanism.
The pockets may be used to carry additional items like water
bottles, grip tape, sweatbands and similar related paraphernalia.
In another embodiment, pockets may be placed in the interior of the
bag 300 or may span the interior and exterior of the bag 300.
[0028] In one embodiment, the bag 300 may include a second opening
321 controlled by a zipper 319 or similar mechanism. The second
opening may be positioned along the bottom of the bag 300. The
second opening may be used to dump or remove the contents of the
bag 300 easily. In one embodiment, the opening may run for three
fourths or more of the length of the bag 300.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a third example embodiment of the bag. The bag 400
may be formed from a fabric. The fabric may be tightly or loosely
woven. A loosely woven fabric may allow the wearer or others to see
the balls 401 inside the bag 400. In one embodiment, a mesh window
423, a clear plastic window or similar structure may be provided to
allow a user to see the presence of balls 401 in the bag 400. The
fabric bag 400 may have any number of interior or exterior pockets
411, a strap 417, top zipper 421 (or bottom zipper) and similar
structures.
[0030] In one embodiment, the top opening 425 allows a wearer to
easily reach into the bag 400 to retrieve a ball 401. This allows
the wearer to use the bag 400 in place of a hopper or cart. Balls
401 may be continuously retrieved for practice sessions or lessons
from the bag 400. The bag 400 is carried over the shoulder leaving
the arms free to carry a racket and hold a ball 401. Each of the
embodiments that include a top opening 425 may be utilized in this
fashion to replace the need for a ball hopper.
[0031] In one example embodiment, the opening 403 may have an
elastic adjustment mechanism 427. The elastic adjustment mechanism
427 may bias the opening 403 to a closed position. The elastic
adjustment mechanism 427 may be pulled to an expanded position to
allow a collection device to be fit into the opening 403. The
elastic adjustment mechanism 427 may be an elastic band that is
interwoven into the fabric or mesh to pull the fabric or mesh
together.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a diagram of one embodiment of a complementary
collection device and collection bag. In one embodiment, a bag 500
may include a first opening 503 and a second opening 521, a strap
517, a drawstring 505 and similar structures. A collection tube 535
or similar device may be coupled to the collection bag 500. The
collection tube 535 may have a complementary attachment mechanism
537, such as a set of protruding knobs 537 or hooks, clasps or
similar structures. For example, a set of knobs 537 may be used to
catch the mesh 213 of the bag 500 to hold the bag 500 in place in
relation to the tube 535. The bag 500 may be removed from the
collection tube 535 by disengaging the mesh 511 or similarly
disengaging the complementary attachment mechanisms of the bag 500
and collection device 535.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a fourth embodiment of the bag. The
example bag 600 includes both a top opening 625 and a bottom
opening 621. The top opening 625 may be open and closed using a
zipper mechanism 633, snap fit mechanism, loop and hook mechanism
or similar mechanism. The bottom opening 621 may similarly be
opened and closed with a zipper mechanism 619 or similar mechanism.
The top opening 625 may be used by a wearer to easily retrieve
balls from the bag. For example, the wearer may carry the bag using
the strap 617 with the shoulder pad 613 over one shoulder or across
the chest while retrieving balls 601 in the bag 600 and holding a
racquet. This is convenient for use in practices or teaching
sessions and may be used in place of a ball hopper.
[0034] The bag 600 may be used in conjunction with a collection
device. The bag may be removably connected to the collection device
using an end opening 603 and attachment mechanism. For example, the
attachment mechanism may include a drawstring 605 to tighten the
opening 603 around a portion or port of the collection device.
[0035] The bag 600 may include a storage area or multiple storage
areas. The bag 600 may include a set of pockets. The bag may
include any number of exterior pockets 611 for carrying related
paraphernalia, water bottles, personal items and similar article.
The bag 600 may include a set of interior pockets 629 for carrying
similar articles. For example, the interior pockets may be used to
store personal items like keys and wallets in a discrete manner.
Pockets or storage compartments may be located on other structures
of the bag 600 such as on the strap 617 or shoulder pad 613. For
example, the shoulder pad 613 may include a small pocket to store
small items for quick and easy access such as sunglasses,
sunscreen, wristbands or similar items.
[0036] In a further embodiment, the bag may include a belt. The
belt may allow a wearer to secure the bag near or around the waist.
The belt may allow the wearer to secure the bag to minimize
interference with the arms and legs of the wearer for use in
practice sessions and lessons. The belt may be a fabric, mesh or
similar material. The belt may be attached to one side of the bag
and have sufficient length to wrap around the waist of a wearer. In
one embodiment, the belt may be detachable from the bag. The belt
may be stored in the bag when detached. The belt may be adjustable
to fit any waist size of a wearer. The bag may have an external set
of loops or similar structure to allow the bag to be removeably
attached to the belt.
[0037] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will
however, be evident that various modification and changes can be
made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Features
described in regard to one embodiment may be interchangeably used
with the features of other embodiments. The specification and
drawings are, accordingly, to be regarding in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *