U.S. patent application number 11/559464 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for ball retrieval device.
Invention is credited to Thabit Hary Wright.
Application Number | 20070111830 11/559464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37909447 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070111830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wright; Thabit Hary |
May 17, 2007 |
BALL RETRIEVAL DEVICE
Abstract
A ball retrieval device is provided which includes a pair of
jaws spaced apart from each other to provide an entrance for a ball
which is substantially less than the diameter of the ball such that
a ball inserted into the entrance will be deformed and captured
between the jaws. The jaws are configured to extend from a racket
and form part of a string protector which is securable to the
racket.
Inventors: |
Wright; Thabit Hary;
(Johannesburg, ZA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP;FREDRIKSON & BYRON, P.A.
200 SOUTH SIXTH STREET
SUITE 4000
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
37909447 |
Appl. No.: |
11/559464 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/553 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 47/02 20130101;
A63B 60/40 20151001; A63B 49/14 20130101; A63B 2049/0217 20130101;
A63B 49/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/553 |
International
Class: |
A63B 49/00 20060101
A63B049/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 15, 2005 |
ZA |
2005/08197 |
Claims
1. A ball retrieval device including a pair of jaws spaced apart
from each other to provide an entrance for a ball characterised in
that the entrance is substantially less than the diameter of the
ball such that a ball inserted into the entrance will be deformed
and captured between the jaws, and in that the jaws are configured
to extend from a racket.
2. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the jaws
extend from the racket opposite the handle thereof.
3. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end of
each jaw adjacent the entrance terminates in at least two
teeth.
4. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
outermost teeth of each jaw are inclined away from each other.
5. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
distance between the jaws at the entrance is about two thirds the
diameter of the ball.
6. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end of
each jaw forming the entrance is at least partly inwardly
concave.
7. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the jaws
form part of a string protector which is securable to a racket
frame.
8. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the jaws
are separate from each other.
9. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 8 which includes
means for positioning the jaws on a racket.
10. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the jaws
are moulded from a plastics material.
11. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the jaws
are integral with the frame of a racket.
12. A ball retrieval device as claimed claim 11 wherein the frame
is inwardly concave intermediate the jaws.
13. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the
concavity extends into the strung area of the frame.
14. A ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bat
is selected from a tennis racket, a squash racket and a racket ball
racket.
15. A racket having a frame and a handle and characterised in that
it includes a pair of jaws spaced apart from each other to provide
an entrance for a ball which entrance is substantially less than
the diameter of the ball such that a ball inserted into the
entrance will be deformed and captured between the jaws.
16. A racket as claimed in claim 15 wherein the jaws extend from
the frame opposite the handle thereof.
17. A racket as claimed in claim 15 wherein the end of each jaw
adjacent the entrance terminates in at least two teeth.
18. A racket as claimed in claim 17 wherein the outermost teeth of
each jaw are inclined away from each other.
19. A racket as claimed in claim 15 wherein the distance between
the jaws at the entrance is about two thirds the diameter of the
ball.
20. A racket as claimed in claim 15 wherein the end of each jaw is
at least partly inwardly concave at the entrance.
21. A racket as claimed in claim 15 wherein the jaws form part of a
string protector which is securable to a racket frame.
22. A racket as claimed in claim 21 wherein the jaws are separate
from each other.
23. A racket as claimed in claim 22 which includes means for
positioning the jaws on a racket.
24. A racket as claimed in claim 21 wherein the jaws are moulded
from a plastics material.
25. A racket as claimed in claim 15 wherein the jaws are integral
with the frame of a racket.
26. A racket as claimed claim 25 wherein the frame is inwardly
concave intermediate the jaws.
27. A racket as claimed in claim 26 wherein the concavity extends
into the strung area of the frame.
28. A racket as claimed in claim 15 wherein the bat is selected
from a tennis racket, a squash racket and a racket ball racket.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a device for use in the retrieval
of balls, particularly balls used during sport.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] In tennis a player must retrieve a ball by bending to pick
it up, bouncing it with a racket or lifting it by securing it
between a foot and racket. These are rather cumbersome methods,
particularly for handicapped or elderly players.
[0003] As a result, many devices have been developed in an attempt
to address this problem. Some of these as disclosed in the
following US patents:
[0004] U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,874,666, to Ross; 3,989,247 to Zimmerman;
4,834,393 to Feldi; 4,053,156 to Bai; 5,458,328 to Dubose;
4,004,806 to Malik; 4,116,436 to Bjorhn; 4,575,081 to Cavanagh;
4,568,089 to Jenkins; 4,948,129 to Bartasius; 4,919,421 to
Vandeveld; 4,895,366 to Bartasius; D355,232 to Hodges; 5,056,786 to
Bellettini; 4,210,327 to Schubert; 4,993,712 to Urwin; 4,045,068 to
Nelson; 4,114,881 to Norton; 4,997,185 to Bartasius; 5,333,854 to
Woollard; 5,383,661 to Beck; 5,947,850 to Gray; 6,652,397 to
Lamson.
[0005] None of these inventions has provided an effective solution
to the problem and this is borne out by the fact that, as far as
the applicant is aware, no device exists on the market at present
which addresses this problem.
[0006] Two basic approaches have been followed in the prior art.
The first approach is to provide a hook fastener, such as Velcro,
or adhesive fastener on a tennis racket. It is intended that the
hook fastener attach to the nap covering a tennis ball. This
approach does not work well. Firstly, it is not reliable,
especially when the covering is worn. Secondly, it tends to
accelerate removal of the covering. Patents that propose this
approach in various guises include U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,666, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,997,185, U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,327 and U.S. Pat. No.
6,652,397.
[0007] A variation of this approach is to provide a special
covering on the tennis ball to overcome adhesion problems. These
inventions are generally less successful as the special covering
invariably affects the performance and flight characteristics of
the ball. Patents that describe this approach include U.S. Pat. No.
4,834,393 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,786.
[0008] These designs are of doubtful effectiveness because hook
material will not securely grasp all tennis balls. The Schubert
design is difficult and expensive to implement because it calls for
a specially designed racket, substantially increasing expense and
decreasing the players choice of rackets. As an additional
limitation, none of the above designs retrieve playing objects
other than fresh, nappy tennis balls.
[0009] The second approach is to provide means on the racket to
capture to ball between a pair of surfaces. Examples of such
devices are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. D355,232, U.S. Pat. No.
4,993,712, U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,247, U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,850, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,333,854 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,661. These devices
suffer the disadvantages that they are either cumbersome, are
easily damaged during play, are likely to hinder play by adding
wind resistance or require careful aim or reversal of the racket to
retrieve the ball. U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,068 and U.S. Pat. No.
4,114,881 are not racket based at all, but require an additional,
cumbersome and expensive retrieval devices. These devices are
intended for retrieving numerous balls after a practice session,
not for the continuous, effortless retrieval of balls during
play.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,328 and others use a specially designed
net to capture tennis balls, creating a significant additional
expense. These devices are limited in function to the capture of
balls hit into the net only. Other designs employ special netting
and duct work or other elaborate devices to return balls to the
players, for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,806, U.S. Pat. No.
4,116,436, U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,081, U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,089, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,948,129, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,366. These systems are
too expensive for most players, do not capture or retrieve all
balls played, do not work in sports other than tennis, and
therefore do not accomplish the goal of eliminating bending to
retrieve struck playing balls.
[0011] To be useful, a ball retrieval system must be
racket-mounted, effective at grasping the ball, inexpensive, light
weight, and must not increase wind resistance to the racket during
play. Previously attempted solutions have been plagued by elaborate
and expensive design, intrusion on play, aesthetic obtrusiveness,
and ineffectiveness.
[0012] In this specification the term "racket" shall have its
widest meaning and includes any strung racket.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is an object of this invention to provide a ball
retrieval device which at least partially alleviates some of the
abovementioned problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In accordance with this invention there is provided a ball
retrieval device comprising a pair of jaws spaced apart from each
other to provide an entrance for a ball which is substantially less
than the diameter of the ball such that a ball inserted into the
entrance will be deformed and captured between the jaws, and
wherein the jaws are configured to extend from a racket.
[0015] Further features of the invention provide for the jaws to
extend from the racket opposite the handle thereof; for the end of
each jaw adjacent the entrance to terminate in at least two teeth;
for the outermost teeth of each jaw to be inclined away from each
other; for the distance between the jaws at the entrance about two
thirds the diameter of the ball; and for the end of each jaw to be
at least partly inwardly concave at the entrance.
[0016] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided
for the jaws to form part of a string protector which is securable
to a racket frame.
[0017] Further features according to this aspect of the invention
provide for the jaws to be separate from each other; for there to
be means for positioning the jaws on a racket; and for the jaws to
be moulded from a plastics material.
[0018] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided for the jaws to be integral with the frame of the
racket.
[0019] Further features according to this aspect of the invention
provide for the frame to be inwardly concave intermediate the jaws;
and for the concavity to extend into the strung area of the
frame.
[0020] A still further feature of the invention provides for the
racket to be selected from a tennis racket, a squash racket and a
racket ball racket
[0021] The invention also provides a racket having a pair of jaws
remote from a handle substantially as defined above.
[0022] A further feature of the invention provides for the racket
to be a strung racket, preferably one of a tennis racket, a squash
racket and a racket ball racket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The invention will be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the drawings in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of a tennis racket
having a ball retrieval device;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ball retrieval device in
FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tennis racket in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of the racket in FIG. 1 being
used to retrieve a ball;
[0028] FIG. 6 is plan view of a second embodiment of a tennis
racket having a ball retrieval device;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a top elevation of part of the ball retrieval
device in FIG. 6; and
[0030] FIG. 8 is plan view of the racket in FIG. 6 with the ball
retrieval device in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] One embodiment of a ball retrieval device (1) for a racket
(2), in this embodiment a tennis racket, is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3
secured to the frame (3) of the racket (2). The ball retrieval
device (1) includes a pair of elongate wedge-shaped elements (5)
which are curved in their length to provide a complementary fit
over the frame (3) opposite the handle (7) of the racket (2). Each
element (5) is of substantially similar width to that of the frame
(3).
[0032] Each element (5) is moulded from an abrasion resistant
plastics material and has a central groove (9) extending along its
outer surface (10), as shown in FIG. 2. A series of holes (12)
extend between the outer surface (10) and inner surface (13) within
the groove (9) of each element. These correspond to holes (not
shown) in the frame (3) of through which strings (15) are
strung.
[0033] The end (18) at the thick part (19) of each element (5) is
inwardly concave and is shaped to form a pair of teeth (20) which
are slightly outwardly and upwardly inclined from the upper surface
(10).
[0034] In use, the elements (5) are secured to the frame (3) by
aligning the holes (12) of the elements (5) with those in the frame
(3) with the end (18) of each spaced apart adjacent each other and
then stringing the strings (15) of the racket (2) through the
aligned holes. To assist in positioning the elements (5) on the
frame (3), tubular projections (not shown) could extend from the
each element (5) over each hole (12) and shaped to fit within the
holes in the frame (3). When strung to the tension required for
play, the strings (15) secure the elements (5) firmly in place with
the thick ends (15) of the elements (5) providing a pair of
jaws.
[0035] The ends (18) of the elements have a height of approximately
one third the diameter of a tennis ball (30) and are spaced apart
on the frame with their teeth (20) about two thirds the diameter of
a tennis ball (30) apart to form an entrance.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a ball (30) can be lifted from a
surface by simply positioning the jaws centrally over the ball
(30), either with the handle upright or inclined to upright (as
shown), and then pressing the racket (2) into the ball (30). This
causes the ball (30) to become pinched between the teeth (20).
Hereafter it can be lifted and easily removed from the jaws (5). To
assist in aligning the jaws over the ball, a mark (31) can be
placed on the inner surface of the frame centrally of the jaws.
However, as the teeth (20) are spaced apart and slightly outwardly
inclined, there is a natural tendency for the ball to be
centralised between them if the racket is lightly rested on the
ball.
[0037] The ball retrieval device (1) is highly effective and does
not interfere with play even in the operative condition. It permits
players to retrieve balls by simply touching the jaws to the ball
and thus avoids the player having to bend or use one of the other
more cumbersome methods of retrieval. It is also acts as a string
protector preventing the frame and strings from becoming scuffed
and is unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, it
slightly increases the striking area of the frame thus resulting in
more successful frame shots.
[0038] It also has the advantage that it can be used to provide
more weight to the racket. It has been found that the extremely
light construction of modern rackets often leads to tennis elbow or
similar conditions on players. The weight of the ball retrieval
device can be selected to assist in preventing this. To this end,
cavities could be provided on the inner surface of the elements to
receive weights to permit a user select the most appropriate
weight.
[0039] It will be appreciated, however, that many other embodiments
of a ball retrieval device exist which fall within the scope of the
invention, especially as regards the configuration thereof. As
shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a racket (60) can be provided with an inward
concavity (62) in its frame (63) opposite the handle (65). The
concavity (62) extends partly into the strung area (66) of the
racket (60) but is shallow, being less than one fifth the diameter
of a tennis ball (70) in depth. As such it does not extend to the
level of the first cross-string (71) and does not interfere with
the performance of the racket. A pair of elongate wedge-shaped
elements (75) is secured to the frame (63) on either side of the
concavity (62) to provide a pair of jaws. The elements (75) are
substantially the same as the elements (5) described above except
in that the thick part (76) of each is thinner than that (19) of
the elements (5). The elements (75) thus have a much lower profile
than the elements (5) and this is achieved through use of the
concavity (62) in the frame (63).
[0040] To reduce the depth of the concavity (62) required to
accommodate a ball (70), the frame (63) tapers in it width towards
the centre (76) of the concavity (62), as shown in FIG. 7.
Furthermore, the outer surface (77) of the frame (63) is inwardly
concave, as shown in the inset to FIG. 7.
[0041] Similarly to the embodiment described above, the jaw
provided by each element (75) terminates in two teeth (79) which
are inclined outwardly away from each other. Grooves (80) are
provided in each tooth (79) extending inwardly for the outer edge
(81) thereof.
[0042] The distance between the jaws is also about two thirds the
diameter of a ball (70) whilst the uppermost part of each is about
one third the diameter of a ball (70) above the frame (63) measured
from the centre of the concavity (62).
[0043] It has been found, however, that for squash balls the
distance between the jaws can be less than two thirds the diameter
of a squash ball and the depth less than one third the
diameter.
[0044] The jaws can be made of any suitable material and can have
any suitable shape. In particular, the jaws could be integral with
the frame or could be joined together and could be made of a rubber
like material. Clearly, the ball retrieval device can be made to
fit any racket and its shape will vary from racket to racket. It
could be secured in position in any suitable manner, including, for
example, by clips. Also, wind resistance can be reduced by
providing apertures through the ball retrieval device.
* * * * *