Ball retrieval device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a ball retrieval device, and specifically, a ball retrieval device capable of connecting to, or being incorporated as part of, a bat. The retrieval device is incorporated as part of a hitting device, such as a baseball bat, during the manufacturing process. Alternatively, the retrieval device is removably mounted on the hitting device or is more or less permanently joined with the hitting device by mounting the ball retrieval device in an opening created by the hitting device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/522,376, filed on Sep. 22, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/593,518, filed on Jan. 20, 2005. The benefit of the filing dates of these applications is hereby claimed, and the disclosures of each application hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a ball retrieval device, and specifically, a ball retrieval device capable of connecting to, or being incorporated as part of, a bat.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Prior to a baseball or softball game, and during practices, it is customary for a coach or player to warm up the players on the field, and conduct infield/outfield fielding practice, by hitting balls to various locations on the baseball or softball field. The players catch or “field” the hit balls, and then return them to the coach or player so that he or she may continue the fielding practice.

During the warm-up and fielding practice, there are significant numbers of balls being hit by the coach or player. As each ball is returned to the coach or player by the fielding player, the coach or player picks up the ball to be hit again out into the baseball or softball field. This necessarily requires the coach or player to repeatedly bend over and retrieve balls from the ground in order to continue the fielding practice.

Baseball season typically starts in early Spring and lasts through Fall. Games and practice during this season are daily occurrences, which means that the coach or player in charge of fielding practice, game practice and/or ball retrieval is repeatedly bending over to retrieve baseballs and softballs on a daily basis. This kind of repeated bending movement can be damaging to the coach or player in that it results in body fatigue and, possibly, injury. The act of having to retrieve balls for fielding practice is also time consuming, in that it requires the coach or player to bend over to retrieve the ball and then stand back up. This change of body positioning from a hitting stance to a bending stance and back up to a hitting stance is inefficient and takes time away from fielding practice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a ball retrieval device, and specifically, a ball retrieval device capable of connecting to, or being incorporated as part of, a bat. The ball retrieval device includes a first end having a plurality of retrieval fangs, a second end, and a collar that is located between the first end and the second end. The retrieval fangs are capable of expanding and encirculating an object. The second end may include an opening for connecting a bat to the ball retrieval device. Alternatively, the second end may operate to incorporate the ball retrieval device with a bat via a fastening mechanism, screw mechanism or plug mechanism.

In use, the ball retrieval device is connected to, or incorporated, as part of a bat. The plurality of retrieval fangs are placed over a ball and pressure is placed on the bat downwards onto the ball. The retrieval fangs expand and encircle the ball, thereby retrieving the ball from its location on the ground or elsewhere.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a perspective view of a first embodiment of the ball retrieval device in use.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a top plan view of the first embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a side elevation view of the first embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the first embodiment of the ball retrieval device being installed on a bat.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the first embodiment of the ball retrieval device in use as it is about to pick up a typical baseball or softball.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a typical baseball or softball picked up by a first embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a user removing the typical baseball or softball from the first embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a perspective view of a second embodiment of the ball retrieval device in use.

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a side elevation, cross-sectional view of the plug mounted embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a side elevation, cross-sectional view of a screw mounted embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 12A is a drawing showing a top plan view of the plug embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 12B is a drawing showing a side elevation view of the plug embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 12C is a drawing showing a bottom plan view of the plug embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 13A is a drawing showing a top plan view of a screw mounted embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 13B is a drawing showing a side elevation view of a screw or barb mounted embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 13C is a drawing showing a bottom plan view of a screw mounted embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device about to pick up a typical baseball or softball.

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a typical baseball or softball picked up by a second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a user removing the typical baseball or softball from the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a side elevation, cross-sectional view of a fastened embodiment of the second alternate embodiment of the second embodiment of the ball retrieval device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a ball retrieval device 12, and specifically, a ball retrieval device 12 capable of connecting to, or being incorporated as part of, a bat. The ball retrieval device 12 includes a first end 22, a second end 24 and a collar 15. The ball retrieval device 12 is connected to, or incorporated as part of, a bat 14.

FIGS. 1-17 show various embodiments of the ball retrieval device 12 of the present invention. FIGS. 1-8 detail a first exemplary embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 and FIGS. 9-17 detail a second exemplary embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12, including several variations thereof. Generally, the ball retrieval device 12 includes a first end 22, a second end 24 and a collar 15.

The first end 22 of the ball retrieval device 12, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1-17, defines the portion of the ball retrieval device 12 that allows for the encirculation of a ball 16, such as a baseball or softball.

The first end 22 includes a plurality of retrieval fangs 18, or protuberances, extending away from the second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12. As discussed further below, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, in using the ball retrieval device 12, the retrieval fangs 18 are placed on a ball 16. As pressure is placed downward, the retrieval fangs 18 enlarge and encircle the object 16 being retrieved. Thus, the retrieval fangs 18 are preferably flexible, in that they should be capable of spreading sufficiently to encircle the diameter of the object 16 being retrieved.

The first end 22 also includes an inner diameter that provides a location for the retrieved object to be located and encircled.

The second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1-17, defines the portion of the ball retrieval device 12 that provides for the connection or the incorporation of the ball retrieval device 12 with a bat 14. There are various embodiments by which the second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12 is connected or incorporated as part of the bat 14.

The ball retrieval device 12 may be incorporated into a bat 14 at manufacture. Alternatively, it may be fitted by a consumer or intermediate by modifying existing batting devices.

In the embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 shown in FIG. 5, the second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12 includes an opening having a diameter slightly less than the object upon which the ball retrieval device 12 is being located. If, for example, the object upon which the ball retrieval device 12 is being located is a bat 14, the bat 14 is directly inserted into the opening of the second end 24.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12, and specifically, the diameter of the opening of the second end 24 may be manufactured to fit into the opening for the end-cap of a metal or other non-wooden bat 14.

In an alternative embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 shown in FIG. 5, the bat 14 includes an interior opening or notch. The second end of the ball retrieval device 12 is then formed so that the diameter of the second end is smaller than the interior opening or notch of the bat 14. The second end of the ball retrieval device 12 is then removably or permanently inserted directly into the interior opening on the bat 14.

In the embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 shown in FIGS. 10 and 12A-C, the ball retrieval device 12 is connected to, or incorporated as part of, the bat 14 by a plug mechanism. With the plug mechanism embodiment, the second end of the ball retrieval device 12 is formed to include a groove 28. The bat 14 is manufactured such that the end of the bat 14 encircles the groove 28, thereby incorporating said ball retrieval device 12 with said bat 14.

In the embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 shown in FIGS. 11 and 13A-C, the ball retrieval device 12 is connected to the bat 14 via a screw mechanism. With the screw mechanism, the second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12 includes a plurality of notches or “barbs” 32. An interior opening or notch 22 is located on the top of the bat 14, and the opening or notch 22 includes a plurality of grooves 26. The grooves 26 located on the interior opening or notch 22 preferably correspond to the plurality of notches or “barbs” 32 on the second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12. The ball retrieval device 12 is then incorporated with the bat 14 by screwing the second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12 into the interior opening or notch of the bat 14.

In the embodiment of the ball retrieval device 12 shown in FIG. 17, the ball retrieval device 12 is connected to the bat 14 using a fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism operates to connect or incorporate the ball retrieval device 12 to the bat 14 by using a fastener such as a screw, rivet or screw washer mechanism 38.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12 includes an opening sufficient to house a fastener such as a screw or rivet 38. The ball retrieval device 12 is placed directly on top of a bat 14, and a fastener 38 is screwed through the second opening and directly into the top of the bat 14, thereby incorporating the ball retrieval device 12 with the bat 14. In an alternate embodiment, the second end 24 does not include a closed bottom, and a screw or rivet 38 is screwed directly through said second end 24 of the ball retrieval device 12 and the bat 14, thereby incorporating the ball retrieval device 12 with the bat 14.

The collar 15 of the ball retrieval device 12, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1-17, is the supportive structure between the first and second ends.

The ball retrieval device 12 may be constructed of elastomeric material. Alternatively, the ball retrieval device 12 may be manufactured from rubber, metal or wood. The ball retrieval device 12 may also be constructed of more than one material.

The ball retrieval device 12 may be constructed as a one-piece mechanism, or may be constructed as several pieces. Alternatively, the ball retrieval device 12 may be manufactured along with a bat 14 as a one-piece mechanism. The ball retrieval device 12 and bat 14 may also be manufactured separately and the connected or incorporated with each other, as set forth herein.

In optional embodiments, the ball retrieval device 12 may include metal, rubber or plastic springs. It may include soft elastomeric surfaces for gripping the ball 16, and harder and stiffer surfaces for gripping the hitting device. The hardness of the material can be varied to provide and control the device's overall stiffness and strength.

In another optional embodiment, the ball retrieval device 12 may be incorporated in a batting tee to be used as a ball rest or coupling.

In use, as shown by reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 and 9, if not incorporated as part of the bat 14, the ball retrieval device 12 is connected to the bat 14. The first end of the ball retrieval device 12, and specifically, the plurality of retrieving fangs 18, is placed on top of the object to be retrieved, such as a ball 16. As pressure is placed on the bat 14, the retrieving fangs 18 push down on the ball 16, which results in a widening of the retrieving fangs 18 and a subsequent encircling of the ball 16 by the retrieving fangs 18. The retrieving fangs 18 then naturally constrict and the ball 16 is encircled by the retrieving fangs 18.

After he or she has picked up the object to be retrieved, the user 10 may lift the bat 14 and ball retrieval device 12 and remove the ball 16 from the retrieving fangs 18. Although a “plurality of retrieving fangs” 18 may be defined as two or more, retrieving fangs 18, in one embodiment, the ball retrieval device 12 include an even number of retrieval fangs 18. The even number of retrieval fangs 18 allows a user 10 to optionally grasp the ball 16 from the ball retrieval device 12 using his or her thumb in opposition to his or her fingers.

The length of the ball retrieval device 12, as connected with, or incorporated as part of, the bat 14, provides the mechanism by which the ball retrieval device 12 encounters a ball 16 laying on the ground. The length of the bat 14 with the ball retrieval device 12 allows the user 10 to reach the ground from a comfortable hand position, while the user 10 is standing up, as is typical for hitting balls 16 during fielding practice. The user 10 can hit practice balls 16 to players for a significant amount of time without the fatigue of stopping or bending over to retrieve balls 16.

The description and drawings generally describe a ball retrieval device 12 capable of encirculating and retrieving balls 16 such as baseballs or softballs. There should be no limitation, however, as to the types of objects or balls 16 used in connection with the present invention. For example, it can be envisioned that the ball retrieval device 12 may be manufactured such that a soccer ball or box may be encirculated and retrieved.

Moreover, while the description and drawings generally describe a ball retrieval device 12 used by a coach or player 10, it is to be understood that the present invention describes a ball retrieval device 12 that can be used by either male, female, child, or adult. Any limiting terms contained herein, such as “coach”, “player”, “he,” “his,” and “male” as used in the description of the invention are for descriptive purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Further, although the description and drawings generally refer to retrieval of balls 16 in a softball or baseball context, it should be understood that the present invention describes a ball retrieval device 12 that can be used in any sport where a ball 16 or object is to be picked up or retrieved. Some exemplary sports for which this device 12 may be utilized are baseball, softball, football, basketball, volleyball, or soccer.

Still further, even though the descriptions and drawings generally refer to the use of a baseball bat 14 in connection with the ball retrieval device 12, it should be understood that a stick, board, or other similar apparatus, may be used in connection with the ball retrieval device 12.

The terms and expressions that have been employed in the foregoing specification are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and are not intended to exclude equivalents of the features shown and described or portions of them. The scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A ball retrieval device, said device comprising:

a. a first end, said first end including a plurality of retrieval fangs capable of expanding and encirculating an object;

b. a second end, said second end including an opening;

c. a collar located between said first end and said second end.

2. The device of claim 1, further including a bat, said bat connecting to said opening of said second end to form a one-piece ball retrieval device.

3. The device of claim 1, further including a ball, said ball encirculated by said retrieval fangs.

4. An apparatus for retrieving balls, said apparatus comprising:

a. a ball retrieval device, said device comprising: a first end, said first end including a plurality of retrieval fangs capable of expanding and encirculating an object; a second end, said second end incorporated as part of a bat; and a collar located between said first end and said second end;

b. a bat.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said ball retrieval device is incorporated as part of the bat using a plug mechanism, whereby said bat includes an interior opening, and said second end of said ball retrieval device is incorporated into said interior opening of said bat, thereby incorporating said ball retrieval device to said bat.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said ball retrieval device is incorporated as part of the bat using a screw mechanism, wherein said second end includes a plurality of grooves, and said bat includes an interior opening having a plurality of interior notches, and wherein said plurality of grooves are screwed into said plurality of interior notches, thereby incorporating said ball retrieval device to said bat.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said ball retrieval device is incorporated as part of the bat using a fastening mechanism, said fastening mechanism including a fastener that incorporates said ball retrieval device to said bat.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, whereby said fastener is chosen from a group consisting of:

a. a screw;

b. a screw and washer; and

c. a rivet.

9. A method for retrieving a ball, said method comprising:

a. placing a ball retrieval device on a bat, said ball retrieval device comprising: a first end, said first end including a plurality of retrieval fangs capable of expanding and encirculating an object; a second end, said second end incorporated as part of a bat; and a collar located between said first end and said second end;

b. locating a ball;

c. locating said plurality of fangs on said ball; and

d. pushing down on said bat such that said pressure of said plurality of fangs operates to expand said retrieval fangs, thereby opening said fangs and encirculating said ball.