Ball Retriever

Abstract

A ball retriever is provided for attaching to a ball catching frame with a ball catching aperture. The ball retriever includes a fabric cover that substantially covers the ball catching aperture, a fabric catch that stops and releases a ball thrown through the first opening, and a cover fixing device that is adapted to fix the fabric cover to the ball catching frame. The fabric catch is substantially sagged away from the ball catching aperture. The fabric cover includes a top periphery portion and a bottom periphery portion and two side periphery portions. The bottom periphery portion is elastically supported between the side periphery portions. The bottom periphery portion is made of elastic fabric.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application based on patent application Ser. No. 11/393,975 filed on Mar. 30, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an athletic ball retrieving net. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved ball retriever that is provided with straps stabilizing a fabric ball catch that stops and releases a ball thrown from in front of the retriever, and can be detachably attached to an existing fixed or portable frame.

Conventional athletic ball game nets typically focus on catching balls to facilitate ball games in a limited area. For example, a portable ball net is used indoors to catch a chip shot for golf practice.

A demand is to stabilize the ball catching net to observe shock from the ball catching so as to enhance ball recollecting characteristics. What is desperately required is to enable the ball catching net to stand robust against the ball thrown thereat while stopping and releasing the ball in a reliable manner.

Another demand on the market is to provide a practice net that enables a ball pitching practice using, for example, a baseball. Such a market demand can be satisfied if a ball thrown off from a pitcher can be stably stopped and easily retrieved. Further, when in a baseball pitching practice if the person throwing a ball can easily retrieve the ball around the net, it would be a significant advantage to those that still want to practice a ball throwing game alone in a place like a backyard or a patio.

One example of a ball retriever is described in the applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,630 for “Portable Ball Retriever”, which was issued on Apr. 4, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

The present invention is related to extended application of one of the advantageous features of the ball retriever disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,630. The stable, light and easy-to-install ball catch is separately provided for an existing fixed or portable frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a detachable ball retriever that is used with an existing frame, and enhances ball recollecting characteristics by applying a strap tying mechanism between the frame or the ground and a ball catch that stops and retrieves the ball thrown thereto.

Another object is to enable a person throwing a ball for practice to easily retrieve the thrown ball near the retriever.

Still another object is to provide a detachable ball retriever that provides balanced and uniform ball bouncing and ball retrieving characteristic.

To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides a ball retriever for attaching to a ball catching frame that has a ball catching aperture. The ball catching frame is positioned on the ground.

The ball retriever includes a fabric cover that is adapted to substantially cover the ball catching aperture, a fabric catch partially attached to the fabric cover and one or more straps that are adapted to connect a rear portion of the fabric catch to the ground or frame.

The fabric cover comprises a first opening that is adapted to pass a ball through. The fabric catch communicates with the first opening so as to stop and release a ball thrown through the first opening. The fabric catch is adapted to be substantially sagged away from the ball catching aperture.

The fabric cover comprises a top periphery portion and a bottom periphery portion and two side periphery portions that connect between the top periphery portion and the bottom periphery portion. The bottom periphery portion is elastically supported between the side periphery portions.

The bottom periphery portion comprises an elastic bottom band.

The ball retriever further comprises a cover fixing device that is adapted to fix the fabric cover to the ball catching frame.

The cover fixing device comprises a plurality of fixing strips that are provided on the top periphery portion and the side periphery portions of the fabric cover. Each of the fixing strips comprises an elastic band that is fixed to the fabric cover and an engaging part that is fixed to the elastic band and is adapted to engage with the frame.

The engaging part comprises a hook. Alternatively, the engaging part comprises a first band and a second band. The first band is detachably fixed to the second band. Preferably, the first band and the second band are fixed with each other with fabric hook-and-loop fasteners.

The fixing strips are extended from the outer edges of the top periphery portion and the side periphery portions.

Alternatively, the fixing strips are extended from the inner edges of the top periphery portion and the side periphery portions.

The bottom periphery portion comprises one or more elastic bottom bands and one or more non-elastic bottom bands.

The fabric cover has a second opening below the first opening so that a ball stopped by and released from the fabric catch can be easily retrieved through the second opening. The second opening is provided on the non-elastic bottom band.

The fabric catch comprises a target that is provided around the center thereof.

The ball retriever further comprises a strap fixing device that is adapted to fix the straps to the ground or frame.

The straps are elastic, wherein the straps are detachably attached to the rear portion of the fabric catch.

The fabric catch is shaped in a pouch.

In an embodiment, a central portion of the fabric cover is severed along a predetermined line to secure the first opening and a drapery corresponding to the first opening.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the ball retriever effectively distributes the elastic force of fixing strips around the fabric cover and provides better ball bouncing characteristic and quick returning of the shape of the fabric cover after impact by a ball; (2) the fabric cover keeps tight and flat shape; (3) the rear portion of the fabric ball catch of the ball retriever is stably pulled by the straps backwards and toward the ground so as to straighten the fabric catch shaped in a pouch while balancing the pulling between the fabric catch and the ground, thereby enhancing utility and marketability; (4) the portable ball retriever can be easily attached to and detached from an existing frame; (5) the portable ball retriever increases utility and versatility of an existing frame; and (6) the elastic bands of the portable ball retriever provides dimensional tolerance that allows to fit various sizes of the frame.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a ball retriever according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the ball retriever;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the ball retriever;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the ball retriever;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a cover fixing device having a hook;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a strap fixing device having a hook;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a strap fixing device having a pile;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a strap fixing device having a fabric hook-and-loop fastener;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a ball retriever that that has a large first opening;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view of the ball retriever;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the ball retriever;

FIG. 13 is an elevation view of a fabric cover;

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of a fabric cover with a second opening;

FIG. 15 is an elevation view of a fabric cover fixed to a frame; and

FIG. 16 is an elevation view of a fabric cover that hides fixing strips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1˜4 show a ball retriever 10 for attaching to a ball catching frame 12 according to the present invention. The ball catching frame 12 includes a ball catching aperture 14, and the ball catching frame 12 is positioned on the ground 16. FIG. 1 shows the ball catching frame 12 that is fixed to the ground 16. FIG. 3 shows another ball catching frame 11 that is movably put on the ground 16 and keeps its position by its weight.

The ball retriever 10 includes a fabric cover 18 that is adapted to substantially cover the ball catching aperture 14, a fabric catch 20 partially attached to the fabric cover 18 to communicate with a first opening 22 of the fabric cover so as to stop and release a ball 24 thrown through the first opening 22, and one or more straps 26 that is adapted to connect a rear portion 28 of the fabric catch 20 to the ground 16 or the frame 11.

A central portion 30 of the fabric cover 18 is severed along a predetermined line to secure the first opening 22 and a drapery 32 corresponding to the first opening 22. The fabric catch 20 is adapted to be substantially sagged away from the ball catching aperture 14.

The ball retriever 10 further includes a cover fixing device 34 that is adapted to fix the fabric cover 18 to the ball catching frame 12.

The cover fixing device 34 includes a plurality of fixing strips 36 that are provided on the periphery of the fabric cover 18.

FIG. 5 shows that each of the fixing strips 36 includes an elastic band 38 that is fixed to the fabric cover 18 and an engaging part 40 that is fixed to the elastic band 38 and is adapted to engage with the ball catching frame 12. The engaging part 40 comprises a hook 42.

Alternatively, the engaging part 40 includes a first band 44 and a second band 46 as shown in FIG. 6. The first band 44 is detachably fixed to the second band 46. The first band 44 and the second band 46 are fixed with each other with fabric hook-and-loop fasteners 48. Velcro™ is an example of such fasteners.

The ball retriever 10 further includes a strap fixing device 50 that is adapted to fix the straps 26 to the ground 16 or the frame 11. FIG. 7 shows that the strap fixing device 50 includes a hook 52, which is suitable to fix the straps 26 to the frame 11. Alternatively, the strap fixing device 50 includes a pile 60 that is adapted to be driven into the ground 16 as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the strap fixing device 50 includes a first band 54 and a second band 56 as shown in FIG. 9. The first band 54 is detachably fixed to the second band 56. The first band 54 and the second band 56 are fixed with each other with fabric hook-and-loop fasteners 48.

The straps 26 are elastic, and are detachably attached to the rear portion 28 of the fabric catch 20.

The fabric catch 20 is shaped in a pouch.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the fabric cover 18 has a second opening 58 below the first opening 22 so that a ball 24 stopped by and released from the fabric catch 20 can be easily retrieved through the second opening 58.

FIGS. 10-12 show a ball retriever 62 that has a large first opening 64. The ball retriever 62 is suitable for practicing game with larger balls.

FIG. 13 shows that the fabric cover 18 comprises a top periphery portion 66, a bottom periphery portion 68, two side periphery portions 70 that connect between the top periphery portion 66 and the bottom periphery portion 68, and four corner reinforcements 72. The bottom periphery portion 68 is elastically supported between the side periphery portions 70.

The bottom periphery portion 68 comprises an elastic bottom band 74 which is made of elastic fabric such as Lycra or Spandex. In this way, the tensioning force provided by the fixing strips 36 contributes to shape the bottom periphery portion 68.

FIG. 14 shows a fabric cover 74 that has a large opening, that is, an opening only limited by the periphery portions.

FIG. 15 shows that the fixing strips 36 are extended from the outer edges of the top periphery portion 66 and the side periphery portions 70.

On the other hand, FIG. 16 shows that the fixing strips 36 are extended from the inner edges of the top periphery portion 66 and the side periphery portions 70. In this case the gap between the fabric cover 18 and the frame 11 is covered by the periphery portions.

As shown in FIG. 15, the bottom periphery portion 68 may comprise one or more elastic bottom bands 76 and one or more non-elastic bottom bands 78. The second opening 58 is provided on the non-elastic bottom band 78. This facilitates manufacturing and helps keeping shape of the second opening 58.

As shown in FIG. 16, the fabric catch 20 comprises a target 80 that is provided around the center thereof. This scheme is suitable for practicing golf.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skills in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A ball retriever for attaching to a ball catching frame, wherein the ball catching frame comprises a ball catching aperture, wherein the ball catching frame is positioned on the ground, the ball retriever comprising:

a) a fabric cover that is adapted to substantially cover the ball catching aperture, wherein the fabric cover comprises a first opening that is adapted to pass a ball through;

b) a fabric catch partially attached to the fabric cover to communicate with the first opening so as to stop and release a ball thrown through the first opening, wherein the fabric catch is adapted to be substantially sagged away from the ball catching aperture; and

c) one or more straps that are adapted to connect a rear portion of the fabric catch to the ground or frame;

wherein the fabric cover comprises a top periphery portion and a bottom periphery portion and two side periphery portions that connect between the top periphery portion and the bottom periphery portion, wherein the bottom periphery portion is elastically supported between the side periphery portions.

2. The ball retriever of claim 1, wherein the bottom periphery portion comprises an elastic bottom band.

3. The ball retriever of claim 2, further comprising a cover fixing device that is adapted to fix the fabric cover to the ball catching frame.

4. The ball retriever of claim 3, wherein the cover fixing device comprises a plurality of fixing strips that are provided on the top periphery portion and the side periphery portions of the fabric cover, each of the fixing strips comprises an elastic band that is fixed to the fabric cover and an engaging part that is fixed to the elastic band and is adapted to engage with the frame.

5. The ball retriever of claim 4, wherein the engaging part comprises a hook.

6. The ball retriever of claim 4, wherein the engaging part comprises a first band and a second band, wherein the first band is detachably fixed to the second band.

7. The ball retriever of claim 6, wherein the first band and the second band are fixed with each other with fabric hook-and-loop fasteners.

8. The ball retriever of claim 4, wherein the fixing strips are extended from the outer edges of the top periphery portion and the side periphery portions.

9. The ball retriever of claim 4, wherein the fixing strips are extended from the inner edges of the top periphery portion and the side periphery portions.

10. The ball retriever of claim 2, wherein the bottom periphery portion comprises one or more elastic bottom bands and one or more non-elastic bottom bands.

11. The ball retriever of claim 10, wherein the fabric cover has a second opening below the first opening so that a ball stopped by and released from the fabric catch can be easily retrieved through the second opening, wherein the second opening is provided on the non-elastic bottom band.

12. The ball retriever of claim 2, wherein the fabric catch comprises a target that is provided around the center thereof.

13. The ball retriever of claim 2, further comprising a strap fixing device that is adapted to fix the straps to the ground or frame.

14. The ball retriever of claim 13, wherein the straps are elastic, wherein the straps are detachably attached to the rear portion of the fabric catch.

15. The ball retriever of claim 14, wherein the fabric catch is shaped in a pouch.

16. The ball retriever of claim 2, wherein the fabric cover has a second opening below the first opening so that a ball stopped by and released from the fabric catch can be easily retrieved through the second opening.

17. The ball retriever of claim 2, wherein a central portion of the fabric cover is severed along a predetermined line to secure the first opening and a drapery corresponding to the first opening.