Retrieval and storage apparatus
A transportable universal object retrieval and holding apparatus is provided. It includes, a receiving component to allow pick up objects. In some aspects, the receiving components may include one or more spring mechanisms located at a first end. The objects may include tennis balls, baseballs, lacrosse balls, hockey pucks, and/or other objects. In other aspects, the compartments for storage of the objects may be modularly coupled to each to vary the storage capability of the apparatus.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/275,965, filed Sep. 4, 2009, and entitled “RETRIEVAL AND STORAGE APPARATUS,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a retrieval and storage system and, amongst other things, to a retrieval and dispensing system in which the device is capable of retrieving objects of different types, storing the objects, and subsequently removing the objects for use.
2. Description of the Related Art
During a typical tennis, golf, baseball and other sport practice session it is not unusual to have a plurality of balls positioned on locations about the court or field as a result of practice. There is a need for a means for easily retrieving these balls for reuse or for storage or for re-dispensing during the practice session or when the practice session is complete. There is a still further need for a means for retrieving and storing the balls and dispensing the balls when there use is again required. The simplest means of retrieval is for the player to merely squat or bend over and pick up the tennis balls one at a time. However, this puts undue stress on the limbs and back of the individual and is quite time consuming. Still further it requires the tennis player to carry some form of storage device.
Complicated retrieval systems have been devised, however, because of a large number of courts or fields both inside and outside, these complex mechanisms are not practical from an installation or cost analysis. Hand held retrieval systems are available in the forms of mesh baskets which contain a mesh bottom which slightly compress the ball forcing it into the mesh basket. However, these mesh baskets are manufactured from steel or other suitable material and are often bulky and cumbersome, and take up significant storage space when not in use.
Tennis ball pick-up devices have been disclosed which enable the player to retrieve balls without having to bend over, and which store a multitude of balls in an easily dispensable manner. One such device, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,632 to Eddy comprises an elongated straight cylindrical tube capable of storing the balls in a stacked array. The interior lower extremity of Eddy's tube is equipped with a sphincter member having a resilient flange which permits upward passage of a tennis ball into the storage tube when said lower extremity is pressed downwardly onto a tennis ball. The stored balls can be poured from the upper extremity of the tube which is closeable by a rubber band stretched diametrically across the otherwise open upper extremity. The storage tube of the Eddy device is of fixed length.
Although known devices address some needs of, improvement is desired in several features. These include improving versatility and ease of use.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn one or more embodiments, a transportable retrieval and storage apparatus capable of storing objects of different dimensions is provided. The apparatus in one or more aspects may include storage compartment having a first end and a second end and an aperture disposed at the first end of the storage compartment. A plane of said aperture is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the storage compartment. A first wall of the aperture including a plurality of spring members being disposed on and extending from said wall along the plane of the aperture. The plurality of spring members is capable of being compressed toward the first wall.
In other aspect, a transportable retrieval and storage apparatus capable of storing objects of different dimensions comprises a storage compartment including an aperture disposed at a first end of with a plane being substantially perpendicular to a plane of said storage compartment and an external surface including at least three slots each having a length of a distance substantially between the first end and a second end. The apparatus further comprises a slidable assembly disposed along the external surface of the storage compartment and including at least three pivot members each coupled to an internal surface of the slidable assembly and disposed within a different one of the slots. Each the three pivot members being further coupled to the internal surface of the slidable assembly by a spring member positioned to allow retraction of each pivot members from a position substantially perpendicular with the internal surface to a position less than 45 degrees from a plane perpendicular to the internal surface.
In additional embodiments, a transportable retrieval and storage apparatus capable of storing objects of different dimensions is provided. The apparatus in one or more aspects may include storage compartment having a first end and a second end and an aperture disposed at the first end of the storage compartment. A plane of said aperture is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the storage compartment. The apparatus further comprises means disposed in said aperture for allowing of passage of objects into the aperture and maintaining objects in the aperture after the objects have entered the aperture
In further embodiments, a transportable retrieval and storage apparatus capable of storing objects of different dimensions is provided that may include a coupling apparatus for coupling multiple storage compartments to increase a storage capacity of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be adapted to input and store objects including, but not limited to, a baseball, a tennis ball, a lacrosse ball, and a hockey puck.
These and other objects of the present disclosure will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:
As discussed above, one advantage of one or more embodiments of the retrieval and storage apparatus 10 is the ability to pick-up and store objects having different sizes. For example, a standard tennis ball has a diameter of approximately between 2.57 in. and 2.7 in., and a mass of approximately 56.7 g to 58.5 g, while a baseball has a diameter of approximately between 2.863 in. and 2.938 in. and may have a mass of approximately 5 ounces and a hockey puck has a diameter of approximately 4 inches and a mass of approximately between 5½ oz. and 6 oz. In addition, it should be noted that while a tennis ball and baseball are generally spherical in shape, a hockey puck is cylindrical in shape. Thus, not only do these objects have different diameters but also different shapes. Thus, apparatus 10 can accommodate objects of different shapes and dimensions.
Tubular member 15 has a first end 20 defining a first portion of tubular member 15 and a second end 25 defining a second portion of tubular member 15. There is removably secured at first end 20 a cap member 30 which may be removably coupled with first end 20. Cap member 30 includes an aperture 35,
Spring members 40 may be positioned a distance from a lip 45 to allow objects to be easily entered into tubular member 15 via spring members 40. In some embodiments the distance may be ⅛th of an inch, while in other embodiments the distance may be ¼ of an inch. However, other distances may be possible and within the scope of one or more embodiments. The length of spring members 40 can be set to determine the size of objects that are stored within the tubular member 15, i.e. the longer the spring members 50, the smaller objects may be maintained and stored within tubular member 15. Alternatively, spring members 40 may be of the form of pivot members, as described and depicted with respect to
Tubular member 15 may also be fitted with a coupling element 50 secured to tubular member 15 at second end 25. Coupling element 50 has an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of tubular member 15. The coupling element 50 couples tubular member 15 to another tubular member 55. In one or more embodiments, coupling element 50 may be used to couple tubular members 15 and 55 to each other thus extending the carrying capacity of apparatus 10. Tubular members may be added to apparatus 10, increasing the storage capacity and the modularity of apparatus 10. This modularity allows multiple numbers of tubular members, and thus can allow a user to balance their needs for storage capacity and ease of transportation. Coupling element 50 may have a threaded interior to allow easier coupling of tubular members 15 and 55. In certain aspects, the coupling element may be omitted and a single tubular member may comprise apparatus 10. It should be noted that coupling element 50 may be integral to each tubular member 15 and 55. In such embodiments, the tubular members 15 and 55 would be coupled to each other via their integral coupling elements.
In one aspect, the tubular member 55 includes a cap 60 which maintains objects within, preventing entry and exit a storage compartment of tubular member 30. Cap 60 may be removably coupled to tubular member 30. The cap 60 may be removable and replaceable with coupling element 50.
Tubular member 15 may also fitted with one or more handles 65, which allow a user to more easily carry apparatus 10 and to press spring members 40 onto objects to allow the entry of objects into tubular member 15. An alternative to handles 65 may be one or more grip members, not shown, that allow substantially similar functions to that of handles. In further embodiments, one or both of handles 65 or grip members may be present on tubular member 15.
The spring members may, in one embodiment, be retractable into a recess 105 of wall 100 of aperture 35. In such embodiments, the recess 105 may be of a size to allow for full or partial retraction of spring member 40 into wall 100. In other embodiments, spring members 40 may be retracted to a position which is less than a full depth of recess 105 of wall 100. In further embodiments, the spring members may retract fully into recess 105. In certain embodiments, the spring members 40 may extend a length of approximately ⅓rd of a diameter of aperture 35. In other embodiments, other lengths may be utilized.
The spring members 40 may be encapsulated in plastic, rubber or other material, or may be springs without encapsulation. In addition they may be of a tubular, rectangular, wedge or other shape, which may be used to improve the ability to allow objects to enter into aperture 35. In addition, in some embodiments, the spring members 40 may be replaceable to have different shapes and sizes, e.g. for different types of objects. In such embodiments, cap member 30 may removably coupled to tubular member 15, and thus be replaced with cap members 30 having different spring numbers, types, and configurations.
One advantage of spring members 40 is that objects having different hardness may be able to be entered into aperture 35, while at the same time maintaining those objects within the tubular member 10 after entering. The above may also apply to objects of different densities, as well.
In one or more embodiments, as depicted in
In an embodiment, an object when engaging spring members 40 causes the spring members 40 to retract, either partially or completely, into recess 105, thus allowing the object to enter into tubular member 15. The object passes through the area of aperture 35 that houses the spring members 40 and the spring members 40 then return to their initial position within the opening 40. This relationship, allows the spring members 40 to both allow the entry of objects but to also securely retaining the objects after they have entered in tubular member 15 via aperture 35. The objects may input into tubular member 15, by a user pressing aperture 35 onto the object. The user may grip apparatus 10 at any position along the surface to force the object into aperture 35.
As discussed with respect to
Tubular member 1040 has a first end 1080 defining a first portion of tubular member 1040 and a second end 1090 defining a second portion of tubular member 1040. A slidable assembly 1010 is slidably coupled to an external surface 1045 of tubular member 1040. Slidable assembly 1010 includes a plurality of pivot members 1030 coupled to an internal surface of slidable assembly 1010 via spring members, as discussed and described with respect to
Pivot members 1030 are positioned to extend into slots 1055, and thus into the interior of tubular member 1040, such that an object moving via direction 1065 toward pivot members 1040 forces pivot members 1030 toward a position substantially flush with an interior surface of slidable assembly 1010, thus allowing objects into the tubular member 1040. It should be noted, that pivot members 1030 can move to a position less than flush with the interior surface, and generally move to a position at or greater than 45 degrees with respect to the interior surface, depending on the size of the objects. However, objects housed within an interior of tubular member 1040 are maintained within tubular member 1040, even if they push against pivot members 1030, due to the location and positioning of the pivot members 1030.
In some embodiments, slots 1055, and thus pivot members 1030, are positioned such an angle between any two slots is 120 degrees along the periphery of the external surface 1045 of tubular member 1040, with respect to each other. However, the number of slots and their distance from each other may vary and may be more or less than 3 and more or less than 120 degrees. For example, 4 slots may be utilized and they may be 90 degrees apart along the periphery of the external surface 1045 of tubular member 1040, with respect to each other. In the embodiments depicted with respect to
Slidable assembly 1010 can move along the external surface 1045 of tubular member 1040 to a plurality of positions. The slidable assembly 1010 may be positioned at any location of the external surface 1045 via plunger members 1060, which may be a spring loaded plunger member that may be retracted or extended via a number of different triggers, including a handle 1095, or other systems. Such systems may include pulley systems or any other triggers, as are known. In an embodiment, shown in
The pivot members 1030 may be encapsulated in plastic, rubber or other material, or may be without encapsulation. In addition they may be of a tubular, rectangular, wedge or other shape, which may be used. In addition, in some embodiments, the pivot members 1030 may be replaceable to have different shapes and sizes, e.g. for different types of objects. The number of pivot members 1030 may vary and can be three, four, or any number greater than four.
One advantage of pivot members 1030 is that objects having different hardness may be able to be entered into aperture 1120, while at the same time maintaining those objects within the tubular member 1040 after entering. The above may also apply to objects of different densities, as well.
In the embodiments depicted and discussed with respect to
Plunger members 1060 may, in certain embodiments, comprise a rigid portion 1160 and a flexible, spring or otherwise retractable, portion 1170. This allows the plunger member 1060 to be fixedly positioned within or against the external surface 1045 of the tubular member 1040. The plunger members 1060 can be moved out slots 1190 by rotating the portion 1195 of the slidable assembly 1010 along the direction identified by arrows 1200. This rotation forces the flexible portions 1170, of the plunger members 1060, up and out of slots 1190. Without the action of such rotation of the portion 1195, the flexible portion 1170 of the plunger members 1060 is fixedly maintained within slot 1190. In addition, walls 1210 may be utilized to prevent rotation of plunger members 1060 from entering into slots 1055.
In some embodiments, flexible portion 1170 may be a spring that is coupled to portion 1095 and retracts via rotation along direction 1200, via a mechanical coupling or other mechanism. It also should be noted that portion 1195 of slidable assembly 1010 maybe integral, coupled via one or more linking members or not coupled to, but abutting or not abutting, the slidable assembly 1010.
In several embodiments, the coupling elements may replace the threads 300 with pins or holes that may mate with complimentary pins or holes on the exterior surface of tubular member 15 or 1000. Alternative configurations to threads, pins, or holes may also be utilized.
In additional embodiments, a strap may be attached to the housing 580 of tubular member 560 to allow carrying of the apparatus 10 or 1000 and thus improve it's ability to be transported. In some embodiments, two or more different housings may exist on a tubular member 560, to allow a strap to be used or locate swing arm 550 at different locations along the tubular member 560.
It should be noted that while the above description of
While the present disclosure has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications or changes can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore it is manifestly intended that the disclosure be limited only by the scope of the claims and the equivalence thereof.
Claims
1. A transportable retrieval and storage apparatus capable of storing objects of different dimensions comprising:
- a storage compartment having a first end and a second end, said storage compartment including
- an aperture disposed at said first end of said storage compartment, a plane of said aperture being substantially perpendicular to a plane of said storage compartment and including a first wall;
- a plurality of spring members being disposed on and extending from said wall substantially along said plane of said aperture, each of said plurality of spring members being capable of being compressed toward said first wall.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of spring members are equidistant from each other along a perimeter of said wall.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said aperture and said wall are substantially circular in shape and said wall has a perimeter, and wherein said spring members are equidistant from each other along said perimeter.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said spring members are disposed approximately 120 degrees from each other along said perimeter.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said storage compartment comprises at least two storage compartments, and wherein each storage compartment of the at least two storage compartments is coupled to another of said storage compartment via a coupling element.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each storage compartment comprises an outer surface and wherein said coupling element is coupled to a portion of said outer surface of each storage element to couple said at least two storage compartments.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said aperture has a diameter and said diameter is configured to allow entry of a objects including, but not limited to, a baseball, a tennis ball, a lacrosse ball, and a hockey puck, when said plurality of spring members are compressed to said wall.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said storage compartment comprises a plurality of slots disposed therein.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of spring members are configured to be compressed into openings in said wall.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of spring members are configured to maintain objects in said storage compartment in an uncompressed position.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of spring members are configured to have a length of approximately ⅓rd of a diameter of said apparatus in an uncompressed position.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing located along an outer surface of said storage compartment to enable coupling said storage compartment to a swing arm.
13. A transportable retrieval and storage apparatus capable of storing objects of different dimensions comprising:
- a storage compartment having a first end and a second end, said storage compartment including
- an aperture disposed at said first end of said storage compartment, a plane of said aperture being substantially perpendicular to a plane of said storage compartment and including a first wall;
- means disposed in said aperture for allowing of passage of objects into said aperture and maintaining objects in said aperture after said objects have entered said aperture.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said storage compartment comprises at least two storage compartments, and wherein each storage compartment of the at least two storage compartments is coupled to another of said storage compartment via a coupling element.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each storage compartment comprises an outer surface and wherein said coupling element is coupled to a portion of said outer surface of each storage element to couple said at least two storage compartments.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said aperture has a diameter and said diameter is configured to allow entry of a objects including, but not limited to, a baseball, a tennis ball, a lacrosse ball, and a hockey puck, when said plurality of spring members are compressed to said wall.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said storage compartment comprises a plurality of slots disposed therein.
18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a housing located along an outer surface of said storage compartment to enable coupling said storage compartment to a swing arm.
19. A transportable retrieval and storage apparatus capable of storing objects of different dimensions comprising:
- a storage compartment having a first end and a second end, said storage compartment including
- an aperture disposed at said first end of said storage compartment, a plane of said aperture being substantially perpendicular to a plane of said storage compartment;
- an external surface including at least three slots each having a length of a distance substantially between the first end and the second end; and
- a slidable assembly disposed along the external surface of the storage compartment, the slidable assembly including at least three pivot members each coupled to an internal surface of the slidable assembly and disposed within a different one of the slots, each of the at least three pivot members being further coupled to the internal surface of the slidable assembly by a spring member positioned to allow retraction of each pivot members from a position substantially perpendicular with the internal surface to a position less than 45 degrees from a plane perpendicular to the internal surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 3, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 17, 2011
Applicant: (Bedford, NH)
Inventor: Roman Milikovsky (Bedford, NH)
Application Number: 12/807,395