BALL RETRIEVAL AND STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

A ball retrieval and storage device including a receptacle having a sidewall assembly and a bottom wall. The bottom wall has openings with a dimension less than the diameter of a ball and through which a compressed ball may be forced through the openings. The device has wheels positioned at a lower portion of the receptacle for rolling transport of the device. The device has handle members hingeably connected to the receptacle. The handle members are adjustable and formed of telescoping segments. The handle members are moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The device also has at least one locking lug on each handle member that engages a surface of said receptacle. The receptacle has at least one projection configured to provide an engagement surface for supporting a second device removably positioned on and transportable with the first device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to ball retrieval and storage devices such as a device for retrieval of tennis balls at a tennis court. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for retrieving and storing tennis balls utilizing a receptacle that may be transported by a user.

BACKGROUND

In sports such as tennis which involve the use of several balls especially during practice sessions, it is helpful to have a ball retrieval and storage device to assist with the collection of the balls and for storage of the balls. Devices that enable the person collecting the balls to do so without having to bend down to pick up the balls from the playing surface are desirable. Commonly, such devices will involve a wire basket having a handle and openings at the bottom of the basket. The openings are dimensioned such that they are less than the size of a tennis ball. By grasping the handle, placing the basket over a ball and pushing the basket handle in a downward motion, the balls are compressed and forced through the openings into the basket.

Additional devices include those described in applicant's co-pending patent application Ser. Nos. 12/007,637 filed Jan. 14, 2008 and 12/043,702 filed Mar. 6, 2008, which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Other devices known today, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,460, provide for wire handles that are movable such that they can swing down to form legs that support the basket at a level that is higher than the ground. Due to their wire construction, the sturdiness of such devices can be improved. A basket holding a supply of tennis balls that is at a level higher than the ground or other playing surface makes it easier for the tennis player. Specifically, when the basket of balls is elevated, the player does not have to bend as far down in order to obtain a ball from the basket. The height of the tennis player affects the distance which the player has to bend to retrieve a ball from the basket. Thus, a basket that is adjustable in height would accommodate the differing needs of players and others needing to access a supply of balls from a basket receptacle.

The portability of ball retrieval and storage devices is also a desirable characteristic. Devices that can be easily transported, particularly when numerous balls have been collected, are useful, as are devices that can transport an additional number of balls, or other articles. Conventional ball retrieval and storage devices do not provide for an easily transportable basket having movable handles that convert to sturdy legs of varying height. Neither do conventional ball retrieval and storage devices facilitate the simultaneous transport of additional ball retrieval and storage devices or other articles such as tennis gear.

The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention provides a ball retrieval and storage device. The device is comprised of a receptacle having a sidewall assembly and a bottom wall. The sidewall assembly and bottom wall define an inner chamber. The bottom wall has at least one opening having a dimension less than the diameter of a ball and through which a compressed ball may be forced through the opening into the inner chamber. The receptacle has at least two wheels positioned at a lower portion of the receptacle for rolling transport of the device.

The device has at least two handle members that are hingeably connected to the receptacle. The handle members each have a length and are formed of telescoping segments such that the lengths of the handle members are adjustable.

The handle members are moveable between a first configuration where an extent of the handle members are located above the receptacle, and a second configuration wherein at least an extent of the handle members are located below the receptacle. In the second configuration, the handle members support or raise the receptacle away from the ground or other surface under the receptacle. The handle members have a section that engages a surface located under the receptacle.

There is at least one locking lug on each of the handle members that engages a surface of the receptacle when the handle member is in the second configuration.

The receptacle also has at least one projection configured to provide an engagement surface for supporting a second ball retrieval and storage device or other article that can be removably positioned on and transportable with the first ball retrieval and storage device of the present invention.

The present invention further provides a ball retrieval and storage system. The system comprises a first ball retrieval and storage device and a second ball retrieval and storage device or some other article. The first device has a receptacle with a sidewall assembly and a bottom wall. The sidewall assembly and bottom wall define an inner chamber and the bottom wall has an opening with a dimension less than the diameter of a ball to allow a compressed ball to be forced through the opening and into the inner chamber. The first ball retrieval and storage device also has a handle connected to the receptacle.

There is at least one projection positioned on one of either the first device or the second device. At least one receiver is positioned on the other of said either first device or second device. The projection releaseably engages the receiver such that the second device is removably connected to the first device.

The engagement of the projection and receiver secures the second device to the first device such that the first and second devices are transportable together. The first device has at least two wheels for rolling and simultaneous transport of the first and second devices.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the ball retrieval and storage device of the present invention in which the adjustable handle is shown in a first configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ball retrieval and storage device of FIG. 1 in which the adjustable handle is shown in a second configuration.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the ball retrieval and storage device of FIG. 1 depicting a ball retrieval and storage system in which a second ball retrieval and storage device is removably attached to the first device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the ball retrieval and storage system shown in FIG. 3, shown in a tilted position for transport.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the ball retrieval and storage system of FIG. 3 showing detail of the removable connection of the two devices of the system.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a part of handle member of the device shown in FIG.

1, depicting the handle member in the second configuration and showing detail of the lug engagement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

FIGS. 1-6 disclose the ball retrieval and storage device of the present invention generally designated with reference numeral 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the ball retrieval and storage device 10 generally includes a receptacle 12 formed of elongated wire segments welded together as a basket lattice construction, formed to have a sidewall assembly 16 and a bottom wall 18. The bottom wall 18 may be a grate as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The sidewall assembly 16 may also be a grate as shown in FIGS. 1-4. This arrangement of the sidewall assembly 16 and the bottom wall 18 of the embodiment shown in the Figures includes a generally rectangular receptacle that has generally opposed sidewalls connected to a substantially flat bottom wall. In the preferred embodiment of this construction of the sidewall assembly 16, each pair of generally opposed sidewalls are in a nonparallel arrangement, forming a generally conical shape of the receptacle as shown in the figures. This configuration of the sidewall assembly 16 forming a conical shaped receptacle is useful to provide a receptacle that may be stacked together with a similarly dimensioned receptacle, if desired.

The sidewall assembly 16 of receptacle 12 surrounds and is connected to the bottom wall 18. The sidewall assembly 16 and the bottom wall 18 may be integrally connected to each other to form a single piece construction. Alternatively, the sidewall assembly 16 and the bottom wall 18 may be connected by mechanical fastening devices or welds. The sidewall assembly 16 and bottom wall 18 may be made of metals, alloys, plastics, composites and combinations thereof or any suitable material for carrying out the intended use of the device 10. In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, the sidewall assembly and the bottom wall are all formed of welded segments of rigid wire material, with cross-members positioned in suitable locations to form a unitary lattice of wire members.

Bottom wall 18 includes a plurality of elongated members. The elongated members are spaced apart from each other by a distance that is less than the diameter of a ball, such as a tennis ball, to define bottom openings 22 through which a ball may be compressed and forced through. Optionally, the bottom wall 18 may have three or more elongated members spaced so as to define multiple bottom openings and through which compressed balls may be forced, or the bottom wall 18 may be a generally solid surface with one or more bottom openings having a distance that is less than the diameter of a ball, such as a tennis ball, that may be compressed and forced through the bottom openings.

The sidewall assembly 16 and bottom wall 18 define an outer perimeter of a cavity or inner chamber 20. The sidewall assembly 16 as shown in the Figures includes a plurality of elongated members and has two opposing end walls connected to each other by two opposite side walls. The upper ends of the elongated members defining the opposite end walls and the side walls terminate at rim 40 located at the upper edge of receptacle 12. Rim 40 defines an open top through which balls may be inserted into and unloaded from the inner chamber 20. The end walls or the side walls of the sidewall assembly 16 may or may not converge inwardly from the rim 40 to the bottom wall 18 to taper the receptacle 12 or the inner chamber 20. The bottom wall 18 has openings 22 with dimensions less than the diameter of a ball and through which a compressed ball may be forced through the openings 22 and into the inner chamber 20.

The device 10 may have a top member 14 that is releaseably and hingeably connected to receptacle 12. The top member 14 has a first position where the top member 14 covers the upper portion of the inner chamber 20 and thereby assists in containing the contents of the inner chamber 20 in the receptacle 12. In the second position, top member 14 is lifted in an upward direction, and preferably rotated about a hinged connection, to provide an opening at the upper portion of the inner chamber 20 of receptacle 12. This hinged connection of the top member 14 is configured to cover the inner chamber 20 and enclose the contents of the device 10 when in the first position, and then allow for stacking of similar devices in telescoping fashion when the top member 14 is moved to the second position to allow for a portion of a like device to be received in to the inner chamber 20 of the device 10.

The device 10 has handle members 26 that are hingeably connected to the receptacle 12. The connection may be direct, indirect, integral, permanent or temporary. The handle members 26 may be made of metals, alloys, plastics, composites and combinations thereof or any suitable material for carrying out the intended use of the device 10. In a preferred embodiment, the handle members 26 are formed of elongated tubular material, preferably metal, that is formed into a handle configuration as shown in the Figures. In the embodiment shown, the handle members are each formed of bent elongated metal tubes bent into a U-shape; however, similar handles may be formed of material that is welded into a generally U-shaped configuration to form a suitable handle member.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the lengths of the handle members 26 are generally linear. Each handle member 26 is generally U-shaped and substantially resides along a single plane. The handle members are formed of telescoping segments 28a, 28b such that the lengths of the handle members 26 are adjustable. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the handle members 26 possess a plurality of apertures 50. The upper segments 28a of handle members 26 telescopically receives the lower segments 28b of handle members 26. The lower segments 28b of handle members 26 are hingeably connected to the sidewall assembly 16 and specifically to cross bars 42 which allow the handles to be pivotable with respect to the receptacle 12. The lower segments 28b each include a connector 52 for adjusting the respective upper segments 28a to the preferred adjustment. In the illustrated embodiment, connector 52 is a spring-loaded button or pin, biased outward and sized to accommodate apertures 50 for fixing handle members 26 at a selected length or height. In the Figures, the handle members 26 are shown in their highest position, in which connectors 52 protrude through the lowermost apertures 50 such that the handle members 26 are greatest in length or height. The length or height of handle members 26 may be adjusted by engaging connectors 52 inward relative to upper segments 28a. Connectors 52 disengage from apertures 50 to release the upper and lower segments 28a, 28b. The upper and lower segments are telescopically slidable along their length until the spring bias of the spring loaded connectors 52 extend through the desired aperture 50. In this manner, handle members 26 may be adjusted to different height or length positions. Additional or fewer apertures may be provided. It should also be understood that alternative connectors or adjustable devices may be used. While the Figures illustrate a conventional spring loaded button for selecting between pre-determined handle height or length adjustments, the selected connector or adjustable devices may permit continuous variable height or length adjustments at any height along the length of the upper and lower segments 28a, 28b.

The handle members 26 are moveable between a first configuration C1, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, wherein an extent of the handle members 26 are located above the receptacle 12, and a second configuration 58, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, wherein an extent of the handle members 26 are located below the receptacle 12. When the handle members 26 are in the second configuration C2, each handle member forms a leg support structure that cooperates to support the receptacle 12 on the ground or other surface under the device, and the length the handle members 26 extends below the receptacle 12 is configured to elevate the receptacle 12 a distance above the ground or other surface that is suitable for a user to easily reach the balls stored in the receptacle 12.

The handle members 26 have a substantially horizontal section 30 that engages a surface, such as the ground or court, located under the device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the section 30 of each handle member 26 may also have gripping members 48 to engage with the surface located under the receptacle when the handle members 26 are in the second configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the lower segments 28b of handle members 26 are connected to receptacle 12 at cross-bars 42. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the Figures, the cross-bars 42 are attached to the sidewall assembly 16 at a location near the bottom wall 18 of receptacle 12; however, the cross-bars 42 may be located at other positions relative to the sidewall assembly 16 or the bottom wall 18 of receptacle 12. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, each cross-bar 42 extends transversely between two adjacent elongated members 60 of the sidewall assembly 16 to thereby join the adjacent elongated members together and provide a stationary axis for hingeable connection of a handle member 26. In this embodiment, the hingeable connection of each cross-bar 42 and a respective handle member 26 is formed from the rotational connection of the handle member 26 about the stationary axis of the cross bar 42. In the preferred form of the invention, the lower segments 28b of each handle member 26 includes an aperture 62 dimensioned to receive the respective cross bar 42, such that the handle members 26 are rotationally connected to the cross bar 42 and thereby are hingeably connected to the receptacle 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and 5, rim 40 of receptacle 12 includes recesses 38 which protrude into the inner chamber 20 and are positioned in alignment with said handle members 26 to provide a passageway into the inner chamber 20 for the handle members 26 when moved into said first configuration such that at least an extent of each handle member 26 resides within said inner chamber 20. The recesses 38 have an inner surface 44 that forms a stop which engages a mating surface 64 of the handle members 26 to support the handle members 26 in the first configuration.

As shown in FIG. 5, recesses 38 are also positioned such that they can receive handle members 54 from a second ball retrieval and storage device 46. Such recesses 38 facilitate transport of device 10 with other devices such as a second ball retrieval and storage device 46 by enabling the user to grasp both handle members 26 of device 10 together with at least one handle member 54 of a second device 46 as shown in FIG. 3.

Locking lugs 32 are located on each handle member 26. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the locking lugs 32 engage a surface of a cross member 56 when the handle member 26 is in the second configuration. Each locking lug 32 has a lug surface 33 that frictionally engages a mating surface 58 of the cross member 56 on sidewall assembly 16. Locking lugs 32 may be integral with handle members 26 or may be attached to handle members 26 by welding or some other method consistent with the composition of the receptacle 12 and handle members 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the receptacle 12 of device 10 has projections 34 which extend outward from receptacle 12. Each projection 34 is configured to provide an engagement surface 36 that supports a second article, such as a second ball retrieval and storage device 46 or other equipment or items, which is removably positioned on and transportable with said ball retrieval and storage device 10. A receiver 66 is positioned on the second article, shown in the Figures as a second ball retrieval and storage device 46. The receiver 66 has a mating surface 68 that is configured to engage the engagement surface 36 of the first device 10. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the receiver 66 is formed from an open region of the sidewall assembly of the second device 46 that is dimensioned to receive two projections 34 extending from the first device 10. Of course, this arrangement of at least one projection 34 and a mating surface 68 on at least one receiver 66 may be switched, such that the first device 10 has the at least one receiver 66 and the second device 46 has the at least one projection 34. This arrangement of projections 34 and mating receivers 66 provide suitable releasable connection of the devices 10, 46. The projections 34 releaseably engage the receiver 66, such that the second device 46 or other article to be transported is removably connected to the device 10, and the two devices 10, 46 are transportable together. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the projections 34 are formed of two segments of thick wire welded to the first device 10 and extending away from receptacle 12, with a curled segment forming a hook 70 at the end of the wire segment. This arrangement forms an economical structure of a suitable projection 34 for releasable connection of a second device 46 or other article for transporting the second article or device along with the device 10.

The device 10 has wheels 24 positioned at a lower portion of the receptacle 12 for rolling transport of the device 10 and second device 46 or other article that is removably connected to device 10. The wheels 24 may be positioned along the sidewall assembly 16 such that the wheels 24 are moveable along the ground when the device 10 is tilted at an angle such as that shown in FIG. 4, or the wheels may be positioned at some other location such as the bottom wall 18 of the receptacle 12 where it is not necessary to tilt device 10 in order to engage wheels 24.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A ball retrieval and storage device, the device comprising:

a receptacle having a sidewall assembly and a bottom wall, the sidewall assembly and bottom wall defining an inner chamber, said bottom wall having at least one opening with a dimension less than the diameter of a ball and through which a compressed ball may be forced through the opening and into the inner chamber, and having at least two wheels positioned at a lower portion of the receptacle for rolling transport of the device;

at least two handle members hingeably connected to the receptacle, the handle members each having a length and being formed of telescoping segments such that the lengths of the handle members are adjustable;

the handle members are moveable between a first configuration wherein an extent of the handle members are located above the receptacle body, and a second configuration wherein at least an extent of the handle members are located below the receptacle body to support the receptacle, and said handle members having a section that engages a surface located under the receptacle;

at least one locking lug on each handle member that engages a surface of said receptacle when the handle member is in the second configuration;

the receptacle further having at least one projection configured to provide an engagement surface for supporting a second receptacle removably positioned on and transportable with said device.

2. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 1 wherein said sidewall assembly includes at least two recesses positioned in alignment with said handle members to provide a passageway into the inner chamber for the handle members when moved into said first configuration.

3. A ball retrieval and storage system, the system comprising:

a first ball retrieval and storage device and a second ball retrieval and storage device;

said first ball retrieval and storage device having a receptacle with a sidewall assembly and a bottom wall, the sidewall assembly and bottom wall defining an inner chamber and said bottom wall having an opening with a dimension less than the diameter of a ball to allow a compressed ball to be forced through the opening and into the inner chamber, the first ball retrieval and storage device further having a handle connected to the receptacle;

at least one projection is positioned on one of either the first device or second device;

at least one receiver is positioned on the other of said either first device or second device;

the projection releaseably engages the receiver such that the second device is removably connected to the first device.

4. The ball retrieval and storage system of claim 3 wherein the engagement of the projection and receiver secures the second device to the first device such that the first and second devices are transportable together.

5. The ball retrieval and storage system of claim 4 wherein the first device has at least two wheels for rolling transport of the first and second devices.

6. A ball retrieval and storage device, the device comprising:

a receptacle having a bottom having at least one opening with a dimension less than the diameter of a ball and through which a compressed ball may be forced through the opening;

at least two handle members hingeably connected to the receptacle, the handle members each having a length and are formed of telescoping segments such that the lengths of the handle members are adjustable;

the handle members are moveable between a first configuration wherein an extent of the handle members are located above the receptacle and a second configuration wherein at least an extent of the handle members are located below the receptacle to support the receptacle and having a section that engages a surface located under the receptacle.

7. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 6 wherein the length of each handle member is substantially linear.

8. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 7, wherein said sidewall assembly includes at least two recesses positioned in alignment with said handle members to provide a passageway into the inner chamber for the handle members when moved into said first configuration such that at least an extent of each handle member resides within said inner chamber.

9. A ball retrieval and storage device, the device comprising:

a receptacle having a sidewall assembly connected to a bottom wall to form an inner chamber;

at least two handle members hingeably connected to the receptacle and moveable between a first configuration wherein an extent of the handle members are located above the receptacle and a second configuration wherein at least an extent of the handle members are located below the receptacle to support the receptacle and having a section that engages a surface located under the receptacle;

when said handle members are in the first configuration an extent of each handle member resides within said inner chamber.

10. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 9, wherein said sidewall assembly includes at least two recesses positioned in alignment with said handle members to provide a passageway into the inner chamber for the handle members when moved into said first configuration.

11. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 10, wherein said recesses have an inner surface forming a stop that engages a mating surface of the handle members to support the handle members in the first configuration.

12. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 9 wherein each handle member has at least one locking lug that engages with a surface of said receptacle when said handle member is in the second configuration.

13. A ball retrieval and storage device, the device comprising:

a receptacle having a sidewall assembly and a bottom wall, the sidewall and bottom wall defining an inner chamber and said bottom wall having an opening with a dimension less than the diameter of a ball to allow a compressed ball to be forced through the opening and into the inner chamber;

at least two handle members hingeably connected to the receptacle and moveable between a first configuration wherein an extent of the handle members are located above the receptacle and a second configuration wherein at least an extent of the handle members are located below the receptacle to support the receptacle and having a section that engages a surface located under the receptacle;

the receptacle further having at least one projection configured to provide an engagement surface for supporting an article removably positioned on the receptacle to transport the article with said device.

14. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 13 wherein said handle members each have an adjustable length formed of telescoping segments.

15. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 13 wherein each handle member is generally U-shaped and substantially resides along a single plane.

16. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 13 wherein each handle member has at least one gripping member to engage with the surface located under the receptacle when the handle members are in the second position.

17. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 13 wherein said receptacle has at least two wheels for rolling transport of the device.

18. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 17 wherein the at least two wheels are positioned at a lower portion of the receptacle such that the wheels are moveable along the ground when the device is tilted at an angle.

19. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 13 wherein each handle member has at least one locking lug that engages a surface of said receptacle when said handle member is in the second configuration.

20. The ball retrieval and storage device of claim 19 wherein each said lug has an engagement surface and the sidewall assembly has a mating surface that frictionally engages with said surface of the lug.