Ball Retriever Patents (Class 294/19.2)
  • Patent number: 8382173
    Abstract: An advertising device for an improved golf ball retriever is provided. The golf ball retriever includes a hollow shaft made of a clear plastic material wherein an advertising slip can be placed into the hollow shaft by the use of a pole. The shaft may include a grip on one end for secure maneuvering of the golf ball retriever during retrieval. The shaft includes a suction cup with a hollow center on the opposite end where the grip may be located for retrieving a golf ball. The top end of the shaft also includes apertures in the shaft that allow a hanging device to be removably affixed to the shaft of the golf ball retriever. The top end of the shaft also has an end cap removably attached to the shaft to enclose the top end of the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Edna Bingham
  • Patent number: 8360236
    Abstract: A ball carrier having a hollow tubular support member for holding a plurality of balls stacked axially therein and a ball release tab configured to release one ball at a time from an open end of the hollow tubular support member. The ball release tab may have a first stopper portion, a second stopper portion, and a manipulation portion. The ball release tab may be biased in a first position in which the first stopper portion impedes exit of the balls and may be actuated via the manipulation portion to a second position in which the first portion is rotated away from the balls and the second stopper portion impedes exit of the balls. When the ball release tab moves from the second position to the first position, the second stopper portion rotates away from the balls, allowing the ball resting on the second stopper portion to drop out of the ball carrier, while the first stopper portion rotates back toward the balls, impeding the next ball from dropping out of the ball carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Young, Gordon Arthur Young, Richard Bloomer
  • Patent number: 8356846
    Abstract: The instant invention is a golf ball retriever that is comprised of a molded unitary structure. The retriever is unique because the ball passes through the bottom edge by simply placing the retriever over the ball and pressing down on the ball making the movable bales move in an upward direction. After the ball passes through the bottom edge the movable bales return to their original position and are stopped by the bale stops. This traps the ball within the confines of the ball retriever. The handle and ball receiver are locked into position by fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy C. Corcoran
  • Patent number: 8328254
    Abstract: A portable ball retriever utilized on a tennis court flat surface, comprising a container having a top handle, a logo plate, a body with an open top, top band, converging side wall, a retrieving bottom aperture with elongated wires spaced from each other a distance smaller than a tennis ball's diameter. The converging side wall has a waist located near the retrieving bottom aperture. The side wall converges inwardly from the open top to the waist and diverges outwardly from the waist to the retrieving bottom aperture. The top handle has spaced grips and the oriented vertically logo plate is placed in-between them. The spaced grips cover the upper and lower edges of the logo plate. The side wall protrudes above the top band and along with the top handle enlarges the container capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Aleksey Zats
  • Patent number: 8297669
    Abstract: A ball hopper comprising a frame, a divider, a plurality of elastic members and a seat, wherein the frame further comprises a lower, middle and upper portion and at least one rigid connector joining the lower, middle and upper portion, and wherein the divider separates the frame into a lower compartment and an upper compartment, and wherein the plurality of elastic members are removably secured to the lower portion of the frame. The ball hopper provides a method for collecting, distributing (while a user is standing or sitting) and transporting balls by pressing the ball hopper over an object, such that at least one of the plurality of elastic members allows the object to enter the lower compartment. Further, the ball hopper may be utilized as a seat, such that the divider forces collected balls towards the top of the ball hopper for easy removal from the lower compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: BallCollectors, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Publication number: 20120256431
    Abstract: A golf ball retrieving device is described, having a specially shaped handle combined with a capturing member. The design and use are described, along with a preferred method of manufacturing the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Albert Moriarty
  • Patent number: 8277332
    Abstract: A golf ball pick-up device includes a body, which has a shape that allows the body to form a frame with a head of the golf club. The body has an end forming a clamping section that defines an internal receiving space. The clamping section also forms a sideway opening in communication with the receiving space. The clamping section uses the opening to lead a shaft of the golf club into the receiving space, so as to allow the clamping section to fit over and thus retain on the shaft of the golf club. A user may then use the frame formed by the body and the head of the golf club to pick up a golf ball, especially a ball that falls in a sand trap or a water hazard where hands may not reach to pick up the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: I-Chung Liu
  • Patent number: 8272976
    Abstract: A golf club that picks up a golf ball, sets the golf ball on a tee and may be used to hit the golf ball by providing an opening in the golf club head for entrance of the golf ball which through a series of inclining and declining planes and bumpers the ball rolls into the back of the golf club via a push down motion, thence the golf club can be picked up, held above the tee, and with a turn of the wrist the golf ball can be set upon the tee for driving by the same golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Robert DAgostino
  • Patent number: 8201864
    Abstract: A puck retriever has a hollow interior of diameter larger than that of a puck for use in the game of hockey. A ring of rubber or similar resiliently deformable material is located adjacent to the lower end of the tube. The ring has an inner edge which defines a circular inlet of diameter smaller than that of a puck. The ring flexes upward when pressed downward against a puck which is resting on a flat surface with resulting bending upward of the edge and enlargement of the inlet sufficient to allow the puck to pass through the inlet. The ring is of sufficient strength to resist flexing downward under the weight of any pucks within the tube such that the ring prevents pucks within the tube from exiting through the inlet. The ring may be continuous and unbroken throughout its circumference or it may be cut into a number of flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: William Ira Wright
  • Patent number: 8191946
    Abstract: Golf utility devices are provided. In one embodiment, a golf utility device includes a rod having a first end and a second end, and a grasping portion coupled to the first end of the rod. The grasping portion includes a first grasping arm including a first enlarged tip, and a second grasping arm including a second enlarged tip. The second grasping arm is pivotably coupled to the first grasping arm. The first and second grasping arms are movable into a closed position and an open position. The golf utility device also includes a handle portion coupled to the second end of the rod. The handle portion includes a handle and a trigger movable into a plurality of positions including a released position and an activated position. The first and second grasping arms are adapted to move into the closed position when the trigger is moved into the activated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Rocky Dean McCary
  • Patent number: 8191945
    Abstract: A ball retrieving apparatus configured to receive and retain one or more altering balls from a surface. The ball retrieving apparatus comprises a housing including a first end for receiving one or more altering balls from a surface and a second end for dispensing the one or more altering balls from the housing. The ball retrieving apparatus also comprises a retention member releasably attached to the first end, said retention member comprising (a) one or more clips disposed along the first end of the housing; and (b) a displacement member surrounding the housing and at least part of the one or more clips; the displacement member being configured to regulate the displacement of the one or more clips as a ball is received from said surface into said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Lynn Compton
  • Patent number: 8177271
    Abstract: An increased capacity portable retriever for collecting and dispensing tennis balls utilized on a flat surface comprising a horizontally elongated container having a front retrieving section with a top handle, a rear collecting section pivotably supported by two wheels coaxially mounted at a bottom wall and a front wall dispensing opening with a cover. The front retrieving section contains bottom parallel rods spaced from each other a distance smaller than the tennis ball diameter. The container has horizontal retrieving and vertical dispensing positions. The container includes a compartment capacity regulating element for dispensing balls individually. First method of retrieving, collecting and dispensing tennis balls includes repetitive transferring a substantial group of balls from the retrieving section towards the collecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Aleksey Zats
    Inventor: Aleksey Zats
  • Publication number: 20120099959
    Abstract: A table tennis ball collector and dispenser collects and secures table tennis balls with minimal effort. The collector may comprise a frame supporting one or more cross members arranged to allow one or more table tennis balls to enter therebetween. A tubular elastic sleeve having open receiving and dispensing ends may be attached to the frame to capture table tennis balls that advance beyond the cross members. The sleeve may taper towards its dispensing end to secure the table tennis balls within. Individual or multiple collected table tennis balls may be dispensed by applying force to push the table tennis balls out of the dispensing end of the sleeve. A handle extending from the frame allows the user to position the frame 120 for collection and dispensing of table tennis balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Jose Bulatao
  • Publication number: 20120093621
    Abstract: A ball retrieval device that picks up tennis balls from the ground and vertically elevates them into a cart. The ball retrieval device includes an L-shaped frame including a first section and a second section. A feeder system is located on the horizontal section of the L-shaped frame and a paddle wheel system is connected to the feeder system. A lift system is located on the vertical section of the L-shaped frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Roman Reyes
  • Patent number: 8152657
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling a ball and tee may include a body, a clamshell retainer, a biasing assembly, a drive assembly and a handle assembly. The body may include a first opening, a second opening and a chamber, and a handle assembly associated with the second opening of the body. The biasing assembly may be capable of being actuated by the handle assembly. The drive assembly may be capable of being actuated by the biasing assembly. The clamshell retainer may be associated with the second opening of the body. The clamshell retainer may have a pair of clasping members movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively carry the golf ball and a portion of the golf tee between the pair of clasping members. The pair of clasping members may be moved between the open position and the closed position based on actuation of the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Charles W. Green
  • Patent number: 8141919
    Abstract: A nestable ball retrieval and storage device for collecting balls from the ground is provided. The device includes a receptacle and a handle connected to the receptacle. The receptacle has a bottom grate with a plurality of elongated members spaced apart from one another by a distance slightly less than a diameter of a ball to define at least one bottom opening through which a compressed ball on the ground can be forced through. The receptacle further has a receptacle wall structure surrounding and connected to the bottom grate. The receptacle wall structure has an open top and converges inwardly from the open top to the bottom grate to establish a tapering cavity shaped to permit nesting therein of another device that is substantially identical to the ball retrieval and storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: CET Tennis Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Christina E. Turdo
  • Patent number: 8132836
    Abstract: A ball collecting device comprising a drum and a control element. A first cover and a second cover are installed at both ends of the drum respectively to form a containing space in the drum. The first cover and the second cover are hollow and connected to at least one ring-shaped body with an interval apart. Each ring-shaped body comprises at least one elastic element installed around the ring-shaped body. The first cover, the second cover and the ring-shaped bodies are connected by at least one rod. The control element is connected to the drum and provided for a user to hold and push the drum to roll. An elastic element installed around the second cover is provided for pushing at least one ball to shift and enter into the containing space for storage, so as to provide a convenient way of collecting balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Far East University
    Inventor: Yu-Gang Chen
  • Patent number: 8075030
    Abstract: The present invention is a foldable device for retrieving golf, tennis, or other balls. The invention comprises an elongated shaft having handles at one end and a pair of elongated arm members hinged to the shaft at an opposite end. When fully deployed, the arm members form a V-shaped collection member adapted to be moved along the surface of a putting green or tennis court to gather scattered balls within a first region of the collection member and then collect the gathered balls within a second region of the collection member for eventual lifting and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: Robert E. Pearson, William R. Gwin
  • Patent number: 8052542
    Abstract: A ball retriever for use on golf balls by being selectively positioned on the head of a golf club iron. The ball retriever defines an open cup having contoured side walls with a cutaway area where for visibility during use. A powerful magnet is secured within the base of the cup providing magnetic attraction and selective positioning and removal attachment on to any ferrous metal club head face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: George Cepin
  • Publication number: 20110262259
    Abstract: An increased capacity portable retriever for collecting and dispensing tennis balls utilized on a flat surface comprising a horizontally elongated container having a front retrieving section with a top handle, a rear collecting section pivotably supported by two wheels coaxially mounted at a bottom wall and a front wall dispensing opening with a cover. The front retrieving section contains bottom parallel rods spaced from each other a distance smaller than the tennis ball diameter. The container has horizontal retrieving and vertical dispensing positions. The container includes a compartment capacity regulating element for dispensing balls individually. First method of retrieving, collecting and dispensing tennis balls includes repetitive transferring a substantial group of balls from the retrieving section towards the collecting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Aleksey Zats
  • Publication number: 20110204664
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Christina E. Turdo
  • Patent number: 7963854
    Abstract: A golf ball dispensing apparatus includes a tube configured to receive at least one golf ball, at least one leg configured to attach to said tube, means for releasing a golf ball from said tube, means for supplying power configured to engage said means for releasing a golf ball, an arm configured to receive a golf ball from said tube wherein said arm is configured to engage said tube at a hinge, and means for sensing motion configured to engage said means for releasing a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Re-Pete-R Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Ed Nugent, David Hollis, Peter Beames, Charles John Mansfield
  • Patent number: 7951014
    Abstract: A device for picking up balls or golf balls (10) is disposed in the region of the grip (11) of a club (12). It includes several holding elements, which are displaceable under the effect of at least one resilient element from a rest position on the grip into an actuatable position in which they are capable of picking up the golf ball. By the holding element being at least two gripping arms (13, 14), which are fitted into each other in the rest position under the effect of at least one resilient element, a compact device for picking up that is simple to operate is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Werner Nickel
  • Patent number: 7938465
    Abstract: A ball retriever includes a basket and an elongate arm. The basket has a bottom, a sidewall, and an open top. The bottom of the basket has an aperture therethrough sized smaller than a ball to be retrieved. At least a portion of the bottom proximate the aperture is deformable to allow passage of the ball to be retrieved through the aperture when deformed and returning to the non-deformed position to retain the ball within the basket. The elongate arm is fixed to the basket at a first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Qwikpik Golf LLC
    Inventors: Mary T. Spacone, Merry Riehm-Constantino
  • Patent number: 7922596
    Abstract: A putter and golf ball deformity measuring apparatus is described. A putter head comprises a front portion, a rear portion, a bottom portion defining an oblong through hole, and a containment area above the oblong through hole sized and shaped to surround at least a portion of a golf ball without gripping the golf ball, the containment area defined between the front portion and the rear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Andrew Brothers LLC
    Inventors: Essay Anne Vanderbilt, Gerolin Jordan
  • Publication number: 20110062731
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Roman Milikovsky
  • Publication number: 20110049919
    Abstract: A golf ball retriever includes a ring attached to an elongated handle and a net pocket attached to one end of the ring. The net pocket may be made from a flexible mesh net material. The net pocket defines a constricted waist portion to inhibit golf balls captured in the pocket from unexpectedly escaping from the pocket. An inside edge of the ring is chamfered to facilitate capturing golf balls. The handle may, but need not, include a telescoping section. The ring may include LEDs or other lamps to make the ring more visible in murky water or under low ambient light conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Philip R. Ballard
  • Patent number: 7866719
    Abstract: An apparatus to aid and simplify collection of substantially non-deformable balls scattered across a field or small area, and to provide a place for easy storage and retrieval. The apparatus utilizes stretchable and resilient members located in a ball intake area to transfer the substantially non-deformable balls from the ground or surface, into the apparatus. This disclosure describes methods, specific devices, and mechanisms embodying the present invention and useful in the collection or storage of baseball-like objects, and which provides easy access to stored baseball-like objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Gaudencio Lucca
  • Patent number: 7854664
    Abstract: The golf club supporting accessory that supports a golf club when not in use and includes a cigar holder, towel holder, and Velcro strip for hanging a glove. The golf club supporting accessory has a stake as the main frame, which is struck into the ground. The supporting member is a hook that enables the grip of a golf club to rest upon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald Comrie
  • Publication number: 20100314893
    Abstract: The present invention is a foldable device for retrieving golf, tennis, or other balls. The invention comprises an elongated shaft having handles at one end and a pair of elongated arm members hinged to the shaft at an opposite end. When fully deployed, the arm members form a V-shaped collection member adapted to be moved along the surface of a putting green or tennis court to gather scattered balls within a first region of the collection member and then collect the gathered balls within a second region of the collection member for eventual lifting and transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Robert E. Pearson, William R. Gwin
  • Patent number: 7850539
    Abstract: A retrieval apparatus for retrieving golf balls is disclosed. The retrieval apparatus may be attached to a golf club handle and may include a flexible collar disposed for attachment around the golf club handle. The retrieval apparatus may also include a pair of tines projecting distally from a neck portion and the collar wherein the neck portion bridges the collar to the pair of tines and, wherein the tines define a substantially circular forked carrier for holding the golf ball. The tines may also include a sloped surface on each of the tines disposed to lift the golf ball and guide the golf ball into the forked carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Quinn
  • Publication number: 20100193379
    Abstract: A ball hopper comprising a frame, a divider, a plurality of elastic members and a seat, wherein the frame further comprises a lower, middle and upper portion and at least one rigid connector joining the lower, middle and upper portion, and wherein the divider separates the frame into a lower compartment and an upper compartment, and wherein the plurality of elastic members are removably secured to the lower potion of the frame. The ball hopper provides a method for collecting, distributing (while a user is standing or sitting) and transporting balls by pressing the ball hopper over an object, such that at least one of the plurality of elastic members allows the object to enter the lower compartment. Further, the ball hopper may be utilized as a seat, such that the divider forces collected balls towards the top of the ball hopper for easy removal from the lower compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Howard Matthews
  • Patent number: 7753420
    Abstract: A collecting apparatus having a seat, and method of use thereof, wherein the collecting apparatus comprises a plurality of selectively positionable elastic members secured to a plurality of securing points on a lower portion of a frame or a removable base section connected to the frame. The elastic members are secured to user-selected securing points so that the distance between the elastic members can accommodate objects of different sizes. The collecting apparatus is pressed on top of a ball or similar object, causing the elastic members to separate and allow the ball or similar object to enter and be retained within the frame. Upon entering of the object within the frame, the elastic members retract to their original position, therein preventing the object from falling back out. Objects can be retrieved by lifting the seat or reaching through an aperture formed by a seat opening and a frame front opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Jeff Beavin
  • Publication number: 20100127521
    Abstract: A golf ball retriever having a retractable sand rake integrated at one end thereof wherein the rake assembly is unfold from a collapsed position to an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Thibault, Gilles Fortier
  • Patent number: 7713136
    Abstract: An adapter that consist of a cylinder that contains three flat springs shaped to fit around a golf ball and a spring retainer. A golfer can permanently insert the adapter into the butt end of a golf putter shaft without the use of tools. The adapter is comprised of a cylinders with it's out side diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of the butt end of a putter shaft. When the adapter is inserted into the butt end of a golf putter shaft with the springs positioned in the adapter, the springs will not interfere with the golfer while putting The three flat springs are shaped and spaced slightly smaller than a golf ball when extended to pick up a golf ball. To position the springs to pick up a golf ball, the golfer manually pulls the main spring out of the adapter to a stop that positions the three springs to the proper length to pick up a golf ball. For a golfer to pick up a golf ball, the golfer positions the springs over a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Nicholas Colucci
  • Patent number: 7698882
    Abstract: A harvesting device for nuts and similar small objects having a handle which receives a manually reciprocable push rod having a spreader on its lower end. Tubular collection chambers are secured to the handle. A continuous coil spring extends between the lower, open ends of the collection chambers. The spreader engages the coil spring within the interior area at the end of the handle. In use, downward pressure applied to the handle at the grip will cause the openings between the coils of the coil spring to separate sufficiently to allow objects on the ground to pass into the interior of the spring and into one of the collection chambers. The collection chambers are emptied by holding the device over a receptacle such as a bin with one hand and operating the push rod in a reciprocating or pumping motion causing the openings between the coils to open and close, facilitating rapid emptying of the collection chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Tinlin
  • Patent number: 7673913
    Abstract: A golf ball retrieval tool including an elongated handle which carries at one end a cage. The cage has a first section located near the elongated section and a second section located distally from the handle and connected to the first section. The first cage section has a first opening opened in a first tool orientation to freely receive a golf ball. The second section includes a downwardly open second opening which forms a ball seating. When the tool is in the first cage orientation, the handle extends obliquely downwards beneath the horizontal plane of the cage. The cage further includes a roof structure which in response to pressing the cage generally vertically against a ball generates on the ball a wedging action such as to drive the ball into the second section where the ball can be received in the ball seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Hans Lindh
  • Publication number: 20100052344
    Abstract: A golf ball retriever that has a telescopic handle and an adjustable head. The retriever is unique because the ball passes through the bottom edge by simply placing the retriever over the ball and pressing down on the ball making tabs move in an upward direction. After the ball passes through the bottom edge the spring loaded tabs return to their original position and trap the ball within the confines of the ball retriever. The handle and ball receiver are adjustable to one another via the adjustable head connector allowing the operator to change the position of the head in relation to the telescopic handle. This allows the user to retrieve a ball on uneven surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Timothy C. Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20100016102
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a ball collecting device comprising a drum and a control element. A first cover and a second cover are installed at both ends of the drum respectively to form a containing space in the drum. The first cover and the second cover are hollow and connected to at least one ring-shaped body with an interval apart. Each ring-shaped body comprises at least one elastic element installed around the ring-shaped body. The first cover, the second cover and the ring-shaped bodies are connected by at least one rod. The control element is connected to the drum and provided for a user to hold and push the drum to roll. An elastic element installed around the second cover is provided for pushing at least one ball to shift and enter into the containing space for storage, so as to provide a convenient way of collecting balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: FAR EAST UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: YU-GANG CHEN
  • Patent number: 7645200
    Abstract: A golf ball retrieval system is described, for mounting within a golf club, using as a dedicated ball retrieval device, or retrofitting to an existing golf club. The system in a first embodiment comprises a hollow shaft, an anchor member mounted within the shaft, a sliding member movable axially within the shaft, the sliding member having a bore axially therethrough, a plurality of grappling wires connected to a proximal end of the sliding member, a spring connecting the anchor member to the sliding member, a wire placed within the bore, the wire having a first end and a second end, the wire further comprising a handle at the first end, the handle protruding from the bore at the proximal end of the sliding member, the second end of the wire being attached to the spring, and a shoulder attached to the wire between the spring and the sliding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Burns P. Downey
  • Patent number: 7588040
    Abstract: A kind of golf umbrella combined with a spare golf ball is mainly set with an assembling mechanism in the end of the handle of a golf umbrella. One lower end of the said assembling mechanism can be simply and firmly set on the handle with ease and it is set with a hemisphere sleeve-fit body to provide a temporary holding of a golf ball. Therefore, it becomes a last spare ball while playing golf and the practical value is thus obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventors: Jung-Yuan Chen, Michael Chien-Lung Wu
  • Publication number: 20090224560
    Abstract: A nestable ball retrieval and storage device for collecting balls from the ground is provided. The device includes a receptacle and a handle connected to the receptacle. The receptacle has a bottom grate with a plurality of elongated members spaced apart from one another by a distance slightly less than a diameter of a ball to define at least one bottom opening through which a compressed ball on the ground can be forced through. The receptacle further has a receptacle wall structure surrounding and connected to the bottom grate. The receptacle wall structure has an open top and converges inwardly from the open top to the bottom grate to establish a tapering cavity shaped to permit nesting therein of another device that is substantially identical to the ball retrieval and storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Christina E Turdo
  • Publication number: 20090179443
    Abstract: A nestable ball retrieval and storage device for collecting balls from the ground is provided. The device includes a receptacle and a handle connected to the receptacle. The receptacle has a bottom grate with a plurality of elongated members spaced apart from one another by a distance slightly less than a diameter of a ball to define at least one bottom opening through which a compressed ball on the ground can be forced through. The receptacle further has a receptacle wall structure surrounding and connected to the bottom grate. The receptacle wall structure has an open top and converges inwardly from the open top to the bottom grate to establish a tapering cavity shaped to permit nesting therein of another device that is substantially identical to the ball retrieval and storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Christina E. Turdo
  • Patent number: 7559848
    Abstract: A golf club has a device for the alternate picking up and simultaneous placing down of a marker on the green or respectively the placing down of a golf ball through the intermediary of a mechanical pivotal mechanism, wherein both the picking up of the ball and the simultaneous placing of the marker as well as the placing of the ball and the picking up of the marker from the green is effected by the player whilst in a substantially standing position. By the mechanical pivotal mechanism being formed by a pivotally mounted rocker for the alternate picking up of ball and marker and the picking up and placing down of the marker being effected in a guided manner, the ball is picked up and the marker simultaneous placed down or respectively the ball is placed and the marker picked up in a correct manner without the player needing to bend down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Werner Nickel
  • Publication number: 20090174202
    Abstract: An advertising device for an improved golf ball retriever is provided. The golf ball retriever includes a hollow shaft made of a clear plastic material wherein an advertising slip can be placed into the hollow shaft by the use of a pole. The shaft may include a grip on one end for secure maneuvering of the golf ball retriever during retrieval. The shaft includes a suction cup with a hollow center on the opposite end where the grip may be located for retrieving a golf ball. The top end of the shaft also includes apertures in the shaft that allow a hanging device to be removably affixed to the shaft of the golf ball retriever. The top end of the shaft also has an end cap removably attached to the shaft to enclose the top end of the hollow shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Edna Bingham
  • Publication number: 20090149270
    Abstract: A device for picking up balls or golf balls (10) is disposed in the region of the grip (11) of a club (12). It includes several holding elements, which are displaceable under the effect of at least one resilient element from a rest position on the grip into an actuatable position in which they are capable of picking up the golf ball. By the holding element being at least two gripping arms (13, 14), which are fitted into each other in the rest position under the effect of at least one resilient element, a compact device for picking up that is simple to operate is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Werner Nickel
  • Publication number: 20090127877
    Abstract: A puck retriever has a hollow interior of diameter larger than that of a puck for use in the game of hockey. A ring of rubber or similar resiliently deformable material is located adjacent to the lower end of the tube. The ring has an inner edge which defines a circular inlet of diameter smaller than that of a puck. The ring flexes upward when pressed downward against a puck which is resting on a flat surface with resulting bending upward of the edge and enlargement of the inlet sufficient to allow the puck to pass through the inlet. The ring is of sufficient strength to resist flexing downward under the weight of any pucks within the tube such that the ring prevents pucks within the tube from exiting through the inlet. The ring may be continuous and unbroken throughout its circumference or it may be cut into a number of flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: William Ira Wright
  • Publication number: 20090108601
    Abstract: A method for engaging and retrieving golf balls includes aligning the bottom of a tubular member over a golf ball, and pushing down on the tubular member to pass the golf ball through an engaging and receiving assembly. An assembly for engaging and retrieving golf balls comprises a tube member and an engaging the retrieving assembly. The engaging and retrieving assembly comprises a body having a recess. A spring assembly is disposed within the recess, and includes a plurality of spring members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Reginald Lee
  • Patent number: 7490879
    Abstract: A collection tool that allows retrieval and storage of pine cones by a user while maintaining an erect posture. The tool provides an elongate tubular body having manipulative handles at its upper end portion and first connecting means to attach entry structure at its lower end portion. The entry structure provides an annular rim with second connecting means to interconnect the body and carries radially inwardly extending triangular-like fingers formed of resiliently deformable polymeric material having retentent memory. Pine cones may enter through the entry structure responsive to downwardly directed force on the collection tool but are prevented from exiting to be collected in the body channel for mass disposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas Seefeldt, Debra Seefeldt, Milton Seefeldt, Jeff Bendio
  • Publication number: 20090033109
    Abstract: A device for grasping and retrieving spheroidal objects, including sport balls, and particularly suited for golf balls. A fork extending from an elongate shaft, has at least three resilient tines arranged to resiliently and circumferentially grasp an outer surface of the spheroidal object. Alternative modification to the fork incorporates provision for carriage of a plurality of objects within the device, without compromising the ability of the device to grasp additional objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Timothy Lipcznski