Tennis ball collection, dispensing, and transport apparatus

Abstract

A tennis ball collection, dispensing, and transporting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a ball collection hopper for collecting tennis balls by a wheel-mounted sweeping apparatus. The ball collection hopper includes a forward facing opening for receiving tennis balls collected by the sweeping apparatus, for directing tennis balls over a one-way deflection panel and into the interior of the ball collection hopper. The deflection panel prevents collected tennis balls from accessing the sweeping apparatus and jamming the collection device during use, as well as retaining collected tennis balls during transport on and off the tennis court, as well as for securing the balls within the hopper when being dispensed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] not applicable STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT: [0002] not applicable REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003] not applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] The present invention relates to the field of sports equipment and more particularly, to apparatus for collecting, dispensing, and transporting tennis balls. [0006] 2. Description of the Related Art [0007] Practice for the game of tennis is necessary to develop the skills required. However the game requires at least two players, and is often played by four players, and one or three practicing player(s) may not be available to join another player for practice. Practicing alone on a regulation court can be accomplished, but one must be able to have immediately available a desired number of tennis balls and be able to retrieve these balls or the practice primarily turns into an exercise in obtaining and retrieving tennis balls,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a tennis ball collection device for quickly collecting tennis balls laying at random on the tennis court or other practice surface

[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a readily portable tennis ball collection device that is easily transportable while securing a plurality of tennis balls collected therein.

[0020] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tennis ball collection device having a collection hopper that is conveniently within reach for reaching the so-collected tennis balls.

[0021] These and other objects are achieved, according to the present invention, with a ball collection hopper for collecting tennis balls deposited therein by a wheel-mounted sweeping apparatus supported by the rotatable axle to which a pair of forward apparatus wheels are mounted for rotation. The ball collection hopper includes a forward facing mouth or opening for receiving tennis balls collected by the sweeping apparatus, which directs tennis balls over a one-way deflection panel and into the interior of the ball collection hopper. The deflection panel prevents so-collected tennis balls from accessing the sweeping apparatus and jamming the collection device during use, as well as retaining collected tennis balls during transport on and off the tennis court. A hinged panel secures the upper portion of the collection hopper. During transport off the tennis court, the sweeping apparatus is rotated into a transport position and locked in place such that one of a plurality of sweeping vanes is locked adjacent the deflection panel, while the hinged panel is secured in a closed and locked position, together preventing unintended spillage of tennis balls even when the entire apparatus is upended as when the portable apparatus is carried about between practice sessions. The collection apparatus of the present invention is steered by a handle mounted to the collection apparatus which disassembles and in the disassembled form is housed in dedicated receptacles provided on the sides of the collection hopper. When the collector is intended for use in practice mode, the handles may be assembled to become supports for the collection hopper.

Problems solved by technology

However the game requires at least two players, and is often played by four players, and one or three practicing player(s) may not be available to join another player for practice.

As noted, retrieving tennis balls is an especially tedious, time consuming and unproductive task for a student or teacher or practicing player.

This is not satisfactory to many players as it changes the character of the play in tennis ball practice service where placement strategy is of great importance, as well as tennis ball rebound characteristics that is completely unrelated to a tennis game played on a standard regulation court.

Mechanical serving devices are also available, but again reloading the device and collection of balls is a time consuming process.

Most of the current practice aids may do one of these objectives well, but others poorly or not at all.

Ball hoppers conveniently provide access to dispense balls during practice, but many do not allow storage (covered) or transport.

Others provide storage and access, but do not retrieve balls.

Larger storage devices accommodate many balls but are difficult to lift and transport.

Ball retrievers tend to be complex and cumbersome, limiting transport, access and use.

All of these devices only collect balls and all require separate hinged / rotating and / or fixed fingers / projections to lift and / or remove balls for placement into a receptacle.

Many of these devices also tend to get caught by nets and fencing.

Since these locations are likely places for balls to come to rest, this can be a major problem.

Prior art which attempts to accomplish all three of the primary objectives tend to be even more complex and cumbersome to lift, transport and use.

These prior multi-mode approaches have many limitations.

These are primarily related to the multiplicity of elements required to accomplish the three operating modes, creating added cost, weight and space.

In addition, they also tend to get caught by nets and fencing located within the court in the collecting mode of operation.

None of the prior art cited incorporates positive collection (balls retained in a container with covered openings or openings smaller than the ball diameter) to allow immediate transport and storage without the use of additional movable elements in addition to traction wheels and an axle.

None allows conversion to a dispensing mode without additional structure.

Further, all also tend to get caught when in contact with nets or fences when in the collecting mode.

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