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 col

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 coll

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