Device for collecting balls

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for collecting balls, for example tennis balls, golf balls, etc., with at least two tubular elements.

[0002] Such devices are used, for example, in tennis training to collect the tennis balls played. For this purpose, an open end of a tubular base is pushed over the tennis ball to be collected. A retaining device is usually attached to the open end, allowing the tennis ball to be pushed into the opening but preventing it from falling out of the opening in the opposite direction. To remove the balls from the base, the second end of the tubular base is open, allowing the tennis balls to be poured out of the base.

[0003] For example only, reference is made to DE 10 2017 218 724 A1, which discloses a device for collecting tennis balls that has a tubular base body. Similar devices are described in the following documents: WO 2016 / 042347 A1; US 4 629 235 A; US 2016 / 303434 A1; US 2012 / 131827 A1.

[0004] The present invention is based on the object of designing and developing a device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it enables versatile use with structurally simple means.

[0005] According to the invention, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. This object is achieved by a device for collecting balls, for example tennis balls, golf balls, etc., comprising at least two tubular elements, wherein the tubular elements can be assembled to form a base body, wherein the base body has an insertion opening for the balls, wherein the tubular elements each have a written and / or pictorial partial information, and wherein the partial information forms a complete information when the tubular elements are assembled.

[0006] According to the invention, it has been recognized that further use of the device can be achieved in a particularly simple manner if the tubular elements each have a piece of information, wherein in a further manner according to the invention the pieces of information form a coherent overall piece of information when the tubular elements are assembled, i.e. when the device is in its position of use. The arrangement of the pieces of information and the multi-part design of the base body thus achieve a combinatorial effect, namely the device can be transported particularly easily when the tubular elements are not assembled and the base body therefore does not have its full length, and additionally conveys overall information when the tubular elements are assembled, i.e. the device is in the position of use.In the use position, the device allows the balls to be collected by pushing the insertion opening at one end of the tubular base body over the ball so that the ball is inserted into the base body. A retaining device can be arranged at the insertion opening to prevent the ball from sliding out of the insertion opening. This can be a circumferential lip made of an elastic material, for example, so that the ball has to be pressed into the base body against relatively little resistance. The base body thus serves as a magazine-like holder for the balls. In order to remove the balls from the device, the device can, for example, have an output opening at its second end from which the balls can be poured out. It is also conceivable for the balls to be removed from the input opening.The base body should be long enough so that a person can pick up balls from the floor without having to bend down. For example, the base body could be 50 cm to 110 cm long, or especially 70 cm to 100 cm.

[0007] The overall information can be a statement, for example from the areas of marital status, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, emotion, profession, etc. It is also conceivable that the overall information is at least partly a graphic representation, for example a logo, an illustration, etc. It is essential that the pipe elements contain partial information in such a way that, when put together, they form overall information, for example the statements described above.

[0008] The device according to the invention is also suitable as a transport device or luggage for the balls stored therein and / or for holding the balls as (sales) packaging. In particular, if the device is designed such that the balls can be stored in the unassembled tubular elements or in the nested tubular elements without accidentally slipping out, the tubular elements can serve as packaging, luggage, transport device, etc.

[0009] The term "tubular element" is to be understood in the broadest sense, whereby the tubular elements do not necessarily have to have a circular cross-section. What is essential is that the tubular elements can be assembled into a base body that is essentially tubular in shape, so that the balls, for example, tennis balls or golf balls, can be accommodated within it.

[0010] The partial information is printed on each pipe element.

[0011] Such a design is particularly easy to implement, since the tubular elements serve as carriers of the information. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable for an information element carrying the partial information to be arranged on the tubular elements. This could, for example, be a printed film or another element that is attached to the tubular elements, in particular glued to them. It is also possible for the partial information to be arranged on a film tube that is shrunk onto the tubular element.

[0012] In a further advantageous manner, the information element can be detachably mounted on the tubular element. In particular, it is conceivable for the information element to be secured to the tubular element via a magnetic connection, a hook-and-loop fastener, or another type of detachable connection. This allows the user to customize the overall information as desired.

[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the tubular elements can be connected to one another in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. To assemble the tubular elements into the base body in such a way that the partial information forms a complete information unit, it is conceivable to provide a clamp connection, a screw connection, or a snap-in connection, in particular a bayonet lock.

[0014] The tubular elements can advantageously be designed to be telescopic. The device can thus be transported in the collapsed state and only pulled apart when needed, thus forming the base body. Such a construction is particularly suitable as (sales) packaging, as travel luggage, as a transport device, etc. for the balls contained therein. It is also advantageous if the tubular elements can be locked in the expanded and / or nested position. Alternatively, the tubular elements could be pivotally connected to one another and locked in the swung-out and / or non-swung-out position to form the base body. Such a construction is also suitable as (sales) packaging, as travel luggage, as a transport device, etc. for the balls contained therein.It is essential that the partial information of the pipe elements forms an overall information when the pipe elements are assembled to form the base body.

[0015] In a further advantageous manner, the inner diameter of the tubular elements can be at least slightly larger than the outer diameter of the balls, so that the balls can be inserted into the base body. To enable the device to also be used for balls with a small diameter, an insert with a smaller diameter could be provided for the base body. The insert could be constructed in several parts, corresponding to the number of tubular elements.

[0016] Furthermore, it is conceivable for a carrying element, such as a shoulder strap or a handle, to be provided on the base body. To attach the carrying element to the base body or to the tubular elements, the tubular elements could have fastening means, such as eyelets.

[0017] Particularly advantageously, at least one closure means can be arranged for a tubular element. Thus, one or more of the relatively short tubular elements can serve to store the balls when the tubular elements are not connected to one another or when the tubular elements are pushed into one another.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, an adapter element can be provided to reduce the insertion opening to a smaller size. The adapter element can, for example, be arranged on the base body in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, in particular by plugging or screwing, and can have a smaller insertion opening. For example, a device for collecting tennis balls can be adapted by the adapter in such a way that it is suitable for collecting golf balls.

[0019] There are now various possibilities for advantageously embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are also explained. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 in a schematic representation of an embodiment of a device according to the invention in a side view, Fig. 2 in a schematic representation of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in a sectional side view, Fig. 3 in a schematic representation of a pipe element of the embodiment according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 in a schematic representation a further embodiment of a device according to the invention in a side view, Fig. 5 in a schematic representation a further embodiment of a device according to the invention in a side view, and Fig. 6 in a schematic representation a further embodiment of a device according to the invention in a side view.

[0020] The Fig. 1 to 3show a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for collecting balls 1. The device has two tubular elements 2a, 2b, which can be assembled to form a base body 3. The device can also consist of more than two tubular elements 2a, 2b. The tubular elements 2a, 2b each have a piece of partial information 4a, 4b, in the embodiment shown here, the sentence components "Bring mir" and "Glück!" (Luck!), so that when the base body 3 is assembled, these form the overall information 5 "Bring mir Glück!" (Bring mir Glück!). The partial information 4a, 4b is applied directly to the tubular elements 2a, 2b, for example, printed on them. The partial information 4a, 4b and thus the overall information 5 formed by them can be designed in any desired manner. This can also be, for example, a graphic or an illustration.

[0021] The tubular elements 2a, 2b can be connected to one another in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, for example, inserted into one another, screwed together, or connected via a bayonet lock. The base body 3 further comprises an insertion opening 6, which is pushed over the ball 1 in order to receive it in the base body 1. A retaining device 7 is formed on the insertion opening 6, which prevents the balls 1 received in the base body 1 from sliding out of the insertion opening 6. The retaining device 7 can, for example, be a flexible, circumferential lip. Fig. 2 The device is shown filled with balls 1. It can be clearly seen that the inner diameter of the base body 3 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the balls 1. To remove the balls 1 from the device, they can be poured out of the removal opening 8 of the base body 3.

[0022] To facilitate handling of the device, a support element 9 is arranged on the base body 3 and is attached to eyelets 10. The support element 9 can be attached to the base body 3 in any other manner.

[0023] In Fig. 3The tubular element 2a is shown, which is closed with a closure means 11, in particular a lid. Thus, the balls 1 contained therein are secured and, due to the small size of the tubular element 2a, can be easily stored or transported. The further tubular element 2b can also have corresponding closure means 11. Other designs are also conceivable that prevent the balls from accidentally slipping out of the tubular element 2a, 2b. Regardless of the actual implementation of the closure means 11 or any other design, it is essential that such a tubular element 2a, 2b is suitable as packaging, luggage, or a transport device for the balls 1.

[0024] The Fig. 4 The embodiment shown differs from the one shown in the Fig. 1 to 3The device shown differs only in that the partial information items 4a, 4b are each arranged on an information element 12 and not on the tubular element 2a, 2b. The information elements 12 can, for example, be glued to the tubular elements 2a, 2b or detachably connected to them, for example, magnetically or via a hook-and-loop connection. Thus, the overall information item 5 can be changed by the user as desired.

[0025] The Fig. 5 The embodiment shown differs from the one shown in the Fig. 1 to 3 shown device merely in that the tube elements 2a, 2b are pivotally connected to one another via a joint 13, wherein the tube elements 2a, 2b can be locked in the assembled state in order to form the base body 3.

[0026] The Fig. 6 The embodiment shown differs from the one shown in the Fig. 1 to 3shown device merely in that the tube elements 2a, 2b are telescopically connected to one another, wherein the tube elements 2a, 2b can be locked in the extended state to form the base body 3. Advantageously, the tube elements 2a, 2b are also in the Fig. 6 shown collapsed state, so that the device can be ideally used as packaging, transport device, travel luggage, etc. It is advantageous if a closure means 11 or another construction prevents the balls 1 from slipping out of the nested tubular elements 2a, 2b.

[0027] Even in the Fig. 5 and 6 In the embodiments shown, the partial information 4a, 4b can be connected to the tube elements 2a, 2b via an information element 12 and one or more closure means 11 or a construction with the same effect can be provided.

[0028] Furthermore, with regard to the Fig. 4 to 6 on the description of the Fig. 1 to 3 which applies analogously.

[0029] With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims in order to avoid repetition.

[0030] Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the embodiments of the device according to the invention described above serve only to explain the claimed teaching, but do not limit it to the embodiments. List of reference symbols

[0031] 1Balls 2a, 2bTube element 3Base body 4a, 4bPartial information 5Total information 6Insertion opening 7Retaining device 8Removal opening 9Supporting element 10Eyelet 11Closure means 12Information element

Claims

1. Apparatus for collecting balls (1), for example, tennis balls, golf balls, etcetera, having at least two pipe elements (2a, 2b), wherein the pipe elements (2a, 2b) can be assembled in order to form a base member (3), wherein the base member (3) has an introduction opening (6) for the balls (1), wherein the pipe elements (2a, 2b) in each case have a written and / or visual part-information item (4a, 4b) and wherein the part-information items (4a, 4b) in the assembled state of the pipe elements (2a, 2b) form an overall information item (5), wherein the apparatus in addition enables the overall information item (5) to be transmitted when the pipe elements (2a, 2b) are assembled and the apparatus is consequently in a position for use, wherein the part-information items (4a, 4b) are printed on the pipe elements (2a, 2b) and / or an information element (12) which carries the part-information item (4a, 4b) is arranged on the pipe elements (2a, 2b).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the information element (12) is releasably arranged on the pipe element (2a, 2b), for example, by means of a magnet connection or a hook and loop fastening.

3. Apparatus according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the pipe elements (2a, 2b) can be connected to each other in a positive-locking and / or non-positive-locking manner, in particular by means of a clamping connection, a screw connection or a locking connection, for example, a bayonet connection.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the pipe elements (2a, 2b) are constructed to be telescope-like.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pipe elements (2a, 2b) are connected to each other in a pivotable manner and can be locked in the pivoted-out position and / or in the non-pivoted-out position in order to form the base member (3).

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the inner diameter of the pipe elements (2a, 2b) is constructed to be at least slightly larger than the outer diameter of the balls (1).

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a carrier element (9) is provided on the base member (3), for example, a shoulder strap or a handle.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that at least one closure means (11) for a pipe element (2a, 2b) is arranged.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that an adapter element is provided in order to reduce the introduction opening (6) to a smaller size.