Ball picker
The ball picker addresses the challenge of collecting and discharging balls of different sizes and materials by employing elastic strings and a rope system, facilitating easy and damage-free retrieval and ejection.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 田中 博
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing ball storage containers struggle with collecting balls when pressed obliquely, particularly for elastic balls like tennis balls, and can damage balls with smaller diameters, such as pinballs, when using conventional hole rings.
A ball picker with a storage section featuring elastic strings stretched across an open lower surface, allowing balls to be picked up and discharged easily using a rope to pull up the strings, optionally with holders and a support member, and incorporating a rod-shaped portion with a pulley for enhanced operation.
Enables easy collection and discharge of one or multiple balls through a simple configuration, accommodating various ball sizes and types without damage, using a ball retriever with elastic strings and a rope mechanism.
Smart Images
Figure 2026079029000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0006] , , ,
[0005] , , ,
[0001] The present invention relates to a ball picker.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a storage container for tennis balls, in which a hole ring having a diameter smaller than that of the tennis balls is formed at the bottom thereof, and the tennis balls are pressed from above and stored.
Prior Art Document
Patent Document
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] The storage container described in Patent Document 1 cannot store tennis balls when pressed obliquely from above. Therefore, it is necessary to pick up the tennis balls one by one by pressing them directly from above. However, it is difficult to press an elastic ball such as a tennis ball directly from above on a clay court or the like. In addition, balls such as pinballs (balls used in pachinko) will be damaged if pressed by a hole ring having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the ball. Thus, there are balls that are difficult to collect with a hole ring.
[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to propose a ball picker suitable for easily picking up one or a plurality of balls and easily discharging the picked-up balls.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a ball picker for picking up balls, comprising a storage section, a plurality of elastic strings, and a rope, wherein part or all of the lower surface of the storage section is open so that the ball can pass through, the plurality of elastic strings are string-like elastic bodies stretched over the open portion of the lower surface of the storage section, the rope can pull up at least one of the plurality of elastic strings, the ball is picked up by the storage section when the rope is not pulling up the elastic string, and the ball is discharged from the storage section when the rope is pulling up the elastic string.
[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a ball retriever of the first aspect, comprising holders attached to multiple locations on the elastic string that the rope pulls up, wherein the rope pulls up the holders and pulls up the multiple locations on the elastic string.
[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is a ball picker according to the first or second aspect, comprising a support member that can be attached to or removed from the lower surface of the storage section, wherein the support member supports a portion of the open area on the lower surface of the storage section from the outside.
[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a ball retriever according to any of the first to third aspects, comprising a rod-shaped portion that is attached to the storage portion and is extendable, the rod-shaped portion having a pulley, and the rope being stretched over the pulley to pull up the elastic cord.
[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a ball retriever according to any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the plurality of elastic cords include a plurality of transverse elastic cords and one or more longitudinal elastic cords, the plurality of transverse elastic cords are stretched in a first direction on the lower surface of the storage compartment, the longitudinal elastic cord is stretched in a second direction different from the first direction on the lower surface of the storage compartment, and the rope can pull up at least one of the plurality of transverse elastic cords. [Effects of the Invention]
[0011] According to various aspects of the present invention, a section is provided on the lower surface of the storage compartment through which balls can pass, and multiple elastic strings are stretched across this section, allowing for easy collection of one or more balls using the wider opening. Furthermore, the user can easily discharge the balls by pulling up the elastic strings with the rope. Therefore, the user can easily collect and discharge balls using a ball retriever with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a ball retriever 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of storage compartment 3. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the state in which the user has pulled up the holder 27. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the process of a user collecting balls from the floor or other surfaces. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the process of the user ejecting the ball from the storage compartment 3. [Figure 6] Figure 1 shows an example of another configuration of a ball retriever according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 2 shows an example of another configuration of the ball retriever according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0013] The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. [Examples]
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ball picker 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ball picker 1 is for picking up balls. Here, the ball may be spherical, such as a pinball, a tennis ball, a golf ball, etc., or may be non-spherical (such as an ellipsoid) like a rugby ball.
[0015] The specific shape of the ball picker 1 is adjusted according to the ball assumed to be the picking target. For example, the interval between the elastic strings stretched on the lower surface of the storage part 3 is desirably widened if the ball is large and narrowed if the ball is small so as to easily pick up the ball.
[0016] The ball picker 1 includes a storage part 3. The storage part 3 is, for example, a container (vessel, basket, etc.) for putting the collected balls in a state of being laid down and facing downward.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the storage part 3. In this example, the storage part 3 is a basket made by knitting wire laid down. In other figures, the wire is omitted from illustration.
[0018] In the storage part 3, the upper surface PQRS and the side surfaces (surface PTUQ, surface QUVR, surface SWVR, surface PTWS) are in a closed state. Here, the "closed state" means that there is no place through which the ball can pass. In this example, the upper surface and the side surfaces are covered with the knitted wire. The knitted wire has a certain interval, but the interval is narrower than the ball assumed to be the picking target. For example, if it is a spherical ball, the interval is narrower than the diameter of the ball. Therefore, the ball cannot be taken in or out on the upper surface and the side surfaces.
[0019] In the storage section 3, the bottom surface TUVW is in an open state. The user of the ball picker 1 can put a ball outside the storage section 3 into the interior of the storage section 3 through the bottom surface TUVW. Here, the "open state" means that there is a location through which the ball can pass. In this example, the bottom surface TUVW has no wires and is completely open, and the ball can pass through anywhere. In the present invention, as long as the ball can be taken in and out through the open part of the bottom surface TUVW, a part of the bottom surface TUVW may be in an open state and the remaining part may be in a closed state.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of elastic strings are stretched on the bottom surface TUVW of the storage section 3. The elastic string is a string-shaped elastic body, such as a flat rubber string for example.
[0021] In the bottom surface TUVW of the storage section 3, a plurality of horizontal elastic strings are stretched in the first direction. In this example, the first direction is a direction parallel to the sides TU and WV, and in the first direction, the first horizontal elastic string 19, the second horizontal elastic string 21, the third horizontal elastic string 23, and the fourth horizontal elastic string 25 are stretched.
[0022] Here, the distance between the first horizontal elastic string 19 and the side WV is narrower than the ball assumed to be picked up. Similarly, the distance between the first horizontal elastic string 19 and the second horizontal elastic string 21 is narrower than the assumed ball. The distance between the second horizontal elastic string 21 and the third horizontal elastic string 23 is narrower than the assumed ball. The distance between the third horizontal elastic string 23 and the fourth horizontal elastic string 25 is narrower than the assumed ball. The distance between the fourth horizontal elastic string 25 and the side TU is narrower than the assumed ball. However, it is assumed that the distance between the second horizontal elastic string 21 and the side WV is wider than the assumed ball.
[0023] In the bottom surface of the storage section 3, one or more vertical elastic strings are stretched in the second direction. The second direction is a direction different from the first direction. In this example, the second direction is a direction parallel to the sides TW and UV, and in the second direction, the first vertical elastic string 13, the second vertical elastic string 15, and the third vertical elastic string 17 are stretched.
[0024] In this example, the longitudinal elastic cord is assumed to be sufficiently thinner than the transverse elastic cord and does not significantly affect the insertion and removal of the ball. If only the longitudinal elastic cord is stretched across the lower surface TUVW of the storage section 3 without the transverse elastic cord, the user can move the ball inside by, for example, shaking the storage section 3 with sufficient force, and eject the ball from the lower surface TUVW of the storage section 3.
[0025] The holder 27 is attached to multiple points on the transverse elastic cord. In this example, the holder 27 is attached to multiple points 28 and 29 on the first transverse elastic cord 19. Note that the holder 27 may or may not be attached between points 28 and 29.
[0026] The ball retriever 1 is equipped with a rod-shaped section 5. The rod-shaped section 5 is attached above the storage section 3. The user can use the rod-shaped section 5 to operate the storage section 3 and retrieve the balls. The rod-shaped section 5 is a telescopic pole, for example, made by combining a pipe and a shaft in a nesting manner. The length of the rod-shaped section 5 can be adjusted according to the user's height, etc.
[0027] The rod-shaped section 5 includes a pulley 7 and a rope 9. The rope 9 is stretched over the pulley 7, with one end attached to a holder 27 and the other end having a handle 11.
[0028] The user can pull up the holder 27 by pulling the handle 11. Since the holder 27 is attached to multiple points on the first transverse elastic cord 19, the rope 9 can pull up the holder 27 and simultaneously pull up multiple points on the first transverse elastic cord 19. When the user pulls up the first transverse elastic cord 19 with the rope 9, a gap wider than a ball is created between the second transverse elastic cord 21 and the side WV of the lower surface of the storage section 3. The ball that enters the storage section 3 is discharged from the bottom surface without being obstructed by the first transverse elastic cord 19. Therefore, the user can easily discharge the ball that has entered the storage section 3.
[0029] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the state in which the user has pulled up the holder 27.
[0030] Figures 3(a) and (b) show the holder 27 in the un-pulled position. Figures 3(a) and (b) show the state of the elastic cords and holder 27 as seen from the side QUVR and side PTUQ, respectively. The first transverse elastic cord 19 is stretched across the bottom TUVW. Therefore, balls that enter the storage section 3 are prevented from being expelled from the bottom TUVW by the first transverse elastic cord 19, the second transverse elastic cord 21, the third transverse elastic cord 23, and the fourth transverse elastic cord 25.
[0031] Figures 3(c) and (d) show the holder 27 in the raised position. Figures 3(c) and (d) show the state of the elastic cord and holder 27 as seen from the side QUVR and side PTUQ, respectively. The first transverse elastic cord 19 is raised from the bottom TUVW at multiple points 28 and 29 by the holder 27. Therefore, the user can expel the ball that has entered the storage compartment 3 from the bottom TUVW without being obstructed by the first transverse elastic cord 19.
[0032] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the process of a user collecting balls from the floor or other surface. In this example, the process of collecting balls 53 from the floor 51 between the third transverse elastic cord 23 and the fourth transverse elastic cord 25 is illustrated.
[0033] Referring to Figure 4(a), the user presses the lower surface TUVW of the storage section 3 against the ball 53 on the floor 51 while the holder 27 is not being pulled up. The third transverse elastic cord 23 and the fourth transverse elastic cord 25 stretch and spread out in contact with the ball 53. As a result, the user can insert the ball 53 into the storage section 3 from between the third transverse elastic cord 23 and the fourth transverse elastic cord 25.
[0034] Referring to Figure 4(b), when the ball 53 enters the storage compartment 3, the third transverse elastic cord 23 and the fourth transverse elastic cord 25 return to their original positions, and the distance between the third transverse elastic cord 23 and the fourth transverse elastic cord 25 becomes narrower than the ball 53.
[0035] Referring to Figure 4(c), the ball 53 inside the storage compartment 3 is prevented from coming out by the elastic string.
[0036] In this way, the user picks up the balls located outside the storage compartment 3 and brings them inside the storage compartment 3 through the open section on the bottom of the storage compartment 3, while the rope 9 is not pulling up the elastic cord. The user can pick up the balls one by one, or they can pick up multiple balls simultaneously in a single operation using the open section on the bottom of the storage compartment 3 (TUVW).
[0037] The holder 27 may be attached to multiple elastic cords, allowing multiple elastic cords to be pulled up simultaneously. Furthermore, the elastic cord to which the rope 9 is attached may be, for example, a second transverse elastic cord 21.
[0038] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the process by which the user ejects the ball from the storage compartment 3.
[0039] Referring to Figures 5(a) and (b), the state in which the user pulls up the holder 27 will be explained. As shown in Figure 5(a), when the user pulls up the holder 27 with the rope 9, the first transverse elastic cord 19 rises from the lower surface TUVW, and a gap wider than that of the ball is created between the second transverse elastic cord 21 and the side WV. Also, as shown in Figure 5(b), a space sufficiently wider than that of the ball 53 is created between the first transverse elastic cord 19 and the lower surface TUVW.
[0040] Referring to Figure 5(c), the user points the side WV downwards and performs an operation such as shaking. The ball 53 is ejected from the bottom surface TUVW using the space below the holder 27 and the space between the second transverse elastic cord 21 and the side WV.
[0041] In this way, with the rope 9 pulling up the elastic cord, the user expels the ball inside the storage compartment 3 to the outside of the storage compartment 3 through the open section on the bottom of the storage compartment 3.
[0042] Figure 6 shows an example of another configuration of a ball retriever according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 6, the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 indicate the same configuration as in Figure 1.
[0043] In Figure 6, a support member 31 is provided on the lower surface of the storage section 3. The support member 31 supports a portion of the open area on the lower surface TUVW of the storage section 3 from the outside. The support member 31 can be attached to and removed from the lower surface of the storage section 3. For example, if the ball is heavy (e.g., a golf ball), the weight of the balls collected in the storage section 3 may cause them to fall out of the storage section 3 if only multiple elastic strings are used. The user can attach the support member 31, pick up the balls in the area of the lower surface where the support member 31 is not present, and then move the picked-up balls onto the support member 31 to prevent them from falling out.
[0044] The support member 31 may be, for example, a fixed shape (e.g., a plate) or a shape that can be changed (e.g., a mesh). Also, the user does not use the support member 31 when collecting light balls. For this reason, the user may attach the support member 31 to a surface other than the bottom surface of the storage section 3 when not in use, and attach it to the bottom surface of the storage section 3 when in use.
[0045] Figure 7 shows an example of another configuration of a ball retriever according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 7, the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 indicate the same configuration as in Figure 1.
[0046] If the balls to be collected are sufficiently light, the transverse elastic cords may be stretched only in the first direction, and the longitudinal elastic cords may not be stretched in the second direction. In Figure 7, on the lower surface TUVW of the storage section 3, multiple transverse elastic cords (the fifth transverse elastic cord 41, the sixth transverse elastic cord 43, the seventh transverse elastic cord 45, and the eighth transverse elastic cord 47) are stretched in the first direction, but no longitudinal elastic cords are stretched in the second direction. Also, because the balls are light, the fifth transverse elastic cord 41, the sixth transverse elastic cord 43, the seventh transverse elastic cord 45, and the eighth transverse elastic cord 47 are thinner than the first transverse elastic cord 19, the second transverse elastic cord 21, the third transverse elastic cord 23, and the fourth transverse elastic cord 25, respectively.
[0047] Furthermore, if the ball is small enough, it is not necessary to lift the elastic cord at multiple points using the holder. In Figure 7, the holder is omitted, and the fifth transverse elastic cord 41 is directly pulled up by the rope 9. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0048] 1. Ball retriever 3 Storage compartment 5 Rod-shaped part 7 Pulley 9 ropes 11 Handle 13. First longitudinal elastic cord 15. Second longitudinal elastic cord 17 Third longitudinal elastic cord 19 1st horizontal elastic string 21 Second horizontal elastic string 23 Third horizontal elastic string 25 4th horizontal elastic string 27 Holder 28 locations 29 locations 31 Support member 41 5th horizontal elastic cord 43 No. 6 horizontal elastic cord 45 7th horizontal elastic cord 47 No. 8 horizontal elastic cord 51 beds 53 Ball
Claims
1. It is a ball picker for picking up balls, It has a storage compartment, multiple elastic cords, and a rope. A part or all of the lower surface of the storage compartment is open, allowing the ball to pass through. The aforementioned plurality of elastic cords are cord-shaped elastic bodies stretched over the open portion of the lower surface of the storage compartment. The rope is capable of pulling up at least one of the plurality of elastic cords. When the rope is not pulling up the elastic cord, the ball is picked up in the storage compartment. A ball retriever in which the ball is discharged from the storage compartment when the rope pulls up the elastic string.
2. The rope is equipped with holders attached to multiple points on the elastic cord that is pulled up by the rope, The ball picker according to claim 1, wherein the rope pulls up the holder and pulls up multiple points of the elastic string.
3. The storage compartment is equipped with a support member that can be attached to or removed from the lower surface, The ball picker according to claim 1, wherein the support member supports a portion of the open area on the lower surface of the storage compartment from the outside.
4. It is mounted on top of the aforementioned storage section and has a retractable rod-shaped section, The rod-shaped portion is equipped with a pulley, The ball retriever according to claim 1, wherein the rope is placed on the pulley to pull up the elastic cord.
5. The aforementioned plurality of elastic cords include a plurality of transverse elastic cords and one or more longitudinal elastic cords. The plurality of transverse elastic cords are stretched in a first direction on the lower surface of the storage compartment. The aforementioned longitudinal elastic cord is stretched in a second direction different from the first direction on the lower surface of the storage section. The ball retriever according to claim 1, wherein the rope can pull up at least one of the plurality of transverse elastic cords.