Height adjustable ball dispense, collection, storage & transport device with button controlled telescopic legs

Abstract

A height adjustable ball dispense, collection, storage and transport device wherein device comprises two identical parallel and side attached vertical telescopic legs. Button controlled telescopic legs are unlocked for up or down device height adjustment when buttons are pressed.

Description

PRIOR ART

[0001] Devices for dispensing, storing, transporting and picking up scattered court balls are widely known. Most handheld devices are of square or rectangular shapes of basket-like metal material with slightly different ways to capture or distribute balls through openings at top and or bottom of device. Most are not height adjustable and the few that are height adjustable are done through a manual conversion process whereby the handles for carrying the device are inverted to become the legs which is a manual and time consuming process that takes a significant amount of physical effort.

[0002] Todays tennis equipment market place does not offer a single handheld ball management device that quickly and seamlessly switch device roles when needed.

[0003] In addition, NONE of the current handheld ball devices in the marketplace have side attached telescopic legs that are button controlled to adjust the device to up and down height positions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The field of disclosed invention relates to an improvement to handheld sport ball collection, dispensing, storage and transporting devices also known as a ball caddy, ball butler, ball hopper or ball management device.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The disclosed invention relates to a value added improvement to handheld ball management devices wherein users have the ability to quickly convert device from ball store and carry device to quick and easy ball accessible device. Two identical telescopic adjustable legs are incorporated on each side of device so devices main storage cavity can be lifted up and down in height. Each identical leg is button controlled wherein when pressed telescopic legs are unlock for up and down height adjustment. Legs have identical t-square shafts at footings for device balance and stabilization when in extended up height position. When buttons are not pressed legs auto-lock at each subsequent leg section.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is A. front / back, B. side, C. top and D. isometric view of device embodiment with two identical and parallel telescopic legs that are vertically and side opposite attached with t-square foot stabilizers in contracted up position.

[0007] FIG. 2 is A. front / back, B. side, C. top and D. isometric view of device embodiment with two identical and parallel telescopic legs that are vertically and side opposite attached with t-square foot stabilizers in extended down position.

[0008] FIG. 3 is A. front / back, B. side, C. top and D. isometric component specific view of identical telescopic legs in contracted up position.

[0009] FIG. 4 is A. front / back, B. side, C. top and D. isometric component specific view of identical telescopic legs in extended down position.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of button that controls the unlocking of devices telescopic legs.

[0011] FIG. 6—Alternate height position views of device in contracted down carry position (a.) and extended up easy ball access position (b.).DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, two identical vertically parallel telescopic legs are affixed to each and opposite sides of device. Each leg is button controlled. When buttons are pressed telescopic legs are unlocked from the static locked position allowing leg to be extended up (FIG. 3) or contracted down (FIG. 4) thereby raising or lowering the devices storage cavity to desired height use position. Legs drop out due to gravity from up to down position when buttons are pressed. User need only apply light pressure down to contract legs to lowered height position. Not pressing buttons will auto-lock telescopic legs at each subsequent leg height stage position.

[0013] When in contracted position, device height down, (FIG. 6A) device is ready for transporting and carrying balls and / or ball court pickup.

[0014] When in extended position, device height up, (FIG. 6B) balls are easier and quicker to access and dispense for play with low to no bending to a grab ball. Each leg has an identical t-square shaft footing at end of leg for device stabilization and balance when in extended up height position. Leg shafts are parallel to each other and configured forward to aft with relationship to device.

[0015] The introduction of push button controlled telescopic legs semi-automates the conversion between device ball court management roles reducing the lag time in between play and making practice more time efficient.

[0016] The disclosed invention improves on the prior art of handheld ball management devices by incorporating this value adding component giving users device extended functionality in one device.

[0017] While only one embodiment of the disclosed invention is shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications and changes could be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention. For example, device could 1) have a varying plurality of frame chamber walls which make up the interior storage space, 2) be of varying types and combinations of materials, 3) of varying shapes and sizes, 4) telescopic legs could have varying number of leg sections, 5) control buttons could be designed to function in different locations on device, 6) and end foot stabilizers could be of different shapes and have varying relations to adjustable legs.

Claims

1. A sport ball management device consisting of: Two identical parallel and side attached button controlled vertical telescopic legs which when buttons are pressed telescopic legs are unlocked to adjust device height.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein when each telescopic leg control button is not pressed the legs auto-lock at each subsequent leg section.

3. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein each telescopic leg has at least two telescopic leg sections that facilitate the devices alternating height positions.

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