BALL COLLECTION, STORAGE & TRANSPORT DEVICE WITH BUTTON CONTROLLED TELESCOPIC ADJUSTABLE UP AND DOWN HANDLE

Abstract

A ball collection, storage and transporting device and method of use thereof, wherein device comprises a button controlled adjustable handle with telescopic legs that when extended in up position aids the ball collection process. Handle's attached button unlocks the handle's attached telescopic legs for up and down handle movement.

Description

PRIOR ART

Devices for storing and transporting balls to court of play and picking them up from play court are widely known. Combined portable ball collection and storage devices and their variations, specifically for tennis balls, have evolved slowly over the decades. The scope of the prior art since the first hand held tennis ball collection and storage devices, and most others since, have been of varying basket-like shapes made of metal with slightly different ways to capture balls through openings at bottom of device. Although a few novel non-basket-like devices have entered the market with some success, not much can be said about the evolution of these devices since conception with most remaining basket or shopping cart like. In addition, NONE of the current devices have an adjustable handle with telescopic legs that is button controlled to change handle to up and down locked positions to facilitate ease of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention—The field of disclosed invention relates to an improvement to hand held sport ball collection, storage and transporting devices also known as a ball caddy, ball butler or ball hopper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed invention relates to the improvement of hand held ball collection, storage and transporting devices sometimes referred to as ball hoppers, ball caddy or ball butlers. A button controlled telescopic adjustable handle is incorporated so that when extended to up locked position user can easily collect court scattered balls without bending. The embedded in handle button, when pressed, unlocks the telescopic leg stages allowing handle to be extended up or contracted down locked positions. Telescopic legs auto-lock at each leg stage when button is not pressed. The present invention improves on the prior art by incorporating this unique value adding handle component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A—sideview demonstrating collection of balls using handle in conjunction with generic prior art device embodiment.

FIG. 1B—sideview demonstrating transporting of balls using handle in conjunction with generic prior art device embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an isometric, front and side view of generic prior art device embodiment with handle down.

FIG. 3 is an isometric, front and side view of generic prior art device embodiment with handle up.

FIG. 4 is a isometric view of handle button that controls the unlocking of handles telescopic legs.

FIG. 5A is an isolated side view of handle in alternate contracted down position showing one full leg stage and 4 telescopically hidden legs within the one.

FIG. 5B is an isolated front view of handle in alternate contracted down position showing one full leg stage and 4 telescopically hidden legs within the one.

FIG. 5C is an isolated isometric view of handle in alternate contracted down position showing one full leg stage and 4 telescopically hidden legs within the one.

FIG. 6A is an isolated side view of handle in alternate extended up position showing all 5 telescopic leg locked stages.

FIG. 6B is an isolated front view of handle in alternate extended up position showing all 5 telescopic leg locked stages.

FIG. 6C is an isolated isometric view of handle in alternate extended up position showing all 5 telescopic leg locked stages.

FIG. 7A is a top view of human demonstrating engagement and collection of balls using handle to guide device storage chamber to desired ball.

FIG. 7B is a back view of human demonstrating engagement and collection of balls using handle to exert downward force to engage and capture ball into devices storage chamber.

FIG. 7C is a sideview of human demonstrating engagement and collection of balls using handle to exert downward force to engage and capture ball into devices storage chamber.

FIG. 8 is a sideview demonstrating transporting of balls using handle in conjunction with generic prior art device embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following describes claimed invention which is a value added component improvement to prior art of handheld ball collection, storage and transporting devices. A typical hand held ball collection, storage and transport device includes 1) main storage chamber body of varying volumes dependent upon dimensions, 2) a top section that allows for ball entry/exit and 3) a bottom opening for ball entry. The disclosed improves the prior art of hand held ball collection, storage and carrying devices by incorporating an adjustable push-button controlled telescopic handle with altering up and down height positions, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

The adjustable handle's attached telescoping leg movement is controlled by pressing attached handle button (FIG. 4). When handle button is pressed all telescopic leg stages are unlocked from the static locked position allowing leg(s) to be pulled, extended up (FIG. 6) or pushed, contracted down (FIG. 5) thereby raising or lowering handle to desired use position. Not pressing handle button will auto-lock telescopic legs at each subsequent leg height stage position.

When in the extended locked position, the handle aids ball collection process providing pick-up ease by lowering the need to bend back (FIG. 7C). In addition, handle also acts as lift and guide of device component storage chamber (FIG. 7A) allowing user to pickup device storage chamber and move it towards visually selected balls for collection. Body of device is then positioned over selected ball (FIG. 7B) where handle is used to exert downward force pressure on ball to engage ball for collection into device storage chamber through bottom entry port of device.

The down locked handle position secures balls in devices body frame chamber for easy transport between home, vehicle and the courts (FIG. 8). While in lowered locked down position, balls and contents of frame chamber are locked in device and will not fall out regardless of device position.

The disclosed invention thereby provides a more efficient and less physically stressful method of picking up and collecting sports balls into hand held ball collection, storage and transport devices. This valued added component feature aids the the ball collection process by providing ease of use and quick alternation between device collection (handle up) and device storage-carry (handle down).

It is understood that the disclosure can be affixed to multiple variations and combinations of hand held prior art embodiments which may 1) have a varying plurality of frame chamber walls which make up the interior storage space chamber and device frame, 2) be of varying types and combinations of materials and 3) of varying shapes and sizes.

The presented prior art improvement of handle component system embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of invention. Handle and handle legs can have different shapes and dimensions such as circular or trapezoidal. Dependent on size of device and needed device handle height there can be 2 or more telescopic leg stages of the same or different leg stage lengths. Device can also have one or two legs dependent upon needed balance carry support for a specific number of balls.

Handle and handle components cab be constructed of a combination of commonly known lightweight metal, plastic and/or ceramic materials such that are commonly used for ball caddies, hoppers, luggage and sports carriage equipment today.

Claims

1. A ball collection, storage and transporting device consisting of: an attached handle with telescopic legs and handle button which when pressed controls the unlocking of telescopic legs which allows for handle movement from alternating up and down locked positions.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein handle's telescopic leg has at least two telescopic leg stages facilitating the handles alternate up extended position and down contracted position.

3. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein handle has one or two attached telescopic legs that facilitates the handles alternate up extended position and down contracted position.