SPORT EQUIPMENT ATTACHMENT

Abstract

A sports racquet attachment includes a shaped body for attachment to a portion of a racquet. The ball retrieval racquet attachment has a pick-up cup at an end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment and a butt cap opening at another end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment. The pick-up cap has at least one ball finger interior to the pick-up cup. The butt cap opening has at least one butt cap stopper interior to the butt cap.

Description

BACKGROUND

In the field of sports equipment, there are many sports which use a racquet for gameplay, such as tennis, racquetball, squash, table tennis, pickleball and badminton. During gameplay, the racquet is used to strike an object such as a ball, e.g., a tennis ball, a racquet ball, or the like.

Before, during, or after gameplay, the balls used are collected, e.g., by a player of the sport. Often, the player needs to traverse the gameplay area or court and collect the balls. In some instances, the player stoops, kneels, or otherwise bends down to pick up and collect a ball. If multiple balls are used, the player needs to frequently bend down to collect balls. If the player is not in shape, elderly, disabled, or handicapped, or otherwise unable to stoop, kneel, or otherwise bend over easily, picking up one or more balls may be difficult or time-consuming.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of a racquet attachment, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the racquet attachment and tennis racquet, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the racquet attachment and tennis ball, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the racquet attachment with an engaged tennis ball, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are perspective views of a ball retrieval attachment, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a racket attachment, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a racket attachment, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a racket attachment, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a racket attachment rib, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a racket attachment, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a racket attachment, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a racket attachment, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components, values, operations, materials, arrangements, or the like, are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Other components, values, operations, materials, arrangements, or the like, are contemplated. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

In at least one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a sports racquet attachment. The racquet attachment comprises a ball retrieval racquet attachment for attachment to a portion of a racquet. The ball retrieval racquet attachment having a pick-up cup at an end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment; and a butt cap opening at another end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment. The pick-up cap has at least one ball finger interior to the pick-up cup, and the butt cap opening has at least one butt cap stopper interior to the butt cap.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a ball retrieval racquet attachment 100 in position to engage a sport racquet 110, in accordance with an embodiment. A standard sport racquet 110 comprises a handle 112 connected to a head 116. Handle 112 has a butt end cap 114 at the end of the handle 112 distal from the head 116. Ball retrieval racquet attachment 100 has a butt cap opening 102 for receiving the butt end cap 114 of the handle 112 of the tennis racquet 110. Butt cap stoppers (not visible) within the but cap opening 102 engage the butt end cap 114 to hold the ball retrieval racquet attachment 100 in place on the end of the racquet handle 112.

In accordance with an embodiment, the ball retrieval racquet attachment 100 attaches to the handle of a tennis racquet 110, by slipping the butt cap opening 102 over the butt cap 114 of the handle 112 of the tennis racquet 110.

Sport racquets of many sizes and shapes may be fitted with a ball retrieval racquet attachment 100. Tennis racquet 110, in accordance with an embodiment, is a standard, e.g., 27 inch-33 inch (27″-33″) tennis racquet. Tennis racquet 110, in accordance with an embodiment, is a youth, e.g., 23″-26″, tennis racquet 110. In at least some embodiments, other types of racquets including racquets designed for racquetball, squash, table tennis, pickleball and badminton are usable in conjunction with the ball retrieval racquet attachment 100.

The length of the racket attachment 100 from the butt cap opening 102 to the pick-up cup 106, in accordance with an embodiment is 2⅝ inches. In some embodiments, the length of the racket attachment 100 is longer or shorter than 2⅝ inches. The length of the pick-up cup 106 from the base of the pick-up cup 106 to the outermost edges of the pick-up cup 106 is 2 inches and the depth of the pick-up cup 106 is 1¼ inches. In some embodiments, the length of the pick-up cup 106 is longer or shorter than 2 inches. In some embodiments the depth of the pick-up cup 106 is greater or lesser than 1¼ inches. The diameter of the pick-up cup 106 is 2⅝ inches. In some embodiments, the diameter of the pick-up cup 106 is greater or lesser than 2⅝ inches. The size of the racket attachment 100, butt cap opening 102 and pick-up cup 106, in accordance with various embodiments, is appropriate to the size of the ball and racket.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ball retrieval racquet attachment 200, in accordance with some embodiments. The ball retrieval racquet attachment 200 has a generally flared cylindrical shape. One end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment 200 is cylindrical and forms a butt cap opening 202 for receiving the end of a racquet handle (seen in FIG. 1) at least partially therein. The butt cap opening has a circumference of about 4 to 5 inches, sized particularly to fit specific rackets and racket handle sizes. In accordance with an embodiment, the thickness of the plastic forming the butt cap opening 202 slopes toward the opening so that the join between the butt cap opening 202 and the racquet handle (seen in FIG. 1) is minimized, so that grip tape (not shown) can extend smoothly over the plastic and a player holding the racquet handle is not impacted by an abruptly raised edge.

In the interior of the butt cap opening 202 is a butt cap stopper 204. The butt cap stopper 204 is an arc-shaped protrusion about ⅝″ in width, extending inward about ⅜″ from the interior sidewall of the ball retrieval racquet attachment 200. The butt cap stopper 204 is located near the bottom of the butt cap opening 202, to engage the butt cap of the handle by holding the butt cap against the bottom of the butt cap opening 202. In at least some embodiments, the butt cap opening 202 includes at least three butt cap stoppers 204. In at least some embodiments, the ball retrieval racquet attachment 200 includes a greater or fewer number of butt cap stoppers 204. In at least some embodiments, the butt cap stoppers 204 are arranged equidistant around the inner perimeter of the butt cap opening 202. In at least some embodiments, the butt cap stoppers 204 are arranged such that at least one pair of stoppers are closer together than the remaining stoppers around the perimeter of opening 202.

The ball retrieval racquet attachment 200 also has a pick-up cup 206. The pick-up cup 206 is semi-spherical and include one or more intruding strips of plastic that form ball fingers 208 in a sidewall that extend toward the interior of the pick-up cup 206. The pick-up cup 206 has a diameter of 1¾″ to pick up regulation sized tennis balls. The pick-up cup 206 has a diameter of 1½″ to pick up junior sized tennis balls. The ball fingers 208 are formed from the plastic of the pick-up cup 206, in ⅛″×⅛″ squares, creating windows in the pick-up cup 206, in some embodiments. In at least some embodiments, the pick-up cup 206 includes at least three ball fingers 208. In at least some embodiments, the pick-up cup 206 includes a greater or fewer number of ball fingers 208. In at least some embodiments, the ball fingers 208 are arranged equidistant around the perimeter of the pick-up cup 206. In at least some embodiments, the ball fingers 208 are arranged such that at least one pair of fingers are closer together than the remaining fingers around the perimeter of cup 206.

In accordance with an embodiment, the ball retrieval racquet attachment 200 is made of plastic such as thermoplastic olefin (TPO) injectable molded plastic, with a TPO Durometer of 90A. In at least some embodiments, different hardness rating plastics are usable. In at least some embodiments, different flexible materials are usable for ball retrieval racquet attachment 200. The ball retrieval racquet attachment 200 is formed in one piece. In at least some embodiments, the ball retrieval racquet attachment 200 is formed by connecting more than one piece together.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a ball retrieval racquet attachment 300 on a tennis racquet handle 312, engaging a tennis ball 318 for retrieval, in accordance with some embodiments.

A ball retrieval racquet attachment 300, in accordance with an embodiment, is a sport accessory that fits on an end of a handle 312 of sports equipment such as a tennis racquet 110 and is used to pick up a spherical object 318 like a regulation tennis ball. In some embodiments, the spherical object is a tennis ball such as a Red Dot Tennis Ball, an Orange Dot Tennis Ball or a Green Dot Tennis Ball, a racquetball, or any similar sport ball.

The ball 318 is picked up by a player using a ball retrieval racquet attachment 300 fit onto racquet handle 312. The player holds the racquet by the racquet head 216, lines up the tennis ball 318 resting on the ground with the pick-up cup 306 and presses with medium firmness onto the tennis ball 318. The ball fingers 308 inside the pick-up cup 306 contact and grip the felt of the exterior of the tennis ball 318. The player then lifts the racquet and removes the ball 318 from the ball retrieval racquet attachment 300.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a ball retrieval racquet attachment 400 on a tennis racquet handle 412 with an engaged tennis ball 418, in accordance with some embodiments. Though not labelled, the ball fingers 308 engage at locations on ball 418 to retain the ball.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are perspective views of a ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 (corresponding to ball retrieval racquet attachment 300 (FIG. 3)), in accordance with some embodiments. The ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 includes a butt cap opening 502 and three butt cap stoppers 504 spaced equidistantly within the butt cap opening 502. The ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 includes a pick-up cup 506 with three ball fingers 508 (corresponding to ball fingers 308 (FIG. 3)), spaced equidistantly within the pick-up cup 506.

In at least one embodiment, a sports equipment attachment for a racquet comprises a ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 for attachment to a portion of a racquet, such as tennis racquet 110, the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 having: a pick-up cup 506 and a butt cap opening 502. The pick-up cup 506 has at least one ball finger 508 interior to the pick-up cup 506, and the butt cap opening 502 has at least one butt cap stopper 504 interior to the butt cap opening 502.

The at least one ball finger 508 interior to the pick-up cup 506 is three ball fingers 508. The at least one butt cap stopper 504 is three butt cap stoppers 504. The ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 is configured for attachment to an end of the racquet 110. The pick-up cup 506 is circular in cross-section. The butt cap opening 502 is circular in cross-section. The at least one ball finger 508 protrudes into the interior of the pick-up cup 506. The at least one butt cap stopper 504 protrudes into the interior of the butt cap opening 502. The pick-up cup 506 has a diameter and the butt cap opening 502 has a diameter smaller than the pick-up cup diameter. The at least one butt cap stopper 504 is a curved portion of the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 protruding from an interior sidewall of the ball retrieval racquet attachment.

In at least one embodiment where a racquet attachment comprises a ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 having a pick-up cup 506 at one end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 and a butt cap opening 502 at another end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500, a method of installing the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 on a racquet 110 comprises sliding the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 onto an end of the racquet 110.

Sliding the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 onto an end of the racquet 110 comprises fitting the end of the racquet 110 into the butt cap opening 502 of the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500.

In at least one embodiment where a racquet attachment comprises a ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 having a pick-up cup 506 at one end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 and a butt cap opening 502 at another end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment, a method of using the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 attached on the racquet 110 comprises pressing the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 onto a ball 318.

Pressing the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500 onto a ball 318 comprises pressing the pick-up cup 506 onto the ball 318. The pick-up cup 506 has at least one ball finger 508 interior to the pick-up cup 506, and wherein pressing the pick-up cup 506 onto the ball 318 comprises causing the at least one ball finger 508 to be friction fit against the ball 318 sufficient to retain the ball 318 with respect to the pick-up cup 506. The pressing the pick-up cup 506 onto the ball 318 comprises causing the at least one ball finger 508 to deflect toward an exterior of the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500. In an embodiment, the pick-up cup 506 has at least two ball fingers 508 interior to the pick-up cup 506, and wherein pressing the pick-up cup 506 onto the ball 318 comprises causing the at least two ball fingers 308 to be friction fit against the ball 318 sufficient to retain the ball 318 between the at least two ball fingers 308. The method further comprises gripping the racquet 110 at an end away from the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500. In an embodiment, the method further comprises aligning the pick-up cup 506 with the ball 318. The method further comprises removing the ball 318 from the ball retrieval racquet attachment 500.

The racket attachment holds the ball by compression. The material that the racket attachment is made from expands when pressed onto the ball; the flex, the expansion holds the ball and the ball is easily be removed.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a racket attachment 600, in accordance with some embodiments. The racket attachment 600 includes a butt cap opening 602 which engages a racket handle 612 to attach the racket attachment 600 to the racket handle 612. A pick-up cup 606 has ball fingers 608 to engage a ball 622. Score/service dials 618 are used in conjunction with scores 620 printed on the racket attachment so that the score/service dials 618 can be rotated around the racket attachment to mark the score of a game. As shown in FIG. 6, an uppermost dial corresponds to an indication of which team/player (i.e., “1” or “2”) is currently serving during the game, a middle dial corresponds to an indication of the current score of a first team/player (e.g., “1”), and a lowermost dial corresponds to an indication of the current score of a second team/player (e.g., “2”). In some embodiments, different numbers of dials are usable for different sports and/or games.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the racket attachment 700, in accordance with an embodiment. Positioned around the circumference of the butt cap opening 702 of the racket attachment 700 are raised ribs 720. In at least one embodiment, there are two sets of raised ribs 720 positioned on opposite sides of the circumference of butt cap opening 702. In some embodiments, there are more or less sets of raised ribs 720 around the circumference of the butt cap opening 702.

The raised ribs 720 strengthen the friction fit of the butt cap opening 702 against the racket handle 716 and removably secure the racket attachment 700 to the racket handle 716. As shown, three raised ribs 720 are positioned on one side of the butt cap opening 702 and another three raised ribs 720 are positioned on the opposite side of the butt cap opening 702. The number of raised ribs 720, in accordance with various embodiments, are more than three or less than three. The raised ribs 720 are positioned and extend parallel to the inserted racket handle 716. In accordance with other embodiments, the raised ribs 720 are positioned at a different angle.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a racket attachment 800 (corresponding to racket attachment 700 (FIG. 7)), in accordance with an embodiment. As in FIG. 7, raised ribs 820 are positioned around the circumference of a butt cap opening 802 to secure a racket handle 816 within the butt cap opening 802.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the racket attachment 900 (corresponding to racket attachment 700 (FIG. 7)), in accordance with an embodiment. A butt cap opening 902 has raised ribs 920 on opposite ends. A reclosable fastener 922, such as a Dual-Lock Strip® or Velcro®, is attached to the bottom of the butt cap opening 902. A matching reclosable fastener piece is attached to the butt cap of a racket handle, such as handle 116, so that when the handle is inserted into the butt cap opening 902, the reclosable fastener 922 fastens to the handle.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the racket attachment 1000 (corresponding to racket attachment 700 (FIG. 7)), in accordance with an embodiment. The racket attachment 1000 engages and secures a racket handle 1016 in a butt cap opening 1002 with raised ribs 1020. A pick-up cup 1006 engages and holds a pickleball 1018.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the racket attachment 1100 (corresponding to racket attachment 700 (FIG. 7)), in accordance with an embodiment. A butt cap opening 1102 has two sets of three raised ribs 1120 on the sides of the butt cap opening 1102 and a removable fastener 1122 at the bottom of the butt cap opening 1102. A score/service dial 1118 is fitted around the butt cap opening 1102.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the racket attachment 1200 (corresponding to racket attachment 700 (FIG. 7)), in accordance with an embodiment. A butt cap opening 1202 has raised ridges 1220 at opposite interior walls of the butt cap opening 1202. A removable fastener 1222 is attached at the bottom of the butt cap opening 1202. Score/service dials 1218 ring the racket attachment 1200 and are movable to indicate service and/or game scores. A pick-up cup 1206 is positioned opposite the butt cap opening 1202 of the racket attachment 1200.

In an aspect, the disclosure relates to a sports racquet attachment. The racquet attachment comprises a ball retrieval racquet attachment for attachment to a portion of a racquet. The ball retrieval racquet attachment having a pick-up cup at an end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment; and a butt cap opening at another end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment. The pick-up cap has at least one ball finger interior to the pick-up cup, and the butt cap opening has at least one butt cap stopper interior to the butt cap.

In at least one embodiment, the at least one ball finger interior to the pick-up cup is three ball fingers. In at least one embodiment, the at least one butt cap stopper is three butt cap stoppers. In at least one embodiment, the ball retrieval racquet attachment is configured for attachment to an end of the racquet. In at least one embodiment, the pick-up cup is circular in cross-section. In at least one embodiment, the butt cap opening is circular in cross-section. In at least one embodiment, the at least one ball finger protrudes into the interior of the pick-up cap. In at least one embodiment, the at least one butt cap stopper protrudes into the interior of the butt cap opening. In at least one embodiment, the pick-up cup has a diameter and the butt cap opening has a diameter smaller than the pick-up cup diameter. In at least one embodiment, the at least one butt cap stopper is a curved portion of the body protruding from an interior sidewall of the ball retrieval racquet attachment.

In another aspect, a method of installing a sports racquet attachment on a racquet includes a ball retrieval racquet attachment having a pick-up cup at one end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment and a butt cap opening at another end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment. The method comprises sliding the racquet attachment onto an end of the racquet.

In at least one embodiment, the sliding the racquet attachment onto an end of the racquet comprises fitting the end of the racquet into the butt cap opening of the racquet attachment.

In another aspect, a method of using a sports racquet attachment attached on a racquet includes a racquet attachment comprising a ball retrieval racquet attachment having a pick-up cup at one end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment and a butt cap opening at another end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment. The method comprises pressing the racquet attachment onto a ball.

In at least one embodiment, pressing the racquet attachment onto a ball comprises pressing the pick-up cup onto the ball.

In at least one embodiment, the pick-up cup has at least one ball finger interior to the pick-up cup, and wherein pressing the pick-up cup onto the ball comprises causing the at least one ball finger to be friction fit against the ball sufficient to retain the ball with respect to the pick-up cup. In at least one embodiment, the pressing the pick-up cup onto the ball comprises causing the at least one ball finger to deflect toward an exterior of the body. In at least one embodiment, the pick-up cup has at least two ball fingers interior to the pick-up cup, and wherein pressing the pick-up cup onto the ball comprises causing the at least two ball fingers to be friction fit against the ball sufficient to retain the ball between the at least two ball fingers. In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises gripping the racquet at an end away from the racquet attachment. In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises aligning the pick-up cup with the ball. In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises removing the ball from the racquet attachment.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A sports racquet attachment, the racquet attachment comprising: a ball retrieval racquet attachment for attachment to a portion of a racquet, the ball retrieval racquet attachment having: a pick-up cup at an end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment; anda butt cap opening at another end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment,wherein the pick-up cap has at least one ball finger interior to the pick-up cup, andwherein the butt cap opening has at least one butt cap stopper interior to the butt cap.

2. The sports racquet attachment of claim 1, wherein the at least one ball finger interior to the pick-up cup is three ball fingers.

3. The sports racquet attachment of claim 1, wherein the at least one butt cap stopper is three butt cap stoppers.

4. The sports racquet attachment of claim 1, wherein the ball retrieval racquet attachment is configured for attachment to an end of the racquet.

5. The sports racquet attachment of claim 1, wherein the pick-up cup is circular in cross-section.

6. The sports racquet attachment of claim 1, wherein the butt cap opening is circular in cross-section.

7. The sports racquet attachment of claim 1, wherein the at least one ball finger protrudes into the interior of the pick-up cap.

8. The sports racquet attachment of claim 1, wherein the at least one butt cap stopper protrudes into the interior of the butt cap opening.

9. The sports racquet attachment of claim 1, wherein the pick-up cup has a diameter and the butt cap opening has a diameter smaller than the pick-up cup diameter.

10. The sports racquet attachment of claim 1, wherein the at least one butt cap stopper is a curved portion of the body protruding from an interior sidewall of the ball retrieval racquet attachment.

11. A method of installing a sports racquet attachment on a racquet, the racquet attachment comprising a ball retrieval racquet attachment having a pick-up cup at one end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment and a butt cap opening at another end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment, the method comprising: sliding the racquet attachment onto an end of the racquet.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the sliding the racquet attachment onto an end of the racquet comprises fitting the end of the racquet into the butt cap opening of the racquet attachment.

13. A method of using a sports racquet attachment attached on a racquet, the racquet attachment comprising a ball retrieval racquet attachment having a pick-up cup at one end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment and a butt cap opening at another end of the ball retrieval racquet attachment, the method comprising: pressing the racquet attachment onto a ball.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein pressing the racquet attachment onto a ball comprises pressing the pick-up cup onto the ball.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pick-up cup has at least one ball finger interior to the pick-up cup, and wherein pressing the pick-up cup onto the ball comprises causing the at least one ball finger to be friction fit against the ball sufficient to retain the ball with respect to the pick-up cup.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the pressing the pick-up cup onto the ball comprises causing the at least one ball finger to deflect toward an exterior of the body.

17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pick-up cup has at least two ball fingers interior to the pick-up cup, and wherein pressing the pick-up cup onto the ball comprises causing the at least two ball fingers to be friction fit against the ball sufficient to retain the ball between the at least two ball fingers.

18. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising gripping the racquet at an end away from the racquet attachment.

19. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising aligning the pick-up cup with the ball.

20. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising removing the ball from the racquet attachment.