Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6834776
-
Patent Number
6,834,776
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Date Filed
Saturday, July 6, 200222 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, December 28, 200420 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
-
CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 221 9
- 221 13
- 221 92
- 221 174
- 221 192
- 221 191
- 221 253
- 221 277
- 473 474
- 473 460
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International Classifications
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Abstract
The present invention 10 discloses a tennis ball retrieving apparatus wherein the tennis balls 16 roll into the gutter portion 18 of the device and an electronically controlled and powered paddle 24 moves them into a ball conveyor system 26 that dispenses the balls into a ball hopper 20. The gutter portion consists of three sections and are connected to each other by pins. A front ball stationary plate 30 which does not rotate with the conveyor wheel 54 prevents the tennis balls 16 from falling out the front side of the conveyor wheel 54 until the wheel rotates clockwise and brings the ball upward to an opening within the rear stationary plate 31 where the ball is free to fall into the ball hopper chute 32 and into the hopper 20. A digital sensor triggers the digital ball counter 34 to count the balls as they pass through the opening. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein the balls 16 move through the gutter 18 via gravity.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tennis ball retrieving apparatus and, more specifically, to a lightweight, easy to transport and store tennis aid apparatus. The device of the present invention is designed to collect tennis balls and dispense them to a ball hopper. The device can be placed in the backcourt against a fence. The tennis balls roll into the gutter portion of the device and an electronically controlled paddle moves from left to right and loads one ball at a time into a conveyor system that dispenses the balls into a ball hopper.
The gutter portion of the device consists of three attaching pieces. Each piece has pins located at one distal end and mating holes at the other distal end. Each gutter section is connected to the next by the pins coupling to the provided mating hole of the next gutter portion. When the tennis balls accumulate within the gutter, an electronically controlled paddle and paddle guide moves from left to right riding within a track. As the paddle moves, it pushes the tennis balls along the track to a conveyor wheel. One ball at a time is loaded into a catch pocket within the conveyor wheel housing and conveyed upward to a shoot where the ball falls freely through an opening within the stationary plate and down the shoot into the ball hopper. When all the balls are loaded, the guide portion of the paddle hits a guide paddle sensor, the paddle reverses its course until it is time to repeat its motion.
The gutter portion consists of three sections and are connected to each other by pins. An elastic cord connects each section and is used when the gutters are disassembled, folded and stored side by side conveniently. The ball stationary plate does not rotate with the conveyor wheel and remains in a stationary position as the conveyor rotates. It prevents the tennis balls from falling out the opposite end of the conveyor wheel until the wheel brings the ball to an opening within the stationary plate where the ball is free to fall into the ball hopper shoot. A digital sensor counts the balls as they pass through the opening. A ball stop plate, located in the front portion of the conveyor wheel stops the balls from falling out on their way up to the ball hopper shoot.
The paddle motor provides a control panel and an AC/DC adapter. The conveyor motor provides a digital control panel consisting of a counter sensor located above the ball opening of the stationary plate that sends signals to the counter and displays the count on a digital display. An AC/DC adapter is provided as means to power the device.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention discloses a tennis ball retrieving apparatus wherein the tennis balls roll into the gutter portion of the device and an electronically controlled and powered paddle moves them into a ball conveyor system that dispenses the balls into a ball hopper. The gutter portion consists of three sections and are connected to each other by pins. A front ball stationary plate which does not rotate with the conveyor wheel prevents the tennis balls from falling out the front side of the conveyor wheel until the wheel rotates clockwise and brings the ball upward to an opening within the rear stationary plate where the ball is free to fall into the ball hopper chute and into the hopper. A digital sensor triggers the digital ball counter to count the balls as they pass through the opening. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein the balls move through the gutter via gravity.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a device that retrieves tennis balls.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that retrieves tennis balls and is easy to store and transport.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is designed to collect tennis balls and dispense them to a ball hopper.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is designed to collect tennis balls as they roll into the gutter portion of the device and having an electronically controlled paddle that moves from left to right and loads one ball at a time into a conveyor system that dispenses the balls into a ball hopper.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is designed to collect tennis balls that consists in part of a gutter portion that includes three attaching pieces. Each piece having pins located at one distal end and mating holes at the other distal end. Each section of gutter is connected to the next by the pins coupling to the provided mating holes of the next gutter portion. Also having elastic shock cords attached to the end portions of the gutter pieces and allows for the disconnection of the gutter pieces to remain attached to each other and provide for the folding of each section of gutter for storage.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tennis ball collecting device with an electronically controlled paddle and paddle guide within the housing of the gutter that moves from left to right riding within a track. The paddle pushes the tennis balls along the track to a conveyor wheel.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tennis ball-collecting device that also consists of a conveyor wheel. One ball at a time is loaded into a catch pocket within the conveyor wheel housing by the paddle and is conveyed upward to a shoot where the balls fall freely through an opening within the stationary plate and down the shoot into the ball hopper.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a device that retrieves tennis balls and is easy to store and transport. Also a device that is designed to collect tennis balls and dispenses them to a ball hopper. Also to provide a device that is designed to collect tennis balls as they roll into the gutter portion of the device and having an electronically controlled paddle that moves from left to right and loads one ball at a time into a conveyor system that dispenses the balls into a ball hopper. Also device that is designed to collect tennis balls that consists in part of a gutter portion that includes three attaching pieces. Each piece having pins located at one distal end and mating holes at the other distal end. Each section of gutter is connected to the next by the pins coupling to the provided mating holes of the next gutter portion. Also having elastic shock cords attached to the end portions of the gutter pieces and allows for the disconnection of the gutter pieces to remain attached to each other and provide for the folding of each section of gutter for storage. The device also consists of a paddle motor with control panel, a conveyor motor consisting of a digital readout display both having AC/DC adapters.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is an illustrative view of the present invention in use.
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a sectional view of the present invention.
FIG. 5
is a sectional view of the present invention in use.
FIG. 6
is a detail view of the gutter connection of the present invention.
FIG. 7
is a frontal view of the stationary plate of the present invention.
FIG. 8
is a frontal view of the conveyor wheel of the present invention.
FIG. 9
is a detail perspective view of the paddle motor of the present invention.
FIG. 10
is a perspective view of the three-piece gutter assembly in a folded position of the present invention.
FIG. 11
is a frontal view of the digital counter control panel of the present invention.
FIG. 12
is a sectional view of the present invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings
10
present invention
12
backcourt
14
fence
16
balls
18
gutter
20
hopper
22
section of gutter
24
paddle
26
conveyor system
28
elastic cord
30
front stationary plate
31
rear stationary plate
32
chute
34
digital ball counter
36
paddle motor control
38
control panel
40
AC/DC adapter
42
conveyor motor
44
battery pack
46
paddle guide
48
track
50
gutter junction
52
relay
54
conveyor wheel
56
chute counter sensor
58
cavity
60
pivot point
62
threaded shaft
64
conveyor motor AC/DC adapter
66
conveyor motor battery pack
68
pin
70
opening
72
center lock
74
threaded hole
76
electrical track adapter
78
timer
80
AC/DC switch
82
on/off switch
84
track support ring
86
digital display
88
timer set knob
90
sensor
92
lip
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and at least one variation of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims.
Turning to
FIG. 1
, shown therein is an illustrative view of the present invention
10
in use. The present invention
10
is a lightweight, easy to transport and store tennis aid apparatus which is designed to collect tennis balls and deposit them in a ball hopper. The present invention
10
can be placed in the backcourt
12
against a fence
14
extending substantially across the tennis court. The tennis balls
16
are directed under a force to the gutter
18
having a lip for preventing the balls from rolling back out. The collection hopper
20
has a sensor for triggering an electrically controlled paddle located at the other distal end of the gutter causing the paddle to drive the balls toward the hopper. The balls are singularly fed into a conveyor that raises the balls to a height above the hopper where gravity will convey the balls into the hopper.
Turning to
FIG. 2
, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention
10
in use. The gutter portion
18
of the device of the present invention consists of three separate connecting sections or pieces
22
. Each piece
22
has pins located at one distal end and mating holes at the other distal end. Each gutter section
22
is connected to the next by the pins coupling to the provided mating holes of the opposing gutter section
22
. The tennis balls
16
roll by force into the gutter portion
18
of the device and an electronically controlled paddle
24
moves from left to right and loads one ball at a time into a ball conveyor system
26
that dispenses the balls into a ball hopper
20
. The gutter portion consists of three sections and are connected to each other by pins. An elastic cord
28
connects each section and is used when the gutters are disassembled, folded and stored side by side conveniently. The front ball stationary plate
30
does not rotate with the conveyor wheel
54
and remains in a stationary position as the conveyor rotates. It prevents the tennis balls
16
from falling out the front side of the conveyor wheel while the wheel rotates clockwise and brings the ball upward to an opening within the rear stationary plate
31
where the ball is free to fall into the ball hopper chute
32
. A digital sensor triggers the digital ball counter
34
to count the balls as they pass through the opening. The paddle motor control
36
provides a control panel
38
and an AC/DC adapter
40
. The paddle motor is a conventional linear motor means embedded in the conventional manner into the gutter sections
22
to permit the paddle
24
to be moved linearly along the gutter
18
. The ball conveyor motor
42
provides another digital control panel consisting of a counter sensor located above the ball opening of the rear stationary plate
31
that sends signals to the counter
34
and displays the count on a digital display. Also shown are a motor battery pack
44
, a paddle guide
46
, a track
48
, gutter junctions
50
and a relay
52
.
Turning to
FIG. 3
, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention
10
in use. When tennis balls
16
accumulate within the gutter
18
, an electronically controlled paddle
24
and paddle guide
46
moves from one distal end to the other riding within a track. As the paddle
24
moves, it pushes the tennis balls
16
along the track to a conveyor wheel
54
. One ball
16
at a time is loaded into a catch pocket or cavity
58
within the conveyor wheel
54
housing and conveyed clockwise upward to an opening in a chute
32
where the ball falls freely through an opening within the stationary plate
31
and down the chute
32
into the ball hopper
20
. Also shown are the sensor relay
52
, conveyor motor
42
and digital ball counter
34
. Also shown are the front
30
and rear
31
stationary plates.
Turning to
FIG. 4
, shown therein is a sectional view of the present invention
10
. The present invention is designed to collect tennis balls
16
and deposit them in a ball hopper
20
. The tennis balls
16
roll into a multiple piece gutter
18
and an electronically controlled and operated paddle
24
and guide
46
moves them towards the ball hopper
20
. The rotating conveyor wheel
54
having a plurality of cavities
58
therein carries the balls one at a time to an adjustable hinged conduit or chute
32
whereby when the conveyer aperture or cavity aligns with the aperture of the conduit
32
the ball
16
is moved by gravity into the ball hopper
20
. The paddle motor control
36
provides a control panel
38
and an AC/DC adapter
40
. The ball conveyor motor
42
provides another digital control panel consisting of a counter sensor
56
located above the ball opening of the rear stationary plate
31
that sends signals to the counter
34
and displays the count on a digital display and, an AC/DC adapter is provided as means to power the device which also has a battery pack
66
. Also shown are a pivot point
60
, and a threaded shaft
62
. Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.
Turning to
FIG. 5
, shown therein is a sectional view of the present invention
10
in use. The paddle
24
moves from one distal end of the gutter
18
to the other driving the balls
16
to the cavities
58
within the conveyor wheel
54
which will transport them one at a time to the open end of a chute
32
for transfer to a ball hopper
20
. When the guide
46
portion of the paddle
24
hits the guide paddle sensor
52
, the paddle reverses its course until it is time to repeat its motion. Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.
Turning to
FIG. 6
, shown therein is a detail view of the gutter connection of the present invention. The gutter portion, having a lip
92
for retaining the tennis balls therein, consists of three sections
22
connected to each other by pins
68
. A strap
28
connects each section
22
and is used when the gutters are disassembled, folded and stored side by side conveniently. Track
48
is also shown.
Turning to
FIG. 7
, shown therein is a frontal view of the rear stationary plate
31
of the present invention
10
. The stationary plate
31
with center locking means
72
does not rotate with the wheel conveyor and remains in a stationary position as the conveyor rotates. Plate
31
prevents the tennis balls from falling out the back end of the conveyor wheel until the wheel brings the ball to an opening
70
within the stationary plate
31
where the ball is free to fall into the ball hopper chute. A digital sensor
56
counts the balls as they pass through the opening.
Turning to
FIG. 8
, shown therein is a frontal view of the conveyor wheel
54
of the present invention showing the tennis ball pockets or cavities
58
into which the tennis balls are loaded. Also shown are the front stationary plate
30
, digital sensor
56
and threaded shaft hole
74
whereby the wheel
54
rotates.
Turning to
FIG. 9
, shown therein is a detail perspective view of the paddle motor control
36
of the present invention. Shown above is a detail view of the paddle motor control
36
consisting of a control panel and power pack
44
with AC/DC adapter
40
. Also shown is the electrical track adapter
76
, a timer
78
, AC/DC switch
80
, and power on/off switch
82
.
Turning to
FIG. 10
, shown therein is a perspective view of the three-piece gutter
22
assembly in a folded position of the present invention. Elastic shock cords
28
are attached to the end portions of the gutter pieces
22
and allow for the unplugging of the gutter pieces so that they remain connected to each other and allow for the folding of each portion of the gutter for storage. The track
48
and track support ring
84
is also shown.
Turning to
FIG. 11
, shown therein is a frontal view of the digital counter control panel of the present invention. A counter sensor located above the ball opening of the stationary plate sends signals to the counter and displays the count on a digital display
86
. An AC/DC adapter is divided as means of power source. Also shown are the conveyor motor
42
, AC/DC switch
80
, power on/off switch
82
, and timer set knob
88
.
Turning to
FIG. 12
, shown therein is an alternative embodiment of the present invention
10
similar to FIG.
4
. In this embodiment the balls
16
roll by force into the gutter
18
and are gravity fed downwardly toward the conveyor system
26
end where a selectively positioned sensor
90
activates the ball conveyor system
26
upon accumulation of a predetermined number of balls
16
in the gutter
18
. Other elements of this embodiment are similar to those previously described. Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.
Claims
- 1. An apparatus for collecting, counting and storing tennis balls for use in conjunction with a tennis court, comprising:a) means for a gutter disposed across the end of the tennis court whereby the balls are collected therein, said means for a gutter having a first and a second end; b) means for moving balls through said means for a gutter whereby the balls are moved from said first end to said second end of said means for a gutter; c) a ball hopper disposed on said second end of said means for a gutter; d) means for a ball conveyor system disposed on said second end of said means for a gutter whereby the balls are conveyed from said means for a gutter to a means for a chute; and, e) means for a chute whereby balls are conveyed by gravity to said ball hopper from said means for a ball conveyor system, wherein said means for a gutter comprises: 1) a plurality of sections of gutter; 2) means for joining said sections together; 3) a plurality of elastic cords joining the ends of said sections together to permit the sections to be stored; 4) a track to assist in operating said means for moving balls through said gutter, said track being longitudinally disposed along said gutter; and, 5) a lip disposed on said gutter to permit the balls to be retained in said gutter.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for joining said sections together further comprise said gutter section ends having a plurality of holes therein, further said gutter section ends having a plurality of pins disposed thereon, said holes for receiving said pins to permit said sections to be joined together.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for moving balls through said means for a gutter comprises:a) a paddle disposed in said gutter wherein said paddle pushes the balls through said gutter, said paddle having a paddle guide thereon which guide moves within said track of said gutter; b) a linear motor disposed within said gutter to permit said paddle to be moved along said gutter; and, c) a control for said linear motor to permit the controlled operation of said linear motor.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said control for said linear motor further comprises a track adapter to permit connection to said track, a battery power supply, an AC/DC adapter to permit an AC power supply, a timer to permit selective operation of said linear motor, and a power on/off switch to permit control of said linear motor.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means for a ball conveyor system comprises:a) a conveyor wheel, said conveyor wheel having a plurality of cavities therein, said cavities each for receiving a tennis ball, said wheel having a front and rear side; b) a conveyor motor for rotating said conveyor wheel; c) a control for said conveyor motor; d) means for a front stationary plate disposed on said front of said conveyor wheel whereby balls are maintained within the ball cavities as the ball cavities are rotated toward the means for a chute; and, e) means for a rear stationary plate disposed on said rear of said conveyor wheel whereby balls are maintained within the ball cavities as the cavities are rotated toward the means for a chute.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said conveyor wheel is generally upright standing, wherein said wheel turns clockwise, wherein said wheel rotates in a vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of said gutter, wherein said wheel turns about a central shaft disposed therein, said shaft being connected to said conveyor motor.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for a front stationary plate comprises a front plate which covers about one-half of the face of said conveyor wheel.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for a rear stationary plate comprises a rear plate having a hole therein.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said control for said conveyor motor further comprises a digital display to permit an indication of the number of balls conveyed, a battery power supply, an AC/DC adapter to permit an AC power supply, an AC/DC switch to permit a selection of either a battery or AC power supply, a timer to permit selective operation of said conveyor motor, and a power on/off switch to permit control of said conveyor motor.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for a chute comprises a chute extending from said hole in said rear stationary plate to said ball hopper to permit a tennis ball to pass therethrough.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a paddle guide sensor disposed on said second end of said gutter to permit the paddle to be sensed and reversed back to the first end of the gutter in order to repeat the operation of the paddle.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a ball sensor disposed in the hole of said rear stationary plate to permit the ball to be sensed and counted by the digital display on the conveyor motor.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first end of said gutter is higher than said second end to permit gravity to move the tennis balls from said first end to said second end of said gutter.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
3203696 |
Sawyer |
Aug 1965 |
A |
5125654 |
Bruno |
Jun 1992 |
A |