초록 ▼

The ball retrieval and storage device includes a container having a hollow interior for storing a substantial number of tennis balls. At least a portion of the container bottom is formed by one or more movable rod members which are movable to allow the balls to enter through the bottom of the contai

The ball retrieval and storage device includes a container having a hollow interior for storing a substantial number of tennis balls. At least a portion of the container bottom is formed by one or more movable rod members which are movable to allow the balls to enter through the bottom of the container. A user can retrieve a ball lying on the ground by forcing the bottom of the container down over the top of the ball. The ball engages the movable rod member and moves it slightly upwardly which allows the ball to enter the container as the container is progressively forced down over the top of the ball compressing the ball. The movable rod members are formed of a material having an elastic memory such that for use over time, the movable rod members will not permanently deform so as to decrease the efficacy of the ball retrieval and storage device.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A ball retrieval and storage device comprising:a basket having opposing front wall and rear wall and two opposing side walls interconnected with said front and rear walls; rotatable handle members secured to two opposing walls, said handle members rotatable from a handle orientation to a stand or

1. A ball retrieval and storage device comprising:a basket having opposing front wall and rear wall and two opposing side walls interconnected with said front and rear walls; rotatable handle members secured to two opposing walls, said handle members rotatable from a handle orientation to a stand orientation; a bottom wall comprised of a plurality of rod members including first fixed rod members and second, solid, non-hollow, displaceable rod members extending between opposing side walls or between opposing front wall and rear wall, said second, solid, non-hollow, displaceable rod members having a first end and a second end, said first and second ends disposed between a vertically divergent channel formed by said opposing side walls or opposing rear wall and front wall, said first and second ends of said second, solid, non-hollow, displaceable rod members having a securing means affixed to said first and second ends to maintain said rod members in said channel, said second, solid, non-hollow, displaceable rod members movable from a lower portion of said channel to an upper portion of said channel under the influence of downward pressure on a ball having an equator to be retrieved, said second, solid, non-hollow, displaceable rod members returning to said lower portion of said channel after said equator of said ball has passed there between, said second, solid, non-hollow, displaceable rod members formed of a material having elastic memory allowing said second, solid, non-hollow, displaceable rod members to deform slightly under the influence of said ball to be retrieved and to return to an original undeformed state. 2. A ball retrieval and storage device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said front wall, rear wall, and opposing side walls are of mesh construction having a plurality of intersecting horizontal and vertical rod members.3. The ball retrieval and storage device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said vertical divergent channel is defined by said horizontal rod of said mesh construction and a pair of said vertical rod members of said mesh construction intersecting with said horizontal rod member and in vertical divergent orientation.4. The ball retrieval and storage device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bottom wall is formed by two first fixed rod members on an outer periphery of said bottom wall and a plurality of second, solid, non-hollow, displaceable rod members disposed in parallel relationship there between.5. The ball retrieval and storage device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second, solid, non-hollow, displaceable rod members are formed of an elastic memory material from the group comprising polycarbonate, nylon, fiberglass, ABS, polypropylene and polyethylene.