US4004806A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for collecting balls
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-06-26
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Granted: 1977-01-25
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Expires: 1995-06-26
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an apparatus for collecting balls from a playing area, preferably tennis balls, comprising a channel surrounding at least a portion of the playing area for receiving balls rolling out of the playing area, a device of relatively high weight in comparison to one of the balls, adapted for rolling transport in the channel, such as a steel ball or roller, means for driving the rolling device along in the channel in order to pick up balls received in the channel, a collecting device for the balls which are picked up, and preferably, a device for propelling the balls back into the playing area.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanislaus Malik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:20
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/38; A63B47/00; A63B47/02; A63B47/025; A63B49/00; A63B49/02; A63B49/08; A63B60/00; A63B60/06; A63B60/16; A63B69/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for collecting balls from a playing area, comprising a. a channel surrounding at least a portion of said playing area for receiving balls rolling out of said playing area; b. a device of relatively high weight in comparison to a ball normally used in conventional ball games, said device being capable of rolling transport in said channel; c. means for driving said rolling device along in said channel, whereby balls received in said channel will also be driven therealong; and d. means for collecting said driven balls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for collecting balls from a playing area, comprising a. a channel surrounding at least a portion of said playing area for receiving balls rolling out of said playing area; b. a device of relatively high weight in comparison to a ball normally used in conventional ball games, said device being capable of rolling transport in said channel; c. means for driving said rolling device along in said channel, whereby balls received in said channel will also be driven therealong; and d. means for collecting said driven balls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises a flexible tube positioned in said channel and means for selectively inflating said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said channel comprises a concave upper surface for travel of said rolling device and a recess below said concave surface adapted for receiving said tube, said recess being dimensioned so that the tube is pressed closed by said rolling device resting on said concave surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein said recess opens into said concave surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein there is a layer of elastic material between said channel and said recess and said recess opens toward the underside of said channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said channel comprises an elongated section not containing said tube, said tube terminating at each end position of said section and said apparatus further comprises means attached to each end of said tube at opposite ends of said elongated section for selectively inflating and deflating said tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said ball collecting means comprises at least one ball deposit location and means for transferring balls from said channel to said deposit location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 7, wherein said ball transferring means comprises an opening in one side wall of said channel and means for forcing balls being driven along said channel out through said opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 8, wherein said ball forcing means comprises an elastic member positioned obliquely across said channel from the forward side of said opening, in the ball movement direction, rearwardly to the opposite side of the channel, said elastic member having a degree of elasticity and a position within said channel sufficient to force said balls out of said channel but insufficient to disturb movement of said rolling device in said channel
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 7, wherein said apparatus further comprises means selectively operable for propelling collected balls in the direction of said playing area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 10, wherein said ball deposit location comprises an indentation, and said ball propelling means is positioned in said indentation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 11, wherein said ball propelling means comprises a ball propelling element, a piston connected to said propelling element and means for actuating said piston with air pressure in the direction of said playing area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 10, further comprising means positioned remotely from said propelling means for controlling selective operation of said propelling means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein said control means comprises a switching mechanism connected to said propelling means by electrical conductors and positioned near the boundary of said playing area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein said control means comprises a radio activatable switching mechanism associated with said propelling means and a portable radio transmitter for activating said switching mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 15, wherein said radio transmitter is located in the handgrip of a ball playing racket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 16, wherein said racket comprises an elastic cap on said handgrip and a pressure actuating pin connected to said cap and to said transmitter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 16, further comprising an antenna for said transmitter in the form of a loop passing around the outside of the racket frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said rolling device is spherical.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said rolling device comprises a traveling carriage having rollers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 20, wherein said traveling carriage is adapted for receiving extra weights.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said balls are tennis balls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-25 | 1980-07-26 | 1981-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-25 | 1984-07-26 | 1985-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-25 | 1988-07-26 | 1989-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |