Patent US4575092A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4575092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ball dispenser
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-08-06
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Granted: 1986-03-11
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Expires: 2004-08-06
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for dispensing balls, for example, golf or tennis balls, comprising a magazine (10), which can be mounted to extend downwardly to receive a plurality of balls (14,14') to be dispensed from the lower end thereof, a ball-dispensing structure (16) having a first condition in which the lowermost ball (14) is restrained in the magazine (10) and a second condition in which the lowermost ball (14) is released and another ball (14') is restrained in the magazine (10), the ball-dispensing structure (16) thereby being operable by change between its two conditions to dispense at least the lowermost ball (14) while restraining at least one other ball (14') in the magazine (10).
Inventors
- 👤 Gavin L. Watson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:18
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B47/00; A63B47/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
In an apparatus for dispensing balls which comprises a magazine (10) for receiving a plurality of balls (14, 14') and mounted on a base portion so as to extend downwardly to permit the balls (14) to be dispensed from the lower end thereof, and ball-releasing means (16) having a first condition in which the lowermost ball (14) is restrained in the magazine (10) and a second condition in which the lowermost ball (14) is released from the magazine (10) and another ball (14') is restrained in the magazine (10), the ball-releasing means (16) being operable by change between the two conditions to dispense at least the lowermost ball (14) whilst restraining at least one other ball (14') in the apparatus, said base portion including a chute (52, 50', 68) for directing balls dispensed from said magazine to a desired position; the improvement in which the chute (52, 50', 68) is detachably mountable upon said base portion in either of two positions that are inverted relative to each other, the chute including a stop member (57) at the outlet end of the chute (52, 50', 68) when in one position of said two positions, whereby use of the chute (52, 50', 68) with the stop member (57) uppermost holds each dispensed ball (14) against the stop member (57), whereas when said chute is in the other position of said two positions said stop member (57) is lowermost and allows each dispensed ball (14) to roll out of said outlet end and come to rest on the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
In an apparatus for dispensing balls which comprises a magazine (10) for receiving a plurality of balls (14, 14') and mounted on a base portion so as to extend downwardly to permit the balls (14) to be dispensed from the lower end thereof, and ball-releasing means (16) having a first condition in which the lowermost ball (14) is restrained in the magazine (10) and a second condition in which the lowermost ball (14) is released from the magazine (10) and another ball (14') is restrained in the magazine (10), the ball-releasing means (16) being operable by change between the two conditions to dispense at least the lowermost ball (14) whilst restraining at least one other ball (14') in the apparatus, said base portion including a chute (52, 50', 68) for directing balls dispensed from said magazine to a desired position; the improvement in which the chute (52, 50', 68) is detachably mountable upon said base portion in either of two positions that are inverted relative to each other, the chute including a stop member (57) at the outlet end of the chute (52, 50', 68) when in one position of said two positions, whereby use of the chute (52, 50', 68) with the stop member (57) uppermost holds each dispensed ball (14) against the stop member (57), whereas when said chute is in the other position of said two positions said stop member (57) is lowermost and allows each dispensed ball (14) to roll out of said outlet end and come to rest on the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ball-releasing means (16) are movable relative to the magazine (10) between a first position in which the lowermost ball (14) is prevented from movement out of the magazine (10), and a second position, in which such lowermost ball (14) is released and another ball (14') is held.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ball-releasing means (16) comprise a pawl mechanism (16,16',70) mounted for pivotal movement relative to a tube (10,10') forming a guideway of the magazine (10) and has first (38,38',78) and second (36,36',80) portions for respective restraining contact with the lowermost (14) and other (14') balls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pawl mechanism (16,16',70) is movable by means of a foot or hand-operable lever (30,30',70).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a resilient member (42,82) is arranged so as to bias the ball-releasing means (16) towards one of its positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein movement of the pawl mechanism (16,16') against the bias of the resilient member (42) from its first position to its second position releases the lowermost ball (14) from being held by the first portion (38,38') and such ball (14) moves until held by the second portion (36,36') and return of the pawl mechanism (16,16') under the bias of the resilient member (42), releases the first ball (14) from the apparatus and holds the other ball (14') with the pawl mechanism (16,16') returned to its first position, whereby movement of the pawl mechanism (16,16') from its first position to the second prepares the first ball (14) for release from the apparatus and movement of the pawl mechanism (16,16') from its second position to the first dispenses the first ball (14) from the apparatus and prepares another ball (14') for the next operation of the apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tube (10,10') is removably mounted upon a stand (12,12',60) forming a base portion of the apparatus including the ball-releasing means (16,16',70).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the tube (10,10') is engageable with the base portion, at one of its ends and, at the other end, has at least one deformable member (48,48',48") directed inwardly thereof and deformable outwardly thereof to permit balls to be retrieved from a support, such as the ground, and stored in the tube (10,10').
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-10 | 1989-09-09 | 1990-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-10 | 1993-09-09 | 1994-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-10 | 1997-09-09 | 1998-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |