Amusement devices: games – Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor... – Target
Patent
1989-10-10
1990-12-25
Brown, Theatrice
Amusement devices: games
Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor...
Target
273 73R, 294 192, A63B 6100
Patent
active
049797425
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the technical field of devices for releasably engaging tennis balls and more particularly such devices for the handle end of a tennis racket for picking up balls and for application to the wearing apparel of a tennis player to hold balls not in use.
BACKGROUND ART
Prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,210,327: 4,114,881: 3,874,666; 266,598; 802,264; 3,698,720; 4,334,707: 4,398,716; GB Patent No. 2,128,484 and DE 2,254,275. None of the above inventions incorporate the unique structure herein described for a tennis ball holder that is engineered for economical fabrication and efficient function for easily engaging the nap surface of the ball when ball and holder are simply pressed together and for readily releasing the ball from its grasp with a simple pull without damage to ball or holder even in repeated use. Many tennis players have temporary or permanent infirmities that make constant bending to retrieve balls awkward or uncomfortable. A holder affixed to the end of a tennis racket can be used to pick up a fallen ball without stooping. For such an application, the holder should be small and light and constructed so as not to interfere with the ordinary playing functions of the racket. In playing tennis, at least two balls must be available for serving. It would be useful to have a releasable holder attached to the player's clothing to hold one or more balls to leave both hands free for playing, without forcing spare balls into pockets.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is, accordingly, an object of the invention to provide a tennis ball retrieving device for the handle end of a tennis racket that will effectively engage the ball when the handle end is pressed onto the ball, and that will release the ball manually without effort or damage to the ball.
It is an object to provide a tennis ball grasping or holding device that will not deteriorate with use, and with contamination from the environment.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide said ball grasping or holding device that will be of such small dimensions and weight as to not adversely affect the use of the racket.
It is yet another object to provide, in one embodiment of the invention, said ball holding device that may be readily attached to the handle.
It is yet another object to provide, in another embodiment, a ball holding device that forms a part of the grip of the handle.
It is yet another object to provide, in another embodiment, a tennis racket incorporating said ball holding device.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an easily releasable tennis ball holding device that can be attached to the wearing apparel of the tennis player for holding a spare tennis ball to relieve the player of the need to carry a spare ball in hand or pocket. In one embodiment the holder is attached to a spring clip which is adapted to engage the waistband of the tennis shorts, skirt or trousers. In another embodiment the holder is attached to a loop through which a belt may be passed.
The device of the invention includes a base and a plurality of petals flexibly joined at said base. The base has attaching means for attaching to a racket handle or is affixed to clothing engaging means to be worn by the player. The petals bear nap-catching pins. Each petal is joined at a first end to the base and is movable at a second, opposite end. The petals are arranged about the perimeter of the base with said second ends directed away from said racket to form a substantially cup-shaped recess with readily distendable walls. The nap-catching pins are on the surface of each petal that is directed inwardly towards the center of the cup. The petals and their attachments have sufficient flexibility that they will open outwardly when the recess is centered over a tennis ball and forced down upon it. Because the recess has a diameter less than that of the ball, each petal will, by virtue of the aforementioned flexibility bend outwardly and its inner, pin-bearing surface will engage the nap of the ball, holding i
REFERENCES:
patent: 1830520 (1931-11-01), Moyses
patent: 3401970 (1968-09-01), Russell
patent: 3405408 (1968-10-01), Balcer
patent: 3412897 (1968-11-01), Slater
patent: 3870300 (1975-03-01), Amendola
patent: 3874666 (1975-04-01), Ross
patent: 4090298 (1978-05-01), Rushforth
patent: 4114881 (1978-09-01), Norton
patent: 4210327 (1980-07-01), Schubert
patent: 4334707 (1982-06-01), Phillips
Blum Alvin S.
Brown Theatrice
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