GB2358605A

GB2358605A - Retrieval means

Info

Publication number: GB2358605A
Application number: GB0001749A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Edward Parsons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-01-26
Filing date: 2000-01-26
Publication date: 2001-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-26
Also published as: GB2358605B; GB0001749D0

Abstract

In apparatus for and a method of retrieving a substantially ellipsoidal object 13 such as a golf ball from awkward or remote locations. The object 13 is captured by means of an arrangement of resilient wires 11 which under an applied force spring apart to capture the object and then return to their original position, thus holding the object. Once the object has been moved to a suitable location the object can be easily released by springing the wires apart. Alternatively the handle may be hollow and the objects accumulated within for discharge from the oposite end. (Fig 4, not shown).

Description

2358605 1 Case No: P.1005 Inventor: RONALD EDWARD PARSONS

DESCRIPTION WITH CLAIMS AND ABSTRACT

RETRIEVAL?yEANS, E. A. FENWICK & Co., 5 Stonehouse Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B73 6LR.

2 This invention relates to a retrieval means suitable for retrieving ellipsoidal objects from remote and/or awkward locations.

There is already known a hand held retrieval means consisting of a handle attached to a movable jaw arrangement whereby in use the jaws are moved together to grip an object and move it elsewhere. Another type of retrieval means, often used to retrieve golf balls, comprises a handle attached to a semi-spherical cup, which is used to capture an object in a scooping action. These have their drawbacks when used to retrieve ellipsoidal objects in that great accuracy is needed for the jaw version and indeed the cup version when on dry land. Use of both versions in water causes disturbance of mud beneath the object making it difficult to locate the object. Furthermore, the cup version would be unsuitable for retrieving objects attached to something else, e.g. an apple on a tree, as it would be difficult to apply the force needed to detach the object without dislodging it from the cup.

The object of the present invention is to pro vide a simple but efficient retrieval means suitable for retrieving substantially ellipsoidal objects from the air or out of a liquid, e.g. water.

According to one aspect of the present invention a method of retrieving a substantially ellipsoidal object from a remote location comprises providing an elongate handle having secured to the distal end a capture means comprising an arrangement of resilient wires, exerting a force on the elongate handle to move the captive means against the object until the wires deflect to 3 capture the object, and having captured the object removing it from the capture means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a retrieval means suitable for retrieving substantially ellipsoidal objects comprises an elongate handle associated with capture means comprising a plurality of resilient wires arranged so that in use the wires can be used to capture a substantially ellipsoidal object by a spring action.

The elongate handle which is usually operated by hand may be extensible for example by a folding or telescopic action and may be permanently or removably secured to the capture means. The best way to secure the capture means to the handle would depend upon the materials. For example metal wires could be heat bonded into a plastic handle or clamped within a metal or plastic handle by means of a suitably sized collar. A person of ordinary skill in the art would be able to determine the most suitable method for a particular application. The handle is preferably rigid and may be made from metal, plastic or other suitable materials. Preferably the handle is hollow to keep the weight down and in one embodiment the captive means is attached to the distal. end of the handle in such a way as to allow a captured object to roll or slide through the handle to the other end. Preferably the length of the handle when in use to retrieve is at least 0.5m, preferably in the range 0.5m to 4m, more preferably Im. to 3m.

The capture means preferably comprises at least four, more preferably eight and for some applications at least sixteen wires. A larger ellipsoidal object will not normally require as many wires as a smaller ellipsoidal object, 4 although, of course, the weight of the object is also a factor. The wires may be looped and made from a single piece of wire or several discrete pieces. Loops are preferably arranged in overlapping fashion to form a cage. If discrete wires are used then preferably their free ends incline concavely so as to cradle a captured object. Preferably the wires are of metal, although plastics or other resilient materials such as carbon fibre may be used. Although the cross-section of the wires would usually be circular, wires of other cross-sections such as elliptical could be used.

The number of wires referred to herein refers to the number entering the handle so that four pieces of wire which are each looped back on themselves are described and claimed herein as eight wires.

Preferably the diameter of the individual wires is in the range 0.5mm to 3mm, more preferably lmm to 2mm. The length of the capture means is preferably 5cm to 20cm, more preferably 10cm to 15cm.

The retrieval means is preferably proportioned so that in use the ratio of the length of the handle to the length of the capture means is at least 20:1 and more preferably at least 10: 1.

The size of the capture means will vary depending upon the intended use. To give an indication, for a golf ball retriever the maximum width of the capture means could be in the range 5cm to 7cm and the length 10cm to 15cm.

Ellipsoidal as used has its usual meaning and includes spherical objects as well as egg shaped objects. The invention is applicable to fruit picking (e.g. apples) sports ball retrieving (e.g. golf balls) and egg collecting. It is particularly applicable to the retrieval of golf balls from water hazards, unplayable "lies" in scrub, gorse, hedges etc. and "out-of-bounds" positions essentially any position which is unreachable or irretrievable by hand or is potentially painful or in a wet situation. The invention is also applicable to collecting numerous balls on the practice green or indeed from the hole cup.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure I is a side view and end view of part of a hand held retrieval means, i.e. the capture means but with only part of the handle; Figure 2 shows side views and end view of part of a hand held retrieval means in which the wires of the capture means have smoothed-off ends; Figure 3 shows side views and an end view of a retrieval means similar to Figure 2 but with rounded ends on the free ends of the wires; Figure 4 shows side views of part of a hand held retrieval means according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 shows side views of the hand held retrieval means in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.

6 With reference to Figure 1, a capture means 10 comprises eight resilient wires 11 each looped back on themselves to give a sixteen wire arrangement. The looped wires 11 are in overlapped arrangement to form a cage. The free ends of the wires 11 are connected to an elongate handle 12, only partly shown. To use the retrieval means lateral force is applied to the elongate handle 12 thus exerting lateral force through the capture means 10 against a spherical object 13 e.g. a golf ball. The wires 11 which are pressed against the object 13 spring apart and the ob ect 13 enters the capture means j 10. Once the object 13 has entered the capture means 10, the wires 11 spring back to substantially their original position, thus capturing the object 13. The drawings show two objects 13 which have been captured in this way. Once the objects have been retrieved, they can easily be released by springing adjacent wires 11 apart by hand.

With reference to Figure 2, a capture means 20 comprises sixteen resilient wires 21 extending in a splayed fashion from the elongate handle 22, only partly shown. The free ends of the wires 21 extend concavely. To use the retrieval means a force is applied by hand to the elongate handle 22, thereby exerting pressure through the capture means 20 against an object 23. This force can be lateral or axial to the longitudinal axis of the capture means.

The force causes wires 21 against the object to spring apart and the object 23 enters the capture means 20. Once the object 23 has entered the capture means 20, the wires 21 spring back to substantially their original position, thus capturing the object 23. The drawings show two objects which have been captured in two ways, one by lateral and one by axial force. Once 7 the objects 23 have been retrieved, they can easily be released by springing adjacent wires 21 apart by hand.

With reference to Figure 3, a capture means 30 comprises sixteen discrete resilient wires 31 extending in a splayed fashion from an elongate handle 32, only part of which is shown. The free ends of the wires 31 extend concavely and at the tip of each is a spherical knob 34. Operation of this embodiment is identical to that described for Figure 2. The presence of the knob 34 prevents injury and eases the path of an object 33 when the device is used axially, in that the knobs slide over the surface of the objects.

With reference to Figure 4, a capture means 40 comprises sixteen discrete resilient wires 41 extending in a splayed fashion from an elongate cylindrical handle 42. The free ends of the wires 41 extend concavely and at the tip of each is a spherical knob 44. The diameter of the handle 42 is larger than the diameter of the object to be retrieved. The device is used to collect objects in just the same way as described for Figures 2 and 3, except that the enlarged cross-section of the handle 42 allows retrieved objects 43 to be collected in the handle 42.

With reference to Figure 5, this shows the devices of Figures 1 to 4 (from bottom to top). The handles are telescopic and at the end of each is a spherical handgrip 50.

8 P. 1005

Claims

1. A method of retrieving a substantially ellipsoidal object from a remote location comprises providing an elongate handle having secured to the distal end a captive means comprising an arrangement of resilient wires, exerting a force on the elongate handle to move the capture means against the object until the wires deflect to capture the object, and having captured the object removing it from the capture means.

2. A method according to Claim 1, having the feature of any one of Claims 8 to 28.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, when used to retrieve a golf ball.

4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the handle is hollow and retrieval of the object is by rolling or sliding it out of the capture means through the handle and out of the other end.

5. A method according to Claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

6. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 4, in which the force is exerted laterally against the object to capture it.

9

7. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 6, in which the force is exerted by hand.

8. A retrieval means suitable for retrieving substantially ellipsoidal objects comprises an elongate handle associated with a capture means comprising a plurality of resilient wires arranged so that in use the wires can be used to capture a substantially ellipsoidal object by a spring action.

9. A retrieval means according to Claim 8, in which the handle is extensible.

10. A retrieval means according to Claim 8 or 9, in which the handle is permanently secured to the capture means.

11. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 10, in which the handle is hollow.

12. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 11, in which the length of the handle is at least 0.5m.

13. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 11, in which the length of the handle is in the range 0.5m to 4m.

14. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 11, in which the length of the handle is in the range l m to 3m.

15. A retrieval means according to any one of Claims 8 to 14, in which the ratio of the length of the handle to the length of the capture means is at least 10A.

16. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 14, in which the ratio of the length of the handle to the length of the capture means is at least 20: 1.

17. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 16, in which the handle is substantially rigid.

18. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 17, in which the capture means comprises at least four wires.

19. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 17, in which the capture means comprises at least eight wires.

20. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 17, in which the capture means comprises at least sixteen wires.

21. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 20, in which the capture means comprises wires which are each bent in a closed loop.

22. A retrieval means according to Claim 21, in which the closed loops are arranged in overlapping fashion to form a cage.

11

23. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 20, in which the capture means comprises discrete unlooped wires, the free ends of which extend concavely.

24. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 23, in which the wires are made from metal.

25. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 24, in which the diameter of the wires is in the range 0.5mm. to 3mm.

26. A retrieval means according to Claim 8, and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either Figure 1 or 5 of the accompanying drawings.

26. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 24, in which the diameter of the wires is in the range I mm to 2mm.

27. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 26, in which the maximum width of the capture means is in the range 5cm to 7cm.

28. A retrieval means according to Claim 8, and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows P. 1005 CLAIMS 1 A method of retrieving a substantially ellipsoidal sports ball from a remote location comprises providing an elongate handle having secured to the distal end a capture means comprising an arrangement of resilient wires each bent in a closed loop, exerting a force on the elongate handle to move the capture means against the sports ball until the wires deflect to capture the sports ball, and having captured the sports ball removing it from the capture means.

2. A method according to Claim 1, and comprising use of means according to any one of Claims 8 to 26.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, when used to retrieve a golf ball.

4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the handle is hollow and retrieval of the sports ball is by rolling or sliding it out of the capture means through the handle and out of the other end.

5. A method according to Claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to either Figure 1 or 5 of the accompanying drawings.

6. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 4, in which the force is exerted laterally against the sports ball to capture it.

1 1 '- L. 'I 7. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 6, in which the force is exerted by hand.

8. A retrieval means suitable for retrieving substantially ellipsoidal sports balls comprises an elongate handle associated with a capture means comprising a plurality of resilient wires each bent in a closed loop arranged so that in use the wires can be used to capture a substantially ellipsoidal sports ball by a spring action.

9. A retrieval means according to Claim 8, in which the handle is extensible.

14. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 11, in which the length of the handle is in the range lm. to 3m.

15. A retrieval means according to any one of Claims 8 to 14, in which the ratio of the length of the handle to the length of the capture means is at least 10:1.

21. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 20, in which the closed loops are arranged in overlapping fashion to form a cage.

22. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 2 1, in which the wires are made from metal.

23. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 22, in which the diameter of the wires is in the range 0.5mm to 3mm.

is 24. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 22, in which the diameter of the wires is in the range 1 mm to 2mm.

25. A retrieval means according to any of Claims 8 to 24, in which the maximum width of the capture means is in the range 5cm to 7cm.