US20160303434A1

US20160303434A1 - Tennis Ball Pickup Device

Info

Publication number: US20160303434A1
Application number: US15/196,513
Authority: US
Inventors: Kok Lup WONG
Original assignee: Kendu (hong Kong) Ltd
Current assignee: Kendu (hong Kong) Ltd
Priority date: 2016-06-29
Filing date: 2016-06-29
Publication date: 2016-10-20

Abstract

A tennis ball pickup device, including a first barrel in form of a hollow cylinder; a second barrel in form of a hollow cylinder arranged in the first barrel, and capable of moving telescopically up and down and/or moving rotatably therein; a first barrel cover arranged outside the first barrel; a second barrel cover, in which a resilient stopper is arranged, being replaceably hooded on the second barrel; and further including a solar battery being chargeable by sunlight and adapted for provision of electrical energy; a LED display arranged longitudinally on and along the first barrel for connecting with the solar battery and for displaying current time and score; and a speaker arranged on the first barrel for connecting with the solar battery and for playing sound. The barrel cover could be replaceably hooded on the barrel, whereby extending the lifespan thereof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to sporting goods, and more particularly, to a tennis ball pickup device facilitating carrying and picking of tennis ball. In addition, the tennis ball pickup device can also be charged by solar energy.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently, the tennis has been very popular. Particularly, there usually are a variety of tennis competitions and training courses in various sports venues. As a large number of tennis balls will be used for training purposes, it will be very tiresome to bend over to pick up the balls one by one when needed.
To this end, those skilled in the art have attempted to solve the above problem by enabling picking up the balls in a standing posture without bending over. For example, Chinese Utility Model Patent Application No. 201020014564.8 discloses a special ball picking tool for tennis teaching, which tool comprises a telescopic tube, wherein a ball inlet of which having a diameter larger than that of a tennis ball is arranged at a thin tube end, and a ball outlet is arranged at a thick tube end of the telescopic tube, and an inclined resilient/lastic sheet is also arranged in the ball inlet. Compared with the prior art, the special ball picking tool for tennis teaching has the advantages of being reasonable in design, simple in structure, convenient to use, and the like; the special ball picking tool for tennis teaching saves time and labor, and improves the ball picking efficiency; and provides a good picking performance and a high picking speed; and could pick up a plurality of tennis balls at once; and the special ball picking tool for tennis teaching is low in cost and easy to popularize and use. Though the patent solves the problem by enabling picking up the balls in a standing posture, it has an obvious drawback in that the inclined elastic sheet arranged thereunder is non-replaceable, and thus the entire tool might not be used once the elastic sheet is damaged.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore, it is necessary to devise a new tennis ball pickup device, which not only can accommodate tennis balls, but also enable picking up the balls in a standing posture, and the elastic sheet of which is replaceable, whereby the entire device could be used repeatedly. Further, a solar battery of the device could be substantially charged by solar energy in outdoor while playing the tennis.
One of the objects or technical problems to be solved by the present invention is to provide a novel tennis ball pickup device, which not only tackles the foregoing problem of repeated use, but also enables charging operations and allows a stable self-standing on the ground.
To achieve the above objects, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

- a tennis ball pickup device in form of a column, comprising:
- a first barrel in form of a hollow cylinder;
- a second barrel in form of a hollow cylinder arranged in the first barrel, and capable of telescopically and/or rotatably moving up and down in the first barrel;
- a first barrel cover arranged outside the first barrel;
- a second barrel cover in which a resilient stopper is arranged, and the second barrel cover is replaceably hooded on the second barrel;
- wherein the tennis ball pickup device further comprises:
- a solar battery being chargeable by sunlight and adapted for provision of electrical energy;
- a LED display arranged longitudinally on and along the first barrel for connecting with the solar battery and for displaying current time and score; and
- a speaker arranged on the first barrel for connecting with the solar battery and for playing sound.

According to one of the embodiments, in the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention, the first barrel might comprise a plurality of fastening positions arranged thereon, such as 5 or 8 fastening positions.
According to one of the embodiments, in the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention, the second barrel might comprise a plurality of fastening pieces arranged thereon, such as 5 or 8 fastening pieces.
According to one of the embodiments, in the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention, the fastening positions might be engaging positions.
According to one of the embodiments, in the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention, the fastening pieces might be engaging pins.
According to one of the embodiments, in the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention, it might further comprise a solar charger arranged on the second barrel and connected with the solar battery.
According to one of the embodiments, in the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention, the solar charger might comprise a plurality of flexible solar panels.
According to one of the embodiments, in the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention, the first barrel cover might comprise one or more USB interface ports arranged thereon and connected with the solar battery.
According to one of the embodiments, in the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention, it might further comprise a suction cup detachably arranged on the second barrel cover to enable the tennis ball pickup device to be integrally stably sucked on ground. In a preferred embodiment, the suction cup might be in form of a cup having a larger end and a smaller end, and one end of which is provided with a space for air compression and a passage for air flow.
According to one of the embodiments, in the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention, the first barrel, the second barrel, the first barrel cover and/or the second barrel covers might be made of plastic, such as PVC, PE, and/or PP, and the like.
The barrel cover of the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention could be hooded on the barrel and could be replaced when it becomes worn due to prolonged use, whereby extending the lifespan of the tennis ball pickup device. The additional suction cup arranged on the barrel cover enables the tennis ball pickup device to be stably sucked on ground and not to be tipped over. The solar charger on the tennis ball pickup device could be used to charge an external electronic device. The accompanying solar battery could satisfactorily make use of solar energy by which the battery could be charged while playing tennis, and then an electronic device (such as a mobile phone) could be charged via the USB interface port arranged therewith, such that it not only tackles the problem of enabling charging at any time, but also provides environmental benefits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a clearer understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described in details below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a tennis ball pickup device of the present invention in a contracted state;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a tennis ball pickup device of the present invention in a contracted state as viewed from another direction;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a tennis ball pickup device of the present invention in an extended state;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a tennis ball pickup device of the present invention in an extended state, wherein a suction cup is additionally arranged therein; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a tennis ball pickup device of the present invention while its speaker and LED display are in working state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION INVENTION

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, so as to illustrate in details the technical solutions of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a tennis ball pickup device 100 of the present invention comprises a first barrel 130 and second barrel 140. The first barrel 130 might be inserted into the second barrel 140, and might be lengthened or shortened arbitrarily. The first barrel might be provided with a first barrel cover 110 and a second barrel cover 120 respectively at its ends. Generally, the first barrel 130, second barrel 140, the first barrel cover 110, and the second barrel cover 120 are all made of a plastic material, such as PVC, PP, or the like, in order to reduce weight and allow the device to be easy to carry.
The first barrel 130 comprises a plurality of fastening positions 131 arranged thereon; and the second barrel 140 comprises a plurality of fastening pieces 141 arranged thereon. When picking up the balls and needing to rotatably adjust the length of the entire tennis ball pickup device 100, the length of the second barrel 140 could be rotatably adjusted to select an appropriate fastening position 131, and fix the second barrel into the first barrel. Preferably, the fastening position 131 is an engaging position in form of a hole, and the fastening piece is an engaging pin matched with the engaging position. Under normal circumstances, the more engaging positions there are, the more adjustable lengths there will be. In one embodiment, there are respectively 5 engaging positions and engaging pins. In another embodiment, there are respectively 8 engaging positions and engaging pins, such that the length of the device could be adjusted arbitrarily by users with different height, so as to find an appropriate and/or comfortable position for picking up of balls.
In addition, a solar battery 111 is provided on the first barrel cover 110 and a solar charger is provided on the second barrel 140, which charger might employ a plurality of flexible solar panels 142, for example, such that an external electronic device or the solar battery 111 provided on the first barrel cover 110 could be charged by solar energy. The first barrel cover 110 might further comprise an USB interface port 112 arranged thereon and connected with the solar battery 111, so as to charge various electronic devices, such as a mobile phone and the like. This tackles the problem of lacking charger at tennis court for tennis players. In one embodiment, the first barrel cover 110 might comprise a plurality of USB interface ports 112, such as 2 or 3 ports.
Referring to FIG. 5, the tennis ball pickup device 100 is provided with a speaker 200 and a LED display 300, wherein an external USB cable of the speaker could be connected with the solar battery 111 of the present invention for acquiring electrical energy, and the sound, such as music, emanating from the speaker could be transmitted from both ends of the tennis ball pickup device 100. The LED display 300 is provided on the barrel of the tennis ball pickup device 100 and also powered by the solar battery 111. The LED display 300 may be an OLED display, which might display information such as time, temperature, humidity and the like, so as to facilitate the tennis player to make reference to various types of information.
The second barrel cover 120 is provided with a plurality of resilient stoppers (not shown), and the second barrel cover is replaceably hooded on the second barrel 130. The stopper is to prevent the ball being picked up and entered into the barrel from rolling out during pickup operation, and the balls on the ground are rolled into the barrel under the manipulation of user. The second barrel cover 120 might be replaced arbitrarily to extend the lifespan of the tennis ball pickup device.
Preferably, a suction cup 121 is arranged on the second barrel cover 120 to prevent the upright tennis ball pickup device from tipping over, and a lower portion of the suction cup 121 has a certain space 122 and a space or passage for air flow/circulation (see FIG. 4). In a preferred embodiment, the suction cup 121 is in form of a cup having a larger end and a smaller end, to facilitate its insertion into the second barrel cover 120 or the withdrawn from the second barrel cover 120. While in use, one only needs to mount the suction cup 121 into the second barrel cover 120, and press down the entire pickup device 100, then the air inside the suction cup 121 will be expelled along the preset air passage, such that the entire pickup device 100 could be firmly sucked on the ground, and the pickup device 100 will not be tipped over when being subjected to a normal external force. When the tennis ball pickup device needs to be taken away, one just need to pull upwardly the tennis ball pickup device 100, and the barrels will be moved by the aid of the resilient stopper in the second barrel cover 120, and then the air will enter into the suction cup 121, such that the tennis ball pickup device 100 could be completely lifted up and taken away.
Summing up the above, the tennis ball pickup device of the present invention improves the prior art, and extends the lifespan of the tennis ball pick up device, and the entire device could be used for picking up the ball and also for carrying the ball. The additional solar battery arranged on the tennis ball pickup device enables the tennis player to charge an electronic device at the tennis court, and the suction cup enables the entire device to be sucked firmly on the ground and not to be tipped over. The incorporation of the speaker and the LED display enhances the functionality for entertainment such as audio-video feature and the like, whereby enhancing the applicability thereof.
The specific embodiments described in details above have further illustrated the technical problem to be solved, technical solutions and advantageous effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above are only some of the specific embodiments of the present invention without limiting the present invention, while any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the essences and principles of the present invention shall all fall into the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tennis ball pickup device in form of a column, comprising:

a first barrel in form of a hollow cylinder;

a second barrel in form of a hollow cylinder arranged in the first barrel, and capable of telescopically and/or rotatably moving up and down in the first barrel;

a first barrel cover arranged outside the first barrel;

a second barrel cover in which a resilient stopper is arranged, and the second barrel cover is replaceably hooded on the second barrel;

wherein the tennis ball pickup device further comprises:

a solar battery being chargeable by sunlight and adapted for provision of electrical energy;

a LED display arranged longitudinally on and along the first barrel for connecting with the solar battery and for displaying current time and score; and

a speaker arranged on the first barrel for connecting with the solar battery and for playing sound.

2. A tennis ball pickup device of claim 1, wherein the first barrel comprises a plurality of fastening positions arranged thereon; and the second barrel comprises a plurality of fastening pieces arranged thereon.

3. A tennis ball pickup device of claim 2, wherein the fastening positions are engaging positions.

4. A tennis ball pickup device of claim 2, wherein the fastening pieces are engaging pins.

5. A tennis ball pickup device of claim 1, further comprising a solar charger arranged on the second barrel and connected with the solar battery.

6. A tennis ball pickup device of claim 5, wherein the solar charger comprises a plurality of flexible solar panels.

7. A tennis ball pickup device of claim 1, wherein the first barrel cover comprises one or more USB interface ports arranged thereon and connected with the solar battery.

8. A tennis ball pickup device of claim 1, further comprising a suction cup detachably arranged on the second barrel cover to enable the tennis ball pickup device to be integrally stably sucked on ground.

9. A tennis ball pickup device of claim 8, wherein the suction cup is in form of a cup having a larger end and a smaller end, and one end of which is provided with a space for air compression and a passage for air flow.