US20240066362A1

US20240066362A1 - Device for collecting balls

Info

Publication number: US20240066362A1
Application number: US18/271,896
Authority: US
Inventors: Astrid GUTPERLE-BOEHRINGER
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-04
Filing date: 2021-12-07
Publication date: 2024-02-29
Also published as: EP4110480A1; DE102021201059A1; WO2022167024A1

Abstract

A device for collecting balls (1), for instance tennis balls, golf balls, etc., having at least two tubular elements (2 a, 2 b), wherein the tubular elements (2 a, 2 b) can be assembled to form a base body (3), wherein the base body (3) comprises an insertion opening (6) for the balls (1), wherein the tubular elements (2 a, 2 b) each comprise written and/or pictorial partial information (4 a, 4 b), and wherein, in the assembled state of the tubular elements (2 a, 2 b), the partial information (4 a, 4 b), forms the aggregate information (5).

Description

The invention relates to a device for collecting balls, for instance tennis balls, golf balls, etc., comprising at least two tubular elements.
Such devices are used, for instance, during tennis training to collect the balls hit. For this purpose, an open end of a tubular base body is pushed over the tennis ball to be picked up. A retaining device is usually attached to the open end, allowing the tennis ball to be pushed into the opening, but preventing it from falling out of the insertion opening in the opposite direction. To remove the balls from the base body, the second end of the tubular base body is open for pouring the tennis balls out of the base body.
By way of example only, reference is made to DE 10 2017 218 724 A1, from which a device for collecting tennis balls, which has a tubular base body, is known.
This invention addresses the problem of designing and further developing a device of the type mentioned above in such a way that it can be used for a wide range of purposes based on a structurally simple design.
According to the invention, this problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a device for collecting balls, for instance tennis balls, golf balls, etc., having at least two tubular elements is specified, wherein the tubular elements can be assembled to form a base body, wherein the base body comprises an insertion opening for the balls, wherein the tubular elements each comprise written and/or pictorial partial information and wherein, in the assembled state of the tubular elements the partial information forms aggregate information.
According to the invention, it has been recognized that further use of the device can be achieved in a particularly simple manner if the tubular elements each comprise partial information, wherein, in a further manner according to the invention the partial information forms coherent aggregate information when the tubular elements are assembled, i.e., when the device is in its position of use. By the arrangement of the partial information and the multi-part design of the base body, a combination effect is achieved; i.e., the device can be transported particularly easily when the tubular elements are not assembled and the base body thus does not have its complete length and, in addition, aggregate information is conveyed when the tubular elements are assembled and the device is in the position of use. In the position of use, the device permits the balls to be collected by slipping the insertion opening located at one end of the tubular base body over the ball to insert the ball into the base body. A retaining device can be disposed at the insertion opening to prevent the ball from slipping out of the insertion opening. This can be, for instance, a circumferential lip made of an elastic material, for pressing the ball into the base body against a relatively low resistance. The base body thus serves as a magazine-like receptacle for the balls. To remove the balls from the device, the device may, for instance, comprise a dispensing opening at its second end from which the balls may be poured out. It is also conceivable that the balls can be taken from the input opening. The base body should be sufficiently long for a person to use it to pick up balls from the ground without having to bend over. For instance, the base body could have a length of 50 cm to 110 cm, in particular 70 cm to 100 cm.
The aggregate information can be a statement, for instance, from the areas of marital status, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, emotion, profession, etc. The information can also be at least partially a graphic representation, for instance, a logo, an illustration, etc. It is also conceivable for the aggregate information to be at least in part a graphic representation, for instance a logo, an illustration, etc. It is essential that the tubular elements comprise the partial information in such a way that, when assembled, this forms the aggregate information, for instance the statements described above.
The device according to the invention is further suitable as a transport device or luggage for the balls stored therein and/or for holding the balls as (sales) packaging. In particular, if the device is configured such that the balls can be stored in the unassembled tubular elements or in the nested tubular elements without accidentally slipping out, the tubular elements can serve as packaging, luggage, transportation device, etc.
The term “tubular element” should be taken in the broadest sense, wherein the tubular elements do not necessarily have to have a circular cross-section. It is essential that the tubular elements can be assembled to form a base body that is substantially tubular in shape to take up and hold the balls, for instance tennis balls or golf balls.
In a preferred embodiment, partial information can be printed on each of the tubular elements. Such a design is particularly easy to implement, because the tubular elements are used as carriers of the information. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that an information element bearing the partial information is disposed on the tubular elements. This can be, for instance, a printed film or other element that is attached to the tubular elements, in particular glued thereto. It is also possible to dispose the partial information on a film tube which is shrunk onto the tubular element.
In a further preferred embodiment, the information element can be detachably disposed on the tubular element. In particular, it is conceivable that the information element can be attached to the tubular element via a magnetic connection, a Velcro fastener or any other type of detachable connection. In this way, the user can customize the aggregate information as desired.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the tubular elements can be interconnected in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. In order to assemble the tubular elements to the base body in such a way that the partial information forms aggregate information, it is conceivable to provide a clamp connection, a screw connection or a snap connection, and in particular a bayonet fitting.
In a preferred embodiment, the tubular elements can be designed to be telescopic. The device can then be transported in the collapsed state and only pulled apart when needed, i.e., the base body is assembled. Such a design is particularly suitable as a (sales) package, as luggage, as a transport device, etc. for the balls inside. It is also advantageous if the tubular elements can be locked in the extended and/or retracted position. Alternatively, the tubular elements could be swivel interconnected and lockable in the swiveled position and/or in the non-swiveled position to form the base body. Such a design is also suitable as a (sales) package, as luggage, as a transport device, etc. for the balls inside. It is essential for the partial information of the tubular elements to form aggregate information when the tubular elements are assembled to form the base body.
In a further preferred embodiment, the inner diameter of the tubular elements can be designed to be at least slightly larger than the outer diameter of the balls, to be able to insert the balls into the base body. To be able to use the device also for balls having a small diameter, an insert, which has a smaller diameter, could be provided for the base body. The insert could be formed of several parts, namely according to the number of tubular elements.
Furthermore, it is conceivable that a carrying element is provided on the base body, for instance a shoulder strap or a handle. In order to arrange the carrying element on the base body or on the tubular elements, the latter could comprise fastening means, for instance eyelets.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one closure means can be disposed for a tubular element. Thus, one or more of the relatively short tubular elements can be used to store the balls when the tubular elements are not interconnected or when the tubular elements are nested.
According to another preferred embodiment, an adapter element may be provided to reduce the insertion opening to a smaller size. The adapter element can, for instance, be disposed on the base body in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, in particular plugged in or screwed on, and have an insertion opening of a smaller size. For instance, in this way, a device for collecting tennis balls can be adapted by the adapter to be suitable for collecting golf balls.

There are now various ways in which the teachings of the present invention can be advantageously embodied and further developed. For this purpose, reference is made on the one hand to the claims that are dependent on claim 1 and on the other hand to the explanation of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing below. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred designs and further developments of the teaching are also explained. In the drawing

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a sectional side view of a schematic representation of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a tubular element of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention,

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, and

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first exemplary embodiment of a device for collecting balls 1 according to the invention. The device has two tubular elements 2 a, 2 b, which can be assembled to form a base body 3. The device may also consist of more than two tubular elements 2 a, 2 b. The tubular elements 2 a, 2 b each have partial information 4 a, 4 b, in the exemplary embodiment shown here the sentence components “Bring me” and “Luck!”, i.e., in the assembled state of the base body 3 these form the aggregate information 5 “Bring me Luck!”. The partial information 4 a, 4 b is applied directly to the tubular elements 2 a, 2 b, for instance printed thereon. The partial information 4 a, 4 b and thus the aggregate information 5 formed in that way can be formed as desired. This can also be a graphic or an illustration, for instance.
The tubular elements 2 a, 2 b can be interconnected in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, for instance inserted into each other, screwed together or connected to each other by a bayonet fitting. The base body 3 further has an insertion opening 6, which is slipped over the ball 1 to receive it into the base body 1. A retaining device 7 is formed at the insertion opening 6, which prevents the balls 1 held in the base body 1 from slipping out of the insertion opening 6. The retaining device 7 may, for instance, be a flexible, circumferential lip. FIG. 2 shows the device filled with balls 1. It can be clearly seen that the inner diameter of the base body 3 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the balls 1. To remove the balls 1 from the device, they can be poured out of the extraction opening 8 of the base body 3.
To facilitate handling the device, a carrying element 9, which is attached to eyelets 10, is disposed on the base body 3. The support element 9 can be attached to the base body 3 as desired.
In FIG. 3 , the tubular element 2 a is shown closed by a closure means 11, in particular a lid. Thus, the balls 1 therein are secured and can be easily stored or transported due to the small size of the tubular element 2 a. The further tubular element 2 b may also comprise matching closure means 11. Other designs are also conceivable to prevent the balls from accidentally slipping out of the tubular element 2 a, 2 b. Regardless of the actual implementation of the closure means 11 or of a possibly different design, it is essential that such a tubular element 2 a, 2 b is suitable as packaging, luggage, transport device for the balls 1.
The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 differs from the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 only in that the partial information 4 a, 4 b items are each disposed on an information element 12 and not on the tubular element 2 a, 2 b. The information elements 12 can, for instance, be glued to the tubular elements 2 a, 2 b or be detachably connected thereto, for instance magnetically or via a Velcro connection. Thus, the user can change the aggregate information 5 as desired.
The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5 differs from the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 only in that the tubular elements 2 a, 2 b are swivel interconnected via a joint 13, wherein the tubular elements 2 a, 2 b can be locked in the assembled state to form the base body 3.
The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6 differs from the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 only in that the tubular elements 2 a, 2 b are telescopically interconnected, wherein the tubular elements 2 a, 2 b can be locked in the extended state to form the base body 3. In an advantageous manner, the tubular elements 2 a, 2 b can also be locked in the retracted state shown in FIG. 6 , for using the device in an ideal manner as packaging, transport device, luggage, etc. In this context, it is advantageous if a closure means 11 or other structure prevents the balls 1 from slipping out of the retracted tubular elements 2 a, 2 b.
In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the partial information 4 a, 4 b may be also connected to the tubular elements 2 a, 2 b via an information element 12, and one or more closure means 11 or a structure having the same effect may be provided.
Furthermore, regarding FIGS. 4 to 6 , reference is made to the description of FIGS. 1 to 3 , which applies in a similar manner.
Regarding further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims to avoid repetition.
Finally, it should be expressly noted that the above-described embodiments of the device according to the invention are only used to discuss the claimed teaching, but do not limit it to the exemplary embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCES

- 1 Balls
- 2 a, 2 b Tubular element
- 3 Base body
- 4 a, 4 b Partial information
- 5 Aggregate information
- 6 Insertion opening
- 7 Retaining device
- 8 Extraction opening
- 9 Carrying element
- 10 Eyelet
- 11 Closure means
- 12 Information element

Claims

1. A device for collecting balls, for instance tennis balls, golf balls, etc., having at least two tubular elements, wherein the tubular elements can be assembled to form a base body, wherein the base body comprises an insertion opening for the balls, wherein the tubular elements each comprise written and/or pictorial partial information, and wherein the partial information, in the assembled state of the tubular elements, forms the aggregate information.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the partial information is printed on the tubular elements and/or that an information element bearing the partial information is disposed on the tubular elements.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the information element is detachably disposed on the tubular element, for instance via a magnetic connection or a Velcro fastener.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular elements can be interconnected in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, in particular by means of a clamp connection, a screw connection or a latching connection, for instance a bayonet fitting.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular elements are designed to be telescopic.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular elements are swivel interconnected and lockable in the swiveled position and/or in the non-swiveled position to form the base body.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner diameter of the tubular elements is designed to be at least slightly larger than the outer diameter of the balls.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a carrying element is provided on the base body, for instance a shoulder strap or a handle.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one closure means is disposed for a tubular element.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that an adapter element is provided to reduce the insertion opening to a smaller size.