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US 11,612,788 B2Granted
Ball storage carrier and hopper
AssigneeBright Applied Products Corporation
InventorKenneth F. Bright
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sports ball carrier is configured to fit inside a storage bag with ball rackets. The carrier may store sports balls in a substantially planar array that is one sports ball thick, and the width of the carrier may taper along its length generally simulating a racket form factor. A sports ball entry port may be provided for ball collection in a manner similar to a conventional ball hopper.
Claims15
A sports ball hopper configured to hold a plurality of sports balls, the sports ball hopper comprising:
- a first frame portion defining a first substantially planar geometric shape;
- a second frame portion defining a second substantially planar geometric shape;
- wherein the first frame portion and the second frame portion are positioned substantially parallel to each other to define an internal volume for holding a plurality of sports balls;
- wherein the internal volume has a thickness between the substantially parallel planes of the first frame portion and the second frame portion such that the first frame portion and the second frame portion capture the sports balls in the internal volume of the carrier as a substantially planar, one sports ball thick array;
- wherein the internal volume has a length and a width, and wherein the width tapers along the length to a distal end having a width smaller than the proximal end;
- wherein the tapered distal end comprises a sports ball entry port configured to be pressed down over a sports ball to pick up the sports ball for storage, and
- wherein at least one of the first frame portion and the second frame portion comprises an opening, wherein the opening is spanned by at least one string.
4 more elements
A sports ball hopper configured to hold a plurality of sports balls, the sports ball hopper comprising:
- a first frame portion defining a first substantially planar geometric shape;
- a second frame portion defining a second substantially planar geometric shape;
- and
- at least one spacer coupling the first frame portion to the second frame portion such that respective adjacent edges of the first and second frame portions are laterally spaced from one another by less than a diameter of the sports balls,
- wherein the first frame portion and the second frame portion are positioned substantially parallel to each other to define an internal volume for holding a plurality of sports balls;
- wherein the internal volume has a thickness between the substantially parallel planes of the first frame portion and the second frame portion such that the first frame portion and the second frame portion capture the sports balls in the internal volume of the carrier as a substantially planar, one sports ball thick array;
- wherein the internal volume has a length and a width, and wherein the width tapers along the length to a distal end having a width smaller than the proximal end;
- wherein the tapered distal end comprises a sports ball entry port configured to be pressed down over a sports ball to pick up the sports ball for storage;
- and
- wherein the at least one spacer comprises a telescoping post configured to maintain the lateral spacing between the first and second side panels at the predetermined distance during ball collection and configured to allow an increase of the lateral spacing to a distance greater than the diameter of the balls to thereby release the balls from the ball carrier.
7 more elements
A sports ball hopper configured to hold a plurality of sports balls, the sports ball hopper comprising:
- a first frame portion defining a first substantially planar geometric shape;
- a second frame portion defining a second substantially planar geometric shape;
- a first collapsible leg coupled to the first frame portion utilizing a first hinge;
- and
- a second collapsible leg coupled to the second frame portion utilizing a second hinge, the first and second collapsible legs configured to fold against the first and second frame portions, respectively, when collapsed,
- wherein the first frame portion and the second frame portion are positioned substantially parallel to each other to define an internal volume for holding a plurality of sports balls;
- wherein the internal volume has a thickness between the substantially parallel planes of the first frame portion and the second frame portion such that the first frame portion and the second frame portion capture the sports balls in the internal volume of the carrier as a substantially planar, one sports ball thick array;
- wherein the internal volume has a length and a width, the width tapering along the length to a distal end having a width smaller than the proximal end;
- and
- wherein the tapered distal end comprises a sports ball entry port configured to be pressed down over a sports ball to pick up the sports ball for storage.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.