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US 11,826,616 B2Granted
Ball retrieval system and method
AssigneeCourt Bots, Inc.
InventorsLawrence George Legg, Shane F. Legg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A remote-controlled retriever for collecting a ball on a sports playing surface and for controllably releasing the ball includes a front end ball collector having two spaced-apart blades defining a ball collection space. Each blade includes a passive or an active detent for retaining the collected ball in the collection space until a programmed or manually-directed release toward a target location such as a tennis baseline. The retriever includes a processor-controller for controlling and directing the retriever during a retrieval session.
Claims20
A retriever for collecting a ball on a sports playing surface and for controllably releasing the ball, said retriever having a fore end and an aft end, comprising
- a chassis;
- at least one wheel mounted on said chassis;
- a drive system coupled to said at least one wheel;
- a means for steering the retriever;
- a receiver for receiving retriever control signals;
- a retriever processor-controller, having inputs for receiving control and data input signals and outputs for retriever command and control signals, said processor-controller being programmed with instructions that upon execution generate output signals based on the input signals for controlling the retriever, and said processor-controller also being programmed with instructions that upon execution direct the retriever to move to a ball release location, inertially release the ball utilizing a momentum of the retriever horizontally along the playing surface toward a target location, and return to a standby location;
- an on-board power supply;
- a pair of opposing blades each including a longitudinally-extending sidewall spaced mutually apart to thereby define a fore ball collection space therebetween having a width sufficient to receive and release a ball and terminating in a fixed opening at the fore end of the retriever to allow unimpeded ball transit therethrough into and out of the ball collection space during ball retrievals;
- at least one ball proximity sensor positioned alongside the ball collection space;
- at least one active detent positioned on a sidewall of a blade alongside said collection space and actuatable in cooperation with said at least one ball proximity sensor;
- and
- wherein the processor-controller is programmed with instructions that upon execution selectively activate and deactivate said at least one active detent based on proximity sensor input signals for controlled collections and releases of a ball.
9 more elements
A method for retrieving a tennis ball during active play, comprising:
- providing (i) a retriever for collecting and controllably releasing a tennis ball horizontally on a tennis court surface, said retriever having a fore end and an aft end, comprising
- a chassis;
- at least one wheel mounted on said chassis;
- a drive system coupled to said at least one wheel;
- a means for steering the retriever;
- a receiver for receiving retriever control signals;
- a retriever processor-controller, having inputs for receiving control and data input signals and outputs for retriever command and control signals, said processor-controller being programmed with instructions that upon execution generate output signals based on the input signals for controlling the retriever and that after release of a ball toward a target location return the retriever to a standby location;
- an on-board power supply;
- a pair of opposing blades each having a sidewall spaced mutually apart to thereby define a fore ball collection space therebetween having a width sufficient to receive and release a collected ball;
- and
- at least one ball proximity sensor positioned alongside said collection space and at least one active detent positioned on a blade sidewall alongside the collection space, wherein the processor further includes programmed instructions to selectively activate and deactivate said at least one active detent based on sensor input signals for controlled collections and releases of a ball;
- positioning the retriever in the standby location;
- directing the retriever to collect a ball;
- selectively activating and deactivating said at least one active detent to effectuate a controlled collection and release of the ball;
- inertially releasing the ball horizontally on the tennis court surface toward the target location by utilizing a momentum of the retriever to thereby effectuate the ball return to the target location;
- and
- returning the retriever as directed by the processor-controller to the standby position.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.