Closure mechanism for a container that holds tennis balls
AssigneeUnique Sports Products, Inc.
InventorGene Niksich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A closure mechanism for the top of a tennis ball storage container employs a pair of barrier rods that are slideably engaged by tracks in the end panels of the container. When the rods are squeezed together, they enter snap-fitting holding pockets located at the innermost extremities of the tracks. When secured by the holding pockets, the distance of separation between the parallel rods is less than the diameter of a standard tennis ball. When the rods are manipulated apart away from the holding pockets, their distance of separation becomes large enough to permit removal of balls from the container.
Claims5
A closure mechanism for a tennis ball storage container of rectangular box shape defined by paired side panels and opposed first and second end panels, said container further having a bottom extremity that admits balls and a top extremity which permits removal of balls, said closure mechanism comprising:
- a) a first pair of left and right straight guide tracks disposed in linear alignment in said first end panel adjacent the top extremity thereof, each track terminating in a squeeze-activated holding pocket directed toward the interior of the container in facing relationship and separated by a distance slightly less than the diameter of a tennis ball,
- b) a second pair of straight left and right guide tracks disposed in linear alignment in said second end panel adjacent the top extremity thereof and in coplanar relationship with said first pair of guide tracks, each guide track terminating in a squeeze-activated holding pocket directed toward the interior of the container in facing relationship and separated by a distance slightly less than the diameter of a tennis ball,
- c) a left barrier rod of straight construction terminating in ends that are slidably retained by the left guide tracks of said first and second pairs of guide tracks and configured to snap-fit into the respective holding pockets of said guide tracks, and
- d) a right barrier rod of straight construction terminating in ends that are slidably retained by the right guide tracks of said first and second pairs of guide tracks and configured to snap-fit into the respective holding pockets of said guide tracks, whereby
- e) when said left and right barrier rods are manipulated to their position of closest approach, the rods become secured by engagement with said holding pockets, and in said closest approach position said rods are parallel and spaced apart by a distance which prevents inadvertent passage of a tennis ball, and
- f) when said barrier rods are moved apart by sliding movement away from said holding pockets, their spacing is such as to permit easy removal of tennis balls from the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.