Sport ball storage apparatus and method for storing and dispensing a sport ball

A ball storage apparatus for storing a sport ball, said ball storage apparatus comprising:

• a mounting means for mounting said ball storage apparatus, said mounting means extending outward from a wall of said ball container, said mounting means having a mounting surface comprising at least one planar mount surface to mount said apparatus on a substantially planar surface and at least one concave portion to mount said apparatus on a substantially arcuate surface;
• a containing means for containing said ball, said containing means being defined by said wall and having an upper portion and a lower portion, said wall being arranged and configured to substantially correspond to a circumference of a sport ball of the type to be stored in said ball storage apparatus, said containing means being mounted on said support means;
• a loading means for receiving a sport ball of the type to be stored in said ball storage apparatus, said loading means being disposed toward said upper portion of said containing means, said loading means arranged and configured to substantially correspond to a sport ball of the type to be stored in said storage apparatus;
• a dispensing means, said dispensing means being disposed in said wall of said containing means and toward said lower portion of said containing means, said dispensing means being arranged and configured for said ball pass therethrough;
• and
• a cover means for cohering said loading means, said cover means being hingedly fixed to said containing means.

A method for storing and dispensing a sport ball, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a support structure;
• providing a ball container, said ball container being defined by a wall, said ball container having an upper portion and a lower portion and said wall being arranged and configured to substantially correspond to a sport ball being stored therein, so that motion in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said ball container is minimal yet the sport ball moves freely along the longitudinal axis of said ball container;
• providing a support mount extending outward from said wall of said ball container, said support mount comprising at least one planar mount surface for mounting said apparatus on a substantially planar support surface and at least one concave portion for mounting said apparatus on a substantially arcuate support surface;
• fixing said ball container to said support structure;
• providing a mouth disposed toward said upper portion of said ball container, said mouth being arranged and configured to accommodate the sport ball;
• providing a lid disposed over said mouth, said lid being hingedly fixed to said ball container;
• providing an opening disposed in said wall of said ball container and toward said lower portion of said ball container, said ball container being arranged and configured to accommodate a game ball passing therethrough;
• and
• providing a door, said door being slidably connected to said ball container, said door being disposed such as to cover said opening when said door is in a closed position and to provide access through said opening when said door is in an open position.

A basketball storage arrangement for storing a basketball and protecting said basketball from weathering, said arrangement comprising:

• a basketball goal support structure, said basketball support structure supporting a basketball goal;
• a basketball container, said basketball container comprising a cylindrical member having a top portion and a lower portion and a wall, said wall being arranged and configured to substantially correspond to a circumference of a sport ball of the type to be stored in said ball storage apparatus;
• a support mount, said support mount extending outwardly from said basketball container, said support mount comprising at least one planar mount surface for mounting said apparatus on said support structure being substantially planar and at least one concave portion for mounting said apparatus on a support structure being substantially arcuate;
• a mouth, said mouth being disposed in said top portion of said basketball container, said mouth being arranged and configured to allow a basketball to pass therethrough;
• a substantially vertical opening, said opening being disposed in said wall toward said lower portion of said basketball container, said opening being arranged and configured to allow a basketball to pass therethrough;
• a lid, said lid being hingedly fixed to said basketball container, said lid being disposed adjacent said mouth;
• and
• a door, said door being slidably fixed to said wall, said door covering said opening when disposed in a first position and said door uncovering said opening when disposed in a second position;
• wherein said basketball container comprises a diameter slightly greater than a diameter of a basketball.