GB2370788A

GB2370788A - Ball retriever

Info

Publication number: GB2370788A
Application number: GB0129305A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Peter Leese
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-09
Filing date: 2001-12-07
Publication date: 2002-07-10
Also published as: GB0129305D0

Abstract

The Ball Retriever comprises of a variable length telescopic pole 1, with a locking device 2, to give a desired reach and for downward pressure on a ball. On one end of the pole is a moulded plastic handle, 3. On the other end of the pole is secured a shaped head 10 with hook and fastener lining 5. The head 10 is designed to grip and pick up a ball when downward pressure is applied. The head 10 is secured with a threaded bolt 11 into a threaded insert 12. A tapered plastic spacer 13 may be employed where a narrower pole 1(or 8) is used, to allow the head 10 to locate without any overlap on the end of the pole. The shaped head could alternatively be a moulded component 4, which push fits into the pole 1. The variable pole could alternatively comprise of interlocking tubular sections. The tennis ball retriever may also include a tennis net height indicator 15 placed on the pole as an added feature.

Description

DESCRIPTION BALL RETRIEVER This invention relates to a Ball Retriever. The Ball Retriever enables one to reach and retrieve a ball, which is out of arms reach. The ball may have come to rest in a tight space, in an elevated position or indeed landed within or beyond a prickly hedgerow.

The object of this is to allow a person to easily retrieve a ball, which has landed in a place where access is difficult.

Accordingly the features of this invention include a lightweight yet variable length pole. On one end of the pole is secured means for picking up a ball.

On the other end may be a handle. The head is designed to grip and pick up a ball when downward pressure is applied. The head may be lined with hook & fleece fastener material which holds the ball so that it can be withd rawn/retrieved.

Preferably the pole of the Ball Retriever is made of a lightweight metal or plastic but could be made of wood. Its variable length preferably is achieved by a telescopic pole, which comprises of an inner pole within an outer pole sheath with a twist & lock/unlock handle. The locking action gives the desired reach and allows for downward pressure on a ball. Such a telescopic pole with locking handle is made by Exel Oyj and called a Quick Lock. This is a preferred pole design for this invention. Alternatively a variable length pole achieved by using sectional tubular pieces, which push fit together. The head which is a distinguishing feature of the invention is preferably made from metal or plastic material lined with hook & eye fleece material (hooks).

The preferred embodiment of the invention is particularly useful for picking up Tennis Balls. The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows the side view of the whole item FIGURE 2 shows the head assembly.

FIG 2a shows the front view FIG 2b shows the side view FIGURE 3 shows an alternative head design FIG 3a shows the front view FIG 3b shows the side view FIG 3c shows the end view looking from 6 towards 4 FIGURE 4 shows an alternative pole design As shown in Figure 1, the Ball Retriever comprises of a lightweight telescopic pole 1, with a locking device 2 to give a desired reach and allow downward pressure on a ball. On one end of the pole is a moulded plastic handle, 3.

On the other end of the pole is secured a shaped head 4 with hook & fleece lining 5 (a suitable such material is sold under the trade name Velcro A

tennis net height indicator/line 15 is also marked on the pole 1 at the height of 36 inches.

Figure 2 shows the preferred head design. This comprises of a shaped head 10 with hook & fleece fastener lining 5 inside. The head 10 is secured with a threaded bolt 11 into a threaded insert 12. A tapered plastic spacer 13 may be employed where a narrower pole 1 (or 8) is used, to allow the head 10 to locate without any overlap on the end of the pole. Where the spacer is not used in the assembly a shorter bolt would be employed.

Figure 3 shows an alternative head design 4. This would be a moulded component, again with hook & fleece fastener lining 5. The head 4 is located into the end of the pole 1 (or 8), secured by a push fit, where the four moulded fins 6 grip the inside of the tube 1 (or8). The collar 7 acts as a stop and seals off the tube end.

Figure 4 shows an alternative pole 8, which comprises of push fit interlocking tubes to provide variable length. These would preferably be nesting swaged tube joints 9.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A Ball Retriever including a pole with means for picking up a ball at one end.
2. A Ball Retriever as claimed in Claim 1 where the means for picking up a ball comprises of a shaped head.
3. A Ball Retriever as claimed in Claim 1 and 2 where the shaped head is lined with hook & fleece material.
4. A Ball Retriever as claimed in Claim 1,2 and 3 where the pole is of variable length to allow for sufficient reach. The variable length pole is preferably achieved using a telescopic pole with locking device.
5. A Ball Retriever as in Claim 1,2, 3, and 4 where the preferred application is for the picking up and retrieval of tennis balls.
6. A Ball Retriever as claimed in Claim 1,2, 3,4, 5 with a tennis net height indicator displayed on the pole.
7. A Ball Retriever as claimed in any preceding claim, which is made from metal, plastic material or wood or from a combination of these materials.
8. A Ball Retriever substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.