Tennis ball collection, pick-up and propelling system
US4108432A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 1975 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63B2047/028
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A tennis ball retrieving and propelling device for placement on a surface having a ball delivery tube and a carrousel type ball retriever positioned below the ball delivery tube for receiving balls to be pneumatically transported to the ball delivery tube. The delivery tube is provided with a mechanism for constricting the effective cross sectional area thereof. The mechanism is provided with a releasing element for releasing the constriction to permit a ball to be pneumatically propelled through the tube. The mechanism includes a section of flexible tubing attached to the delivery tube, a cable surrounding the flexible tubing and a device attached to the cable for tensioning and releasing the cable to restrict and release a ball traveling through the flexible tube. The balls are pneumatically retrieved and propelled from the propelling device. The propelling device has elements for controlling the speed, azimuth and elevation of a ball delivered therefrom.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.