Patent ID: 6142544
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A ball retrieval device for retrieving balls of at least two different sizes, the device comprising:a container having an open top, sides, and a bottom wall;the bottom wall having an opening of variable size for receiving balls of different diameters in a range from a predetermined minimum diameter to a predetermined maximum diameter;the bottom wall having at least one fixed horizontal member defining one fixed side of said opening and one movable member defining an opposite side of said opening, said movable member being movable between a first position at a first predetermined spacing from the fixed member and a second position at a second predetermined spacing from the fixed member;the first spacing being less than said predetermined minimum diameter and the second spacing being greater than said predetermined maximum diameter;biasing means for biasing said movable member into said first position;whereby said movable member is urged from said first position towards said second position when said container bottom wall is urged downwardly over a ball with said opening aligned with the ball in order to enlarge said opening and allow said ball to enter said container through said opening, and is then biased back to said first position to retain said ball in said container;wherein the container further includes a removable lid for releasable mounting over the open top of the container;wherein the removable lid comprises a generally flat cover for extending over the open top of the container, the container being of generally rectangular cross-section and having first and second pairs of opposite side walls, the cover having opposite ends, and at least one pair of downwardly depending legs extending downwardly from opposite ends of the cover for engagement over the first pair of opposite sides of the container; andthe device further comprising a pair of handles secured to the second pair of opposite sides of the container, whereby the handles comprise means for carrying the container and further comprise means for holding the removable lid in place over the open top of the container.