Patent Publication Number: US-8534726-B2

Title: Table tennis ball collector and dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/455,412, filed Oct. 21, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to table tennis accessories and in particular to a table tennis ball collector and dispenser. 
     2. Related Art 
     Table tennis is a fun and entertaining sport for novices and professionals alike. One drawback to the sport is that table tennis balls are, by the nature of the game, small. This allows table tennis balls to position themselves in hard to reach places during play. Though players may have a large number of table tennis balls, at some point, play typically must be stopped to retrieve the table tennis balls. Since, as stated above, the table tennis balls may be difficult to reach, this delays play time and detracts from the enjoyment of table tennis as a whole. 
     Players can pick up table tennis balls by hand. However, this requires repeated bending, stooping, and even crawling to reach the table tennis balls. Depending on the skill level of the players, picking up table tennis balls may occupy a significant amount of play time, requires a great deal of effort, and could lead to back or other injury. 
     From the discussion that follows, it will become apparent that the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with the prior art while providing numerous additional advantages and benefits not contemplated or possible with prior art constructions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A table tennis ball collector is disclosed herein. The table tennis ball collector may be used to both collect and dispense table tennis balls. As will be described herein, the table tennis ball collector allows one or multiple table tennis balls to be collected with minimal effort and provides storage for the collected table tennis balls. In addition, the table tennis ball collector has added versatility in that a user can dispense as many table tennis balls from the collector as desired. 
     Various embodiments of the table tennis ball collector are disclosed herein. For example, in one embodiment a table tennis ball collector may comprise a frame having an opening configured to accept a plurality of table tennis balls therein, a plurality of substantially parallel cross members extending across the opening of the frame, and a tubular sleeve having a first open end and a second open end. The first end of the sleeve may be attached to a periphery of the frame. In such manner, the first end of the sleeve may have a larger diameter than the second end to attach to the periphery of the frame. The sleeve may be formed from an elastic material selected from the group consisting of mesh and fabric. 
     A distance between at least two of the plurality of substantially parallel cross members is set according to a diameter of a table tennis ball. For example, the substantially parallel cross members may be spaced apart a distance the same or similar to or less than the diameter of a table tennis ball. 
     A handle may extend outward from the frame. It is contemplated that the handle comprises at least one bend such as to allow the frame to be more easily positioned for collecting table tennis balls. An extension may be attached at the distal end of the handle to extend the length of the handle. 
     The frame may have a plurality of holes at its periphery to accept and secure the plurality of cross members. For example, the frame comprises a plurality of pairs of holes at its periphery to secure both ends of each of the plurality of substantially parallel cross members. It is noted that the frame may also include at least one additional pair of holes to allow at least one of the plurality of substantially parallel cross members to be repositioned. For example, a cross member may be moved from to one of the additional pairs of holes to reposition it. This is advantageous in that it alters the spacing of the cross members such as to accommodate table tennis or other balls of various sizes. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a table tennis ball collector may comprise a frame having an opening to accept one or more tennis balls therein, one or more cross members attached to the frame and spanning across the opening, and a tubular elastic sleeve having a first open end and a second open end. The first end may be attached to a periphery of the frame. In this manner the tubular elastic sleeve tapers from an enlarged size at the first open end to a smaller size at the second open end. The second open end may have a diameter less than a diameter of the table tennis balls to secure the table tennis balls therein. A handle may extend from the frame for the user to grasp while operating the collector. Similar to above, the elongated members may be spaced apart a distance less than a diameter of the table tennis balls. 
     The frame may comprise a plurality of mounts to which the cross members are mounted or attached to the frame. For example, the frame may have a plurality of holes so that the cross members may be strung through the plurality of holes to attach the cross members to the frame. It is noted that the cross members may be strung through some but not all of the plurality of holes to attach the cross members to the frame. This allows the cross members to be moved to other positions if desired, such as to accommodate tennis or other balls of various sizes. 
     Various methods of forming a table tennis collector and collecting table tennis balls are disclosed herein as well. For example, in one embodiment a method of collecting table tennis balls with a table tennis ball collector may comprise attaching one or more cross members to a frame such that the cross members span across an opening of the frame, stretching a first open end of an elastic tubular sleeve, and attaching the first open end of an elastic tubular sleeve to the periphery of the frame such that once attached the first open end is stretched relative to a second open end of the elastic tubular sleeve. The cross members may be attached to the frame by stringing the cross members through one or more holes in the periphery of the frame. 
     In operation, the opening of the frame may be positioned adjacent one or more table tennis balls, and pressure may be applied to the frame to push the table tennis balls through the cross members and into the first open end of the elastic tubular sleeve. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the table tennis ball collector and dispenser; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the table tennis ball collector and dispenser; 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the table tennis ball collector and dispenser positioned over a table tennis ball; 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the table tennis ball collector and dispenser collecting a table tennis ball; 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the table tennis ball collector and dispenser storing a table tennis ball; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the table tennis ball collector and dispenser after collecting a plurality of table tennis balls; 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the table tennis ball collector and dispenser dispensing a table tennis ball; and 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the table tennis ball collector and dispenser after dispensing a table tennis ball. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. 
     In general, the table tennis ball collector and dispenser (hereinafter the “collector”) disclosed herein allows user to quickly an easily gather or collect even a large number of table tennis balls. Using the collector, table tennis balls can be collected from hard to reach places with a simple safe motion. In other words, users need not concentrate of properly positioning the collector relative to one or more table tennis balls in order for the collector to work. In addition, the collector includes a dispenser feature which allows the collected table tennis balls to be easily dispensed such as for further play. Also, the collector may serve as a storage device for table tennis balls that have been collected therein. 
     Practice against a mechanical or robotic ball throwing machine called a ping pong robot typically results in dozens of balls become scattered across the playing area that then need to be picked up and reloaded back into the machine. Traditionally this has occurred by hand, which is quite time consuming and which takes away from practice time. 
     In addition, during multiball practice, where a coach having a bucketful (or other large number) of balls, continuously hits individual balls towards the student until the bucket is empty also results in many table tennis balls being strewn all over the practice area. In this case as well, the table tennis balls would need to be picked up and reloaded back to the bucket before practice may continue. In addition, removing the table tennis balls from the play area increases safety (by removing a tripping hazard) and prevents the tennis balls from being stepped on or otherwise damaged. The collector herein greatly speed the process and increases efficiency of collecting table tennis balls while being easy to use. 
     The collector will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 . In one or more embodiments, the collector  104  may comprise a handle  108  and frame  120 . As can be seen, the frame  120  may be connected to the handle  108  so that the frame  120  may be manipulated via the handle. In general, the handle  108  will be configured to allow a user to grasp and/or hold the frame  120 . A user may then operate or use the collector  104  using the handle  108 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the handle  108  may be elongated so as to hold the frame  120  some distance from the user. This extends the user&#39;s reach so that the user need not stretch, bend, or otherwise contort his or her body to reach one or more table tennis balls. 
     As can be seen, the handle  108  may also include one or more bends  112  or angles so as to allow the user to reach even difficult to reach areas with the frame  120 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , a bend  112  may be configured to position the frame  120  substantially parallel to the ground or other surface when the collector  104  is in use. This allows a user to grasp the handle  108  naturally when using the collector  104 . It is contemplated that the bend  112  may be various angles to provide ergonomic use for various users. For example, in one embodiment, there may be a 45 degree bend  112  in the handle. 
     It is contemplated that the handle  108  may have one or more extensions  116  configured to extend the length of the handle  108  so that a user can reach further with the collector  104  and dispense table tennis balls at an increased distance. To illustrate, attaching an extension  116  may lengthen the handle by 3 ft in some embodiments. The length of the handle  108  with or without an extension  116  also allows users to pick up table tennis balls while others are in motion and swinging (i.e., in play), and to do so from a safe distance. A distal end of the handle  108  (the end opposite the frame  120 ) may have a connector, coupling, or the like to allow an extension  116  to be secured thereto. For example, a threaded connection may be made between the handle  108  and an extension  116  at the distal end of the handle by twisting or rotating the extension  116  relative to the handle. 
     Alternatively, a friction fit coupling may connect an extension  116  to the handle. For example, the distal end of the handle  108  may have a female connector that accepts a male connector of the extension  116 , or vice versa. In addition or alternatively, it is contemplated that one or more fasteners, such as pins or screws could be used to secure an extension  116  to the handle  108 . It is contemplated that extensions  116  may be secured in various other ways. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more extensions  116  may be built into a handle  108 . For example, the handle  108  may comprise one or more extensions  116  that telescope from a distal end of the handle. 
     In one or more embodiments, the frame  120  may provide a structure for supporting one or more cross members  128 , such as the rounded open structure shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The frame  120  may have various shapes and sizes. For example an increased size may allow an increased number of table tennis balls to be collected simultaneously. A reduced size or tapered or similar shape may be used to collect table tennis balls in locations having various “nooks and crannies” or other hard to reach areas. 
     As can be seen, the cross members  128  may be elongated members attached to the frame  120 . The cross members  128  may be cables, cords, or other elongated structures. The cross members  128  will typically be resilient so as to be bendable when the collector  104  is in use. As will be described further below, the cross members  128  may be used to collect and retain one or more table tennis balls. 
     In some embodiments, the frame  120  may comprise one or more mounts  136  to allow the cross members  128  to attach thereto. For example, the frame  120  may have one or more mounts  136  in the form of holes to allow cross members  128  to be inserted therein and attach to the frame. It is contemplated that cross members  128  may be “strung” onto the frame such as by weaving a cord or cable through the openings/mounts of the frame  120 . There may be a series of mounts on the frame  120  to allow cross members  128  to be attached at various locations. This allows the cross members  128  to be spaced apart at various distances, such as to pick up particular table tennis or other balls. 
     The cross members  128  may be attached at various spacings or intervals on the frame  120 . For example, in  FIGS. 1-2  the cross members  128  have been installed such that they are spaced apart at the same or substantially the same distance. In one or more embodiments, this distance may be set according to the size of a table tennis ball. Typically, the distance will be slightly smaller than the diameter of a table tennis ball. In this manner, the cross members  128  will have to bend to accept a table tennis ball during the collection procedure, as will be detailed further below. This allows the cross members  128  to pick up table tennis balls. 
     It is contemplated that the cross members  128  may be spaced apart according to balls of various sizes. For example, the cross members  128  may be spaced apart based on the diameter of a golf ball, tennis ball, squash ball, or other ball. Typically, the spacing will be smaller than the diameter of the ball to be collected. It is noted that in some embodiments, the spacing of the cross members  128  may be non-uniform so as to allow the collector  104  to pick up balls of various sizes. 
     In one or more embodiments, the cross members  128  may be parallel or substantially parallel to one another. This forms elongated openings between the cross members  128  where a table tennis ball may enter as it is being collected. Since the cross members  128  may be formed from a resilient material, they may bend to accept a table tennis ball and then straighten to prevent the table tennis ball from dropping, as will be described further below. 
     As can also be seen, the collector  104  may include a sleeve  124  configured to contain or hold table tennis balls that are collected. For example, the sleeve  124  may be a net or mesh material that forms an open-ended compartment to store a dispense table tennis balls. Other flexible materials (synthetic, natural, or both) such as fabric could be used as well. Typically, the sleeve  124  is formed from an elastic or resilient material having two open ends  132 A,  132 B. For example, the sleeve  124  may be a elastic or resilient material formed as a tube having openings at both its ends  132 A,  132 B. A receiving end  132 B may be secured to the frame  120 , while a dispensing end  132 A may be left unsecured. This stretches the receiving end  132 B. As can be seen from  FIGS. 1-2  the elasticity of the sleeve  124  is attached at a peripheral edge of the frame, thus forming a conical shape that is wider at its receiving end  132 B as compared to its dispensing end  132 A. 
     As its name implies, the receiving end  132 B may accept the one or more table tennis balls collected by the collector  104 . As will be described further below, table tennis balls entering between a pair of cross members  128  (or a cross member and the frame  120 ) may then enter at the receiving end  132 B of the sleeve  124 . Since the sleeve  124  tapers as it reaches its dispensing end  132 A, any collected table tennis balls are secured within the sleeve  124 . This is advantageous in that the collector  104  also provides storage for table tennis balls. 
     When desired for use or other purposes, one or more of the table tennis balls may be dispensed, such as via the dispensing end  132 A of the sleeve  124 . This is possible because the sleeve  124  has two open ends  132 A, 132 B, with the dispensing end  132 A being usable to remove or dispense collected table tennis balls from the collector  104 . 
     The opening at the dispensing end  132 A is highly advantageous as a way of providing access to collected table tennis balls. For one, when table tennis ball collection is complete, the collector  104  may be supported on a surface with its frame  120  contacting the surface. This keeps the dispensing end  132 A oriented upward thus allowing a user to easily remove individual or a plurality of table tennis balls from the top of the collector  104 . During play for example individual table tennis balls could be removed from the collector quickly and conveniently. 
     The opening at the dispensing end  132 A also allows dispensing of collected table tennis balls in other ways. For example, a user could quickly dispense multiple or all of the collected table tennis balls by squeezing the table tennis balls out of the dispensing end  132 A. The user may in this manner dispense a plurality of table tennis balls, such as into a container or machine. 
     The elasticity of the sleeve  124  allows a large number of table tennis balls to be collected. In fact the sleeve  124  is capable of stretching outward to accept additional table tennis balls. The elasticity of the sleeve  124  ensures that the dispensing end  132 A remains narrow, thus securing any table tennis balls during collection, while also permitting the table tennis balls to be quickly and easily dispensed individually or in numbers. 
     The table tennis balls are thus removably secured by the sleeve without latches, doors, flaps, or the like. In traditional containers, without closing a door, flap, or the like, contents within such containers may fall out. Thus, with the collector  104  a user may simply use the collector without first closing a door, flap, or the like or even checking if such door, flap, or the like is closed. This increases the speed and convenience at which table tennis balls may be collected. 
     Operation of the collector  104  will now be described with regard to  FIGS. 3-8 . In general,  FIGS. 3-8  illustrate how the collector  104  may be used to collect and dispense one or more table tennis balls  304 . The table tennis balls  304  are shown on an exemplary surface  308  from which they are collected. This surface may be the ground or floor, table top, or virtually any other surface where a table tennis ball may land, such as on furniture, etc . . .  FIG. 3  also illustrates an exemplary obstruction  312  which would ordinarily hinder collection of a table tennis ball  304 . As can be seen, the collector  104  is not hindered by such obstruction  312 . For example, the obstruction  312  may be a building structure, furnishing, the table tennis table, or other structures. The bend  112  of the handle  108  allows the frame  120  and sleeve  124  to be easily positioned to collect a table tennis ball  304 . It can thus be seen that the user may pick up a table tennis ball  304  with the collector  104  without having to stoop, reach, or otherwise contort his or her body. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the collector&#39;s frame  120  may be positioned upright above a table tennis ball  304  to be collected. An upright orientation may be one where the frame  120  is positioned downward with the sleeve  124  located above, such as shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the frame  120  may then be moved downward to collect the table tennis ball  304 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the table tennis ball  304  stretches or bends the cross members  128  as it enters therebetween. As shown in  FIG. 5 , once the table tennis ball  304  advances beyond the cross members  128  (and into the receiving end  132 B of the sleeve  124 ), the cross members return to their undistorted shape (i.e., straighten) thus securing the table tennis ball  304  within the collector  124 . 
     It can thus be seen that the collector  104  makes it easy to pick up and collect table tennis balls. The user need not carefully aim or target a table tennis ball  304 . This is because, the table tennis ball  304  will be forced between the cross members  128  or a cross member and the frame  120  as the frame is moved downward over the table tennis ball  304 . In addition, multiple table tennis balls may be picked up and collected in this manner, increasing the speed and convenience of collection. As disclosed above, the sleeve&#39;s taper will secure any collected table tennis balls  304  until they are dispensed. 
       FIGS. 7-8  illustrate the dispensing of a table tennis ball  304 . As can be seen, the opening at the dispensing end  132 A may be narrower than the diameter of a table tennis ball  304 . This secures the table tennis balls  304  in the collector  104  even if the collector  104  were to be turned upside down (with the dispensing end  132 A pointed downward). This is despite the fact that the sleeve  124  has an opening at its dispensing end  132 A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a table tennis ball  304  is being forced out of the sleeve  124 . As can be seen, as the table tennis ball  304  exits the sleeve it stretches the sleeve  124  at the dispensing end  132 A so that it can pass through the opening at the dispensing end. As can also be seen, individual table tennis balls  304  can be dispensed from the collector  104  in this manner. This is highly advantageous during practice or play since users will typically only need on table tennis ball  304  at a time. In addition, users can take individual table tennis balls  304  directly from the collector  104  thus eliminating a step of dispensing the collected table tennis balls  304  into an intermediary container or storage unit. 
     Once a table tennis ball  304  is dispensed, any other table tennis balls  304  still in the collector  104  remain secured, such as shown in  FIG. 8 . This is because the elasticity of the sleeve  104  collapses the sleeve, such as at dispensing end  132 A, around the remaining table tennis balls  304 . 
     It is noted that a clip. String, rubber band or other fastener can be used to temporarily close the dispensing end  132 A and when the device  104  is positioned vertically or horizontally with the closed dispensing end  132 A at the bottom, individual balls can be pulled out using fingers between two cross members  128  to start each new rally. In other words, table tennis balls may be dispensed through the cross members  128  in some situations. Multiple table tennis balls can also be dispensed out in the same manner. If all balls needed to be emptied it could be done by using the open palm to push the dispensing end  132 A towards the other end  132 B forcing all the balls inside the sleeve  120  to exit between the flexible cross members  128  or simply by removing any fastener used to temporarily close the dispensing end  132 A and letting the balls exit through the dispensing end  132 A. 
     The collector  104  is highly versatile, and can dispense individual or multiple table tennis balls  304  in rapid fashion as disclosed above. For example, a user may apply pressure, such as by squeezing, onto the sleeve  124 , thus forcing multiple table tennis balls  304  out of the collector  104 . By applying less force, a user may dispense individual table tennis balls  304  or fewer table tennis balls. It is contemplated that in an upright orientation, such as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , a user may reach into the opening at the dispensing end  132 A to retrieve individual table tennis balls, such as for play. 
     As can be seen, the collector  104  collects table tennis balls quickly and easily in a variety of situations, including when a table tennis match is being played. Any number of table tennis balls may be retrieved with minimal effort. In addition, the collector  104  utilizes a configuration that does not require latches, doors, or the like to secure table tennis balls therein. The sleeve  124  of the collector  104  allows table tennis balls to be collected, secured and dispensed quickly and easily so that users may focus on playing table tennis. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.