Patent Publication Number: US-4147353-A

Title: Soccer retriever

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a game ball holder to hold and retrieve a game ball as it is kicked. In another aspect, this invention relates to a game ball holder and retrieving apparatus. It can be utilized to hold and secure game balls of different sizes. 
     In these days with limited space, a lot of people living in complexes, especially kids in the city, do not have anywhere to play. When the children play with game balls, such as soccer balls, it is desirable to keep the child from running into the street after the ball. It is also desirable to keep the child from breaking out windows and denting out cars with a game ball, such as a soccer ball. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for holding and retrieving game balls. It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for holding game balls of differing sizes. 
     This invention is, therefore, an apparatus for holding and retrieving a game ball. The invention includes an anchor means with one end of an elongated cord attached to the anchor means. The other end of the cord is attached to an adjustable ball holder for receiving and holding the game ball. The adjustable ball holder includes four equal length elongated pieces of webbing material that are joined together at one end whereby the pieces of webbing material extend outwardly and are at right angles to each adjacent piece of webbing material. The pieces of webbing material are of sufficient length to partially extend around a ball. A continuous elastric strip is affixed to the mid-point of each of the four pieces of webbing material and is sized to allow balls of differing diameters to be held within the ball holder. The upper end of each of the four pieces of webbing material are attached to the other end of the cord member. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one anchor use in this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hook utilized as a portion of this invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a swivel utilized for assembling this invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side-elevational view of one end of an elongated cord utilized in this invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one end of a braided nylon cord member utilized in this invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the closure of the top end of the ball holder of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the attachment of the braided cord to the elongated elastic shock cord of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the ball holder apparatus of this invention with a ball contained therein. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the top of the ball holder apparatus of this invention with a ball contained therein. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the entire assembly of components of the instant invention with a ball held in place in the ball holder. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of this invention can best be described by referring to the drawings. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a red tent stake 1 is made of cycolac, 4&#34; long to anchor in the ground. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, an &#34;S&#34; shaped metal hook 2, size 21/8&#34; made of 1/8&#34; material, connects anchor 1 and swivel 3. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, a brass swivel 3, size 5/0, connects hook 2 and elongated cord 4 to prevent the cord from twisting. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, elongated cord 4 is a &#34;1211/4&#34; diameter single cover elastic shock cord, 10&#39; for bigger boys and 6&#39; for pee wee size. It stretches 2 to 3 feet longer when it is kicked. Loops 4a and 4b are formed at both ends and held in place by two metal closing clamps 4c on each end. The clamps 4c and the loose ends of cord 4 are covered by a strip of 1&#34; wide vinyl tape. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, a braided nylon cord 5, size 1/8&#34; has one end which goes through loop 4b and is tied and taped. The other end goes through the apparatus on the ball in each of the four openings at the mouth of ball holder 6 and is tied and taped. By shortening elongated cord 4 it gives a better rebound. When shooting penalty goals the cord is shortened to half the distance of the penalty shot. 
     As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 9 and 10, ball holder 6 is made from two pieces of 11/4&#34; red cotton webbing, cut 25&#34; and sewed together at the center to form a cross. Each of the four straps 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d is turned under 11/2&#34; and sewed with heavy duty thread to form a loop at the free end of the straps. The braided nylon cord 5, is then strung through each loop to form a ring, then tied to main cord 4 and taped. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the connection of elongated cord 4 and braided cord 5 is made by forming a loop in one end of braided cord 5. One end of braided cord 5 is put through the loop on elongated cord 4 and then through the loop on braided cord 5 and pulled tight. 
     As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom of the ball holder apparatus 6 is formed by two pieces of webbing which are crossed at the center and sewed with heavy duty thread. Halfway up the side of each of the four straps 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d is 1/2&#34; elastic band 7 sewed to each strap to go around ball 8 to make it adjustable to any standard ball. 
     As shown in FIG. 9, elastic band 7 passes around ball 8, and braided nylon cord 5 passes through the loops in the ends of each of the four straps 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d. 
     The entire assembly of components making up my invention is illustrated in FIG. 10.