Patent Abstract:
A portable tennis apparatus comprising a tennis bag, a tennis ball retrieving unit, a stretchable back bar and an extendable bottom stand. The ball retrieving unit retrieves balls on the ground directly to the bag; the stretchable back bar can be pulled up and pushed around with rolling means on the ground easily. The top opening of the bag made it easy to reach the balls for replay. The extendable stand can raise the tennis bag at a desirable level for dispensing balls so that the player does not have to bend down. The stretchable back bar and the stand can be put back to their original position during the transportation of the apparatus, such as between tennis court and player&#39;s home. The entire apparatus is light-weighted, easily carried and operated single-handed. This apparatus is truly an “all-in-one” tennis apparatus, and a revolution in the field of tennis equipment.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/663,630, filed Jun. 25, 2012, for TENNIS BAG AND BALL PICKUP UNIT, by Tiffany Tong Zhang, Ching Qing Guo, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a portable tennis apparatus and, more particularly, to a portable tennis bag that is also a tennis ball retrieving and dispensing device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    To play a tennis game, the players must at least use a ball container, such as a tennis bag, to transport the balls to and from a tennis court. During a tennis game, tennis balls are often widely scattered on the ground in a court or field. Without a ball retrieving and dispensing device, one must frequently bend down and stand up to pick up the balls from the ground and to serve the balls. This action consumes the player considerably more energy in addition to game playing, it also tends to cause back strain and back pain. The player may also need a handy container to carry all the balls. 
         [0004]    The tennis bags and ball retrieving devices of prior art are separate apparatus. The tennis bags of prior art are either hand-held or carried over shoulders, which can be quite heavy if containing large number of balls. The tennis ball retrieving devices of prior art, are either with small capacity (only contains a few balls), or space-occupying large and heavy equipment. Some of the basket type of ball retrieving devices of prior art do have the capacity of reversing the top handles to increase the height of the basket for ball dispensing, but they are all “one-height-fit-all” type, especially the tall players still need to bend down to pick out the balls. One also needs to lift and carry the heavy basket off ground between scattered balls on the tennis court. Sometimes one needs to transfer the balls from a retrieving device to a ball dispensing device, which can be time-consuming and tiring. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0005]    TENNIS BALL RETRIEVING MACHINES, which are large, complex and expensive, not suitable for personal use, such as: 
         [0006]    Tennis ball vacuum collector patented by Mailman in 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 8,313,396B1 
         [0007]    Tennis practice machine patented by Phillip A Torbet in 1977, U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,037A. 
         [0008]    Ball retrieval device patented by Edward B Frankel 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,100. 
         [0009]    Tennis ball retriever patented by Kurt G Beranek in 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,242. 
         [0010]    Tennis ball retrieving device by John Meyer in 1978, U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,533. 
         [0011]    Tennis ball retriever with hinged gate by Leonard Falitz et al. in 1975, U.S. Pat. No. 3,902,749. 
         [0012]    Portable ball retriever, holder and carrier apparatus by Dennis K Stotts in 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,544. 
         [0013]    Tennis ball receptacle and dispenser by Bill Richter in 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,041. 
         [0014]    BASKET TYPE OF TENNIS BALL RETRIEVERS, which are rigid in shape, space-occupying, heavy to carry by hand, such as: 
         [0015]    Portable ball retriever patented by Zats in 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,254B1. 
         [0016]    Ball retrieving apparatus patented by Gwin and Pearson in 2011 U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,030B2, which also has very small capacity of a few balls. 
         [0017]    Other wire basket with handles were patented by Stap in 1968 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,371,950), Seewagen and Markisz in 1974 U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,836), 
         [0018]    Madrazo in 1995 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,262), Podejko in 2002 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,643), and Nestable basket type of ball retrieval and storage device by Christina E Turdo in 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 8,141,919, Ball picker dolly by Lynn L Ray in 1983, U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,695. 
         [0019]    TUBE TYPE OF TENNIS BALL RETRIEVERS, which have very limited capacity of just a few balls, such as: 
         [0020]    Ball delivery retrieval and storage system by Kenneth W Loerop et al, in 2001, U.S. Pat. No. D442658. 
         [0021]    Tennis ball retrieval, storage and dispensing device by Jonathan C Shoham in 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,608. 
         [0022]    Ball retrieval, storage and discharge device by Ryan L Nelson in 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,751. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable device and method for transporting and retrieving tennis balls easily and quickly. More particularly, the invention is a device that includes a tennis bag, a tennis ball retrieving unit, a stretchable back handle with an end hand-grip, and a rolling mean, and a bag stand. The invention is truly an “all-in-one” and handy tennis apparatus. The ball retrieving unit retries balls quickly and easily from the ground directly into the tennis bag; the flexible and compressible bag makes it very easy to carry and transport large or small number of balls; the top opening of the bag provides easy access to pick out balls from the bag for replay. The hand-grip and the stretchable back bar can be pulled up and pushed the unit with rolling means on the ground in any direction easily. The extendable stand with adjustable height can raise the tennis bag at a desirable level, according to the player&#39;s height, for dispensing balls so that the player does not have to bend down to pick the balls. The stretchable back bar and the stand can be put back to their original position during the transportation of the apparatus, such as between tennis court and player&#39;s home. The entire apparatus is light-weight and easily carry-on and operated single-handed. 
         [0024]    It is an object of the invention to provide a tennis apparatus. 
         [0025]    It is an object of the invention to provide a tennis apparatus for storing and transporting tennis balls; retrieving and dispensing tennis balls during game play. 
         [0026]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a convenient carry-on tennis bag which is also a tennis ball retrieving device and a tennis ball dispensing device. 
         [0027]    It is an object of the invention to provide a tennis bag that has the feature of conventional sports bag and pull-up traveling suitcase such as stretchable handle and rolling wheels. 
         [0028]    It is an object of the invention to provide a core mean of ball retrieving unit comprised of stretchable back bar, the side-stick and the bottom retrieving grid. 
         [0029]    It is an object, of the invention to provide an end hand-grip that gear the direction of the device and to deliver the pressure or energy for ball retrieval. 
         [0030]    It is an object of the invention to provide an adjustable stand that raises the top opening of the tennis bag to a desirable level, such as to player&#39;s waistline, so that the player of different height can easily reach into the tennis bag, without bending down, to pickout a ball for replay. 
         [0031]    It is an object of the invention to provide a locking system on the bag stand to prevent the shifting of the level of the bag. 
         [0032]    It is an object of the invention to provide light-weighted bag which is compressible with small number of balls, and expandable with large number of balls. 
         [0033]    It is an object of the invention to provide a tennis apparatus that can be carried on and operated with just one hand. 
         [0034]    It is an object of the invention to provide options of adding more pockets to the bag for personal accessories, such as keys, cell phone and water bottles and etc. 
         [0035]    It is an object of the invention to provide option of a side hook or loop to hold a tennis racket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0037]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  is a bottom exploded view of a tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the tennis ball retrieving frame of the tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  is a top exploded view of the tennis ball retrieving frame, while in use, of the tennis bag with tennis retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the bottom tennis ball retrieving panel of the tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  is a left perspective view of a tennis bag with the stand extended of the tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a bottom part of the stand of the tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 10  is a left partial view of an of an alternative stand (detached) in extended position, and the tennis bag sitting on top of the stand, of the tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 11  is a rear partial view of a storage of the alternative stand (same as in  FIG. 10 ) of the tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 12  is a rear elevation view of a shoulder strap exposed when the pocket cover the shoulder strap is unzipped of the tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving and dispensing unit in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0049]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of a lock of side bars of the stand of the tennis bag with tennis ball retrieving unit in FIG.  1 . 
       
    
    
       [0050]    For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0051]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the Tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0052]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in  FIG. 1   
         [0054]      FIG. 4  is a bottom exploded view of the of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in  FIG. 1   
         [0055]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the the tennis ball  16  retrieving frame of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in  FIG. 1   
         [0056]      FIG. 6  is a top exploded view of the the tennis ball  16  retrieving frame, while in use, of the tennis bag  20  with tennis retrieving unit in  FIG. 1   
         [0057]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the the bottom tennis ball  16  retrieving panel of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in  FIG. 1   
         [0058]      FIG. 8  is a left perspective view of the tennis bag  20  with the stand  25  extended of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in  FIG. 1   
         [0059]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of the bottom part of the stand  25  of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in  FIG. 1   
         [0060]      FIG. 10  is a left partial view of the of an alternative stand (detached) in extended position, with the tennis bag  20  sitting on top of the stand  25 , of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 11  is a rear partial view of the storage of the alternative stand (same as in  FIG. 10 ) of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in  FIG. 1   
         [0062]      FIG. 12  is a rear elevation view of the shoulder strap  23  exposed when the pocket cover the shoulder strap  23  is unzipped 
         [0063]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the lock  24  of side bars of the stand  25  of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit in  FIG. 1   
         [0064]      FIG. 1  is a sketch illustration of the perspective view of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit. The details of the apparatus is not revealed in this figure, but will be described in the following figures. 
         [0065]      FIG. 2  is the front view of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit, that shows the tennis bag  20 ; the stretchable back bar  1  in its stretched position; end hand-grip  2  at the top end of stretchable back bar  1 , and the stand  25 . 
         [0066]    The tennis bag  20  may be made of durable, light-weighted and water prove fabric or similar materials. The bottom panel  9  of the bag is the embodiment of the tennis ball  16  retrieving unit (not showing in this picture). The bag has the capacity of storing at least  50  balls. There is a zipper at the upper part of the bag where the player can unzip the zipper to open the top zippered flap, and reach inside of the tennis bag  20 , then take out of retrieved tennis balls to play again. 
         [0067]      FIG. 2  also shows the stand  25  in its original position during transportation or ball retrieving mode. The stand  25  is comprised of top panel bar and bottom panel  9  bar of the stand  25 ; side-bar of the stand  8  connect the top panel bar of the stand  5  and the bottom panel  9  bar of the stand  25 . 
         [0068]    The stretchable back bar  1  is made of light-weighted rigid material, such as metal or glass-fiber, or any other material with the similar quality. The end hand-grip  2  is made of semi-rigid, light-weighted material, such as plastic, in a shape of easy grip with hand. The end hand-grip  2  and stretchable back bar  1  are to ease the transportation of the unit on ground when it is at its stretched position. The player can grip the end hand-grip  2 , then gear and push the unit on the ground. When it is in its original position, i.e. unstretched position, the player can carry the unit by top hand strap  3  or shoulder strap  23 . 
         [0069]    There is an additional pocket  7  (or more additional pockets) for convenience of carrying more stuff or accessories. 
         [0070]      FIG. 3  is the rear view of the tennis bag  20  with tennis retrieving unit, that shows the rolling means  12 , the stretchable back bar  1  in stretched position, and the pocket cover of shoulder strap  23  in zipped or closed position. 
         [0071]    The rolling means  12  can be wheels, and are for transporting the unit on the ground. The rolling means  12  are designed to rotate up to 360 degree, so that the unit can be easily moved to any direction. 
         [0072]    Under the pocket cover of shoulder strap  23  are the shoulder straps. When the cover is closed, it prevents the shoulder straps get in the way of players, such as during ground transportation, or during game play, or any, other situations when shoulder straps are not needed. When the cover is unzipped or opened, the player can carry the unit by shoulders (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0073]      FIG. 4  is the bottom view of the tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit, that shows the means of tennis ball  16  retrieving, such as during and after a tennis game. It shows a tennis ball  16  is slightly compressed in between the rigid grid bars, on its way from ground to be pushed into the bag when forward then downward pressure applied to the bag end hand-grip  2  by the player, as will be described in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 5  is a sketch of tennis ball  16  retrieving mean, comprised of a hand grip and a vertical bar (i.e. the end hand-grip  2  and the stretchable back bar  1 ), a short side-stick molded to between the front of near bottom of the stretchable back bar  1  and the mid-portion of the rear bar of the grid in the bottom panel  9 . 
         [0075]    The side stick is to assist in keeping the ball retrieving frame and the stretchable back bar  1  in a pre-determined and fixed angle during the ball retrieving process, and also to save energy of the player when applying forward and downward pressure against ball. 
         [0076]    It also shows a tennis ball  16  is slightly compressed in between the rigid grid bars, on its way from ground to be pushed into the bag 
         [0077]      FIG. 6  is another sketch of tennis ball  16  retrieving mean, demonstrating the mechanism of action when the tennis ball  16  retrieving frame is on top of a tennis ball  16 , the end hand-grip  2  is pushed forward then downward, forcing the ball to be compressed in between the grid bars into the tennis bag  20 . Solid lines demonstrate the mean in a neutral position. Dotted lines demonstrate the position of mean when forward and downward pressure is applied to . 
         [0078]      FIG. 7  is the sketch of bottom panel  9 , either oval or rectangle shape. There are multiple parallel grid bars (either horizontal or vertical in relation to the longer outer sides of the panel), The bars are directly or indirectly fixed to the outer sides of the bottom panel  9 . The distance between the bars, or between bar and outer sides of panel is slightly smaller than the diameter of a tennis ball  16 , such width as to prevent the balls falling out from the bag once retrieved in. 
         [0079]    The bottom, panel  9  is made of rigid, durable, light-weighted material, such as metal, or fiber glass, or any other material with the similar quality. 
         [0080]      FIG. 8  is a left perspective view of a tennis bag  20  with tennis ball  16  retrieving unit, when the stand  25  is in use, i.e. in extended position. The stand  25  is comprised of a top panel, side bars or rods, and bottom panel  9 . The top panel is circumferential in shape and perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal axis of the tennis bag  20 , positioned at about mid-level of the tennis bag  20 . The side bars are located on both left and right side of the bag between about midway of top and bottom panel  9 . The side bars connect and fix the distance between top and bottom panels. There is a lock  24  on either side of the side bars that secures the bars in place when in original position (i.e. not in use). When the lock  24  is open, it allows the bottom part of the stand  25  automatically drops out by gravity, then re-lock  24  to secure the bars in extended position. 
         [0081]    When it is time to dispense or serve the ball, the player will unlock the lock  24  to let the bottom part of the stand  25  drops out until it reaches desirable height, then the player will re-lock  24  the lock  24 . When it is time to have the bag on ground level, the player will unlock the lock  24  and the bag will drop automatically to the ground level, and the player will then re-lock  24  the lock  24  to secure it in its original position. 
         [0082]    The stand  25  is comprised of small caliber tubes made of light-weighted metal, or durable rigid fiber glass, or any other material with similar quality. The bottom side bars are slightly smaller in diameter than the top side bar, so the bottom bar can be inserted into the top side bar (original position) when not in use (i.e. not in extended position). 
         [0083]      FIG. 9  is a plan illustration of the bottom part of the stand  25  when it is pulled out of the top part of stand, shows the bottom side bars and the U-shaped bottom panel  9  for stabilization of the unit when set on ground. 
         [0084]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative option of the stand  25 , which is detached from the bag, at an extended mode and in use. The tennis bag  20  unit sits on top of the stand  25 . The height of the stand  25  can be adjusted to the desired level by the player. 
         [0085]    The alternative stand is comprised of small caliber tubes or narrow linear plate, made of light-weighted metal, or durable rigid fiber glass, or any other material with similar quality. 
         [0086]      FIG. 11  is the same stand as in  FIG. 10 , but is in a folded mode when not in use, which is easily stored in the back pocket of the bag. 
         [0087]      FIG. 12  is the elevated rear view of the tennis bag  20  with tennis retrieving unit, that is similar to  FIG. 3 , except the pocket cover of the shoulder strap  23  is unzipped or open, showing the shoulder straps are exposed, and can be used to carry the unit by shoulders. 
         [0088]      FIG. 13  is the exploded view of the lock  24  on either side of the side bars. The actual design of the lock  24  may change. The lock  24  is located at the lower end of the top side bar and is made of durable and rigid plastic material or similar material. 
         [0089]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0