Patent ID: 7341294

Claim:
A ball pickup apparatus comprising: a hopper providing front, rear, left side right side, and bottom panels; the left and right side panels each engaging a supporting wheel; the bottom panel contoured with two channels, each of the channels extending from the front panel, along the bottom panel to one of the side panels, opening outwardly adjacent one of the supporting wheels; opposing left and right herding rails connected to the hopper and extending forward of the hopper, the herding rails positioned for directing balls lying on a ground surface in front of the apparatus into contact with the front panel, the channels positioned and adapted for receiving the balls as the apparatus is moved over the ground surface toward the balls, the forward motion forcing the balls through the channels so as to exit adjacent the supporting wheels; the supporting wheels positioned for compressing and rotating the balls upwardly against the side panels; the side panels providing openings positioned for receiving the balls as they move with the supporting wheels past the openings so that the balls move into the hopper.