Apparatus for collecting and storing tennis balls

Abstract

A ball collecting apparatus is provided that employs a human-powered ball transport system that moves balls from a collecting surface to a location above the collection surface. The ball collecting apparatus employs no motors or other artificially powered devices to retrieve and transfer balls, which makes it light and easy to maneuver. The ball collecting apparatus is primarily contemplated for use of picking up tennis balls, but other balls of various sizes may be accommodated by the apparatus as it is scalable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for collecting at least one ball comprising:
 a left panel;   a right panel spaced from the left panel;   a rear panel interconnected to a rear edge of the left panel and a rear edge of the right panel;   a front panel interconnected to a front edge of the left panel and a front edge of the right panel, the front panel having a lower edge spaced from a lower edge of the left and right panel to provide a lower opening, and wherein the front panel has an upper edge spaced from an upper edge of the left panel and an upper edge of the right panel;   an upper axle interconnected between the left panel to the right panel adjacent to an upper portion of the apparatus;   a first pulley rotatably interconnected to the upper axle;   a lower axle having a first end and a second end interconnected between the left panel to the right panel adjacent to a lower portion of the apparatus;   a second pulley rotatably interconnected to the lower axle;   a right wheel positioned adjacent to the right panel, the right wheel interconnected to the first end of the lower axle;   a left wheel positioned adjacent to the left panel, the left wheel interconnected to the second end of the lower axle;   wherein rotation of at least one of the left wheel or the right wheel rotates the lower pulley;   a belt having an inner surface that operatively engages an outer surface the first pulley and the second pulley, wherein rotation of the lower pulley moves the belt around the first pulley and the second pulley;   at least one ball transferring member extending from an outer surface of the belt; and   wherein the lower opening is adapted to receive at least one ball that is engaged by the at least one ball transferring member that moves the at least one ball from the lower opening to the upper opening as the apparatus is moved forward.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a left arm extending from the forward edge of the left panel, and a right arm extending from the forward edge of the right panel, the left arm and the right arm are configured to direct at least one ball into the lower opening. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a handle associated with an upper surface of the apparatus, a storage area integrated into the upper surface, a water bottle holder associated with the upper surface, and a writing surface associated with the upper surface. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus does not employ an engine or a motor, and wherein the apparatus is powered only by human energy. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ball transferring members is a plurality thereof, and the belt is comprised of a plurality of segments interconnected by each of the plurality of ball transferring members. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper opening is adapted to selectively receive a basket that receives collected balls. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the basket employs selectively movable handles that are configured to position a lower surface of the basket away from the surface on which the at least one ball resides. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball scoop located adjacent to the lower pulley opposite the lower opening. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the ball scoop has a leading edge with a roller. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper pulley and the lower pulley employ teeth that selectively engage ribs on the inner surface of the belt. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball guide associated with the lower opening. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for collecting at least one ball comprising:
 a housing having a left side, a right side, a front side, and a back side, the front side having a lower opening and an upper opening;   an upper axle interconnected between the left side to the right side adjacent to an upper portion of the apparatus;   a first pulley rotatably interconnected to the upper axle;   a lower axle having a first end and a second end interconnected between the left side to the right side adjacent to a lower portion of the apparatus;   a second pulley rotatably interconnected to the lower axle;   a right wheel positioned adjacent to the right side, the right wheel interconnected to the first end of the lower axle;   a left wheel positioned adjacent to the left side, the left wheel interconnected to the second end of the lower axle;   wherein rotation of at least one of the left wheel or the right wheel rotates the lower pulley;   a belt having an inner surface that operatively engages an outer surface the first pulley and the second pulley, wherein rotation of the lower pulley moves the belt around the first pulley and the second pulley; and   a means for transferring a ball extending from an outer surface of the belt.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a left arm extending from a forward edge of the left side, and a right arm extending from a forward edge of the right side, the left arm and the right arm are configured to direct at least one ball into the lower opening. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus does not employ an engine or a motor, and wherein the apparatus is powered only by human energy. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the belt is comprised of a plurality of segments each interconnected by the means for transferring a ball. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the upper opening is adapted to selectively receive a basket that receives collected balls. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the basket employs selectively movable handles that are configured to position a lower surface of the basket away from the surface on which the at least one ball resides. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball scoop located adjacent to the lower pulley opposite the lower opening, the ball scoop having a leading edge with a roller. 
     
     
         19 . A method of retrieving balls from a surface and depositing the balls to a basket, comprising:
 providing a ball transport system comprising a segmented belt having a plurality of ball lifting members extending therefrom;   providing a ball scoop that cooperates with the ball lifting members from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane;   providing a ball guide that facilitates movement of balls from the surface to the ball scoop;   directing balls to the ball lifting members through the ball guide;   moving the balls to the ball scoop;   positioning the balls on a curved upper surface of the ball lifting members;   moving the balls upwardly; and   depositing the balls in a location positioned above the surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the balls are tennis balls, and wherein the location above the surface is a basket.