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Apparatus and method for collecting projectile game pieces

Apparatus and method for collecting projectile game pieces description/claims

This invention relates to sporting equipment, and more particularly to a collector for projectile game pieces.

Many sports such as hockey and golf, for example, involve propulsion of a game piece across a playing surface towards a goal, hole, or other target. During individual or team practice sessions, numerous game pieces may be repeatedly propelled towards the target. Collection of these numerous game pieces after a practice session typically requires repeated bending or stooping to retrieve game pieces from the ground and to deposit them in a repository such as a bucket.

Various mechanical collectors have been proposed to simplify collection of sports game pieces from a playing surface. Such collectors commonly include, for example, some form of ball conveyor powered, for example, by propulsion of the collector by a user across the playing surface.

There exists a need for a sports game pieces collector that docs not require propulsion of the collector across the playing surface. Similarly, a need exists for a collector that may be used as part of or during a practice session.

Generally, the invention contemplates various mechanisms and methods for collecting projectile game pieces. An exemplary sports game piece collector provides for receipt of projectile game pieces with an entrance momentum through an inlet aperture formed in a housing. The received game piece is carried by its momentum up an inclined conduit into a game piece repository.

In various embodiments, the kinetic energy of the game piece is dissipated by impact with a compliant impact surface prior to the game piece coming to rest in the game piece repository. In other embodiments, the game piece kinetic energy may be partially dissipated by provision of a conduit shaped to redirect the game piece as it travels between the inlet aperture and the repository. For example, the conduit may form a reverse curved path between an inlet aperture located on the front of the housing and a repository located forward of the conduit end.

While the game piece may be any object suitable for propulsion across a playing surface, (e.g., a golf ball, street hockey ball, ice hockey puck, and the like) the invention is described herein in the exemplary context of a puck as typically used to play ice hockey in the exemplary context of a hockey practice session, pucks are propelled towards a hockey goal with the game piece collector positioned within or behind the goal. Pucks entering a central portion of the goal may be received directly into the collector. Alternatively, pucks may initially impact the exterior or housing of the collector and come to rest near the collector and may then be repeatedly propelled towards the collector until received within the collector. Thus, in contrast to the prior art devices requiring delay of collection of game pieces until the end of a practice session, the present invention provides the advantage of extending practice sessions as stray game pieces are corralled towards and ultimately propelled into the collector.

Additional advantages are provided by various aspects of alternative embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the collector includes a housing having a compliant front surface or front portion designed to minimize rebound of pucks from the front of the housing. In another embodiment, the inlet aperture in the housing is positioned proximate the playing surface such that pucks may readily transition between the playing surface and the inlet aperture. An adjustment mechanism may be used to vary the height of the inlet aperture from the playing surface. An inlet ramp may be used to span any gap between the inlet aperture and the playing surface.

In some embodiments, the conduit is inclined upwardly towards a repository positioned rearward of the conduit within the collector housing. In other embodiments, the conduit is inclined upwardly in a continuous curve, or reverse curved path, such that the puck is redirected towards a repository located forward of the end of the conduit. A baffle or discrete inline sections within the conduit may also be used to further redirect the momentum of the puck.

In other embodiments, a skid stop such as an ice cleat or rubber foot is provided for contacting the playing surface to resist movement of the housing on the playing surface during receipt of the puck. Wheels and an extendable handle allow various embodiments to be more readily transported. A game piece basket may be received in the repository and accessible or removable, for example through an access door or zippered flap in the housing. Additional sporting equipment or water bottles and the like may be retained, stored, and transported on accessory racks on the collector.

In one aspect, the invention features a method of collecting a projectile game piece propelled across a playing surface. The method includes positioning a portable game piece collector on a playing surface, the collector comprising a housing defining an inlet aperture in a front surface of the housing for receiving projectile game pieces, a repository for retaining received projectile game pieces and a conduit for redirecting the momentum of received game pieces into the repository. The projectile game piece is received at the inlet aperture and the momentum of the received game piece is redirected towards the repository. The momentum of the projectile game piece may be redirected towards the front of the housing by the shape of the conduit or by a baffle. The momentum of the received game piece may also be redirected by an energy impact surface positioned above the repository at the end of the conduit.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary projectile game piece collector.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the collector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along 3/4-3/4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an alternative cross-sectional view taken along 3/4-3/4 of FIG. 2.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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