A portable sports rack and delivery system including an elongate rack enclosure, and a method of use thereof are provided. The elongate rack enclosure defines a storage space for accommodating balls stacked one above the other. A delivery opening, disposed at a first end of the elongate rack enclosure, receives, accommodates, and delivers an uppermost ball from the storage space. A base member, attached to a second end of the elongate rack enclosure, supports the stacked balls within the storage space. A release component including a compression spring, disposed on an upper surface of the base member, elastically compresses and expands to elevate and release the uppermost ball from the storage space for delivery through the delivery opening. A training component, operably and adjustably coupled to a rear section of the elongate rack enclosure, extends above the first end of the elongate rack enclosure to assist in training a sportsperson.

The invention is that of a lacrosse ball collection apparatus fabricated from materials such as plastics, metals and fabrics. The apparatus comprises a fabric which when in its open position forms a substantially triangular horizontal surface capable of fitting inside a lacrosse goal. When lacrosse balls are shot into the goal, they collect on the fabric. The apparatus is foldable at a front joint and comprises a spout located behind the front joint and in close proximity thereto, such that the apparatus may be used to carry the balls to a collection receptacle, where they may be poured out of the spout into the receptacle for reuse. The apparatus is further foldable at two side joints such that an apical joint is foldable toward the front joint and two front member segments are foldable inward to render the apparatus in a compact, closed position suitable for storage in small spaces.

System and method for launching a ball onto the ground of a playing field. The system includes an outlet chamber configured to receive the ball therein; an outlet conduit or frame configured to contain the outlet chamber and allow the same to move through the outlet conduit towards a second position on the ground; movement capability of the outlet chamber, connected to and configured to move the outlet chamber between at least the first position and the second position, where the outlet chamber includes an outlet mouth and launching means for launching the ball arranged in the outlet chamber. A field including the system is also described.

The present disclosure provides for a recycled golf ball vending machine having a housing with a bottom retrieval chamber and a plurality of shelves disposed above the retrieval chamber. Each shelf includes at least a single coiled wire and at least two opposing coiled wires. The recycled golf ball vending machine includes at least a first transparent cylindrical container having a plurality of recycled golf balls positioned upright within the single coiled wire. The recycled golf ball vending machine further includes a first transparent clamshell container having a first predetermined number of recycled golf balls positioned between the two opposing coiled wires. A payment mechanism activates an instruction mechanism upon a receipt of a payment by a user, which in turn rotates the single coiled wire or the at least two coiled wires. The rotation of the single coiled wire or the two coiled wires respectively conveys the first transparent cylindrical container or the first transparent clamshell container horizontally along the shelf until it slides over a front edge of the shelf and drops into the retrieval chamber.

A golf ball verification system and method is described. The illustrative golf ball verification system includes balls, bays and at least one target. Each of the balls includes a unique ID indicator. Additionally, each of the bays includes a ball dispenser, a first ball ID reader, a first diverter, and a first reject ball chute. The first ball ID reader identifies any of the balls having unreadable ID indicators. The first diverter selects any of the balls having unreadable ID indicators for collection by the first reject ball chute. Furthermore, each target includes a ball detector, a second ball ID reader, a second diverter, and a second reject ball chute. The second ball ID reader identifies any of the balls having unreadable ID indicators. The second diverter selects the balls having unreadable ID indicators for collection by the second reject ball chute.

A system for dropping golf balls at pre-determined, repeatable patterns and distances from a hole or target for putting and chipping practice may include a removable ball holder and retrieval device to retrieve golf balls that have been struck for efficiently reloading the system for repeated golf ball dispensing.

The sports ball storage device is configured for use in storing one or more balls. The sports ball storage device attaches to a vertical surface. The sports ball storage device dispenses a ball selected from the one or more balls. The sports ball storage device comprises a cage, a door, and a plurality of mounting brackets. The plurality of mounting brackets attach the cage to the vertical surface. The door attaches to the cage. The cage is a hollow cylindrical openwork structure that attaches to the vertical surface such that the center axis of the cylindrical openwork structure is parallel to the force of gravity. The one or more balls are placed into the cage through the superior end of the hollow cylindrical openwork structure. The one or more balls are dispensed through the door of the sports ball storage device.

Methods and systems for packaging a plurality of objects are disclosed. The system includes a base tray having a first end and a second end, an object reservoir positioned at the first end, a dispensing guide positioned at the second end, and a column guide disposed between the reservoir and the dispensing guide. The column guide is configured to convey objects from the reservoir to the dispensing guide using gravitational forces via a plurality of longitudinally extending guiding columns. A tilt tray having a front edge and a back edge is positioned above the column guide. The tilt tray has a front edge and a back edge, and is anchored to pivot between a forward-engaged position and a backward-engaged position. When the tilt tray is in the backward-engaged position, the back edge is positioned to prevent object movement along the column guide, while the front edge is positioned to allow object movement along the column guide and into the dispensing guide. When the tilt tray is in the forward-engaged position, the front edge is positioned to prevent object movement along the column guide and into the dispensing guide, while the back edge is positioned to allow objects to pass underneath the back edge. The system is sized and configured for packaging golf balls in interchangeable object containers.

The invention relates to a device (1) for returning balls (24) in a playing arrangement (20) of a ball sport, having a goal wall (21), wherein a space (22) in front of the goal wall (21) and a space (23) behind the goal wall (21) are provided, wherein an inclined plane (3) is provided in the space (23) behind the goal wall (21), wherein the inclined plane (3) leads to a receiving position (4) of a motor-actuated lifting apparatus (5) for one ball (24) at a time, and having a dispensing mechanism, which, in a dispensing position of the lifting apparatus (5), acts on the ball (24) in such a way that the ball (24) can be dispensed into the space (22) in front of the goal wall (21). The invention further relates to a motor-actuatable lifting apparatus (5) for one ball (24) at a time for use in a device (1) for returning balls (24) and to a method for returning balls (24).

A sports projectile delivery system may control the operation of a launcher to cause an American football or other sports projectile to be delivered to a target location on a field. In some aspects, the system can track player movements on the field, e.g., through the use of a tracking device mounted on the player, enabling the ball etc. to be launched to a player in anticipation of where the player will go. The system may include additional customization and/or logging options, e.g., permitting a player to designate a body position (e.g., above the head or near the knees) for delivery of the ball, designate a speed or hang time for delivery, or provide player data and analytics to an online or otherwise connected database.