Transportable, storable, modifiable, collapsible, modular, ball rack

Abstract

A ball rack including a main base frame configured to maintain a substantially rectangular shape, the main base frame including a set of short members, a set of long members having telescoping features to allow variation in width using a pin and hole mechanism, a set of wheeled accessories, a set of vertical frame bars, a set of telescoping detachable horizontal rack beams and a set of frame bars.

Claims

1. A ball rack comprising: a main base frame, the main base frame comprised of: a first set of members; a second set of members having telescoping features to allow variation in width using a set of pin and hole mechanisms; a set of wheeled accessories having bolts to attach each wheeled accessory to the first set of members; a set of upright vertical frame bars connected to the main base frame at a 90-degree angle via a set of hinge mechanisms; and a set of detachable horizontal rack beams having a base member with an extending member on either end, which uses a telescoping mechanism to allow variation in width using a second set of pin and hole mechanisms, connected to the vertical upright frame bars via a set of hook and lock mechanisms, so that said rack is mobile between: a storable configuration; a portable configuration; and a ball-holding configuration; and wherein the upright vertical frame bars have the set of hinge mechanisms on a lower portion where the upright vertical frame bar meets the main base frame, the hinge mechanism comprising: a hinge plate; a female hollow section; a hex head screw; at least one blind rivet; and at least one retractable spring plunger.

2. The ball rack of claim 1 wherein the detachable horizontal rack beams have a hook at each end configured to fit into holes on the inward portion of the upright vertical frame bars.

3. The ball rack of claim 2 wherein the detachable horizontal rack beams are locked at a front and back of the ball rack in a symmetrical and parallel configuration, creating a uniform distance between the front and back.

4. The ball rack of claim 1 wherein the wheel accessories are detachably attached to the main base frame with a bolt, the wheel accessories comprising: a wheel part, a bolt, and a bolt hole.

5. The ball rack of claim 1 wherein the wheel accessories are detachably attached to the main base frame with a wingnut, the wheel accessories comprising: a wheel part, a wheel wingnut, a screw hole, and a screw.

6. A method for folding the ball rack of claim 1 into the storable configuration comprising: pulling a detachable horizontal rack beam up to remove a hooks of the detachable horizontal rack beam from a vertical slots in the set of upright vertical frame bars; pushing in pins on the detachable horizontal rack beam and sliding a base member over an extending member to shorten the detachable horizontal rack beam; removing the detachable horizontal rack beam from in between the set of upright vertical frame bars; repeating the preceding three steps for each detachable horizontal rack beam; turning the ball rack on a side so that the set of upright vertical frame bars are parallel with the floor and the set of detachable horizontal rack beams are perpendicular with the floor; pushing in a pin closest to the set of upright vertical frame bars furthest from the floor on each second member of the main base frame; sliding the associated base member of each second member over the connected extending member; turning the ball rack on another side so that the set of upright vertical frame bars are parallel with the floor and the set of detachable horizontal rack beams are perpendicular with the floor; pushing in a pin closest to the set of upright vertical frame bars furthest from the floor on each long member of the main base frame; sliding the associated base member of each second member over the connected extending member; flipping the ball rack so that the wheel parts are on the floor; removing a retractable spring plunger from a hinge mechanism on one side of the ball rack; folding a first set of upright vertical frame bars onto the second members of the main base frame; removing a retractable spring plunger from a hinge mechanism on another side of the ball rack; and folding a second set of upright vertical frame bars onto the already folded upright vertical frame bar.

7. A method for unfolding the ball rack from the storable configuration of claim 6 into a 4-ball configuration wherein each level of the ball rack can hold four balls: unfolding the second set of upright vertical frame bars; placing a retractable spring plunger in a hinge mechanism at the bottom of the first set of upright vertical frame bars; unfolding the first set of upright vertical frame bars; placing a retractable spring plunger in a hinge mechanism at the bottom of the first set of upright vertical frame bars; pulling the associated base members of the second members from the center so that they slide over the corresponding extending members until the pins on the extending members enter the first holes on the base members; pulling the base member of a detachable horizontal rack beam until a pin on the extending member enters the first hole on the base member; inserting the hook of the detachable horizontal rack beam into a lowest level vertical slot on a set of upright vertical frame bars; inserting the other hook of the detachable horizontal rack beam into the hole directly across from the lowest level vertical slot; and repeating the preceding two steps for each detachable horizontal rack beam.

8. A method for unfolding the ball rack of from the storable configuration of claim 6 into a 5-ball configuration wherein each level of the ball rack holds up to five balls: unfolding the second set of upright vertical frame bars; placing a retractable spring plunger in a hinge mechanism at the bottom of the first set of upright vertical frame bars; unfolding the first set of upright vertical frame bars; placing a retractable spring plunger in a hinge mechanism at the bottom of the first set of upright vertical frame bars; pulling the associated base members of the second members from the center so that they slide over the corresponding extending members until the pins on the extending members enter the second holes on the base members; pulling the base member of a detachable horizontal rack beam until a pin on the extending member enters the second hole on the base member; inserting the hook of the detachable horizontal rack beam into the lowest level vertical slot on a set of upright vertical frame bars; inserting the other hook of the detachable horizontal rack beam into the hole directly across from the lowest level vertical slot; and repeating the preceding two steps for each detachable horizontal rack beam.

9. A method for folding the ball rack of claim 1 into the portable configuration comprising: pulling a detachable horizontal rack beam up to remove the hooks of the detachable horizontal rack beam from vertical slots in the set of upright vertical frame bars; pushing in pins on the detachable horizontal rack beam and sliding a base member over an extending member to shorten the detachable horizontal rack beam; removing the detachable horizontal rack beam from in between the set of upright vertical frame bars; repeating the preceding three steps for each detachable horizontal rack beam; turning the ball rack on a side so that the set of upright vertical frame bars are parallel with the floor and the set of detachable horizontal rack beams are perpendicular with the floor; pushing in a pin closest to the set of upright vertical frame bars furthest from the floor on each long member of the main base frame; sliding the associated base member of each second member over the connected extending member; turning the ball rack on another side so that the set of upright vertical frame bars are parallel with the floor and the set of detachable horizontal rack beams are perpendicular with the floor; pushing in a pin closest to the set of upright vertical frame bars furthest from the floor on each second member of a main base frame; sliding the associated base member of each second member over the connected extending member as far as it can go; flipping the ball rack so that the wheel parts are on the floor; removing a retractable spring plunger from a hinge mechanism on one side of the ball rack; and folding one of the set of upright vertical frame bars onto the second members of the main base frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The system may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the system in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball rack according to the present disclosure of the ball rack being assembled in one configuration.

(3) FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view thereof.

(4) FIG. 3 is a left side view thereof.

(5) FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof.

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view thereof.

(7) FIG. 6 is a side view of a long member for a ball rack according to the present disclosure.

(8) FIG. 7A is a front view of an extending member of a detachable horizontal rack beam thereof.

(9) FIG. 7B is a front view of a base member of a detachable horizontal rack beam thereof.

(10) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pin and hole locking mechanism thereof.

(11) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a set of upright vertical frame bars thereof.

(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first hook and lock mechanism thereof.

(13) FIG. 11 is a side view of a wheeled accessory thereof.

(14) FIG. 12 is a right side view of a first hinge mechanism thereof.

(15) FIG. 13 is a left side view of a first hinge mechanism thereof.

(16) FIG. 14 is a left side view of a second hinge mechanism thereof.

(17) FIG. 15 is a right side view of a second hinge mechanism thereof.

(18) FIG. 16A-16F are perspective views of a method of folding a ball rack according to the present disclosure.

(19) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a ball rack in dolly/storage mode with detached detachable horizontal rack beams according to the present disclosure.

(20) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a ball rack in cart mode according to the present disclosure.

(21) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a ball rack in 5-ball mode according to the present disclosure.

(22) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a ball rack in 4-ball mode according to the present disclosure.

(23) FIG. 21A-C is a flow chart displaying a method for folding the ball rack of into a storable configuration.

(24) FIG. 22A-C is a flow chart displaying a method for folding the ball rack into a portable configuration.

(25) FIG. 23A-B is a flow chart displaying a method for unfolding the ball rack from a storable configuration into a 4-ball configuration.

(26) FIG. 24A-B is a flow chart displaying a method for unfolding the ball rack from a storable configuration into a 5-ball configuration.

(27) While the system is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the system to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(28) The ball rack 100 provides various independent and interchangeable components that can be assembled by the user into a variety of desired configurations for training and coaching at least one sports skill. As best seen in FIG. 1, the ball rack 10 includes a main base frame, made up of at least two short members 12, at least two long members 14, and at least four wheeled accessories 16. These components are also referred to as the base components.

(29) The main base frame is preferably configured as a ball rack having a substantially rectangular frame. These base components 12, 14, 16 provide rigidity and stability for the overall shape of the ball rack 10 in order to maintain the overall substantially rectangular frame.

(30) As shown in a preferred embodiment in FIG. 2, the at least two short members 12 are attached to at least one set of upright vertical frame bars 24. The at least one set of vertical frame bars 24 are further connected with a top horizontal piece 44, serving as a handle.

(31) In this embodiment, the at least two long members 14 run parallel to at least one set of detachable horizontal rack beams 26 that connect to the at least one set of upright vertical frame bars 24 via a hook and lock mechanism.

(32) As shown in a preferred embodiment in FIG. 3, the at least two short members 12 are also attached to at least one wheeled accessory 16 via a screw 18 and wingnut 22. Other embodiments may use different methods of connection.

(33) As shown in a preferred embodiment in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the base components 12, 14, 16 form a substantially rectangular frame. The substantially rectangular shape is maintained through the alignment of the detachable horizontal rack beams 26 with the at least two long members 14 and the top horizontal piece 44 with the at least two short members 12.

(34) As best seen in FIG. 6, the long members 14 utilize a telescoping mechanism which allows the long members 14 to extend or withdraw via a pin and hole mechanism. The hole 30 is filled by the pin 28 at the desired width, and the extending members 46 withdraws or extends from the base members 48. The pins 28 and holes 30 are preferably located on the side of the long members 14 so as to allow athletic balls and other sports equipment to sit flush on the top side of the long members 14.

(35) Additionally, as best seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B, each detachable horizontal rack beam 26 is preferably configured with telescoping arms locked into the desired width with a pin and hole mechanism. The hole 30 is filled by the pin 28 at the desired width, and the extending members 50 withdraws or extends from the base members 52. The pin and hole mechanism is preferably located on the side of each detachable horizontal rack beam 26 so as to allow athletic balls and other sports equipment to sit flush on the top side of each detachable horizontal rack beam 5.

(36) In this embodiment, the holes 30 in the base member 48 of the long members 14 are spaced at the same distance as the holes 30 in the base member 52 of the detachable horizontal rack beams 26.

(37) As shown in a preferred embodiment in FIG. 8-10, the detachable horizontal rack beams 26 are attached to the upright vertical frame bars 24 via a hole and hook mechanism. The detachable horizontal rack beams 26 have a hook 32 on each end, configured to hole into a vertical slot 34 which may be located at different heights and situated on the inner side of the upright vertical frame bars 24. The vertical slots 34 are spaced equidistant on the upright vertical frame bars 24 to accommodate and mount sports equipment, as shown in FIG. 9.

(38) As shown in a preferred embodiment in FIG. 11, the main base frame is provided with at least two short members 12 with a set of wheel accessories 16 preferably secured into place by a screw 18 at each end of the short members 12. In this embodiment, the wheel accessories 16 have a wheel part 60 which extends upward so that the set of wheel accessories 60 are perpendicular to the short members 12, and the wheel part 60 has a screw hole 20 which allows a screw 18 and wingnut 22 to secure the wheel accessories 16 in place. In another embodiment, a wheel part 60 extends upward so that the wheel accessories 16 are perpendicular to the short members 12, and the wheel part 60 has a bolt hole which allows a bolt on the end of the short member 12 to secure the wheel accessories 16 in place.

(39) The ball rack 10 includes at least four upright vertical frame bars 24 which are attached to the main base frame via a hinge mechanism.

(40) As best seen in FIG. 12-15, the preferred embodiment uses two variations of a hinge mechanism. As shown, the hinge mechanism of FIG. 12-13 differs only in the shape of a hinge plate 58 from that of FIG. 14-15. The hinge mechanisms preferably include female hollow sections 54 on the upright vertical frame bar 24 and blind rivets 38 that fit into these female hollow sections to hold the hinge plate 58 in place. Similarly, the long members 14 contain female hollow sections 56 in which hex head screws 36 and retractable spring plungers 40 of the hinge mechanisms are secured. The retractable spring plungers 40 locks the vertical frame bars 24 in place, providing stability to the ball rack 10.

(41) Further, the hinge mechanism facilitates the transformation of the ball rack 10 into other configurations. FIG. 16A-16F show how the ball rack 10 is preferably transformed into its storable configuration, or dolly/storage mode, as shown in FIG. 17. The dolly/storage mode is accomplished when the detachable horizontal rack beams 26 are removed by taking the hook 32 out of the aperture 34 in the vertical frame bar 24, as shown in FIG. 16B-16C, the pin and hole mechanism on the long members 14 is used to make the long members 14 as short as possible, as shown in FIG. 16D, and the hinge mechanism located on the outward portion the vertical frame bars 24 is unlocked and the upright vertical frame bars 24 are made parallel to the long members 14, as shown in FIG. 16E.

(42) The portable mode, or cart mode is achieved through the same process, except only one set of vertical frame bars 24 are made parallel to the long members 14 via the unlocking of the associated hinge mechanisms.

(43) In order to properly assemble the ball rack 10 from a folded configuration into its erected and expanded configuration, the detachable horizontal rack beams 26 must be locked into place perpendicular from the upright vertical frame bars 24 via a hook and lock mechanism. Each detachable horizontal rack beam 26 preferably has a hook 32 on each end of the detachable horizontal rack beam 26, configured to hole into the aperture 34 situated on the inner side of the upright vertical frame bars 24, spaced equidistant on the upright vertical frame bars 24 to accommodate and mount sports equipment.

(44) As shown in FIG. 19-20, the assembled ball rack 10 can take on various configurations. In FIG. 19, the ball rack 10 is in a 5-ball configuration. In this configuration, the ball rack 10 can hold a total of 15 balls, with 5 on each level. In FIG. 20, the ball rack 10 is in a 4-ball configuration. In this configuration, the ball rack 10 can hold a total of 12 balls, with 4 on each level. The assembled configuration is dependent on the width of the long members 14 and the detachable horizontal rack beams 26 determined with the corresponding pin and hole mechanism.