Appeal No. 2003-0017 Page 6
Application No. 09/326,996
Referring now in detail to Figures 1 and 2 it will be seen that the device is
comprised of a tapered receptacle 1 firmly and communicably joined to a tubular handle
2. The receptacle is preferably in the form of a truncated cone and made of relatively
thin material so that its walls are somewhat flexible. A ball 9 entering the receptacle 1
flexes the walls slightly and is locked inside the receptacle by friction. Plastic has been
found suitable as a material of construction for the receptacle but other materials such
as aluminum can be used. The inner surface 16 of the receptacle 1 is roughened to aid
in frictional retention of the ball. The piston 4 is comprised of three sections of differing
lengths and diameters. The relatively long upper section 4a is of a diameter somewhat
less than the inside of tubular handle 2. The relatively short center section 4b is of a
diameter to give a close fit with the inside of the tubular handle 2 and contains an
annular groove 17 and an "O" ring 5. The center section by its construction acts as a
moving seal and is used to create a partial vacuum in receptacle 1. The lower section
4c of the piston is relatively long and of the smallest diameter. The lower section of the
piston serves several purposes. During a retrieval from a hard surface the lower
section is contacted by the ball and is moved upwards to the position 7 shown in Figure
2. An operating knob 6 joined to the upper section of the piston moves and signals the
user that the ball has entered the receptacle. Downward pressure on knob 6 now frees
the ball.
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Last modified: November 3, 2007