Athletic ball carrier

Abstract

An athletic ball carrier comprising a retaining portion for retaining a ball and a carrying portion. The retaining portion includes a shell having a substantially hemispherical shape and defining a concave cavity. The shell has an outer edge defining an opening for receiving the ball into the cavity. The retaining portion includes a main strap connected to the edge of the shell and extending around the opening. The retaining portion also includes a flap extending across the opening to selectively secure the ball within the shell. The flap may be substantially triangularly shaped, and includes a base connected to the main strap and a point opposite the base. The retaining portion has a connection device connected to the point and the main strap which releaseably connects the flap to the shell. The carrying portion includes a carrying strap having opposite ends connected to the main strap.

1 . An athletic ball carrier comprising: 
 a shell having a substantially hemispherical shape and defining a cavity, the shell having an outer edge extending around the shell and defining an opening for the cavity;    a flap extending across the opening, the flap having a first end connected to the outer edge, and a second end releasably connected to the outer edge opposite the first end; and    a carrying strap having opposite ends of the carrying strap connected to the outer edge.    
     
     
         2 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the carrying strap has a length that is adjustable.  
     
     
         3 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the shell includes a main strap extending around the outer edge, the main strap being a closed loop and defining the opening.  
     
     
         4 . The carrier of  claim 3 , wherein the shell includes two retaining straps, each retaining strap having both ends connected to opposite sides of the main strap, the retaining straps intersecting one another.  
     
     
         5 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the flap has a substantially triangular shape, the first end including a base connected to the outer edge and the second end including a point opposite the base, the flap having a connection device connected to the point and releaseably connecting the point and the outer edge.  
     
     
         6 . The carrier of  claim 5 , wherein the connection device includes a clasp having a first portion connected to the point, and a second portion connected to the main strap.  
     
     
         7 . The carrier of  claim 6 , wherein the clasp includes a side release clasp, the first portion including one of a male portion and a female portion, and the second portion including the other of the male portion and the female portion.  
     
     
         8 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the flap includes a pocket.  
     
     
         9 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the shell includes a mesh material.  
     
     
         10 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the shell includes a solid material.  
     
     
         11 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the shell includes multiple interconnected panels.  
     
     
         12 . An athletic ball carrier comprising: 
 a retaining portion for retaining a ball, the retaining portion including: 
 a shell having a substantially hemispherical shape and defining a concave cavity at least partially enclosing the ball and having an opening for receiving the ball, the retaining portion having a main strap connected to an edge of the shell and extending around the opening, the main strap being a closed loop and having a circumference greater than the circumference of the ball;  
 a flap extending across the opening to selectively secure the ball within the shell, the flap being substantially triangularly shaped and having a base connected to the main strap and a point opposite the base, the retaining portion having a connection device connected to the point and the main strap and releaseably connecting the flap to the shell; and  
   a carrying strap having opposite ends connected to the main strap, the carrying strap having a length that is adjustable.    
     
     
         13 . The carrier of  claim 12 , wherein the connection device includes a clasp having one of a male portion and a female portion connected to the point, and the other of the male portion and the female portion connected to the main strap, the male portion and the female portion being engageable with one another.  
     
     
         14 . The carrier of  claim 12 , further comprising an adjustable connection strap extending between the main strap and the clasp.  
     
     
         15 . The carrier of  claim 12 , wherein the shell includes a mesh material.  
     
     
         16 . The carrier of  claim 12 , wherein the shell includes a solid material.  
     
     
         17 . The carrier of  claim 12 , wherein the shell includes multiple interconnected panels.  
     
     
         18 . An athletic ball carrier comprising: 
 a retaining means for retaining a ball, the retaining means including: 
 an enclosing means for at least partially enclosing the ball, the enclosing means having a substantially hemispherical shape and defining a cavity having an opening for receiving the ball;  
 a securing means for selectively securing the ball within the enclosing means, the securing means extending across the opening and having a first end connected to the enclosing means and a second end releaseably connected to the enclosing means opposite the first end;  
 a connecting means for realeasably connecting the second end of the securing means to the enclosing means; and  
   a carrying means for carrying the retaining means and the ball, the carrying means including a carrying strap connected to the enclosing means.    
     
     
         19 . The carrier of  claim 17 , further comprising an adjustment means for adjusting the length of the carrying strap.  
     
     
         20 . The carrier of  claim 17 , wherein the connection means includes a clasp having one of a male portion and a female portion connected to the second end, and the other of the male portion and the female portion connected to the enclosing means, the male portion and the female portion being engageable with one another.