Ball Return Device

Abstract

A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball retrieval during play on a game table having a net, such as table tennis (ping pong), comprises an elongated first ramp member positioned parallel to and adjacent the net. The first ramp member is configured to facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and towards a player when the ball hits the net during play of a game on the game table. End brackets may be connected to opposing ends of the first ramp member to further facilitate the redirection of the balls. The ball return apparatus may also include a second ramp member configured in the same manner as the first ramp member and connected to the first ramp member through the net such that balls that hit the net will not fall and be trapped between the two ramp members.

1 - 4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball return or retrieval during play on a game table having a net, comprising: 
 an elongated first ramp member adapted to be positioned substantially parallel and adjacent to the net, said first ramp member being sloped to facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and towards a player when the ball hits the net during play of a game on the game table; and a first end bracket and a second end bracket said, end brackets being connected to opposing ends of said first ramp member, wherein said first and second end brackets each comprise a deflecting surface extending substantially vertically above said first ramp member.    
   
   
       6 . The ball return of  claim 5 , further comprising an elongated second ramp member adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of the net from said first ramp member, said second ramp member being adapted to be positioned adjacent to and parallel to the net and comprising a lower edge spaced from said net.  
   
   
       7 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said first and second ramp members are connected together at least one location.  
   
   
       8 . A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball return or retrieval during play on a game table having a net, comprising: 
 an elongated first ramp member adapted to be positioned substantially parallel and adjacent to the net, said first ramp member being sloped to facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and towards a player when the ball hits the net during play of a game on the game table;    an elongated second ramp member adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of the net from said first ramp member, said second ramp member being adapted to be positioned adjacent and parallel to the net and comprising a lower edge spaced from said net, wherein said first and second ramp members are connected together at least one location, and wherein said connection comprises a connector member extending through the net and connected on one end to said first ramp member and on a second end to said second ramp member; and    a first end bracket and a second end bracket, said end brackets being connected to opposing ends of said first ramp member, wherein said first and second end brackets each comprise a deflecting surface extending substantially vertically above said first ramp member.    
   
   
       9 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said connection comprises at least one hook.  
   
   
       10 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said first ramp member comprises a plurality of connectable sections.  
   
   
       11 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of ramp sections are frictionally connected together.  
   
   
       12 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of ramp sections are telescopingly connected.  
   
   
       13 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said second ramp member comprises at least one support element connected to a back side of said second ramp member and configured to support said second ramp member, said support member adapted to be supported on a top surface of the table.  
   
   
       14 . A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball return or retrieval during play on a game table having a net, comprising: 
 an elongated first ramp member adapted to be positioned substantially parallel to and adjacent the net, said first ramp member being sloped to facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and towards a player when the ball hits the net during play of a game on the game table;    an elongated second ramp member adapted to be positioned on an opposite side of the net from said first ramp member, said second ramp member being adapted to be positioned adjacent to and parallel to the net and comprising a lower edge spaced from said net; and    further comprising a first and second end bracket connected to said second ramp member, wherein said first and second end brackets each comprise a deflecting surface extending substantially vertically above said first ramp member.    
   
   
       15 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said first and second end brackets comprise a deflecting surface extending substantially vertically above said second ramp member.  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball retrieval during play on a game table having a net, comprising: 
 a first ramp member and a second ramp member adapted to be positioned on the game table on opposite sides of the net and substantially parallel and adjacent to the net, said first and second ramp members being sloped to facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and towards a player positioned at an end of the game table; and    a first end bracket and a second end bracket connected to opposite ends of said first and second ramp members and each comprising a deflecting surface extending substantially vertically above said first and second ramp members.    
   
   
       18 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second end brackets comprise an extension portion configured to direct the ball substantially toward the middle of the game table.  
   
   
       19 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said extension portion is angled relative to said deflecting surface.  
   
   
       20 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second ramp members are connected together at least one location along the length of said first and second ramp members.  
   
   
       21 . A ball return apparatus to facilitate ball retrieval during play on a game table having a net, comprising: 
 a first ramp member and a second ramp member adapted to be positioned on the game table on opposite sides of the net and substantially parallel and adjacent to the net, said first and second ramp members being sloped to facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and towards a player positioned at an end of the game table;    wherein said first and second ramp members are connected together at least one location along the length of said first and second ramp members, wherein said connection extends through the net; and    a first end bracket and a second end bracket said end brackets being connected to opposing ends of said first ramp member, wherein said first and second end brackets each comprise a deflecting surface extending substantially vertically above said first ramp member.    
   
   
       22 . The ball return apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second ramp members each comprise a support element connected to a back side, said support element configured to support said first and second ramp members on the game table.  
   
   
       23 . A kit to facilitate the retrieval of a ball during play on a game table having a net, the comprising: 
 a kit in a packaged form having an elongated first ramp member adapted to be positioned substantially parallel and adjacent to the net, said first ramp member being sloped to facilitate movement of a ball away from the net and towards a player when the ball hits the net during play of a game on the game table; and    a first end bracket and a second end bracket, said end brackets being connected to opposing ends of said first ramp member, wherein said first and second end brackets each comprise a deflecting surface extending substantially vertically above said first ramp member.