System for picking up, tossing, and striking a ball

Abstract

A ball lifting, tossing and striking system by which a user can pick up, toss and strike a ball in such a way that the ball does not come in contact with the user's hand is provided. The system includes a ball and a multi-purpose implement that may be carried by a user in one or both hands. The multi-purpose implement includes a bat, having a handle portion and a striking portion, and a ball basket having a shovel-like scoop that is adapted to be inserted underneath the ball to lift the ball from a generally horizontal surface. Furthermore, a user may grasp the handle portion of the bat, lift the ball from a generally horizontal surface, and without touching the ball, toss the ball from the ball basket into the air such that it may be struck by the striking portion of the bat.

1 . A ball lifting, tossing and striking system by which a user can pick up, toss and strike a ball in such a way that the ball does not come in contact with the user's hands, comprising:
 (a) a ball; and   (b) a multi-purpose implement that may be carried by a user in one or both hands, including:
 (i) a bat, having a handle portion and a striking portion; and 
 (ii) a ball basket comprising a shovel-like scoop, the shovel-like scoop adapted to be inserted underneath the ball to lift the ball from a generally horizontal surface; 
   (c) wherein a user may grasp the handle portion of the bat, lift the ball from a generally horizontal surface, and without touching the ball with either of the user's hands, toss the ball from the ball basket into the air such that the ball may be struck by the striking portion of the bat.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bat has a generally circular cross-section. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the shovel-like scoop includes a large opening, wherein the large opening is adapted to receive the ball. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the shovel-like scoop comprises a plurality of small openings 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein each small opening in the plurality of small openings is sized to prevent the ball from escaping therethrough. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein each small opening in the plurality of small openings is adapted improve maneuverability of the multi-purpose implement by reducing air resistance. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein each small opening in the plurality of small openings is adapted to sift dirt and water trapped in the scoop. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of small openings consists of six small openings. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ball basket is detachable from the bat. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein ball basket is attachable to the striking portion of the bat via one or more ring portions snap-fitting around greater than half of the circumference of the striking portion. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein one or more fasteners are provided around the ring portions to further facilitate the attachment of the ball basket to the striking portion. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ball basket is permanently attached to the bat. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ball basket is attachable to an end of the striking portion of the bat via a ring. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the ring is integral with the ball basket. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the ball basket further comprises two triangular members, each triangular member being adapted to spread a portion of the scoop away from the ring. 
   
   
       16 . A ball lifting, tossing and striking system by which a user can pick up, toss and strike a ball in such a way that the ball does not come in contact with the user's hands, comprising:
 (a) a ball; and   (b) a multi-purpose implement that may be carried by a user in one or both hands, including:
 (i) a bat, having a handle portion and a striking portion; and 
 (ii) a ball basket comprising a ring adapted to affix the ball basket to the striking portion of the bat; 
   (c) wherein a user may grasp the handle portion of the bat, using the ball basket, lift the ball from a generally horizontal surface, and without touching the ball with either of the user's hands, toss the ball from the ball basket into the air such that it may be struck by the striking portion of the bat.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the ring permanently affixes the ball basket to an end of the striking portion of the bat. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the ball basket is removably attachable to an end of the striking portion of the bat via the ring. 
   
   
       19 . A ball lifting, tossing and striking system by which a user can pick up, toss and strike a ball in such a way that the ball does not come in contact with the user's hands, comprising:
 (a) a ball; and   (b) a multi-purpose implement that may be carried by a user in one or both hands, including:
 (i) a bat, having a handle portion and a striking portion; and 
 (ii) a ball basket comprising two triangular spreading member; 
   (c) wherein a user may grasp the handle portion of the bat, using the ball basket, lift the ball from a generally horizontal surface, and without touching the ball with either of the user's hands, toss the ball from the ball basket into the air such that it may be struck by the striking portion of the bat.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein each triangular member is adapted to reinforce the strength and shape of the ball basket.