Ball Retrieval Device

Abstract

In some embodiments, a ball retriever comprises a first portion comprising a braided tube defining a cavity and a second portion comprising an attachment mechanism arranged to engage a reaching device. In some embodiments, the braided tube comprises a plurality of filaments.

1 . A ball retriever comprising:
 a first portion comprising a braided tube defining a cavity; and   a second portion comprising an attachment mechanism arranged to engage a reaching device.   
     
     
         2 . The ball retriever of  claim 1 , the braided tube comprising a plurality of filaments. 
     
     
         3 . The ball retriever of  claim 2 , the plurality of filaments comprising a plurality of first filaments and a plurality of second filaments, the first filaments extending in a first helical direction, the second filaments extending in a second helical direction. 
     
     
         4 . The ball retriever of  claim 3 , wherein each first filament overlaps a plurality of said second filaments and each second filament overlaps a plurality of said first filaments. 
     
     
         5 . The ball retriever of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said first filaments is fixedly attached to at least one of said second filaments. 
     
     
         6 . The ball retriever of  claim 3 , wherein each of said first filaments is fixedly attached to at least one of said second filaments. 
     
     
         7 . The ball retriever of  claim 1 , the first portion comprising a sidewall comprising a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         8 . The ball retriever of  claim 1 , the braided tube comprising a treated end portion. 
     
     
         9 . The ball retriever of  claim 8 , the treated end portion comprising a sealed end. 
     
     
         10 . The ball retriever of  claim 9 , the sealed end comprising a first sealed end, the braided tube comprising a second sealed end. 
     
     
         11 . The ball retriever of  claim 1 , the second portion comprising a strap. 
     
     
         12 . The ball retriever of  claim 11 , the strap surrounding the first portion. 
     
     
         13 . The ball retriever of  claim 11 , the strap comprising a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The ball retriever of  claim 1 , comprising a fastener attaching the second portion to the first portion. 
     
     
         15 . The ball retriever of  claim 14 , the fastener comprising a rivet. 
     
     
         16 . The ball retriever of  claim 1 , the braided tube comprising a nominal diameter less than 1.6 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The ball retriever of  claim 1 , the braided tube comprising a length:diameter ratio ranging from 1.5:1 to 6:1. 
     
     
         18 . A ball retriever comprising:
 a first portion consisting of a plurality of filaments arranged to form a braided tube; and   a strap arranged to engage a reaching device, the strap surrounding the first portion.   
     
     
         19 . The ball retriever of  claim 18 , the plurality of filaments comprising a plurality of first filaments and a plurality of second filaments, the first filaments extending in a first helical direction, the second filaments extending in a second helical direction. 
     
     
         20 . The ball retriever of  claim 19 , wherein an end of a said first filament is attached to an end of a said second filament.