Squash ball warming oven

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a squash ball warming oven. The warming oven has an internal convection heat source capable of maintaining a constant temperature over long periods of time. Removable wire racks are mounted within the warming oven. The wire racks have indentations sized and shaped to hold squash balls. Arranging the squash balls in indentations on the wire rack prevents them from touching while warming, resulting in rapid and even warming. By gently and evenly warming squash balls, performance of the ball is easily improved for players of all levels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for warming squash balls, the apparatus comprising:
 an oven body, the oven body having external faces and an internal warming chamber;   a heat source positioned in the internal warming chamber;   one or more wire racks removably mounted in the internal warming chamber,
 wherein the wire racks comprise an array of one or more indentations sized and shaped to hold a squash ball. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source is a convection heat source. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source is capable of heating the internal warming chamber to a temperature between 95° F.-110° F. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat source is capable of heating the internal warming chamber to a temperature of 100° F. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a control panel on an external face of the oven body. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the control panel comprises a temperature control. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the control panel comprises a duration control. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wire racks are comprised of intertwined wire. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a fan positioned in the internal warming chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a hopper positioned on a top face of the oven body, the hopper having a channel connecting the hopper to the internal warming chamber. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for positioning squash balls within an oven, the apparatus comprising:
 a leading edge and a trailing edge;   a plane connecting the leading edge and trailing edge;   one or more troughs set in the plane, wherein the troughs comprise a rounded depression in the plane,
 wherein the shape of the troughs in the plane are rectangular and perpendicular to the leading edge, 
   wherein the troughs are parallel with respect to each other.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an even number of linear troughs on the plane;   a curved trough connecting two adjacent linear troughs at the trailing edge of the plane.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the troughs in the plane are trapezoidal in shape, and wherein the troughs are not parallel with respect to each other. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for positioning squash balls within an oven, the apparatus comprising:
 a leading edge and a trailing edge;   a plane connecting the leading edge and trailing edge;   an array of indentations set in the plane;   wherein the indentations are sized and shaped to receive a squash ball.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more temperature sensors. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the temperature sensor is an infrared sensor in electromagnetic connection with a squash ball. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the temperature sensor is a contact sensor in thermal contact with a squash ball.