U.S. patent application number 14/494820 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-02 for extreme distance/velocity projectile throwing toy.
The applicant listed for this patent is OgoSport LLC. Invention is credited to Kevin Williams.
Application Number | 20150090237 14/494820 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52738867 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150090237 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Kevin |
April 2, 2015 |
Extreme Distance/Velocity Projectile Throwing Toy
Abstract
A long-distance projectile throwing toy. A launching section is
hingedly attached at one end to a handle section. The distal end of
the launching section includes a ball holder for releasably
securing a ball/projectile loosely enough to allow the ball to come
flying out of the ball holder when the device is whipped by the
user. The device is configurable into at least two configurations
by selectively moving an angular delimiter on one section into or
out of engageability with various ramped portions of the other
section. A throwing configuration keeps the launching section at a
minimum angle to maximize the force imparted to the projectile and
thus its distance and speed. A collapsed configuration enables the
launching section to be substantially parallel with the handle
section thereby enabling the device to be stored or shipped more
easily. The ball holder imparts backspin to the projectile to
maximize flight.
Inventors: |
Williams; Kevin; (Sprakers,
NY) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OgoSport LLC |
Brooklyn |
NY |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
52738867 |
Appl. No.: |
14/494820 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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29468281 |
Sep 27, 2013 |
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14494820 |
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61903105 |
Nov 12, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
124/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/09 20130101;
F41B 3/04 20130101; A63B 59/20 20151001; A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 65/122 20130101; F41B 3/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
124/16 |
International
Class: |
F41B 7/08 20060101
F41B007/08 |
Claims
1. A projectile throwing toy, comprising: a handle section adapted
to be held by a user; a launching section having a proximal end and
a distal end, said proximal end hingedly attached to said handle
section and said distal end including a ball holder adapted to
releasably hold a projectile; and an angular delimiter disposed on
one of a distal end of said handle section and said proximal end of
said launching section and engageable with a first ramped portion
disposed on the other of said distal end of said handle section and
said proximal end of said launching section, wherein when said
angular delimiter is engaged with said first ramped portion, said
launching section is placed in a cocked position at an angle to
said handle section neither parallel to nor collinear with said
handle section.
2. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 1, wherein said
angle is approximately 40-50.degree..
3. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 1, wherein said
angle is substantially 45.degree..
4. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 1, wherein said
handle section and said launching section are substantially the
same length.
5. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 1, said angular
delimiter comprising a slidable stopper switch slidably disposed in
a groove in one of said launching section and said handle section
and selectively slidable into and out of engageability with said
first ramped portion.
6. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 5, said first
ramped portion being disposed on a hub formed on the other of said
distal end of said handle section and said proximal end of said
launching section.
7. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 1, said ball holder
comprising a first distal prong having a first ball engaging
surface and a second proximal prong having a second ball engaging
surface.
8. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 7, said first ball
engaging surface being rougher than said second ball engaging
surface.
9. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 7, said first
distal prong being longer than said second proximal prong.
10. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 7, said first ball
engaging surface including teeth.
11. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 7, wherein said
first and second prongs point in a direction greater than
perpendicular to an overall axis of said launching section.
12. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 11, wherein said
first and second prongs point in a direction approximately
10-20.degree. greater than perpendicular to an overall axis of said
launching section.
13. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 7, wherein said
launching section is curved so that said first and second prongs
point in a direction greater than perpendicular to an overall axis
of said launching section.
14. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 7, said second
ball engaging surface having a beveled profile canting downwards
from the middle to the sides.
15. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 6, said slidable
stopper switch being slidable between a first position in which
said slidable stopper switch cannot come in contact with said first
ramped portion to allow said launching section to lie substantially
parallel with said handle section in a collapsed configuration and
a second position in which said slidable stopper switch can come in
contact with said first ramped portion to allow said launching
section to enter into said cocked position with respect to said
handle section in a throwing configuration.
16. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 15, said hub
having a second ramped portion and said slidable stopper switch
being slidable into a third position in which said slidable stopper
switch engages said second ramped portion to fix said launching
section with respect to said handle section in an extended
position.
17. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 1, said first
ramped portion being disposed on said launching section, and said
angular delimiter being disposed on said handle section and
spring-biased into engageability with said first ramped
portion.
18. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 17, said angular
delimiter including a boss portion at a delimiter distal end
engageable with said first ramped portion.
19. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 18, said angular
delimiter including a trigger mechanically coupled to said boss
portion adapted to allow the user to retract said angular delimiter
proximally against said spring bias out of engageability with said
first ramped portion.
20. A projectile throwing toy, comprising: a handle section adapted
to be held by a user; and a launching section having a proximal end
and a distal end, said proximal end hingedly attached to said
handle section and said distal end including a ball holder adapted
to releasably hold a projectile, said ball holder comprising a
first distal prong having a first ball engaging surface and a
second proximal prong having a second ball engaging surface.
21. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 20, said first
ball engaging surface being rougher than said second ball engaging
surface.
22. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 20, said first
distal prong being longer than said second proximal prong.
23. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 20, said first
ball engaging surface including teeth.
24. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 20, wherein said
first and second prongs point in a direction greater than
perpendicular to an overall axis of said launching section.
25. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 24, wherein said
first and second prongs point in a direction approximately
10-20.degree. greater than perpendicular to an overall axis of said
launching section.
26. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 20, wherein said
launching section is curved so that said first and second prongs
point in a direction greater than perpendicular to an overall axis
of said launching section.
27. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 20, said second
ball engaging surface having a beveled profile canting downwards
from the middle to the sides.
28. A projectile throwing toy according to claim 20, further
comprising a projectile adapted to be disposed in and released from
said ball holder, said projectile being dimensioned slightly larger
than a gap between said first and second prongs and being made from
a conformable material.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority is claimed from U.S. Design patent application Ser.
No. 29/468,281 filed Sep. 27, 2013 and entitled "Ball Throwing
Toy", and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/903,105
filed Nov. 12, 2013 and entitled "Extreme Distance/Velocity
Projectile Throwing Toy", the entireties of both of which are
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention is directed to projectile toys. More
specifically the invention is directed to devices that enable users
to throw lightweight projectiles a great distance with great
velocity in a safe manner.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Toy projectile throwing devices have been in use for
decades. Some have been designed especially for enabling a dog
owner to play fetch with the dog without touching a bespittled
tennis ball. One such device is marketed as the Chucklt ball
thrower and appears in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,076,829 and D424,640, both
to Oblack. The Chucklt device is a flexible ball holder with a ball
grabber at one end and a handle at the other roughly 18 inches
away. The ball grabber enables the user to pick up a tennis ball on
the ground that has been in the dog's mouth, and the 18-inch handle
allows the user to a) retrieve the tennis ball from the ground
without bending all the way down to get it, and b) throw the ball
much further than simply by hand owing to greater leverage. Yet,
the throwing distance actually achievable by the ChuckIt, while
usually greater than throwing simply by hand, is still not that
impressive.
[0006] Several other toy projectile throwing devices have a taken
the ChuckIt concept a step further and provide a two-sectioned ball
throwing device. Some examples of these can be found in U.S. Pat.
No. 8,418,681 to Levin, US Patent Application Publication No.
2012/0227721 to Geller, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2009/0025699 to Mongkolkasetarin. In both Levin and Geller, the
device comes in two sections that are lockable in an extended
configuration for greater extension and closable into a collapsed
configuration for storage purposes. The devices are still meant to
be used in the same manner as the ChuckIt device. By contrast,
Mongkolkasetarin envisions not locking the two sections but rather
enabling the shorter distal section to pivot with respect to the
longer proximal section during use, thereby enabling the user to
"whip" the ball or rubber toy further. While an improvement, even
Mongkolkasetarin does not result in a device capable of throwing
projectiles extremely long distances, in the order of 300 feet or
more.
[0007] There is a long-felt need for a toy projectile throwing
device that can enable a user as small as a child to throw a
projectile extremely long distances in a safe manner without
expending a great deal of energy and without posing a danger to
anyone attempting to catch the projectile or otherwise in the
vicinity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention is a long-distance projectile throwing toy. It
has two sections: a handle section and a launching section
hingedly/pivotably attached at one end to the handle section. The
proximal end of the handle section includes a handle for the user
to hold the device comfortably. The distal end of the launching
section includes a ball holder for gently securing a ball or
similar projectile sufficiently securely not to fall out readily
but loosely enough to allow the ball to come flying out of the ball
holder when the device is whipped by the user.
[0009] The device is configurable into at least two and preferably
three configurations by sliding a switch that cooperates with/abuts
against various ramped portions of the proximal end of the
launching section. A throwing configuration keeps the launching
section at an minimum angle of 45.degree. to maximize the force
imparted to the projectile and thus its distance and speed. A
collapsed configuration enables the launching section to be
substantially parallel with the handle section (i.e., having an
angle of substantially 0.degree.), enabling the device to be stored
or shipped more easily. A locked extended configuration is also
optionally provided in which the launching section extends
substantially straight out from the handle section (i.e., having an
angle of substantially) 180.degree..
[0010] The ball holder preferably includes two prongs, and the
distal-most prong preferably includes teeth, ridges, a roughened
area, or some other means of increasing the coefficient of friction
between the projectile and the ball holder. Such teeth, ridges,
etc. are preferably provided only on the distal-most prong to
impart backspin to the projectile as it leaves the ball holder to
enhance the projectile's flight characteristics, e.g., facilitating
controllable curved flight paths via both high speeds and
substantial backspin. Preferably, the other prong includes a
partially beveled surface that crowns substantially in the middle
so as to make it more difficult to load inappropriate projectiles
such as rocks, chunks of metal, glass, or other dangerous items
made from hard non-conformable materials.
[0011] Preferably, the two sections are approximately the same
length. Preferably, the projectile is on the order of 8-25 grams,
and more preferably 10-15 grams. Preferably, the projectile is
dimpled in the manner of a golf ball to enhance its flight
characteristics. In one embodiment, the projectile is a foam
polymer such as polyurethane or the like. In any event, it is
preferred that the projectile be made from a conformable material
so that, among other things, the teeth/ridges of the distal-most
prong of the ball holder can properly engage the projectile to
impart the above-mentioned backspin.
[0012] In one aspect, the invention is a projectile throwing toy
having a handle section adapted to be held by a user and a
launching section having a proximal end and a distal end. The
proximal end of the launching section is hingedly attached to the
handle section, and the distal end includes a ball holder adapted
to releasably hold a projectile. An angular delimiter is disposed
on one of a distal end of the handle section and the proximal end
of the launching section and selectively movable to be engageable
with a first ramped portion disposed on the other of the distal end
of the handle section and the proximal end of the launching
section. When the angular delimiter is moved to be engageable with
the first ramped portion, the launching section is placeable in a
cocked position at an angle to the handle section neither parallel
to nor collinear with the handle section. Preferably, the angle is
approximately 40-50.degree., and more preferably the angle is
substantially 45.degree.. Preferably, the handle section and the
launching section are substantially the same length.
[0013] The angular delimiter may include a slidable stopper switch
slidably disposed in a groove in one of the launching section and
the handle section and selectively slidable into and out of
engageability with the first ramped portion. The first ramped
portion is preferably disposed on a hub formed on the other of the
distal end of the handle section and the proximal end of the
launching section. The slidable stopper switch is preferably
slidable between a first position in which the slidable stopper
switch cannot come in contact with the first ramped portion to
allow the launching section to lie substantially parallel with the
handle section in a collapsed configuration and a second position
in which the slidable stopper switch can come in contact with the
first ramped portion to allow the launching section to enter into
the cocked position with respect to the handle section in a
throwing configuration. Preferably, the hub has a second ramped
portion and the slidable stopper switch is slidable into a third
position in which the slidable stopper switch engages the second
ramped portion to fix the launching section with respect to the
handle section in an extended position.
[0014] In another embodiment, the first ramped portion is disposed
on the launching section, and the angular delimiter is disposed on
the handle section and spring-biased into engageability with the
first ramped portion. The angular delimiter includes a boss portion
at a delimiter distal end engageable with the first ramped portion.
The angular delimiter preferably includes a trigger mechanically
coupled to the boss portion adapted to allow the user to retract
the angular delimiter proximally against the spring bias out of
engageability with the first ramped portion.
[0015] The ball holder preferably includes a first distal prong
having a first ball engaging surface and a second proximal prong
having a second ball engaging surface. The first ball engaging
surface is preferably rougher than the second ball engaging
surface, and the first distal prong is preferably longer than the
second proximal prong. The first ball engaging surface preferably
includes teeth. Preferably, the first and second prongs point in a
direction greater than perpendicular to an overall axis of the
launching section, e.g., approximately 10-20.degree. greater than
perpendicular to an overall axis of the launching section.
Optionally, the launching section is curved so that the first and
second prongs point in a direction greater than perpendicular to an
overall axis of the launching section. Also optionally, the second
ball engaging surface has a beveled profile canting downwards from
the middle to the sides.
[0016] In another aspect, the invention is a projectile throwing
toy having a handle section adapted to be held by a user and a
launching section having a proximal end and a distal end, the
proximal end being hingedly attached to the handle section and the
distal end including a ball holder adapted to releasably hold a
projectile. The ball holder includes a first distal prong having a
first ball engaging surface and a second proximal prong having a
second ball engaging surface. The first ball engaging surface is
preferably rougher than the second ball engaging surface and is
preferably longer than the second proximal prong. The first ball
engaging surface preferably includes teeth. Preferably, the first
and second prongs point in a direction greater than perpendicular
to an overall axis of the launching section, e.g., approximately
10-20.degree. greater than perpendicular to an overall axis of the
launching section. Optionally, the launching section is curved so
that the first and second prongs point in a direction greater than
perpendicular to an overall axis of the launching section. Also
optionally, the second ball engaging surface has a beveled profile
canting downwards from the middle to the sides.
[0017] The preferred projectile is adapted to be disposed in and
released from said ball holder and is dimensioned slightly larger
than the gap between the first and second ball holder prongs and
made from a conformable material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is perspective view of one embodiment of a projectile
throwing toy in accordance with the invention in its throwing
configuration.
[0019] FIG. 2 is perspective view of the projectile throwing toy of
FIG. 1 in its storage or collapsed configuration.
[0020] FIG. 3 is perspective view of the projectile throwing toy of
FIGS. 1 and 2 in its extended configuration.
[0021] FIGS. 4A-C are enlarged perspective views of the hinged
joint of the projectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3 in its extended,
throwing, and storage configurations, respectively.
[0022] FIG. 5A is a side schematic of the launching arm of the
projectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3.
[0023] FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of the launching arm of
the projectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3 detached from the rest of
the device.
[0024] FIG. 5C is a front perspective schematic of the launching
arm of the ball grabber of the projectile throwing toy of FIGS.
1-3.
[0025] FIG. 5D is an enlarged perspective view of the lower prong
of the ball grabber of the projectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3
taken along line 5D in FIG. 5C.
[0026] FIG. 5E is an enlarged perspective view of the ball grabber
of the projectile throwing toy of FIGS. 1-3 taken along line 5E in
FIG. 5A.
[0027] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the hub of
the launching arm of FIG. 5. FIGS. 7A-C are a series of perspective
diagrams illustrating control of the flight plan of the projectile
in accordance with the invention.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustrating the preferred basic
method of operation of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of
the angular delimiter of a projectile throwing toy in accordance
with the invention.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a side cutaway perspective of the angular
delimiter of FIG. 9 engaging with the ramped portion of the hub of
the launching section of a projectile throwing toy in accordance
with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS
[0031] Description will now be given with reference to the attached
FIGS. 1-10. It should be understood that these figures are
exemplary in nature and in no way serve to limit the scope of the
invention, which is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow and
equivalents thereof.
[0032] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, projectile launcher 8 includes
a handle section 10 and a launching section 10 hingedly attached
together. Handle section 10 includes a proximal end 12 having a
handle grip 13 for the user to hold the device comfortably and a
distal end 14 having at least one (and preferably two) flange 15.
Handle section optionally also includes a reserve ball magazine 18
having one or more ball retaining grips 19 for holding extra balls
60.
[0033] Launching section 20 includes a proximal end 22 and a distal
end 24. Proximal end 22 is held to flanges 15 via a pin (not shown)
in a manner to allow substantially free rotation (up to a point, as
discussed below) of launching section 20 with respect to handle
section 10. Distal end 14 of handle section 10 and proximal end 22
of launching section 20 together form hinge 40. Distal end 24
includes a ball holder 30 (to be described below) adapted to retain
a lightweight ball 60 or similar projectile.
[0034] Disposed on handle section 10 near distal end 14 is a
configuration switch 50, slidably disposed within groove/slot 52.
As shown in FIGS. 4A-C, sliding the configuration switch 50 into
one of three positions enables launcher 8 to be configured into one
of the three configurations shown in FIGS. 1-3: throwing or
"cocked" (FIGS. 1, 4B), which enables the user to hurl ball 60 or a
similar lightweight projectile vast distances; storage (FIGS. 2,
4C), which enables the user to collapse the device to a small size
for storage or the manufacturer/distributor to minimize packaging
and shipping costs; and extended (FIGS. 3, 4A), which enables the
user to use the device in a manner similar to the ChuckIt device,
or as a bludgeoning device, a sword, or similar weapon-like
toy.
[0035] In the throwing configuration of FIG. 1, the user grasps
handle 13 and places ball 60 into ball holder 30. Owing to the
relationship of hinge 40 and configuration switch 50, launching
section 20 does not lay flatly against handle section 10. Rather,
in the "cocked" position as shown, launcher section 20 is at an
angle .alpha. to handle section 10. Angle .alpha. is preferably in
the range of about 40-50.degree. and more preferably is
approximately 45.degree.. Instead of starting from a completely
flat 0.degree. position with respect to the handle section 10,
providing the starting angle .alpha. maximizes the force delivered
to the projectile, thereby also typically maximizing its speed and
distance, while minimizing the effort required to fling the ball.
This is owing in part, to a reduction of the angular distance one
must impel the launching section from rest to release positions.
Also, this is the most energy efficient position of ball holder 30
in as it converts the user throwing motion into rotational
acceleration. If the angle of ball holder 30 were significantly
smaller than 45 degrees, there would be slower acceleration of ball
holder around pivot point. If the angle of ball holder 30 were
significantly greater than 45 degrees, there would be a quicker
acceleration of ball holder around pivot point which would cause
projectile to egress ball holder before all throwing energy could
be converted into rotation acceleration.
[0036] In the simplest aspect of the invention, the user performs a
whipping motion (see FIG. 8) which causes launching section 20 to
rotate rapidly about hinge 40 in the direction of arrow A. As
launching section 20 rotates, centripetal force causes ball 60 to
fly out of ball holder 30 a great distance. At the end of the
throwing motion, device 8 is in its extended configuration as shown
in FIG. 3.
[0037] FIGS. 5A-E depicts various details of launching section 20.
FIG. 5E is a view of ball holder 30, which preferably includes a
first arm or prong 32 at the very end of distal end 24 and a second
arm 34 proximal to first arm 32. Ball holder 30 is generally
arcuate or C-shaped; preferably, first arm/prong 32 is longer than
second arm 34. First arm or prong 32 includes teeth 33 that serve
to create a higher coefficient of friction between a ball 60
disposed in ball holder 30. By providing teeth 33 preferably only
on the first arm/prong 32, the top of the ball will be held onto by
the ball holder longer and more securely than the bottom of the
ball. Consequently, a ball being thrown will tend to spin in a
direction opposite to the flight path, i.e., it is provided with
backspin. This backspin creates the Magnus effect or lift which
imparts excellent flight characteristics when coupled with the high
velocity imparted in the throw, as described below.
[0038] FIG. 5B is an overall elevational view of launching section
20. Launching section 20 is preferably curved instead of straight.
This curvature causes ball holder 30 to point in a direction
greater than perpendicular to the overall axis of launching section
20. Alternatively, launching section 20 may be straight and prongs
32/34 be angled slightly greater than perpendicular to a long axis
of launching section 20. A preferred angle of prongs 32/34 with
respect to launching section 20 is about 10-20.degree. greater than
perpendicular (i.e., away from launching section 20). Pointing ball
holder 30 in such a manner facilitates the egress of projectiles
from ball holder 30 as the launching section is deployed.
[0039] FIG. 5D is an enlarged view of second prong 34. Preferably,
the contour or profile of second prong 34 includes a crowned or
beveled section 35 that cants downward from the middle to the
sides. This beveled shape will dig into a conformable material such
as foam polymer or rubber but will make it extremely difficult to
insert a projectile made from a non-coformable material such as
rock, glass, metal, or the like. This serves to dissuade use of
improper projectiles that can injure a person on the receiving end
of a throw or in the general vicinity of use.
[0040] FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the proximal end
of launching section 20 which is pivotably/hingedly attached to the
distal end of handle section 10 at hub 42. Hub 42 includes a
central bore 41 through which launching section is rotatably pinned
or bolted to flanges 15 of handle section 10. If hub 42 were simply
round, then launching section 20 would simply freely rotate about
hinge 40 from 0-180.degree. with respect to handle section 10.
However, hub 42 has several ramped regions that interact with
angular delimiter switch 50 when switch 50 is disposed in a given
position within slot 52. When angular delimiter switch 50 is pushed
fully distally as shown in FIG. 4A, ramped regions 44 abut against
the distal end of switch 50, locking the device in its extended
configuration of about 180.degree. with respect to handle section
10. When angular delimiter switch 50 is pushed into its
intermediate position as shown in FIG. 4B ramped region 46 abuts
against the distal end of angular delimiter switch 50 to prevent
launching section 20 from swinging any closer to handle section 10
than the above-mentioned angle .alpha., thereby maximizing flight
characteristics. When angular delimiter switch 50 is pushed fully
proximally as shown in FIG. 4C, hub 42 will not engage switch 50 at
all, thereby allowing launching section 20 to swing directly atop
handle section 10 at roughly 0.degree. in the collapsed/storage
configuration. Alternatively, another ramped section (not shown)
can be provided on hub 42 that will engage switch 50 and help to
lock launching section 20 in the storage configuration.
[0041] Another version of the angular delimiter of the invention is
shown in FIGS. 9-10 as angular delimiter trigger switch 150.
Instead of a relatively short switch 50 slidable within slot 52 and
having discrete "clickable" positions, switch 150 is nearly as long
as the handle section and is spring-biased into engageability with
hub 42 (see FIG. 10) to prevent rotation of the launching section
beyond a predetermined angle. Switch 150 includes at its distal end
boss section 152 which serves as the angular delimiting stopper
when the first ramped portion 46 of hub 42 engages with the switch.
At the proximal end of switch 150 is a trigger 154 which can be
pulled on or otherwise moved in the direction of arrow C by the
user to overcome the spring biasing force of spring 160 (FIG. 10)
and move boss section 152 out of engageability with hub 42. In one
example, trigger 154 includes a finger pull 156 adapted to be
readily reachable by the finger of a user while the user is holding
the device at handle 13.
[0042] It is envisioned that any type of mechanical linkage or
connection can be used to transmit the pulling force of the user's
finger on trigger 154 to boss section 152. However, the preferred
mechanism is a simple shaft 158 that rides along handle section 10
and integrally connects boss section 152 to trigger 154. That is,
in this embodiment, switch 150 is made from a single piece of
material (apart from spring 160, which, in other embodiments, may
be replaced with any other type of biasing mechanism, including one
that could be integral with switch 150).
[0043] The preferred projectile is a lightweight sphere 60 made of
a conformable material dimensioned very slightly larger than the
gap between prongs 32/34 of the ball holder. In one embodiment, the
projectile is a polyurethane foam golf-ball-sized ball, weighing
approximately 10-15 grams. This is in contrast to a typical tennis
ball, the conventional projectile for devices like these, which
weighs roughly 50-60 grams. Dimples 62 are preferably provided on
the surface of sphere 60. The dimples of the projectile induce
turbulence in the layer of air next to the ball (the "boundary
layer"). At high rotational speeds, a turbulent boundary layer
created by said dimples reduces aerodynamic drag. The backspin of
the ball creates a Magnus effect or aerodynamic lift which causes
the projectile to rise as it travels. When the dimpling is combined
with the backspin, the overall result is vast increase of the
overall distance and controllable curved flight path achievable for
a given throw of given force.
[0044] FIG. 7 depicts how one may control the contours of the
curved flight plan of a thrown projectile simply by adjusting a)
the final position of the arm within a throwing motion with respect
to the sagittal plane of the body, and/or b) the angle of the
entire throwing motion with respect to the ground. For instance, as
shown in FIG. 7A, releasing the projectile high in the sagittal
plane results in a high flying projectile. By contrast, as shown in
FIG. 7B, releasing the projectile lower in the sagittal plane
results in a low flying projectile, the "worm burner." Both FIGS.
7A and B presume keeping the throwing motion substantially
perpendicular to the ground (i.e., straight up and down). However,
if one rotates one's entire throwing motion to an angle to the
perpendicular, the curved flight plan of FIGS. 7A and B results in
lateral curvature of the flight plan. An example of such a flight
plan is depicted in FIG. 7C, where the user is throwing the ball
with a side-arm motion closer to parallel to the ground than
perpendicular. Although the projectile is released in center of the
closest grid, the projectile curves to the left at 100 feet and
curves substantially to the right at 200 feet. This is similar to
the flight plan of FIG. 7A but rotated 90.degree.. Other similar
variations are possible and anticipated.
[0045] It is preferred that handle section 10 and launching section
20 be substantially the same length. The inventor has found that
when the hand position offset is the same as the projectile's
offset from the pivot point (in one embodiment, approximately 12
inches), a user can rapidly accelerate the lever with little effort
using 10-15 gram projectiles such as those described above. As the
projectile mass increases, the power required or stress felt while
throwing also steeply increase. This is why conventional two-piece
chucker devices have short levers with long handles, as they are
throwing heavier projectiles such as tennis balls (.about.50-60
grams).
[0046] By contrast, the invention allows a user, even a child, to
throw lightweight projectiles far and fast. It is not feasible for
a child to accelerate a 30 gram (or heavier) projectile to go to
over 100 mph with little effort using any of the prior art devices.
One-piece chuckers are simply too long or too heavy to accelerate
rapidly without extreme stress and fatigue on the user. The
two-piece chuckers stubby lever arms do not generate as much speed
as a long lever arm.
[0047] The `sweet spot` of the invention is that the combination of
lever length (.about.12 inches), the projectile mass (8-25 grams),
and the 1:1 ratio of launching section (lever length) to the handle
section (base length) are all greatly preferred for the superior
results of the invention to emerge.
[0048] The inventive launcher has the ability to achieve both
simultaneously high forward velocity and high rotational speeds
required to get the above-mentioned flight characteristics. The
ability to do both at same time by exploiting the catapulting/whip
action of the lever that occurs by design is unexpectedly superior
and never before seen in the prior art. Some prior launchers have
somewhat exploited speed or ball rotation separately. A
conventional track ball game made by Wham-o (of Woodland Hills,
Calif.) included a launcher that exploited backspin but had no
significant speed. Bows and arrows, slingshots, and the like
exploit speed but no back spin. When compared to other launchers
that achieve comparable speeds, they tend to have rubber bands or
springs that store energy and suddenly release it, which can be a
safety issue. By contrast, in the present invention, all of the
power/speed is derived from the throwing action directly with no
sudden or surprise release of energy. Moreover, with conventional
stored energy launchers, the user pulls back and releases one's
grip to shoot. By contrast, the invention utilizes a more direct
throwing motion which lets the user feel/control the throw power
and speed. It is a very direct and satisfying type of throwing
action, whereas the others are more of a triggering type of high
energy release.
[0049] Anticipated uses of the device using the preferred dimpled
foam ball 60 include target-style games, distance games and
competitions, combat-style games, and the like.
[0050] The invention is not limited to the above description. For
example, while the preferred lengths of the handle and launching
sections are described as approximately 12 inches, other lengths
are also contemplated, as long as the ratio of section lengths is
at or close to 1:1. Additionally, the preferred projectile includes
a foam golf ball, however other projectiles are also contemplated.
For example, the device is well-suited for hand flinging
light-weight missiles, gliders, throwing disks, throwing rings, and
paintball-type projectiles which are somewhat soft and preferably
explode on contact. Different sizes and/or shapes of ball holders
may be provided for different sized and/or shaped projectiles. The
different-sized ball holders may be provided as interchangeable
(e.g., screw or snap on), or they may be integral with different
sized projectile throwers, or one or both of the arms of the ball
holder may be made adjustable, either discretely or continuously,
to accommodate different-sized projectiles.
[0051] Additionally, instead of a slidable or otherwise movable
angular delimiter that can move into and engageability with the
ramped portion(s) of the other section of the device, other angular
delimiting structures are contemplated. For example, instead of a
selectable switch/trigger that moves the delimiter into and out of
engageability, a permanently fixed angular delimiter may be
provided that prevents the launching section from ever rotating too
close to the handle section, e.g., 40-50.degree. apart. The fixed
angular delimiter may be provided as a non-moving protrusion
projecting from one of the mating ends of the handle and launching
sections, and the other mating end would be provided with a
corresponding ramped portion that would abut against the protrusion
when the sections are rotated together into the throwing/cocked
position.
[0052] As another alternative, instead of a switch/boss engageable
with a ramped portion on the opposite mating section of the device,
the invention also contemplates a detent mechanism having one or
more "bumps" that are manually forced past a stopping surface to
provide discrete stopping positions along the rotation of one
section with respect to the other. Other variations are also
contemplated.
[0053] Having described certain embodiments of the invention, it
should be understood that the invention is not limited to the above
description or the attached exemplary drawings. Rather, the scope
of the invention is defined by the claims appearing hereinbelow and
includes any equivalents thereof as would be appreciated by one of
ordinary skill in the art.
* * * * *