Patent ID: 8245702
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A ball launching device, comprising: a) a handle; b) an upper tube attached to said handle and terminated at its upper end by a first end cap called upper tube end cap; c) a lower tube slidably inserted into said upper tube, said lower tube being terminated at its upper end by a second end cap called lower tube end cap; d) a mechanical energy storage device located inside said upper tube between said upper tube end cap and said lower tube end cap, said mechanical energy storage device exerting a force on said lower tube when it is compressed; e) a gripping apparatus affixed to lower end of said lower tube, said gripping apparatus configured to switch between two possible states, a closed state and an open state, said closed state being enabled when said lower tube is partially or fully inserted into said upper tube, thereby allowing said gripping apparatus to hold said ball, and said open state being enabled when said lower tube is extended out of said upper tube, thereby allowing said gripping apparatus to release said ball; and f) a trigger mechanism, said trigger mechanism, when in a cocked state, allowing said mechanical energy storage device to remain compressed and, when released, allowing said mechanical energy storage device to expand, thereby extending in a telescoping fashion said lower tube outward of said upper tube and furthermore thereby, launching said ball, said trigger mechanism comprising: