Throw and fetch equipment and systems using interchangeable projectile holder elements

A throw and fetch system includes a universal handle, at least two projectiles, and at least two interchangeable projectile holder elements. A first projectile has a first size and/or shape, and a second projectile has a second size and/or shape. A first interchangeable projectile holder element has an interior that is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the first projectile, and a second interchangeable projectile holder element has an interior that is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the second projectile. In a first state the first projectile holder element is attached to a distal end of the universal handle such that the first projectile may be held then thrown therefrom by a user, and in a second state the second projectile holder element is attached such that the second projectile may be held then thrown therefrom by the user.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Field of the Present Invention

The present invention relates generally to pet toys, and, in particular, to throw and fetch equipment and systems using a variety of balls and/or other projectiles.

BACKGROUND

Many dogs are natural retrievers that enjoy retrieving objects such as sticks or balls, especially when the objects are thrown very far or with great force. Manually throwing such objects great distances for long periods of time, makes a person's back and arm tired before the animal is ready to rest.

To reconcile this problem, some individuals have resorted to using a bat, sling shot, tennis racket or ball wand launcher to throw a ball great distances. Unfortunately, such devices are only usable with a single type of projectile. This is primarily due to the shape of the launcher “socket” or “holder,” which is typically shaped to match the shape of the projectile being launched. For example, launchers for spherical balls utilize sockets or holders that are in the form of a portion of a sphere. It is thus difficult for such launchers to be used with non-spherical projectiles.

In addition to one's back and arm becoming tired, another drawback of playing the game of fetch with a dog is having to physically pick up the ball with your hands. Typically, after a few throws, the ball is covered with dog saliva, which can be distasteful and unhealthy to touch. A further drawback is the possibility of getting bitten by the dog when initially picking the ball up off the ground after the dog has dropped it. Thus, some ball launchers have been developed which can be used to pick a ball or other projectile up without touching it.

Of these prior art devices, the ball throwing apparatus shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,829 is typical. The ball throwing apparatus includes an elongated shaft, having a longitudinal axis and opposite distal and proximal ends, and a ball holder in the form of a half-spherical structure integrally formed on the distal end of the elongated shaft. Such a ball holder is useful with spherical balls of a particular size, but not with other projectiles of other shapes or even with spherical balls of other sizes.

In view of the above, a need is believed to exist for a ball throwing or launching device and system that is adaptable for use with projectiles of different sizes and/or shapes to enable a user to “play fetch” with a dog or other pet in various environments.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Some exemplary embodiments of the present invention may overcome one or more of the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above, but the present invention is not required to overcome any particular disadvantage described above, and some exemplary embodiments of the present invention may not overcome any of the disadvantages described above.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to one aspect is a throw and fetch apparatus, including: a universal handle; a projectile; and an interchangeable projectile holder element, having an interior that is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the projectile, wherein in a first state the projectile holder element is attached to a distal end of the universal handle, and wherein in a second state the interchangeable projectile holder element is detached from the distal end of the universal handle such that an alternative interchangeable projectile holder element, having an interior sized and shaped to correspond to an alternative projectile, may be attached thereto.

In a feature of this aspect, the universal handle includes a handgrip at a proximal end thereof, a projectile holder base for attachment to the interchangeable projectile holder element, and a shaft extending between the handgrip and the projectile holder base.

In further features, a projectile holder, adapted to receive the projectile and to release the projectile when the universal handle is whipped forward, is defined by one or more elements of the throw and fetch apparatus; the projectile holder is defined by a portion of the projectile holder base and a portion of the interchangeable projectile holder element; and/or the projectile holder is defined solely by the interchangeable projectile holder element.

In other further features, the projectile holder base includes a first fitting and the interchangeable projectile holder element includes a second fitting, the first and second fitting being couplable such that the interchangeable projectile holder element may be attached and detached from the projectile holder base; the first and second fittings are pieces of a buckle; the buckle is a snap-fit “parachute” buckle; and/or the first and second fittings are threaded fittings that may be screwed together.

Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect is a throw and fetch system, including: a universal handle; a first projectile, having a first size and/or shape; a first interchangeable projectile holder element, having an interior that is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the first projectile; a second projectile, having a second size and/or shape, the second size and/or shape being different from the first size and/or shape; and a second interchangeable projectile holder element, having an interior that is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the second projectile; wherein in a first state the first projectile holder element is attached to a distal end of the universal handle such that the first projectile may be held then thrown therefrom by a user; and wherein in a second state the second projectile holder element is attached to the distal end of the universal handle such that the second projectile may be held then thrown therefrom by the user.

In a feature of this aspect, the universal handle includes a handgrip at a proximal end thereof, a projectile holder base for attachment to the interchangeable projectile holder element, and a shaft extending between the handgrip and the projectile holder base.

In further features, a projectile holder, adapted to receive the projectile and to release the projectile when the universal handle is whipped forward, is defined by one or more elements of the throw and fetch apparatus; the projectile holder is defined by a portion of the projectile holder base and a portion of the first or second interchangeable projectile holder element; and/or the projectile holder is defined solely by the first or second interchangeable projectile holder element.

In other further features, the projectile holder base includes a first fitting and each interchangeable projectile holder element includes a second fitting, the first and either of the second fittings being couplable such that the respective interchangeable projectile holder element may be attached and detached from the projectile holder base; the first and second fittings are pieces of a buckle; the buckle is a snap-fit “parachute” buckle; and/or the first and second fittings are threaded fittings that may be screwed together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like components throughout the several views, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of elements of a throw and fetch system10utilizing interchangeable projectile holders in accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. As shown therein, the system includes a universal handle40, one or more projectiles12,112, and one or more interchangeable projectile holder elements62,162. The system10, and particularly the interchangeable projectile holder elements62,162, enables a user101,102to throw or otherwise launch projectiles of different shapes and sizes for retrieval by a pet104. It will be appreciated that such a system10may be utilized with any pet that can be taught or trained to retrieve a ball or other object, but that the system10may find particular utility with dogs, and thus the system10will be described herein with particular regard to dogs.

The illustrated handle40, which may sometimes be referred to as a “wand,” includes a projectile holder base42, a shaft44, and a handgrip46. It will be appreciated that the particular handle40shown inFIG. 1, and particularly the shaft44and handgrip46thereof, is exemplary only, and that the shape, dimensions, elements, and general form factor of the ball thrower may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the handle40may take the form of a bat, paddle, tennis racket, lacrosse stick, cesta, scoop, slingshot, or the like, or alternatively may be in some cases be an automatic launching device, such as a tennis ball thrower or other specialized projectile launching device.

Use of the system10involves a user101,102selecting a desired projectile12,112and attaching a corresponding projectile holder element62,162to the universal handle40. In this regard,FIG. 2is a perspective view of portions of the throw and fetch system10ofFIG. 1, wherein one of the interchangeable projectile holder elements62has been attached to the universal handle40. In particular, a projectile holder element62that is in the approximate form of a quarter of a sphere has been selected from the available projectile holder elements62,162and attached to the projectile holder base42. The selected projectile holder element62and the projectile holder base42together form a projectile holder60that is particularly suitable for use with the spherical ball12of the size shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

Once a ball or other projectile12is selected and the corresponding projectile holder element62attached, the ball thrower50is ready for use. In at least some embodiments, the ball thrower50is used to throw or launch the ball12, and in at least some of these embodiments, the assembled ball thrower may also be utilized to lift the ball12from the ground so that it need not be touched by the user's hand. By way of example,FIG. 3is an environmental view of a user101picking up or retrieving the spherical ball12as part of a method of using the system10ofFIG. 1in accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the user101is holding the ball thrower50by the handgrip46and using the ball holder60to scoop the ball12up so that it can be cradled therein.FIG. 4is an environmental view of a user102throwing the spherical ball12as part of a method of using the system10ofFIG. 1in accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the user102is holding the ball thrower50by the handgrip46, with the ball12still cradled in the ball holder60, and whipping the thrower50forward such that the ball12is thrown or launched from the ball holder60to achieve a desired trajectory and travel distance. Assuming the dog104is trained to do so, the intent is for the dog104to follow the ball12(or in some cases to intercept that ball12along its trajectory) and return or fetch the ball12to the user101,102.

The interchangeable projectile holder elements62,162may be attached to the projectile holder base42in any of a variety of ways. In the illustrated embodiments, the projectile holder base42includes one piece (half)48of a conventional snap-fit buckle of nylon, other thermoplastic polymers, or the like, while each projectile holder elements62,162includes a corresponding piece (half)68of such a buckle. In this regard,FIG. 5is a fragmentary side view of portions of the projectile thrower50ofFIG. 2, andFIGS. 6-9are a side view, a front/side perspective view, a front view, and a rear view, respectively, of the projectile thrower portions ofFIG. 5, shown in a disassembled state. As shown therein, the half-spherical ball holder60ofFIG. 5is formed from two quarter-spherical sections, wherein one of the quarter-spherical sections is part of the projectile holder base42and the other quarter-spherical section is part of the projectile holder element62. Notably, it will be appreciated that other connection/attachment mechanisms may be substituted for the “parachute”-type buckle illustrated in the various drawings without departing from the present invention. For example, threaded fittings (not shown) may be utilized to allow the interchangeable projectile holder elements62,162to be screwed onto the projectile holder base42.

Regardless of the connection mechanism utilized, however, it is preferred that the mechanism be easily releasable so that an alternative projectile holder element, such as the alternative projectile holder element162illustrated inFIG. 1, may be used instead. In this regard,FIG. 10is a perspective view of portions of the throw and fetch system10ofFIG. 1, wherein another interchangeable projectile holder element162has been attached to the universal handle40to form an alternative projectile thrower150, andFIG. 11is a fragmentary front/side view of portions of the projectile thrower150ofFIG. 10, shown in a disassembled state. As shown therein, the quarter-spherical projectile holder element62ofFIGS. 2-9has thus been replaced with an elongated projectile holder element162that is more suitable for a prolate or elongated spheroid projectile, American football-shaped projectile, or the like. Like the first projectile holder element62, this alternative projectile holder element162has a buckle piece (half)68that mates with the buckle piece (half)48on the projectile holder base42. As illustrated thereby, the interchangeable projectile holder elements62,162may be detached from the projectile holder base42and replaced with any number of alternative projectile holder elements to accommodate balls, discs, and other projectiles of different sizes and/or shapes.

It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the projectile holder base42may be primarily comprised only of a fitting, such as the illustrated buckle piece48, and that the interchangeable projectile holder elements may each comprise an entire projectile holder with a corresponding fitting, such as the other illustrated buckle piece68, wherein the two buckle pieces48,68may be coupled together to attach the interchangeable projectile holder to the projectile holder base. Such an arrangement would enable the entire projectile holder to be customized for a particular projectile size or shape, rather than limiting the customization to the types of interchangeable elements62,162shown inFIGS. 1-11. However, such an arrangement may increase the manufacturing cost of the interchangeable portions due to increased material requirements and/or create other difficulties in manufacturing or otherwise.

Notably, the various projectile throwers and systems described and/or illustrated herein may also be adapted for use with other projectile thrower technologies. In one example, lighting effects may be added as described, for example, in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/751,398, filed Jun. 26, 2015 and entitled “LIGHTED THROW AND FETCH EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS,” the entirety of which is attached as APPENDIX A and incorporated herein by reference. In another example, technology for use with mobile devices may be added as described, for example, in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/673,361, filed Mar. 30, 2015 and entitled “PET TOY LAUNCHING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE WITH MOBILE DEVICES,” the entirety of which is attached as APPENDIX B and incorporated herein by reference. Notably, the use of a universal handle enables such technologies to be implemented in the shaft or handgrip of the handle without need for replacement when use with a different projectile is desired, thereby providing significant cost savings to the user101,102.

It will be appreciated, however, that the particular projectiles12,112shown inFIG. 1are exemplary only, that other projectile types may be utilized. Notably, the shape, dimensions, elements, and general form factor of the balls12,112or other projectiles, as well as any decorative features, may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the ball may be round (spherical) (with or without perforations), or it may be a flying disc (with or without perforations), or it may be a spheroid (sphere-like but not spherical), including prolate spheroids, or it may take various abstract shapes. The ball or other projectile may be of proprietary design, or third party products may in some cases be utilized as the ball or other projectile12,112.

In some embodiments, a universal handle, a plurality of balls or other projectiles, and a plurality of interchangeable projectile holder elements are marketed and sold as a single kit. The kit may be contained together in a single box or other package. In other embodiments, the balls or other projectiles and/or corresponding interchangeable projectile holder elements may be marketed and/or sold separately or omitted entirely. Furthermore, ball throwers of different lengths, ball holder sizes, projectile types, and interchangeable projectile holder elements may be offered as part of a commonly-branded and/or marketed product line.

In summary, the ball throwers described herein are used to launch balls and other projectiles. The universal handle may be utilized with projectiles of different shapes and sizes by utilizing different projectile holders, each being created by attaching an interchangeable projectile holder element to a projectile holder base.

Based on the foregoing information, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.