Patent Publication Number: US-8973564-B1

Title: Recreational throwing apparatus and corresponding objects therefor

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Aspects of this invention relate generally to toys, and more particularly to an apparatus configured for allowing a user to throw various types of objects without having to directly handle the objects. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Many people engage in a wide range of various recreational activities that involve the throwing of objects, such as a ball or disc. Depending on the type of object involved, the activity, and the respective abilities of the participants, such an object may be thrown for relatively long periods of time. Additionally, if the object is dropped, a participant must typically bend over to pick it back up. Over time, these repetitive motions can begin to strain the participants&#39; muscles. Furthermore, depending on a given participant&#39;s strength and skill, that participant may not be able to throw the object as far or as frequently as desired. 
     While many object throwing activities are carried out by two or more people, often times they may involve animals as well, such as a dog. Handling an object in such a situation gives rise to additional concerns, on top of those discussed above. First, directly handling an object that has been in the mouth of an animal can be unsanitary and unpleasant, as the animal would likely leave saliva on the object. Secondly, depending on the temperament of the animal, the participants may also run the risk of being bitten when handling the object. 
     The following art defines the present state of this field: 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,428,036 and 3,589,349 to Parker are generally directed to an improved ball-gripping and throwing apparatus. The ball-holding member is non-adjustably and immovably fixed to the spring handle by an integral extension of the ball-gripping arm elements. The ball-holding member otherwise includes a pair of spaced flexible gripping leaves and a pair of pressure arms adjustably forced against the outside of the gripping leaves to vary the pressure with which they engage and hold a ball positioned therebetween. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,292 to Hoffman is generally directed to a catapult toy. A flexible resilient wand with a finger grip handle has a tapered whippable shank and a shaped front end to receive a mass to be loosely, but frictionally, fitted on said front end. The toy is catapulted from said wand by a whipping action by the operator. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,371 to Woolard is generally directed to a ball throwing implement which includes a flexible shaft having at one end a threaded portion on which a stop disk is movably mounted. A ball or similar game element having a diametrical bore is slipped over the end of the flexible shaft into position against the stop disk. On the other side of the ball from the stop disk, a resilient release element is incorporated in the shaft so that it bears against the wall of the diametrical bore. By moving the stop disk to adjust the extent of engagement of the diametrical bore with the release element, the force required to throw the ball from the shaft may be adjusted. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,650 to Hayman is generally directed to a set of flexible throwing rods. Each rod has a handle on one end for grasping and a gradual narrowing taper toward the other end. Each throwing rod has a varying length ranging from approximately 15 inches to approximately four feet. A rod is selected based upon the distance to a target. The rod slides through a diametrical hole in a ball. A whip-like action of the rod forces the ball off of the end. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. D424, 640 and 6,076,829 to Oblack are generally directed to a ball throwing apparatus that includes an elongated shaft with a half-spherical structure attached to or formed at its distal end. The distal end is designed to easily engage and pick up a ball for throwing without the user having to touch the ball. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0029656 to Vannoy is generally directed to a ball launcher that allows a user to retrieve a ball from the ground and launch the ball, with accuracy, farther than the user can throw the ball by hand. The ball launcher uses an elongated tubular member having a handle at one end and an open opposing end. An annular ring encompasses either the inner surface of the tubular member proximate the open end, or the periphery of the open end. The annular ring has a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball to be retrieved and when the ball launcher is pressed upon the ball, the ball slightly deforms or the annular ring slightly expands allowing the ball to pass the annular ring and into the tubular member. The tubular member is arcuately swung in order to launch the ball therefrom. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,583 to Hall is generally directed to a device for throwing a ball. The pouch is disposed on the end of an arm so that the ball contained in the pouch can be thrown in an overhand or underhand manner by the user. The pouch is attached to the arm on one end and a rubber band-like member is disposed in the pouch on the other open end, which rubber band holds the ball inside the pouch. As the arm and pouch are thrown by a user, the ball gains enough inertia through the arc of the throwing motion that the ball stretches the rubber band and passes between the rubber band and the pouch and, therefore, exits from the open end of the pouch. 
     The prior art described above teaches devices configured for allowing a user to pick up and throw a ball without having to directly handle the ball. Additionally, these prior art devices allow the user to throw the ball with relatively greater ease. However, many of these prior art devices are incapable of (1) ensuring that the object is engaged with the device in a desired orientation, and (2) allowing the user to more accurately direct the flight path of the object when thrown, by virtue of those prior art devices and corresponding objects having substantially cylindrical engagement means. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention teach certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the advantages described below. 
     A recreational throwing apparatus is disclosed which is configured for allowing a user to throw various types of objects without having to directly handle the objects, as herein described. 
     The apparatus comprises, in an exemplary embodiment, a handle portion and an engagement portion engaged with the handle portion and configured for selective frictional engagement with an engagement aperture of an object. Additionally, the engagement portion provides a means for substantially preventing rotation of the object about the engagement portion when engaged therewith. In use, a user grasps the handle portion of the throwing means then inserts the substantially wedge-shaped engagement portion of the throwing means into the engagement aperture of the object. Again, the engagement aperture is configured for preventing the object from rotating about the engagement portion when engaged therewith, allowing the object to be thrown in a desired orientation. With the object oriented in the desired orientation, the user then swings the throwing means in a desired direction, causing the object to disengage and travel in the desired direction. 
     A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art. 
     Another objective is to provide such an apparatus that allows the user to throw various types of objects without having to directly handle the objects. 
     A further objective is to provide such an apparatus that substantially prevents the object from rotating on the throwing means when engaged therewith, allowing the object to be thrown in a desired orientation. 
     A still further objective is to provide such an apparatus that allows the user to more accurately direct the flight path of the object when thrown. 
     Other features and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. In such drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a throwing apparatus disclosed in this application; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a throwing apparatus disclosed in this application; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of a throwing apparatus disclosed in this application; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a throwing apparatus similar to that of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of an object to be selectively engaged with and thrown by the throwing apparatus disclosed in this application; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the exemplary throwing apparatus of  FIG. 1  disclosed in this application selectively engaged with the exemplary object of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the exemplary throwing apparatus disclosed in this application selectively engaged with a flying disc; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the exemplary throwing means selectively engaged with an object shaped like a football; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a user throwing the exemplary object of  FIG. 5  using the exemplary throwing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the user throwing the flying disc of  FIG. 8  using the exemplary throwing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a recreational throwing apparatus  20 . The throwing apparatus  20  is configured for selectively engaging and throwing an object, as discussed in greater detail below. At the outset, it should be noted that the term “object” is herein used to describe any type of object that may be used in conjunction with the throwing apparatus  20 . For illustrative purposes, certain objects—namely, a ball  24  ( FIG. 5 ), a flying disc  26  ( FIG. 8 ), and a football shaped object  28  (FIG.  9 )—are specifically mentioned. However, the present invention should not be read as being so limited to only those types of objects. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the throwing apparatus preferably comprises a handle portion  30 , a shank  32  engaged proximally with the handle portion  30 , and an engagement portion  34  engaged with a distal end  36  of the shank  32 . In the exemplary embodiment, the throwing apparatus  20  is molded as a unitary piece. However, in alternate embodiments, each of the handle portion  30 , shank  32  and engagement portion  34  may be separate components engaged with one another. Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiment is preferably made of plastic, the present invention may be made of any other type of material or combination of materials, now known or later developed, that enables the present invention to carry out substantially the same functionality herein described. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the handle portion  30  is configured for allowing a user  38  (see a user in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) to grip the handle portion  30  tightly enough in a desired orientation such that the throwing apparatus  20  does not unintentionally fly out of the user&#39;s hand  39  during use. Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, the handle portion provides an at least one substantially longitudinally oriented finger guide  40  ergonomically positioned and configured for allowing an index finger  41  of the user&#39;s hand  39  to extend and rest thereon, thereby providing further balance and stability when throwing certain types of objects using the device, as discussed further below. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the relatively elongated shank  32  has a length  31 D and is positioned between and interconnects the handle portion  30  and engagement portion  34 . Preferably, the shank  32  is slightly curved  31 . The curve  31  is seen by the angle  30 A between the axis  30 B of the handle  30  and the axis  33  of the shank  32 . The curve  31  assists in the throwing of the object, as discussed further below; though, in alternate embodiments, the shank  32  may be substantially linear. In still further embodiments, the throwing apparatus  20  may simply comprise the handle portion  30  and the engagement portion  34 , omitting the shank  32  altogether. In the exemplary embodiment, the shank  32  is relatively rigid; however, in alternate embodiments, the shank  32  may be relatively resilient and flexible for creating a whipping action when the throwing apparatus  20  is swung, as discussed further below, allowing the object to be thrown over relatively greater distances. 
     With continued reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the engagement portion  34  has a length  31 E and is sized and configured for selective frictional engagement with at least one engagement aperture of an object such as the engagement apertures  42 ,  42 A and  42 B ( FIGS. 5 ,  8  and  9 ) of the respective objects  24 ,  26  and  28 . More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the engagement portion  34  is substantially wedge-shaped, providing a pair of opposing, substantially planar engagement surfaces  44 A and  44 B with opposite outside edges  44 E and  44  F. It may also be noted that the surface  44 A has a first half  44 C and a second half  44 D positioned at an angle sloping away from ridge  48  which is centrally disposed along the curved shank axis  33  from proximal width  35  to distal width  37 . The engagement portion is tapered in width from the proximal width  35  which is larger than the distal width  37 . The engagement portion  34  is also tapered in thickness from the proximal thickness  39  to the distal thickness  41 . That is, the proximal thickness  39  is larger than the distal thickness  41 . The taper in thickness and the taper in width limit the distance by which the engagement portion  34  may be inserted through the engagement aperture such as the engagement aperture  42  of the object of  FIG. 5 . Additionally, the tapering assists in reducing the amount of force necessary to disengage the object from the engagement portion  34  during use, thus allowing the object to fly farther with less effort by the user  38 . In an alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 2 , the throwing apparatus  20 A has a handle  30 A connected to a shank  32 A that is curved  31 A. The shank  32 A is in turn connected at its distal end  36 A to the engagement portion  34 A which is flat and lies along a straight axis  33 A. The engagement portion  34 A is not tapered but rather relatively flat. The proximal width  35 A is essentially the same as the distal width  37 A; and the proximal thickness  39 A is essentially the same as the distal thickness  41 A. Further, the engagement surfaces  45 A and  45 B are substantially co-planar. Thus even less force is required to disengage the object from the engagement portion  34 A during use. Additionally, as shown in this alternate embodiment, the engagement portion  34 A may provide an at least one stopper with shoulders  46 A and  46 B positioned and configured for limiting the distance by which the engagement portion  34 A may be inserted through an engagement aperture such as engagement aperture  42  seen in  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the longitudinal ridge  48  is disposed along one or both of the engagement surfaces  44 A and  44 B. The longitudinal ridge  48  is configured for creating a relatively tighter engagement between the engagement portion  34  and engagement aperture such as engagement aperture  42 , in order to reduce the likelihood of the object unintentionally or prematurely disengaging from the engagement portion  34  during use. In the exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1 , the height of each ridge such as 48 is relatively minimal. However, in alternate embodiments, such as that shown in  FIG. 3 , each ridge  48 B may be more pronounced. In  FIG. 3 , the throwing apparatus  20 B has a handle portion  30 B connected to shank  32 B which is curved  31 B. As seen the engagement portion  34 B is formed to extend from the distal end  36 B of the shank  32 B. The engagement portion  34 B is also shown having shoulders  46 C and  46  D. The ridge  48 B is shown having a knuckle  46 E at the proximal end. The ridge  48  B has a proximal height  46  which tapers to a distal height which is shown to be nominal to provide for a smooth transition to surface  49 A. It should also be noted that, in still further embodiments, each engagement surface such as engagement surface  44 A may provide a plurality of ridges like ridge  48  and ridge  48 B. In a still further embodiment, the engagement portion like engagement portion  34 A may be coated with a relatively high-friction material, now known or later developed, such as silicone or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a throwing apparatus  20 C is shown in a side view with a handle portion  30 C connected to a shank  32 C that is curved or arcuate  31 C. The engagement portion  34 C has opposite surfaces  49 C and  49  D with ridges  48 D and  48 E. An octagonal shaped collar  46 F is shown on the proximal end of the engagement portion  34 C attached to the distal end  36 C of the shank  32 C. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  7 , the engagement portion  34  functions to prevent rotation of the object, like object  24 , about the shank axis  33  extending through the engagement portion  34  when the object is engaged therewith. In other words, the engagement portion  34  and engagement aperture  42  are preferably configured as complementary shapes, such that the object is prevented from rotating about the engagement portion  34  by virtue of the complementary surfaces  44 A and  44 B of the engagement portion  34  and surfaces  55  and  57  of the engagement aperture  42  ( FIG. 5 ) coming into contact with one another. In the exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the means for substantially preventing rotation comprises the substantially planar engagement surfaces  44 A and  44 B of the engagement portion  34 . As seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the aperture  42  is somewhat elliptically shaped with the surfaces  55  and  57  forming opposite portions of the inner surface  50 . The receiving structure such as aperture  42  has a length  50 A, a width  50 B and a height or thickness  50  C ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ) selected to snuggly receive the engagement portion  34 . It should be noted that, in alternate embodiments, the engagement portion like engagement portions  34 ,  34 A,  34 B and  34 C and engagement aperture like engagement aperture  42  ( FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 ) may be of any other combination of complimentary shapes and/or configurations, so long as the object is substantially prevented from rotating about its engagement portion when engaged therewith. 
     With the throwing means  20  providing the above described features, the object to be thrown may take on the form of virtually anything, so long as it provides at least one appropriately configured engagement aperture like engagement aperture  42 . Thus, again, while the exemplary objects described herein are the ball  24 , flying disc  26 , and football shaped object  28 , any other type of object, now known or later developed, may be substituted so long as that object provides the appropriately configured engagement aperture like engagement aperture  42 . Furthermore, depending on the dimensions of the object, the engagement aperture  42  may be positioned within the object, as with the ball  24  and football  28 , or it may be positioned on an outer surface  52  of the object in the form of a pocket  54 , as best illustrated in connection with the flying disc  26 . Additionally, again, depending on the dimensions of the object, the engagement aperture, such as engagement aperture  42 , may be positioned appropriately so as to mimic the way the user  38  would traditionally grasp the object by hand. For example, the engagement aperture, such as engagement aperture  42 , may be positioned proximal a center of mass of the object, such as the center of mass  56  of the ball  24  ( FIG. 5 ). The center of mass  56 A may also be slightly offset from the engagement member  34 , such as with the football shaped object  28  ( FIG. 9 ). Alternatively, where the object is relatively planar, such as with the flying disc  26  ( FIG. 8 ), the engagement aperture  42 A formed by pocket  54 , may be positioned at a tangent to the center of  56 B. As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the pocket  54  has an upper member  54  B, a central axis  58  offset from a radius  60  of the flying disc  26 . The surface  44 B has a ridge  48 A which engages the upper member  54 B of the pocket  54 . 
     Because the engagement portion such as engagement portion  34  of a throwing apparatus such as throwing apparatus  20  functions to prevent rotation of an object about the engagement portion  34  when the object is engaged therewith, the user  38  is able to selectively orient the object using the throwing apparatus such as throwing apparatus  20 . The user may then throw the object in that desired orientation mimicking the desired orientation by which the user  38  would traditionally throw the object by hand  39 . This can be extremely beneficial when throwing an object that has a relatively more desirable orientation. For example, when throwing a substantially elliptically shaped object, such as the football shaped object  28 , it is desirable to orient an end  62  ( FIG. 9 ) to point in the direction  64  ( FIG. 10 ) of the throw. Additionally, when throwing a relatively planar object, such as the flying disc  26 , it is desirable to orient a circumferential edge  66  of the flying disc  26  ( FIG. 8 ) to point in the direction  64 B of the throw, as shown in  FIG. 11 . Not only does the engagement portion such as engagement portion  34  allow the object to be selectively oriented, but it may also allow the user  38  to selectively put a desired amount of spin on the object as it is thrown, depending on the position of the engagement aperture  42 . For example, the football shaped object  28  of  FIG. 9  may be thrown and spun about a relatively horizontal axis  63  in a similar fashion as the user  38  would traditionally throw a football with their hand  39 , causing the football to spiral. Similarly, the flying disc  26  of  FIGS. 8 and 11  may be thrown and spun about a relatively vertical axis  67 , causing the flying disc  26  to rotate accordingly. 
     The capability of a throwing apparatus, such as throwing apparatus  20 , to allow the user to substantially mimic traditionally grasping, orienting and throwing a wide range of objects by hand  39  is furthered in the exemplary embodiment, where the engagement portion like engagement portion  34  is substantially wedge-shaped with a pair of opposing, substantially planar engagement surfaces  44 A and  44  B. Such a shape roughly mimics the shape of the open human hand  39 . This, again, enables the user  38  to throw the object accurately and with relative ease; all without having to directly handle the object being thrown. 
     As mentioned above, in the exemplary embodiment, the shank  32  is slightly curved  31 . The curve not only assists in the throwing of an object, but also assists in selectively engaging and orienting the object, depending on the type of object being used and the positioning of the engagement aperture like engagement aperture  42 . More specifically, the curved shank  32  is configured for allowing the throwing apparatus  20  to be selectively used in at least one of a downwardly curved orientation, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , or in an upwardly curved orientation, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Thus, where the engagement aperture like engagement aperture  42  of the object like ball  24  may be oriented substantially perpendicular with the ground when not engaged with the engagement portion  34 , or where the object is to be thrown in a substantially overhand fashion, as illustrated in  FIG. 10  with the ball  24 , the user  38  is able to more easily engage, orient, and throw the object with the throwing apparatus  20  oriented in the downwardly curved orientation. Alternatively, where the engagement aperture like engagement aperture  42 A of the object like flying disc  26  tends to be oriented substantially parallel with the ground when not engaged with the engagement portion like engagement portion  34 , or where the object is to be thrown in a substantially underhand or sidearm fashion, as illustrated in  FIG. 11  with the flying disc  26 , the user  38  is able to more easily engage, orient, and throw the object with the throwing apparatus  20  in the upwardly curved orientation. It should be noted that the throwing apparatus  20  may be used in any number of orientations in addition to the downwardly curved and upwardly curved orientations shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , respectively, depending on the object and positioning of the engagement aperture like engagement apertures  42 ,  42 A and  42 B. Thus, the curved shank  32  of the exemplary embodiment assists in selectively engaging, orienting, and throwing a wide range of objects by allowing the user to grasp and use the throwing apparatus  20  in a wide range of orientations. 
     The present invention may be used in a wide range of various recreational activities that involve the throwing of objects, regardless of whether those activities involve two or more people, or even animals, such as a dog  68 . In use, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the user  38  grasps the handle portion  30  of the throwing apparatus like throwing apparatus  20 ,  20 A,  20 B and  20 C and then inserts the substantially wedge-shaped engagement portion like one of the engagement portions  34 ,  34 A,  34 B and  34 C into an engagement aperture like one of the engagement apertures  42 ,  42 A and  42 B. Again, the engagement aperture like one of the engagement apertures  42 ,  42 A and  42 B is configured for preventing the object from rotating about the engagement portion like one of the engagement portions  34 ,  34 A,  34 B and  34 C when engaged therewith, allowing the object to be thrown in a desired orientation. With the object oriented in the desired orientation, the user  38  then swings the throwing apparatus like throwing apparatus  20 ,  20 A,  20 B and  20  C in a desired direction  64  and  64 B, causing the object to disengage and travel in the desired direction  64  and  64 B. Thus, the user  38  is never required to directly handle the object. 
     To summarize, regarding the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as shown and described herein, it will be appreciated that a recreational throwing apparatus is disclosed and configured for allowing a user to throw various types of objects without having to directly handle the objects. Because the principles of the invention may be practiced in a number of configurations beyond those shown and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not in any way limited by the exemplary embodiments, but is generally directed to a recreational throwing apparatus and is able to take numerous forms to do so without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the various features of each of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any logical manner and are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
     While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.