Patent Publication Number: US-2012042860-A1

Title: Dual ball launching and retrieving toy

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a toy ball launching and retrieving device adapted for launching two balls consecutively from the device and to independently retrieve each ball using the device without touching the ball. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     It is well known that animals, particularly dogs, enjoy playing the game of fetch and, in fact, playing this game provides a dog with needed healthy exercise. However, in playing the game, it is not desirable or recommended to pick up a ball using one&#39;s hand when the ball is covered with dog saliva. There are many commercially available toy dog launching devices which will permit a ball to be launched from the device, with some of the devices also including ball engaging means to pick up a ball after the ball is retrieved by a dog. In general, most such devices employ a long pole having some type of ball launching means at one end thereof and ball engaging means which may be independent from the launching means. In all of such device, retrieval of the ball is difficult and the amount of time expended in picking up the ball after it is retrieved by a dog unnecessarily requires substantial time to elapse before another ball can be launched. This loss in time is wasteful and can be disrupting to the game. 
     A device has been discovered in accordance with the present invention that permits two balls to be thrown consecutively such that after one ball is launched, another may be launched without first reinserting the ball into the device after the ball is retrieved by the dog. This permits one ball which has been retrieved by a dog to be replaced within the device during the interval of time when the dog is chasing after another launched ball, thereby providing continuous play and/or providing greater control over playing the game. In addition, the device of the present invention lends itself to being able to play the game simultaneously with two dogs. Moreover, the device of the present invention permits both balls to be launched consecutively using with the launching of one ball not affecting retention of the other ball in the device. The device of the present invention is also believed to exert minimal strain on the arm of the person launching the ball even after repeated use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a pet toy ball launching and retrieving device adapted to retain two balls at one time in the device in a manner permitting both balls to be thrown consecutively from the device and permitting each ball to be retrieved by the device independent of the launching operation without touching the ball. The ball launching and retrieving device of the present invention comprises a handle having a ball engaging and releasing member at each opposite end thereof for separately launching and retrieving each of the two balls with each ball engaging and retrieving member comprising a plurality of at least four relatively flexible fingers extending from a common base with the fingers being symmetrically arranged relative to the common base and with each finger having a free end and a curvature forming a radial arc such that the curvature of the fingers forms a partial sphere for retaining and releasing a ball therefrom with the geometry of the partial sphere substantially conforming to the geometry of the ball to be launched. The two ball engaging and releasing members permit each ball to be thrown from the device without affecting the retention of the other ball within the device. It is preferred to use an even number of fingers with each pair in an opposed relationship such that the radial arc formed by one finger is in substantial radial alignment with the radial arc formed by a finger disposed opposite thereto. If an odd number of fingers are used, at least four should preferably have opposing fingers in substantial radial alignment. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the device, the fingers are relatively flexible and are composed of a composition such as vinyl, with the length of the fingers preferably graduated in size such that the fingers which lie in substantial radial alignment form a pair of fingers having one finger of relatively long length and another finger of relatively short length. 
     The handle of the device is preferably a hollow member composed of plastic. In one embodiment of the device, the handle is a single member aligned in a straight line (hereafter “straight member”) and in another embodiment the handle comprises three sections having one curved section and two straight sections disposed on opposite sides of the curved section. Both embodiments permit a ball to be launched from either end of the device in the same manner using the same hand by simply changing the orientation and grip position of the hand on the handle. The composition of the fingers and handle is preferably of vinyl. The fingers should be symmetrically arranged around a common base which is preferably curved to better grip the ball at each end for launch and retrieval. 
     In the preferred arrangement of the device each ball engaging and releasing member comprises six symmetrically arranged fingers extending from a common base having a curvature compatible with the curvature of the fingers so that a partial spherical space is formed by the curved fingers and curved base which substantially conforms to the geometry of a ball to be launched and/or retrieved from the device. In the preferred arrangement the fingers and common base in the ball engaging and releasing member are curved to cause a ball to make contact with the surface of the common base when the ball is being retained therein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the dual ball launching and retrieving toy of the present invention showing a ball engaging and releasing member at each opposite end of the device for independently retrieving and launching a ball shown in dotted lines in each ball engaging and retrieving member; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the same dual ball launching and retrieving toy as shown in  FIG. 1  oriented in horizontal alignment relative to a horizontal plane through the drawing and rotated approximately 90° from the position shown in  FIG. 1  without a ball present at either end of the device; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the dual ball launching and retrieving toy of the present invention having a handle located between two ball engaging and releasing members at opposite ends of the device with each ball engaging and releasing member holding a ball, shown in dotted lines, and with the handle having a curved center section and two straight sections extending between the center section and each ball engaging and retrieving member, respectively; 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the same dual ball launching and retrieving toy as shown in  FIG. 3  without a ball present at either end of the device and with the device oriented from the position of  FIG. 3  and with each straight section of the handle shown lying in parallel alignment with respect to one another; 
         FIG. 5  is a end view in elevation of the dual ball launching and retrieving toy shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view in cross section of the dual ball launching and retrieving toy of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the dual ball launching and retrieving toy of  FIG. 4  showing the handle and each ball engaging and releasing member represented as three separate parts. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The dual ball launching and retrieving toy device of the present invention is represented by reference numeral  10  in  FIGS. 1-7  inclusive, with  FIGS. 1 and 2  corresponding to a first embodiment of the present invention and  FIGS. 3-7  corresponding to a second embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment of the device  10  broadly comprises a straight handle  12  connected to a ball engaging and releasing member  14  and  14 ′ at each opposite end thereof. The second embodiment of the present invention comprises a handle  15  having a center section  16  of a curved geometry and two straight sections  17  and  18  respectively with each of the straight sections  17  and  18  connected between the center section  16  and a ball engaging and releasing member  14  and  14 ′, respectively. The same reference numbers are being used to identify corresponding components in each embodiment of the invention. 
     Each ball engaging and retrieving member  14  and  14 ′ at each opposite end of the device  10  is essentially identical to one another with each comprising a plurality of relatively flexible fingers  20  extending from a neck section  19  and  21 , respectively, and with each neck section  19  and  21  being preferably of a cylindrical geometry. At least four relatively flexible fingers are required but six fingers is preferred. The six fingers in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-7  are identified by separate reference numbers  22 - 27  and extend from a curved base portion  30  in each neck section  19  and  21 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  the handle  12  is shown connected between each neck section  19  and  21  and in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-7  the straight section  17  of handle  15  is connected to the neck section  19  and the other straight section  18  is connected to the neck section  21 . It is also preferable that the two straight sections  17  and  18  of the handle  15  be aligned in parallel relative to one another. The parallel alignment of the two straight sections  17  and  18  is achieved by the curvature of the center section  16 . 
     Each of the six fingers  22 - 27  in each ball engaging and retrieving member  14  and  14 ′ has a curved geometry and a free end and forms a radial arc extending from the curved base portion  30 . The radial arc should be in substantial radial alignment with the curvature of a finger disposed opposite thereto and preferably of a curvature compatible with the curvature of the base portion  30  so as to form a partial spherical space conforming in geometry to the geometry of a ball  28  adapted to be held in each ball engaging and retrieving member  14  and  14 ′ respectively. In the preferred arrangement the ball  28  makes physical contact with the surface of the curved base portion  30  when residing in the grip of the fingers  22 - 27 . The plurality of fingers  22 - 27  should be symmetrically arranged about the curved base portion  30 . 
     The length of the fingers  22 - 27  are preferably graduated in size with one finger  26  having the shortest length and another finger  23  on the opposite side thereof having the longest length. The two fingers  22  and  24  which lie on opposed sides adjacent to the longest finger  23  are substantially equal in length and the two fingers  25  and  27  which lie on opposite sides adjacent the shortest finger  26  are substantially of the same length. Each of the two fingers  25  and  27  which lie on opposite sides adjacent the shortest finger  26  may be aligned askew to the axis of the shortest finger  26  to better grip the ball  28 . In such case the two fingers  25  and  27  may extend along axes which intersect the axis of the shortest finger  26  and form a “V” relative thereto. 
     Each ball engaging and releasing member  14  and  14 ′ is preferably molded as a separate part and is preferably composed of a plastic material composition such as nylon. The fingers  22 - 27  should be relatively flexible for gripping and releasing the ball  25  from either opposite end of the device  10 . 
     Each handle  12  and  15  is preferably hollow and is also preferably composed of a plastic composition such as vinyl. Handle  15  as shown in  FIGS. 3-7  may be separately molded and is attached to each neck section  19  and  21  of each ball engaging and releasing member  14  and  14 ′ as is shown in  FIG. 7 . The ball engaging member  14  and  14 ′ is preferably oriented in an opposing relationship relative to one another at each opposite end of the device  10  with the fingers in each ball engaging and releasing member  14  and  14 ′ oriented 180° apart from one another. This permits the device  10  to launch one ball  28  from either opposite end of the device  10  without affecting the retention of the other ball  28  at the opposite end of the device  10 . This arrangement also simplifies the reversal of the position of the handle  12  to launch a ball from the opposite end. In each embodiment the ball  28  when launched from a ball engaging and releasing member  14  and  14 ′ lies above the grip position of a hand on the handle. In the second embodiment the hand grip on one straight section, e.g., section  17  of the handle  15  must be reversed when gripping the other straight section, e.g.,  18  for launching a ball  28  from the opposite side. However, it is not critical for the ball engaging members  14  and  14 ′ to be in an opposing relationship relative to each other. It is the arrangement of the fingers  22 - 27  in each ball engaging member  14  and  14 ′ which permits each ball to be launched from either end under similar conditions. This arrangement is enhanced when the ball engaging members  14  and  14 ′ are in an opposing relationship.