Patent Publication Number: US-2011074109-A1

Title: Ring toss game and equipment therefor

Description:
I. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a game, and in particular, a game that enables a participant to toss a ring over a distance; and the equipment used to play the game. Although this game can be played indoors, it is particularly well-suited for outdoor play. 
     II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Catch and throw games have been popular for many years. Along with organized multi-player team games, such as baseball and lacrosse, other catch and throw games exist that can be played with a smaller number of players, such as one or two people. 
     One of the most popular catch and throw games is the tossing of a Frisbee® flying disc. Other games that involve the tossing of an object from one person to another, or at a target include such games as Cornhole, horseshoes, and bocce. Although the above-referenced games do perform their intended functions well, and entertain those playing the games, room for improvement and alternative games exist. 
     In particular, room for improvement exists in the creation of a game that requires the user to develop a different set of skills while tossing an object that is different than either the flying disc, soft sack, horseshoe or ball of currently existing toss games such as Frisbee, Cornhole, horseshoes or bocce. It is therefore one object of the present invention to create such a game. 
     III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a tossing game is provided that includes playing equipment. The playing equipment comprises a first pair of propelling sticks and a tossable ring member. The first pair of propelling sticks includes a proximal handle portion, a distal portion and a guard portion. The tossable ring member includes a central aperture, wherein the distal portion of the propelling sticks are sized and configured for being received within the central aperture of the ring member. 
     Preferably, the distal portions of each of the propelling sticks includes a first end disposed adjacent to the proximal portion and a second end. The distal portion is tapered between the first and second end so that the first end has a larger diameter than the second end. The guard member is preferably disposed on an axis that is generally perpendicular to the major axis of the proximal and distal portions. 
     The ring member preferably includes a radially inner portion, a radially outer portion, and a central portion disposed between the radially outer and radially inner portions. An indicia member may be affixed to the central portion to either help the ring member become more easily visible to the user, or else, become more easily distinguishable among a plurality of ring members. 
     Preferably, the central portion includes a channel portion disposed between a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion. The indicia member preferably comprises a luminous indicia member, such as a light stick that is capable of glowing, for permitting the ring member to be seen in the dark. 
     Also in accordance with the present invention a method of playing a tossing game is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing playing equipment for the game that include a first pair of propelling sticks for a first player and a second pair of propelling stick for a second player. The playing equipment also includes a ring member that is tossable between the first player and first propelling sticks, and the second player and second propelling sticks. Each pair of propelling sticks includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion includes a first end disposed relatively closer to the proximal portion, and a second end disposed relatively further away from the proximal end portion. The ring member includes a radially inwardly facing portion that defines a central aperture. 
     The central aperture of the ring member is caused to receive the distal portions of each of the first pair of propelling sticks, so that the ring member is disposed relatively closer to the first end of the distal portion than to the second end of the distal portion. 
     The first user then holds the proximal end portion of each of the first pair of ring member containing propelling sticks in a manner wherein the respective first ends of the distal portions of the propelling sticks are relatively closer together than the respective second ends of the propelling sticks. The user then moves the position of the propelling sticks to a launch position, wherein the second ends of the propelling sticks are relatively more closely positioned than the respective first ends of the distal portions, in a manner wherein the application of force by the propelling sticks against the radially inwardly facing portion of the ring member causes the ring member to move in a direction from the first end of the distal portion to the second end of the distal portion, and ultimately become launched off the second end of the distal portion of the propelling sticks, so as to become airborne. 
     Preferably, once airborne, the second player can place the second ends of the second pair of propelling sticks that he is holding, in a position wherein the distance between the second ends of the distal portions of the second pair of apertures are separated by a distance less than the distance of the diameter of the central aperture of the ring member, so that the distal end portions of the pair of propelling sticks can be received into the central aperture of the ring member, so that the ring member may become placed upon the distal portions of the propelling sticks. 
     In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, four or more propelling sticks are provided, so that each of at least two players can each be given two propelling sticks. With each player having two propelling sticks, the rings can be tossed between players to create a catch and throw game involving the propelling sticks and the ring members. 
     One feature of the present invention is that the present invention comprises a catch and throw game that differs from other catch and throw games, to provide a different game environment than other known catch and throw games. It is also a feature of a preferred embodiment that a lighting member can be added to the ring. This feature has the advantage of enabling the game to be played at night, and in the dark, thus extending the potential playing time for the game. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the drawings and detailed description below, that represent the best mode of practicing the invention perceived presently by the Applicant. 
    
    
     
       IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a player holding the playing equipment of the game, and showing a first pair of propelling sticks and the ring member of the tossing game of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side plan view of a propelling stick of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a top plan view of a propelling stick of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2C  is a sectional view taken along lines  2 C- 2 C of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a sectional view taken along lines  2 D- 2 D of  FIG. 2D ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a bottom plan view of a ring member of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a sectional view taken along lines  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a sectional view taken along lines  3 C- 3 C of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a propelling stick of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a propelling stick of the present invention, showing the proximal portion of the propelling stick being gripped by a hand of a user; 
         FIG. 6  is a greatly enlarged view of the proximal end portion, guard portion, and first end of the distal portion of a propelling stick of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of an underside of the ring member of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a top plan view of the ring member of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective, bottom view of the ring member of the present invention, showing a tubular lighting strip partially inserted within the channel of the ring member; 
         FIG. 8A  is an exploded perspective exploded view of the ring member and the lighting member; 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of a pair of propelling sticks (either first or second pair) in the hands of a user, wherein the sticks are in a “crossed sword” position; 
         FIG. 9  is a progressive view showing a first stage of a propelling sticks and ring, when said propelling sticks are being used to toss the ring member; 
         FIG. 10  comprises a top plan view of a box showing a complete equipment set comprising four propelling sticks and a ring member; 
         FIG. 11  is a progressive view, following  FIG. 9 , showing the second stage of the throwing sequence wherein the propelling sticks are used to throw the ring; 
         FIG. 12  is a progressive view, following  FIG. 11 , that shows the third stage of the launching of the ring member; 
         FIG. 13  is a progressive view, following  FIG. 12 , that shows the fourth stage in the tossing motion, wherein the ring member has been tossed from, and has lost contact with the propelling stick; 
         FIG. 14  is a progressive view, showing the first stage of the propelling sticks being used to pick up a ring member that has fallen upon the ground; 
         FIG. 15  is a progressive view, following  FIG. 14 , showing a second pick up stage, wherein the ring member has been engaged onto the distal end portions of the distal portion of a pair of propelling sticks; 
         FIG. 16  is a progressive view, following  FIG. 15 , showing the propelling sticks being moved to cause the ring member to move proximally, toward the guard members of the propelling sticks; 
         FIG. 17  is a progressive view, following  FIG. 16 , showing the propelling sticks having been moved to cause the ring member to move proximally, so that the ring member is disposed adjacent to the guard members, and as such, is thereby in the preferred position from which to start the launch of the ring member; 
         FIG. 18  is a progressive view, showing the first stage of the retrieval or “catching” of a ring, wherein the ring has landed, and is disposed on the distal ends of the distal portions of the propelling sticks; 
         FIG. 19  is a progressive view, following  FIG. 18 , showing the propelling sticks having been moved, to thereby enable the ring to move closer toward the guard members of the propelling sticks of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 20  is a progressive view, following  FIG. 19 , that shows the ring member being disposed generally on the proximal portion of the distal portion of the propelling members, in a position that will serve well as the start point for the launch of the ring, when the user decides to throw the ring using the propelling sticks. 
     
    
    
     IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A tossing game  10  includes playing equipment. As shown in the figures, the playing equipment includes a first pair of propelling sticks  12 ,  14 , including first propelling stick  12  and second propelling stick  14 . Each of the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  includes a proximal portion  16 ,  18  a distal portion  22 ,  24 , and a guard portion  28 ,  30 , respectively. The guard portion  28 ,  30  is disposed between the proximal  16 ,  18  and distal portions  22 ,  24 . 
     The proximal portion  16 ,  18  is sized and configured for being received by the hand H of the user U. The user U grips the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  in a manner similar to the manner in which one would grip a sword. Preferably, the proximal hand grip portions  16  include padded members  34 ,  36  to provide additional comfort for the user. The padded members  34 ,  36  preferably comprise cylindrical deformable foam members having a hollow central passageway for receiving the hard plastic proximal portion  38  of the propelling sticks  12 ,  14 . 
     The distal portions  22 ,  24  each generally comprise a tapering cylinder that, in one embodiment, tapers from an approximately one inch diameter Dp near the first or proximal end  40 , and which tapers down toward the second or distal end  42 , so that at the second end  42  the diameter Dd of the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  is approximately ⅜ inch. The propelling sticks have a major axis A that extends through the proximal  16 ,  18  and distal  22 ,  24  portions of each stick  12 ,  14 . 
     The distal portion  22 ,  24  is sized and configured for being received into the central aperture of a ring-like member  50 , and preferably has a length of about 26 inches. 
     The guard portion  28 ,  30  is disposed between the proximal handle portion  16 ,  18  and the distal ring-receiving portion  22 ,  24 . The guard portion  28 ,  30  has one or more radially extending members  32 ,  33  that have a radial extent that is significantly greater than the radial diameter of either the proximal portion  16 ,  18  or the distal portion of  22 ,  24  of a propeller stick  12 ,  14 . In one embodiment, the guard portions  32 ,  33  comprises a pair of opposed, radially extending members  32 ,  33  that have an axis G ( FIG. 8B ) that extends perpendicular to the major axis AA of the sticks  12 ,  14 . The first and second radially extending members  32 ,  33  are preferably disposed approximately 180° from each other, and extend radially 1.25 inches, past the cylindrical outer surface  44  of the guard portion  28 ,  30 . 
     Each of the radially extending members  32 ,  33  of the guard portion  28 ,  30  is preferably formed as a truncated, pyramid shape, although other shapes can be used. Similar to the guard that one might use on a sword, it is also be possible to have a disc-shaped radially extending guard member that extends 360° around the circumference of the cylindrical outer surface  44  guard member  28 ,  30 . 
     The primary purpose of the guard member  28 ,  30  is to prevent the ring  50  from sliding proximally passed the guard portion  28 ,  30  onto the proximal portion  16 ,  18  of the propelling sticks  12 ,  14 . Viewed another way, the purpose of the guard portion  28 ,  30  is to keep the ring  50  on the distal portions  22 ,  24  of the sticks  12 ,  14 . 
     The ring member  50  preferably comprises a ring that has an outer diameter ROD of approximately 6.5 inches and an inner diameter RID of approximately 5.625 inches. The ring member is preferably “U” shaped in cross section and includes an annular, axially-extending radially inwardly disposed inner wall  54 , an annular, axially-extending radially outwardly disposed outer wall  56 , and an annular radially extending wall  58  that comprises a middle portion and that extends between and is coupled to each of the inner axially extending wall  54  and the outer axially extending wall  56 . 
     The inner axially extending wall  54  and the outer axially extending wall  56  are joined by the generally planar radially extending wall  58  that extends between the inner annular wall  54  and the outer annular wall  56  to define an annular channel  59 . Channel  59  is sized for receiving a lighting member or other accessory or indicia as will be described in more detail below. The radially extending wall  58  can include a plurality of slots  60 ,  62 ,  63 ,  64 , therein, so that one can view the interior of the annular slot channel  59  from the side of the ring on which the radially extending wall  56  is disposed. 
     The open sided channel  59  is defined by the inner surface  70  of the axially extending, radially outwardly facing surface of inner annular wall  54 , the radially inwardly facing inner surface  74  outer annular wall  56 , and the inner surface  78  of the radially extending wall  58 . The central aperture of the ring is defined by the axially extending, radially inwardly facing surface  55  of the inner, axially extending annular wall member  54 . 
     The channel  59  preferably has an outer diameter of about 0.4375 inches; and an inner diameter of about 0.224 inches. The annular channel  59  is provided for receiving one or more accessories. Probably, the most popular accessory that will be inserted into this annular slot  59  is a light member. For example, “light stick”-type lighting member  80  ( FIG. 8 ) having a width or outer diameter LSOD slightly less than the width of the slot member  59 , and a having a length slightly less than the circumference of the slot member  59  can be bent to be inserted into the annular slot. 
     Although there is more than one formula and/or design for producing a suitable light stick, a common commercial light stick employs a solution of hydrogen peroxide that is kept separate from a solution of a phenyl oxalate ester together with a fluorescent dye. The color of the fluorescent dye determines the resulting color of the light stick when the chemical solutions are mixed. The basic premise of the reaction is that the reaction between the two chemicals releases enough energy to excite the electrons in the fluorescent dye. This causes the electrons to jump to a higher energy level and then fall back down and release light. 
     Specifically, the chemical reaction works in the following manner. The hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the phenyl oxalate ester, to form phenol and an unstable peroxyacid ester. The unstable peroxyacid ester decomposes, resulting in phenol and a cyclic peroxy compound. The cyclic peroxy compound decomposes to carbon dioxide. This decomposition reaction releases the energy that excites the dye. 
     When a light stick  80  ( FIGS. 8 and 8A ) is placed within the annular slot  59  and the chemicals therein are activated, the ring  50  will glow and become “lit up”. When so lit up, the ring  50  can be seen at night, thus enabling the player to use the ring  50  to play the game in the dark at night. 
     In addition to the light stick  80 , non-lighted color indicia members can be placed into the channel  59 . The use of these colorized indicia members  83  (not shown) can comprise decals, stickers, and/or applique&#39;s, and have great utility when the device is used in competitive environments. For example, in competitive environments involving, for example, eight players, four rings  50  can be used with each of the four rings having a different color. Through this vehicle, the four teams can keep track of their particular rings  50 , by associating it with the particular color of their indicia sticker  83 . Additionally, when used in a non-competitive environment, the use of a particular color indicia member  83  can help closely spaced groups of players ensure that they can identify their ring, and not confuse it with the ring of another person. Another way to import a color indicia to the ring  50  is through the choice of plastic color used to make the ring  50 . 
     The color of the ring  50  can be seen preferably from both sides of the ring  50 , via the open side of the channel  59  and that enables the color to be seen from one side of the ring  50 , and the slots  60 ,  62 ,  63 ,  64 , contained in the radial wall  58  that enable the color to be seen from the opposite side of the ring  50 . 
     In addition to the light stick discussed above, other lighting members for lighting the rings  50  can be used. For example, LEDs can be used to provide the light, rather than a light stick  80 . 
     Additionally, there may be certain circumstances where some players desire that the ring be weighted differently than that obtained from the unitarily formed plastic ring  50  as the weight of the ring  50  affects the flight and propelling characteristics of the ring  50 . As such, the annular channel  59  provides a receptacle into which the user can add a weight to the ring  50  to adjust the weight to the user&#39;s desired weight. Other adjustments to weight can be effected by changes made to size, materials, and dimension (e.g. thickness) of the ring. 
     Preferably, the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  are made from a light weight material. An example of such a material is a glass-filled nylon. However, other materials may also may be used to make the propelling sticks. For example, one might wish to make the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  out of a material such as wood or aluminum either because of the characteristics that wood or aluminum would impart to the device, in terms of weight, strength and rigidity; or also because of the aesthetic characteristics that would be imparted by wood or aluminum or some other material. 
     When designing the propelling sticks  12 ,  14 , it is important that the distal portions  22 ,  24  maintain sufficient rigidity, and resistance to collapse or bending so as to enable the user to exert a significant radially directed force on the propelling stick  12 ,  14  during the tossing of the ring  50 . As such, a hollow, very thin walled tubular plastic material would likely not have sufficient durability to serve as the distal portion  22 ,  24  of the propelling sticks  12 ,  14 , as such a material would likely not be able to withstand the radially directed forces that are exerted on the sticks  12 ,  14  when the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  are used to toss the ring  50 . In addition to the problems that would exist when the ring  50  is being tossed, similar problems would exist when the ring is being caught on the sticks  12 ,  14 , because the impact of the ring  50  hitting the sticks  12 ,  14  might cause the distal portions  22 ,  24  to bend under the impact of the force of the ring  50  engaging the sticks. Another method for strengthening the propelling sticks is to form the sticks with longitudinally extending ridges or diametrical members. 
     In order to use the equipment, the following procedure is employed. 
     The most simple game to play with the device  10  is to toss the ring  50  between partners where you have two or more people. Another competitive game might be a target-type game. A target-type game, one might have a scoring hoop that may have a diameter of something between about one and four feet. The object of the game is similar to a Frisbee golf game, in that one would seek to use the sticks  12 ,  14  to toss the ring  50  into the targets with the fewest number of strokes. Another type of target type game is to create a target that includes a plurality of poles, wherein each of the plurality of poles has different diameters and positions, and accordingly is accorded different point values. 
     Another type of target game is a pass-through-type target game. A pass-through-type target game may be played on a tennis court, for example, where the tennis court includes two tennis nets rather than one. The two tennis nets would be disposed co-planarly and vertically offset, with one net being placed above the other net. The bottom of the upper net would be placed a certain predetermined distance above the top of the lower net to form a space (or gap) between the upper net and the lower net. The object of the game is to pass the ring from a first partner standing on the first side of the net, to the second partner standing on the second side of the net, by tossing the ring  50  through the “space” formed between the upper and lower nets. 
     As a variation on the co-planar pair of tennis nets, a larger unitary tennis net could be used wherein the tennis net included a plurality of apertures of various sizes and dimensions, wherein the object of the game is to pass the ring between players on opposite sides of the tennis net, with the apertures in the tennis net providing the passageway through which the ring would have to pass from one player to another player. 
     Another variation of this would be to use a single tennis net, and plurality of players. If the ring  50  were fitted with a color changeable LED that was placed within channel  59 , along with some programming feature for changing color of the LEDs, the ring  50  could be programmed to change between a plurality of colors. For example, if there were four players, the changeable LED could change between four colors, with the particular color of the LED indicating to the players which particular player and/or which particular team is designated to catch the ring  50 . 
     One way to improve the attraction of the device is to be able to produce its components in a series of different colors. The use of different colors serves both an aesthetic purpose and a practical purpose. By producing both the ring  50  and sticks  12 ,  14  in different colors, one can coordinate the playing equipment with particular teams. This color coordination is especially useful in competitions where more than ring  50  is being used, and also helps people keep their playing equipment differentiated from the playing equipment of others to thereby avoid disputes over who owns the particular item of playing equipment. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 10 , the box system  77  is shown that is designed to package the game. It will be noted that preferably, four sticks  12 ,  14 ,  79 ,  81  are shown in the box  77 , and that the sticks  12 ,  14 ,  79  and  81  are disposed in a parallel relation. The ring  50  is also included as a part of the boxed set. 
     The manner with which the device can be used is best shown with reference to  FIGS. 9 , and  11 - 20 . In particular, the reader&#39;s attention is first directed to  FIGS. 9 ,  11 ,  12  and  13 , that comprise sequential drawings that help to illustrate the manner in which one uses the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  to launch the ring  50 . Turning first to  FIG. 9 , it will be noted that both sticks  12 ,  14  are received within the central aperture of the ring  50 . It will also be noted that the proximal portions of the sticks  12 ,  14  adjacent to the user&#39;s hands H are placed fairly close together, and that the ring  50  is resting adjacent to the first (proximal) ends  40  of the distal portions  22 ,  24  near guard members  28 ,  30 . It will also be noted that the sticks  12 ,  14  are positioned similarly to crossed swords to form an “X”. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 11 , it will be noted that the user&#39;s hands H have been moved further apart to thereby exert a radially directed force against the radially inwardly facing surface of the ring  50 . This results in the sticks  12 ,  14  being moved away from the proximal end  40  of the sticks  12 ,  14 , when compared to their position shown in  FIG. 9 . It will also be noted that the ring  50  has moved distally on the sticks  12 ,  14 , as it has begun its path toward the distal ends of the propelling sticks  12 ,  14 , and toward being launched. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 12 , it will be noted that the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  are crossed adjacent to their distal ends  42  and that the ring  50  is disposed close to the distal end  42 ,  42  of the propelling sticks  12 ,  14 .  FIG. 12 , when compared to  FIG. 11 , represents a progression of the ring  50  in a distal direction along the propelling sticks  12 ,  14 . 
     In  FIG. 13 , it will be noted that the sticks  12 ,  14  are uncrossed, and that the distal ends  42  are separated from each other. In this position, as the movement of the distal ends  42  has caused the ring  50  to launch off the end, in the direction desired by the user. In this regard, it is shown that the ring  50  has traveled away from the propelling sticks  12 ,  14 . 
     Once the ring  50  is so launched, the user then waits for the ring  50  to be caught by the other player so that the second player may launch it back at the first player so that the first player may catch it, as will be described in more detail in connection with  FIGS. 18-20 . 
       FIGS. 18-20  illustrate the receiving sequence wherein the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  are used to “retrieve” or catch a ring  50  that has been launched toward the user U. It will be noted that the position of the sticks in  FIG. 18  is generally similar to that in  FIG. 13 , insofar as the second ends  42  of the distal portion of the sticks  12 ,  14  are separated, and that the ring  50  is disposed adjacent to the second ends  42  of the distal portions  22 ,  24  of the sticks. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 18 , the sticks  12 ,  14  have moved closer together, and have been crossed at intersection point  87 , generally close to the distal ends  42 . The ring  50  is disposed on the distal portions  22 ,  24  of the sticks, approximately midway between the second ends  42  and the guard member  28 ,  30 . It will also be noted, that the user&#39;s hands H are generally placed closer together than they are in  FIG. 18 . 
     In  FIG. 20 , it will be noted that the ring  50  has moved to a position almost adjacent to the guard members  28 ,  30  at the first end  40  of the distal portions  22 ,  24 . The propelling sticks  12 ,  14  are crossed together, with the second ends  42  being separated. The crossing of the sticks  12 ,  14  occurs closer to the guard members  28 ,  30  than to the distal ends  42 . The position of the sticks shown in  FIG. 20  is generally similar to the position of the sticks  12 ,  14  shown in  FIG. 9 , in that the final receipt position also comprises the initial launch position. 
     One feature of the present invention is that the two sticks are designed to make it easy to help pick up the ring  50  from the floor. In this regard, your attention is directed to  FIGS. 14-17  that show the pick-up sequence. 
     A ring  50  that has fallen onto the ground, can be easily picked up using the propelling sticks  12 ,  14 . To do so, the second ends  42  of the distal portions  22 ,  24  of the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  are placed adjacent to the inner annular wall  54  of the ring  50 . The sticks  12 ,  14  are placed in a crossed position. 
     Moving next to  FIG. 16 , the distal ends  42  of the propelling sticks  12 ,  14  are moved slightly apart, so that the distal end  42  can position themselves underneath the ring  50 , and to lift the ring  50  off of the ground surface on which the ring  50  landed. 
     The distal (second) ends  42  of the sticks  12 ,  14  continue to be moved further apart, as shown in  FIG. 16 . The engagement between the distal portions  42  and the ring  50  causes the ring to move toward the first ends  40  of the distal portion  22 ,  24  of the sticks  12 ,  14  as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     Finally, in  FIG. 17 , the second ends  42  of the sticks  12 ,  14  are moved to their furthest apart spaced position, while the sticks  12 ,  14  are crossed, with the crossing occurring close to the guard portions  28 ,  30 . This places the ring  50  adjacent to the guard portions  28 ,  30  of the sticks  12 ,  14 . It will be noted that in the position shown in  FIG. 17 , the ring  50  is positioned generally similar to the launch position of  FIG. 9 , and the final retrieval position. 
     Having described the invention with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention, as defined by the following claims.