Patent Publication Number: US-2022233931-A1

Title: System and Method for Throwing a Ball and Retrieving the Ball from the Ground

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     In general, the present invention relates to handheld devices that are used to throw a ball. More particularly, the present invention relates to handheld devices with scoops that can be used to both lift a ball off the ground and throw the ball at an increased velocity. 
     2. Prior Art Description 
     There are many devices that can be used to help a person throw a ball farther and faster. Many such devices have a scoop for holding a ball and a shaft for swinging the scoop. Many different forms of the scoop exist for throwing and catching a ball. For example, the sports of lacrosse and jai alai both have specialized scoops for throwing and catching balls. 
     Scoops are also commonly used to throw balls to dogs. This is because a scoop not only enables a person to throw the ball farther but it also enables a person to lift the ball without having to touch the ball with his/her hands. In this manner, the dog has to run farther to retrieve the ball and the person playing with the dog does not have to touch the dog&#39;s saliva present on the ball. Scoops specifically designed to throw balls to pets are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,039 to Cornelio and US Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0079243 to Ren. 
     Regardless of whether a scoop is used for a sport or if it is used for throwing a ball to a dog, there is a common problem shared by prior art throwing devices with scoops. In particular, it takes a good amount of skill to use the scoop to lift a stationary ball from the ground. In order to lift a ball from the ground, the scoop must be hooked under the ball without inadvertently moving the ball up and away from the scoop. This maneuver is difficult to master. As a result, many people inadvertently knock the ball away from the scoop as they attempt to capture the ball with the scoop. 
     In the prior art, the scoop on a typical throwing device has a single access point. As a result, a ball must enter and leave the scoop at the same general point. In order to throw a ball effectively, the opening of the scoop is generally perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. Although this orientation is good for throwing a ball, this orientation is very poor for retrieving a ball from the ground. If the shaft of the throwing device is straight and the scoop is perpendicular to the handle, the shaft must be positioned very close to the ground before the scoop is oriented in a manner that enables it to lift a ball. Such configurations are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,684 to Weissmann and U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,349 to Parker. 
     In order to make the lifting of a ball easier, a throwing device can use a curved shaft. Such configurations are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,001 to Fitt and U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,829 to Oblack. The curve of the shaft makes it easier to orient the scoop opening against a ball on the ground. However, the curve in the shaft detracts from the throwing capabilities of the device. As such, a compromise must be used where the throwing capability of the device is sacrificed in order to enhance the ease of ball retrieval. 
     A need therefore exists for an improved throwing device that can be easily used to retrieve a ball from the ground, without compromising the ability of the device to throw a ball. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a throwing device for efficiently throwing a ball of a given ball diameter. The throwing device is specifically configured to work with any ball that has the same ball diameter. The throwing device has a scoop. The scoop has a closed end, a first ball opening and a second ball opening. The second ball opening is positioned opposite the closed end. The first ball opening is disposed between the closed end and the second ball opening. The first ball opening and the second ball opening intersect on the scoop at an intersect angle that is near perpendicular. 
     The first ball opening has a first diameter that is at least as large as the ball diameter. The second ball opening has a second diameter that is smaller than the ball diameter. The second ball opening expands to a size larger than the ball diameter when the ball is biased against the second ball opening with a sufficient force. This enables the ball to pass into the scoop through the second opening. 
     A shaft extends from the closed end of the scoop. The shaft terminates with a handle. The shaft is contoured to enable a standing person to position the second ball opening of the scoop against a ball on the ground. The contour of the shaft also enables a standing person to swing the scoop and cause the ball to exit the scoop through the first ball opening at the arc of the swing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a throwing device shown in conjunction with a ball during a ball throwing action; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a throwing device shown in conjunction with a ball during a ball loading action; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged front view of the scoop used in the exemplary throwing device; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a throwing device; 
         FIG. 5  shows a person holding the exemplary embodiment of the throwing device; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view showing the scoop of the throwing device initially engaging a ball; and 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view showing the scoop of the throwing device fully engaged with a ball. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Although the present invention throwing system can be embodied in many ways, only one exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The exemplary embodiment is being shown for the purposes of explanation and description. The exemplary embodiment is selected in order to set forth one of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a system  10  is shown. The system  10  includes a ball  11  and a throwing device  12  for throwing the ball  11 . The ball  11  has a diameter D 1 . The throwing device  12  has a scoop  14  that is disposed at a first end  18  of a shaft  16 . As will be explained in greater detail, the scoop  14  has two ball openings  20 ,  22 . A first ball opening  20  is used to expel the ball from the scoop  14 . The first ball opening  20  provides a release angle that is optimized to effectively throw the ball  11  a long distance at an optimized velocity. The second ball opening  22  is used to retrieve the ball  11  from the ground. The second ball opening  22  is oriented so that the ball  11  can be retrieved without causing a user to bend significantly. 
     The scoop  14  is positioned at the first end  18  of the shaft  16 . The opposite second end  24  of the shaft terminates with a handle  26  for grip comfort. The shaft  16  and handle  26  have a combined length L 1 . The length L 1  may vary depending upon the stature of the intended user. The preferred length L 1  is between 50 cm and 70 cm. 
     The shaft  16  has a straight section  28  and an inclined section  30 . The straight section  28  progresses along a first axis  32  for a distance between 70 percent and 90 percent of the overall length L 1 . The inclined section  30  is the shorter section and progresses along a second axis  34 . The second axis  34  is co-planar with the first axis  32  but is inclined relative to the first axis  32  by a preferred offset angle of between 30 degrees and 45 degrees. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  in conjunction with  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the scoop  14  has a complex shape. The scoop  14  is a generally bell-shaped structure, wherein the closed end  35  of the bell-shaped scoop  14  is attached to the first end  18  of the shaft  16 . The scoop  14  defines an interior  36  that is large enough to accommodate the ball  11 . The interior  36  of the scoop  14  can be accessed by the ball  11  through both the first ball opening  20  and the second ball opening  22 . The second ball opening  22  is positioned opposite the closed end  35 . The first ball opening  20  is disposed between the closed end  35  of the scoop  14  and the second ball opening  22 . The interior  36  of the scoop  14  has a mid-axis  38  that is concentric with the second axis  34  of the inclined section  30  of the shaft  16 . The first ball opening  20  is oriented generally parallel to the mid-axis  38  plus/minus ten degrees. Conversely, the second ball opening  22  is oriented generally perpendicular to the mid-axis  38  plus/minus ten degrees. As a result, the first ball opening  20  and the second ball opening  22  intersect generally at a perpendicular, plus/minus twenty degrees. That is, the intersection angle between the first ball opening  20  and the second ball opening  22  is preferably between 70 degrees and 110 degrees. 
     The first ball opening  20  has a maximum diameter D 2 , which is equal to, or slightly larger than, the diameter D 1  of the ball  11 . Consequently, the ball  11  can pass through the first ball opening  20  with little or no resistance. Conversely, the second ball opening  22  has a minimum diameter D 3  that is slightly smaller than the diameter D 1  of the ball  11 . The second ball opening  22  is defined within a beveled section  40 . Within the beveled section  40 , the second ball opening  22  flares from its minimum diameter D 3 , that is smaller than the diameter D 1  of the ball  11 , to a larger rim diameter that is larger than the diameter D 1  of the ball  11 . 
     A slotted opening  42  is formed into the structure of the scoop  14  opposite the first ball opening  20 . Both the slotted opening  42  and the first ball opening  20  intersect the second ball opening  22 . Since the slotted opening  42  and the first ball opening  20  are on opposite sides of the scoop  14  and both openings are joined by the second ball opening  22 , the scoop  14  is divided into two opposing segments  44 ,  46 . The first segment  44  extends from the first ball opening  20  to the slotted opening  42  in a first direction. The second segment  46  is the mirror image and extends from the first ball opening  20  to the slotted opening  42  in the opposite direction. The division of the scoop  14  into a first segment  44  and a second segment  46 , enables the first segment  44  and the second segment  46  to independently flex in opposite directions. The minimum diameter D 3  of the second ball opening  22  is interposed between the first segment  44  and the second segment  46 . Since the first segment  44  and the second segment  46  can flex, the minimum diameter D 3  of the second ball opening  22  can change. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , it can be seen that the shaft  16  of the throwing device  12  is long enough and is shaped to enable the scoop  14  to contact a ball  11  on the ground while the user is standing. In this position, the second ball opening  22  on the scoop  14  can be aligned above the ball  11 . Once aligned, the user biases the scoop  14  against the ball  11  with a slight downward force. The ball  11  enters the wide end of the beveled section  40 . Upon application of the downward force, the ball  11  contacts the first segment  44  and the second segment  46 , therein spreading the two segments  44 ,  46  apart. As the first segment  44  and the second segment  46  separate, the minimum diameter D 3  of the second ball opening  22  increases. Eventually, the minimum diameter D 3  becomes larger than the diameter D 1  of the ball  11 . At this point, the ball  11  passes through the second ball opening  22  and enters the interior  36  of the scoop  14 . Once the ball  11  passes into the interior  36  of the scoop  14 , the first segment  44  and the second segment  46  return to their original positions. This makes the minimum diameter D 3  of the second opening  22  smaller than the ball  11 . The ball  11  is then trapped in the interior  36  of the scoop  14  and cannot exit the second ball opening  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , it will be understood that once the ball  11  is trapped in the scoop  14 , the ball  11  can be lifted away from the ground simply by moving the scoop  14  away from the ground. Using the handle  26  and the shaft  16 , a user can then whip the throwing device  12  in an overhead arc. The rapid movement of the ball  11  creates a centrifugal force on the ball  11  that biases the ball  11  against the interior  36  of the scoop  14 . As the throwing device  12  is rotated to a scoop-high apex, the centrifugal forces bias the ball  11  against the first ball opening  20  with enough force to overcome other frictional forces. The result is that the ball  11  exits the first ball opening  20  at a high velocity. 
     Referring to all figures, it can be understood that to use the throwing device  12 , the throwing device  12  is first used to retrieve a ball  11  from the ground. This is done by simply positioning the scoop  14  above the ball  11  and pressing the scoop  14  against the ball  11 . At this point, the ball  11  will enter the interior  36  of the scoop  14 . The throwing device  12  can then be rapidly moved through an arc, wherein the ball  11  will exit the scoop  14  at or near the apex of the arc. The result is that the ball  11  is picked-up and thrown without ever being directly contacted by a user. 
     It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. For instance, the length, width and curve of the throwing device can be changed to accommodate different sized balls. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.