Abstract:
This invention deals with several aspects in relation to training of retriever dogs and conducting field trials and hunt tests. In one aspect, this invention provides a catapult assembly including a launching pouch, tensioning bands for the pouch, and a carriage movable between first and second positions. The pouch and carriage are connected at or near the first position. A machine screw is used for drawing the connected pouch and carriage to or near the second position while tensioning the tensioning bands. A drum is used for automatically feeding a retrieving object into the pouch when at or near the second position. A crossbow release mechanism is used to catapult the retrieving object.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Australian application number PQ 1793, filed Jul. 22, 1999. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a catapult assembly. In particular, this invention relates to an assembly suitable for training retriever dogs or for use in field trials and hunt tests. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The training of retriever dogs has traditionally involved throwing an object, such as a duck, a pigeon or a retrieving dummy, and practising the retrieving dog in retrieving the object. The proficiency of retriever dogs can be measured in field trial or hunt tests, which are basically types of simulated hunting tests for dogs. 
     In the past, it has been common for a retrieving object to be simply thrown by hand. This is labour intensive and usually involves several assistants for the trainer. 
     In another form of prior art, the birds or dummies to be retrieved have been ejected into the air by single shot, manually loaded catapults. These generally require two or more people to operate efficiently and consequently restrict the ability of a single trainer to train or practise his dogs for field trials and hunt tests. In addition, prior art catapults need to be manually loaded after one shot. 
     It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or substantially alleviate some or all of the disadvantages suffered by the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention deals with several aspects in relation to training of retriever dogs and conducting field trials and hunt tests. In one aspect, this invention provides a catapult assembly including: 
     a launching pouch; 
     tensioning means for the pouch; 
     a carriage movable between first and second positions; 
     means for connecting the pouch to the carriage at or near the first position; 
     means for drawing the connected pouch and carriage to or near the second position while tensioning the tensioning means; 
     means for automatically feeding a retrieving object into the pouch when at or near the second position; and 
     release means for disconnecting the pouch from the carriage. 
     In the assembly of the invention, the launching pouch preferably comprises a cradle of aluminium or the like. To reduce weight, the aluminium cradle may include a plurality of apertures. The launching pouch may be made of any other suitable material. 
     The tensioning means may take any desirable form but, in a preferred embodiment, the tensioning means comprises a plurality of strong elastic or rubber bands, optionally operated via pulleys. While the invention is not limited in this respect, the preferred number of bands is four since it is believed that this can provide smoothness in launching the retrieving object from the pouch. However, the assembly of the invention can cater for retrieving objects of different weights. In the case of retrieving objects which are relatively heavy, such as ducks, it may be desirable to use more than four bands, for example, six bands. The bands may be flat or round, or a mixture of these shapes. 
     When the tensioning means comprises rubber bands, each is preferably anchored in a suitable location and attached to the pouch by a rope and pulley system. In another embodiment, each rubber band may be mounted on a roller situated near the pouch. It is a further option to include a guide to ensure, as far as possible, that the rubber bands are retained in position on the rollers when the pouch is launched. 
     The means for drawing the connected power and carriage to the region of the second position may also comprise any suitable means. In the preferred embodiment described in the drawing, these means include a machine screw driven by an electric motor powered by a battery. 
     The means for automatically feeding a retrieving object into the pouch when the pouch is in the region of the second position is preferably capable of holding a plurality of retrieving objects, for example, six retrieving objects. These means may include a number of cylinders, such as six, preferably arranged in a circular pattern on a pair of plates, which form a drum. In this embodiment, each cylinder is open at each end. Continuing with this embodiment, the drum is mounted over a base plate which comprises a disc with one cylinder-shaped cut-out (the edges of which are slightly curved so that there are no sharp edges to cause damage to the retrieving objects). To automatically feed a retrieving object from the automatic feeding means into the pouch, the drum is rotated by suitable means until one of the cylinders lines up with the cut-out in the base plate. The retrieving object which has been previously inserted in that cylinder then falls, through the influence of gravity, into the pouch. The assembly is then ready for release of the pouch from the carriage so that the retrieving object can be thrown in the desired manner. The means for rotating the drum in this embodiment may be any suitable means. One example is described in connection with the drawings, below. 
     Preferably, the drum containing the cylinder is demountable from the assembly for transportation, as may the base plate. It is also preferred that the drum is supplied in at least two different sizes so far as the cylinders are concerned. In this way, the assembly of the invention can be used to catapult game of different sizes. For example, the cylinders of one drum may be sized to accept pigeons, while the cylinders of a larger drum may be sized to accept ducks or pheasants. 
     It is also preferred that the drum is easily changed in the field, preferably without the need of tools. 
     The carriage is preferably assembled on a frame. In this embodiment, the pouch is located at an upper end of the frame and accordingly the first position is at the upper end. It is also preferred that the second position represents the “cocked” position and that this is located at the lower end of the frame. 
     The means for connecting the pouch to the carriage at or near the first position may take any desirable form. One particularly preferred form is described below in connection with the drawings. In that embodiment, a hook on the back of the pouch is connected by means of a latch to the carriage. In this embodiment, the release means include a trigger which causes the latch to disconnect from the hook, thus releasing the pouch. The release means may be the same as or similar to known cross-bow release mechanisms. 
     It is greatly preferred that the catapult assembly of the invention is capable of remote control. In particular, it is desirable that the apparatus of the invention can be controlled remotely to operate the release means to release the pouch. For example, a radio frequency receiver may be attached to or communicate with the electric motor, so that the motor can be controlled by a remote radio transmitter. 
     Preferably, the assembly of the invention is mounted on wheels and is demountable for transportation. It is contemplated that, at least in some embodiments, the assembly of the invention can be demountable into a form which will fit into the trunk of a typical vehicle. In one embodiment, to demount the assembly of the invention, the battery is removed and may have a handle to facilitate this purpose. The wheels supporting the carriage may be removed and the wheel-holding structure collapsed in the same manner as for a known hand-drawn golf buggy. The folded structure, if desired, may be held down with one or more straps. It may be possible to demount the assembly without the need for any tools. 
     The battery in this embodiment may be mounted in a cradle for easy removal during transportation. The method of mounting and demounting the battery in the cradle can be any suitable method, including those presently used in relation to battery-operated golf buggies. In this embodiment, the battery may be mounted on a cradle on a brace set between a pair of wheels for the assembly, or on a frame for the assembly. 
     In another aspect, this invention is concerned with training or trialing dogs to retrieve game shot by another person in the field. 
     Traditionally, in this type of situation, a dog handler or trainer has a dog at heel. There is present also in the field a second person, generally dressed in a white jacket. The second person throws by hand a game object and fires at the object, so that the dog can observe other people hunting. In trials, on command from the handler, the dog is sent to retrieve the object thrown by the other person. 
     This aspect of the invention is predicated on the concept that it is desirable to simulate the presence of a second person in the field. Further, it is desirable to be able to introduce the presence of that person or to remove it at desired times during trials or training, so that, so far as the dog is concerned, the person appears or disappears (retired gun). 
     For this purpose, the invention provides, in this further aspect, a training device which includes a silhouette, preferably mounted on a suitable backing material, the silhouette being collapsible. It is particularly preferred that the training device is adapted to be mounted on the catapult assembly of the invention and to be operable in conjunction with the catapult assembly. 
     The silhouette is preferably coloured white and effected by overlaying or painting on the suitable backing material. By way of example of suitable backing material, the type of woven metal or plastic mesh used in flyscreens may be mentioned. The invention, however, is not limited to this embodiment. 
     The training device preferably has an upper and a lower frame, with a roller mounted on the upper frame. When closed, the training device may be relatively compact, with the upper frame and the lower frame in close conjunction and the roller situated therebetween. The silhouette and the backing material, if present, are preferably mounted between the lower frame and the roller and adapted to be wound around the roller or unwound from it, as the case may be. 
     In this embodiment, activation of the training device of the invention to the “other person present” configuration involves urging the upper frame and roller away from the lower frame, at the same time causing the roller to rotate and unwinding the silhouette so that it is revealed. Conversely, activation of the training device of the invention to the configuration where the “other person” is not present involves rolling up the silhouette on the roller, the upper frame moving towards the lower frame during this procedure, until the upper frame and roller meet the lower frame. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment, the training device of the invention has tensioning means, such as an elastic cord, urging the upper frame towards the lower frame. It is also preferred that the training device of the invention has means such as a leaf spring, urging the lower frame away from contact with the upper frame. These elements can assist in the activation of the device of the invention to the two configurations described. 
     In yet a further aspect, this invention is concerned with a new retrieving object casing suitable for use with the assembly of the invention. 
     It should be explained that in training and trials for retriever dogs, the retrieving object is normally a bird, such as a pigeon, duck or pheasant, or a retrieving dummy. In the case of ducks or pheasants, these birds have considerably more weight than pigeons and may be launched from the catapult assembly of the invention without any problem. However, in the case of pigeons and sometimes in the case of game birds, it is found that in some instances a pigeon, being of a relatively low body weight, will fall forward in the pouch after having been fed through the automatic feeding means. As a consequence, the pigeon is not properly located in the pouch and launching the pouch does not always cause the pigeon to throw in the desired manner. This aspect of the invention addresses this problem. 
     Accordingly, the invention provides, in this further aspect, a game casing adapted to embrace an item of game such as a pigeon or game bird to enable the item of game to be appropriately located in a launching pouch in a catapult assembly. Preferably, the catapult assembly is the catapult assembly of the present invention. For convenience, the game casing of the invention will be described in relation to the catapult assembly of the invention but it is to be appreciated that the game casing is not necessarily limited to that environment. 
     The game casing may be attached to the pouch or separate therefrom. When attached to the pouch, the game casing preferably comprises an incomplete cylinder, made of suitably flexible material, the cylinder being incomplete by reason of a slit or opening along its length. In this embodiment, the slit or opening is located in the game casing upwardly of the launching pouch, so that an item of game embraced by the incomplete cylinder can be projected forwards from the launching pouch via the slit or aperture. It will be appreciated that the material of the game casing, at least in the region of the slit or aperture, needs to be sufficiently flexible so that the launching of the game item from the launching pad is not impeded. Thus, the force applied to the game item during the catapult operation should be sufficient to force apart the walls of the cylinder on each side of the slit or aperture, permitting launching of the game item out of the incomplete cylinder and ensuring a proper flight. 
     In this embodiment, an item of game such as a pigeon may be fed from a cylinder in the automatic feeding means of the catapult assembly of the invention, into the incomplete cylinder attached to or integral with the launching pouch, the respective cylinders being aligned for this purpose. 
     In another embodiment, the game casing is separate from the launch pouch. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the game casing has a cup-like base surrounding by a plurality of fingers which, more preferably, flare out from the base. A game item such as a pigeon may be placed inside the casing in this embodiment, with the legs and tail of the pigeon protruding above the flared fingers. The game item (eg. the pigeon or game bird) is preferably inserted in this form of the casing before being fed into a cylinder of the automatic feeding means of the catapult assembly of the invention. The game item together with the casing are then loaded, in due course, into the launching pouch and both the casing and the game item are launched from the catapult assembly. In flight, the casing, which is a loose fit around the game item, falls away from the game item which has considerably greater body weight and does not impede flight. The game casing can be retrieved by the trainer/handler for re-use as desired. 
     Conveniently, the game casing of the invention in the latter embodiment described above may be formed from the base of a “P.E.T.” beverage bottle of one litre capacity or larger, which beverage bottle is well-known. The beverage bottle is cut in half and the upper portion, containing the neck of the bottle, is discarded. The bottom portion already has a base which can comprise the cup-like base of this embodiment of the game casing of the invention. Using scissors or other suitable tool, cuts may be made from the upper part of the bottom portion of the drink bottle towards the cup-like base. This will result in the formation of a plurality of fingers, which tend to flare out and result in an ideal receptacle for embracing a pigeon or game bird. During development of the catapult assembly of the invention, it was found that known retrieving dummies can produce poor results when catapulted from the assembly of the invention. A new retrieving dummy has been devised for use with the assembly of the invention. Accordingly, this invention provides, in yet a further aspect, a retrieving dummy having an elongated body, a nose at one end of the body, the nose being at least partly tapered, one or more fins or flights connected to the opposite end of the body, the dummy having a centre of gravity closer to the nose than the fins or flights. 
     The dummy may be made of any suitable material—preferably robust enough to enable the dummy to be used a substantial number of times without deterioration. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described in its several aspects by reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the catapult assembly of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow  2  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the launching pouch of the assembly of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an elevation of the assembly of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow marked  4  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 shows in plan view a detail of the automatic feeding means, with the drum separated from the base plate; 
     FIG. 6 shows the base plate of FIG. 5 mounted on a hub; 
     FIG. 7 shows a detail of the machine screw and carriage, looking in the direction of arrow  7  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 shows a detail of the means for connecting the pouch to the carriage and the release means, as seen from the direction of arrow  4  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of part of the mechanism for automatically feeding a retrieving object into the pouch; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of part of the mechanism in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is rear elevation of an embodiment of the training device of the invention, with the silhouette in “person present” configuration; 
     FIG. 12 is a similar view to that in FIG. 11, but showing the training device closing up towards the “person not present” configuration; 
     FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the training device of FIGS. 11 and 12 connected to the assembly of FIG. 1 via a connecting tube; 
     FIG. 14 shows a detail of the cable tube included in FIG. 13 connected with the carriage of the assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevation of an embodiment of a game casing according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 16 is a side elevation of an embodiment of a retrieving dummy according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning first to FIG. 1, catapult assembly  10  has launching pouch  12 , which is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. Catapult assembly  10  also includes carriage  14  which is movable between an upper position near launching pouch  12  and a lower position near strut  16  of frame  18 . Carriage  14  has connecting means  20  as well as protrusion  22  on bar  24  (see FIG.  10 ), carried on carriage  14  by support  26 . Protrusion  22  cooperates with a mechanism for automatically feeding a retrieving object (not shown) into pouch  12 , as will be explained below. Electric motor  28  together with in-line gear  30  are mounted on base  32 , below which is a housing  34 . Motor  28  drives a machine screw (in this view hidden by channel  36  of frame  18 ) to move carriage  14  from the upper to the lower position and vice versa. A radio frequency receiver (not shown) is located beneath housing  34  and transmits a signal to assembly  10  as will be explained hereafter. 
     Frame  18  includes a pair of handles/braces  40  and  42 . Handle  42  has attached to it, in this view, a spigot  44  so that the training device of the invention can be mounted on catapult assembly  10  (refer description in connection with FIGS. 11,  12  and  14 ). 
     Mounted on frame  18  is drum  46  and base plate  48 . 
     Frame  18  is supported on A-frame  50  which has a pair of wheels  52  and  56 . Battery  54  is mounted on a strut between wheel  52  and wheel  56 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 2, which is the assembly of FIG. 1 viewed in the direction of arrow  2  in FIG. 1, it can be seen that launching pouch  12  is made of aluminium and contains a number of apertures (for example, shown at  58 ). Launching pouch  12  has near each of its corners a roller  60  over which travels elastic  62  (refer also FIG. 1 in this regard). Safety guide  64  is mounted on each of rollers  60  to ensure that elastic  62  is retained on each of rollers  60  after pouch  12  has been launched. 
     Turning now to FIG. 3, which is a plan view of pouch  12 , pouch  12  is shown at rest in the upper position in frame  18 . Pouch  12  has an arcuate base  66  with a generally upstanding or perpendicular wall  68 , located at the lower end of pouch  12  when pouch  12  is in position on assembly  10 . Each roller  60  is attached to an elastic rope  62  via lug  70 . Each elastic travels over roller  60  before descending towards the lower end of assembly  10 , where each elastic  62  is hooked or otherwise secured to assembly  10 , for example, on strut  16  (refer FIG.  1 ). 
     Pouch  12  is illustrated affixed to four elastics  62 . Pouch  12  in this embodiment has provision to accept two extra elastics  72 , one of which is shown in dashed outline in FIG.  3 . Such an extra elastic  72  may be clipped, via a bar hook (not shown) into each of adjacent lugs  70 , then led over roller  74  and attached near the lower end of assembly  10 , in a similar manner to elastic  62 . Although extra elastic  72  is shown as a flat band in this illustration, and hence roller  74  is elongated, extra elastic  72  could in fact resemble elastic  62  which is circular in cross-section. In that case, roller  74  would resemble roller  60 . The purpose of adding extra elastic  72  (and it would be necessary to add extra elastic  72  on both sides of pouch  12 , although only one is illustrated), is to accommodate heavy retrieving objects, such as ducks or pheasants. 
     Elastics  62  (and extra elastics  72 , if present) can be easily removed from pouch  12  by unhooking from lugs  70 , so that pouch  12  can be removed from assembly  10  if desired. It will be appreciated that it can be a simple matter to add extra elastics  72  in the field, without tools, using a flat hook bar connecting into lugs  70 . 
     Although not illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, an alternate arrangement to the use of elastic rope  62  is useful. In the alternate arrangement, each roller  60  is attached to a cord via lug  70 , the cord travelling over roller  60  before descending towards the lower end of assembly  10 , where each cord returns around a pulley before being joined to an elastic strip which is hooked or otherwise secured to assembly  10 . The use of the cord and pulley system while retaining the elastic strip as the tensioning means can overcome problems in excessive rebound which may be encountered in the case of elastic rope  62 . 
     Four or six of the cord and pulley systems may be attached to pouch  12  and may also be detachable from pouch  12  in a similar manner to that described above in connection with elastics  62 . 
     In FIG. 4 the view is from above drum  46 , which has around its circumference six cylinders  76  (open at each end). Base plate  48  is seated below drum  46 . As illustrated, cut-out  78  on base plate  48  is aligned with one of cylinders  76 . 
     Drum  46  contains a central shaft through which locking bolt  80  is inserted to secure drum  46  to a hub (refer FIG.  6 ). Each of cylinders  76  includes a longitudinal slit  82 . 
     In FIG. 5, locking bolt  80  has been removed from its connection with the hub and base plate  48  has also been removed from the hub. Locking bolt  80  has been reinserted in the central shaft of drum  46  in this illustration, although locking bolt  80  is not connected to the hub. 
     Base plate  48  is a disc with cut-out portion  78  on its circumference. Base plate  48  also has a central aperture  84 . As will be seen from FIG. 6, central aperture  84  fits over the hub. Base plate  48  also includes wing-nut shaped apertures  86 . 
     In FIG. 6, base plate  48  is shown secured to hub  88  by wing-nuts  90  which have been inserted through wing-nut shaped apertures  86  and tightened. Drum  46 , of course, is not shown in this illustration but would be mounted over base plate  48  by inserting locking bolt  80  through the central shaft in drum  46  and into central aperture  92  on hub  88 . Locating lugs  94  on hub  88  are for the purpose of locating apertures (not shown) on the underneath of drum  46 . 
     It will be appreciated that drum  46  and base plate  48  are readily removable from assembly  10 , for ease of transportation or for changing in the field drums accommodating larger or smaller retrieving objects. 
     Turning now to FIG. 7, this Figure shows machine screw  96  which runs through hubs  98  and  100 , which provide the central point for axles  102  and  104  and  106  and  108  respectively. Bearings are located at the end of axles  102 ,  104 ,  106  and  108 . 
     Carriage  14  is mounted at the ends of axles  102  and  104  and thus can be driven upwardly or downwardly in assembly  10 , according to the direction of rotation of machine screw  96 . 
     To drive machine screw  96 , electric motor  28 , powered by battery  54 , via in-line gear  30 , drives a belt-driven pulley (not shown) located inside housing  34  below base  32  (refer FIG.  1 ). The pulley is also attached to the base of worm screw  96  and thus activation of the motor  28  will cause worm screw  96  to rotate in one of two directions. In one direction, machine screw  96  drives carriage  14  upwardly towards the first position near the top of assembly  10 , while in the other direction machine screw  96  draws back carriage  14  towards the second position near the base of assembly  10 . 
     At the upper end of frame  18  is a plunger switch (not shown). When machine screw  96  drives carriage  14  to the upper end of frame  18 , the plunger switch is depressed by carriage  14  and the polarity of motor  28  is reversed. Accordingly, machine screw  96  reverses its direction of rotation and draws back carriage  14  from the upper part of frame  18  towards the lower part. 
     FIG. 8 shows a detail of connecting means  20  on carriage  14 . Mounted atop carriage  14  are means for connecting the pouch  12  to the carriage  14  at or near the first position. These means include a slot  110  adapted to receive a hook (not shown) fixed to the underneath of pouch  12 . When carriage  14  travels up assembly  10  under the influence of machine screw  96 , the hook at the base of pouch  12  is received in slot  110  and a latch (not shown) automatically closes to trap the hook in slot  110 . At the same time, carriage  14  depresses the plunger switch referred to above and machine screw  96  reverses its direction of rotation. Because the hook at the base of pouch  12  is trapped within slot  110  on carriage  14 , pouch  12  is drawn back against the tension exerted through the elastics  62  (and  72  if present). As carriage  14  nears the base of assembly  10 , trigger  112  traverses angled spring  114 . The pressure of trigger  112  on spring  114  causes spring  114  to depress towards part  116  to allow the passage of trigger  112 . As soon as the pressure applied by trigger  112  to spring  114  is released, i.e., when trigger  112  has passed spring  114 , spring  114  reverts to its original position, thus providing a barrier to trigger  112  passing spring  114  in the upward direction. 
     It will be appreciated that, in FIG. 8, carriage  14  is shown in the second position, i.e., near the base of assembly  10 . It will also be appreciated that, for the sake of simplicity, pouch  12  is not shown. However, in use pouch  12  will have been drawn back to the base of assembly  10  via connection of the hook on pouch  12  in slot  110 . 
     When carriage  14  reaches the position described, it will depress a switch (not shown) and stop motor  28 . There are a series of relays located within housing  34  along with the pulley described above. The relays control the stopping position of carriage  14 . 
     By this stage, a retrieving object has been automatically loaded into pouch  12 , in a manner to be described below. 
     To launch a retrieving object from pouch  12 , motor  28  is activated—for example, by a radio signal from a remote transmitter—and machine screw  96  causes carriage  14  to move forward a little. Trigger  112  then encounters spring  114 . Further forward movement of carriage  14  causes trigger  112  to be dragged back, thus releasing the latch retaining the hook at the base of pouch  12  in slot  110 . Pouch  112  is launched under the force supplied by the tension on elastics  62  ( 72 ) and the retrieving object in pouch  12  is catapulted into the air. . . . . 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic side elevation of part of the mechanism for automatically feeding a retrieving object into pouch  12 . In this Figure, two of the three locating lugs  94  on hub  88  are shown. Refer also FIG.  6 . It will be appreciated that drum  46  and base plate  48  would normally be secured to hub  88 . 
     Located beneath support  118  for hub  88  are two cams. In the case of cam  120 , roller  122  is biased to engage cam  120  to ensure a positive engagement. In the case of cam  124 , this is adapted to rotate when engaged by protrusion  22  which is on bar  24  and carried on carriage  14  by support  26  (refer FIG.  1 ). When cam  124  rotates, drum  46  also rotates. The quantum of rotation is such that the next cylinder  76  will be rotated to line up with cut-out  78  on base plate  48 . 
     A detail of protrusion  22  and bar  24  carried on support  26  is found in FIG. 10, which also shows spring  126  biasing bar  24 . Spring  126  enables protrusion  22  to disengage from cam  124  when carriage  14  moves upwardly. 
     To summarise the mode of action of apparatus  10 , assuming there is no retrieving object in pouch  12  and carriage  14  is in the second or lower position, motor  28  is activated, either by manually switching the plunger switch or by sending a radio signal from a remote transmitter. Machine screw  96  then rotates so that carriage  14  travels to the upper or first position. Just as carriage  14  is reaching that position, a hook beneath pouch  12  is received within slot  110  and latched therein. A small further upward movement of carriage  14  depresses the plunger switch which accordingly reverses the direction of rotation of machine screw  96 . 
     Carriage  14  is then moved back towards the second position, drawing pouch  12  with it against the tensioning force exerted by the elastics  62  (and, if present,  72 ). As carriage  14  moves beneath drum  46 , protrusion  22  engages cam  124  which rotates drum  46  counter-clockwise to align the next (loaded) cylinder  76  with cut-out  78  on base plate  48 . By this stage, pouch  12  is aligned with cut-out  78 . The retrieving object drops from cylinder  76  through cut-out  78  into pouch  12  and motor  28  stops, carriage  14  having activated a switch to one of the relays in housing  34 . 
     At this stage, apparatus  10  is cocked and ready to catapult the retrieving object in pouch  12  into the air. To carry out the catapulting action, a signal is sent from a hand-held transmitter device to a receiver on apparatus  10 . This in turn starts motor  28  which commences to move carriage  14  forwards via machine screw  96 . 
     Trigger  112 , which is now situated behind spring  114 , encounters spring  114  during the upward movement of carriage  14 , is held back and releases the latch holding the hook of pouch  12  in slot  110 . The tension in elastics  62  ( 72 ) cause pouch  12  to be launched to clear the top of assembly  10 . While pouch  12  is restrained from being disconnected from assembly  10  by elastics  62  ( 72 ), the retrieving object in pouch  12  is launched into the air. 
     Apparatus  10  is then ready to repeat the procedure, to automatically load another retrieving object into pouch  12  and to catapult it. 
     Assembly  10  is relatively easily transportable. To disassemble assembly  10 , locking bolt  80  is removed, so that drum  46  can be demounted. Wing-nuts  90  are then loosened so that backing plate  48  can be removed from hub  88 . 
     Battery  54 , which in this embodiment is in a cradle which clips onto strut  128  between wheels  52  and  56 , is removed. Next wheels  52  and  56  are removed and the wheel assembly is folded in the same way as known hand-drawn golf buggies. The demounted assembly will then fit into an average-sized vehicle trunk. 
     To assemble assembly  10 , the above procedure is reversed. 
     In the case of uneven terrain in the field, apparatus  10  can be maintained in an approximately level position by removing wheel  56  or  52 , as appropriate. 
     Transport of assembly  10  in the field is simple. Assembly  10  is balanced on wheels  52  and  56  so that, when the trainer holds handle  40  and walks in a forward (or rearward) direction, assembly  10  adopts a position where frame  18  has its longitudinal axis approximately parallel to the ground and assembly  10  can be wheeled to the desired location. 
     If desired, frame  18  may be covered by mesh or the like for added safety. 
     FIGS. 11 to  14  illustrate an embodiment of the training device according to the invention. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, training device  130  has a silhouette  132  which is mounted on backing material  134 . Backing material  134  consists of woven mesh and is almost transparent. Backing material  134 , with silhouette  132 , can be wound and unwound from roller  136 , associated with upper frame  138 . Roller  136  works in the manner of a holland blind roller. Training device  130  also includes lower frame  140 . 
     Supporting arms  142  and  144  support upper frame  138  and lower frame  140  respectively. Each of supporting arms  142  and  144  is slidable in a slot  146  in upper and lower frames  138  and  140 . Elastic  148  stretches between upper frame  138  and  140  so as to be lightly tensioned when silhouette  132  and backing material  134  are completely unrolled from roller  136 . This assists the closing up of upper frame  138  to lower frame  140  during collapsing of training device  130 . Mounted on lower frame  140  is a small leaf spring  150 . Leaf spring  150  assists the opening of training device  130  by urging frames  138  and  140  apart when training device  130  is in the collapsed position. 
     It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the illustration in FIG. 11 is of the “other person present” configuration. When it is desired to remove the “other person” from the field, training device  130  is caused to collapse. In FIG. 12, training device  130  has partially collapsed and this shows the process of rolling up silhouette  132  and backing material  134  on roller  136 , pursuant to which the silhouette will “disappear”. 
     Training device  130  can be mounted on assembly  10  as shown in FIG.  13 . Tube  152  is fitted over spigot  44  on handle  42  of assembly  10  (refer FIG.  1 ). Arms  154  and  156  can be clipped via a suitable clipping device (not shown) to upper handle  40  of assembly  10 . Training device  130  can then be mounted on the apex of tube  152 . Training device  130  can rotate with tube  152 , so that silhouette  132  can be presented at any desired angle. In addition, training device  130  can be locked into position with regard to assembly  10  by suitable means. 
     It will be noted from FIG. 13 that connected to training device  130  is a cable  158  which in turn is attached to a rod  160  which has at the far end a hook  162 . Cable  158  is connected to the base of supporting arm  144 . As it will be recalled, arm  144  is slidable within slot  146 . 
     As can be seen from FIG. 14, hook  162  of rod  160  (shown in dashed outline) can be inserted in a channel of frame  18  and engaged by carriage  14 . 
     When carriage  14  is in the cocked position at the second or lower position in assembly  10 , there is maximum tension on cable  158  and training device  130  will have silhouette  132  unrolled to its “person present” position. It will be understood that when carriage  14  travels downwardly towards the lower position in assembly  10 , the parallelogram configuration of arms  142  and  144 , with arm  144  being pulled by cable  158 , will cause frames  138  and  140  to separate and silhouette  132  to be unrolled. 
     Silhouette  132  will be unaffected by the catapulting of pouch  12  and the retrieving object during firing. However, when motor  28  is activated to move carriage  14  to the top or first position in assembly  10 , tension on cable  158  will be released and elastic  148  will urge frames  138  and  140  towards each other, thus rolling up silhouette  132  on roller  136  and the “other person” will disappear, to reappear when assembly  10  is converted to the “cocked” position. 
     If it is desired to maintain the “person present” configuration of training device  130  independently of movement of carriage  14 , hook  162  of rod  160  can be engaged on part of frame  18 , such as strut  16 . 
     Although this embodiment of training device  130  has been described using mechanical action to roll and unroll silhouette  132 , it is contemplated that a suitable motor may be used instead. Turning now to FIG. 15, this shows the novel game casing  164  of the invention. Game casing  164  in this embodiment has a cup like base  166  and a plurality of fingers  168  which flare out from base  166 . An item of game, such as a pigeon, is inserted within game casing  164  as shown in dashed outline  170 . 
     Game casing  164  is made from the base of a “P.E.T.” beverage bottle or similar, as earlier described, and has a certain degree of rigidity. This degree of rigidity is sufficient to prevent the game item  170  from flopping forward when it is deposited in pouch  12 . 
     When game item  170 , received in game casing  164 , is ejected from assembly  10  during firing, game casing  164  falls away from game item  170  and can be collected at the end of the training session, or during it, as desired. 
     Turning now to FIG. 16, this shows a new form of retrieving dummy  172 , having an elongated body  174 , a tapered nose  176  and, in this embodiment, a pair of fins  178 . Retrieving dummy  172  is weighted in the region of the area marked  180 , to ensure that the centre of gravity is closer to nose  176  than to fins  178 . It is found that this promotes better flight of retrieving dummy  172  from, for example, assembly  10 . 
     It will be appreciated that the present invention, in its several aspects, represents substantial advancements in the art. It will be also be appreciated that the specific embodiments described are not intended to be limiting on the invention but are for the purposes of illustration only.