Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to an object launcher, and specifically to a single-handed device for engaging the object with the launcher, and more specifically to forming and throwing a snowball using the same apparatus, and most specifically to single-handedly forming a snowball using an apparatus and thereafter using the apparatus to launch the snowball thereby formed. 
         [0002]    The art and practice of molding snowballs is well-known. In the simplest embodiments, a person gathers a suitable quantity of snow into her hands and compresses and molds the gathered snow into a ball. The person then may throw it without it “breaking up” because the compressive formation creates a solid snowball. Without the compression, the handful of snow cannot be thrown very far. 
         [0003]    There are a couple of disadvantages to the prior art. One is that the person must use his hands to gather and compress the snow. Because the snow is cold and compressing the snow results in a certain amount of melting, the person&#39;s hands quickly become wet and cold, often limiting the duration of snowball making and throwing activities. In particularly cold weather, there may be some personal health risk to extended periods of snowball manufacture. 
         [0004]    A second disadvantage is that snow varies widely in its density and nature. Some snow requires a great deal of compressive force to form into suitable snowballs. Other snow may be particularly icy and difficult to gather. Snow having nearly ideal conditions for hand formation is not always available, and the quality and duration of snowball formation and throwing activities again may be limited. 
         [0005]    The prior art has developed a device to aid in snowball formation. An example of such a device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,572 entitled “SNOW BALL MAKING DEVICE” that issued on 14 Jan. 1992. The abstract of the patent describes the device: 
         [0006]    A snow ball making device is provided which includes a pair of elongated arms each of which has a first handle end and a second working end. These arms are pivotally secured to each other at a location intermediate their first and second ends, preferably within angled portions which connect longitudinally spaced parallel portions of the respective arms. The working end of each arm is provided with an open semi-spherical cup portion, such that the handle ends of the elongated arms are manipulable to move the semi-spherical cup portions between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the open semi-spherical cup portions are in flush engagement so as to insure the formation of a substantially spherical snow ball. 
         [0007]    This device operates by gathering snow into the two semi-spherical cup portions and operating the two handles using one hand per handle. Operating the handles compresses the snow and forms it into a “substantially spherical” snow ball. The user removes the ball for use. While the device overcomes some disadvantages of using one&#39;s hands, there remain disadvantages to using it. These disadvantages include finding a way for the device not to interfere or get lost while throwing the snow ball, and the user is still left with handling the cold, wet snow ball with her hands during throw preparation and launch. 
         [0008]    What is needed is another solution to snow ball formation that overcomes some of the disadvantages of the prior art while preserving the benefits. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Disclosed is an apparatus, including a shaft; a scoop, coupled to a distal end of the shaft, for collecting and holding a bolus of a compressible medium, the compressible medium retaining a post-compressed shape when operated from a proximal end of the shaft; and a former, coupled to the scoop and mating with the scoop, for molding and compressing the bolus into a generally spherical ball retained within the scoop. A method for forming a throwable ball, includes scooping a bolus of a compressible medium with a scoop coupled to a distal end of a shaft, the compressible medium retaining a post-compressed shape; and molding compressively the bolus into the scoop using a former coupled to the distal end, wherein the molding step creates the ball retained in the scoop when a user operates a proximal end of the shaft. A method for throwing a snow object, including operating a proximal end of a shaft having a snow object maker coupled to a distal end of the shaft to gather a bolus of snow into the snow object maker, the snow object maker having a scoop, coupled to the distal end, for receiving the bolus into a first concave portion, the first concave portion directed away from an operator when the proximal end is held for operation; and a former, operatively coupled to the scoop, for compressively molding the bolus into the throwable object by selectively engaging a second concave portion of the former with the bolus received into the first concave portion; molding the bolus into the throwable object by manipulation of the proximal end to operate the former; and swinging the shaft through an arc by operating the proximal end to launch the throwable object from the first concave portion. 
         [0010]    The preferred embodiment permits a user to single-handedly gather snow, form the gathered snow into a ball, and throw the ball, all without ever touching the snow or ball with the user&#39;s hand or hands. Periods for snowball-related activities are able to be extended, user&#39;s are enabled to throw bigger snowballs greater distances for longer periods of time. One of the user&#39;s hands may be available for other actions/uses while making and throwing snowballs using the device. New activities are enabled using the preferred embodiment, such as for example, snowball-making/throwing activities while sledding, skiing, boarding, skating and the like. The device may be incorporated into available sport implements (e.g., a ski pole) or used as an adjunct to the tools of the sport. 
         [0011]    These and other novel aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the drawings and the remaining portions of the specification. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment for an object forming and launching system in a launching mode; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the object forming and launching system shown in  FIG. 1  in a forming mode; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first alternate preferred embodiment for an object forming and launching system in a launching mode; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the object forming and launching system shown in  FIG. 3  in a forming mode; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment for an object collecting and launching system in a launching mode; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the object forming and launching system shown in  FIG. 5  in a retaining mode; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a third alternate preferred embodiment for an object forming and launching system in a launching mode; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the object forming and launching system shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The present invention relates to an object launcher, and specifically to a single-handed device for engaging the object with the launcher, and more specifically to forming and throwing a snowball using the same apparatus, and most specifically to single-handedly forming a snowball using an apparatus and thereafter using the apparatus to launch the snowball thereby formed. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment for an objectizing and launching system  100  in a launching mode. System  100  includes a shaft  105 , a scoop  110 , a former  115  coupled to scoop  110  and a biasing system  120  for inducing former  115  into an open position. Alternately, former  115  may be coupled to shaft  105  or other structure to achieve the desired relationship between scoop  110  and former  115 . As used herein, the term objectizing includes an act or acts of gathering, collecting, selecting, forming, shaping, grabbing and/or creating an object from one or more objects or media. Alternately, former may be coupled to shaft  105   
         [0022]    Shaft  105  is constructed sufficiently rigid and flexible for the intended application, but preferably is constructed of a solid molded plastic or extruded aluminum tube body having about eighteen to about thirty inches of length. Shaft  105  has a proximal end and a distal end, and includes a handle  125  at the proximal end and scoop  110  coupled at the distal end. In some implementations and embodiments, shaft  105  has a variable length and/or a variable flexibility resulting from telescoping elements or from mutually cooperating elements that otherwise slide relative to each other. A variable length shaft is useful for adapting system  100  for use by users of different heights, among other advantages, while the variable flexibility shaft is useful for adapting system  100  to different conditions for objectizing and launching objects. Generally, as the flexibility of shaft  105  increases, objects may be launched greater distances. However, as shaft  105  also supports the collecting of an object, as the flexibility of shaft decreases, objects are often easier to be collected. 
         [0023]    Scoop  110  serves as a preferred objectifier, which in the preferred embodiment includes collecting and holding a bolus of a compressible medium. This compressible medium includes snow or other substance that is able to be formed and shaped into a ball that retains its shape after forming/shaping. Scoop  110  may also select a single item from a collection of items and retain it within a cavity. The cavity of scoop  110  is preferably one-half of a sphere that holds the bolus after it is collected. Scoop  110  may be inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of shaft  105 . Inclination of scoop  110  is adapted to assist in objectizing and for launching objects from within the cavity. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments and implementations, scoop  110  is coupled to shaft  105  using a mounting system that permits different lengths of shaft  105  to be used in cooperation with scoop  110 . For example, a threaded end at the distal end of shaft  105  may be used to mount to complementary threaded portion in scoop  110 . Additionally, the mounting system may provide for varying the inclination angle according to a user preference. 
         [0025]    Former  115  is a mating element cooperating with scoop  110  for objectizing an object or medium. In the preferred embodiment, former  115  includes a spherical cavity matching the cavity in scoop  110  for use as a compactor/former/shaper of the bolus. Former  115  includes two positions relative to scoop  110 , a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, former  115  compresses the bolus and presses it into scoop  110  to form a generally spherical ball of the compressible medium (e.g., a snowball). In the open position after ball formation, the ball is retained within scoop  110  and former  115  pivots down and away from scoop  110 . In the open position, former  115  does not interfere with a launching of the ball from scoop  110  when shaft  105  is swung in an arc about handle  125 . Former  115  is also positioned relative to scoop  110  and shaft  105  to permit former  115  to be operated from single-handed manipulation of handle  125 , such as, for example, tapping former  115  against the ground or other object or structure to move former  115  from the open position to the closed position. 
         [0026]    In the preferred embodiment when scoop  110  and former  115  define matching semi-spheres, the closed position juxtaposes the two structures together sufficiently to form the bolus into the desired shape. This juxtaposition need not be completely closed, or even in some cases mostly closed. The degree of closure depends upon the nature and condition of the compressible medium and the user&#39;s desire to collect, shape and form balls of varying quality. Typically, the “best” balls are formed when scoop  110  and former  115  are completely closed, but these “best” balls may be perceived to require extra time to form by completely closing the elements. Balls of lesser quality (produced from less proximate juxtapositions) may be produced faster, thus more balls per unit of time may be launched. 
         [0027]    In other embodiments, former  115  is a trapper that simply retains an object within the cavity of scoop  110  while the object is collected. Scoop  110  and former  115  are preferably molded plastic semi-spheres, though other shapes and materials may be used. In some conditions, scoop  110  may require extra stiffness and/or use of a cutting edge along all or a portion of a periphery of the cavity to efficiently collect sufficient quantities of the compressible medium. 
         [0028]    Biasing system  120  of the preferred embodiment includes an elastomeric band coupled between former  115  and shaft  105  to bias former  115  into the open position. The elastomeric band is replaceable and preferably provides a sufficient biasing force to maintain former  115  in an open or semi-open position so as to not interfere with a launch of an object from within a cavity of scoop  110 . In some configurations, former  115  will tend to the closed position as shaft  105  is swung through the arc, and that tendency is increased as shaft  105  becomes longer or the speed of the swing or of scoop  110  increases. Other biasing systems may be used, to pull, push or otherwise separate former  115  from scoop  110  and induce former  115  into the open position. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of objectizing and launching system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  in a forming mode. System  100  enters the forming mode by manipulation of handle  125 , and such manipulation may be performed using a single hand. This is in contrast to prior art systems that require a user to use two hands in operating the device. To enter the forming mode, system  100  juxtaposes former  115  to scoop  110 . In the preferred embodiment, this juxtaposition is achieved by rotating former  115  relative to scoop  110 , though other implementations may use a different configuration. Also, former  115  is shown pivotally coupled to shaft  105  so that the former moves “up” and “down” when shaft  105  is vertical. Former  115  may be configured to move (e.g., pivot) “side” to “side” or some other relative orientation when shaft  105  is vertical. 
         [0030]    In operation, a user operates system  100  through single-handed manipulation of handle  125 . The user collects the bolus of the compressible medium (e.g., snow) into scoop  110 . In some instances, the collection is achieved by scooping up a sufficient quantity to overflow the cavity of scoop  110 , and in other instances, scoop  110  is plunged into a large quantity of the medium, or former  115  is used as a “plow” to produce a suitable pile of medium that may be collected by scoop  110 . 
         [0031]    The user then manipulates handle  125  to cause former  115  to be juxtaposed sufficiently to scoop  110  to form the desired shape and consistency ball. The user achieves this by urging former  115  against the ground, building, other structure or other object to move it towards the closed position. In the preferred embodiment, it is accomplished by “tapping” former  115  against the ground to compress/pack and form the desired ball. 
         [0032]    Releasing the closing force permits biasing system  120  to move former  115  to the open position. This retains the ball within the cavity of scoop  110 . The user may then, when desired, swing shaft  105  about an arc to launch the ball from the cavity of scoop  110  towards the desired target. System  100  is ready to collect and form other balls in quick succession. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first alternate preferred embodiment for an objectizing and launching system  300  in a launching mode. System  300  includes a shaft  305 , a scoop  310  at a distal end of shaft  305 , a former  315  coupled to scoop  310  and a handle  320  integrated into a proximal end of shaft  305 . System  300  is similar to system  100 , modified as described below. Shaft  305  is curved in a backward arch from handle  320  to scoop  310 . Former  315  is pivotally coupled to shaft  305  or scoop  310  using a spring-loaded hinge that serves as a biasing system for system  300 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of objectizing and launching system  300  shown in  FIG. 3  in a forming mode. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second alternate preferred embodiment for an objectizing and launching system  500  in a launching mode. System  500  is configured similarly to system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  with the addition of a latching mechanism  505  and a release  510 . Latching mechanism  505  is a hinged system that releasably locks when former  115  is sufficiently “closed” relative to scoop  110 . Latching mechanism  505  is responsive to release  510  to stop inhibiting the return of former  115  to the open position. Release  510  is preferably a cable, chain, wire or other connector coupled to ring mounted near handle  125 . 
         [0035]    In operation, when former  115  is moved sufficiently close to activate latching mechanism  505 . Thereafter, former  115  does not open to permit launching of an object in scoop  110  until release  510  is actuated. In this configuration, the user would actuate release  510  immediately prior to launch. In this configuration, system  500  may be used to launch virtually any object that fits within scoop  110  and former  115 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the objectizing and launching system shown in  FIG. 5  in a retaining mode. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of a third alternate preferred embodiment for an objectizing and launching system  700  in a launching mode. System  700  is integrated into another sporting implement, in this instance, a ski pole. System  700  includes a shaft  705 , a scoop  710 , a former  715 , a snow basket  720  and a handle  725  components as shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 6  as described above.  FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the objectizing and launching system shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0037]    Scoop  710  is shifted relative to shaft  705  to enable scooping without interfering with the ski pole function. Shaft  705  need not be coupled to a “rim” of scoop  710 , but could be attached nearly tangential to scoop  710 . Similarly, former  715  may be desirably “side-mounted” to enable former  715  to be tapped closed without interfering with the ski pole functions.  FIG. 8  illustrates that scoop  710  may be integrated into shaft  705  and serve as a structural element. Further, scoop  710  may be provided with a latching mechanism and release system as described above. In some implementations, scoop  710  is incorporated into the snow basket  720 . 
         [0038]    The above-described arrangements of apparatus and methods are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
         [0039]    These and other novel aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the drawings and the remaining portions of the specification.

Technology Category: f