GB2333243A

GB2333243A - Device for throwing a ball

Info

Publication number: GB2333243A
Application number: GB9900302A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Morriss; Adrian Harvey
Original assignee: HAPPY PET PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: HAPPY PET PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1998-01-15
Filing date: 1999-01-07
Publication date: 1999-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-07
Also published as: GB2333243B; GB9800865D0; GB9900302D0

Abstract

A dveice for throwing a ball 15, eg for owners exercising their pets, is designed to flex and includes a pole 11 with a ball-receiving cup 14 attached to one end. In one embodiment (not shown) the pole itself is made of flexible material; in another embodiment, flexing is achieved by means of a resilient member, such as spring 13, between the cup and the pole, which may also be flexible. Ball 15 is dislodged and thrown by either a whole arm swinging action or by a flicking motion from the wrist, with a cut-away 21 on collar 20 assisting directional aim.

Description

TOY The present invention relates to a toy. In particular it relates to a toy involving the throwing or flicking of a ball.

In its broadest sense, the present invention provides an apparatus for throwing or flicking a ball, the apparatus being adapted to flex and comprising a pole having a ballreceiving cup attached to one end thereof.

In one embodiment, the pole is made of a flexible material and provides all the flexing of the apparatus.

In another embodiment, flexing is achieved primarily by means of a resiliently flexible member intermediate the ball-receiving cup and the end of the pole. The pole may also be flexible.

Preferably, the resiliently flexible member is a coil spring.

Preferably, the ball-receiving cup includes a collar portion engaging the pole or resiliently flexible member. Preferably, the collar has a cut-away portion on one side.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a part front view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

With reference to the Figures, the embodiment of the present invention, shown generally at 10, includes a rod or pole 11 with a handle or grip 12 at its lower end. At its upper end, the pole is fitted with a resiliently flexible member in the form of a spring 13. Sitting atop the spring 13 is a cup 14. In use, a suitably sized ball 15, such as a tennis ball, sits snugly in cup 14.

In use, the apparatus is held around the grip 12 and swung in the same general manner as one would swing a hammer, whether with a whole arm swinging action or a more tempered wrist 'flicking' action. The force of swinging the apparatus is sufficient to dislodge the ball 15 from the cup 14, whereby the ball flied through the air. The apparatus is particularly useful in exercising dogs.

Preferably, the pole 11 is also flexible, but clearly not as flexible as the spring. This reduces possible jarring of the joints or the arm and wrist. It also allows more accurate throwing. Many materials will suitable for such a purpose, for example carbon fibre or certain plastics. It has been found that a conventional riding or hunting crop provides a suitable degree of flexibility whilst retaining sufficient rigidity that the apparatus remains erect when held in the hand.

Conveniently, the cup 14 will be mounted on the spring 13 by means of a collar 20. In the preferred embodiment shown the collar includes a generally U-shaped cut-away portion 21 extending upwardly from the base of the collar 20, remote the cup 14. In use, as the apparatus is swung or flicked, the cut-away portion will encourage the spring 13 to flex into the cut-away achieving a directional throw. With reference to Figure 1, the tendency of the apparatus will be to launch the ball to the left, and out of the paper with reference to Figure 2. The cut-away 21 will also prevent the ball from becoming dislodged from the cup 14 on the backward stroke of the throwing action, as it will tend to maintain the cup 14 in an upright position with respect to the rod 11.

In another embodiment (not shown) the rod 11 is formed of a material which is sufficiently flexible and resilient to avoid the need for the use of a separate flexible resilient member such as a spring. The rod is then inserted directly into the ballreceiving cup. The cup may include a collar 20 as described above, which may also include the cut-away portion 21.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for throwing or flicking a ball, the apparatus being adapted to flex and comprising a pole having a ball-receiving cup attached to one end thereof.
2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pole is made of a flexible material and provides all the flexing of the apparatus.
3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 where flexing is achieved primarily by means of a resiliently flexible member intermediate the ball-receiving cup and the end of the pole.
4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the pole is also flexible.
5. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the resiliently flexible member is a coil spring.
6. An apparatus for throwing or flicking a ball substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.