Apparatus for Throwing and Catching a Football

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention

The invention, including its various embodiments, relates to an apparatus for throwing and catching a football. In particular, the invention, including its various embodiments, relates to an apparatus for throwing and catching a football by a single user, wherein the user throws the football, and the apparatus provides for the automatic return of the football enabling the user to practice catching the football.

Description of Related Art

There are various machines for throwing or returning a sports ball to an individual. For example, pitching machines throw baseballs to a batter for batting practice, and basketball machines catch basketballs after a shot and return the basketball to the player.

With respect to the sport of football, there are football passing machines that requires the manual feeding of a football into the machine, which then ejects the football as a pass. A player on the receiving end of the pass can then practice catching the football. However, such a machine requires two people to effectively use it, since the player practicing catching the football would not be able to both feed the football into the machine and practice catching that same football at the same time, as the football would be ejected well before the person feeding it would be in a position to catch it.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a device or apparatus that allows a single person who wishes to practice throwing or catching a football to do so without the need for an additional person. In addition, there is a need for a device or apparatus that allows a single person who wishes to practice throwing or catching a football that provides for the appropriate orientation of the football as it travels through the air, including the proper rotation or spin of the football and the orientation of its long axis relative to its flight path.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for throwing and catching a football by a user of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a football having a connector, such as a loop, attached to one end of the football, specifically the point of the football; an elastic cord having connectors at opposite ends, with one connector configured to attach to the connector on the football and the opposite connector configured to attach to a stationary object or anchor to anchor the apparatus during use, and wherein each connector attached to the elastic cord is configured to swivel such that the opposite ends of each connector can freely rotate relative to each other to allow the football to rotate relative to the elastic cord and to allow the elastic cord to rotate relative to the anchor.

In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for throwing and catching a football, comprising a football; an elastic cord having a first end having a first loop and an opposite second end having a second loop; a first connector having a first end configured to attach to said first loop and a second end configured to attach to a stationary body, wherein said first connector is configured to allow said first end to swivel relative to said second end; a second connector having a first end configured to reversibly attach to said second loop and a second end configured to reversibly attach to said football, wherein said second connector is configured to allow said first end to swivel relative to said second end.

In general use, the apparatus is attached to an anchor, which may be a stationary object, such as a wall, fence, post, tree, or any object that would remain stationary during use of the apparatus. The apparatus is generally used by a user by throwing the football with the forward end of the football facing away from the user and the opposite back end of the football nearer the user being the end that is connected to the elastic cord. The user then releases the football by using a throwing motion to send the ball forward. Once the elastic cord has reached its maximum extension, again based on the amount of force applied to the football when initially thrown and, therefore, the amount of force with which the football pulls the elastic cord, the football will be returned or pulled back by the elastic cord, thereby simulating a football pass back to the user.

The user may use the apparatus alone or individually as an exercise device or practice device to practice or improve the user's football throwing and catching mechanics. In general, the apparatus provides the user with the ability to throw the football away from the user and to automatically return the football to the user simulating a pass of the football to the user. In some embodiments, the user can throw the football in a manner that applies rotation or spin to the football, a desired amount of speed or velocity, and in a given direction, which allows for the return of the football to simulate a pass to the user with a given amount of rotation or spin and speed or velocity and from a given direction or location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for throwing a football and automatically receiving a return of the football according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a connector attached to an elastic cord and for attachment to either a stationary object or a football according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates another connector attached to an elastic cord and for attachment to either a stationary object or a football according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded of a connector for attachment to an elastic cord and either a stationary object or a football according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates an elevational view of the connector of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C illustrates a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4B of the connector of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D illustrates a top view of the connector of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a mount for securing the elastic cord to an anchor according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of a mount for securing the elastic cord to an anchor according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the mount of FIG. 6A according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6C is a side elevational view of the mount of FIG. 6A according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is more fully described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the present invention will be described in conjunction with particular embodiments, such should be viewed as examples and should not be viewed as limiting or as setting forth the only embodiments of the invention. Rather, the present invention includes various embodiments or forms and various related aspects or features and uses, as well as alternatives, modifications, and equivalents all of which are included within the spirit and scope of the invention and the claims, whether or not expressly described herein. Further, the use of the terms “invention,” “present invention,” “embodiment,” and similar terms throughout this description are used broadly and are not intended to mean that the invention requires, or is limited to, any particular embodiment or aspect being described or that such description is the only manner in which the invention may be made or used. Following is a general overview of the present invention and its use, followed by a more detailed description of the present invention as shown in the various Figures.

In general, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for throwing and catching a football by a user of the apparatus. The user may use the apparatus alone or individually as an exercise device or practice device to practice or improve the user's football throwing and catching mechanics. In general, the apparatus provides the user with the ability to throw the football away from the user and have it automatically return to the user, thereby simulating a pass of the football to the user. In some embodiments, the user can throw the football in a manner that applies rotation or spin to the football, a desired amount of speed or velocity, and in a given direction, which allows for the return of the football to simulate a pass to the user with a given amount of rotation or spin and speed or velocity and from a given direction or location. In particular, the apparatus allows for the user to properly throw the football and have it return with the proper rotation and orientation. More specifically, in some embodiments, with a proper initial throw of the football, the apparatus returns the football with its lengthwise axis more closely aligned with its flight path, thus reducing wobble or precession of the football and more closely simulating a properly thrown football. The user can thereby practice receiving a football pass in which the apparatus the football has been more properly thrown, such that as the football approaches the user for catching, the football is more properly aligned, again, with its lengthwise axis pointing in the direction of its flight path and the football rotating approximately or exactly about that axis. Accordingly, the tip of the football at one end is coming more directly to the user with the football rotating about its lengthwise axis, rather than a football that is wobbling through the air or not spinning properly about its lengthwise axis.

The apparatus includes a football having a connector, such as a loop, attached to one end of the football, specifically at the point or tip of the football at one end of its lengthwise axis passing through the center of the football; an elastic cord that can be stretched and inherently return, or approximately return, to its original length, having connectors at each of its opposite ends, with one connector configured to attach to the connector on the football and the opposite connector configured to attach to a stationary object or anchor to anchor the apparatus during use, and wherein each connector attached to the elastic cord is configured to swivel such that the opposite ends of each connector can freely rotate relative to each other to allow the football to rotate relative to the elastic cord and to allow the elastic cord to rotate relative to the anchor. By having each connector on the elastic cord swivel, the user can throw the football with rotation or spin and similarly the apparatus will automatically return the football to the user with rotation or spin. In some embodiments, each of the ends of each of connectors on the elastic cord are configured to be reversibly connectable such that the connectors can be easily attached to and detached from both the elastic cord as well as to and from the anchor or the football.

In general use, the apparatus is attached to an anchor, which may be a stationary object, such as a fence, post, tree, or any object that would remain stationary during use of the apparatus. The apparatus is generally used by a user by throwing the football with the forward end or one tip of the football facing away from the user and the opposite back end or opposite tip of the football nearer the user being the end that is connected to the elastic cord. The user then releases the football by using a throwing motion to send the ball forward in a given direction with a given speed or velocity and a given rotation or spin on the football. The football will travel along a given path as determine by the throw and will stretch the elastic cord until the elastic cord is elongated and taunt. It should be appreciated that the extent to which the elastic cord stretches or elongates, or the magnitude of the stretching of the elastic cord or the length to which it stretches, is determined by the amount of force applied to the football when initially thrown, as well as the elasticity of the composition of the elastic cord, including its modulus of elasticity. Once the elastic cord has reached its maximum extension, again based in part on the amount of force applied to the football when initially thrown and, therefore, the amount of force with which the football pulls and stretches the elastic cord, the football will be returned or pulled back by the elastic cord, thereby simulating a football pass back to the user and permitting the user to practice catching a football pass.

As noted, the apparatus provides the user with the ability to throw a football and to catch the automatic return. In general, a user can practice general hand-eye coordination simply through the act of throwing the football and catching the automatic return, regardless of the quality of the initial football throw or the quality of the return of the football to the user as a football pass. In some embodiments, the user can practice or hone the user's specific football throwing and catching skills or mechanics through use of the apparatus. For example, by providing the user with the ability to throw the football with rotation or spin that is generated by the user in the act of throwing the football, the apparatus provides the user with the ability to practice both throwing the football as well as catching the football.

With respect to throwing the football, as discussed below, the apparatus allows the user to throw the football and to automatically receive the return the football. Based upon the quality of the return of the football by the apparatus, the user can judge the quality of the initial football throw. The apparatus is designed to provide a better quality football return depending upon the quality of the initial football throw. A better quality football throw is one in which direction of the football as it travels through the air is in the intended direction or in which the football's lengthwise or longitudinal axis through the center of the football approximates being aligned with the direction of the football's flight, and the rotation or spin along that axis approximates a perfect rotation or spiral around that axis. It should be appreciated that the rotation and spin may affect the direction of travel of the football as well. For example, a thrown football having its lengthwise axis approximately the direction of its flight path and having rotation that approximates perfect rotation around that lengthwise axis will travel through the air with minimal wobble (e.g., the ends or tips of the football remain along the desired flightpath of the football, which in some cases is a parabolic path) with minimal deviation from that flight path during travel. As the lengthwise axis deviates from the desired flight path or rotation deviates from that axis, the football will wobble during travel, with the ends of the football deviating from the desired flight path, which makes the travel of the football less stable or more erratic and, therefore, causes deviation from the intended direction of travel. Accordingly, when the football is initially thrown using the apparatus, the closer the throw is to a better quality throw, including direction and rotation, the automatic return of the football will be similar. In other words, the direction of travel of the football return and the rotation of the ball upon return by the apparatus will be similar to that with which it is initially thrown. By observing the quality of the return of the football, the user is provided with immediate feedback on the quality with which the user initially threw the football, and the user can determine the quality of the user's initial throw. Accordingly, the user can practice the user's mechanics in throwing the football and generating the desired direction of flight and rotation of the football by observing the quality of the return of the football or its rotation upon return by the apparatus. Based on those observations, the user can adjust the user's throwing mechanics to achieve a better quality throw. It should be appreciated that the user can also adjust the speed at which the football is initially thrown to simulate throwing the ball harder or with more power. In this case, the apparatus will return the ball with a speed or velocity commensurate with the initial speed or velocity at which the football was initially thrown. It should be appreciated, however, that the speed or velocity of the return of the football will be lower than the initial speed or velocity with which it is thrown. Nonetheless, the user may practice throwing the football harder or faster or softer or slower and similarly use the quality of the return of the football, including its return speed, as an indicator of the quality of the initial throw at the different speed.

In some embodiments, the user may use the apparatus to practice catching the football as if the user were a receiver on a football team or receiving a pass during an actual game or live play. In this case, the apparatus, upon returning the football after it has initially been thrown, provides the user with a simulated football pass, thus giving the user the opportunity to practice catching a football pass. In some embodiments, as described above, the quality of the initial throw of the football using the apparatus will produce a return pass of the football with similar characteristics. For example, if the football is thrown with a given direction, speed or velocity, and rotation or spin, the return of the football, simulating a pass, will have similar characteristics. In some embodiments, the direction in which the football is initially thrown, and the corresponding path traveled by the football, will produce a pass coming back along approximately the same path. Therefore, if the user desires to simulate receiving a pass coming from a higher point along a downward direction, the user would initially throw the ball so that it traveled along an upward path from the user outward. Similarly, if the user desired to simulate a pass coming from a lower point to an upper point along an upward path, the user would initially throw the ball so that it traveled along a downward path from the user outward. Accordingly, the user may control the characteristics of the simulated pass or the return of the football to the user and adjust the characteristics of the initial throw to produce the desired simulated pass or return of the football to the user. Accordingly, when the football is initially thrown using the apparatus, the closer the throw is to a better quality throw, including direction and rotation, the automatic return of the football will be similar, thereby providing the user with a more realistic experience in the practice of catching a football pass.

In some embodiments, the design of the connectors used at the ends of the elastic cord provide the ability to swivel relative to the object to which each is connected. For example, the connector at one end of the elastic cord permits the football to freely swivel relative to the elastic cord. Similarly, the connector at the opposite end of the elastic cord that is attached to an anchor permits the elastic cord to freely swivel relative to such anchor. This ability to swivel provides for or enhances the of the apparatus to provide for a more proper flight path and rotation for the football. Without the ability to freely swivel at either or at both ends of the elastic cord, the flight path and rotation of the football, including when initially thrown and when returned to simulate a football pass, would be hindered. Accordingly, the invention provides for the ability to simulate a more properly thrown football and football pass in return. It should also be appreciated that the robustness or security of the connection to an anchor or base also contributes to the quality of the throw and return of the football.

Following, additional aspects and features of the invention are described in connection with the Figures. Alternative embodiments to those aspects and features shown in the Figures are also described. As noted, however, the following specific embodiments, features, and aspects are not to be viewed as limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for throwing a football and automatically receiving a return of the football according to one embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 100 of the present invention is an apparatus for throwing a football with an automatic return of the football. The apparatus includes an elastic cord 102 and a football 104. The elastic cord 102 may be any cord having elasticity that allows it to be extended or stretched upon pulling and that will automatically retract upon the cessation of the pulling. In some embodiments, the elastic cord may be a bungee cord or rubber band. The length of the elastic cord 102 may be any length that allows for the throwing of the football 104 and the automatic return of the football 104. In some embodiments, the length of the elastic cord 102 is sufficiently long so that there is sufficient time between the initial throw of the football 102 by a user and the return of the football 102 to the user to give the user time to react and catch the return of the football 102. For example, if the elastic cord 102 is too short the time between the initial throw and the return of the football would be shorter making it more difficult for the user to catch the return. Alternatively, if the elastic cord 102 is too long, the initial pass may have to travel so far that it becomes impractical to either throw the football 104 that far or wait for its return. The football 102 may be any sized football and can be adjusted for the user. For example, a smaller-sized football may be used for users that are younger or playing football in leagues using a smaller football. Alternatively, the football 104 may be an official-sized football, such as those used in collegiate or professional football, for users that play football at that level.

Two connectors 106, 108 are attached directly to each of the opposite ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102, respectively. Each connector 106, 108 may be permanently attached to the respective end 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102. In some embodiments, each connector 106, 108 may be reversibly attached to the ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102 in that each connector may be easily and manually attached and detached and reattached, etc. without having to repair the connector or change its design. In some embodiments, the connectors 106, 108 on the ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102 may be any connector that can be attached to the ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102 and remain attached when under the stress or force applied to the elastic cord 102 upon throwing the football 104. In some embodiments, the connectors 106, 108 on the ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102 may be an elastic cord itself in the shape of a loop that is attached to the end of the elastic cord 102. In some embodiments, each of the connectors 106, 108 on the ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102 may be an extension of the elastic cord 102, or a given portion or length of the ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102, that is folded back onto itself to form a loop, with each of the ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102 then being attached to the elastic cord 102. In this case, the ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102 may be attached to the elastic cord 102 by any means known in the art, such as stitching, glue, or through use of a wrap, clasp, or tape that surrounds each of the ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102 and the elastic cord 102 itself thereby holding the two together.

An additional pair of connectors 114, 116 are each attached to the connectors 106, 108 that are attached directly to the ends of the elastic cord 110, 112, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the connectors 114, 116 each have a pair of biased latches 118 at opposite ends that at one end of each of these connectors 114, 116 allows for the reversible attachment and detachment to the respective ends 110, 112 of the elastic cord 102. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment each of these connectors 114, 116 are configured to swivel or freely rotate at the location 120 between the pair of biased latches 118. In other words, for a given connector 114, 116, its pair of biased latches 118 can rotate or move freely from each other and rotate relative to each other. Accordingly, this provides the ability for each side or end of each of these connectors 114, 116 to move independently of the other side or end. It should be appreciated that the location 120 does not necessarily need to be at a midpoint between a given pair of the biased latches 118. Rather, the connectors can be designed to allow each end of a given connector 114, 116 to rotate or move freely from its corresponding opposite end. It should also be appreciated that biased latches 118 may or may not be used as part of the connectors 114, 116, provided that the swivel or free rotation functionality of the connectors 114, 116 between the ends of each connector 114, 116 is preserved. In such an embodiment, other latches or means for connecting to the connectors 106, 108 of the elastic cord 102 or for connecting at the opposite ends of the connectors 14, 116 to the football 104 or to an anchor as described below.

The biased latches 118 at the respective ends of each of the connectors 114, 116 that are not attached to the elastic cord 102 are reversibly attached to the football 102 and to a stationary object or anchor (not shown), respectively. The connector 114 at one end 110 of the elastic cord 102 that allows for attachment to a stationary object or anchor to anchor the apparatus during use can be connected to any stationary object such as a fence, post, tree, wall, or any object that would remain stationary during use of the apparatus and, thereby, act as an anchor for the apparatus during use. For example, the biased latch 118 at that end of the connector 114 opposite the corresponding biased latch 118 that is connected to the elastic cord 102, can be attached to a link in a chain-link fence. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that the elastic cord 102 can be wrapped around a stationary object and the biased latch 118 at that end of the connector 114 opposite the corresponding biased latch 118 that is connected to the elastic cord 102 can be attached to the elastic cord 102 itself, thereby forming a loop around the stationary object. It should be appreciated, however, that instead of a biased latch 118 for attachment to a stationary object, any means for attaching that end of the elastic cord 102 to a stationary object may be used, such as a hook or separate elastic cord that loops through or is attached to that end of the connector 114 and that ties around the stationary object. These other means, however, would be connected to the connector 114 in a manner that maintains the swivel or rotation functionality between those means and the corresponding opposite end of the connector 114 that is connected to the elastic cord 102.

The opposite connector 116 at the opposite end of the elastic cord 102, i.e., opposite the connector 114 that is attached to a stationary object, is reversibly connected to the football 104. Specifically, the biased latch 118 of this connector 116, opposite this connector's 116 biased latch 118 used to connect to the elastic cord 102, is attached to a connector 122 that is attached to the football 104. The connector 122 attached to the football 104 may be any connector that allows for connection to the connector 116 that is attached to the elastic cord 102. In some embodiments, the connector 122 is a loop of material that is attached to the football 102. The material may be any material of suitable strength to withstand the force imparted through use of the apparatus. For example, the material may be the same as or similar to that used for the elastic cord 102. The loop can be formed using the material with the ends of the material attached to the inside of the football 104 (not shown). The material may be attached to the inside of the football 104 by any means known in the art, such as stitching, glue, or tape.

With reference to FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that the connectors 114, 116 at each end of the elastic cord 102 and that attach, respectively, to a stationary object and the football 102, each have the swivel or free rotation functionality to allow for independent movement of the elastic cord 102 at each of its ends 110, 112. This means that the elastic cord 102 at its end 110 that attaches to a stationary object may freely move or rotate relative to the stationary object. Similarly, the elastic cord 102 at its end 112 that attaches to the football 104 may freely move or rotate relative to the football 104. Accordingly, the football 104 may freely rotate relative to that end 112 of the elastic cord 102. This allows for the football 104 to rotate or spin when it is thrown by the user independent of the elastic cord 102 as shown by the directional arrow 124 showing the rotation of the ball around its lengthwise or longitudinal axis 125.

FIG. 2 illustrates a connector attached to an elastic cord and for attachment to either a stationary object or a football according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, a connector 202 is attached to an elastic cord 204 illustrating one type of connector that may be used on the end of the elastic cord and one manner in which the connector can be attached to the elastic cord. In this embodiment, the end of the elastic cord 204 is used to form a loop 206 by folding the elastic cord 204 back on itself. The end of the elastic cord 204 is held against the elastic cord 204 using a tape 208 that is wrapped around the end of the elastic cord 204 and the elastic cord 204 to keep the two together and maintain the loop 206. The connector 202 has two portions 210, 212. One portion 210 is a body in the shape of a loop that is connected to the loop 206 at the end of the elastic cord 204. The other portion 212 is a hook 214 with a biased latch 216, which can be reversibly connected to a football or a stationary object or anchor (not shown), for example in any manner described above in connection with FIG. 1. The two portions 201, 212 are connected by a swivel 218 that allows the portion 212 with the hook 214 and biased latch 216 to rotate freely in a complete circle. Specifically, the portion 212 with hook 214 has a body with a shaft that extends through a hole in the other portion 210 and has a bulbous end to prevent the shaft from detaching from the other portion 210. It should be appreciated that the connector 202 may be made from any suitable material sufficient in strength, such as plastics or metals, to permit operation of the invention.

It should be appreciated that the portion 210 of the connector 202 that connects to the end of the elastic cord 204 provides for a connection that is not intended to be a reversible connection. In other words, the portion 201 does not have any biased latch as described for a corresponding connector 106, 108 in connection with FIG. 1. In this case, the end of the elastic cord 204 is fed through the opening formed by the oval shape of the portion 210, folded back on itself, and then held in place by the tape 208.

FIG. 3 illustrates another connector attached to an elastic cord and for attachment to either a stationary object or a football according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, a connector 302 is attached to an elastic cord 304 illustrating one type of connector that may be used on the end of the elastic cord and one manner in which the connector can be attached to the elastic cord. In this embodiment, the end of the elastic cord 304 is used to form a loop 306 by folding the elastic cord 304 back on itself. The end of the elastic cord 304 is held against the elastic cord 304 using a tape 308 that is wrapped around the end of the elastic cord 304 and the elastic cord 304 to keep the two together and maintain the loop 306. The connector 302 has two portions 310, 312. One portion 310 is a body having a loop portion that is connected to the loop 306 at the end of the elastic cord 304. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment, the loop portion has a different design than the loop portion 210 shown in connection with FIG. 2. The other portion 312 is a hook 314 with a biased latch 316, which can be reversibly connected to a football or a stationary object or anchor (not shown), for example in any manner described above in connection with FIG. 1. The two portions 301, 312 are connected by a swivel 318 that allows the portion 312 with the hook 314 and biased latch 316 to rotate freely in a complete circle. Specifically, the portion 312 with hook 314 has a body with a shaft that extends through a hole in the other portion 310 and has a bulbous end to prevent the shaft from detaching from the other portion 310. In this particular embodiment, the portion 310 at the end of the connector 302 is similar to that of the portion 210 of the connector 202 in that it provides for a more permanent attachment or non-reversible attachment to the elastic cord 304, with the difference being in the shape of the portion in that the portion 310 is rectangular. It should be appreciated that the connector 302 may be made from any suitable material sufficient in strength, such as plastics or metals, to permit operation of the invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exploded view of a connector for attachment to an elastic cord and either a stationary object or a football according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4B illustrates an elevational view of the connector of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C illustrates a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4B of the connector of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4D illustrates a top view of the connector of FIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 4A, the connector 400 has two main body portions 402, 404, an upper main body portion 402 and a lower main body portion 404, each having a hook 406 and a biased latch 408 for connection to an elastic cord on one end and either a football or a stationary object on the other end. The biased latches 408 have a body and corresponding axle 412 and spring 414. The connector 400 has a swivel function that is provided by a bearing 416, which may be a stainless-steel bearing, disposed in the center of and between the two main body portions 402, 404. The bearing is held in place by a cap 418 that is disposed around the bearing 416 and is attached to one of the main body portions 404 by a set of screws 420. A separate screw 422 is used to hold the two main body portions 402, 404 together. This separate screw 422 is disposed through the center of one main body portion 404, passing through the center of the bearing 416 and the cap 418, and screws into the center of the inside bottom side of the other main body portion 402, thereby securing the two main body portions 402, 404 together with the bearing 416 securely between the facing two main body portions 402, 404. It should be appreciated that the underside of the head of the separate screw 422 engages the bottom side of the bearing 416 to secure the lower main body portion 404 and the bearing to the upper main body portion 402, which can also be see in connection with FIG. 4C. Accordingly, the two main body portions 402, 404 are secured together while allowing rotation relative to, and independent of, each other through the use of the bearing 416, as the screw 422 does not engage or hinder rotation of the lower main body portion 402. Alternatively, the separate screw 422 may have a portion of its shaft that does not engage the lower main body portion 404 through which the separate screw 422 passes or the lower main body portion 404 does not have threads that would otherwise engage the screw 422, such that the threads of the separate screw 422 only engage the opposite or upper main body portion 402. Accordingly, the lower main body portion 404 through which the separate screw 422 passes can freely rotate about the shaft of the separate screw 422 and can rotate independent of the other or upper main body portion 402, which can similarly rotate freely relative to the lower main body portion 404 through which the separate screw 422 passes. It should be appreciated that the components of the connector shown in FIGS. 4A-C may be made from any suitable material sufficient in strength, such as plastics or metals, to permit operation of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mount for securing the elastic cord to an anchor according to one embodiment of the invention. The mount 502 as shown is for mounting the invention to an anchor, such as a wall or any other stationary body. The mount 502 includes a mount body 504 having two screw openings 506, 508 at opposite ends of the mount body 504. Screws can be used to secure the mount body 504 to an anchor by placing the screws in the respective screw openings 506, 508 and screwing them into the anchor or wall. The mount body 504 may be any shape or thickness that provides a suitable surface area to allow it to be secured to an anchor and suitable mass to permit operation of the invention. It should be appreciated that the mount body 504 may be made from any suitable material sufficient in strength, such as plastics or metals, to permit operation of the invention.

The mount body 504 also includes a connector 510 that has a connector portion 512 and a base 514. The connector portion 512 is a loop that allows for connection to a connector at the end of the elastic cord, which is the end opposite to the end connected to the football. The connector portion 512 is a solid loop having no latches for opening. Accordingly, the connector on the end of the elastic cord would have a latch that permits connection to the connector portion 512 on the mount body 504. Alternatively, the connector portion 512 can have a biased latch to permit connection to any connector used on the end of the elastic cord. In this case, and with reference to FIG. 2, the loop 206 formed by the end of the elastic cord 204 can be attached to the connector portion 512 of the mount body 504. It should be appreciated that the connector portion 512 may be any shape provided it permits for the connection of the end of the elastic cord to the mount body 504.

The connector portion 512 is secured to the mount body 504 through the base 514, which is a flat body to which the connector portion 512 can be fixedly attached. The base 514 and the connector portion 512 can be placed anywhere on the surface of the mount body 504. As shown, the base 514 is offset from the center of the mount body 504. The base 514 may be any shape and thickness and may be made from any material suitable to attach the connector portion 512 to the mount body 504 and having sufficient strength to permit sufficient to permit operation of the invention. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the connector portion 512 may be attached directly to the top surface of the mount body 504.

FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of a mount for securing the elastic cord to an anchor according to one embodiment of the invention. The mount 602 as shown is for mounting the invention to a chain-linked fence or wire mesh fence. The mount 602 includes a mount body 604 The mount body 504 may be any shape or thickness that provides a suitable surface area to allow it to be secured to a chain-linked fence and suitable mass to permit operation of the invention. It should be appreciated that the mount body 504 may be made from any suitable material sufficient in strength, such as plastics or metals, to permit operation of the invention.

FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the mount of FIG. 6A according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, the mount body 604 includes two connector portions 606, 608 disposed at opposite ends of the mount body 604. The connectors 606, 608 each are curved and extend outwardly or away from the edge of the mount body 604 and back in a direction to partially extend under the back 610 of the mount body 604, thereby forming a partially open cylinder that extends along at least a portion of an edge of the mount body 604. The curvature or cylinder diameter formed by the connector portions 606, 608, is sufficient to engage the diameter of a corresponding piece of chain-linked fence. In other words, each connector portion 606, 608 can be hooked onto opposing portions of a chain-linked fence to secure the mount body 604 to the chain-linked fence. The open portion of each connector portion 606, 608 is positioned to be opposite the other and parallel to each other to permit engagement of both connector portions 606, 608 with the chain-linked fence. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the mount body 604 may be any shape provided the two connector portions 606, 608 can be attached to the mount body to secure it to the linkage of a chain-linked fence. For example, the connector portions could be attached to the bottom surface of the mount body 604 provided they are suitably spaced to permit connection to the linkage of a chain-linked fence.

It should be appreciated that a chain-linked fence typically includes metal wires that intertwine to form a matrix of open squares, each bounded by the wires. It should also be appreciated that the connector portions are spaced apart to permit engagement with any two wires on opposite sides of a given square formed by the chain-linked fence wires and which are parallel to each other. Alternatively, the connector portions may be spaced apart on the mount body to permit connection to wires beyond a single square formed by the fence wires. For example, one connector portion may engage a wire on the fence and the other connector portion may engage a wire to connect to portions of the chain-linked fence that are located immediately opposite from each other or the connector portions may be spaced apart such that the one portion engages a given wire of one square of the chain-linked fence and the other connector portion engages a second wire that is parallel to the first but that may not be part of the same square as engaged by the first wire. In other words, the connector portions may engage parallel wires that are spaced apart from each other by more than one square formed in the chain-linked fence.

FIG. 6C is a side elevational view of the mount of FIG. 6A according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, the mount base 604 has two connector portions 608, 610 at opposite ends. The mount base 604 also includes a connector 610 that has a connector portion 612 and a base 614. The connector portion 612 is a loop that allows for connection to a connector at the end of the elastic cord, which is the end opposite to the end connected to the football. The connector portion 612 is a solid loop having no latches for opening. Accordingly, the connector on the end of the elastic cord would have a latch that permits connection to the connector portion 612 on the mount body 604. Alternatively, the connector portion 612 can have a biased latch to permit connection to any connector used on the end of the elastic cord. In this case, and with reference to FIG. 2, the loop 206 formed by the end of the elastic cord 204 can be attached to the connector portion 612 of the mount body 604. It should be appreciated that the connector portion 612 may be any shape provided it permits for the connection of the end of the elastic cord to the mount body 604.

The connector portion 612 is secured to the mount body 604 through the base 614, which is a flat body to which the connector portion 612 can be fixedly attached. The base 614 and the connector portion 612 can be placed anywhere on the surface of the mount body 604. As shown, the base 614 is offset from the center of the mount body 604. The base 614 may be any shape and thickness and may be made from any material suitable to attach the connector portion 612 to the mount body 604 and having sufficient strength to permit sufficient to permit operation of the invention. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the connector portion 612 may be attached directly to the top surface of the mount body 604.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described above. However, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments are possible and that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. For example, it should be appreciated that while the apparatus of the present invention is directed in some embodiments for use with a football, as it provides the ability to impart spin and rotation on the football to simulate a football pass upon the automatic return of the football to the user, other balls may be used in place of the football. In these embodiments, the ball can be configured to have a loop similar to the loop 122 shown on the football 104 in FIG. 1.

Apparatus for Throwing and Catching a Football

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