Patent Application
20130174818
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This invention is a hand held device for launching clay pigeons relative to the sport of trap shooting or clay pigeon shooting. There are a few hand held devices on the market with each presenting a number of problems such as breaking of the clay pigeon upon loading, failing to release the clay pigeon, inaccuracy in throwing, inconsistency in throwing, etc.
This invention will provide an inexpensive, extremely easy to use device for the consistent launching of one or two clay pigeons at a time. Even beginners will be able to immediately use the device inasmuch as the process is as simple as swinging a baseball bat. The device is symmetrical whereby it can be used by right-handed or left-handed individuals.
This invention consists of a single piece of equipment for launching or throwing clay pigeons into the air. Similar to the appearance of an enlarged tuning fork, a handle joins with two parallel arms. The handle is similar to the handle of a baseball bat. The arms are separated by a distance consistent with the width of the typical clay pigeon. The internal sides of the arms have recessed channels which hold the clay pigeon in place and provide a track for the clay pigeon as it is loaded and launched.
The typical clay pigeon is disc shaped with an outer edge of approximately ⅜ths of an inch. Clay pigeons are loaded at the open end of the device by fitting the edge of the clay pigeons into the channels and sliding the clay pigeons to the end of the arms (toward the handle). If desired, a second clay pigeon can then be loaded in the same manner.
The swinging of the device generates a centrifugal force which causes the clay pigeon(s) to rotate or roll on its edge towards the end of the thrower until it is released into the air. The speed of the swing and length of the arms will have a corresponding effect on the speed at which the clay pigeon leaves the thrower and travels away from the thrower.
Rotation of the clay pigeon as it is launched is induced by a gripping strip, such as rubber tape, placed inside one of the channels of the arms which impedes any sliding of the clay pigeon while encourages the rolling and rotation of the clay pigeon within the channels. The opposite arm and channel are kept clear and smooth so as to induce sliding. If the person throwing the clay pigeon is right handed, he uses the device such that it is oriented to where the right arm of the device contains the gripping strip. As the launching swing begins, the clay pigeon will begin rolling clockwise down the arms ultimately being launched with significant rotational velocity enhancing distance and a smooth trajectory. The left-handed thrower needs only to reverse or flip the device such that the gripping strip is located on the left arm of the thrower when launching the clay pigeon.
The length of the thrower is unique and directly affects the speed of the launched clay pigeon. The handle may be gripped by one or two hands. The device is designed such that a comfortable swing generates sufficient force to send the clay pigeon ultimately beyond the range of a shotgun.
The invention is perfectly symmetrical with no moving parts, enhancing affordability, durability, and simplicity in use.
The thrower as illustrated in the figures consists of a straight circular handle 1 which is twelve inches in length and one and one-half inches in diameter. The end of the handle 2 flares out a half-inch to provide better grip and prevent slipping. The handle divides and separates into two straight arms 4. The point of separation 3 is in the shape of an arc or crescent conducive to the shape of the clay pigeon and is where the clay pigeon 8 is seated and cradled preparatory to launching the clay pigeon. Each arm 4 is sixteen inches in length.
The distance between the arms at the open point of the thrower 5 is four and three-eighths inches, wide enough to allow the clay pigeon to freely release during the swing of the thrower. The distance between the arms tapers slightly towards the handle such that at the point of the cradle 6 the distance between the arms is four and one-quarter inches. The tapered distance between the arms allows the clay pigeon to stay in place in the cradle before the swing/throw is started.
The two sixteen inch arms 4 are square in shape, one inch by one inch. There is a channel 7 located in the interior side of each arm. The recessed channel 7 is one-half inch wide and is located in the center of the interior side of the arms. The opening of the channel is slightly larger than the edge of the clay pigeon such that the clay pigeon can easily slide and roll along the channel. The depth of the channel is one-eighth of an inch. The width and depth of the channel are uniform throughout the length of the arms. Again, the distance between the channels is wide enough to load and accept the clay pigeon and allows the clay pigeon to roll and slide along the length of the arms, but narrow enough to keep the clay pigeon tracking within the channels and not falling out.
In one of the recessed channels 7 of the arm 4, a gripping strip is placed at the bottom of the channel where the edge of the clay pigeon will track. The gripping strip is placed only in one channel. For the right-handed thrower, the strip is to be located in the right arm of the device. As the thrower begins his swing, the inertia of the clay pigeon will force it against the right arm and the gripping strip within the channel. The gripping strip, along with the centrifugal force, will force the clay pigeon to start rolling down the length of the right arm rather than sliding. Conversely, the channel in the left arm is kept clear and smooth so as not to impede the rolling of the clay pigeon. The revolutions of the clay pigeon increase until it is released from the thrower. The rotation of the clay pigeon enhances aerodynamics and the flight of the clay pigeon. The orientation of the thrower is simply reversed for the left-handed thrower. Since the device is symmetrical, the left-handed thrower need only insure that the device is oriented with the gripping strip in the channel of the left arm of the device.
The invention is not limited to the precise description and the foregoing dimensions are illustrative and not definitive. Changes may be made to the foregoing description and embodiment without affecting the scope of the invention. For example, the length of the handle and arms may be lengthened or shortened and/or adjusted in size. Various gripping materials may be used to facilitate the rotation of the clay pigeon within the arms and channels. The preferred construction material is a polymer such as polypropylene for strength, durability and weight. However, the invention is equally functional with a wood or metal medium. Additionally, while a single piece of material is desired, multiple pieces of material may be joined and fastened to create a single unit.
