Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6823855
-
Patent Number
6,823,855
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, July 9, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 30, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 033 265
- 124 201
- 124 202
- 124 203
- 124 352
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A slingshot device having an improved target hitting rate. The slingshot device includes a slingshot, which is provided with a front sight and a handgrip, and a releaser, which is provided with a rear sight. The releaser is used to stretch an elastic band of the slingshot. The drawing distance of the elastic band is adjusted by changing the position of the handgrip. The front sight is movable in directions that are perpendicular to the shooting direction of a pellet. The rear sight has a sight slit, which is used to determine the drawing direction of the elastic band.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to a slingshot, a slingshot releaser, and a releaser-incorporated slingshot device.
In the prior art, to shoot a slingshot, a user sets a pellet in a pellet pouch, which is attached to an elastic band, such as a rubber tube. The user then draws the elastic band while holding the pellet pouch and takes aim at a target. Since the user relies only on his or her eyes when taking aim, the target hitting rate is low in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a slingshot, a slingshot releaser, and a releaser-incorporated slingshot device that improves the target hitting rate.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a slingshot including an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet and has two ends, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band. The slingshot includes a main body. First and second connecting elements connect the two ends of the elastic band to the main body. The first and second connecting elements are separated from each other on the main body. The pellet is shot through a shooting space defined between the first and second connecting elements. A front sight is attached to the main body near one of the first and second connecting elements.
A further perspective of the present invention is a releaser of a slingshot. The slingshot includes an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band. The releaser includes a clamp for holding the pouch. The clamp is selectively arranged at a closed position, in which the clamp holds the pouch, and an opened position, in which the clamp releases the pouch. A rear sight is arranged near the clamp.
A further perspective of the present invention is a slingshot device including a slingshot and a releaser. The slingshot includes a main body, an elastic band having two ends and connected to the main body to shoot a pellet, and a pouch connected to the elastic band. First and second connecting elements connect the two ends of the elastic band to the main body. The first and second connecting elements are separated from each other on the main body. The pellet is shot through a shooting space defined between the first and second connecting elements. A front sight is attached to the main body near one of the first and second connecting elements. A releaser stretches the elastic band. The releaser includes a clamp for holding the pouch. The clamp is selectively arranged at a closed position, in which the clamp holds the pouch, and an opened position, in which the clamp releases the pouch. A rear sight is arranged near the clamp.
A further perspective of the present invention is a slingshot including an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet and has two ends, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band. The slingshot includes a frame extending in a direction the pellet is shot and a front sight base attached to the frame. The front sight base is movable in a first direction, which is perpendicular to the frame. A front sight is attached to the front sight base. The front sight is movable in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the frame and to the first direction. Two brackets are fixed to the frame. Each of the two brackets supports one of the two ends of the elastic band. The two brackets are separated from each other in the first direction. First and second connecting elements are each fixed to one of the two brackets. The first and second connecting elements connect the ends of the elastic band to the two brackets. A handgrip is attached to the frame. The handgrip is moved along the frame to change the distance from the handgrip to the first and second connecting elements.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a plan view showing a releaser-incorporated slingshot device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a side view showing the slingshot device of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 3A
is a front view of the slingshot taken from line
3
A—
3
A of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3B
is an enlarged view showing a front sight of
FIG. 3A
;
FIG. 4A
is a front view of a releaser taken from line
4
A—
4
A of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4B
is a cross-sectional view of the releaser of
FIG. 4A
;
FIG. 5
is a plan view showing the slingshot device of
FIG. 1
in a state set for a right-handed user;
FIG. 6A
is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a handgrip of the slingshot of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 6B
is a partially cross-sectional view showing a front sight base and a positioning screw;
FIG. 7
is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an elastic band and an anchor connector;
FIG. 8A
is a front view showing a further example of a releaser;
FIG. 8B
is a cross-sectional view of the releaser of
FIG. 8A
; and
FIG. 9
is a plan view showing the slingshot device of
FIG. 1
in a state set for a left-handed user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A preferred embodiment of a releaser-incorporated slingshot device
10
according to the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawings.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the releaser-incorporated slingshot device
10
includes a slingshot
11
and a releaser
12
, which is arranged behind the slingshot
11
during usage. The user holds the slingshot
11
with one hand and holds the releaser
12
with the other hand. The slingshot
11
includes a main body
15
, an elastic band (power band)
13
, which is connected to the main body
15
, and a pouch
14
, which is attached to the elastic band
13
. It is preferred that the elastic band
13
be a rubber tube and that the pouch
14
be made of natural leather or synthetic leather. The releaser
12
holds a pellet
73
and the pellet pouch
14
. The main body
15
has a support frame
18
and a front sight base
19
, which is supported by the support frame
18
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the front sight base
19
is attached to the support frame
18
at a right angle.
The support frame
18
supports an arm brace
17
. A handgrip
20
is fixed to the front end of the arm brace
17
. A semicylindrical armrest
21
is fixed to the rear end of the arm brace
17
. The handgrip
20
and the armrest
21
are arranged on the left side of the arm brace
17
, as viewed in
FIG. 1. A
guide sleeve
22
is attached to the arm brace
17
. The support frame
18
is inserted through the guide sleeve
22
. The guide sleeve
22
is axially movable along the support frame
18
. As shown in
FIG. 6A
, the support frame
18
is hollow. The support frame
18
has a left wall
23
, as viewed in FIG.
6
A. The left wall
23
has a plurality of positioning holes
24
arranged in the longitudinal direction of the support frame
18
. A positioning pin
25
is provided on the distal end of the arm brace
17
. A compression coil spring
26
urges the positioning pin
25
so that the positioning pin
25
engages one of the positioning holes
24
. The guide sleeve
22
has a right wall in which a fastening screw
27
is arranged and a bottom wall in which a fastening screw
28
is arranged, as viewed in FIG.
6
A. When the fastening screws
27
,
28
are fastened, the distal ends of the fastening screws
27
,
28
are respectively abutted against the right wall and the bottom wall of the support frame
18
. This fixes the guide sleeve
22
to the support frame
18
. When the user loosens the fastening screws
27
,
28
and pulls out the positioning pin
25
from the positioning hole
24
against the elastic force of the compression coil spring
26
, the guide sleeve
22
, together with the front sight base
19
, may be moved along the support frame
18
to change the distance L between the handgrip
20
and the front sight base
19
. After moving the guide sleeve
22
to obtain the desired distance L, the user engages the positioning pin
25
with the corresponding positioning hole
24
and fastens the fastening screws
27
,
28
to position the guide sleeve
22
(i.e., handgrip
20
) on the support frame
18
.
Referring to
FIG. 3A
, a connecting plate
29
a
is fixed to the front end of the support frame
18
. The connecting plate
29
a
connects two U-shaped arms, or upper and lower anchor brackets
29
. The upper anchor bracket
29
is located above the support frame
18
, and the lower anchor bracket
29
is located below the support frame
18
. A connecting element, or anchor connector
30
, is attached to each anchor bracket
29
. The anchor brackets
29
connect the elastic band
13
to the main body
15
(FIG.
1
). Accordingly, the anchor brackets
29
and the connecting plates
29
a
support the anchor connectors
30
on the support frame
18
.
FIG. 7
is a cross-sectional view of the lower anchor bracket
29
and the elastic band
13
. The anchor connector
30
is hollow and has a cylindrical portion and a conical portion. The cylindrical portion has an inner cylindrical surface
35
, and the conical portion has an inner conical surface (engaging surface)
35
a
. The surfaces
35
,
35
a
define an engaging hole
32
. The anchor connector
30
has a front opening (first opening)
34
and a rear opening (second opening)
33
, which are connected by a slit
36
that extends through the side wall of the anchor connector
30
(FIG.
3
A). The two ends
13
a
of the elastic band
13
are each connected to one of the two anchor connectors
30
. More specifically, a ball
37
is inserted in each end
13
a
of the elastic band
13
. The elastic band
13
extends through the rear openings
33
of the anchor connectors
30
, and each end
13
a
of the elastic band
13
is held between the corresponding ball
37
and conical surface
35
a
. This prevents the elastic band
13
from falling out of the anchor connectors
30
. The slits
36
facilitate the attachment of the elastic band
13
to the anchor connector
30
. Referring to
FIG. 7
, it is preferred that the two ends
13
a
be relatively thick or that the two ends
13
a
each be folded in an overlapping manner. Since the portion of the elastic body
13
that contacts the walls of the rear openings
33
are relatively thick, the elastic band
13
is prevented from tearing and securely attached to the anchor connectors
30
.
A pellet (ammo)
73
is shot through a shooting space
31
defined between the upper and lower anchor connectors
30
.
Referring to
FIG. 3A
, a threaded shaft
38
, which extends horizontally, is attached to the upper portion of the front sight base
19
. The threaded shaft
38
has a basal end, which is engaged with nuts
40
,
41
. The position of the threaded shaft
38
relative to the front sight base
19
is determined by the nuts
40
,
41
. A front sight
39
is attached to the distal end of the threaded shaft
38
. The front sight
39
is arranged at the outer side of the shooting space
31
and along a line connecting the upper and lower anchor connectors
30
. The front sight
39
includes a ring
44
, a sight point
42
, and a level
43
, which are used to take aim. In the preferred embodiment, the distal end of a threaded pin
45
, which is engaged with the ring
44
, is used as the sight point
42
.
A guide sleeve
46
is fixed to the front end of the support frame
18
. Referring to
FIG. 6B
, the guide sleeve
46
includes a positioning screw
48
. When the positioning screw
48
is loosened, vertical movement of the front sight base
19
through the guide sleeve
46
is permitted. Further, in this state, the front sight base
19
may be removed from the guide sleeve
46
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, a gauge
47
is provided on the right surface of the front sight base
19
. The user refers to the gauge
47
to adjust the position of the front sight base
19
and fastens the positioning screw
48
to fix the front sight base
19
to the guide sleeve
46
. This adjusts the height of the front sight
39
.
FIG. 4A
is a front view of the releaser
12
, and
FIG. 4B
is a cross-sectional view of the releaser
12
. The releaser
12
includes a grip
12
a
and a clamp
49
, which holds the pellet pouch
14
. The clamp
49
has two arms
50
, which are selectively arranged between an opened position and a closed position. Opposing holding rollers
51
are arranged on the distal ends of the two arms
50
. The holding rollers
51
are rotatable. A clamp drive mechanism
52
opens and closes the arms
50
. More specifically, the clamp drive mechanism
52
includes a trigger
53
and a slider
54
. The slider
54
slides when the user operates the trigger
53
. When the slider
54
is located at a front position, the basal ends of the upper and lower arms
50
are arranged close to each other. This closes the arms
50
. When the slider
54
is located at a rear position, the basal ends of the upper and lower arms
50
are separated from each other. This opens the arms
50
.
A rear sight
56
is attached to the releaser
12
by means of a bracket
55
. The rear sight
56
includes a rear sight plate
59
and a holding base
58
, which supports the rear sight plate
59
. A pin
57
a
pivotally supports the holding base
58
. A spherical body
60
and a compression coil spring
61
, which biases the spherical body
60
in an upward direction, are arranged in the bracket
55
. Two recesses
62
a
,
62
b
are formed in the holding base
58
. When the rear sight plate
59
is held upright, the spherical body
60
engages the recess
62
a
. When the rear sight plate
59
is folded, the spherical body
60
engages the recess
62
b
. The position of the rear sight plate
59
is determined by fastening the pin
57
a
with a nut
57
b.
The rear sight plate
59
includes two apertures, or upper and lower sight points
63
,
64
. More specifically, the lower sight point
63
is separated by distance H
63
from a plane of contact between the two rollers
51
, and the upper sight point
64
is separated by distance H
64
from the plane of contact between the two rollers
51
. A lower vertical reference line, or lower sight slit
65
, extends in the longitudinal direction of the rear sight plate
59
along a line connecting the clamp
49
and the lower sight point
63
. An upper vertical reference line, or upper sight slit
66
, extends along a line connecting the lower sight point
63
and the upper sight point
65
.
FIGS. 8A and 8B
show a further example of the releaser
12
b
. The releaser
12
b
includes a movable rear sight plate
67
, which is removable. The structure of the releaser
12
b
is the same as that of the releaser
12
of
FIG. 4
except for the movable rear sight plate
67
. The movable rear sight plate
67
is movable along the upper sight slit
66
of the rear sight plate
59
. A fastening screw
68
fastens the movable rear sight plate
67
to the rear sight plate
59
. The movable rear sight plate
67
has a movable sight point
69
and a movable vertical reference line, or movable sight slit
70
, extending along a line that connects the movable sight point
69
and the fastening screw
68
. The movable sight point
69
and the movable sight slit
70
are used to take aim at a target. The distance H
69
between the plane of contact between the rollers
51
and the movable sight point
69
is adjusted by moving the movable rear sight plate
67
along the rear sight plate
59
. The movable rear sight plate
67
has a round window
71
, through which the upper sight point
64
of the rear sight plate
59
is exposed, and a slit, or elongated window
72
, through which the upper sight slit
66
and the lower sight point
63
are exposed.
The procedure for using the releaser-incorporated slingshot device
10
will now be discussed.
FIGS. 1
,
2
, and
5
show an example of the releaser-incorporated slingshot device
10
, which is used by a right-handed user.
The clamp
49
of the releaser
12
or
12
b
is first opened. The pellet
73
is enveloped in the pellet pouch
14
. The pellet pouch
14
is then arranged in the clamp
49
and the clamp
49
is closed. This fixes the pellet
73
to the releaser
12
or
12
b
. The user grips the handgrip
20
of the slingshot
11
so that the front sight
39
is faced upward and his or her arm rests in the armrest
21
. Further, the user grips the grip
12
a
of the releaser
12
or
12
b
with his or her right hand. Then, the user draws and stretches the elastic band
13
. The user inclines the slingshot
11
upward or downward to determine the angle of the slingshot
11
with respect to a reference plane
412
(i.e., shooting angle θ, refer to
FIG. 2
) in accordance with the height of and distance to the target. The user also uses the level
43
and corrects the holding position of the slingshot
11
so that a vertical reference plane
513
of the slingshot
11
is vertical. The user aligns the sight points
63
,
64
, or
69
of the rear sight
56
with the sight point
42
of the front sight
39
on the slingshot
11
to take aim at a target along sight line I
63
, I
64
, or I
69
. Further, the user adjusts the position of the releaser
12
so that elastic band
13
may be seen through the sight slits
65
,
66
,
70
of the rear sight
56
. That is, the user adjusts the position of the releaser
12
so that the pellet
73
is arranged along the vertical reference plane
513
. When the user operates the trigger
53
and opens the clamp
49
, the elastic force of the elastic band
13
shoots the pellet
73
through the shooting space
31
.
The preferred embodiment may be modified as described below.
FIG. 9
shows an example of the releaser-incorporated slingshot
11
used by a left-handed user. In this case, the slingshot
11
is set so that the handgrip
20
extends from the right side of the slingshot
11
. The user loosens the positioning screw
48
to remove the front sight base
19
from the guide sleeve
46
. Then, the user turns the slingshot
11
upside down and reattaches the front sight base
19
to the guide sleeve
46
so that the front sight
39
is faced upward. The user holds the handgrip
20
with his or her right hand and holds the releaser
12
or
12
b
with the other hand. The left-hand slingshot
11
is otherwise used in the same manner as the right-hand slingshot
11
.
The level
43
of the front sight
39
does not have to be used to change the angle of the slingshot
11
with respect to the horizontal reference plane
412
. Accordingly, the level
43
may be eliminated.
The pellet
73
may be shot using only the slingshot
11
.
The front sight base
19
may have an additional front sight
39
located under the lower anchor connector
30
along a line connecting the anchor connectors
30
. This enables the slingshot
11
to be used by both right-handed and left-handed users without having to remove the front sight base
19
. In this case, the two front sights
39
may both be removable from the front sight base
19
.
The user may hold the slingshot
11
so that the handgrip
20
is located at a position lower than the support frame
18
. In other words, the slingshot
11
may be held so that the two anchor connectors
30
are arranged horizontally. In such a case, it is preferred that the front sight
39
be attached to the front sight base
19
above the shooting space
31
defined between the two anchor connectors
30
.
The preferred embodiment has the advantages described below.
The front sight
39
of the slingshot
11
improves the target hitting rate.
The front sight
39
includes the sight point
42
and the level
43
. The level
43
is useful for preventing the slingshot
11
from being held in a tilted manner. The user uses the level
43
to correctly hold the slingshot
11
and uses the sight point
42
to shoot the pellet
73
at a target. This further improves the target hitting rate of the slingshot
11
.
The front sight
39
is movable along a plane
523
, which is perpendicular to the shooting direction of the pellet
73
(forward direction). In other words, the height and horizontal position of the front sight
39
is adjustable. Accordingly, the front sight
39
is positioned at the optimal location in accordance with the user. This facilitates aiming for various users and improves the target hitting rate of the slingshot
11
.
The front sight
39
is located near the anchor connectors
30
and outside the shooting space
31
. More specifically, the front sight
39
is arranged along a line connecting the two anchor connectors
30
and above the upper anchor connector
30
. Since the front sight
39
is located outside the shooting path of the pellet
73
, the pellet
73
is shot smoothly without being interfered by the front sight
39
.
The front sight base
19
may be removed from the support frame
18
. Thus, the front sight
39
may be arranged at an optimal position regardless of with which hand the user holds the slingshot
11
. Accordingly, the slingshot
11
is easy to use.
The slingshot
11
is provided with the handgrip
20
and the armrest
21
. This enables the user to securely grip the slingshot
11
.
The distance L between the handgrip
20
and the two anchor connectors
30
is adjustable. Thus, the drawing length of the elastic band
13
can be adjusted. For example, when shooting a far target, the distance L is increased. When shooting a relatively near target, the distance L is decreased. Further, the slingshot
11
may be held properly regardless of the user's build.
Each anchor connector
30
has the rear opening
33
, the diameter of which is smaller than the ball
37
, and the front opening
34
, the diameter of which is larger than the ball
37
. When the elastic band
13
is stretched toward the rear, each end
13
a
of the elastic band
13
engages the conical surface
35
a
of the corresponding anchor connector
30
. This prevents the ends
13
a
of the elastic band
13
from falling out of the rear openings
33
.
The relatively thick portions of the elastic band
13
come into contact with the rear openings
33
. This prevents the elastic body
13
from tearing and rigidly connects the elastic band
13
to the anchor connectors
30
.
Part of the elastic band
13
is exposed from the front openings
34
. This facilitates the replacement of the elastic band
13
. The slit
36
extends through the wall of each anchor connector
30
to connect the rear opening
33
and the front opening
34
. This facilitates the attachment and replacement of the elastic band
13
.
The releasers
12
,
12
b
are each provided with the clamp
49
, which holds the pellet
73
, and the rear sight
56
. The rear sight
56
increases the target hitting rate of the slingshot device
10
.
The rear sight
56
includes the sight points
63
,
64
,
69
, which are used when taking aim, and sight slits
65
,
66
,
70
, which are used to adjust the drawing direction of the elastic band
13
. The elastic band
13
is drawn in a manner that the elastic band
13
is seen through the sight slits
65
,
66
,
70
. This properly draws the elastic band
13
in a direction opposite the shooting direction. As a result, the target hitting rate of the slingshot device
10
is improved.
The rear sight
56
has the sight points
63
,
64
,
69
. The optimal one of the sight points
63
,
64
,
69
is selected in accordance with the target position, the shooting angle θ, and the user. Thus, the slingshot
11
is held at the optimal position when shooting the pellet
73
. Accordingly, the target hitting rate of the slingshot device
10
is improved.
As shown in
FIG. 3A
, the handgrip
20
is arranged between the two anchor brackets
29
(anchor connectors
30
). Accordingly, the slingshot
11
is held in a stable manner when the elastic band
13
is drawn.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A slingshot including an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet and has two ends, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band, the slingshot comprising:a main body; first and second connecting elements for connecting the two ends of the elastic band to the main body, wherein the first and second connecting elements are separated from each other on the main body, and the pellet is shot through a shooting space defined between the first and second connecting elements; and a front sight attached to the main body near one of the first and second connecting elements and located outside the shooting space.
- 2. The slingshot according to claim 1, wherein the front sight is arranged along a line connecting the first and second connecting elements.
- 3. The slingshot according to claim 1, wherein the first and second connecting elements have a slit for facilitating the attachment of the elastic band to the first and second connecting elements.
- 4. A slingshot including an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet and has two ends, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band, the slingshot comprising:a main body; first and second connecting elements for connecting the two ends of the elastic band to the main body, wherein the first and second connecting elements are separated from each other on the main body, and the pellet is shot through a shooting space defined between the first and second connecting elements; and a front sight attached to the main body selectively at a first position, which is close to the first connecting element, and a second position, which is close to the second connecting element.
- 5. A slingshot including an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet and has two ends, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band, the slingshot comprising:a main body; first and second connecting elements for connecting the two ends of the elastic band to the main body, wherein the first and second connecting elements are separated from each other on the main body, and the pellet is shot through a shooting space defined between the first and second connecting elements; and a front sight attached to the main body near one of the first and second connecting elements, wherein the front sight includes a sight point, which is used to take aim, and a level.
- 6. A slingshot including an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet and has two ends, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band, the slingshot comprising:a main body; first and second connecting elements for connecting the two ends of the elastic band to the main body, wherein the first and second connecting elements are separated from each other on the main body, and the pellet is shot through a shooting space defined between the first and second connecting elements; and a front sight attached to the main body near one of the first and second connecting elements, wherein the position of the front sight is adjustable along a plane that is perpendicular to the shooting direction of the pellet.
- 7. The slingshot according to claim 6, wherein the main body includes:a support frame for supporting the first and second connecting elements; and a front sight base movably attached to the support frame to support the front sight, wherein the front sight base is supported by the support frame so that the front sight base is movable in a direction parallel to a line connecting the first and second connecting elements, and the front sight is supported by the front sight base so that the front sight movable in a direction intersecting the line connecting the first and second connecting elements.
- 8. The slingshot according to claim 7, further comprising:an arm brace attached to the support frame, wherein the arm brace includes a handgrip, and the arm brace is movable in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the front sight base.
- 9. A slingshot including an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet and has two ends, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band, the slingshot comprising:a main body; first and second connecting elements for connecting the two ends of the elastic band to the main body, wherein the first and second connecting elements are separated from each other on the main body, and the pellet is shot through a shooting space defined between the first and second connecting elements; wherein each of the first and second connecting elements is hollow and has a first opening, which is opened in the shooting direction of the pellet, a second opening, which is opened in a direction opposite to the shooting direction of the pellet, and an engaging surface, which is defined between the first and second openings, and wherein the elastic band extends through the second opening and is held by the engaging surface; and a front sight attached to the main body near one of the first and second connecting elements.
- 10. The slingshot according to claim 9, wherein the elastic band is an elastic tube having two ends with a ball being held in each of the ends, the first opening has a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the ball, the second opening has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the ball, and the engaging surface is conical.
- 11. A releaser of a slingshot, wherein the slingshot includes an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band, the releaser comprising:a clamp for holding the pouch, wherein the clamp is selectively arranged at a closed position, in which the clamp holds the pouch, and an opened position, in which the clamp releases the pouch; and a rear sight arranged near the clamp, wherein the rear sight includes a sight point used when taking aim and a sight slit used to adjust a direction in which the elastic band is drawn.
- 12. The releaser according to claim 11, wherein the sight point is one of a plurality of sight points, each sight point separated by a different distance from the clamp.
- 13. The releaser according to claim 11, wherein the sight point is movable and the distance between the sight point and the clamp is adjustable.
- 14. A slingshot device comprising:a slingshot including: a main body; an elastic band having two ends and connected to the main body to shoot a pellet; a pouch connected to the elastic band; first and second connecting elements for connecting the two ends of the elastic band to the main body, wherein the first and second connecting elements are separated from each other on the main body, and the pellet is shot through a shooting space defined between the first and second connecting elements; and a front sight attached to the main body near one of the first and second connecting elements and located outside the shooting space; and a releaser for stretching the elastic band, wherein the releaser includes: a clamp for holding the pouch, wherein the clamp is selectively arranged at a closed position, in which the clamp holds the pouch, and an opened position, in which the clamp releases the pouch; and a rear sight arranged near the clamp.
- 15. A slingshot including an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet and has two ends, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band, the slingshot comprising:a frame extending in a direction the pellet is shot; a front sight base attached to the frame, wherein the front sight base is movable in a first direction, which is perpendicular to the frame; a front sight attached to the front sight base, wherein the front sight is movable to a second direction, which is perpendicular to the frame and to the first direction; two brackets fixed to the frame, wherein each of the two brackets supports one of the two ends of the elastic band, and wherein the two brackets are separated from each other in the first direction; first and second connecting elements each fixed to one of the two brackets, wherein the first and second connecting elements connect the ends of the elastic band to the two brackets; and a handgrip attached to the frame, wherein the handgrip is moved along the frame to change the distance from the handgrip to the first and second connecting elements.
- 16. The slingshot according to claim 15, wherein the elastic band is an elastic tube having two ends with a ball being held in each of the ends, wherein each of the first and second connecting elements is hollow and has a front opening, which is opened in the shooting direction of the pellet and has a diameter that is larger than that of the associated ball, a rear opening, which is opened in a direction opposite to the shooting direction of the pellet and has a diameter that is smaller than that of the associated ball, and a conical surface, which defines the rear opening.
- 17. The slingshot according to claim 16, wherein the elastic band is extended through the rear opening of each connecting element and held between the corresponding conical surface and ball.
- 18. The slingshot according to claim 15, wherein the front sight base is removable from the frame and may be selectively arranged at a first position, which is close to the first connecting element, and a second position, which is close to the second connecting element.
- 19. A slingshot including an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet and has two ends, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band, the slingshot comprising:a main body; first and second connecting elements for connecting the two ends of the elastic band to the main body, wherein the first and second connecting elements are separated from each other on the main body, and the pellet is shot through a shooting space defined between the first and second connecting elements; and an adjustable front sight attached to the main body and located outside the shooting space.
- 20. A releaser of a slingshot, wherein the slingshot includes an elastic band, which is used to shoot a pellet, and a pouch, which is connected to the elastic band, and wherein the releaser is a separate member of the slingshot and, the releaser comprising:a clamp for holding the pouch, wherein the clamp is selectively arranged at a closed position, in which the clamp holds the pouch, and an opened position, in which the clamp releases the pouch; and a rear sight arranged near the clamp, wherein the rear sight is foldable.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2001-251297 |
Aug 2001 |
JP |
|
2001-283846 |
Sep 2001 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (9)