Patent Application
20220233931
In general, the present invention relates to handheld devices that are used to throw a ball. More particularly, the present invention relates to handheld devices with scoops that can be used to both lift a ball off the ground and throw the ball at an increased velocity.
There are many devices that can be used to help a person throw a ball farther and faster. Many such devices have a scoop for holding a ball and a shaft for swinging the scoop. Many different forms of the scoop exist for throwing and catching a ball. For example, the sports of lacrosse and jai alai both have specialized scoops for throwing and catching balls.
Scoops are also commonly used to throw balls to dogs. This is because a scoop not only enables a person to throw the ball farther but it also enables a person to lift the ball without having to touch the ball with his/her hands. In this manner, the dog has to run farther to retrieve the ball and the person playing with the dog does not have to touch the dog's saliva present on the ball. Scoops specifically designed to throw balls to pets are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,039 to Cornelio and US Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0079243 to Ren.
Regardless of whether a scoop is used for a sport or if it is used for throwing a ball to a dog, there is a common problem shared by prior art throwing devices with scoops. In particular, it takes a good amount of skill to use the scoop to lift a stationary ball from the ground. In order to lift a ball from the ground, the scoop must be hooked under the ball without inadvertently moving the ball up and away from the scoop. This maneuver is difficult to master. As a result, many people inadvertently knock the ball away from the scoop as they attempt to capture the ball with the scoop.
In the prior art, the scoop on a typical throwing device has a single access point. As a result, a ball must enter and leave the scoop at the same general point. In order to throw a ball effectively, the opening of the scoop is generally perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. Although this orientation is good for throwing a ball, this orientation is very poor for retrieving a ball from the ground. If the shaft of the throwing device is straight and the scoop is perpendicular to the handle, the shaft must be positioned very close to the ground before the scoop is oriented in a manner that enables it to lift a ball. Such configurations are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,684 to Weissmann and U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,349 to Parker.
In order to make the lifting of a ball easier, a throwing device can use a curved shaft. Such configurations are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,001 to Fitt and U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,829 to Oblack. The curve of the shaft makes it easier to orient the scoop opening against a ball on the ground. However, the curve in the shaft detracts from the throwing capabilities of the device. As such, a compromise must be used where the throwing capability of the device is sacrificed in order to enhance the ease of ball retrieval.
A need therefore exists for an improved throwing device that can be easily used to retrieve a ball from the ground, without compromising the ability of the device to throw a ball. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.
The present invention is a throwing device for efficiently throwing a ball of a given ball diameter. The throwing device is specifically configured to work with any ball that has the same ball diameter. The throwing device has a scoop. The scoop has a closed end, a first ball opening and a second ball opening. The second ball opening is positioned opposite the closed end. The first ball opening is disposed between the closed end and the second ball opening. The first ball opening and the second ball opening intersect on the scoop at an intersect angle that is near perpendicular.
The first ball opening has a first diameter that is at least as large as the ball diameter. The second ball opening has a second diameter that is smaller than the ball diameter. The second ball opening expands to a size larger than the ball diameter when the ball is biased against the second ball opening with a sufficient force. This enables the ball to pass into the scoop through the second opening.
A shaft extends from the closed end of the scoop. The shaft terminates with a handle. The shaft is contoured to enable a standing person to position the second ball opening of the scoop against a ball on the ground. The contour of the shaft also enables a standing person to swing the scoop and cause the ball to exit the scoop through the first ball opening at the arc of the swing.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Although the present invention throwing system can be embodied in many ways, only one exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The exemplary embodiment is being shown for the purposes of explanation and description. The exemplary embodiment is selected in order to set forth one of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.
Referring to
The scoop 14 is positioned at the first end 18 of the shaft 16. The opposite second end 24 of the shaft terminates with a handle 26 for grip comfort. The shaft 16 and handle 26 have a combined length L1. The length L1 may vary depending upon the stature of the intended user. The preferred length L1 is between 50 cm and 70 cm.
The shaft 16 has a straight section 28 and an inclined section 30. The straight section 28 progresses along a first axis 32 for a distance between 70 percent and 90 percent of the overall length L1. The inclined section 30 is the shorter section and progresses along a second axis 34. The second axis 34 is co-planar with the first axis 32 but is inclined relative to the first axis 32 by a preferred offset angle of between 30 degrees and 45 degrees.
Referring to
The first ball opening 20 has a maximum diameter D2, which is equal to, or slightly larger than, the diameter D1 of the ball 11. Consequently, the ball 11 can pass through the first ball opening 20 with little or no resistance. Conversely, the second ball opening 22 has a minimum diameter D3 that is slightly smaller than the diameter D1 of the ball 11. The second ball opening 22 is defined within a beveled section 40. Within the beveled section 40, the second ball opening 22 flares from its minimum diameter D3, that is smaller than the diameter D1 of the ball 11, to a larger rim diameter that is larger than the diameter D1 of the ball 11.
A slotted opening 42 is formed into the structure of the scoop 14 opposite the first ball opening 20. Both the slotted opening 42 and the first ball opening 20 intersect the second ball opening 22. Since the slotted opening 42 and the first ball opening 20 are on opposite sides of the scoop 14 and both openings are joined by the second ball opening 22, the scoop 14 is divided into two opposing segments 44, 46. The first segment 44 extends from the first ball opening 20 to the slotted opening 42 in a first direction. The second segment 46 is the mirror image and extends from the first ball opening 20 to the slotted opening 42 in the opposite direction. The division of the scoop 14 into a first segment 44 and a second segment 46, enables the first segment 44 and the second segment 46 to independently flex in opposite directions. The minimum diameter D3 of the second ball opening 22 is interposed between the first segment 44 and the second segment 46. Since the first segment 44 and the second segment 46 can flex, the minimum diameter D3 of the second ball opening 22 can change.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to all figures, it can be understood that to use the throwing device 12, the throwing device 12 is first used to retrieve a ball 11 from the ground. This is done by simply positioning the scoop 14 above the ball 11 and pressing the scoop 14 against the ball 11. At this point, the ball 11 will enter the interior 36 of the scoop 14. The throwing device 12 can then be rapidly moved through an arc, wherein the ball 11 will exit the scoop 14 at or near the apex of the arc. The result is that the ball 11 is picked-up and thrown without ever being directly contacted by a user.
It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. For instance, the length, width and curve of the throwing device can be changed to accommodate different sized balls. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
