PROJECTILE AND THROWING APPARATUS AND GAME FOR PROJECTILE THROWING

• US 20140144417A1
• Filed: 02/27/2013
• Published: 05/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curtis Alan Evans
• Original Assignee: Curtis Alan Evans
• Inventors: EVANS, Curtis Alan
• Granted Patent: US 9,149,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 124/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/00 Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/14 Lacrosse
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/001 Annular
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0011 Grooves or lines
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/008 with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/20 having means, e.g. pockets, netting or adhesive type surfaces, for catching or holding a ball, e.g. for lacrosse or pelota
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/06 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/08 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/10 with means for indicating correct holding positions A63B60/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 65/122 Hand-held mechanical projectors, e.g. for balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/18 Badminton or similar games with feathered missiles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/183 Feathered missiles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 for handicapped persons
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 3/04 Centrifugal sling apparatus

Abstract

An improved projectile throwing apparatus is described comprising a handle, an elongate shaft, and a throwing head for throwing a projectile, such as a golf ball. The throwing head may be interchangeable with golf shafts of varied lengths, with lacrosse shafts, or other shafts to achieve accurate, long distance golf ball throws. The throwing head may be shaped to achieve throws of different distance, launch angle, and trajectory, optionally imparting spin with a retrograde ramp at the distal end of the throwing head. The throwing apparatus is useful for golf-type game play, including for those with physical disabilities, as well as for a training and instructional aid for golf, lacrosse, and other sports.

Claims

1. An apparatus for throwing a projectile comprising:

a handle means

an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end,

a throwing head, and

a throwing head connection means,

wherein said handle is either connected to said first end of said elongate shaft, or said handle is integrally formed at said first end of said elongate shaft;

wherein said second end of said elongate shaft is connected to said throwing head by said throwing head connection means, and

wherein said throwing head comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a throwing ramp of rigid construction situated between said proximal end and said distal end.

2. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said throwing head is adapted to throw a projectile, and

wherein said projectile is a golf ball.

3. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said elongate shaft has a length of about 8 inches to about 72 inches.

4. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said elongate shaft is selected from the group comprising a golf shaft, a lacrosse shaft, and a hockey stick shaft.

5. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said throwing head connection means comprises a quick-release mechanism for detaching and re-attaching said throwing head and said elongate shaft.

6. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said throwing head connection means comprises a quick-release mechanism for detaching and re-attaching said throwing head and said elongate shaft, and

wherein said quick release mechanism is selected from the group comprising spring and post detent, threads and grooves, a forked adapter with corresponding fork adapter receiver, a twist and lock detent, a ball bearing and sleeve, a connecting bolt fastener, a spring connecting arm with locking restraint, and a combination thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a projectile retention means,

wherein the projectile retention means comprises a cup, a pocket, an elasticized restraint, an elasticized restraint ring, a spring, a spring finger, or retention means to release the ball at a time within a throwing motion to cause a projectile to begin travel to the distal end of the throwing head.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the throwing ramp comprises a friction means, and

wherein said friction means is selected from the group comprising grooves, sandpaper, rubber, elastomer, plastic, serrations, indents, leather, coarse surface, silicone, teeth, gears, a track, two substantially parallel tracks, or a combination thereof, and

wherein said friction means is adapted to engage a projectile.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said throwing ramp is defined by at least two substantially parallel track members, wherein the distance between said track members is not on average more than 1.68 inches.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said throwing ramp comprises a retrograde terminus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said throwing ramp comprises a terminus with a partially helical dimension, and

wherein said terminus is adapted to impart spin to a projectile.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said throwing head has a height of about 5 inches to about 25 inches.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said throwing head further comprises a terminus angle adjustment mechanism to form a variable terminus angle.

14. A lacrosse-type throwing head apparatus for throwing a projectile, the apparatus comprising:

a throwing head,

wherein said throwing head comprises a proximal end, a means for connecting to a shaft, a distal end, and a throwing ramp situated between said proximal end and said distal end,

wherein said throwing ramp is of rigid construction.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a projectile retention means, wherein the projectile retention means comprises a cup, a pocket, an elasticized restraint, an elasticized restraint ring, a spring, a spring finger, or retention means to release the ball at a time within a throwing motion to cause a projectile to begin travel to the distal end of the throwing head.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the throwing ramp comprises a friction means, and

wherein said friction means is selected from the group comprising grooves, sandpaper, rubber, elastomer, plastic, serrations, indents, leather, coarse surface, silicone, teeth, gears, a track, two substantially parallel tracks, or a combination thereof, and

wherein said friction means is adapted to engage a projectile.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said throwing ramp is defined by at least two substantially parallel track members, wherein the distance between said track members is not more than 1.68 inches.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said throwing ramp comprises a retrograde terminus.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said throwing ramp has terminus with a partially helical dimension, and

wherein said terminus is adapted to impart spin to a projectile.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for connecting to a shaft is selected from the group comprising:

(1) an orifice to accept a mating part, wherein said mating part is selected from the group comprising a lacrosse shaft, a hockey shaft, a golf shaft connector, and a quick release mechanism, and

(2) a male connector adapted to engage a female receptor, and wherein said female receptor is adapted to mate with an object selected from a group comprising a lacrosse shaft, a hockey shaft, a golf shaft, and a quick release mechanism.

21. An apparatus for throwing a projectile from a lacrosse head, the apparatus comprising:

a throwing head constructed of solid material,

a means for securing said throwing head to a lacrosse head,

wherein said throwing head comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a throwing ramp situated between said proximal end and said distal end, and

wherein said throwing head once secured to a lacrosse head defines an area substantially inside the pocket of the lacrosse head where a projectile may be launched without interference from the lacrosse head and without interference from webbing deployed on the lacrosse head.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said throwing head is configured to throw a golf ball sized projectile.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said means for securing said throwing head comprises at least one fastener to secure said throwing head to a lacrosse head rail and thereby into the pocket of a lacrosse head.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a lacrosse head adapted to accept said means for securing said throwing head.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said means for securing said throwing head to a lacrosse head comprises a shaft connector for connecting said throwing head to a shaft, and a lacrosse head connector for connecting said throwing head to a portion of a lacrosse head.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said throwing ramp is defined by at least two substantially parallel track members, wherein the distance between said track members is not more than 1.68 inches.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said throwing ramp comprises a retrograde terminus.