Catapult device

• US 3,974,820 A
• Filed: 03/10/1975
• Issued: 08/17/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Peter Paul Ott
• Original Assignee: Peter Paul Ott
• Inventors: Ott, Peter Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Browne, William R.
• Application Number:
  US05/556,662
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 124/20 R, 124/30 R, 124/41 R, 224/2 E, 224/2 F, 224/2 B, 224/2 R, 30/151, 30/153
• US Class Current: 124/20.1
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 3/02 Catapults, e.g. slingshots

Abstract

A portable catapult device that includes a wishbone shaped frame defined by an elongate shank and two laterally spaced forwardly disposed arms. The whole device composed of a molded one piece design. The arms support two transversely slotted heads. The slotted heads are removably engaged by two elongate elastic members in such a manner that when the members are tensioned by being drawn rearwardly and then released, a pouch connected to the rearward ends of the members in which a projectile is disposed in a self-centering position is propelled forwardly to remain in contact with the projectile until the pouch moves forwardly beyond the arms to a position that is substantially the length of the members. Due to the pouch remaining in contact with the projectile for the maximum length of travel, the projectile is discharged from the pouch with the maximum velocity possible with the particular resilient members that are used. The shank functions as a shield for the forearm of a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

A hunting catapult device.

Description of the Prior Art

Due to the increased population density, many areas that contain game are closed to hunters that use firearms. As a result, numerous hunters have resorted to a primitive weapon such as a bow and arrows to be able to take game in such areas. However, a bow and arrows is an assembly that is bulky and cumbersome to carry, and particularly difficult to maneuver and use in an area wholly or partially covered with brush. More important its design allows for the development of substantially more impact and accuracy than similar available devices.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an elastic actuated catapult that is portable, compact, light in weight, and easily carried in a brush covered area where game abounds but in which area the use of firearms is prohibited.

Another object of the invention is to supply a catapult in which the projectile automatically assumes a centered position in a pouch irrespective of whether the projectile is a single pellet, dart, or a number of buckshot.

A further object of the invention is to supply a catapult in which the elastic members are easily and quickly changed, and the frame portion of the invention serving not only as a steady rest for the user as the pouch is drawn to a projectile discharging position, but as a shield for the hand and wrist of the user most adjacent the frame of the invention during the discharge of the projectile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A portable catapult device that includes a wishbone shaped frame defined by an elongate shank and two laterally spaced forwardly disposed arms. The arms on their forward extremity develop into two transversely spaced slotted heads that are adapted to receive two elongate resilient members having enlarged first ends, which first ends bear against rearward surfaces defined on the heads. The resilient members extend forwardly through funnel shaped orifices in the heads, around forward portion of the heads, and then rearwardly along adjacent interior surfaces of the heads, with second ends of the resilient members secured to opposite sides of a tapered pouch of such structure that the projectile or projectiles disposed therein automatically assume centered positions.

The arms on their inner edges develop into a pair of flanges that extend rearwardly to merge into a depending pistol type grip. The end of the shank most remote from the grip develops into a transverse arcuate cross piece. When the grip is grasped the flanges serve as rests for the thumb and forefinger, with the cross piece when the device is so held being forced into pressure contact with the forearm of the user as the pouch is moved rearwardly to tension the two resilient members. When the pouch is released, the resilient members will catapult it and the projectile situated in a centered position therein forwardly, with the pouch remaining in engagement with the projectile until after the latter has moved forwardly between the arms to substantially the length of the elongate members forwardly therefrom. Due to the elastics being first wrapped around the heads then tensioned rearwardly, the pouch containing the projectile when released is thereby instantly snapped completely through the fork formed by the limbs and into its original forward extending attitude with the pouch then flipped inside out toward the target thus completing an absolute and complete follow-through. Due to the pouch remaining in contact with the projectile during the maximum length of travel of the contracting resilient members, maximum velocity is imparted to the projectile prior to it separating from the pouch. The pouch assures that the projectile will be centered automatically to assure maximum accuracy in the use of the device.

Claims

1. A portable hunting catapult device that may be carried by a user, said device of the type that includes a pouch having two spaced sidewalls capable of having a projectile disposed therebetween, two elongate laterally spaced elastomeric members that are secured to said side walls and extend forwardly therefrom, said members having forwardly disposed enlarged first end portions, as well as second end portions, and a wishbone shaped frame that includes an elongate shank having first and second ends and two laterally spaced arms that project forwardly from said first end, the improvement in said frame that includes:

a. two heads mounted on the forward extremities of said arms, said heads including external and interior side surfaces and forwardly disposed end surfaces, said heads having longitudinal bores therein that have funnel shaped rearward portions of such transverse cross section that said enlarged first end portions cannot pass therethrough when said elastomeric members extend forwardly through said bores to extend transversely across said end surfaces and then rearwardly along said exterior side surfaces to said pouch to which said second end portions are attached to said sidewalls thereof, said members after being tensioned by rearward movement of said pouch and projectile and subsequently released propelling said pouch and projectile forwardly between said arms, with said pouch remaining in contact with a projectile until said members have traveled forwardly from said arms substantially the length of said members in an untensioned condition, and a projectile having maximum velocity imparted thereto due to remaining in contact with said pouch for the maximum distance of travel;

b. a pistol type handle that depends from said shank rearwardly of said arms;

c. a cross piece supported from said second end of said shank that is forced into pressure contact with the forearm of a user when the hand associated with said forearm grasps said handle and said pouch is pulled rearwardly to tension said members;

d. two laterally spaced flanges that depend from said arms and that are pressure contacted by a thumb and forefinger of a user when a hand grasps said handle; and

said shank is of arcuate transverse cross section and serves as a shield when overlying said forearm of a user.

2. A catapult device as defined in claim 1 in which said elastomeric members are surgical hose and said catapult device in addition including:

e. two first spherical bodies are disposed in said hose causing the enlargements in said forwardly disposed first end portions.

3. A catapult device as defined in claim 2 in which said second end portions of said members are formed into loops that engage openings in said sidewalls of said pouch to support said pouch from said members.

4. A catapult device as defined in claim 1 that includes:

e. a receptacle for removably engaging a portion of said arms and shank at the junction thereof;

f. said receptacle including first means for removably supporting said receptacle from a portion of the garment of a user; and

g. second means for removably locking said catapult device in said receptacle in a carrying position.

5. A catapult device as defined in claim 4 in which said first means removably engages a belt of a user.