Throw and fetch equipment and systems using interchangeable projectile holder elements

• US 9,392,768 B1
• Filed: 08/31/2015
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Make Ideas, LLC
• Original Assignee: Make Ideas, LLC
• Inventors: Mullin, Keith Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): ABBOTT-LEWIS, YVONNE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US14/841,512
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 119/707, 119/702, 273/123.R, 273/398, 473/510, 473/512, 473/513, 124/5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/02 Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals A01K15/04 takes precedence; Electric shock devices circuits therefor H03K3/537; Toys specially adapted for animals
• 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: F41B 3/04 Centrifugal sling apparatus

Abstract

A throw and fetch system includes a universal handle, at least two projectiles, and at least two interchangeable projectile holder elements. A first projectile has a first size and/or shape, and a second projectile has a second size and/or shape. A first interchangeable projectile holder element has an interior that is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the first projectile, and a second interchangeable projectile holder element has an interior that is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the second projectile. In a first state the first projectile holder element is attached to a distal end of the universal handle such that the first projectile may be held then thrown therefrom by a user, and in a second state the second projectile holder element is attached such that the second projectile may be held then thrown therefrom by the user.

Claims

1. A throw and fetch apparatus, comprising:

a universal handle;

a projectile;

an interchangeable projectile holder element, having an interior that is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the projectile, wherein in a first state the projectile holder element is attached to a distal end of the universal handle, and wherein in a second state the interchangeable projectile holder element is detached from the distal end of the universal handle such that an alternative interchangeable projectile holder element, having an interior sized and shaped to correspond to an alternative projectile, may be attached thereto; and

wherein the universal handle includes a handgrip at a proximal end thereof, a projectile holder base for attachment to the interchangeable projectile holder element, and a shaft extending between the handgrip and the projectile holder base.

2. The throw and fetch apparatus of claim 1, wherein a projectile holder, adapted to receive the projectile and to release the projectile when the universal handle is whipped forward, is defined by one or more elements of the throw and fetch apparatus.

3. The throw and fetch apparatus of claim 2, wherein the projectile holder is defined by a portion of the projectile holder base and a portion of the interchangeable projectile holder element.

4. The throw and fetch apparatus of claim 2, wherein the projectile holder is defined solely by the interchangeable projectile holder element.

5. The throw and fetch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projectile holder base includes a first fitting and the interchangeable projectile holder element includes a second fitting, the first and second fitting being couplable such that the interchangeable projectile holder element may be attached and detached from the projectile holder base.

6. The throw and fetch apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second fittings are pieces of a buckle.

7. The throw and fetch apparatus of claim 6, wherein the buckle is a snap-fit “

parachute”

buckle.

8. The throw and fetch apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second fittings are threaded fittings that may be screwed together.

9. A throw and fetch system, comprising:

a universal handle;

a first projectile, having a first size and/or shape;

a first interchangeable projectile holder element, having an interior that is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the first projectile;

a second projectile, having a second size and/or shape, the second size and/or shape being different from the first size and/or shape; and

a second interchangeable projectile holder element, having an interior that is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the second projectile;

wherein in a first state the first projectile holder element is attached to a distal end of the universal handle such that the first projectile may be held then thrown therefrom by a user;

wherein in a second state the second projectile holder element is attached to the distal end of the universal handle such that the second projectile may be held then thrown therefrom by the user; and

wherein the universal handle includes a handgrip at a proximal end thereof, a projectile holder base for attachment to the interchangeable projectile holder element, and a shaft extending between the handgrip and the projectile holder base.

10. The throw and fetch system of claim 9, wherein a projectile holder, adapted to receive the projectile and to release the projectile when the universal handle is whipped forward, is defined by one or more elements of the throw and fetch apparatus.

11. The throw and fetch system of claim 10, wherein the projectile holder is defined by a portion of the projectile holder base and a portion of the first or second interchangeable projectile holder element.

12. The throw and fetch system of claim 10, wherein the projectile holder is defined solely by the first or second interchangeable projectile holder element.

13. The throw and fetch system of claim 9, wherein the projectile holder base includes a first fitting and each interchangeable projectile holder element includes a second fitting, the first and either of the second fittings being couplable such that the respective interchangeable projectile holder element may be attached and detached from the projectile holder base.

14. The throw and fetch system of claim 13, wherein the first and second fittings are pieces of a buckle.

15. The throw and fetch system of claim 14, wherein the buckle is a snap-fit “

parachute”

buckle.

16. The throw and fetch system of claim 13, wherein the first and second fittings are threaded fittings that may be screwed together.