Throw and Catch Toy

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/550,714 filed Feb. 7, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a throw and catch toy consisting of a semi-rigid foam-like head and a tail/handle weighted such that a user may throw the device a great length of distance with relative ease, including when thrown underhand. The toy of the present invention can be received/caught either by the head or by the tail. Game play can include, among other modes of play: throwing the toy back and forth from player to player; throwing the toy at or into targets for points: distance competition; using the toy in established sports as a substitute ball or other item. The toy of the present invention can also be received/caught in a specific area or segment on the tail, granting different points to the person receiving or catching the toy of the present invention. The toy of the present invention can also be used as a training device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an exploded isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a head of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a head of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a bottom isometric view of a head of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a top isometric view of a head of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a head of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of a head of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a dimensioned side view of a head of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows dimensioned views of a sleeve of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 through 18 show isometric views of a sleeve of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show an exploded isometric view of a whistle assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show an isometric view of a whistle assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the accompanying drawings, where like numbers represent like elements. All drawings contained herein are drawn to scale.

In the following description of the present invention, examples are meant to be non-limiting. Other, non-listed examples may also fall within the scope of the present invention, as will occur to persons skilled in the art.

Embodiments of the present invention generally comprise a head section (or “head”) (1) and a tail section (or “tail”) (2). The tail may be referred to as a “handle”, as in ordinary use, users of the throw and catch toy may hold the tail when throwing or otherwise handling the device.

The tail comprises a proximal end (3) and a distal end (4). The proximal end of the tail is proportioned so that it may be operatively coupled to the head (2) by insertion of a portion of the proximal end of the tail through a head cavity aperture (25) into head cavity (24), as shown generally in FIGS. 1 through 4. Head cavity aperture (25) may comprise a collar (26) for structural reinforcement.

The tail may be secured to the head via any known means, including, for example, by use of glue, pins, screws, barbed pin, or combinations thereof.

In preferred embodiments, the head may be secured to the tail by a through-inserted whistle assembly, shown generally in FIGS. 17 through 20, acting as a retaining pin. In these embodiments, the proximal end of tail (1) is positioned in head cavity (24) such that the openings to whistle cavity (9) in the tail align with head whistle tube apertures (18) in the head, thus allowing whistle tube (14) to be inserted therethrough. Whistle caps (15) may then be inserted into the ends of whistle tube (14), effectively pinning head (2) onto tail (1). The whistle caps (15) may be glued in place.

In certain embodiments, the whistle caps (15), which include a whistle slit (16) formed in whistle cap face (17), are shaped to resemble mushrooms. By providing a whistle cap face (17) of greater diameter than the head whistle tube aperture (18), the design prevents whistles from being pulled through the tail (1) as positioned in head (2). It will be understood that both the whistle tube (14) and the whistle caps (15) are hollow: that is, they each have a hollow central cavity such that air may pass through either whistle slit (16), through the whistle cap (15), through whistle tube (14), through the other whistle cap (15), and out the other whistle slit (16). Alternatively, the central cavity of whistle caps (15) may be sealed on the non cap face end, in which case the cavity of the whistle cap (15) is not in communication with the cavity of the whistle tube (14). By providing this structure, the present invention may create a whistle sound when thrown in the air.

To improve the flight and other play characteristics of the present invention, including improving throwing accuracy and flight distance, among other characteristics, the portion of the assembled device comprising the head section is weighted greater than the remaining portion of the assembled device comprising the tail.

In order to effectuate the weight distribution just described, a mass (6) may be utilized in the portion of the assembled device comprising the head section. It will be understood from context that “mass” references a physical structure (i.e., a weight, a ballast, etc.) that adds weight to the device, as more fully described throughout. The mass may be affixed in either the head (2) (not shown), or in preferred embodiments, in a mass cavity (7) formed in the proximal end of the tail. By placing the mass in the tail (as shown) rather than in the head (as not shown), the head may comprise more foam-like material, allowing for a greater “bounce” effect when the product strikes a hard surface.

In the aforementioned embodiments, a generally cylindrical sleeve (8) may be placed over the proximal end of the tail to aid in retention of the mass (6) and further to generally reinforce the structure of the tail. Where the device includes a whistle assembly as previously described, the sleeves will include apertures (10) analogous to the apertures (18) in the head so as to permit the insertion of the whistle assembly through the tail, also as previously described.

In the aforementioned embodiments, the sleeve may have a reinforcing pattern (11), such as a crosshatch, comprising raised or embossed portions, to aid in the structural strength of the sleeve. A cap disk (12), positioned between the head (2) and the tail (1) may also be used to improve the structural integrity of the device.

Head assembly (30) is comprised of head (2) and any structures contained on or inside it except for tail (1), that is, mass (6) (if any), sleeve (8) (if any), cap disk (12) (if any), whistle tube (14) (if any) and whistle caps (15) (if any). In other words, head assembly (30) comprises all elements that add weight to the proximal end, excluding any portion of tail (1).

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the head (2) may be shaped to resemble a dome that then tapers. In certain embodiments, the head may measure approximately 5 inches in length 4 inches in diameter at its widest point. Alternatively, the head (2) may be proportioned as shown in FIG. 13. The head may include combinations of a smooth portion (22), a grooved portion (21) comprising multiple grooves, (27), and a dimpled portion (20) comprising multiple dimples (28). The dimples may be provided to improve airflow around the device and the grooved portions may be provided to encourage a spiraling motion, when the device is in flight.

In preferred embodiments, the head (2) may be made of EVA material or other semi-soft foam. The sleeve (8) may be made of plastic, silicone, or other similar material, and may be affixed to the tail (1) and/or head (2) by glue.

Also in preferred embodiments, tail (1) may be made of a lightweight semi-rigid foam material, preferably polyethylene, that is low in density and allowing it to be lightweight, durable, soft, and flexible. For best performance, it may be elastically deformable. The combination of being semi-rigid yet flexible allows for a single backswing and forward swing (all one motion) followed by releasing the product to constitute an underhand throw. An overhand tail throw may also be achieved by a single forward swing and release. In either throwing method, the tail with its semi-rigid yet flexible properties allows for maximum performance in distance, accuracy, and precision with a single swinging motion while other limp or loose materials such as fabric, string, rope, and the like may require a “wind up” and proper “timing of release” in order to achieve a desired distance, accuracy, and precision.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve may be approximately 2.25 inches long and 4 inches in diameter, and may have a slightly smaller inside diameter than the outside diameter of the tail, thus permitting the tail to be compressibly inserted therein. Glue may be inserted between the sleeve and the tail to cover substantially the entire co-extensive surfaces.

The head weight may be altered in different embodiments by head size, head material, mass material, an additional mass module and/or mass chamber located in the head, or external mass such as “distance bands” to provide a customizable head weight for different performance results.

The weight of head assembly (30) is approximately 120 g with a preferred range of 75 to 150 grams. The weight of the tail (1) alone, that is, without mass (6) or any other element (the “unweighted tail weight”) is preferably between 20 and 44 grams, most preferably 25 grams. Thus, the preferable ratio of head assembly weight to unweighted tail weight is approximately 120/25 (4.8) with a preferred range of approximately 75/44 to 150/20 (1.7 to 7.5).

Although performance is acceptable when head assembly weight is 150 to 200 grams the device itself may be less desirable in this weight range. Over 200 grams is may be even less desirable as the device does not throw/lob well, wears out flex of foam faster, and potentially unsafe for play. 49 to 74 grams may be acceptable but less desirable as the device becomes less accurate and does not achieve optimal distances when thrown, resulting in poorer performance.

The tail shape is preferably cylindrical, with a preferred diameter of between 1 and 3 inches, most preferably 2 inches. The length of the tail is preferably between 13 and 36 inches, most preferably 23 inches.

The tail, without any additional mass applied, should have a uniform density along its length. If the tail's material is evenly weighted over its complete length but additional mass is added, some decline or fail in performance may occur. This is especially noticeable when additional mass is added towards the distal end. For example, a 0 to 3 grams additional weight in this area (approximately the last 4 inches of tail at the distal end), results in little to no noticeable difference in performance; weight differences in the range of 4 to 10 grams may result some noticeable decline in performance; and weight differences over 10 grams may result in a failure of performance, often times resulting in the device rotating end over end when thrown. Results may be altered less significantly when additional weight is added closer to the middle of the tail, such that a 0 to 3 grams addition may result in no noticeable difference in function and weight additions in the 4 to 5 grams range may result in a device that may lack sufficient flight stability and thus may “die” in flight. Finally, if weight is added closer to the proximal end of the tail (i.e., at or near the head), then differences in flight results may be far less noticeable or even unnoticeable, particularly with up to approximately 30 grams of additional weight.

The preferred length of embodiments of the present invention is approximately 24.5 inches, and the preferred weight of embodiments of the present invention is approximately 148 grams.

Other preferred dimensions of embodiments of the present invention include the following approximate dimensions:

• • whistle tube length: 74.5 mm
  • whistle tube outer diameter: 14 mm
  • whistle tube inner diameter: 13.42 mm
  • whistle cap length: 27.2 mm
  • whistle cap outer diameter: 12.4 mm
  • cap disk diameter: 51 mm
  • cap disk thickness (height): 8 mm
  • mass diameter: 32.5 mm
  • mass thickness (height): 12.3 mm
  • whistle cavity diameter: 14.02 mm

Although the particular embodiments shown and described above will prove to be useful in many applications in the art to which the present invention pertains, further modifications of the present invention will occur to persons skilled in the art. All such modifications are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.