GB2178330A

GB2178330A - A hand thrown projectile

Info

Publication number: GB2178330A
Application number: GB08615822A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Brechney Nisbet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-07-31
Filing date: 1986-06-27
Publication date: 1987-02-11
Also published as: GB8615822D0; GB8519284D0

Abstract

A hand thrown toy is described consisting of a flighted arrow 1 and a length of string 5 which is releasably secured adjacent one end to the arrow 1 and is run along the length of the arrow 1 to the other end 4 where the arrow 1 and string 5 are held in the hand of the thrower. As the arrow 1 is thrown the string 5 releases and the arrow flies through the air. The arrow may be about 16" long and 3 DIVIDED 8" diameter and have weighted ends, flights received in slots in the shaft or in a tubular member releasably attached to the shaft, and a centre of gravity nearer the flight end. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A Hand Thrown Projectile The present invention relates to a hand thrown projectile which may be used for competitive sport or leisure.

Games and sports which allow a person to test hand eye co-ordination are very popular, which is why darts and archery are enjoyed by so many. Both of these activities can be enjoyed from a leisurely, non-competitive point of view, or as sports requiring serious practice and commitment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand thrown projectile which may be used for either competitive sport or leisure.

According to the present invention there is provided a hand thrown toy comprising an elongate projectile having a flighted shaft and a length of string which is releasably secured to the projectile at one end thereof and is run along the length of the projectile towards the other end of the projectile where both string and projectile are held in the hand of the thrower.

Conveniently, the shaft is proportioned so that the centre of gravity is nearer to the flights than the other end.

Preferably, the flights are secured in slots provided in the end of the shaft. Alternatively, the flights may be secured to a separate tubular member which is releasably secured to the shaft.

Preferably, the length of string is knotted at one end and is releasably secured to the elongate projectile by wrapping it once around the shaft and crossing it over itself just above the knot, such that so long as the length of string is pulled taught the knot is prevented from unwrapping.

Preferably, a loop is provided in the other end of the length of string from the knotted end.

Preferably, gripping means is provided in the elongate projectile at the point where the length of string is to be wrapped around the shaft to prevent the wrap of string from slipping down the shaft as it is pulled tight. The gripping means can be a notch or a rubber ring or any other suitable structure.

Preferably, the leading end of the elongate projectile is weighted. Conveniently, the flights are weighted when the leading end is weighted.

Preferably, the leading end of the elongate projectile is provided with a rubber tip.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a hand thrown toy according to the present invention being prepared for throwing; Fig. 2 shows the hand thrown toy of Fig. 1 ready to be thrown; Figs. 3(a) and (b) show alternative flight arrangements which can be used with the hand thrown toy according to the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a 16" long arrow 1 consisting of a wooden shaft 2 of about 8BB diameter having three flights 3 at one end and a rubber tip 4 at the other. A length of string 5 having a knot 6 at one end of a loop 7 at the other is wrapped once around the shaft 2, just below the flights 3 and in such a way as to cross over the end of the string 5 just above the knot 6. In this way, as the length of string 5 is pulled tight along the length of the shaft 2 the knot 6 prevents the wrap of string 5 from coming free. This is best seen in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings which depicts the loop 7 slipped over the throwers' fingers and the shaft 2 is gripped towards the tipped end in such a way as to allow the arrow 1 to be thrown forwards.As the string 5 reaches the extent of its travel the wrap around the knot 6 disengages, allowing the string 5 to drop free from around the shaft 2 and the arrow 1 to travel forward freely. The flights 3 ensure that the arrow 1 follows a straight path through the air and the rubber tip minimises risk of injury.

It has been found that the hand held toy according to the present invention allows the arrow to be thrown a considerable distance (over 250 yards) and with a surprising degree of accuracy. Certainly the distance the arrow can be thrown using the releasably secured length of string is much greater than that achievable simply by throwing the arrow.

This is believed to be due to the length of string acting very much in the same way as a sling, propelling the projectile forward at much greater speed than can be achieved with the hand alone.

Referring to Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) there are shown two alternative ways of securing the flights 3 to the shaft 2. In the arrangement of Fig. 3(a) slots are cut in one end of the shaft 2 and the flights 3 are slipped into place in the slots. In the arrangement of Fig. 3(b) the flights 3 are secured to a tubular member 8 which can be push fitted onto the end of the shaft 2.

To facilitate wrapping the length of string around the shaft and to prevent it from slipping on the shaft as it is pulled tight a knotch 9 (Fig. 3(b)) may be cut around the shaft just below the flights in which the string can be located, or a resilient rubber ring 10 can be used (Fig. 3(a)).

To increase the stability and the accuracy of the arrow through the air the tip may be weighted. The tip can aiso carry a soft member. The centre of gravity of the arrow is not centered along the length of the shaft, it has been found that the arrow flies best when the centre of gravity is disposed nearer to the flights 3 than the tip 4.

The arrow may be thrown with considerable accuracy and this allows the hand thrown projectile to be used in a competitive manner in much the same way as darts or conventional bows and arrows are used.

Although the arrows used can be of various lengths it has been found that a length of 15" to 20"has been most suitable for obtaining maximum distance and a length of 16" is preferred for about 83ll diameter shaft. With such arrows throws of over 250 yards have been achieved.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the shaft of the arrow may be straight or tapered, and the flights can be plastic or paper.

1. A hand thrown toy comprising an elongate projectile having a flighted shaft and a length of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A Hand Thrown Projectile The present invention relates to a hand thrown projectile which may be used for competitive sport or leisure. Games and sports which allow a person to test hand eye co-ordination are very popular, which is why darts and archery are enjoyed by so many. Both of these activities can be enjoyed from a leisurely, non-competitive point of view, or as sports requiring serious practice and commitment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand thrown projectile which may be used for either competitive sport or leisure. According to the present invention there is provided a hand thrown toy comprising an elongate projectile having a flighted shaft and a length of string which is releasably secured to the projectile at one end thereof and is run along the length of the projectile towards the other end of the projectile where both string and projectile are held in the hand of the thrower. Conveniently, the shaft is proportioned so that the centre of gravity is nearer to the flights than the other end. Preferably, the flights are secured in slots provided in the end of the shaft. Alternatively, the flights may be secured to a separate tubular member which is releasably secured to the shaft. Preferably, the length of string is knotted at one end and is releasably secured to the elongate projectile by wrapping it once around the shaft and crossing it over itself just above the knot, such that so long as the length of string is pulled taught the knot is prevented from unwrapping. Preferably, a loop is provided in the other end of the length of string from the knotted end. Preferably, gripping means is provided in the elongate projectile at the point where the length of string is to be wrapped around the shaft to prevent the wrap of string from slipping down the shaft as it is pulled tight. The gripping means can be a notch or a rubber ring or any other suitable structure. Preferably, the leading end of the elongate projectile is weighted. Conveniently, the flights are weighted when the leading end is weighted. Preferably, the leading end of the elongate projectile is provided with a rubber tip. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a hand thrown toy according to the present invention being prepared for throwing; Fig. 2 shows the hand thrown toy of Fig. 1 ready to be thrown; Figs. 3(a) and (b) show alternative flight arrangements which can be used with the hand thrown toy according to the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is shown a 16" long arrow 1 consisting of a wooden shaft 2 of about 8BB diameter having three flights 3 at one end and a rubber tip 4 at the other. A length of string 5 having a knot 6 at one end of a loop 7 at the other is wrapped once around the shaft 2, just below the flights 3 and in such a way as to cross over the end of the string 5 just above the knot 6. In this way, as the length of string 5 is pulled tight along the length of the shaft 2 the knot 6 prevents the wrap of string 5 from coming free. This is best seen in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings which depicts the loop 7 slipped over the throwers' fingers and the shaft 2 is gripped towards the tipped end in such a way as to allow the arrow 1 to be thrown forwards.As the string 5 reaches the extent of its travel the wrap around the knot 6 disengages, allowing the string 5 to drop free from around the shaft 2 and the arrow 1 to travel forward freely. The flights 3 ensure that the arrow 1 follows a straight path through the air and the rubber tip minimises risk of injury. It has been found that the hand held toy according to the present invention allows the arrow to be thrown a considerable distance (over 250 yards) and with a surprising degree of accuracy. Certainly the distance the arrow can be thrown using the releasably secured length of string is much greater than that achievable simply by throwing the arrow. This is believed to be due to the length of string acting very much in the same way as a sling, propelling the projectile forward at much greater speed than can be achieved with the hand alone. Referring to Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) there are shown two alternative ways of securing the flights 3 to the shaft 2. In the arrangement of Fig. 3(a) slots are cut in one end of the shaft 2 and the flights 3 are slipped into place in the slots. In the arrangement of Fig. 3(b) the flights 3 are secured to a tubular member 8 which can be push fitted onto the end of the shaft 2. To facilitate wrapping the length of string around the shaft and to prevent it from slipping on the shaft as it is pulled tight a knotch 9 (Fig. 3(b)) may be cut around the shaft just below the flights in which the string can be located, or a resilient rubber ring 10 can be used (Fig. 3(a)). To increase the stability and the accuracy of the arrow through the air the tip may be weighted. The tip can aiso carry a soft member. The centre of gravity of the arrow is not centered along the length of the shaft, it has been found that the arrow flies best when the centre of gravity is disposed nearer to the flights 3 than the tip 4. The arrow may be thrown with considerable accuracy and this allows the hand thrown projectile to be used in a competitive manner in much the same way as darts or conventional bows and arrows are used. Although the arrows used can be of various lengths it has been found that a length of 15" to 20"has been most suitable for obtaining maximum distance and a length of 16" is preferred for about 83ll diameter shaft. With such arrows throws of over 250 yards have been achieved. Finally, it will be appreciated that the shaft of the arrow may be straight or tapered, and the flights can be plastic or paper. CLAIMS

1. A hand thrown toy comprising an elongate projectile having a flighted shaft and a length of string which is releasably secured to the projectile at one end thereof and is run along the length of the projectile towards the other end of the projectile where both string and projectile are held in the hand of the thrower.

2. A hand thrown toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shaft is proportioned so that the centre of gravity is nearer to the flights than the other end.

3. A hand thrown toy as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the flights are secured in slots provided in the end of the shaft.

4. A hand thrown toy as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the flights may be secured to a separate tubular member which is releasably secured to the shaft.

5. A hand thrown toy as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the length of string is knotted at one end and is releasably secured to the elongate projectile by wrapping it once around the shaft and crossing it over itself just above the knot, such that so long as the length of string is pulledtaughtthe knot is prevented from unwrapping.

6. A hand thrown toy as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a loop is provided in the other end of the length of string from the knotted end.

7. A hand thrown toy as claimed in any preceding claim wherein gripping means is provided in the elongate projectile at the point where the length of string is to be wrapped around the shaft to prevent the wrap of string from slipping down the shaft as it is pulled tight.

8. A hand thrown toy as claimed in claim 7 wherein the gripping means can be a notch.

9. A hand thrown toy as claimed in claim 7 wherein the gripping means is a rubber ring or any other suitable structure.

10. A hand thrown toy as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the leading end of the elongate projectile is weighted.

11. A hand thrown toy as claimed in claim 10 wherein the flights are weighted when the leading end is weighted.

12. A hand thrown toy as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the leading end of the elongate projectile is provided with a rubber tip.

13. A hand thrown toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.