GB2257923A - Sling shot. - Google Patents

Abstract

Each elastic band 17, 18 of a sling shot has a connector 19, 20 incorporating a latch 22 for releasably retaining the connector in assembled relation with the sling slot body 10. The elastic band is suitably a tube, the connector is received in an end portion of the tube, and the end portion of the tube bears on the latch to urge the latch into the body (Figure 2). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Sling Shot Description of Invention The present invention relates to a sling shot. A sling shot comprises a body which includes a handle, a pouch and a pair of elastic bands connecting the pouch with the body. The pouch may be a flat web of material which, in use, is bent into a curve, or may be formed with a permanent curvature to define a pocket for receiving material which is to be projected by the sling shot.

There is a requirement for sling shots having different pouches, for example pouches of different sizes and shapes. A sling shot having an appropriate pouch can then be selected according to the nature and amount of material to be projected. There is a also a requirement for sling shots having elastic bands with different characteristics.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sling shot comprising a body which includes a handle, a pouch, a pair of elastic bands connecting the pouch with the body and a pair of connectors connecting respective ones of the bands with the body, wherein each connector is releasably mounted on the body.

With a sling shot according to the present invention, there can be provided a set of alternative units, each comprising a pouch, a pair of elastic bands and a pair of connectors, wherein the pouches and/or the bands have different characteristics. An appropriate unit can then be mounted on the body for use and subsequently replaced by a different unit when different material or a different quantity of material is to be projected by the sling shot.

The preferred connector has a latch for retaining the connector on the body of the sling shot. The latch may be biased to a retaining position by the associated elastic band.

An example of a sling shot embodying the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: FIGURE 1 shows components of the sling shot separated from one another and FIGURE 2 shows a cross section through certain parts of the sling shot in an assembled condition.

The sling shot illustrated in the accompanying drawing comprises a body 10 which includes an elongated handle 11 and a pair of arms 12, 13, extending from one end of the handle. The arms diverge from each other and terminate in respective spigots 14 and 15.

The sling shot further comprises a pouch 16, a pair of elastic bands 17, 18 and a pair of connectors 19, 20 for connecting respective ones of the bands with the spigots of the body 10. In the example illustrated, the pouch 16 is an essentially flat web of material having a pair of apertures which receive respective loops on the bands 17 and 18. During use, the pouch adopts a curved configuration. Other forms of pouch may be substituted for the pouch 16.

The bands 17 and 18 are formed of respective lengths of rubber tube but it will be understood that other forms of band could be used. The bands 17 and 18 could be integral with each other and with a pouch.

The connector 19 is a hollow, generally cylindrical component defining a socket for receiving the spigot 14 with a sliding fit. The outside diameter of the connector is somewhat greater than the internal diameter of the unstressed trbe from which the band 17 is formed. The connector is received inside an end portion of the band which is therefore stretched over the connector. This establishes sufficient friction to hold the band firmly on the connector. If required, the band could be bonded or otherwise attached to the connector. The connector is rigid, relative to the band 17 and may be formed as a moulding of a thermoplastics material. The spigot 14 is conveniently formed of metal and may be an end portion of a cylindrical metal rod which is used to form a major part of the body 10.That end of the connector 19 which lies inside the band 17 is preferably permanently closed.

The free end of the spigot 14 is tapered to facilitate insertion of the spigot into the connector 19. At a position spaced from the tapered end, the spigot is formed with an annular recess 21 which extends around the entire circumference of the spigot. As shown in Figure 2, when the spigot is received in the socket of the connector 19, the recess 21 lies inside the connector.

A latch 22 is mounted in the connector 19 for releasably retaining the connector on the spigot 14. The latch includes an intermediate, rectilinear portion 23 which lies at the outside of the connector 19, is arranged with its length extending along the connector and is interposed between the end portion of the band 17 and the connector. The stretched end portion of the band normally holds the intermediate portion 23 on the external surface of the connector 19 and urges the latch towards the spigot 14.

One end portion of the latch 22 forms a finger piece 24 which is united with the intermediate portion 23 by a cranked portion 25. The finger piece 24 lies outside the band 17 and protrudes from the connector 19 to overlie a portion of the body 10 adjacent to the spigot 14. The finger piece is normally spaced radially from this portion of the body. The finger piece 24 can be moved into the clearance space between the finger piece and the body by the application of pressure to that face of the finger piece which is remote from the body.Upon the application of sufficient pressure to overcome the action of the end portion of the band 17, the latch 22 is rocked at the bend where the cranked portion 25 merges with the intermediate portion 23, the connector 19 serving as a fulcrum on which the latch is rocked between the retaining position illustrated in Figure 2 and a releasing position in which the finger piece 24 is somewhat closer to the part of the body adjacent to the spigot 14.

An end portion 26 of the latch which is remote from the finger piece 24 is bent at right angles to the intermediate portion 23. The end portion 26 extends through an aperture in the connector 19 and terminates in a nose 27 which is received in the recess 21 when the latch is in the retaining position shown in Figure 2. By rocking of the latch to the releasing position, the nose 27 can be withdrawn from the recess 21 into the aperture of the connector. The connector is then freed for longitudinal movement relative to the spigot 14 and can be removed from the spigot. Even when the connector is separated from the body 10, the band 17 continues to retain the latch 22 in assembled relation with the connector 19.

The connector 19 can be replaced on the spigot 14 by introducing the tapered end of the spigot into the open end of the connector and then advancing the spigot along the socket of the connector. The taper of the spigot engages the nose 27 and rocks the latch 22 temporarily to the releasing position until the recess 21 is aligned with the nose 27. The nose is then driven into the recess by the end portion of the band 17 which embraces the latch. In the assembled condition, .he connector 19 can turn on the spigot 14.

In the example illustrated, the latch 22 is incorporated in the connector 19. It will be understood that the latch could alternatively be mounted on or in the spigot 14 for engaging in a recess or aperture in the connector.

The connector 20 is identical with the connector 19 and incorporates a latch identical with the latch 22.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (9)

1. A sling shot comprising a body including a handle, a pouch, a pair of elastic bands connecting the pouch with the body and a pair of connectors connecting respective ones of the bands with the body, wherein each connector is releasably mounted on the body.

2. A sling shot according to Claim 1 wherein the body comprises a respective spigot for receiving each connector and the connector defines a socket for receiving the spigot.

3. A sling shot according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein each connector has a latch for retaining the connector on the body.

4. A sling shot according to Claim 3 wherein the spigot has a recess to receive a portion of the latch.

5. A sling shot according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the latch is mounted for rocking relative to the connector.

6. A sling shot according to Claim 5 wherein the latch has a fulcrum adjacent to an end of the elastic band.

7. A sling shot according to any one of Claims 3 to 6 wherein the latch has a finger piece which protrudes from the connector to overlie the body but is normally spaced from the body and movable towards the body to release the latch from the body.

8. A sling shot according to Claim 5 wherein the elastic band is a tube, the connector is received in an end portion of the tube and the end portion of the tube bears on the latch to urge the latch into the body.

9. A sling shot having a connector substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.