GB2284528A - Slingshot body - Google Patents

Abstract

A sling shot body 10 incorporntes a tool, such as folding blade 22, or a de-gorger, which can be moved to a storage position in a handle of the sling shot. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Slingshot Body Description of Invention The present invention relates to a slingshot body comprising a pair of limbs to which a sling is attached in use and a stem which is grasped by the user when the slingshot is used. In a typical slingshot, the stem is substantially rectilinear, the limbs are fixed with respect to the stem and extend from one end portion of the stem.

According to the present invention, the stem of a slingshot incorporates a tool and the tool is movable relative to the limbs between a use position and a storage position.

Preferably, the tool is foldable relative to the limbs. In a case where the stem is substantially rectilinear, the tool is preferably foldable relative to the limbs about an axis which lies near to an end of the stem remote from the limbs.

The tool may be a cutting blade or a de-gorger used by fishermen to facilitate extraction of a hook from a fish.

An example of a slingshot body embodying the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: FIGURE 1 shows a slingshot with certain components separated from one another and with a blade of the slingshot in a use position and FIGURE 2 shows certain parts of Figure I with the blade in a storage position.

The slingshot illustrated in the accompanying drawing comprises a body 10 which includes a substantially rectilinear, elongated stem 11 and a pair of limbs 12 and 13 extending from one end portion of the stem generally in a direction away from an opposite end portion of the stem. The limbs are spaced from each other by a distance which is equal to or greater than the corresponding dimension of the stem. A sling 14 is attached to the limbs 12 and 13. The sling includes a pouch 15 and a pair of elastomeric elements 16 and 17, each extending from the pouch to a respective one of the limbs 12 and 13.

The stem 11 includes a core 18 which is integral with the limbs 12 and 13. The stem and limbs are conveniently formed of metal. The stem further comprises a pair of elongated finger pieces 19 and 20 which are formed with grooves to receive the fingers of a user when the stem is grasped. The finger pieces are preferably formed of a material different from that of which the core 18 is formed. The finger pieces may be mouldings of a plastics material.

The finger pieces are spaced apart by a gap and the core 18 lies in the gap. A support plate 21 also lies in the gap between the finger pieces, being generally parallel to and secured to the core 18.

At least certain parts of the support plate 21 are spaced from the core 18 and a tool 22 is mounted between the support plate and the core. In the particular example illustrated, the tool is a cutting blade. The cutting blade is arranged for pivoting relative to the core 18 and the support plate 21 about a pivot axis 23 which lies near to an end of the core .18 remote from the limbs 12 and 13. By pivoting about the axis 23, the tool 22 can swing between a use position represented in Figure 1, in which a major part of the tool projects beyond the finger pieces 19 and 20, and a storage position, represented in Figure 2, in which the tool lies entirely or almost entirely between the finger pieces 19 and 20.

For releasably retaining the tool 22 in either selected one of the storage and use positions, there is provided a latch mechanism comprising a lever 24 and leaf spring 25 which acts on the lever and urges the lever into engagement with the tool. During folding of the tool between the storage and use positions, the lever 24 is rocked by the tool against the action of the leaf spring.

Respective pivots for the tool 22 and the lever 24 are mounted in the core 18 and support plate 21. The support plate may be rivetted to the core 18.

The finger pieces 19 and 20 are secured to the core and to the support plate, for example by means of screws or by means of rivets.

The slingshot illustrated in the accompanying drawing may be modified to provide for reciprocation of the tool 22 between the storage and use positions, the tool sliding between the core 18 and the support plate 21. Alternative kinds of tool may be provided, including cutting tools, holding tools and driving tools.

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 (6)

1. A sling shot body comprising a pair of limbs to which the sling is attached in use and a stem which is grasped by the user when the slingshot is used, wherein the stem incorporates a tool and the tool is movable relative to the limbs between a use position and a storage position.

2. A sling shot body according to Claim 1 wherein the tool is foldable relative to the limbs.

3. A sling shot body according to Claim 2 wherein the stem is substantially rectilinear and the tool is foldable relative to the limbs about an axis which lies near to an end of the stem remote from the limbs.

4. A sling shot body according to any preceding claim wherein the stem includes a pair of finger pieces defining respective grooves for receiving the fingers of a user, the finger pieces are spaced apart by a gap and wherein the tool lies in the gap, when in the storage position.

5. A sling shot body substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

6. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein or in the accompanying drawing.