GB2424839A

GB2424839A - Apparatus for throwing and catching balls or similar projectiles

Info

Publication number: GB2424839A
Application number: GB0506953A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Reginald Coleing
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-06
Filing date: 2005-04-06
Publication date: 2006-10-11
Also published as: GB0506953D0

Abstract

Apparatus for throwing and catching balls or other projectiles such as beanbags comprises an extendable frame which has two catcher/thrower scoops 3, one at either end of the frame. The frame comprises a first and second frame portions 1, each frame portion comprising two hollow, tubular, parallel outer members, joined by two cross members 6a, 6b. These cross-members 6a, 6b can also act as handles. The first and second frame portions 1 are joined together by two inner members 2 which pass inside the outer members. The frame can be therefore extended by pulling the first and second sections apart like a trombone causing the outer sections to slide over the inner sections. The scoops 3 are joined to the frame at such an angle to enable the ball or other projectile to be thrown straight and accurately. Each scoop also has a channel 4 which prevents a ball jumping out after it has been caught. Extension of the apparatus allows a thrower to generate extra power to throw the ball further, faster or higher.

Description

Apparatus for a Ball Game Ball games played with or without the use of

sticks, cues, bats, racquets and clubs have always been popular with people of all ages.

This invention relates to a new type of apparatus held in both hands primarily fbr the throwing and catching of a tennis or similar ball for the purposes of playing ball games to set down or spontaneous rules, although it could also be used to throw and catch other projectiles such as beanbags.

The apparatus can be used for play against a wall, to one another, over nets, bars, through horizontal and vertical hoops, into goals or baskets and at or to knock down targets by virtually all ages playing alone, in pairs, groups or teams in the garden, gym, field, playground and beach to encourage hand and eye co-ordination, for amusement, exercise, competition and entertainment both for the operator and onlooker.

The apparatus basically consists of a central extending frame with a scoop shaped dual purpose catcher/thrower on either end. The two scoop shaped dual purpose catcher/throwers are designed and set at such an angle to the central frame to eliminate the problem of a double bounce - where the ball jumps back out one caught - and for the ball to be thrown straight and accurately.

The extendable frame allows the operator to transform the apparatus from what is basically a toy model lhr general play into a sports/competition model which is capable of throwing the ball further, faster, higher and with more accuracy requiring a higher level of skill and dexterity making play more energetic and competitive, where it might be advisable to wear protective clothing and goggles.

The apparatus is held in both hands and although it does have designated handles it can be held anywhere on the central frame for general play.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.

- figure 1 shows the complete apparatus in its closed non-extended form for general play and how anywhere on the frame can be used to hold the same as an alternative to using the designated handles - figure 2 shows the complete apparatus with the appropriate holds to extend the right arm/half of same ftr sports/competition play - figure 3 shows a side view of the complete apparatus with a ball being caught or thrown from either dual purpose catcher/thrower - figure 4 shows a cross section of a dual purpose catcher/thrower with the ball resting in the relief/channel/gulley - figure 5 shows the parting of the two parallel tubular members of the central frame to form two arms/halves and revealing the two inner rods/tubular members of the frame which do not part - figure 6 shows an end view of the central frame and handle Figure 1 shows the complete apparatus in its closed non-extended or toy form for play of a general nature for amusement and exercise comprising of a central frame (1) with a scoop shaped dual purpose catcher/thrower (3) detachably attached or not to either end.

The invention is an apparatus held in both hands primarily for throwing and catching a tennis or similar ball for the purposes of playing ball games to set down or spontaneous rules although other projectiles such as beanbags could he used. The apparatus can be used for play against a wall, to one another, over nets, bars, through horizontal and vertical hoops, into goals or baskets and at or to knock down targets by virtually all ages playing alone, in pairs, groups or teams in the garden, gym, field, playground and beach to encourage hand and eye coordination, for amusement, exercise, competition and entertainment both for the operator and onlooker.

As shown in figure 2 the apparatus comprises of an extendable frame (1 and 2) with a dual purpose catcher/thrower (3) detachably secured or not to either end. The player has the option of using either dual purpose catcher/thrower to throw and catch the balls as they have been set at such an angle to the frame to throw accurately and straight and have been designed with a n relief/channel/gulley (4) running down each to receive and absorb the ball approximately one third of its way up figure 4 to eliminate the double bounce - where the ball jumps back out once caught.

Although the apparatus has designated handles, anywhere on the central frame can be used to hold the same see figure 1. Fhere are Ibur designated handles which also serve to join the two parallel tubular members of the frame (1) - one at either end of the central frame beneath the dual purpose catcher/throwers (6a) and one on either side and equidistance from the central parting (6b) making two on each half of the apparatus. To operate the extension feature to the right the operator holds the handle (6a) beneath the left dual purpose catcher/thrower and with the right central cross member (6b) between the right thumb and forefinger see figure 2, pushes to the right and slides the outer tubular member of the frame (1) along the inner tubular member (2) in the action similar to that used when playing a trombone thus lengthening the right arm/half of the apparatus in a telescopic manner and likewise the left arm/half can be extended by reversing the holds and pushing outwards to the left.

By extending the frame the player is able to generate extra power to throw the ball further, faster, higher and with more accuracy thus transforming the toy model into a sports/competition model requiring a higher level of skill and dexterity for play of a more vigorous and competitive nature.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the apparatus. Further since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the apparatus to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the apparatus as claimed.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus primarily for use with a tennis or similar ball for

playing throwing and catching games although other projectiles such as beanbags could be used and consisting of - an extendable frame comprising of two straight hollow rigid parallel tubular members each containing an inner rod/tubular member whereby the two outer tubular members but not the two inner members part vertically at the centre to make two halves with two inner rods/tubular members within, which do not part, so the outer tubular members can he slid backwards and forwards along the itmer rods/tubular members - two scoop shaped dual purpose catcher/throwers set at such an angle at either end of the frame to throw the ball straight and accurately and so designed with a relief/channel/gulley to stop the ball bouncing back out once caught - cross-members which join the two outer parallel tubular members of the frame and also serve as handles, although the apparatus can be held anywhere on the frame.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 whereby the two scoop shaped dual purpose catcher/throwers, detachably secured or not to either end of the central frame, are set at such an angle to the frame to enable the player both to throw the ball straight and accurately.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claims I and 2 whereby the two dual purpose catcher/throwers have a central relief/channel/gulley running along the length of same to catch and absorb a ball approximately one third of the way up the ball thus eliminating the problem of a double bounce - where the ball jumps back out once caught.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claims 1, 2 and 3 whereby the central frame consists of two straight rigid hollow parallel tubular members each having a similar but shorter and narrower rod/tubular member within. n
5. An apparatus as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 whereby the two outer hut not the two inner tubular members part at the centre to make two halves - right and left.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claims I, 4 and 5 where by using the appropriate designated handles in an action similar to that used when playing a trombone the frame and consequently the dual purpose catcher/throwers can be slid apart in a telescopic manner and extended outwards from the centre to the left or right enabling the operator to generate extra power to throw further/faster/higher and with more accuracy.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claims 1, 4, 5, and 6 whereby the two halves/arms of the central frame can he slid back together into its nonextended form.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim which by means of the extended frame and the extra power generated therefrom can be transformed from a basic toy model for general play into a sports/competition model requiring more skill and dexterity of a more energetic and competitive nature.
9. An apparatus for a ball game as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal, plastics material or from a combination of these materials.
10. An apparatus for a ball game substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.