Object forming and launching apparatus and method
US7128556B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 4, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41B3/04
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus, including a shaft; a scoop, coupled to a distal end of the shaft, for collecting and holding a bolus of a compressible medium, the compressible medium retaining a post-compressed shape when operated from a proximal end of the shaft; and a former, coupled to the scoop and mating with the scoop, for molding and compressing the bolus into a generally spherical ball retained within the scoop. A method for forming a throwable ball, includes scooping a bolus of a compressible medium with a scoop coupled to a distal end of a shaft, the compressible medium retaining a post-compressed shape; and molding compressively the bolus into the scoop using a former coupled to the distal end, wherein the molding step creates the ball retained in the scoop when a user operates a proximal end of the shaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.