# US 2021/0086064 A1 · Spring-assisted digit mounted device for launching projectiles

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- Number: US 2021/0086064 A1
- Document ID: US20210086064A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/088,470
- Filed: 2020-11-03
- Published: 2021-03-25
- Earliest claimed: 2013-10-04
- Assignees: SHR Holdings LLC
- Inventors: Ken Platt; Scott Robinson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210086064A1

## CPC

- A63F 9/0252: {Shooting devices therefor}
- A01K 15/025: {Toys specially adapted for animals}
- A01K 15/0258: {Squeaker toys; Toys that make noise when squeezed}
- A63H 33/18: Throwing or slinging toys, {e.g. flying disc toys (discs used in athletics A63B65/10)}(as part of a game A63F9/02; sling weapons F41B3/00; spring toy guns F41B7/08)
- F41B 3/04: Centrifugal sling apparatus
- F41B 15/00: Weapons not otherwise provided for {, e.g. nunchakus, throwing knives}
- A63F 2250/491: Finger
- A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A63H: TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- F41B: WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (projectiles for fishing, e.g. fish-spears, A01K81/00; sports implements for throwing A63B65/00, e.g. boomerangs A63B65/08; stationary apparatus for projecting sports balls, e.g. tennis balls, A63B69/40; throwing or slinging toys A63H33/18; knives, axes B26B; projectiles or missiles other than those incorporating springs as projecting means F42B6/00)

## Abstract

A digit-mounted, spring-assisted device for launching a projectile in response to a launching motion of a finger by a user. The digit-mounted device may comprise a securing means for securing a launcher to the digit of the user. The securing means may comprise a strap, loop, or cinch. The digit-mounted device may further comprise a launch guide extending outwardly from a base member. A projectile may be mounted onto or into the launch guide. A spring may be mounted on the digit-mounted device which is placed under tension when the user prepares to make a launching motion with the digit. The projectile is launched in response to the user making a launching motion with the digit, using the thumb as a tensioning means. The spring is released from tension upon making a launching motion with the digit, adding to the force given to the projectile upon launch. The projectile may take a wide variety of forms.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for launching a projectile, said apparatus comprising:
a base member;
a securing member configured and dimensioned to secure the base member to a digit of a user; and
an elongated launch guide extending from the base member;
wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to receive the projectile;
wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to release the projectile in response to a launching motion of the digit of the user.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated launch guide is one of a solid shaft and a hollow shaft.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more grooves formed in the elongated launch guide.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated launch guide comprises a distal end located furthest from the base member, wherein the distal end is one of concave shaped and convex shaped.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more grooves are one of linear and non-linear.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member comprises one or more slots configured and dimensioned for receiving the securing member.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing member comprises one of a finger sleeve, a clip, a ring, a finger cot, a sock, and a strap.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing member defines a loop configured and dimensioned for receiving the digit of the user, wherein the digit is a finger of the user.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member comprises a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is concave.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated launch guide defines an angle with an axis of the digit, wherein the angle is about 10°.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projectile comprises a bore, wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to be installed into said bore.

### Claim 12

A launch system, said launch system comprising:
a finger-mounted launch device comprising:
a base member,
a securing member configured and dimensioned to secure the base member to a finger of a user, and
an elongated launch guide extending from the base member; and
a projectile;
wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to receive the projectile in a pre-launch configuration;
wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to launch the projectile in response to a launching motion of the finger of the user.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the projectile is one of spherical and cylindrical.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the projectile comprises one of fins and wings.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the projectile is one structure selected from a dart and a disk.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the elongated launch guide is one of a solid shaft and a hollow shaft.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, further comprising one or more grooves formed in the elongated launch guide.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the elongated launch guide comprises a distal end located furthest from the base member, wherein the distal end is one of concave shaped and convex shaped.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more grooves are one selected from a linear grove and non-linear groove.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the securing member defines a loop configured and dimensioned for receiving the finger of the user.

### Claim 21 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the base member comprises a concave bottom surface.

### Claim 22 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the elongated launch guide defines an angle with an axis of a finger, wherein the angle is about 10°.

### Claim 23

A method of launching a projectile, said method comprising:
securing a launch device to a finger of a user;
loading a projectile onto the launch device; and,
launching the projectile from the launch device into flight in response to the user flicking the finger.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein the launch device comprises an elongated launch guide; wherein the projectile comprises a bore configured and dimensioned to receive the elongated launch guide.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein the elongated launch guide comprises a shaft.

### Claim 26 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein securing the launch device to the finger of the user comprises securing the launch device to the finger of the user using a securing member.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, wherein the securing member is one selected from the group consisting of a strap, loop and cinch.

### Claim 28 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein the launch device comprises a concave bottom surface.

### Claim 29 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein the elongated launch guide defines an angle with an axis of the finger, wherein the angle is about 10°.

### Claim 30 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein the projectile is one or more of spherical, cylindrical, finned, and winged.

### Claim 31

A launch system, said launch system comprising:
a lightweight projectile;
means for mounting the projectile to a finger of a user; and
means for launching the projectile into flight in response to a rapid motion of the finger of the user.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The launch system of claim 31, wherein the projectile is one of spherical and cylindrical.

### Claim 33 (depends on 31)

The launch system of claim 31, wherein the projectile is comprises a projectile selected from the groups comprising projectiles with fins and projectiles with wings.

### Claim 34 (depends on 31)

The launch system of claim 31, wherein the projectile is one selected from the groups consisting of a dart and a disk.

### Claim 35 (depends on 31)

The launch system of claim 31, wherein the means for mounting comprises a base member and a securing member.

### Claim 36 (depends on 31)

The launch system of claim 31, wherein the means for launching comprises a shaft.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The launch system of claim 36, wherein the shaft comprises a means for reducing a vacuum between it and the projectile.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The launch system of claim 37, wherein the shaft comprises a distal end, wherein the distal end is one of concave shaped and convex shaped.

### Claim 39 (depends on 31)

The launch system of claim 31, wherein the projectile comprises a bore.

### Claim 40 (depends on 31)

The launch system of claim 31, wherein the means for mounting comprises a concave surface.

### Claim 41

An apparatus for launching a projectile, said apparatus comprising:
a base member;
a securing member configured and dimensioned to secure the base member to a digit of a user;
an elongated launch guide extending from the base member;
a thumb grip extending from the device;
wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to receive the projectile;
wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to release the projectile in response to a rapid launching motion of the digit of the user; and,
wherein the thumb grip is configured and dimensioned to be gripped by the user's thumb in facilitating the launching motion of the digit of the user.

### Claim 42 (depends on 41)

The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the thumb grip extends perpendicularly to the launch guide.

### Claim 43 (depends on 41)

The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the thumb grip is bent, extending for a short distance perpendicularly to the launch guide and then extending an additional distance at an angle acute to the launch guide.

### Claim 44 (depends on 41)

The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the thumb grip additionally comprises a rubber tip.

### Claim 45 (depends on 41)

The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the tip of the thumb grip is bent in order to facilitate a better grip.

### Claim 46

An apparatus for launching a projectile, said apparatus comprising:
a base member;
a securing member configured and dimensioned to secure the base member to a digit of a user;
an elongated launch guide extending from the base member;
a spring of elastic material extending perpendicularly from the launch guide;
wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to receive the projectile;
wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to release the projectile in response to a rapid launching motion of the digit of the user; and,
wherein the spring is configured and dimensioned to provide additional tension as the user prepares to make a launching motion of the digit of the user and releases the tension as the launching motion is made to launch a projectile.

### Claim 47 (depends on 46)

The apparatus of claim 46 also comprising a second spring added to the device to increase the tension when the user prepares to make a launching motion and increase the force of the projectile.

### Claim 48 (depends on 46)

The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the spring is comprised of low density polyethylene.

### Claim 49 (depends on 46)

The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the spring is removable and interchangeable.

### Claim 50 (depends on 46)

The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the spring fits into a concave slot at the base of the launch guide.

### Claim 51

A method of launching a projectile, said method comprising:
securing a launch device to a finger of a user, said launch device having a spring which is placed under tension by the act of the user bending back the finger towards the palm of the hand in preparation to launch a projectile;
loading a projectile onto the launch device; and,
launching the projectile from the launch device into flight in response to the user making a rapid launching motion with the finger.

### Claim 52

A launch system, said launch system comprising:
a finger-mounted launch device comprising:
a base member,
a securing member configured and dimensioned to secure the base member to a finger of a user, and
an elongated launch guide extending from the base member;
a spring extending perpendicularly from the base member and launch guide;
a projectile;
wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to receive the projectile in a pre-launch configuration;
wherein the spring is placed under tension as the user prepares to make a rapid launching motion of the finger; and,
wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to launch the projectile in response to a launching motion of the finger of the user.

### Claim 53 (depends on 52)

The system of claim 52, wherein the projectile is selected from the group consisting of a spherical projectile and a cylindrical projectile.

### Claim 54 (depends on 52)

The system of claim 52, wherein the projectile is selected from the group consisting of a fin projectile and a wing projectile.

### Claim 55 (depends on 52)

The system of claim 52, wherein the projectile is selected from the group consisting of a dart projectile and a disk projectile.

### Claim 56 (depends on 52)

The system of claim 52, wherein the elongated launch guide is one of a solid shaft and a hollow shaft.

### Claim 57 (depends on 52)

The system of claim 52, further comprising one or more grooves formed in the elongated launch guide.

### Claim 58 (depends on 52)

The system of claim 52, wherein the elongated launch guide comprises a distal end located furthest from the base member, wherein the distal end is one of concave shaped and convex shaped.

### Claim 59 (depends on 57)

The system of claim 57, wherein the one or more grooves are one selected from a linear grove and non-linear groove.

### Claim 60 (depends on 52)

The system of claim 52, wherein the securing member defines a loop configured and dimensioned for receiving the finger of the user.

### Claim 61 (depends on 52)

The system of claim 52, wherein the base member comprises a concave bottom surface.

### Claim 62 (depends on 52)

The system of claim 52, wherein the elongated launch guide defines an angle with an axis of a finger, wherein the angle is about 10°.

### Claim 63 (depends on 52)

The apparatus of claim 52 also comprising a second spring added to the device to increase the tension when the user prepares to make a launching motion and increase the force of the projectile.

### Claim 64 (depends on 52)

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the spring is comprised of low density polyethylene.

### Claim 65 (depends on 52)

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the spring is removable and interchangeable.

### Claim 66 (depends on 52)

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the spring fits into a concave slot at the base of the launch guide.