US 5,292,134 A · Ball catching and launching toy

Abstract

A ball catching and launching toy includes an elongated cylinder having a cylindrical bore defined therein. A catch scoop defining a generally concave catching surface is coupled to one end of the cylinder by a tapered funnel guide portion. The remaining of the cylinder receives a slidable handle having a piston rod and piston secured thereto. The piston rod and piston are movable within the cylinder bore to either produce a partial vacuum with the cylinder bore or increased pressure. Once a ball has been successfully captured by the user, the toy is raised to a generally vertical orientation and the handle is withdrawn from the cylinder producing a partial vacuum which urges the ball into a ball receptacle. The ball may then be launched or fired from the toy by rapidly forcing the handle inwardly producing pressurized air within the cylinder bore and ball receptacle which expels the captive ball.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A ball catching and launching toy for use in combination with a compressible ball comprising:

a cylinder body defining a cylinder bore therein;
a piston and piston rod movable within said cylinder bore;
a catching receptacle having a concave portion and a tapered portion coupled to said cylinder;
and
a ball receptacle defining a ball cavity supported between said tapered portion and said cylinder and having means for captivating said ball at least partially within said ball receptacle when said ball is drawn therein;
said catching receptacle being used to capture said ball in flight and direct it into said tapered portion as said toy is vertically oriented whereby said ball may then be drawn into said ball receptacle and launched therefrom by piston motion.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ball catching and launching toy

Life of this patent

Ball catching and launching toy

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10