Throwing device

A throwing device comprising:

• a distal tip;
• a distal portion extending proximally from the distal tip, the distal portion including a projectile retainer and a projectile track, the track extending distally from the retainer to the distal tip and extending in an arc in proximity to the distal tip, and the retainer having a closed position, wherein a projectile is held by the retainer in a fixed position with respect to the device, and an open position, wherein the projectile is released by the retainer to travel along the track;
• an elongate and approximately straight shaft extending proximally from the distal portion, wherein the distal portion comprises a tubular member including a first side, a second side and a longitudinal slit separating the first side from the second side;
• the first side terminating at a distal end of the projectile retainer and the first side, in conjunction with the second side, forming the projectile retainer, and the second side terminating at the distal end of the device and the second side forming the projectile track.

A method for throwing a projectile with a throwing device, the method comprising:

• positioning the projectile between opposing first and second sides of an elongate and approximately straight shaft of the throwing device such that the projectile is held in a fixed position with respect to the throwing device, the first and second sides being separated by a slit and the second side of the shaft extending distally, from the position at which the projectile is held, to form a projectile track;
• gripping the elongate and approximately straight shaft of the throwing device, the shaft extending proximally from the position at which the projectile is held;
• and
• swinging the shaft through an arc to cause the second side of the shaft to bend away from the first side, thereby releasing the projectile from the fixed position, and to propel the projectile along the projectile track of the device, the projectile track extending in an arc in proximity to a distal tip of the device.

A method for throwing a projectile with a throwing device, the method comprising:

• positioning the projectile in a projectile retainer of the throwing device such that opposing sides of the retainer holds exert a spring force operative to hold the projectile in a fixed position with respect to the throwing device;
• gripping an elongate and approximately straight shaft of the throwing device, the shaft extending proximally from the projectile retainer;
• and
• swinging the shaft through an arc to open the projectile retainer and to propel the projectile from the opened retainer along a projectile track of the device, the projectile track extending distally from the projectile retainer and in an arc in proximity to a distal tip of the device;
• wherein positioning comprises inserting the projectile between the opposing sides of the retainer by inserting the projectile through an aperture formed in at least one of the opposing sides;
• and
• adjusting a stiffness of one of the opposing sides of the projectile retainer;
• and wherein the one of the opposing sides of the retainer extends distally from the retainer to form the track.