Method and apparatus for launch and catch device
AssigneeRehco, LLC
InventorsSteven Rehkemper, John L. Peach, Jeremy Posner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for launching and catching an object is provided. The device may include a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a channel therebetween. A propulsion mechanism may be housed within the body and include a motor. The propulsion mechanism may receive an object traveling at a first speed within the channel and from the inlet and to adjust the speed of the object to a second speed enroute to the outlet such that the object is launched into the air. A receiving funnel defined by the body may catch the object as the object descends such that the object is directed back into the inlet. A method of playing a catch game is also provided which may include one or more devices for launching and catching an object.
Claims11
A toy device comprising:
- a handheld body defining a handle sized for a user to grasp, an inlet, an outlet, and a channel therebetween;
- a funnel secured to the body and open to the inlet;
- a damper disposed within the funnel and sized to mirror a shape of the funnel to dampen an impact of an object received therein;
- and
- an actuator assembly with a motorized output gear at least partially disposed within the channel to propel an object through the outlet,
- wherein the handle is arranged with the funnel for handheld operation of the toy device by the user.
A launch and catch device comprising:
- a handheld body defining a handle sized for a user to grasp for handheld operation of the launch and catch device, an inlet, an outlet, and a channel therebetween;
- a funnel secured to the body and defining an inner surface open to the inlet;
- a flexible member disposed and extending within the funnel and at least partially spaced from a funnel curved surface, defining a circular through hole in at least partial registration with the inlet, and sized to mirror a shape of the funnel,
- a switch mounted to the body;
- a motor mounted within the body;
- a controller in electrical communication with the switch and the motor such that actuation of the switch activates the motor to operate at a predetermined speed;
- and
- a wheel operably connected to the motor and at least partially disposed within the channel to increase a speed of an object traveling from the inlet to the outlet.
A launch and catch device comprising:
- a handheld body defining a handle sized for a user to grasp during operation of the launch and catch device, an inlet, an outlet, and a channel therebetween;
- a funnel secured to the body and defining an inner surface and open to the inlet;
- a sheet of material disposed and partially extending within the funnel, at least partially spaced apart from the inner surface, sized to mirror a shape of the funnel, and defining a through hole open to the inlet;
- a motor secured to the body;
- and
- a wheel operably connected to the motor and arranged with the channel to propel an object through the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.