Catch and release device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a missile catch and release device (10) comprising a holding structure (12) with a rim (18) encircling a hole (20), an elastic band (14) fastened to the rim at two points on two opposing sides of the hole (20) and a missile catching cloth (16) fastened to the rim (18) as well as to the elastic band (14).

Description

CATCH AND RELEASE DEVICETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a missile catch and release device.BACKGROUND

[0002] Missile release devices, such as slingshots, can if used responsibly, be a source of fun. A slingshot may have a Y shaped structure with three legs, where one of the legs is a handle and an elastic band is attached between the other two legs. The elastic band has a midpoint in which a pocket is provided and where a missile may be placed. The pocket with the missile can then be drawn backwards which stretches out the elastic band. If the pocket is then let go, the elastic band quickly returns towards its original non-stretched state, leading to a release of the missile.

[0003] There are ways to vary the design, where one is to provide a frame with a central hole and provide the pocket as a net that is fastened to the frame using several elastic bands. This provides a slingshot that allows missiles to be ejected through the hole of the frame.Such a device functions well for releasing missiles. However, it would be of interest to provide improvements.

[0004] Therefore, the invention is directed towards providing improvements of a missile release device.SUMMARY

[0005] One objective of the present disclosure is to improve a missile release device through turning it into a missile catch and release device.

[0006] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure makes available a missile catch and release device comprising a holding structure with a rim encircling a hole, an elastic band fastened to the rim at two points on two opposing sides of the hole and a missile catching cloth fastened to the rim as well as to the elastic band.

[0008] The missile catching cloth may be fastened to the holding structure around the perimeter of the hole.

[0009] The elastic band may have a first length and the missile catching cloth may have a first and second side fastened to the two points and a first width between the first and second sides, wherein the first width is in the range 1.0 - 1.2 times the first length and with advantage 1.0 times the first length.

[0010] The elastic band may have a first elasticity in the longitudinal direction and the missile catching cloth may have a second elasticity in a direction that is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the elastic band.

[0011] The first elasticity may be in the range 1 -5 MPa, with advantage 3 MPa.

[0012] The second elasticity may be at most 3.0 times the first elasticity, perhaps at most 2.5 times the first elasticity, with advantage at most 2.0 times the first elasticity, preferably at most 1.7 times the first elasticity, more preferably at most 1.2 times the first elasticity and most preferably at most 1.1 times the first elasticity.

[0013] The elastic band may be stretchable to at least twice its length in the longitudinal direction and the missile catching cloth may be stretchable to at least twice its length in a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the elastic band. Alternatively, the missile catching cloth may be considered to be stretchable to at least twice its length in a direction that is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the elastic band.

[0014] The missile catching cloth may have a third elasticity perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elastic band. The third elasticity maybe at most 3.0 times the first elasticity, perhaps at most 2.5 times the first elasticity, with advantage 2.0 times the first elasticity, preferably at most 1.7 times the first elasticity and more preferably at most 1.2 times the first elasticity. The missile catching cloth maybe stretchable to at least one and a half times its length in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elastic band.

[0015] The elastic band may comprise a mixture of rubber and polypropylene. It may for instance comprise 40 - 52% rubber and 48 - 60% polypropylene. One advantageous proportion is 46% rubber and 54% polypropylene.

[0016] The elastic band may have a width in the range 5.0 - 9.0 mm and may preferably be 7.0 mm wide. The elastic band may have a height in the range 0.5 - 0.9 mm and may preferably be 0.7 mm high.

[0017] The elastic band may comprise a number of parallel strings, where each string has a diameter in the range 0.5 - 0.9 mm and may preferably have a diameter of 0.7 mm. Each string may have a rubber core surrounded by a polypropylene wrapping. The number of strings may be in the range 6 - 10. One preferred number is 8.

[0018] The missile catching cloth may have a thickness in the range of 0.5 - 1.5 mm. The missile catching cloth may be made of a synthetic plastic, such as polyester, and an elastomer, such as elastane.

[0019] The holding structure may be made of a thermoplastic polymer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. It may additionally have a shore D hardness in the range 80 - 90.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Aspects and embodiments are now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a missile catch and release device comprising a holding structure, a missile catching cloth and an elastic band,

[0022] fig. 2 shows a side view of the missile catch and release device,

[0023] fig. 3 shows a front view of the missile catch and release device,

[0024] fig. 4 is a view from above of the elastic band,

[0025] fig. 5 is view from above of the missile catching cloth,

[0026] fig. 6 shows a cross-section through the elastic band, and

[0027] fig. 7 shows a side view of the material used to form the missile catching cloth.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0029] These aspects may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of all aspects of invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0030] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards improving on a missile release device, such as a slingshot. More particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards making a missile release device into a missile catch and release device, so that the device does not only release missiles but can also be used to catch missiles. Thereby it could be used in games, where missiles are ejected and caught between two players using a pair of catch and release devices.

[0031] How this can be done will be described in the following.

[0032] Fig. 1, 2 and 3 show a perspective view, a side view and a front view of a missile catch and release device 10, i.e. a device that is to be used for catching and releasing of a missile. One suitable missile is a ball, such as a plastic ball or a tennis ball..

[0033] The missile catch and release device 10 comprises a holding structure 12 comprising a rim 18 that encircles a central hole 20. There is also handle 22 that is joined to the rim 18. The catch and release device 10 also comprises an elastic band 14 that is fastened to the rim at a first and a second point Pi, P2, on two opposing sides of the hole 20. A first end of the band 14 may be fastened at the first point Pi and a second end of the band 14 at the second point P2. The elastic band 14 maybe fastened to the rim 18 through gluing or through being clamped between two halves of the holding structure 12. The elastic band may also have a first length. The first length of the elastic band 14 may be significantly longer than the distance between the two points Pi, P2 to which it is fastened. The first length may as an example be at least two times longer than the distance. A line between the first and second points Pi, P2 in a plane of the hole 20 maybe perpendicular to a longitudinal extension ofthe handle 22. Thereby, the handle 22 may stretch out from the rim 18 in a direction at right angles to and away from this line.

[0034] The catch and release device 10 also comprises a missile catching cloth 16 that is fastened to the rim 18 as well as to the elastic band 14. The missile catching cloth 16 is fastened to the rim 18 around the perimeter of the hole 20, for instance through gluing or through being clamped between said two halves of the holding structure 12, which two halves may in turn be glued together. Furthermore, the elastic band 14 is also fastened to the missile catching cloth 16. The elastic band 14 may be joined to the missile catching cloth 16 by gluing. Alternatively sewing or stitching may be used. The missile catching cloth 16 may also be equipped with a channel that runs along the fabric between the first and the second points Pi, P2 and the elastic band 14 may be placed in this channel.

[0035] The area covered by the missile catching cloth 16 may be significantly larger than the area of the hole 20. As the missile catching cloth 16 is fastened to the elastic band 14, the length of the cloth 16 along the fabric between a first side connected to the first point Pi and a second side connected to the second point P2 may be at least two times longer than the distance between the two points Pi, P2 in the plane where the hole 20 is defined in the holding structure 12. The missile catching cloth 16 may additionally have a first width between the first and second side. The first width may be in the range 1.0 - 1.2 times the first length of the elastic band 14 and with advantage 1.0 times the first length of the elastic band 14. As the missile catching cloth 16 is joined to the perimeter of the hole 20, it is also fastened to a third and a fourth point P3, P4 on the rim 18, which third and fourth point P3, P4 are provided on two sides of the hole that are opposite of each other and shifted 90 degrees around the centre of the hole from the first and second positions Pi, P2. Additionally, the handle 22 may be joined to the rim 18 close to the fourth point P4. The length of the cloth 16 along the fabric between a third side at which the cloth 16 is fastened to the third point P3 and a fourth side at which the cloth 16 is fastened to the fourth point P4 may be at least two times the distance between the third and fourth points P3, P4 on the rim in the plane where the hole 20 is defined in the holding structure 12, i.e. straight across the hole. Thereby the holding structure 12 with cloth 16 will resemble a hand net used to catch fish. The cloth may also be formed as net, i.e. be provided with holes. The holes maybe small. For instance, in an unstretchedstate of the cloth 16, the holes may have a diameter under 5 mm. However, the cloth may as an alternative also be solid.

[0036] As can be seen in fig. 2 and 4, the elastic band 14 has first elasticity El in its longitudinal direction, i.e. along its length between the first and the second points Pi, P2. The first elasticity El may be in the range 1 - 5 MPa and with advantage 3 MPa. As can be seen in fig. 2, 4 and 5, the missile catching cloth 16 has a second elasticity E2 in a direction in parallel with this longitudinal direction i.e. along the fabric between the first and second sides that are connected to the first and second points Pi, P2. Alternatively, the second elasticity E2 of the missile catching cloth 16 may be considered to be provided in a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the elastic band 14. The second elasticity E2 is with advantage in the same range as the first elasticity El. It maybe at most 3.0 times the first elasticity El, perhaps at most 2.5 times the first elasticity El, with advantage at most 2.0 times the first elasticity El, preferably at most 1.7 times the first elasticity El, more preferably at most 1.2 times the first elasticity El and most preferably at most 1.1 times the first elasticity El. As the first elasticity El may be in MPa, also the second elasticity E2 may be in MPa. Moreover, the elastic band 14 is stretchable to at least twice its length in the longitudinal direction and the cloth 16 is stretchable to at least twice its length in a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the elastic band 14. Alternatively, the missile catching cloth may be seen as being stretchable to at least twice its length in a direction that is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the elastic band 14. As can also be seen in fig. 2, 4 and 5, it is additionally possible that the cloth 16 has a third elasticity E3 in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elastic band 14. This third elasticity E3, may in turn be slightly higher than the second elasticity E2. It maybe at most 3.0 times the first elasticity El, perhaps at most 2.5 times the first elasticity El, with advantage at most 2.0 times the first elasticity El, preferably at most 1.7 times the first elasticity El and more preferably at most 1.2 times the first elasticity El. As the first elasticity El may be in MPa, also the third elasticity E3 may be in MPa. The cloth 16 may additionally be stretchable to at least one and a half times the length in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elastic band 14.

[0037] In one advantageous realization of the missile catch and release device 10, the first width of the missile catching cloth 16 is 1.0 times the first length of the elastic band 14 and the second elasticity E2 is at most 1.1 times the first elasticity El.

[0038] As can be seen in fig. 6, which shows a cross-sectional view of the elastic band 14, the band 14 has a height h and a width w. The width w may be in the range 5.0 - 9.0 mm and may preferably be 7.0 mm. The height h may in turn be 0.8 - 1.0 mm. It may with advantage be 0.7 mm high. The elastic band 14 may comprise a mixture of rubber and polypropylene. It may for instance comprise 40 - 52% rubber and 48 - 60% polypropylene. One advantageous proportion is 46% rubber and 54 percent polypropylene. The elastic band 14 may additionally comprise a number of parallel strings 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D 24E, 24F, 24G, 24H, where each string may have a diameter in the range 0.5 - 0.9 mm, which diameter may with advantage be a diameter of 0.7 mm. The number of strings maybe in the range 6 - 10. One preferred number is 8. Each string may comprise a core made of rubber surrounded by a wrapping of polypropylene, where the core may have a diameter in the range of 0.3 -0.7 and with advantage be 0.5 mm.

[0039] As can be seen in fig. 7, which shows a side view of the cloth 15, it may have a thickness T, which thickness can be in the range of 0.5 - 1.5 mm. The cloth 16 may be made of a synthetic plastic, such as polyester, together with an elastomer, such as elastane. The holding structure may in turn be a thermoplastic polymer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). It may also have a shore D hardness in the range 80 - 90.

[0040] The device 10 may with advantage be used to eject projectiles, such as balls. The force with which a projectile is ejected will primarily be decided by the elastic band 14. Ejection can be accomplished through a user placing the projectile in the bottom of the cloth 16, which is at the bottom of the cloth 16 around the midpoint of the elastic band 14 between the first and second ends of the elastic band 14.Thereafter the user can pull the cloth around the midpoint of the elastic band 14 backwards while holding the projectile. The elastic band 14 will then be stretched due to the first elasticity El. Because the cloth 16 has the second elasticity E2 that is in the same range and in the same direction as the first elasticity El, the cloth 16 will easily follow the elastic band 14. If the cloth 16 has holes, these are also still so small after stretching that the projectile will not fall out of the net formed by the cloth 16.Thereby, the inhibition on the stretching that the cloth 16 has on the elastic band 14 is limited. As a consequence, the limitation of the force obtained via the elastic band 14 to eject the projectile will also be low. It has also been shown that if the cloth 16 has the third elasticity E3, then a pulling back of the cloth 16 that is not quite aligned with the direction of the first elasticity El will still allow an acceptable ejection of the missile to be made.

[0041] An ejected projectile can also easily be caught using the device 10. In this case the user may move the device 10 such that the projectile enters the hole 20 and then the projectile is caught by the cloth 14 in a similar manner to a Lacrosse racket.

[0042] If, as a comparison, a net in the form of a mesh of elastic bands were used instead of the cloth, then the projectile would be harder to catch since the projectile may very well bump out of the net.

[0043] It can thus be seen that there is provided a catch and release device 10 for a projectile where projectiles can be effectively ejected with an acceptable missile ejection capability. This is combined with allowing the projectile to be easily caught.

[0044] There are many ways in which the catch and release device may be varied. For instance, in the advantageous realization of the missile catch and release device described above, the first width of the missile catching cloth was 1.0 times the first length of the elastic band and the second elasticity was at most 1.1 times the first elasticity. It is possible that the first width is more than 1.0 times the first length, such as 1.1 or 1.2 times the first length combined with a higher second elasticity, for instance one that is at most 1.2 or 1.7 times the first elasticity. It is also possible to add more elastic bands. For instance, another elastic band may be connected between the third and the fourth points of the rim, which other elastic band may be attached to the missile catching cloth between the third and the fourth sides.Therefore, the invention is only to be limited by the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A missile catch and release device (10) comprising a holding structure (12) with a rim (18) encircling a hole (20), an elastic band (14) fastened to the rim at two points (Pi, P2) on two opposing sides of the hole (20) and a missile catching cloth (16) fastened to the rim (18) as well as to the elastic band (14).

2. The missile catch and release device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the elastic band (14) has a first elasticity (El) in the longitudinal direction and the missile catching cloth (16) has a second elasticity (E2) in a direction that is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the elastic band (14).

3. The missile catch and release device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second elasticity (E2) is at most 3.0 times the first elasticity (El), perhaps at most 2.5 times the first elasticity (El), with advantage at most 2.0 times the first elasticity (El), preferably at most 1.7 times the first elasticity (El), more preferably at most 1.2 times the first elasticity (El) and most preferably at most 1.1 times the first elasticity (El).

4. The missile catch and release device (10) according to any previous claim, wherein the elastic band (14) is stretchable to at least twice its length in the longitudinal direction and the missile catching cloth (16) is stretchable to at least twice its length in a direction that is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the elastic band.

5. The missile catch and release device (10) according to any of claims 2 -4, wherein the missile catching cloth (16) has a third elasticity (E3) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elastic band (14).

6. The missile catch and release device (10) according to of claim 5, wherein the third elasticity (E3) is at most 3.0 times the first elasticity (El), perhaps at most 2.5 times the first elasticity (El), with advantage at most 2.0 times the first elasticity (El), preferably at most 1.7 times the first elasticity (El) and more preferably at most 1.2 times the first elasticity (El).

7. The missile catch and release device (10) according to any previous claim, wherein missile catching cloth (16) is stretchable to at least one and a half times its length in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elastic band (14).

8. The missile catch and release device (10) according to any previous claim, wherein the elastic band (14) has a width in the range 5.0 - 9.0 mm and is preferably 7.0 mm wide.

9. The missile catch and release device (10) according to any previous claim, wherein the elastic band (14) has a height in the range 0.5 - 0.9 mm and is preferably 0.7 mm high.

10. The missile catch and release device (10) according to any previous claim, wherein the elastic band (14) comprises a number of parallel strings, where each string has a diameter in the range 0.5 - 0.9 mm and is preferably 0.7 mm.

11. The missile catch and release device (10) according to claim 10, wherein each string has a rubber core and a polypropylene wrapping.

12. The missile catch and release device (10) according to any previous claim, wherein the missile catching cloth (16) has a thickness in the range of 0.5 - 1.5 mm.

13. The missile catch and release device (10) according to any previous claim, wherein the missile catching cloth (16) is made of a synthetic plastic, such as polyester, and an elastomer, such as elastane.

14. The missile catch and release device (10) according to previous claim, wherein the holding structure (12) is made of a thermoplastic polymer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

15. The missile catch and release device (10) according to any previous claim, wherein the elastic band (14) has a first length and the missile catching cloth (16) has a first and second side fastened to said two points (Pi, P2) and a first width between the first and second sides, wherein the first width is in the range 1.0 - 1.2 times the first length and with advantage 1.0 times the first length.

Images