Unitary Flexible Wire Headend for Self-Cocking Clay Target Thrower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand-held clay target throwers are cumbersome, prone to clay target breakage, and lack efficient self-cocking and launch mechanisms, resulting in inconsistent flight patterns and user frustration.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held clay target thrower system comprising a unitary rear-loading flexible wire headend and a specially formed handle with a self-cocking block and impact structure, allowing for easy, rapid loading and controlled release of clay targets, reducing breakage and enabling variable flight patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple components are used in hand-held clay target throwers (spring actuated launch mechanism, pressure-releasable means, additional holding springs), then the launch function can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and manufacture is frustrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (headend, spring mechanism, handle, release mechanism) into a unitary one-piece molded structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate moving parts and simplifies manufacture while maintaining the launch function through the resilient plastic material's inherent elasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single piece of resilient plastic material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it holds the clay target, provides the launch mechanism through elastic deformation, and acts as the structural framework. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while achieving all necessary operations.
2Ease of operation
If front-loading headend is used with multiple components, then the clay target can be held and launched, but the operation becomes cumbersome and user frustration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the loading mechanism, holding structure, and release mechanism into a single unitary component. This eliminates the need for separate moving parts and simplifies operation while maintaining the launch function through the resilient plastic material's inherent elasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex mechanical mechanisms to achieve release, the patent inverts the approach by using the natural elastic recovery of the molded plastic material to automatically cock and release the clay target. The resilient material's deformation and recovery provide the launch function without additional moving parts.
3Reliability
If conventional multi-component throwers are used, then the launch mechanism can be achieved, but clay target breakage increases due to disrupted operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (headend, spring mechanism, handle, release mechanism) into a unitary one-piece molded structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate moving parts and simplifies manufacture while maintaining the launch function through the resilient plastic material's inherent elasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient plastic material automatically cocks and releases the clay target through its elastic deformation and recovery, without requiring separate spring mechanisms or release devices. This self-service mechanism reduces complexity and improves reliability by eliminating potential failure points in multi-component systems.
4Productivity
If conventional throwers without self-cocking mechanism are used, then the basic launch function is achieved, but the operation is inefficient and inconsistent flight patterns result
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient plastic material automatically cocks and releases the clay target through its elastic deformation and recovery, without requiring separate spring mechanisms or release devices. This self-service mechanism reduces complexity and improves reliability by eliminating potential failure points in multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient plastic material is pre-formed during molding to contain the cocking and release functions. The geometry of the molded structure itself provides the self-cocking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate preliminary actions or additional components to achieve consistent launches.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables fast, directional, and consistent throwing of clay targets over 100 yards, accommodating various target sizes and configurations, with reduced breakage and enhanced user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a unitary rear-loading flexible wire headend
Implementation Method 2
an impact structure to assist the comfortable, efficient, and effective throwing and launch of a clay target
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention addresses problems not resolved by conventional hand-held clay target throwers by providing a clay target throwing device comprising two unique main components that, both separately and upon combination, provide for a significantly improved hand-held clay target thrower device. The first main component is a unitary rear-loading flexible wire headend. The second main component is a specially formed handle including a self-cocking block component and an impact backstop structure. Together the combined flexible wire headend and handle provide an easy-to-use, efficient, effective, comfortable, and weather-resistant hand-held self-cocking and controlled release clay target throwing unit.