Object throwing and catching device

Abstract

An object throwing and catching apparatus includes a flexible web having a first tubular end, a second tubular end, a first side edge, a second side edge, a pair of handles for inserting into the first and second tubular edges, and two pieces of an elongate, stretchable component, one attached to the first side edge and another attached to the second side edge.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for throwing and catching an object, said apparatus comprising: 
 a flexible web panel having a first tubular end and a second tubular end forming a sling portion therebetween, said sling portion having a first edge and a second edge, a first stretchable component attached to said first edge, and a second stretchable component attached to said second edge; and    a first elongate handle inside said first tubular end and a second elongate handle inside said second tubular end.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a ball.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said ball has a diameter of about ⅞ inch to about 5½ inches, and a weight of about {fraction (1/16)} ounce to about 6½ ounces.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first elongate handle and said second elongate handle are tubular.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the maximum taut length of said first stretchable component is about the length of said first edge.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the maximum taut length of said second stretchable component is about the length of said second edge.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first stretchable component is shaped like a ribbon.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first stretchable component is shaped like a cord.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second stretchable component is shaped like a ribbon.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second stretchable component is shaped like a cord.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said web panel is a made of a nonforaminous material.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said web panel is made of a foraminous material.  
     
     
         13 . An object throwing and catching game kit comprising: 
 a first rigid handle;    a second rigid handle; and    a flexible, elongate web having first and second tubular ends, and parallel side edges wherein each of said edges has a stretchable component attached thereto, said first and second tubular ends each having sufficient interior dimension for sliding receipt of said first and second rigid handle.    
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13  further including a ball.  
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14  wherein said ball has a diameter of about ⅞ inch to about 5½ inches, and a weight of about {fraction (1/16)} ounce to about 6½ ounces.  
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein said web is a panel of nonforaminous material.  
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein said web is a panel of foraminous material.  
     
     
         18 . A method of making an object throwing and catching device, said method comprising: 
 cuffing a piece of flexible material into a predetermined rectangular shape having a shorter first end and second end;    folding and fastening said first end onto itself forming a first tubular hem;    folding and fastening said second end onto itself forming a second tubular hem wherein said first tubular hem and said second tubular hem each have a longer first edge and second edge along said piece of flexible material between said first and second tubular hems;    cutting two pieces of a stretchable material component such that each piece is about the length of said first and second edge;    attaching one piece of said stretchable material component along said first edge and the other piece of said stretchable material component along said second edge; and    cutting two pieces of an elongate, rigid material having an outside diameter for sliding receipt into said first and second tubular hems and being approximately equal in length to said first and second tubular hems.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising inserting one of said two pieces of said elongate, rigid material into said first tubular hem and inserting the other of said two pieces of said elongate, rigid material into said second tubular hem.