Apparatus for throwing projectiles

Abstract

A device for throwing projectiles, such as water balloons. In one exemplary embodiment, the device includes a head portion and a shaft cooperating to form a substantially Y-shaped body. Specifically, the head portion includes a rim having netting extending between opposing sides thereof However, unlike known lacrosse sticks, the rim of the present device does not form a complete, elliptical ring and instead forms a substantially U-shaped body. The substantially U-shaped body of the rim portion of the present device results from the creation of opposing terminal ends.

1 . A device for launching a water balloon, the device comprising:
 an elongate shaft;   a head portion having a base and a rim, said base secured to said shaft, said rim having a pair of opposing arms extending outwardly from said base portion, said pair of opposing arms including terminal ends, whereby said head portion and said shaft cooperate to form a substantially Y-shaped body; and   netting extending between said pair of opposing arms.   
   
   
       2 . The device for launching a water balloon of  claim 1 , wherein said head portion forms a substantially U-shaped body. 
   
   
       3 . The device for launching a water balloon of  claim 1 , wherein said netting further comprises a support line, said support line extending between said opposing pair of arms of said rim, wherein said support line provides additional support to said netting. 
   
   
       4 . The device for launching a water balloon of  claim 1 , wherein said head portion is formed from a polymer selected from the group consisting of nylon, urethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyketone, polybutylene terephalate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylic, and acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile. 
   
   
       5 . The device for launching a water balloon of  claim 1 , wherein said netting is wrapped around said opposing arms of said rim to secure said netting to said rim. 
   
   
       6 . The device for launching a water balloon of  claim 1 , wherein said netting is formed from nylon. 
   
   
       7 . A device for launching a deformable projectile, the device comprising:
 an elongate shaft; and   launch means for launching the deformable projectile, said launch means including a head portion defining a launch exit and support means for supporting the deformable projectile.   
   
   
       8 . The device for launching a deformable projectile of  claim 7 , wherein said head portion includes an interrupted rim, said interrupted rim defining said launch exit. 
   
   
       9 . The device for launching a deformable projectile of  claim 7 , wherein said head portion includes a rim having a pair of opposing arms and said support means extends between said pair of opposing arms. 
   
   
       10 . The device for launching a deformable projectile of  claim 9 , wherein said support means comprises a net. 
   
   
       11 . The device for launching a deformable projectile of  claim 10 , wherein said netting further comprises a support line, said support line extending between said opposing pair of arms of said rim, wherein said support line provides additional support to said netting. 
   
   
       12 . A method of launching a water balloon, comprising the steps of:
 providing a first water balloon;   providing a device comprising:
 an elongate shaft; 
 a head portion having a base and an interrupted rim, the base secured to the shaft, and the interrupted rim defining a launch exit; and 
 a support for supporting the water balloon; 
   supporting the first water balloon on the support of the device; and   advancing the device along an arcuate path.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of passing the first water balloon through the launch exit of the device. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a second water balloon;   supporting the second water balloon on the support of the device; and   advancing the device along an arcuate path.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising passing the second water balloon through the launch exit of the device.