Dual ball launching and retrieving toy

Abstract

A toy ball launching and retrieving device adapted to hold two balls at one time so that both balls can be launched consecutively from the device and so that each ball can be separately retrieved by said device comprising a handle having a ball engaging and releasing member at each opposite end thereof for separately launching and retrieving each of the two balls with each ball engaging and releasing member comprising a plurality of at least four relatively flexible fingers symmetrically arranged relative to a common base with each finger having a free end and a curvature forming a radial arc in substantial radial alignment with the curvature of a finger disposed opposite thereto such that the curvature of the fingers and common base form a partial spherical space for retaining and releasing a ball and with the spherical space substantially conforming to the geometry of the ball.

1 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device adapted to hold two balls at one time so that both balls can be launched consecutively from the device and for separately retrieving each ball without using the hands to touch either ball comprising a handle having a ball engaging and releasing member at each opposite end thereof for separately launching and retrieving each of the two balls with each ball engaging and releasing member comprising at least four relatively flexible fingers extending from a common base in a symmetrical arrangement relative to the base and with each finger having a free end and a curvature forming a radial arc such that the curvature of the fingers and said common base form a partial spherical space for retaining and releasing a ball therein and with the geometry of the partial spherical space substantially conforming to the geometry of the ball being launched or held by said device. 
     
     
         2 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 1  wherein the number of fingers is in a range of between 4-8 fingers. 
     
     
         3 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 2  wherein said ball engaging and releasing members include an even number of fingers in a range of between 4-8 fingers, with each finger being in substantial radial alignment with the curvature of a finger disposed opposite thereto. 
     
     
         4 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 3  wherein said common base has a concave curvature so that each ball engaging and releasing member in combination with the curvature of said common base forms a partial spherical space for engaging a ball which will make contact with the curved surface of the common base when the ball is engaged. 
     
     
         5 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 4  consisting of six fingers. 
     
     
         6 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 4  wherein the ball engaging member and the handle are composed of a relatively soft plastic composition. 
     
     
         7 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 6  wherein the fingers are graduated in length such that the fingers which lie in substantial radial alignment include one finger of long length and a second finger of shorter length. 
     
     
         8 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 7  wherein the ball engaging member and handle are composed of vinyl. 
     
     
         9 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 7  wherein the handle is a single straight member. 
     
     
         10 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 7  wherein the handle comprises a curved center section and two straight sections extending from opposite ends of the curved center section. 
     
     
         11 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 10  wherein the center section has a curvature causing the two straight sections to be aligned in parallel with respect to each other. 
     
     
         12 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 7  wherein two of the fingers lying adjacent to the longest finger are substantially of the same length and two of the fingers lying adjacent to the shortest finger are substantially of the same length. 
     
     
         13 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 7  wherein the two fingers lying adjacent to the shortest finger are aligned on an axis which intersects the axis of the shortest finger. 
     
     
         14 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 1  wherein each ball engaging and releasing member is oriented so that the fingers are oriented in an opposing relationship at each end of the device. 
     
     
         15 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 14  wherein the fingers at each opposing end of the device are oriented substantially 180° apart. 
     
     
         16 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 3  wherein each ball engaging and releasing member is oriented so that the fingers are oriented in an opposing relationship at each end of the device. 
     
     
         17 . A toy ball launching and retrieving device as defined in  claim 6  wherein the fingers at each opposing end of the device are oriented substantially 180° apart.