Hand held projectile launcher with light source

Abstract

A hand held projectile launcher comprises an elongated handle having a gripping portion at a first end and a projectile holding unit at a second end. The projectile holding unit is sized and shaped to releasably receive a projectile. A light source is provided on a surface of the projectile holding unit that contacts or is exposed to the projectile, and a light switch is optionally provided on the gripping portion and is capable of controlling operation of the light source. When the light switch is activated, the light source directs light onto a projectile held in the projectile holding unit. The projectile may include a phosphorescent or similar component so that it becomes luminescent when charged by the light source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hand held projectile launcher comprising:
 an elongated handle having a gripping portion at a first end and a projectile holding unit at a second end, the projectile holding unit being sized and shaped to releasably receive a projectile,   a light source on a surface of the projectile holding unit that contacts or is exposed to the projectile when the projectile is held in the projectile holding unit, and   a light control switch capable of controlling operation of the light source,   whereby when the light switch is activated, the light source directs light onto a projectile held in the projectile holding unit.   
     
     
         2 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the projectile holding unit is concave. 
     
     
         3 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 1 , wherein the light control switch is on the gripping portion. 
     
     
         4 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 1 , wherein the projectile holding unit is sized and shaped to releasably receive a ball. 
     
     
         5 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 1 , wherein the projectile holding unit is sized and shaped to releasably receive a tennis ball. 
     
     
         6 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 1 , wherein the gripping portion comprises indentations for receiving the fingers of a user. 
     
     
         7 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises one or more incandescent or fluorescent bulbs and/or one or more light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         8 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 1 , further comprising a battery port and a recharging port. 
     
     
         9 . A hand held projectile launcher comprising:
 an elongated handle having a gripping portion at a first end and a projectile holding unit at a second end, the projectile holding unit being sized and shaped to releasably receive a projectile,   a light source on a surface of the projectile holding unit that contacts or is exposed to the projectile, and   a chargably luminescent projectile releasably receivable within the projectile holding unit,   whereby when the light switch is activated, the light source directs light onto the chargably luminescent projectile when held in the projectile holding unit.   
     
     
         10 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 9 , wherein the surface of the projectile holding unit is concave. 
     
     
         11 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 9 , wherein the chargably luminescent projectile comprises a ball. 
     
     
         12 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 9 , wherein the chargably luminescent projectile comprises a phosphorescent component. 
     
     
         13 . A hand held projectile launcher according to  claim 9 , further comprising a light control switch on the gripping portion capable of controlling operation of the light source. 
     
     
         14 . A method of playing fetch, the method comprising:
 providing an elongated handle having a projectile holding unit and a gripping portion;   inserting a projectile into the projectile holding unit;   gripping the gripping portion;   activating a light source to direct light onto the projectile; and   launching the projectile.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  comprising activating a light control switch to cause the activation of the light source. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the light control switch is located on the gripping portion. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the projectile is chargably luminescent. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the light source is located on the projectile holding unit.