A ball-launching device includes a housing, ball holder, elastomeric member, cocking member, latch, and trigger assembly. The housing has an opening at a first end defining an elongated cavity. The ball holder is disposed in the housing cavity and slidable in an axial direction from a first position proximate to the opening at the housing first end, to a second position. The elastomeric member is selectively arranged within the housing to bias the ball holder toward the first position. The cocking member includes a first portion disposed outside of the housing, being usable to move the ball holder into a cocked position, where the latch may oppose the bias of the elastomeric member and releasably secure the cocking member and the ball holder thereat. Actuating the trigger assembly releases the latch, permitting the elastomeric member to accelerate the ball holder towards the housing first end to launch the ball therefrom.

A projectile launcher includes a frame, a grip, a hub mounted to the frame and configured to rotate about a central axis, the hub configured to wind a power cable about the central axis, and a flexible limb extending upwardly from the frame, the limb having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the frame, the power cable coupled with the limb proximate the second end, with the grip mounted to the frame between the central axis and the first end of the limb.

The projectile launcher includes a riser base, an elongate barrel assembly attached to the riser base, a crank mechanism attached to the back of the barrel assembly, a trigger assembly, and an internal bow assembly mounted to the riser base. The crank assembly includes a rotatable crank for selective reciprocation of a cocking carriage riding inside a rail system in the barrel assembly. The cocking carriage selectively engages a projectile nock carriage riding within the rail system to push the nock carriage into a cocked position. The internal bow assembly includes vertically spaced upper and lower resilient bow arms and a system of pulleys and cables interconnecting the bow arms and the nock carriage. Cocking to the nock carriage flexes the bow arms in preparation for placement and firing of a projectile. The working components of the projectile launcher are enclosed by a covering to protect the user.

A launching device comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end, a head coupled to the first end of the shaft and a handle coupled to the second end of the shaft. The head comprises a cavity and a launch ramp curved both upwardly and outwardly from the cavity, wherein a distal portion of the launch ramp extends outwardly beyond the cavity in a forward launching direction. An angle is defined by the longitudinal grip axis and the distal portion of the launch ramp to direct a projectile disposed in the cavity in the forward launching direction.

A hand held throwing apparatus and method includes of a U-shaped body with two sides and a bottom forming an open interior, the U-shaped body having an open front and an open back. A combination throwing-cocking arm with a first end and a second end is provided where the second end is rotatably connected with the U-shaped body in proximity to the open front in between the two sides. A spring is provided with a first end and a second end, where the first end of the spring is attached to the second end of the combination throwing-cocking arm and the second end of the spring is connected with the U-shaped body. A stop device is attached to the combination throwing-cocking arm between the first end and the second end and a handle is connected to the U-shaped body.

A weapon includes a stock; a slide member connected and linearly movable relative to the stock, the slide member being movable between a rearward slide member position and a forward slide member position; a sling connected to the slide member and configured to be drawn back under tension to project a projectile upon release of the tension; and a firing action configured to selectively retain the sling in a drawn back position and release the sling to project the projectile.

An improved sling shot rifle has an elongated rail, a stock operatively coupled to a first end of the elongated rail, the stock comprising a trigger and a catch releasably coupled to the trigger. A resiliently stretchable pouch comprising a closed first end, an open second end configured to be operatively coupled to the elongated rail, and an insert comprising an insert body having a first end, an opposite second end, a cylindrical cavity formed in the insert body second end and a first diameter wherein the back of the axial cavity is configured to receive a back end of an arrow. The insert further comprises a flange formed on the insert body first end wherein the flange comprises a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. A ring is positioned around an outside surface of the resiliently stretchable pouch proximate the resiliently stretchable pouch first end so that the ring is received around the insert body adjacent the flange. A loop is operatively coupled to the ring at respective points that are opposite from each other on the ring, wherein the loop is configured to be releasably coupled to the catch.

A pet toy launching system for use with mobile devices includes a ball launcher, a dog-wearable sensing apparatus, a ball or other projectile, a mobile device, and one or more sensors. Each of the ball launcher, the dog-wearable sensing apparatus, and the ball or other projectile includes a transmitter. Each sensor is disposed in, and is electrically connected to the transmitter in, one of the ball launcher, the dog-wearable sensing apparatus, and/or the ball. The mobile device communicates with at least one of the ball launcher, the dog-wearable sensing apparatus, and/or the ball. The application software program presents a user interface, to a user, such that a game may be carried out, via the application software program, when the dog-wearable sensing apparatus is worn by a dog and the ball launcher is utilized to launch the ball or other projectile for the dog to retrieve.

An improved slingshot comprises a grip comprising a handle, a first arm coupled to the handle and a second arm coupled to the handle, a resiliently stretchable sling comprises a first resiliently stretchable band comprising a first end and an opposite second end, a second resiliently stretchable band comprising a third end and an opposite fourth end, a first mounting formation integrally formed with the first band second end, a second mounting formation integrally formed with the second band fourth end, and a first pouch integrally formed with the first band first end and the second band third end. The first resiliently stretchable band, the second resiliently stretchable band, the pouch and the first and the second mounting formations are all formed from the same material, where the first mounting formation is configured to be releasably attached to the first arm, and the second mounting formation is configured to be releasably attached to the second arm.