An improved dog toy gripping and throwing device wherein the gripper can be adjusted to accommodate gripping different size and shape dog toys.

An improved dog toy gripping and throwing device wherein the gripper can be adjusted to accommodate gripping different size and shape dog toys.

A shaft lock for interconnection of an elongate tubular lacrosse handle and a plastic lacrosse head. The shaft lock comprises an elastomeric insert compression-fitted inside the handle. The insert has a compressible body portion which, in an uncompressed form generally conforms to the interior walls of the handle and is defined by a plurality of co-planar ribs that span the interior walls of the handle. A hard screw-anchor is embedded within the elastomer insert, and the insert is anchored inside the handle by at least one screw threaded through the handle into the screw-anchor from top-to-bottom, the screw(s) engaging the screw anchor and compressing it against the elastomeric insert. The threaded engagement of the screw(s) through the wall of the handle and into the screw-anchor compresses the elastomeric insert, maintaining a constant tension against the screw(s) and against the interior walls of the handle. This avoids loosening and/or dislodgement as a result of impact or vibration, and resists the threads of the screw from stripping either the handle wall(s) or the insert as a result of torque or other stress.

A device for launching and catching an object is provided. The device may include a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a channel therebetween. A propulsion mechanism may be housed within the body and include a motor. The propulsion mechanism may receive an object traveling at a first speed within the channel and from the inlet and to adjust the speed of the object to a second speed enroute to the outlet such that the object is launched into the air. A receiving funnel defined by the body may catch the object as the object descends such that the object is directed back into the inlet. A method of playing a catch game is also provided which may include one or more devices for launching and catching an object.

A device for launching and catching an object is provided. The device may include a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a channel therebetween. A propulsion mechanism may be housed within the body and include a motor. The propulsion mechanism may receive an object traveling at a first speed within the channel and from the inlet and to adjust the speed of the object to a second speed enroute to the outlet such that the object is launched into the air. A receiving funnel defined by the body may catch the object as the object descends such that the object is directed back into the inlet. A method of playing a catch game is also provided which may include one or more devices for launching and catching an object.

A game and its components are disclosed which comprises, in one embodiment, one or more buckets for arranging on a playing surface, and scoops for receiving a malleable ball wherein players may toss the malleable balls or at the bucket in an effort to score points. Also disclosed are various methods for playing the game. The preferred arrangement of components of the invention includes two buckets that may stand alone or equidistant from the other bucket and opposite each player (or, if the players are more numerous than two-opposite each team of players), two identical malleable spherical balls which are shaped and sized such that the balls form a friction fit with two equally sized identical scoops, and two scoops for tossing the aforementioned balls into the bucket. The scoops can be used for catching and throwing without the buckets.

A ground based launching assembly for feeding balls vertically upwards to a user. The user may takes strokes at fed balls, thereby delivering the balls towards a catching assembly. The catching assembly receives the balls and gently returns the ball back to the launching assembly. Disposed between the catching assembly and the launching assembly is a return ramp and a ball sequencer. These require no more than ten feet in length. Such a device may be readily used in a single car garage or other small room.

A lacrosse stick for reducing the rebound of a ball caught therein. The head of the lacrosse stick has a socket for receiving the shaft, and incorporates one or a plurality of flexible elastomer pads within or as part of the handle or socket, where the head and handle meet, to damp impact and rebound. The flexibility of the damping pads produces a give that minimizes the rebound of a pocket after being impacted by a ball. This pocket dampening limits the movement of the ball and makes the ball easier to control and to retain in the pocket. The precise location of the dampening material on the lacrosse head may be varied to control the degree of pocket give in response to, for example, the force on the pocket created by a ball impacting the pocket during a catch or swinging in the pocket during cradling.

Provided is a method for predicting a location of a fast-moving object. The method includes receiving event information from an event camera, the event information corresponding to an event detected by the event camera, generating a Binary Event History Image (BEHI) based on the event information, providing the BEHI as an input to an event-based neural network, obtaining, as an output of the event-based neural network, a first predicted location of the fast-moving object, a normal distribution indicating prediction uncertainty of the predicted location, and a predicted time-to-collision (TTC). The method further includes estimating a second predicted location of the fast-moving object based on the first predicted location, the normal distribution, and the predicted TTC output by the event-based neural network, and actuating a mechanical catching device to be at the second predicted location.

Provided is a method for predicting a location of a fast-moving object. The method includes receiving event information from an event camera, the event information corresponding to an event detected by the event camera, generating a Binary Event History Image (BEHI) based on the event information, providing the BEHI as an input to an event-based neural network, obtaining, as an output of the event-based neural network, a first predicted location of the fast-moving object, a normal distribution indicating prediction uncertainty of the predicted location, and a predicted time-to-collision (TTC). The method further includes estimating a second predicted location of the fast-moving object based on the first predicted location, the normal distribution, and the predicted TTC output by the event-based neural network, and actuating a mechanical catching device to be at the second predicted location.