Launchable projectiles and launchers for the same

Abstract

A projectile for launching through the air comprises a body and one or more projecting members integral therewith extending outwardly a distance from the body, which can be hollow or solid. The projectile is formed from an elastomeric material capable of being stretched to energize the projectile for launching. The projecting members are positioned a distance apart from one another and include openings disposed therethrough at distal ends for engaging sections of a launching device. The launching device includes a handle with the sections extending outwardly therefrom to accommodate placement of the projectile openings thereagainst for retaining the projectile before and during launch. The projectile is launched from the device by pulling the body away from the launching device to energize the projectile, and then releasing the energized projectile, causing it to be propelled from the launching device into the air and towards a desired target.

1 . A projectile for launching through the air comprising:
 a body; and   at least one projecting member extending from the body, wherein the projecting member is formed from an elastomeric material capable of being stretched a distance from the body when placed into a pre-launch state to energize the projectile for launching.   
     
     
         2 . The projectile as recited in  claim 1  wherein the body and the at least one projecting member are formed from the same material and are part of an integral one-piece construction. 
     
     
         3 . The projectile as recited in  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a solid construction. 
     
     
         4 . The projectile as recited in  claim 3  wherein the body comprises one or both of a projection extending therethrough and a surface feature extending outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The projectile as recited in  claim 1  wherein the at least one projecting member includes an opening therethrough for engaging a launching device. 
     
     
         7 . The projectile as recited in  claim 6  wherein the opening is elongate. 
     
     
         8 . The projectile as recited in  claim 1  comprising a pair of projecting members each including openings therein for engaging a launching device, wherein the pair of projecting members extend from body at locations that are between about 45 to 180 degrees apart from one another. 
     
     
         9 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A system for launching a projectile comprising:
 a projectile comprising a body and one or more projecting members extending therefrom, wherein the projecting members are formed from an elastomeric material that is capable of being stretched to energize the projectile for launch; and   a launch device comprising a one or more outwardly extending elements configured to engage a portion of a respective projecting member, wherein the projectile is placed into a launch position by retracting the projectile body a distance from the launch device while the openings are engaged with the extending element to energize the one or more projecting members, and wherein the projectile is launched free of the launch device and projected into the air by thereafter releasing the body.   
     
     
         26 . The system as recited in  claim 25  wherein the one or more projecting members extend outwardly from the body. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The system as recited in  claim 25  wherein the one or more projecting members comprise an opening for accommodating placement of a respective extending element therein. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The system as recited in  claim 25  wherein the launch device includes a member that is configured to fit with a portion of a user's hand. 
     
     
         31 . The system as recited in  claim 25  wherein the launch device comprises a frame defining an annular opening through which the projectile travels when launched. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method for launching a projectile through the air comprising the steps of:
 engaging a portion of a respective projectile projecting member with respective element of a launch device that is held by a user, wherein the projecting member is formed from an elastomeric material and extends outwardly from a projectile body;   retracting the projectile a distance from the launch device while the projecting member is engaged with the launch device causing the projecting member to stretch and become energized; and   releasing the projectile causing the projectile to be launched away from the launching device and into the air.   
     
     
         34 . The method as recited in  claim 33  wherein the body and projecting member are an integral one-piece construction. 
     
     
         35 . The method as recited in  claim 33  wherein the projectile comprises a pair of projecting members. 
     
     
         36 . The method as recited in  claim 33  wherein the projectile body is solid and comprises one or more surface features extending outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         37 . The method as recited in  claim 36  wherein the projectile body further comprises a number of projections extending therethrough. 
     
     
         38 . The method as recited in  claim 33  wherein the projectile body is hollow. 
     
     
         39 . The method as recited in  claim 33  wherein during the step of retracting, the projectile body is grasped by a user and moved outwardly away from the launch device. 
     
     
         40 . The method as recited in  claim 39  wherein during the step of releasing, the user releases its grasp of the projectile body.