Digit mounted device for launching projectiles

Abstract

A finger-mounted device for launching a projectile in response to a flick of a finger by a user. The finger-mounted device may comprise a securing means for securing a launcher to the finger of the user. The securing means may comprise a strap, loop, or cinch. The finger-mounted device may further comprise a launch guide extending outwardly from a base member. A projectile may be mounted onto or into the launch guide. The projectile is launched in response to the user flicking the finger, using the thumb as a tensioning means. The projectile may take a wide variety of forms.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for launching a projectile, said apparatus comprising:
 a base member;   a securing member configured and dimensioned to secure the base member to a digit of a user; and   an elongated launch guide extending from the base member;   wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to receive the projectile;   wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to release the projectile in response to a flicking motion of the digit of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated launch guide is one of a solid shaft and a hollow shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more grooves formed in the elongated launch guide. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated launch guide comprises a distal end located furthest from the base member, wherein the distal end is one of concave shaped and convex shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more grooves are one of linear and non-linear. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises one or more slots configured and dimensioned for receiving the securing member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the securing member comprises one of a finger sleeve, a clip, a ring, a finger cot, a sock, and a strap. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the securing member defines a loop configured and dimensioned for receiving the digit of the user, wherein the digit is a finger of the user. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is concave. 
     
     
         10 . apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated launch guide defines an angle with an axis of the digit, wherein. the angle is about 10°. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile comprises a bore, wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to be installed into said bore. 
     
     
         12 . A launch system, said launch system comprising:
 a finger-mounted launch device comprising:
 a base member, 
 a securing member configured and dimensioned to secure the base member to a finger of a user, and 
 an elongated launch guide extending from the base member; and 
   a projectile;   wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to receive the projectile in a pre-launch configuration;   wherein the elongated launch guide is configured and dimensioned to launch the projectile in response to a flicking motion of the finger of the user.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the projectile is one of spherical and cylindrical. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the projectile comprises one of fins and wings. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the projectile is one structure selected from a dart and a disk. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated launch guide is one of a solid shaft and a hollow shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more grooves formed in the elongated launch guide. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated launch guide comprises a distal end located furthest from the base member, wherein the distal end is one of concave shaped and convex shaped. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more grooves are one selected from a linear grove and non-linear groove. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the securing member defines a loop configured and dimensioned for receiving the finger of the user. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the base member comprises a concave bottom surface. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated launch guide defines an angle with an axis of a finger, wherein. the angle is about 10°. 
     
     
         23 . A method of launching a projectile, said method comprising:
 securing a launch device to a finger of a user;   loading a projectile onto the launch device; and,   launching the projectile from the launch device into flight in response to the user flicking the finger.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the launch device comprises an elongated launch guide; wherein the projectile comprises a bore configured and dimensioned to receive the elongated launch guide. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the elongated launch guide comprises a shaft. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein securing the launch device to the finger of the user comprises securing the launch device to the finger of the user using a securing member. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the securing member is one selected from the group consisting of a strap, loop and cinch. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the launch device comprises a concave bottom surface. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the elongated launch guide defines an angle with an axis of the finger, wherein the angle is about 10°. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the projectile is one or more of spherical, cylindrical, finned, and winged. 
     
     
         31 . A launch system, said launch system comprising:
 a lightweight projectile;   means for mounting the projectile to a finger of a user; and   means for launching the projectile into flight in response to a flicking motion of the finger of the user.   
     
     
         32 . The launch system of  claim 31 , wherein the projectile is one of spherical and cylindrical. 
     
     
         33 . The launch system of  claim 31 , wherein the projectile is comprises a projectile selected from the groups comprising projectiles with fins and projectiles with wings. 
     
     
         34 . The launch system of  claim 31 , wherein the projectile is one selected from the groups consisting of a dart and a disk. 
     
     
         35 . The launch system of  claim 31 , wherein the means for mounting comprises a base member and a securing member. 
     
     
         36 . The launch system of  claim 31 , wherein the means for launching comprises a shaft. 
     
     
         37 . The launch system of  claim 36 , wherein the shaft comprises a means for reducing a vacuum between it and the projectile. 
     
     
         38 . The launch system of  claim 37 , wherein the shaft comprises a distal end, wherein the distal end is one of concave shaped and convex shaped. 
     
     
         39 . The launch system of  claim 31 , wherein the projectile comprises a bore. 
     
     
         40 . The launch system of  claim 31 , wherein the means for mounting comprises a concave surface.