Supports – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-22
2001-05-08
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227517
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
A number of mounting brackets, devices and apparatus are known for supporting trap shoot launching machines during use. Known machines fail to adequately address the two major problems associated with trap shoot launching machines, i.e. absorbing the recoil during the launch and providing a proper location and orientation for mounting the machine that does not result in strain the user's back or muscles during the cocking process.
During the launching process, a trap shoot launching machine will experience considerable recoil, as a result of the force resulting from the acceleration and mass of the projectile. The recoil is substantial enough that the launch machine must be attached to a massive or well-anchored object or considerable movement will result.
Also, prior to the launch, the launching device must be cocked, i.e. the spring mechanism must be manually stretched. Since this process is done repeatedly, the user is prone to muscle and joint strain. Most of the strain is due to the angle at which the user must typically address the machine, which does not result in advantageous posture or exercise form.
What is needed is a launch support which is adapted to absorb the recoil of the launch and which is positioned to allow the user to cock the launcher without undue back or muscle strain.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the above needs. A novel mobile launch support adapted for use with the receiver tube of a vehicle's trailer hitch is disclosed that absorbs the shock and recoil of the launch and also properly positions the launch so that the user may operate it without undue back, joint and muscle strain.
The mobile launch support of the present invention provides some or all of the following structures.
(A) An inside end of an insert tube
30
is releasably attachable to the receiver tube
120
carried by either a utility vehicle
100
or truck
110
. The insert tube may be secured by a fastener which typically passes through matched holes defined in the insert tube and receiver tube.
(B) A vertical support tube
20
is fastened to an outside end of the insert tube
30
, and allows the support plate assembly to be carried at a desired elevation. A lower end of the vertical support tube carries a perpendicularly oriented attachment tube
90
, which is sized to slide into an outside end of the insert tube. Corresponding pairs of fastening holes defined in the outside end of the insert tube and the attachment tube allow two fasteners to be used to lock the insert tube to the vertical support tube.
(C) A support plate assembly
50
is carried by an upper end of the vertical support tube
20
, and forms a platform upon which a launching device
200
may attached.
(D) An adjustment tube
60
is sized to slide within the vertical support tube
20
in a telescopic manner and provides a plurality of adjustment holes for adjustable attachment to the vertical support tube. A foot plate
70
is carried by a lower end of the adjustment tube. In operation, the adjustment tube is slid within the vertical support tube until the foot plate is firmly planted on the ground. The adjustable tube is then attached to the vertical support tube.
(E) A footrest
80
is optionally carried by the outside end of the insert tube. The footrest allows an operator to straddle the insert tube, with both feet on the opposed pegs forming the footrest.
It is therefore a primary advantage of the present invention to provide a novel mobile launch support adapted for use with the receiver tube of a vehicle's trailer hitch, and which therefore uses the mass of a vehicle to absorb much of the recoil shock after the launch.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel mobile launch support adapted for use with the receiver tube of a vehicle's trailer hitch which provides an adjustment tube and associated foot plate which uses the ground to further stabilize the mobile launch after firing.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel mobile launch support adapted for use with two launching devices.
A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a novel mobile launch support adapted for use with the receiver tube of a vehicle's trailer hitch which adjusts to compensate for ground which is not level, and for the height of the supporting vehicle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6076847 (2000-06-01), Thornton
patent: 6168181 (2001-01-01), Gadd
Ramirez Ramon O.
Thompson David S.
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