HANDHELD LAUNCHING DEVICE

Abstract

A device is provided for launching an object (such as a football) in the air in a spiral fashion as if thrown by a professional football player. In one version, the launcher has a generally elongated body with a handle on the proximal end and a socket for holding the football on the distal end. The socket has two concave walls facing each other on each side of the socket. It has a rubber structure on the top and a finlike design flaring outward, which enables the football to spin in the air when it is launched there from. It is operated by properly fitting the football snugly in the socket of the device and swinging the device in a forward overhead motion

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a ball-throwing device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device that launches a football in a spiraling motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

A typical football team comprises one quarterback and five receivers. During football practice, the quarterback may become overworked while trying to ensure that each of the five receivers gets a workout. Moreover, since some dexterity is required to throw a football in a spiraling motion some distance down the field, substitutes for the quarterback are limited to those who possess this dexterity.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that this traditional approach leaves room for more optimal approaches.

The following are examples of specific aspects in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader, are not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. One such aspect of the prior art appears to teach of a stationary device that allows a player to receive a hiked football without the presence of another player. The launcher appears to be a simply designed catapult that may be operated with a stepping motion by the individual.

By way of educational background, another generally useful aspect of the prior art is believed to teach of a device where there is a motor-driven device that uses co-acting wheels to launch the football in either a spiraling motion, as in a forward pass, or in an end-over-end motion, as in a kick off. It would appear that the speed, the direction, and the manner of a football's trajectory appear to be controlled by the angular relationship between, and the speed of, the co-acting wheels.

By way of educational background, another generally useful aspect of the prior art is believed to teach of a spring-activated device that launches a football in a spiraling motion. The football appears to rest in a cup and is held in place by four wheels at its midpoint. It is believed that a trigger releases the compressed spring, and the actions of the spinning cup and the wheels on the ball launch it with a spiraling motion. However, these solutions appear not to provide a simple, economical, handheld device that throws an official-sized football in a spiraling motion a greater distance. A solution that does so is desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, rather than by limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate various views of an exemplary device 100 for launching a football in a spiraling motion, in which FIG. 1A is front view and FIG. 1B is a side view without a football, and FIG. 1C is a front view with a football, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method for operating device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a person using exemplary device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary device 400 for launching a football in a spiraling motion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless indicated, illustrations in the figures may not be drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternative approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, the modifications and variations of the invention are too numerous to be listed, but all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the described materials, manufacturing techniques, and applications, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include subservient steps and subservient means. All conjunctions are to be understood in the most inclusive sense. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice of, or when testing, the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate various views of an exemplary device 100 for launching a football in a spiraling motion, in which FIG. 1A is front view and FIG. 1B is a side view without a football, and FIG. 1C is a front view with a football, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the elongated body 105 of device 100 slightly curves rearward at a predetermined angle and has a handle 110 with a predetermined length on the proximal end and a socket 115 on the distal end. In a non-limiting example, the body 105 and handle 110 may comprise a lightweight plastic material.

Socket 115 of device 100 comprises concave walls 120 and 125 with a predetermined radius. In the present embodiment, the left wall 120 is smaller than the right wall 125 and is topped by a gripping surface 130; the right wall 125 is larger than the left wall 120 and is topped by gripping surface 135. In a non-limiting example, the gripping surfaces 130 and 135 may comprise rubber. In another non-limiting example, the socket 115 may comprise the same gripping material as used by gripping surfaces 130 and 135. The handle 110 also has a non-slip gripping surface 140. In a non-limiting example, the non-slip gripping surface 140 may comprise rubber. In the present embodiment socket 115 is designed to hold football 145.

In the present embodiment, the right wall 125 is responsible for launching the football 145 in a spiraling motion when the device 100 is operated. In some embodiments, the gripping surface 135 on the top of the right wall 125 may have a flaring finlike design (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the socket 115, the concave walls 120 and 125, and the gripping surfaces 130 and 135 conform to the shape of, without limitation, the official National Football League-sized football 145.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method for operating device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The user securely places the football 145 into the socket 115 in a step 205. To launch the football, the user grips the handle 110 and swings the device 100 in a overhead, forward motion in a step 210. Upon release from the socket 115, the football 145 travels in the desired direction in a spiraling motion in a step 215. The user may then either pick up another football 145 in a step 220, and repeat steps 205-215, or end the process.

FIG. 3 illustrates a person using exemplary device 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the device 100 is handheld 150. The user launches the football 145 from the socket 115 by swinging the device 100 by the handle 110 in an overhead, forward motion.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may be used to play catch at the beach or in a field.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may be used to play fetch with a pet.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may be used to give away footballs to the crowd of people in a stadium.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may be used to hit cans, bottles or anything that can be used as target.

In some embodiments, the components of device 100 may be adapted for the junior-sized football.

In an alternative embodiment, the size of the device 100 may be adapted to the size and the throwing strength of the user.

In some embodiments, the handle 110 and the socket 115 may be joined with strips of thermoplast and metal screws.

In some embodiments, the combined body 105 and the handle 110 may be straight.

In some embodiments, the combined body 105 and the handle 110 may be shorter or longer or may be adjustable.

In some embodiments, the angle of the body 105 to the socket 115 changes the direction and/or the altitude of the football 145 when it is launched. In a non-limiting example, a greater angle results in a poorer spiraling motion; a smaller angle results in a shorter distance and launches the football toward the ground.

In some embodiments, the handle 110 may comprise PVC.

In some embodiments, the socket 115 may comprise thermoplast.

In some embodiments, the socket 115 may resemble a glove with finger-like and thumb-like gripping surfaces 130 and 135.

In some embodiments, the concave walls 120 and 125 may be reversed to accommodate left-handed individuals.

In some embodiments, the sizes and the shapes of the gripping surfaces 130 and 135 may comprise textures such as, without limitation, corrugation and a zigzagged tread.

In some embodiments, the material of gripping surface 140 may comprise a non-rubber material.

In some embodiments, the gripping surface 140 may comprise any non-slip material.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary device 400 for launching a football in a spiraling motion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The design shown is otherwise like that of device 100, except it has a more flaring finlike design 410 that extends from the gripping surface 135 on the top of the wall 125. In a non-limiting example, the flaring design of gripping surface 130 adds to the spiraling of football 145 when device 100 is operated. It is contemplated that other embodiments may also implement a more flaring finlike design at the other end as well; i.e., gripping surface 130. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a wide variety of alternative designs and approaches to the finlike design 410 to impart a desired behaviors and spiraling motions.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention that any of the foregoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, or removed and that additional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or hardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can be carried out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

All of the disclosures, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, each disclosure is one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112 (1), all claims must be supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patent specification, and any material known to those skilled in the art need not be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112 (6) requires that structures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification. Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating and searching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for” claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6) functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of “mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to act as corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claims that are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structures that implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of these documents discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC §112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searching and or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all such documents comprising functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the present application to explicitly include citations to such documents and/or explicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which were incorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112 (6) necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, alternative embodiments of a ball-throwing device will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the ball-throwing device may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the ball-throwing device described in the foregoing were principally directed to a device that launches a football in a spiraling motion implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to other ball shapes and sport related equipment, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention will thus cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

an elongated body, said elongated body is configured to curve rearwards at a predetermined angle, in which said elongated body is comprise of; a handle, said handle is configured to have a predetermined length, wherein said handle is generally disposed proximal to at least an end portion of said elongated body; a socket, said socket is configured to be operable for substantially engaging with at least one object, wherein said socket is generally disposed proximal to at least a distal end portion of said elongated body, in which said socket is comprise of; a left wall portion, said left wall portion comprises a first concave wall, said first concave wall is configured to have a predetermined radius, wherein said first concave wall is further configured to be operable for conforming to a shape of said at least one object, in which said left wall portion further comprises a first gripping surface disposed to at least a top portion of said left wall portion, and said left wall portion is configured to be operable for substantially gripping at least a first side portion of said at least one object; a right wall portion, said right wall portion comprises a second concave wall, said second concave wall is configured to have a predetermined radius, wherein said second concave wall is configured to be operable for conforming to the shape of said at least one object, in which said right wall portion further comprises a second gripping surface generally disposed to at least a top portion of said right wall portion, and in which said second gripping surface comprises a friction surface material, said friction surface material is configured to have a generally outward flaring fin shape, and said right wall portion is operable for substantially gripping at least a second side portion of said at least one object.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said left wall portion is substantially shorter than said right wall portion.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said first gripping surface comprises a friction surface material being configured to be operable for substantially securing said at least one object in said socket.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said right wall portion is substantially wider and higher than the left wall portion.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said second gripping surface further comprises a rubber material, said right wall portion being configured to be operable for substantially securing said object in said socket, in which said rubber material and said outward flaring fin shape is configured to be operable for substantially spinning said at least one object hauled in the air.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said handle comprises a non-slip gripping surface configured to be operable for substantially preventing slipping of a hand gripping said handle.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein said at least one object is at least one football and said socket is configured to be operable for substantially holding said at least one football, in which said device is configured to be operable for launching said football from said socket by generally swinging the device at said handle in an overhead, forward motion.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said football generally conforms to a shape of an Official National Football League-sized football.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein said object is a junior-sized football and said socket is configured to be operable for holding said junior-sized football.

10. The device claim 8, wherein said device is configured to be operable for launching said football in a substantially spiraling motion.

11. The device of claim 6, wherein said socket and said handle is configured as a unitary device, in which said socket and said handle are substantially engaged with strips of thermoplast and metal screws.

12. The device claim 10, in which said left wall portion and right wall portion are configured to be disposed in a reverse position, wherein said reversed position is configured to be operable for accommodating left-handed individuals.

13. The device of claim 6, wherein said predetermined length of said handle is generally adjustable being configured to accommodate long or short handles.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said left wall portion is substantially wider and higher than the right wall portion.

15. A handheld device comprising:

an elongated body, said elongated body is configured to curve rearwards at a predetermined angle, in which said elongated body is comprise of; a handle, said handle is configured to have a predetermined length, wherein said handle is disposed proximal to at least an end portion of said elongated body, in which said handle comprises a non-slip gripping surface, wherein said non-slip gripping surface is configured to be operable for substantially preventing slipping of a hand gripping said handle; a socket, said socket is configured to be operable for substantially engaging with at least one object, wherein said socket is disposed proximal to at least a distal end portion of said elongated body, in which said socket is comprise of; a right wall portion, said right wall portion comprises a first concave wall configured to have a predetermined radius, said concave wall is further configured to be operable for conforming to a shape of said at least one object, in which said right wall further comprises a first gripping surface generally disposed to at least a top portion of said right wall, wherein said first gripping surface is operable for substantially gripping a first side portion of said at least one object; a left wall portion, said left wall portion comprises a second concave wall configured to have said predetermined radius, said first concave wall is further configured to be operable for conforming to a shape of said at least one object, in which said left wall further comprises a second gripping surface disposed to at least a top portion of said left wall, wherein said second gripping surface comprises a friction surface material, said friction surface material is configured to have a generally outward flaring fin shape, and said left wall portion is configured to be operable for substantially gripping a second side portion of said at least one object, wherein said left wall portion is substantially larger than the right wall portion.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said left wall portion is configured to be at least substantially wider and higher than the right wall portion.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said second gripping surface further comprises a rubber material, said left wall portion being configured to be capable for substantially securing said object in said socket, in which said rubber material and said outward flaring fin shape being configured to be operable for substantially spinning said at least one object hauled in the air.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said at least one object is at least one football and said socket is configured to be capable for substantially holding said at least one football, in which said device is configured to be operable for launching said football from said socket by generally swinging the device at said handle in an overhead, forward motion.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said football generally conforms to a shape of an Official National Football League-sized football.

20. A handheld football launcher device comprising:

an elongated body, said elongated body is configured to curve rearwards at a predetermined angle, in which said elongated body is comprise of; a handle, said handle is configured to curve rearwards at a predetermined angle, and said handle is configured to have an adjustable length, wherein said handle is generally disposed proximal to at least an end portion of said elongated body, in which said handle comprises at least a non-slip gripping surface material, said non-slip gripping surface material is configured to be operable for at least preventing slipping of a hand gripping said handle; a socket, said socket is configured to be operable for substantially engaging with at least one football object, wherein said socket is generally disposed proximal to at least a distal end portion of said elongated body, in which said socket is comprise of; a right wall portion, said right wall portion comprises a first concave wall, said right wall portion is configured to have a predetermined radius, and said right wall is further configured to be operable for at least conforming to a shape of said at least one football object, in which said right wall further comprises a first gripping surface generally disposed on a top portion of said right wall, wherein said first gripping surface is configured to be operable for substantially gripping a first side portion of said at least one object; a left wall portion, said left wall portion is substantially larger that the right wall portion, and said left wall portion comprises a second concave wall, wherein said second concave wall is configured to have a predetermined radius, and wherein said second concave wall is configured to be operable for conforming to the shape of said at least one object, in which said left wall further comprises a second gripping surface, said second gripping surface is disposed to at least a top portion of said left wall, wherein said second gripping surface comprises a rubber material, said second gripping surface is configured to have a generally outward flaring fin shape, wherein said second gripping surface is configured to be operable for substantially gripping a second side portion of said at least one football object; wherein said handheld football launching device is configured to be operable for launching said football from said socket by generally swinging said device at said handle in an overhead, forward motion, and wherein said outward flaring fin shape is operable for substantially spinning said football hauled in the air.