USING A STEPPED DRIVER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

[0001] Priority is claimed from: i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/783,218, filed Dec. 21, 2018, titled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING GOLF BALLS AND OTHER OBJECTS USING A STEPPED DRIVER’”; i) U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 14282688, filed 2014-05-20, titled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING GOLF BALLS AND OTHER OBJECTS”; and ii), U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/825,632, filed May 21, 2013, titled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING GOLF BALLS AND OTHER OBJECTS” the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of launching objects for sports or other activities without requiring use of explosives. It relates, in particular, to the field of launching golf balls with forward velocity and optional spin via an apparatus that uses stored energy as an alternative to using golf clubs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0003] Currently golf balls are primarily launched via a person swinging a golf club and hitting the ball. This is a very high skill operation, prone to failure by the average golfer. In addition to the high skill level required for all golfers, as golfers age past 50 or 60 years, they tend to be able to continue to play at the same level for short shots, but lack the strength and flexibility to make as long of shots as they were able to when younger. These factors reduce the number of persons who play golf.

[0004] There have been prior attempts to launch golf balls with pre-compressed gases or explosives/propellants as in using a rifle with blank charges. US Patent 7063623 is one example of using a rifle like device. US Patent 789725 describes an air cannon to launch golf balls.

[0005] Neither has been accepted to any significant degree by golfers. In the case of precompressed gases, the problems of carrying large amounts of compressed gases that may run out during the game and the cost of the apparatus discourages use. In the case of persons with rifles loudly firing golf balls on golf courses, other golfers do not find this acceptable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present disclosure provides an apparatus, system, and method with several embodiments that overcome the limitations of the prior art. The present disclosure accomplishes this by providing a system of launching a golf ball or other objects with a spring (leaf, bow limb, helical spring, other energy storage device) that can be manually (or by machine) constantly recharged for additional golf shots. The preferred embodiment is to use a spring-like apparatus similar to a crossbow that launches the golf ball via propelling a device similar to i) a golf driver head, ii) another golf ball, or iii) other striking mass, via a cable/string which travels down a guiding mechanism until it hits the golf ball. The golf ball reacts similarly to how it would react to a golf club strike, i.e. the golf ball is propelled forward. This golf ball launching apparatus will be referred to in this document as a golf bow.

[0007] The present invention therefore comprises a) means for displacing the striking driver from an equilibrium (resting, unsprung) position to a non-equilibrium (sprung or cocked) position, and for applying a force so as to hold the striking driver in its non-equilibrium position, b) means for releasing the striking driver such that the striking driver is free to move towards its equilibrium position and beyond, and c) means for guiding the striking driver such that the striking driver, after being released, forcibly, violently, and directly contacts a projectile held in a loading (or holding) port with a striking blow.

[0008] After the launching of the golf ball, to take another shot the golfer simply needs to insert the golf ball and recycle the cable/string again for the next shot. The cable/string can be retracted partially or completely. This allows the golfer to mimic traditional golf club selection for distance. Existing golf courses, golf balls, putters and sand wedges can be used, so there is an easy transition from club golf to the present invention.

[0009] The traditional golf club and mechanical golf ball strikers apply backspin to the ball via a sloped hitting surface (at the point of impact), typically with grooves in it to grab the ball better. Testing has shown that a better way to apply backspin or other types of spin to a ball is to have a non-sloped striking surface (at the point of impact) which is stepped as shown in Fig. 15, and subsequent figures. [0010] Additionally, while a sloped club face does impart spin, chronograph testing has shown that less velocity is lost using a stepped driver, which is a more energy efficient method to apply spin. Furthermore, the stepped driver can also apply higher spin rates than conventional sloped and planar club face. These benefits are not available in conventional designs. One factor is the accurate placement of the club face to the projectile, i.e. the golf ball, at the point of impact. That is, a human cannot swing a golf club with the precision required to position a club face in the correct place against the projectile over and over. The desired precision is less than 1/10th of an inch vertically up and down and is also high precision in terms of the driver not being rotated on any axis. Whereas a human cannot do this, a machine such as the present disclosure does have the precision to precisely place the driver in the same location over and over (e.g., with the use of guide rails, and fixedly located projectile holder).

[0011] In addition, the golfer can aim the apparatus at different angles in combination with drawing the cable/string variable amounts. This gives the golfer a great deal of control over the distance and flight path of the ball. The golfer can also control top spin and backspin, left spin (hook) and right spin (slice) via differential friction on the struck golf ball with either a non-rotating striking driver or a rotating striking driver, which may be a golf ball itself, with a hole through it that the cable/string passes through. In addition, top spin and back spin can be generated with a rotating striking driver by applying differential friction to the top or bottom of the rotating striking driver which is then transferred to the struck golf ball in the opposite direction giving the struck golf ball top spin or back spin. Both of these methods of generating spin can potentially be used at the same time, if so desired.

[0012] Another embodiment provides forward velocity and optional spin by the use of a single solid (monolithic) striking driver with a plurality of contacts (aka contact surfaces) on its face (the front surface(s) that strike a round (aka spherical or cylindrical) projectile). This as opposed to a striking driver with a single approximately planar face, perpendicular, or angled, to the direction of striking drive travel, that strikes the round projectile.

[0013] The plurality of contacts in the present embodiment are disposed at different locations on the striking driver as discrete and noncontinuous contacts arranged on the striking driver to strike the round projectile in at least one condition of different locations and different times, to provide differential compression of, differential contacting against, and differential timing with, the round projectile. In one embodiment, the plurality of contacts is disposed on the striking driver in a pattern that is at least one of nonplanar, nonspherical, or noncylindrical. In other words, the plurality of contacts would not simultaneously touch a cylindrical, spherical, or planar projectile when the projectile is in a resting, undeformed, or equilibrium state.

[0014] Specifically, the plurality of contacts in one embodiment are disposed on the striking driver in a pattern that includes two approximately planar surfaces that are perpendicular to the direction of travel, though they can be angled as well up to +/- 45 degrees and/or slightly curved out of plane in other embodiments. These two planar surfaces are offset, or stepped apart, from each other, in the direction of travel of the striking driver, such that the forward one of them strikes the round projectile prior to the aft one striking the round projectile.

[0015] The discontinuous transition between these two contacts is a ledge, 90 degrees to both planar contacts, though angles up to +/- 45 degrees are possible in other embodiments. The leading part of the ledge is a linear or slightly curved edge (for a slightly curved planar surface contact) that is the first contacting surface to strike the round projectile. The edge provides a grip, or bite, on the projectile to thereby enable spin of the round projectile, as the edge digs in, or indents, into the compressible round projectile.

[0016] The edge is typically disposed on the striking driver below a centerline, CG, or outermost point of the round projectile surface on the axis on which the striking driver is propelled. For a multi-piece striking driver, an adjustably rotatable face, or a replaceable insert for one of the planar contacts can adjustably rotate to any angle for the edge surface. An insert can also have different depths, or thicknesses, to vary the distance or offset between the two planar surface contacts, with different performance results in terms of amount and/or direction of spin, and/or distance performance.

[0017] In operation, the leading edge of the striking drive bites into the round projectile compressing and deforming the compressible round projectile, thereby providing an index about which the round projectile can spring off with spin.

[0018] The discrete and noncontinuous contacts of the present embodiment are unlike: i) a baseball bat striking along a front geometric line surface of a (typically moving) cylindrical bat against a single geometric point on a moving sphere (baseball), with spin provided by rotation of the ball and or bat (e.g., during follow-through); ii) a moving tennis racquet striking a flat geometric plane of orthogonally woven strings that strikes a moving compressible and approximately-spherical geometry tennis ball via a number of the strings on the racquet, wherein spin is provided by angling the planar surface of the racquet at the point of contact and/or by follow-through rotation or vector direction of the planar surface of the racquet; iii) a pool cue that striking a geometrically spherical tip on a moving cue stick with a geometrically spherical and stationary cue ball at a single point, with spin provided by offsetting the contact point off center from the cue ball; iv) a swinging golf club with an angled or perpendicular planar face striking a stationary golf ball, with spin provided by the angle of the club face, and/or the follow through of the club.

[0019] The present striking driver can be propelled by any type of driving force including but not limited to one or more of: i) bow limbs (single or stacked multiple limbs with low friction interfaces or inserts), ii) helical or leaf springs, iii) pneumatic, magnetic, chemical explosion or electrical cocking of a spring, or direct propulsion of the striking driver itself.

[0020] Additional features include a striking driver center of gravity (“CG”) located behind the string location (with respect to the direction of striking driver travel for impact), which is done for stability while accelerating towards impact with the round projectile. An optional feature includes an up down and sideways angle readout such as bubble or swing inclinometer is used in one embodiment.

[0021] The unique combination of the present disclosure that provides an unprecedented projecting range of over 250 yards for the round projectile, i.e., a golf ball, includes the following factors. First, the weight of the striking driver is approximately the same as the round projectile. This provides an efficient energy transfer. To use a striking driver weight much more than the projectile weight would slow the acceleration of the striking driver en route to striking the projectile, reducing the energy the striking driver attains. Even if the energy imparted to the heavier striking driver was able to match the energy of a matched weight striking driver, it would likely take heavier spring force, and more time and distance to accelerate to a comparable energy (energy = mass * velocity squared) attained by the lighter and higher velocity matched-weight striking driver. Furthermore, exceeding the energy absorption capability of the round projectile will damage the projectile and frustrate the goal of the apparatus.

[0022] A second factor is the bifurcation, or separation, of the mass of the propulsion means from the striking driver. In the present embodiment, the bow limbs accelerate in a different direction and without being directly attached to the striking driver in the direction the striking driver is accelerated. If a propulsion means, such as a coil spring, had to accelerate itself in line with the striking driver, then its mass would be added to the striking driver as the mass needed to be accelerated. A similarly important factor is the rate at which the propulsion force can accelerate and its maximum velocity. In the case of a coil spring, the velocity can be slow. Picture a compressed loose coil spring that is released— this is the fastest velocity it can travel (without a load). Add a load and it slow accordingly. Furthermore, if a propulsion force is used directly, then it has no mechanical advantage. Thus, for example, if a coil spring is disposed axially and in line with a striking driver, there is essentially no additional mechanical advantage. In the present embodiment, the bow limb tips and pulleys are both used as multiple mechanical advantages that are combined to scale up and magnify the displacement and acceleration of the striking driver. Thus, the bow limbs do not require near as much travel and deflection as the distance traveled by the striking driver, a ratio ranging from approximately 2:1 to 5:1, depending upon the geometry of the apparatus and desired performance.

[0023] A third factor is the way the striking driver interfaces with the round projectile. The striking driver does not‘push’ a round projectile resting against it when the striking driver is in the cocked, non-equilibrium position, and as it accelerates to its equilibrium position. Rather, the striking driver is separated from the round projectile during the acceleration and run up of the striking driver to its violent direct, hard impact against the resting round projectile. The resultant energy transfer, energy absorption by the high elastic moduli round projectile, i.e., a golf ball in the present embodiment, results in a spring energy that launches the round projectile much further than had the round projectile been in a push configuration without an impact.

[0024] In summation, with the present disclosure golfers can have better control of distance, angle and spin on the golf ball than traditional club golf allows, and use of the present invention requires significantly less skill and physical strength to obtain that greater golf ball control.

[0025] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are also illustrated in the various drawing figures. The current disclosure is not limited to golf ball launching, but can also be used with tennis balls, baseballs, and other objects. The current disclosure will use the golf ball launching paradigm to explain the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The drawings included herewith are incorporated in and form a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one embodiment of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. It should be understood that drawings referred to in this description are not drawn to scale unless specifically noted.

[0027] FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the golf bow apparatus that has not been drawn back or retracted, and which does not have the struck golf ball inserted yet. It has a non-rotating striking driver. The bow limbs can be configured many ways just as they are in crossbows, and this is just one configuration that is the preferred embodiment as it is very compact in form factor.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the golf bow apparatus from side view after it was fired with about 1/3 power and after a new golf ball has been inserted.

[0029] FIG. 2.1 provides detail drawings showing the striking driver and related components.

[0030] FIG. 2.2 is a side view close-up of the rotating striking driver and the driver release mechanism (16) being pushed to the left so as to open the spring loaded jaws over the carriage tube (36).

[0031] FIG. 2.3 shows in side view after the spring loaded jaws of (16) have been moved far enough leftward so they closed over (36) so the golf bow striking head (26) can be retracted to the right.

[0032] FIG. 2.4 provides a detail drawing of a sheathed cable system which forms part of a trigger mechanism in one embodiment of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 2.5 shows the same the same thing as FIG 2.3 does, but in front view.

[0034] FIG. 3 is an overhead view of the golf bow apparatus that is drawn fully and it does have the struck golf ball (17) inserted. This is ready to fire and is a rotating striking driver version.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a side view of the golf bow with a rotating striking driver (26) at the time of impact after the trigger has been pulled and the cable/string has propelled the striking driver forward into contact with the struck golf ball. It also illustrates the differential friction devices for the struck golf ball with the backspin friction device (102) engaged.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a side view of the golf bow with non-rotating striking driver (27) after impact showing that the differential friction applied by the backspin friction device (102) has imparted backspin on the struck golf ball (17).

[0037] FIG. 6 shows the rotating striking head (26) whereby that rotating striking head was given top spin by differential friction from bottom friction device (116) and that translated into backspin for the struck golf ball (17).

[0038] FIG. 7 shows the rotating striking head (26) whereby that rotating striking head was given back spin by differential friction from the bottom friction device (116) and that translated into topspin for the struck golf ball (17).

[0039] FIG. 8 shows how backspin on a golf bow canted to the left generates both backspin and hook.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows how backspin on a golf bow canted to the right generates both backspin and slice and the effect on the struck golf ball's (17) path. [0041] FIG. 10 provides a top view of an alternative preferred embodiment which uses a rotary trigger mechanism.

[0042] FIG. 11 provides a detail drawing, in perspective, of the embodiment of FIG 10, showing binder clamps used on a retraction friction tube.

[0043] FIGS. 12A and 12B provide two detail drawings, showing locked and unlocked conditions of a safety device which prevents the device from being accidentally fired.

[0044] FIGS. 13A and 13B provides a side views of an alternative embodiment in which the striking driver has a generally hemispherical configuration, FIG 13B showing the case where the striking driver includes a flattened portion.

[0045] FIGS. 14A and 14B provides a pair of drawings illustrating the operation of the rotary trigger, the drawings showing the condition where the striking driver is prevented from firing, and the condition in which the striking driver is released.

[0046] FIGS. 15A1-A2 are front and side view paired illustrations of a single-piece, fixed shape striking driver head with a stepped face, according to one or more embodiments.

[0047] FIGS. 15B1-15B2 are front and side view paired illustrations of a single-piece, fixed shape striking driver head with a multi-stepped face, according to one or more embodiments.

[0048] FIGS. 16A1-A2 and 16B1-B2 are front and side view paired illustrations of a striking driver head with an adjustable stepped face shape and stepped face angle, according to one or more embodiments.

[0049] FIGS. 17A1-A2. 17B1-B2, and 17C1-C3, are front and side view paired illustrations of a striking driver head with replaceable stepped face piece having different thicknesses, heights, and/or shapes, according to one or more embodiments.

[0050] FIGS. 17D1-D2 are a front and side view of a replaceable insert with an angled face, an acute following angle, and a sharp step edge, according to one or more embodiments.

[0051] FIGS. 17E1 -E2 are front and side view paired illustrations of a striking driver head with a rotatable stepped face to along different angles of the step from a horizontal position, according to one or more embodiments.

[0052] FIGS. 17F1-F2 are front and side view paired illustrations of a striking driver head 1702f with an index-able stepped face piece that seats into a head having a recessed cavity for better retention, according to one or more embodiments.

[0053] FIGS. 17G1-G2 are front and side view paired illustrations of a striking driver head with a striking edge disposed on a front portion of the striking driver at a height for striking a round projectile off center, according to one or more embodiments. [0054] FIGS. 18A-18F are side views of the projectile retention system, with an adjustable forward/aft position setting vis-a-vis the equilibrium location of the striking driver, according to one or more embodiments.

[0055] FIGS. 19A and 19B are top views of the projectile retention system, with an adjustable lateral position setting vis-a-vis the centerline of the striking driver, according to one or more embodiments.

[0056] FIG. 19C is an isometric view of the projectile retention system, according to one or more embodiments.

[0057] FIG. 20 is a top view of the striking driver carriage, with a center-of-gravity aft of the string propulsion interface channel, according to one or more embodiments.

[0058] FIG. 21 is a side view of the striking driver head with a stepped face, vis-a-vis an offset centerline of the golf ball projectile, according to one or more embodiments.

[0059] FIG. 22 is a side view of the striking driver with a rounded and truncated hemispherical tip, according to one or more embodiments.

[0060] FIG. 23 is a top view of a carriage assembly with a striking driver head having a rounded and truncated hemispherical tip, according to one or more embodiments.

[0061] FIGS. 24A-24B are a side view and top view, respectively, of the striking driver head with a lateral cylinder face, vis-a-vis an offset centerline of the golf ball projectile, according to one or more embodiments.

[0062] FIG. 25A is a top view of the striking driver head with a lateral cylinder face, according to one or more embodiments.

[0063] FIG. 25B is an isometric view of the striking driver carriage with guide boats and with a stepped planar face, according to one or more embodiments.

[0064] FIGS. 26 A, 26B, and 26C are views of a canted apparatus for launching projectiles with inclinometer for pitch and roll, bow draw load, and projected range, according to one or more embodiments.

[0065] FIGS. 27A, 27B. and 27C are isometric views of a system to launch projectiles with a striking driver having a stepped face, according to one or more embodiments.

[0066] FIG. 27D is a top view of the system to launch projectiles, according to one or more embodiments.

[0067] FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a method to launch projectiles with spin using a stepped driver, according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0068] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention. Examples of the preferred embodiment are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it is understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. Rather, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

A. Functional Operation

[0069] Referring now to FIG. 1, the limbs (10) of the golf bow (20) (the entire apparatus shown in Fig 1) are bent via a jack-screw (11) being rotated in one direction thus making the jack screw follower apparatus Fig 2 (28) move to the right, which retracts the golf bow cable/string (40) which generates a bending of the limbs (10) storing energy. Comparing FIG 1 where the striking driver (27) is not retracted and the bow limbs (10) are not bent much and are not storing much energy, to FIG 3 where the striking driver, in this case (26), is fully retracted and the bow limbs (10) are bent a great deal and thus are storing a great deal of energy, shows the principle of stored energy for the current disclosure. Fig 1 shows pulleys with both a fixed inner pulley (32) and moving outer pulley (33) that in the preferred embodiment increases the cable/string travel with the same amount of limb bending compared to not using pulleys, which assists in reducing the pull weight to retract the cable/string. The cable/string (40) is terminated at the center of the moving outer pulley (33) and then routes around fixed inner pulley (32) then around the moving outer pulley (33) and then through striking driver (27). The invention can also use the same basic arrangement without pulleys. The left and right limbs (10) and pulleys (32) and (33) operate the same way on both sides. FIG. 1 In one embodiment, the string/cable 40 is slideably coupled to, or contained within, the striking driver but is not restrained from sliding within the striking driver. The striking driver comprises (forms) a channel, 1542 of FIG. 15, through which the string/cable passes without restriction (free floating) to automatically adjust for wear, stretching, uneven bow limb operation, and correct alignment. The limbs are relaxed if the rotation of the jack-screw is in the opposite direction. The preferred embodiment is to rotate the FIG 1 and FIG 2 jack-screw (11) with a FIG 1 cord pulley (18) attached to the jack-screw rotated by at rubber cord (12), rope or similar device. To assist this pulling on the rubber cord (12) a foot anchor (45) in FIG 2 holds the golf bow down while the cord is pulled up. This gives the golfer an easy method to rapidly rotate the jack-screw to cock the golf bow and to reverse direction if less power is desired by pulling on the other side of the cord loop. The jack-screw (11) retains its position if the rubber cord (12) breaks or the golfer lets go of it. This is a safety feature of jack-screws. The jack-screw can also have a socket (13) so a portable hand drill or similar device can be used to spin the jack-screw and in so doing cock or retract the golf bow. A hand tool such as a ratchet can also be used to rotate the jack-screw. The power to launch the golf ball or other objects comes from the energy built up in the bow limbs transferred to the striking driver (27) being released by the driver release mechanism (16) and it accelerates to strike the struck golf ball (17) and launch it. The pathway for the driver is guided by the driver guides (37) and (38) which are shown in side view in FIG 2.1 and in front view FIG 2.5 being guided by the guide rails (110), (111), (112), and (113). There is a safety shroud FIG 1 (19) that covers the top and bottom of the cable/string (40) and the limbs (10) pathway during firing to prevent injury.

[0070] Referring now to FIG 2, the golf bow is shown in a side view. The jack-screw (11) is easier to view in this view as it is below the guided pathway of the striking driver. The hand grip (21), trigger guard (22) and trigger are exposed in this view. Safety devices which can be part of the current disclosure are illustrated as grip safety (24) that requires that it be depressed for the trigger to work and the forearm safety (25) which can be on both sides of the forearm. The reason for (24) and (25) is to prevent accidental firing by requiring both hands to be properly placed to aim the golf bow depressing these safeties before the trigger can be depressed and fire the golf bow. The safety devices include a trigger safety not illustrated that is manually operated to prevent the trigger from being pulled as is common with firearms. Another safety device not illustrated can be implemented that locks the release mechanism (16) in FIG 2.2 and FIG 2.3 from being opened to release the striking driver of (26) or (27) type.

[0071] Another safety device is a spring held trigger shield (42) over the trigger guard (22) in FIG 2 that has to be held down with fingers below the index finger before the index finger can be inserted in the trigger guard (22) to pull the trigger (23). This makes accidental pulling of the trigger highly unlikely from being pulled while walking through brush as a spring loaded shield first has to be pulled out of the way and held there and the trigger (23) then has to be also pulled. This also requires normally for the trigger hand to properly be in position. [0072] Another safety device is the object sensor safety (55) in FIG 1 that detects if an object is inline with the firing path of the golf bow at a certain distance that would indicate danger. Normally the bow is pointed upward into the air so no object should provide a return signal to the various detectors in the current state of the art such as infrared, optical, sonic, and radar sensors. The distance is easily detectable in the state of the art so the user will be warned with this optional safety feature and the trigger locked if an object is detected in the line of fire at a distance considered dangerous. The user after the warning can override the warning. The current disclosure also will have an option to use the same object distance sensor to gauge the distance to a putting green or other feature on the golf course so as to aid the golfer in selecting the right power to use for a golf bow shot.

[0073] The safety shroud (19) surrounds the entire path of the cable/string (40) from above and below so that users can not accidentally place their fingers into the pathway of the cable/string when the golf bow is fired. The preferred embodiment of the protective shroud is a transparent or translucent shroud so the user can watch the operation of the golf bow, inspect it safely visually to judge where the various internal parts are and their condition, and to keep dirt and other objects from getting into the various parts of the golf bow apparatus.

[0074] The ball loading port (9) to insert the golf ball (17) into on FIG 1 has a safety device to prevent it from being opened unless the striking driver (26) or (27) is in its neutral (not retracted) position thus does not have the potential to be fired.

[0075] FIG 2 shows a rotating striking driver (26) which can be a golf ball drilled through and in this case beveled flat at the outer impact point as shown in FIG 2.1. For the current disclosure it is optioned whether the striking driver is non-rotating as in FIG 1 (27) or a rotating striking driver as in FIG 2 and FIG 2.1 (26). The bevel in FIG 2.1 is a preferred embodiment that helps generate a more accurate struck golf ball (17) flight by flattening the impact point of the striking driver horizontally. The lower part of FIG 2.1 is an overhead view of the rotating striking driver on the left and the driver release mechanism on the right. The upper part of FIG 2.1 is a side view of the same two mechanisms. In FIG 2.1 the rotating striking head carriage (35) passes through rotating striking driver (26) with carriage tube (36) being a hollow tube that the rotating striking driver (26) can rotate either direction on. The golf bow cable/string (40) on FIG 1 runs through the carriage tube (36) as shown in FIG 2 which in the preferred embodiment is flared at the ends as shown in FIG 2.1 so as to increase the bend radius for (40) to reduce stress and wear on (40) when the golf bow is retracted as the retraction force can exceed 100 pounds. The golf bow cable/string (40) can be made of a non-metallic bow string, a wear resistant material such as stainless steel cable, or any other material with proper strength, flexibility and wear properties. The cable/string 40 is not retained, clamped, affixed, glued, integrated within, or otherwise restricted in its lateral travel in striking driver. The purpose of a free-floating and unrestricted travel of the cable/string is to allow a balancing, and self-centering of the propulsion interface, the string within in the striking driver, regardless of variations, imbalances, and unsymmetrical performance of the propulsion unit. For example, each of the bow limbs might have different performances, extension, and wear over its lifespan. If the striking driver were to be rigidly attached to the string, without a free traversal of the string through the striking driver, then any imbalance in the propulsion would cause the string to pull asymmetrically, or cause a lateral load, that would then likely bind the striking driver, reduce its speed, create heat, and reduce the overall performance of the projectile travel. Thus, the present embodiment has essentially no lateral loads applied to the striking driver.

[0076] FIG 3 shows the golf bow fully retracted for maximum golf ball driving speed. The present disclosure allows the user to precisely regulate the speed at which the golf ball is fired by how far back the jack-screw pulls back the cable/string (40) via the jack screw follower apparatus (28). FIG 2 shows the jack screw follower apparatus (28) positioned about 1/3 to the fully retracted position but the cable/string (40) is not retracted at all. This is where both parts would be after the golf bow was retracted to 1/3 of the maximum and then has been fired. To make the next shot, the jack-screw is rotated so that the jack-screw follower apparatus (28) moves to the left (less retracted or drawn position) and, as FIG 2.2 shows, it will cause the driver release mechanism (16) jaws to contact the carriage tube (36). The spring assisted normally closed jaws of (16) open up due to the inclined plane aspect of the forward contact points as shown in FIG 2.2 and then grab around the hollow tube (36) as shown in FIG 2.3 and FIG 2.5. After the driver release mechanism (16) has closed on the carriage tube 36, the golf bow striking head (26) or (27) can now be retracted. It is retracted by reversing the direction of the jack-screw rotation and the jack screw follower apparatus (28) then pulls the cable/string (40) to the right to gradually increase the power to fire the struck golf ball (17).

[0077] If the cable/string is partially retracted or fully retracted as shown in FIG 3, it can then be fired by pulling the trigger (23) in FIG 2 which pulls the actuated sheathed cable system (58) as shown in FIG 2.4, similar to how a bicycle cable brake works, which then opens the jaws of the driver release mechanism (16) via a mechanism such as release mechanism wedge (39) in FIG 2.3 being pulled to the right which opens the jaws of (16) to release the rotating striking driver (26) in FIG 3 which then, with significant speed, moves towards and strikes the struck golf ball (17) propelling it out of the golf bow apparatus with similar speed as a full power golf driver club swing does. Unlike conventional club golf, the user can easily regulate the upward angle and direction of the golf ball by simply aiming the golf bow. This is just one embodiment for a driver release mechanism; many other methods of transferring the energy of the trigger to the driver release mechanism (16) such as hydraulics and mechanisms other than a wedge (39) to open the release jaws of (16) can be used, as will be apparent to those familiar with the state of the art.

[0078] The present disclosure, so far, has shown just a few of the many possible implementations of this invention with the current state of the art. Conventional club golfers with higher skill levels impart“hook” and“slice” and top-spin and back-spin to the golf ball via striking the ball in special ways to get the golf ball path to curve in the direction they want whether left, right, up or down. The same effect can be generated by the present disclosure in multiple ways.

[0079] For backspin and topspin as shown in FIG 4 and FIG 5 in side view, differential friction can be applied to the struck golf ball (17) via moving into contact with the struck golf ball a friction apparatus made of material like rubber on just the top or just the bottom of the struck golf ball (17), as illustrated by topspin friction device (101) and backspin friction device (102) in FIG 4. FIG 4 shows backspin friction device (102) being in contact with the struck golf ball (17) while the topspin friction device (101) is not. When the trigger releases the rotating striking driver (26) and it strikes (17) in this situation the struck golf ball (17) will be slowed down on the top by backspin friction device (102) and thus (17) develops backspin as shown in FIG 5. If topspin friction device

(101) were moved upward into contact with the struck golf ball (17) and 102 was moved upward out of contact with the struck golf ball (17) then when it was struck, topspin would develop as the rotation would be the opposite as to what is shown in FIG 5.

[0080] The same effect of applying topspin and backspin can be accomplished by having (101) and (102) in contact with the struck golf ball but with a high friction material on one of them and a low friction material on the other. This can be accomplished in many ways including (101) and

(102) being rotatable wheels or replaceable friction elements with friction materials of varying friction. This is the preferred implementation of applying differential friction on the struck golf ball to create backspin, topspin, hook (left curve) and slice (right curve). With the non-rotating striking driver implementation differential friction to the struck golf ball is the preferred implementation for backspin and top spin. For both non-rotating (27) and rotating striking drivers (26) hook and slice can be generated with differential friction applied to the struck golf ball (17) on the left or right side of the struck golf ball (17) respectively in a similar manner as to (101) and (102) apply top spin and back spin. The left spin and right spin friction devices for hook and slice are not illustrated, but work in the same maimer as (101) and (102) and are on the left and right side of the struck golf ball (17).

[0081] There is another way to generate backspin and topspin on the rotating striking driver version. That is to apply differential friction to the rotating striking driver after it is released and heading towards the impact with the struck golf ball. In the pathway of the striking driver before impact, the top or bottom of the rotating head can have a top friction device (115) incrementally positioned so as to generate a variable backspin as shown in FIG 6 on the rotating striking head (26) or variable topspin as shown by bottom friction device (116) in FIG 7 on the rotating striking driver (26). When that rotation of the rotating striking driver strikes the struck golf ball, the rotation is transferred to the struck golf ball in the reverse direction, as shown in FIG 6, whereby the topspin of the rotating striking driver becomes backspin on the struck golf ball.

[0082] With both the rotating striking driver and non-rotating striking head implementations of the present disclosure, there is another method to impart hook and slice to the golf ball or similar propelled object. That is by canting the entire golf bow apparatus manually during aiming before firing it. If hook is desired the apparatus can be set for backspin and if it is canted 45 degrees to the left as shown in FIG 8 the effect will be for the struck ball to have both backspin and hook, thus tending to rise and curve to the left at the same time as shown in FIG 8. To impart slice, the entire golf bow is canted to the right as in FIG 9. To one familiar with the state of the art of imparting traditional hook, slice and hook with topspin (duck hook) and slice with topspin can all be accomplished by using just backspin or topspin and canting the golf bow to either side in varying amounts to get the desired result.

[0083] The current disclosure is not limited to just one of these methods and devices for imparting various forms of spin to the struck golf ball. One, two or more of these methods can be used for a single shot.

[0084] The path of the striking driver (26) or (27) can be directed with multiple methods for those skilled in the state of the art so as to strike the struck golf ball (17) with repeatable accuracy. It can be but is not restricted to being directed simply with the tension of the golf bow cable/string holding (40) it in a repeatable and consistent path. It can be guided via an enclosing tube that is split at the center so that one half is above the cable/string and the other half below it. This guides the striking driver, and the preferred embodiment is to control the path of the striking driver via rails or similar apparatus as illustrated in FIG 2.5, FIG 3 and FIG 4. In FIG. 2.5 which is in front view,

(110) is in the users perspective when firing the upper left guide rail and the lower left guide rail is

(111), the upper right guide rail is (112) and the lower right guide rail is (113). In FIG 3, (110) is the upper left guide rail and (112), the lower right guide rails cannot be seen in this view. FIG 2.5 best shows how the guide rails fit into the left driver guide (37) and the right driver guide (38).

[0085] In FIG 2.1 the left driver guide is shown as (37) and the right driver guide is (38). On the rotating striking driver version or the non-rotating version the driver rail guides do not rotate and can be rectangular. The purpose of the driver guides is to align the pathway of the striking driver by following the guide rails so as to hit the struck golf ball in a consistent location each time. The guiding rails can be adjusted so as to squarely strike the driven golf ball in the center and readjusted by the user, if needed, in the future.

[0086] There can be some benefits to consistently hitting the struck golf ball (17) off center either left, right, high or low for additional ball control and this disclosure does make that available to the end user. The driver rail guides 37 and 38 in FIG 2.1 are female guides and the rails are male as best shown in FIG 2.5, but just as easily that can be reversed. The driver rail guides wrap around on both sides of the rail in the preferred embodiment, but they can also just be on just one side of the rail similar to how rail car wheels just wrap around one side of the rail.

B. Stepped Driver

[0087] Referring now to Figs. 15A1 and 15A2, front and side views of a striking driver 1502a are shown in one embodiment for striking a circular projectile such as a spherical golf ball (9a shown in Fig. 18A), the driver comprises a plurality of striking faces (1504a and 1510a) that are stepped apart (horizontally a distance: 1524a, and vertically a distance 1522) from each other. Vertical distance 1522 accounts for comer breaks at edge 1510b and internal radius 1508c of inside angle 1530 of 90 degrees nominally, though this distance can be essentially zero).

[0088] In one embodiment, the first striking face is axially positioned on the striking face forward (1524a) of the one or more other striking faces in order for the first face to strike the projectile before the one or more other faces (see Fig. 18D). Horizontal offset, or step, is appropriately sized to account for the elastic moduli properties of a circular projectile, and the amount of strain, or deformation, caused by the impact of the striking driver thereon, as well as the designed degree of spin desired for a given striking driver mass and velocity and acceleration. The step is sized such that when the circular projectile is deformed initially upon impact by edge 1510b and then by first striking face 1510a, both below the center of gravity 1525 of the striking driver by distance 1526 (and below the center of gravity of the circular projectile as shown in subsequent figures), it will create sufficient preloading off-center (to one side) of the on the circular projectile to cause spin in that direction, as well as forward motion. In one embodiment, the offsets 1524a can be anywhere from 0.050-0.25 inches. In other embodiments, the offset 1524a is one of 0.50, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 inches, depending on performance desired. Measured differently, offset 1524a can be a percentage of the diameter of the projectile being struck, for example, a value of 0.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 percent or more, and therebetween, of the diameter of the round projectile, e.g., a golf ball.

[0089] After sufficient deformation and preloading, the circular projectile will then contacts against a second face 1504a, which subsequently provides additional forward motion and energy transfer into the elastic properties of the circular, or round, projectile. Combined together, the striking driver 1502a can drive the circular projectile, i.e. a standard golf ball, a distance of 100, 200, or even 250 yards or more.

[0090] Striking faces 1504a and 1510a are perpendicular, e.g., 90 degrees per angle 1530 and 1532, to axis 1534, which is the direction of propagation 1540 of striking driver 1502a to strike the round projectile. Angles 1530 and 1532 can be the same as each other or different from each other, and can be other than 90 degrees, e.g., 90 +/- 45 degrees Thus, for example, striking face 1510a and 1504a are any combination of smaller angles including 90, 84, 82, 80, 78, 76, 74, 72, 70, 68, 66, 64, 62, 60, 50, 55, or 45 as well as larger angles of 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 125, 130, or 135. More particular embodiments include first striking face 1510a and second striking face 1504a angle combinations 1532/1530, respectively, of 90/90, 90/84, 84/90, 84/84, ... 80/80, 80/74, 74/80, 70/90, 70/70, 90/70.... etc.

[0091] Other properties of the striking driver 1502a include a tapered cylindrically outer radial surface having an outside diameter equal to the sum of the distances 1531 and 1532 from the center of gravity 1525. Striking driver 1502a has a boat tail (or bullet) shaped aft configuration 1528 that tapers in, for the present embodiment. The outer shape can be any shape that promotes stability of the striking driver acceleration and impact against the round projectile. The nominal length 1533 of the striking driver is sized for compact design of the launching apparatus that houses the striking driver, propulsion mechanism (bow limbs), and related safety mechanisms, user interfaces, and retraction and release hardware. The forward face 1529 of the propulsion interface (where the cable pushes as it drives the striking driver 1502a to strike the circular projectile) formed into striking driver 1502a for bow string or cable (e.g., shown in Fig. 10) is disposed forward of the center of gravity 1525 by some distance 1520, which provides a stable performance without chatter, binding, or vibration of striking driver 1502a during acceleration towards the round projectile. In different embodiments, length 1520 is expressed as a percentage of the length of striking driver 1502a, being 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30 percent or more, and therebetween. The height of the center of gravity 1525 for striking driver 1502a is within 1%, 5% or 10% of the centerline of the slot 1534 compared to the diameter or outer dimension of the striking driver 1502a.

[0092] In one embodiment, the first striking face (1510a) having an area (area of ~ 1/2 circle for 1510a) and a position (offset 1522 from string center) on the striking driver for striking a first portion (1812 in FIGS. 18C and 18D) of the projectile; one or more other striking faces having an area and a position on the striking driver for striking one or more other respective portions of the projectile in order to impart a differential force (1830b, 1830c) on the projectile.

[0093] In an alternative embodiment, the plurality of striking faces comprises one of any combination of a planar surface (1504a, 1510a) and a non-planar surface (hemispherical 2210, FIGS. 22-23, or cylindrical 2410, FIGS 24A-24B), (not shown) can be utilized. Thus, the hybrid striking driver could have a hemispherical portion replacing bottom planar face 1510a, while retaining planar striking face 1504a, or vice versa.

[0094] In one embodiment, the transition between the one or more faces is at least one of linear edge (1746, 1510b, 1508b). In another embodiment, the transition between the one or more striking faces is a non-linear edge (such as a curved or arced edge, not shown). In yet another embodiment, the transition between the one or more striking faces is an adjustable clock position (1742, 1744 in FIGS. 17E1-17E2), and an adjustable depth (1724a, 1724b FIGS 17B1-17B2).

[0095] Referring now to FIGS. 15B1-15B2, front and side view paired illustrations are shown of a single-piece, fixed shape striking driver head 1502b with a multi-stepped face, according to one or more embodiments. In the present embodiment, two steps are used, with an overall height 1522 of both steps and a depth of first step 1524b and second step 1524c that can range from any combination of 0.010 to 0.020 to 0.050 or more in several embodiments, depending on the performance and behavior of the launching apparatus, and the distance and spin desired on the round projectile. 1540. Any quantity of multi-step ledges can help promote longevity of the round projectile, in that the lower edge 1508d now has an intermediate edge 1508b, and a small vertical land 1508a to help gain multiple grip points, or lines, on the round projectile. Too sharp an edge and/or too deep a ledge will result in a partial cut, in the round projectile, e.g., a golf ball.

[0096] Referring now to FIGS. 16A1 through 16B2, front and side view paired illustrations are shown of a striking driver head with an adjustable stepped face shape and stepped face angle, according to one or more embodiments. A pivotable striking face 1636a affixed by a pivot 1640, a preloaded spring 1639, and an angle adjustment screw 1630 can combine to reconfigurably pivot the striking face 1610a from i) a perpendicular 90 degree angle 1632a/1630a regarding the direction of travel 1540, for first striking face 1610a and second striking face 1604a shown in FIGS. 16A1- 16A2, to ii) an angled other than 90 degree angle, i.e., angle 1632b/1630b, regarding the direction of travel 1540, for first striking face 1610a and second striking face 1604a shown in FIGS. 16B1- 16B2. The pivot 1640 has slight angular rotation about an axis that is horizontal and perpendicular to the direction of travel 1540 (FIG. 15 A2) for the striking driver. In the present embodiment, first striking face 1604a and second striking face 16010a are a single unit, and thus have a change in angle for an adjustment via screwdriver 1635 on adjustment screw 1631. However, another embodiment has a similar design incorporated on an individual striking face basis for more control and configurability.

[0097] Referring now to FIGS. 17A1-A2 and 17B1-B2, front and side view paired illustrations are shown of a striking driver head 1702a, 1702b, and 1702c with replaceable striking face piece having different thicknesses, heights, and/or shapes, according to one or more embodiments. In one embodiment, a first striking face is selectively replaceable with a replacement striking face (1705a, 1705b, 1705c, 1705e, 1705e, 1705f, 1705g, 1705h) via fasteners 1731a, or similar means to positively retain the replacement striking face. With the replacement striking face, e.g., 1707b or 1705c, with different thickness 1724a or 1724b and or different edge radius 1710b or 1710c, respectively, can replace an original first striking face 1705a with a nominal thickness and edge radius 1710a. The different thickness and/or edge radius of the replacement striking face provides a different spin on the projectile than the thickness and nominal edge radius of the first striking face.

A thicker removable stepped face can be put on which inherently will cause more backspin than a thinner removable stepped face.

[0098] Referring specifically to FIGS. 17C1-17C2, in one embodiment, a shape (location, height 1711, 1713; and shape 1705f) of at least one of the plurality of replaceable striking faces is adjustable to alter at least one of an amount of spin and a direction of spin imparted on the projectile from the striking driver. Replaceable striking face 1705d has a smaller upper section 1711 than the upper section 1713 of replaceable striking face 1705e. FIG 17C3 illustrates how any thickness, angle, edge, etc. on a replaceable striking face 1705f, can be altered and replaced on the striking driver, thus changing the performance of a projectile shooting apparatus radically or moderately depending on the differences in the replaceable striking face. Instead of buying a different club for different golf shots, the present embodiment allows the reuse of the same apparatus, with only minor changes to the replaceable striking faces. Using quick change/disconnect retainment methods such as O-ring and pin type, single piece molded retaining rings, locking pin, or friction ball similar to a ratchet wrench, and replacements are quick and easy. One embodiment utilizes a 40% +/- 10% from bottom of the driver step height (edge position), with a nominal alignment of the striking driver to the circular projection. Other heights also work and in combination with step thickness can create a wide spectrum of spin rates, adjustable to personal tastes and skill levels.

[0099] Referring now to FIGS. 17D1-D2, a front and side view are shown of a replaceable insert with an angled face, an acute following angle, and a sharp step edge for the striking driver, according to one or more embodiments. In the current figures, the angle of the edge 1746 is horizontal, for application of backspin to the round projectile, presuming the projectile launching apparatus

[00100] Referring now to FIGS. 17E1 -E2, front and side view paired illustrations are shown of a striking driver head with a rotatable stepped face to along different angles of the step from a horizontal position, according to one or more embodiments. In the present embodiment, the at least one striking face of the plurality of striking faces is rotatable (1632b) about an axis 1734 disposed parallely to a vector 1540 of the striking driver’s locomotion (aka in a plane disposed perpendicular to the vector 1540 of the striking driver’s locomotion). The rotatable stepped driver face 1717 is rotated such that the edge contact 1746 is at an angle 1742 and at an angle 1746 respectively on striking driver 1702b, which will either add portions of backspin and slice or of backspin and hook, because the angle will contribute to spin in two axes (aka pitch and yaw) A reference to an angle is compared to the horizon, assuming the user operates the shooting apparatus in a level, horizontal manner. The angle rotation is infinitely variable with tradeoffs between pitch (aka backspin or topspin) and yaw (hook and slice). These different angles can be selected by a user to selectively apply a spin of backspin, hook and slice and even topspin circumvent a natural obstacle on a golf course, or to correct for wind or other user errors or operating circumstances. This means that the face 1717 of the stepped driver is adjusted or rotated prior to use, then affixed in that position and not moved during the operation of launching the projectile. That is, the stepped driver does not require to be rotating itself, about any axis, in order to impart a spin on the round projectile. That is, the driver is a solid mass that is in a fixed position, other than being propelled forward at high acceleration and velocity in order to have a violent impact with the round projectile. [00101] Referring now to FIGS. 17F1-F2, front and side view paired illustrations are shown of a striking driver head 1702f with an index-able stepped face piece 1705g, that creates different effective thicknesses, by being seated into a head of the striking driver having a recessed cavity shape 1721 for better retention, according to one or more embodiments. By rotating the indexing fastener 1731b that is threaded into index-able stepped face piece 1705g, it moves the x-able stepped face piece 1705 fore and aft. In the example shown in the figure, a difference 1713 in the effective thickness, as compared to second striking face 1705h is easily implemented This allows the user to quickly and easily adjust the amount of topspin on the ball by a few quick turns of the indexing fastener 1731b

[00102] Referring now to FIGS. 17G1-G2, front and side view paired illustrations are shown of a striking driver head with a striking edge disposed on a front portion of the striking driver at a height for striking a round projectile off center, according to one or more embodiments. The striking edge 1708g provides at least one of spin and/or forward velocity to the round projectile, and typically provides both together. The top surface 1712 is normally where the balance of the head of the striking driver would be, but in this case, it is removed, and material added to the bottom of the body which now resembles a more rectangular and box-like shape.

[00103] The forward face 1729 of the propulsion interface (where the cable pushes as it drives the striking driver 1502a to strike the circular projectile) formed into striking driver 1702g for bow string or cable (e.g., shown in FIG. 10) is disposed forward of the center of gravity 1725 by some distance 1720, which provides a stable performance without chatter, binding, or vibration of striking driver 1702g during acceleration towards the round projectile.

[00104] The edge 1708g is located on striking driver 1702g such that when the circular projectile is deformed initially upon impact by edge 1708g and then by first striking face 1704g, both slightly above and below, respectively, of center of gravity 1725 of the striking driver 1702g (and below the center of gravity of the circular projectile as shown in subsequent figures), it will create sufficient preloading off-center (to one side) of the on the circular projectile to cause spin in that direction, as well as forward motion.

[00105] The current disclosure also has the ability to move the ball forward and backward so the ball impact can be at resting position of string/cable (and striking driver equilibrium) or before or after the resting position as shown in subsequent figures.

[00106] Referring now to Figs. 18A and 18B, a side view of a projectile retention system 1800-A is shown, according to one embodiment, disposed at a first end of a frame. Projectile retention holder 1800-A includes an adjustment mechanism 1802 to hold the projectile in a plurality of selectable locations 1809 fore and aft in the frame. Long arms 1804 with length 1812 ending in rollers 1806 securely hold a circular projectile 9a to prevent it from falling out of the apparatus, while also allowing the projectile 9a to pass through with very low impedance when the projectile is struck by a striking driver. The low friction rollers actually rotate as the projectile passes by, which is a lower friction solution that a static and flexible finger of material or a fence, both of which do not roll, but rather just drag along the projectile as the projectile is passed through them, thus adding impedance and robbing energy. Additionally, the rollers roll more consistently, and thereby do not load the projectile unevenly as would a finger or fence that might have some fingers behaving differently than others or having different properties than others. Long arms 1804 allow a displacement of rollers 1806 when projectile passes through, with small angular deflection on the root of the arms 1804 coupled in base 1805, thereby reducing the fatigue wear on the long arms 1804. Twang stopper 1830 is a stop mid-length of long arms 1804, to prevent excessive deflection, and‘twanging’ (vibration or oscillation), of long arms 1804, and thereby preserve longevity of long arms 1804.

[00107] Ball retention assembly 1802 can be moved forward or backwards a distance 1809 that is relative to the equilibrium position of striking driver 1502a. Adjustable axial location of the ball retention position the ball such that the striking driver can travel at least 5%, 10%, or 20%, in different embodiments, beyond its nominal travel, which is the distance from its fully cocked or non-equilibrium position, to its equilibrium position. Optionally, projectile retention system can locate the projectile at the equilibrium position of the striking driver, or even short of the equilibrium position. Striking driver 1502a is shown as having its center of gravity??? axially located with a center of gravity 1805 of round projectile 9a, though in other embodiments, the centers of gravity do not need to align and can be misaligned up to 1, 2, 4, 5, 10 or more percent of the diameter of the circular projectile.

[00108] Holder ring 1810 is a multi-piece circular ring that provides an aft seat for the circular projectile to rest before being struck. The inside diameter 1811 of the holder ring 1810 is larger than the outside diameter of striking driver 1502a, thus allowing pass through, and increased energy transfer to the round projectile as the striking driver is at the end of its path. Distance 1816a is the distance from the end of driver guides 1801 (also shown as 110, 111, 112, and 113 in FIG. 2.5) on either side of the striking driver to the aft face of the Holder ring 1810. Sliding Ball retention assembly 1802 backwards to distance 1816b gap brings the circular projectile 9a closer to the equilibrium position of the striking driver and allows a travel distance (of 1815 minus 1816b) for the striking driver to engage the circular projectile., as shown in assembly 1800-B of FIG. 18B. Changing the distance of engagement (where the striking driver 1502a can overlap a physical space occupied by the circular projectile 9a) changes the effective amount of energy transferrable from striking driver 1502a to circular projectile 9a, and hence the projected distance performance of circular projectile 9a.

[00109] The present disclosure striking driver can strike a ball with the same trajectory vector as the ball being struck without an angled striking face and yet produce different types of spin, and combinations of spin, that will cause the ball to have topspin, backspin, slice or hook or reasonable combination of those (topspin with slice or hook; backspin with slice or hook, etc. but not topspin with backspin or slide with hook).

[00110] This is accomplished is when the stepped driver strikes the circular object projectile as shown in FIG. 18B, e.g., a golf ball, it is compressed on the driver striking surface that first contacts the projectile and is this case the bottom of the ball is more compressed by the step on the bottom of the driver head than the top and the comer of the step indents into the resilient golf ball grabbing it firmly and rotationally. The first thing to strike the ball is the comer of the step. Then after the ball is fully compressed by the striking driver as shown FIG. 18D and starts to rebound from that compression the bottom of the ball is more compressed and has higher pressure on it imparting rotation spin energy to the ball. In addition the upper part of the ball after it is completely free of the driver face is still being pushed by the comer of the step below centerline of the ball imparting even more spin (backspin in this case). In testing not only does this embodiment generate better spin on a golf ball than an angled driver face similar to, for example, a 4 iron golf club, it does so with better energy efficiency and with higher ball velocity than an angled driver having the same velocity as the stepped driver.

[00111] In addition whereas a golf club or tennis racket may have a varying surface area of contact, the contact is all in the same plane, whereas this disclosure has two or more separate planes that contact the ball. The striking surface of a golf club or tennis racket has to be angled and or moved in path that is not in line with the desired trajectory of the struck ball or object to produce spin on a ball or object and this invention does not.

[00112] Referring now to FIGS. 18C -18D, side views of the projectile retention system, with a circular projectile in a resting position and state versus a deformed and impacted position and state, respectively, are shown, according to one or more embodiments. In assembly 1800C of FIG. 18C, striking driver 1502a has been accelerated down the driver guides 1801 along vector 1540 just starting to touch and engage circular projectile 9a, beginning with edge of the first striking face, shown as vector 1830a, which is offset the center of the circular projectile by distance 1820a (to create spin). Rollers have a distance 1823a between them, which is less than the circular projectile resting diameter of 1822a, in order to retain the circular projectile and prevent it from prematurely falling out of the assembly 1800C. As shown in FIG. 18D, after striking driver 1502a passes through holder ring 1810, it fully engages circular projectile 9a. The high velocity caused by the acceleration generated from the mechanical advantage pulleys and bow limbs in the present embodiment, results in a massive quantity of energy transfer from striking driver 1502a to circular projectile 100b. Because the transfer of energy is in a very short time, circular projectile 100b deforms excessively (distortion shown in view is magnified for illustration purposes) with its high elastic moduli, it flattens out becoming oblong with a width 1823b greater than the circular projectiles’ resting diameter of 1822a.. Resultantly, long arms 1804 are pushed out to 1823b, and ultimately to 1820b to provide clearance for circular projectile 100b to exit the apparatus. Vector 1830c is a larger vector because first striking face of circular projectile 100b contacts the circular projectile 100b before the second striking face above it and further aft. This differential force vector also creates backspin 1541 (arrow is the rotation of the ball) on the circular projectile 100b, in addition to the forward velocity.

[00113] Referring now to FIGS. 18E -18F, side views of the projectile retention system adjusted to place a circular projectile center of gravity an offset above or below , are shown, according to one or more embodiments. In the present embodiment, references to the center of gravity can also be the centroid, assuming the material of the objects is homogeneous or is at least symmetrical about the centroid) The present embodiment can change the alignment of the circular projectile and the striking driver edge and first striking face, as well as second striking face, by adjusting the holder ring 1810a upward, and offset 1835a, as in FIG. 18E for topspin, or by adjusting the holder ring 1810b downward, and offset 1835b, as in FIG. 18F for backspin.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are top views of the projectile retention system, with an adjustable lateral position setting vis-a-vis the centerline of the striking driver, according to one or more embodiments. Long arms 1804 with rollers 1806 of retention assembly can be moved sideways to create an offset 1820c towards the top of the page in FIG. 19A and an offset 1820d toward the bottom of the page in FIG. 19B, as measured between the center of gravity for striking driver 1502a and circular projectile 9a. When combined with an optional rotational striking driver having a replaceable insert with an angled face, as shown in FIGS. 17E1-17E2, the combinations of spin and forward velocity become numerous.

[00114] Referring now to FIG. 19C, an isometric view is shown of the projectile retention system, according to one or more embodiment, with top and bottom rollers 1806, and top and bottom long arms 1804 on either side of rollers 1806, and top and bottom sections of holder ring 1810, along with a left side bow limb and pulley.

[00115] Referring now to FIG. 20, a top view of the striking driver carriage 2000 is shown, with a center-of-gravity location 2022 that is aft of the string propulsion interface channel, 2010 according to one or more embodiments. Carriage 2000 further comprises fore arms 2002 and aft arms 2004 to guide carriage 2000 along guide rails 110, 111 in FIG. 2 A (aka driver guides 1801 in

FIG. 18B).

[00116] Referring now to FIG. 21, a side view is shown of the striking driver head with a stepped face, vis-a-vis an offset centerline of the golf ball projectile, according to one or more embodiments.

[00117] Referring now to FIG. 22, a side view is shown of the striking driver 2202 with a rounded and truncated hemispherical tip, according to one or more embodiments. This embodiment results in a point of the hemisphere 2210 contact a point on the spherical projectile, e.g., a golf ball. Controlling offset 2204 for spin and forward velocity with this type of arrangement is more difficult than with a flat striking face. Referring now to FIG. 23, a top view is shown of the carriage assembly with a striking driver assembly 2300 with a rounded and truncated hemispherical tip 2210, according to one or more embodiments. Fore arms 2002 and aft arms 2004 position the carriage in guide rails.

[00118] Referring now to FIGS. 24A-24B, a side view and top view, respectively, are shown of the striking driver head with a lateral cylinder face, vis-a-vis an offset centerline of the golf ball projectile, according to one or more embodiments. Face 2410 is the front of a cylinder, producing a horizontal line along which a spherical projectile, e.g., a golf ball, can contact, with offset 2204 for spin. FIG. 25A is a top view of the striking driver head with a lateral cylinder face, according to one or more embodiments.

[00119] Referring now to FIG. 25B, an isometric view is shown of the striking driver carriage with guide boats and with a stepped planar face, according to one or more embodiments. A boat-shaped, or pontoon-shaped, guide 2514 on the striking driver carriage 2500-B keeps the yaw movement of the striking driver carriage in check, and on a consistent path for repeatable performance of driving the projectile. A tough, wear-resistant, and/or lubricated material, such as nylon, with or without additional coatings such as tungsten disulfide lubricant, etc. enhance the boats sitting on top of the frog legs, to keep the carriage centered as it accelerates forward to impact the golf ball. Center of gravity 1522 for this assembly is shown aft by distance 2522c of string / cable insertion point 2522a and to 2522b position of center of gravity as shown, Fore arm 2516a and aft arm 2516B guide carriage 2500-B along guide rails, while half-pulley 2520a guide the string or cable through the carriage on either side.

[00120] Referring now to FIGS. 26A, 26B, and 26C, views are shown of a canted apparatus for launching projectiles with inclinometer for pitch and roll, bow draw load, and projected range, according to one or more embodiments. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an inclinometer 2604 coupled to the frame 30 to measure at least one of a forward angle and a side angle of the apparatus. Display 606 displays a digital readout of projected hook, pitch, range, and draw, while display 2608 substitutes slice for hook.

[00121] Referring now to FIGS. 27A, 27B, and 27C are isometric views of a system 2700-A, 20700-B and 2700-C to launch projectiles with a striking driver having a stepped face, according to one or more embodiments. FIG. 27A illustrates guide rails 110 and 112, long arms 1804, and bow limbs 10. Forward handle X and cocking handle Z and trigger release handle Y enable the easy operation of the system. System 2700-C in FIG. 27C includes a protective shroud safety cover 19 (top and bottom plates) that cover the top and bottom of bow limbs, that attaches to each other as well as the ball holder head 2710, and the aft flange 2720 protective shroud is a transparent or translucent. Shroud 19 protects user’s fingers and body limbs from being trapped or cut by the bow string or cable 19 when it is discharged. FIG. 27D is a top view of the system to launch projectiles, according to one or more embodiments.

C. Tuned System

[00122] If a striking driver assembly has excessive weights, then the force of the propulsion system, e.g., a bow, might not have sufficient power to accelerate the driver fast enough to have sufficient kinetic energy ½ m*v ^A 2, where m is mass and v is velocity. If the mass of the striking driver is too light, then the driver may rebound excessively after striking the projectile.

[00123] A Slap stop is used in one embodiment to absorb the energy of the cable/ string after the striking driver strikes the projectile, and moves beyond the equilibrium position of the uncocked striking driver at rest. The striking driver travels beyond the equilibrium point of the string driver assembly at rest in the present embodiment. By allowing the striking driver to pass-through and beyond its equilibrium point, performance is substantially improved resulting in a much greater projectile travel. The pass-through allows the striking driver to travel at least 5%, 10%, or 20% of its original travel, which is the distance from its fully cocked or non-equilibrium position, to its equilibrium position. However, to retain the striking driver and keep it aligned with the guides, and to provide a compact form factor for the system, the cable/string is restrained at some point beyond the equilibrium position of the striking driver. The slap stop is an energy-absorbing material and / or structure, such as a rubber sheet against a plastic, wood or metal frame that allows the string to hit the rubber and absorb energy to retain the striking driver at some point beyond the equilibrium position. The slap stop is angle to the position of the string/cable at the point of impact, so that a surface parallel to the string aborbs the energy from the cable/string across as wide a protion of string as possible, for lowest unit loading, and for avoiding a point load, which is more likely to damage or break the cable, the frame, and/or the slap stop.

[00124] If the projectile is not held consistently in place prior to being struck, regardless of the orientation of the frame in pitch, yaw, and roll, then the trajectory and distance of the projectile is likely to be inconsistent and sub-par.

[00125] Without the boats-shaped guides, the metal guides on the frame, that guides the striking driver carriage, can be nicked from the chatter and/or the hang-up of the striking driver on the guides. The length of the boat is equal to or greater to its width. In one embodiment, the length of the boat is at least half the length of the striking driver head. In another embodiment, the boats are longer than the length of the striking driver head. And in another embodiment, the boats extend back, or aft, of the striking driver head. In one embodiment, the boats have a length that is greater than the pitch between the boats. In another embodiment, the aspect ratio of the length of the boat to the pitch between the boats is 1:1, >1 :1, 1.2 to 1 :5:1, 1.5 to 2.0:1, or greater. The aspect ratio is not less than 0.5:1 in the present embodiment.

[00126] Runners are used to counteract the force generated by the striking driver applying spin to the projectile. When the driver hits the ball lower than a center of gravity of the ball, this forces the driver downward violently against the guard rail, as the equal and opposite reaction to the force imparted on the ball. This can causes nicks, and damage to the frame, the guides, and/or the striking driver. Runners are a 0.3-0.4" width plastic pieces, that are replaceable inserts in the present embodiment, that ride under the metal guide to provide a reasonably large surface area with low unit loading for low wear against the striking driver. Runners are preferably a low friction material, such as slippery nylon, polyoxymethylene, or other materials that are sufficiently tough to absorb the impact, and sufficiently smooth and low-friction to not substantially impede or bind the striking driver.

[00127] Bow limbs 30 are multiple stacked bow limb (2 bows stacked together), in one embodiment, with a layer of low-friction material therebetween. This stacked bow limb approach provides multiple load sources with a more graceful degradation and reduced transverse shear, as the layered low-friction material allows the bows to flex against each other, whereas a single bow limb would have excessive transverse shear, lower life, and reduced spring performance. The low- friction layer can be a high density ultra high molecular weight poly ethylene (UHMWPE) in one embodiment or any other slippery, low-friction material with durability for repeated use and high loading.

C. Method of Operation

[00128] FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a method to launch projectiles with spin using a stepped driver, according to one or more embodiments. Operation 2802 provides stored potential energy in a propulsion unit. Operation 2804 transfers the potential energy to kinetic energy by propelling a striking driver along one or more guide rails coupled to the propulsion unit. Operation 2806 strikes the projectile with a striking face of the striking driver disposed on a front portion of the striking driver that faces the projectile. And operation 2808 imparts spin to the projectile by one or more of a plurality of (individual and distinct) striking faces of the striking driver.

[00129] For a user to operate the current disclosure, the steps involved would be first insert the golf ball into the ball loading port (9) in FIG 1 , then to retract the striking driver (26) or (27) to the desired power level by rotating the jack-screw FIG 2 (11) via the socket FIG 1 (13) at rear of the jack-screw with an electric motor such as in an electric drill, or alternatively with a wrench, ratchet or similar device, or manually via a rope or cord (12) rotate the jack-screw via the cord pulley (18).

[00130] The next step is to aim the entire golf bow apparatus in the desired direction and at the desired angle. Alternatively the various methods and devices to impart spin to the ball such as backspin, topspin, hook and slice can be employed as previously described in the Functional Operation section of the current disclosure before aiming and firing the golf bow. One aspect of aiming can be the canting of the golf bow to the left or right to convert part of the back spin or top spin into hook and slice, if the user so desires.

[00131] The next step in the Method of Operation is that when the user is ready to make the shot in a safe manner, the user must overcome the various safety devices and methods previously described in this disclosure that may or may not be part of golf bow, such as the manual safety, the grip safety (24) in FIG 2, the forearm safety (25), the trigger shield safety 42, and the object sensor safety 55. The invention can use all, some, or none of these safeties.

[00132] At this point, the user pulls the trigger (23) in FIG 2 and the golf bow fires the striking driver of type (26) or (27) towards the struck golf ball (17) which exits the golf bow. The struck golf ball (17) may have various forms of spin on it when it leaves the golf bow as previously described in the current disclosure.

[00133] Enhanced performance and control of spin imparted to the projectile discharged from an apparatus is accomplished by the following method. First, stored potential energy in a propulsion unit is generated, then transferred to kinetic energy by propelling a striking driver along one or more guide rails coupled to the propulsion unit; and striking the projectile with a striking face of the striking driver disposed on a front portion of the striking driver that faces the projectile; and imparting spin to the projectile by one or more of a plurality of (individual and distinct) striking faces of the striking driver.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[00134] The present description is applicable to a wide variety of applications and is not limited to any particular type of non-metallic object that is propelled. A tennis ball, baseball, and many other objects can be propelled in such a manner.

[00135] A preferred embodiment is using a spring for power similar to a crossbow. That bow can be in many configurations such as the one shown which is compact in form factor or the many other possible configurations including but not limited to the traditional crossbow configuration.

[00136] Another embodiment for propulsion is to use a spring such as a bow to propel a piston that then compresses a gas such as air behind the driven ball or a piston like device that then propels the driven ball with gas pressure.

[00137] Another embodiment is to use other spring types such as coil springs and to use such springs under compression, tension or torque to generate the energy to propel the ball or other object in the current disclosure.

[00138] Many aspects of the current disclosure can be used independently such as applying the various ball spin methods and apparatuses to other means to launch golf balls. [00139] It is a feature of the present invention that the apparatus is portable, and is operated by human power. The apparatus does not require an external source of power. Power for propelling the golf ball, or other projectile, is derived from the force exerted manually by the user, in retracting the striking driver. Thus, the device of the present invention can be conveniently used on a golf course or other location where there is no convenient source of power.

[00140] A more preferred embodiment for retracting the string/cable (40) in FIG 10, is to have a rotary trigger tube (150) in FIGS 10 and 14 that is a hollow tube with the rear end capped, which has a larger inside diameter than the outside diameter of the striking driver (27) in FIG 10, and when pushed forward over the striking driver surrounds it and has two slots that allow the carriage tube (36) in FIGS 10 and 14 to fit inside. Then, as shown in FIG 14B, the rotary trigger tube is rotated to lock the striking driver carriage tubes and to allow tension to be applied to the bow string/cable to retract the striking driver. A carriage tube bearing can be added to striking ball carriage tube (36) in FIGS 10 and 14 if lower friction is desired. In this specification, a reference to "FIG 14" should be deemed to refer to FIGS 14A and 14B.

[00141] The tension to retract the rotary trigger tube can be provided by many methods such as the jack-screw as shown in (11) in FIG 2. However the preferred embodiment for retracting the trigger tube is to have a rotary trigger rod (152) in FIG 10 that is attached to the rotary trigger tube (150) in FIG 10 via nuts (155) in FIG 10 or welding or other method and that rotary trigger rod is retracted by force on the retraction friction tube thrust washer (158) in FIG 10 pressing against the rotary trigger rod thrust washer (159) in FIG 10 which is directly attached to the rotary trigger rod, or direct force on the rotary trigger rod via the trigger handle (154) in FIG 10 being pulled by hand. The retraction tube thrust washer (158) in FIG 10 receives its force from a larger hollow tube with the preferred embodiment being a square tube and hereby referred to as the retraction friction tube (160) in FIG 10. The tube 160 is not limited to being square, as round and hexagonal and other tube shapes could be used instead. The retraction friction tube (160) in FIG 10 is grabbed by the retraction tube binder (165) in FIG 10. The retraction tube binder prevents the retraction friction tube from moving forward; it acts as a ratchet to hold the load and prevent forward release of the rotary trigger rod (152) in FIG 10 in one direction and allows further retraction in the other.

[00142] The force to retract the retraction friction tube (160) in FIG 10 can be provided in multiple ways, but not limited to the following. The preferred embodiment is a retraction lever (180) in FIG 11 that can be used for mechanical advantage that engages its own binder, the retraction lever binder (163) in FIG 10 and 11, to grab the retraction friction tube (160) in FIG 10 and 11 and move it back, further retracting the rotary trigger rod (152). The retraction friction tube is then held by the retraction tube binder (165) in FIG 10, so another stroke of the retraction lever (180) in FIG 11 is possible. A jack-screw and many other methods in the current state of the art can retract the retraction friction tube (160) in FIG 10.

[00143] The method to fire the golf bow apparatus after it has been retracted to the desired power level is to rotate the rotary trigger handle (154) in FIG 10, which is attached to the rotary trigger rod (152) in FIG 10, and that rotates the rotary trigger tube (150) in FIG 10 and 14, allowing the striking ball carriage tube (36) in FIG 10 and 14 to line up with the exit path and fire the golf bow by releasing the striking ball/head (27) in FIG 10. Although there is considerable linear pressure on the string/cable (40) in FIG 10 and the retraction tube binder (165) in FIG 10 and the thrust washers (158 and 159) in FIG 10, the effort to rotate the rotary trigger rod (152) in FIG 10 is minor because the rotary trigger thrust washer and rotary trigger tube are the two parts of the retraction trigger rod that have rotary friction and that rotary friction is minor. The rotary trigger thrust washers in the preferred embodiment have a low friction material to allow the retraction friction tube (158) in FIG 10 and rotary trigger rod (152) in FIG 10 to rotate separately from each other easily, even when under pressure. Although a golf ball striker is used for this explanation, this retraction and triggering mechanism can be used on conventional cross bows that fire bolts and other devices. The rotary trigger handle (154) in FIG 10 is a solid extension of the rotary trigger rod (152) in FIG 10, and it moves linearly with the rotary trigger rod. The rotary trigger handle can also be stationary linearly and the rotary trigger rod can slide back and forth within it, yet via a keyway or welding a square tube over and to the rotary trigger rod, the rotary trigger handle can still rotate the rotary trigger rod and fire the golf bow by having an internal shape that surrounds and grabs the rotary trigger rod for rotation, while not blocking back and forth motion of the rotary trigger rod. This is not pictured but easy with the current state of the art to accomplish. Note that the rotary trigger rod (152) rotates, but the retraction friction tube (160) does not.

[00144] The carriage tube (36) of FIGS. 14A and 14B can be round, square or of another shape, with the preferred embodiment for the rotary trigger tube (150) trigger system being to have a square edge in contact with the rotary trigger tube. A square edge (36) as shown in FIG 14B will release faster and with less vibration, as it can exit straight forward. A round carriage tube will trigger after the center point is reached, but will bounce back and forth somewhat in the exit path of (150), which will cause the string/cable (40) in FIG 10 to vibrate.

[00145] The current disclosure using the preferred embodiment of a rotary trigger mechanism can employ multiple safety devices, which include a gate safety (170) in FIG 10 that prevents a golf ball (17) in FIG 10 from exiting the golf bow until moved out of the way, an additional safety that prevents the gate safety (170) in FIG 10 from being moved out of the way, and a rotary trigger handle safety lever/button as shown in (151) in FIG 12 that prevents rotation of the rotary trigger handle (154) in FIG 10 and FIG 12 to fire the golf bow unless it is actively depressed so as to retract the rotary trigger rod safety lock (153) in FIG 12. The preferred embodiment of the gate safety (170) in FIG 10 is to have an energy absorbing material to dampen a golf ball if it is fired against the gate safety. The object sensor safety (55) in FIG 1 that detects if an object is in line with the firing path of the golf bow, at a certain distance, can work with any of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00146] To reduce power or eliminate the power of a drawn golf bow using the rotary trigger method, the user can remove the pressure on the retraction tube binder (165) in FIG 10 by slightly retracting the bow further with the retraction lever (180) in FIG 11 after disabling the spring tension on the retraction lever binder (163) in FIG 10 and 11, so that about 75% of the normal retraction travel is skipped before grabbing the retraction tube binder. Then push the retraction tube binder retraction release lever (167) in FIG 11, then allow the retraction friction tube (160) in FIG 10 to move in the direction of less stored power, and then release the retraction tube binder (165) in FIG 10 with the retraction tube binder retraction release lever (167) in FIG 11. This method allows the user to move the retraction friction tube (160) in FIG 10 and FIG 11, backwards, for less power, about 75% of the distance of a normal lever movement to increase power.

[00147] Another embodiment of the striking driver is shown in (29) in FIGS 13A and 13B.

In this embodiment, the striking driver comprises one half of a golf ball or similar shaped generally hemispherical object attached to the front of the striking driver carriage. This distributes the impact pressure on firing over a larger area than (26) in FIG 3. FIG 13A shows a substantially complete hemisphere, whereas in FIG 13B the nose is flattened, so as to be less sensitive to a slightly off- center striking of the driven golf ball. The back side of (29) in FIGS 13A and 13B can be of many possible shapes and materials, for aerodynamic and center of gravity purposes.

[00148] The invention can be modified in other ways, as will be understood by the reader skilled in the art. Such modifications should be considered within the spirit and scope of the following claims.