Ball catching and launching toy

摘要

A ball catching and launching toy includes an elongated cylinder having a cylindrical bore defined therein. A catch scoop defining a generally concave catching surface is coupled to one end of the cylinder by a tapered funnel guide portion. The remaining of the cylinder receives a slidable handle having a piston rod and piston secured thereto. The piston rod and piston are movable within the cylinder bore to either produce a partial vacuum with the cylinder bore or increased pressure. Once a ball has been successfully captured by the user, the toy is raised to a generally vertical orientation and the handle is withdrawn from the cylinder producing a partial vacuum which urges the ball into a ball receptacle. The ball may then be launched or fired from the toy by rapidly forcing the handle inwardly producing pressurized air within the cylinder bore and ball receptacle which expels the captive ball.