IP Library Granted Patent US 12,025,399
Granted Patent B2
US 12,025,399 · App. 18/309,086 · Granted Jul 2, 2024

String shooting device

Inventors: Stephen Giovanni Fazio (Atlanta, GA); Austin Mark Hillam (Johns Creek, GA); Mark Gordon Hillam (Johns Creek, GA)
Assignee: ZIPSTRING LLC
F41B4/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,025,399
App. No.
18/309,086
Granted
Jul 2, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided herein is a string shooting device having a string capable of generating lift when propelled from the string shooting device and a guide to readily attach and detach the string from the string shooting device. A string shooting device described herein includes: a body; a housing attached to the body; a pair of wheels, where at least one of the pair of wheels is a driven wheel; and a string, where the string includes a surface texture configured to increase air friction in response to the string being propelled through the air by the pair of wheels. The string of an example embodiment defines an axis along which the string extends, and where the string includes a plurality of fibers extending away from the axis.

Claims (23)

1. A device for propelling a string comprising:

a first wheel rotatable about a first axis;

a second wheel rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, wherein a gap is defined between the first wheel and the second wheel;

a body, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are rotatably attached to the body; and

a housing, wherein the housing attaches to the body and substantially covers the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein a loading slot is defined within the housing configured to provide access to the gap between the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein the loading slot extends along a length, and wherein the length is greater than a diameter of the first wheel or the second wheel.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a looped string, wherein the looped string is received through the loading slot to be received in the gap between the first wheel and the second wheel.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the loading slot is curved.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the string defines a fuzzy outer surface.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the fuzzy outer surface is defined by a plurality of fibers extending, at least in part, away from a surface of the string.

6. The device of claim 1 , the housing further comprising:

a guide slot extending about at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the first wheel.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first wheel and the second wheel is driven.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first wheel and the second wheel defines a groove about a periphery of the at least one of the first wheel and the second wheel.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein a surface the housing extends over the first wheel and the second wheel in a plane orthogonal to the first axis.

10. The device of claim 9 , further comprising a loading slot in the housing, wherein the loading slot extends through the surface of the housing.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the loading slot is curved.

12. A device for propelling a string comprising:

a first wheel rotatable about a first axis;

a second wheel rotatable about a second axis; and

a housing substantially covering the first wheel and the second wheel, the housing defining a guide slot, the guide slot extending about at least a portion of an outer periphery of the first wheel to an intake aperture axially aligned with a gap between the first wheel and the second wheel.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the housing further defines a loading slot, the loading slot extending from the guide slot to an exit aperture aligned with the gap between the first wheel and the second wheel.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the loading slot extends over a portion of the first wheel.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the loading slot is curved.

Assignments (2)
LIEN Recorded Jan 16, 2025
From: KIWICO, INC.
To: RIVER CITY BANK
Reel/Frame 069935/0801 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2023
From: FAZIO, STEPHEN GIOVANNI; HILLAM, AUSTIN MARK; HILLAM, MARK GORDON
To: ZIPSTRING LLC
Reel/Frame 063479/0691 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 18056567 · Nov 17, 2022
Provisional Application 63374614 · Sep 6, 2022
Provisional Application 63280810 · Nov 18, 2021
Related Publication 20230266093A1 · Aug 24, 2023
Cited By (4)
US 12,194,392 US 12,296,279 US 12,422,211 US 12,504,250