GB2305869A

GB2305869A - An aerial flying device

Info

Publication number: GB2305869A
Application number: GB9520709A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael J Chandler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-10-10
Filing date: 1995-10-10
Publication date: 1997-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2015-10-10
Also published as: GB9520709D0; GB2305869B

Abstract

An aerial flying device comprises a disc 1 whose upper surface is at least partially convex and a ring 2 of generally aerofoil section which is spaced from the disc perimeter and is joined to the disc by one or more spoke members 3 of generally symmetrical cross-section. In a preferred construction the spacing between the ring and the disc is at least three times the chord length of the ring. The upper surface of the disc stands proud of the upper surface of the ring. The lower surface of the ring may be flat or concave.

Description

AMUSEMENT DEVICES This invention relates to amusement devices and more especially to aerial flying discs and ring devices.

Aerial flying discs having slightly convex top sides and generally flat or slightly concave undersides are well-known. Such discs typically weigh between 100 and 200 grams and generate lift in the same way that an aerofoil does. Disc stability in flight is produced in part by the attitude adopted by the disc in flight and by the spinning action imparted to the disc as it leaves the hand of the thrower. The distance travelled and the stability of these known discs are limited by their natural tendency to turn about their flight axes. Once turned, lift is lost and the disc speedily returns to the ground.

Axisymmetric flying rings which remain relatively balanced at all flight speeds are also known. These flying rings generally comprise an annular aero'oi7 having a sligiltly convex upper surface and a generally fiat lower surface. UDstanding lips are normally present on the outer ring perimeter to engender uditional lift and stability. Flying rings tend to fly further than discs but lack the ability to perform many of the aerobatic functions of a disc.

The present invention sets out to provide an aerial flying device whose overall performance is better than conventional flying discs and rings and which can be both lighter and smaller than such discs and rings.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided an aerial flying device which comprises a disc whose upper surface is at least partially convex and a ring of generally aerofoil section which is spaced from the disc perimeter and is joined to the disc by one or more spoke members of generally symmetrical cross-section.

In another aspect, there is provided an aerial flying device which comprises a disc having an upper surface which is at least partially convex and which is joined to a co-axial ring by one or more radial spokes.

In a preferred construction the spacing between the ring and the disc is at least three times the chord length of the ring.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are plan and side views respectively of an aerial flying device in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a section to an enlarged scale taken through a ring which forms part of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a section to an enlarged scale taken through a disc which forms part of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a section to an enlarged scale taken through a spoke which forms part of the device shown in Figure 1.

The aerial flying device illustrated in the drawings comprises a centre disc 1 joined to a co-axial outer ring 2 by three equally spaced radial spokes 3. The device is preferably of plastics and may be formed as a single piece. Alternatively, the disc, ring and spokes may be produced separately, the disc being subsequently joined to the ring 2 by the spokes 3. Other suitable materials other than plastics may be employed.

The length of each spoke is sufficient to remove the ring 2 from the downwash created by the disc 1 in flight and vice-versa. Typically, the spoke length is sufficient to ensure that the disc is spaced from the ring by at least twice the chord length of the ring; a preferred minimum distance is three times the chord length of the ring. In practice, the spacing between the ring and the disc may be substantially greater than this minimum distance.

As will be seen from Figure 2, the upper surface of the disc 1 stands proud of the ring 2.

Typically, the diameter of the disc is between 30mm and 75mm and the outer diameter of the ring is between 90mm and 200mm. Other diameters may, however, be employed. The chord length of the ring 2 is typically between 6mm and 9mm and the width of each spoke is typically between 5mm and 9mm. The height of the ring is typically between 1 .5mm and 2.5mm and the height of the disc is typically between 4mm and lOmm.

It is stressed that these dimensions are merely typical of devices in accordance with the invention. In one construction of a device in accordance with the invention, the disc diameter is 55mm, the ring diameter is 170mum, the ring chord is 7.2mm, the spoke width is 7mm, the spoke length is 21 mum, the ring height is 1 .9mm and the disc height is 6mm.

As will be seen from Figure 3, the ring 2 is of general aerofoil section and includes an upper generally convex surface 4 and generally flat lower surface 5. This lower surface may, however, be concave. The outer edge 6 of the ring (that is to say the edge remote from the ring) is radiused and merges with the adjace-it contours of the ring's upper and lower surfaces 4, 5. The lower surface 5 of the ring is flat over some two-thirds of its length and is slightly inclined with respect to a horizontal datum line 7.

The angle subtended between this flat surface and the datum line is important and lies typically between 0.5 and 1.5o; a preferred angle is 1 .2". Thus the lowermost point along the length of the ring's lower surface 5 lies at approximately one-third of the chord length of the ring measured from the outer edge 6 of the ring. The uppermost point of the upper surface 4is typically some 3mm of the chord length measured from the outer edge 6 of the ring. The radius of the outer perimeter of the ring is typically of the order of between 0.6 and 0.9mm and the radius of the inner perimeter of the ring is typically of the order of 0.05 and lmm. In the construction referred to above, the radius of the outer ring perimeter is 0.75mm and that of the inner ring perimeter is 0.075mm.In this construction, the radius of the curvature of the convex portion of the upper ring surface which adjoins the ring inner edge is 5.9mm and the radius of curvature of the convex portion of the upper ring surface which adjoins the ring outer edge is 6.9mm.

In a preferred construction, the ring is produced as a solid item.

It might, however, be hollow and may include a central core to increase its weight.

As will be seen from Figure 4, in section the upper surface of the disc 1 has a radiused outer surface and is generally flat over its central surface 8. The lower surface 9 of the disc is generally concave. It may, however, be flat or convex. In the construction referred to above, the radius of the outer surface is 25mm and the depth of the disc is 6mm. The thickness of the disc is 0.5mm. Other dimensions may, however, be employed. One side of the disc is raised in relation to its other side to take account of the angle between the horizontal datum 7 and the flat under surface of the ring.

As will be seen from Figure 5, the spokes are each typically symmetrical about a centre-line. Other numbers of spokes may be employed. Preferably these spokes will not have a material effect on the flight characteristics of the device.

Flying devices in accordance with the invention exhibit greater stability than known flying discs of equivalent dimensions and weight.

Typically, known rings weigh 100 gms and their external diameter is 330mm. Devices in accordance with the invention weigh typically 6 gms for a diameter 11Omm and 25 gms for a diameter of 220mm. These devices have been found to fly straight at widely differing speed ranges and have good penetration into head winds of the order of force 6.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of aerial devices in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An aerial flying device which comprises a disc whose upper surface is at least partially convex and a ring of generally aerofoil section which is spaced from the disc perimeter and is joined to the disc by one or more spoke members of generally symmetrical cross-section.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the disc has an upper surface which is at least partially convex.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the spoke members extend radially from the perimeter of the disc.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the spacing between the ring and the disc is at least three times the chord length of the ring.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims in which three equally spaced spoke members are provided.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the upper surface of the disc stands proud of the upper surface of the ring.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the diameter of the disc is between 30mm and 75mm.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the outer diameter of the ring is between 90mm and 200mm.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the chord length of the ring is between 6mm and 9mm.

1 0. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the width of each spoke is between 5mm and 9mm.

11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the height of the ring is between 1.5mm and 2.5mm.

1 2. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the height of the disc is between 4mm and iOmm.

1 3. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the lower surface of the ring is generally flat.

1 4. A device as claimed in any one of the Claims 1 to 1 2 wherein the lower surface of the ring is concave.

1 5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the outer edge of the ring is radiused and merges with the adjoining contours of the upper and lower ring surface.

1 6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the lower surface of the ring is flat over a major portion of its length and is inclined with respect to a horizontal datum line at an angle of between 0.5 and 1.50.

17. A device as claimed in Claim 16 wherein the angle is 1.20.

1 8. An aerial flying device substantially as herein described and as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.