GB2368540A

GB2368540A - An aerodynamically reactive throwing disc

Info

Publication number: GB2368540A
Application number: GB0026671A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Turner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-31
Filing date: 2000-10-31
Publication date: 2002-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-31
Also published as: GB2368540B; GB0026671D0

Abstract

An aerodynamic throwing disc 10 formed from a single piece of material cut and folded so that it may be assembled into a disc with concentric aerodynamic features 11. Weights may be added to the rim of the disc (14, fig 4) and apertures cut in the surface. Various methods of producing the disc are also disclosed, including die cutting and heating and forming. The seam may be fixed using adhesive or by mechanical means. Print and graphics may be applied at the production stage.

Description

Aerodynamically reactive throwing disc This invention relates to a geometric form specific to the manufacture of an aerodynamically reactive throwing disc.

Aerodynamically reactive throwing discs are well known objects and are widely used for leisure and sport activities. The object comprises a moulded or manufactured disc or ring that when thrown from the hand, spins and travels for a period of time in a predetermined and controlled flight path.

Aerodynamically reactive throwing discs are, however, very solid, hard and relatively heavy because of the necessity to retain a structurally rigid form in order to function aerodynamically and can thus be difficult to use and unsatisfying for a young or unexperienced user. The use of the current object is also limited to large external spaces because of the potential of damage to internal furniture and fixings. Also, the cost of and professional nature of existing aerodynamically reactive throwing discs reduce the potential benefits for enjoyment and leisure available to a large proportion of society.

According to the present invention, there is a provided a light weight sheet material disc that can, by common print process be decorated with promotional or advertising information and with the subsequent application of cut outs and several crease line indentations/perforations applied at varying circumference be assembled using adhesive or mechanical fixing into a rigid geometric structure that becomes usable as an aerodynamically reactive throwing disc.

A specific embodiment of the invention and folding structure necessary to facilitate the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which ;- Figure 1 shows in plan view a sheet material disc with cut-outs and crease/perforation lines necessary to form an example of the invention.

Figure 2 Shows in perspective the sheet material disc partly constructed and showing the folding effect facilitated by the crease/perforation lines.

Figure 3 Shows in perspective the completed form.

Figure 4 shows in cross section the completed form.

Figure 5 shows in perspective the completed form and an optional weighted attachment.

Referring to the drawing the aerodynamically reactive throwing disc comprises an incomplete sheet material disc 10 with crease indentations and or perforations 11 that is formed by folding as illustrated Fig 2 into a rigid folded disc like geometric structure as illustrated Fig 3 and secured by adhesive or

mechanically fixed overlap join Jf) 3.

In order to achieve varying or improved aerodynamic reactions the number of and distance between the crease lines 11 applied can be changed.

In order to improve the flight and usefulness of the

aerodynamically reactive throwing disc a weighted strip/strips H/'t

can be applied to the whole or parts of the circumference, as shown in Fig 4.

Claims

1 An aerodynamically reactive throwing disc produced from a single piece of sheet material by manipulation techniques to produce concentric alternate orientation folds and having an optional means of weighting the circumference for improved flight stability.

2 A method according to the claim 1 where the number of, spacing of and orientation of the concentric folds can be changed in order to achieve different throwing disc forms and subsequent varying aerodynamic reactions in flight.

3 An aerodynamically reactive throwing disc as claimed in claim 1 where apertures/holes can be applied to the surface area of the throwing disc to create aerodynamically reactive effects.

4 An aerodynamically reactive throwing disc as claimed in claim 1 where the method of construction comprises the steps of: A. An optional application to the sheet material of print and graphics.

B. A die cutting process applied to the sheet material that comprises a pattern of cuts, creases and or perforations.

C. A hand or mechanised method of folding the flat panel to achieve the intended three dimensional geometric disc form.

D. A seam fixing method that uses adhesive or mechanical fixing.

E. An optional application by adhesive or mechanical fixing of a weighted and or protective circumference edging strip or piece.

4 An aerodynamically reactive throwing disc as claimed in claim 1 where an alternative method of construction comprises the steps of: A. An optional application to a plastic sheet material of print and graphics.

B. A heating and vacuum forming process applied to the plastic sheet material.

C. A die cutting process to remove waste/unwanted material.

5 An aerodynamically reactive throwing disc as claimed in claim 1 where an alternative method of construction comprises the steps of: A. A plastic injection moulding technique.

B. An application of print and graphics.