GB2465760A

GB2465760A - Flying disc or ring with fire flame device

Info

Publication number: GB2465760A
Application number: GB0821646A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thor Hayton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-27
Filing date: 2008-11-27
Publication date: 2010-06-02
Also published as: GB0821646D0

Abstract

A flying disc or ring 1, e.g. similar to a Frisbee (RTM) type disc or Aerobie (RTM) type ring, is provided with a flame device 11, the flame device being operable to generate a fire flame when the disc is in use. The flame device may comprise a wick and a fuel supply and is preferably mounted on a mount 13. The disc may be formed as a ring 3 having a curved cross section such that the ring is aerofoil in cross section. The ring defines a central aperture 5 the periphery of which has a heat resistant material 9. Alternatively a mounting plate (57, Fig. 10) may be mounted to substantially fill the central aperture to form a disc.

Description

THROWING DISC WITH FLAME DEVICE

The present invention relates to a throwing disc with flame device.

Throwing discs are well known and typically comprise a solid circular disc or ring, shaped to generate lift as the disc spins through the air.

One such disc is sold under the trade name Frisbee�. Another such disc is sold under the trade name Aerobie�.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a throwing disc to which a mount is attached, a flame device being mounted on the mount, the flame device being operative to carry a flame during use of the throwing disc.

Preferably the ratio of the diameter of the disc to the diameter of the aperture is in the range 4:1 to 2:1.

Preferably attachment means is provided to removably attach the flame device to the mount. The attachment means may comprise a nut and a bolt. Alternatively the attachment means may comprise a snap fit connection. Any other suitable attachment means may alternatively be used.

Preferably the mount is positioned substantially coaxially with the disc axis.

Preferably the disc comprises an aperture beneath the mount to feed air to the flame device in use.

The mount may comprise a strut extending between the disc and the flame device.

Preferably at least one of the strut and the disc is provided with a mounting formation operative to mount the strut to the disc.

Preferably the mounting formation is operative to removably mount the strut to the disc.

Preferably the mount comprises two struts.

Preferably each strut is bent when viewed in plan such that each strut defines an apex and two strut legs.

Preferably the two struts are mounted to the disc such that their apexes overlap to define a mounting loop on which the flame device is mounted.

Alternatively the two struts may be substantially straight. The two struts may be arranged in cruciform when viewed in plan.

Each strut may comprise an inclined portion such that the mounting loop is spaced above the strut legs when viewed from the side.

The or each strut may comprise a wire rod. Alternatively the or each strut comprises a planar bar. Preferably the planar bar is integral with a mounting ring and is arranged to substantially span the diameter of the mounting ring, the mounting ring being mounted on the disc.

The flame device may comprise a wick.

Preferably the disc further comprises a heat resistant portion adjacent the aperture to protect the disc from the heat of the flame device in use.

Preferably the heat resistant portion comprises an annular portion radially inwardly spaced from the outer periphery of the disc. Preferably the annular portion extends around the periphery of the aperture.

Preferably the heat resistant portion comprises a heat resistant coating.

The heat resistant coating may comprise heat resistant tape. Most preferably the heat resistant tape conforms to specification BS 5862 Part 2 1980 type B. Preferably the disc comprises a heat resistant material. The heat resistant material may comprise a heat resistant plastic.

Other aspects of the present invention may include any combination of the features or limitations referred to herein.

The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the top and front of a throwing disc in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the throwing disc of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view from the top and front of the throwing disc of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view from the top and front of another throwing disc in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is a side view of the throwing disc of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view from the top and front of the throwing disc of Figures 4 and 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view from the top and front of a further throwing disc in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 is a side view of the throwing disc of Figure 7; Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view from the top and front of the throwing disc of Figures 7 and 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view from the top and front of a yet further throwing disc in accordance with the present invention; Figure 11 is a side view of the throwing disc of Figure 10; and Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view from the top and front of the throwing disc of Figures 10 and 11.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 3, a throwing disc 1 comprises an outer ring 3 having a curved transverse cross section such that the ring 3 is aerofoil shaped in cross section. The ring 3 defines a central aperture 5 the periphery of which comprises a radially inner circumference 7 of the ring 3. The annular portion of the ring 3 surrounding the inner circumference 7 comprises a heat resistant portion 9 which in this example is provided by a coating of heat resistant duct tape. In this example the ratio of the diameter of the disc 1 to the diameter of the central aperture 5 is about 3:1.

The disc 1 is further provided with a flame device comprising a wick 11 of folded wick material mounted on a mount comprising two metal struts 13 in the form of wire rods.

The ends of each strut 13 are bent to form a mounting formation comprising a finger 15, each finger 15 being adapted to pass through a corresponding mounting slot (not shown) in the ring 3.

Each strut 13 is bent through about 900 to define an apex 19 and two strut legs 17, the four legs 17 being thus arranged in an X configuration extending across the central aperture 5 when viewed from above. The legs 17 are inclined when viewed from the side such that the apexes 19 are spaced above the ring 3.

The apexes 19 of the two struts 13 between them define a mounting loop 23 on which the flame device 11 is mounted in use. In this example the flame device 11 is mounted on the mounting ioop 23 using attachment means comprising a nut and bolt 25. The flame device 11 is thus spaced above the top surface of the disc 1 by the inclined portions 17 of the Struts 13.

In use, the wick 11 is soaked in flammable liquid and then ignited. The wick may be soaked in flammable liquid by means of a flammable liquid applicator. Alternatively the wick may be soaked in flammable liquid by means of immersion in the flammable liquid. The throwing disc 1 is then thrown through the air as with known throwing discs, the spinning of the disc 1 through the air generating lift to keep the disc 1 above the ground.

The central aperture 5 enables air to be drawn through the aperture 5 in use to fuel the wick 11 to keep the flame alight.

The lit wick 11 provides a spectacular visual effect as the disc 1 flies through the air, this being particularly so when the disc 1 is used at night or in low light conditions. The central aperture 5 provides a view of the flame from both sides of the disc 1.

The flame resistant portion protects the ring 3 from the heat of the wick 11 and the metal struts 13 exhibit sufficient heat conductivity to the surrounding air in use that the ring 3 remains cool enough to hold with an unprotected human hand.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6, another throwing disc 31 is shown with like features having like references to the disc 1 described above. In this example the disc 31 comprises a central aperture 35 that is considerably larger than the aperture 5 of disc 1. In this example the ratio of the diameter of the disc 31 to the diameter of the central aperture 35 is about 2:1.

In this example the legs 17 are not inclined when viewed from the side and thus the struts 13 substantially occupy a single plane.

The wick 11 is again mounted on the mounting loop 23 defined by the apexes 19 in the Struts 13. The base of the wick 11 in this example is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the disc 31 and is thus not spaced above the disc 31.

In this example the wick 11 can be mounted lower with respect to the disc 31 than with the disc 1 because the larger central aperture 35 provides more space between the inner circumference 7 of the disc 35 and the wick 11 and thus provides sufficient thermal insulation between these two components for the disc 31 to remain suitably cool in use for the disc 31 to be gripped by an unprotected human hand.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 9, a further disc 41 is of similar structure to the disc 31 and comprises a central aperture 45 of similar dimensions to the aperture 35 of disc 31.

In this example the mount comprises a circular, planar, mounting ring 47 defining a central circular aperture 49. A strut in the form of a planar bar 51 extends across the circular aperture 49 between opposed parts of the mounting ring 47.

The outer circumference of the mounting ring 47 is provided with mounting formations in the form of loops 53 that clip into slots (not shown) on the disc 41.

The wick 11 is bolted Onto the planar bar 51 and the disc 41 is used as described above.

In this example the mounting ring 47 and bar 51 are formed integrally from a metal material such as an aluminium alloy.

Referring now to Figures 10 to 12, a yet further disc 55 is of similar structure to the discs 31 and 41 and shown with like features having like references to the discs 31 and 41 described above. The yet further disc 55 comprises a central aperture 59 of similar dimensions to the aperture 35 of disc 31 and the aperture 45 of disc 41.

In this example the mount comprises a circular, planar, mounting plate 57. The outer circumference of the mounting plate 57 is provided with mounting formations in the form of loops 53 that clip into slots (not shown) on the disc 55. In this embodiment the mounting plate 57 substantially fills the central aperture 59 of the disc 55.

The wick 11 is bolted onto the mounting plate 57 and the disc 55 is used as described above.

In this exaniple the mounting plate 57 is formed from a metal material such as an aluminium alloy.

The discs 1, 31, 41, 55 can be formed from any suitable material examples of which are a plastics material or a metal alloy such as aluminium alloy. Composite or multiple materials can be used.

The flame device 11 has been described as a wick, but could comprise any other suitable form of device capable of generating a flame. The device may comprise a container or reservoir of fuel that feeds a wick in use, or which is used to generate a stream of vaporised fuel that can be ignited to form a flame. The fuel could be a liquid or a gas.

Any desired parts of the discs 1, 31, 41, 55 can be provided with a heat resistant coating as required.

The discs 1, 31, 41, 55 may be formed from multiple materials as required to provide heat resistant properties to the desired parts of the discs 1, 31, 41, 55. Alternatively the discs 1, 31, 41, 55 may be entirely formed from a heat resistant/retardant material.

The discs 1, 31, 41, 55 are designed to be reusable.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A throwing disc to which a mount is attached, a flame device being mounted on the mount, the flame device being operative to carry a flame during use of the throwing disc.
2. The throwing disc of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the diameter of the disc to the diameter of the aperture is in the range 4:1 to 2:1.
3. The throwing disc of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein attachment means is provided to removably attach the flame device to the mount.
4. The throwing disc of any one of the claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the mount is arranged such the flame device is positioned substantially coaxially with the disc axis.
5. The throwing disc of any one of the preceding claims wherein an aperture is provided beneath the mount to feed air to the flame device in use.
6. The throwing disc of any one of the preceding claims wherein the mount comprises a strut extending between the disc and the flame device.
7. The throwing disc of claim 6 wherein at least one of the strut and the disc is provided with a mounting formation operative to mount the strut to the disc.
8. The throwing disc of claim 7 wherein the mounting formation is operative to removably mount the strut to the disc.
9. The throwing disc of any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the strut is bent when viewed in plan such that the strut defines an apex and two strut legs.
10. The throwing disc of any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the mount comprises two struts.
11. The throwing disc of claim 10 wherein the two Struts are mounted to the disc such that their apexes overlap to define a mounting ioop on which the flame device is mounted.
12. The throwing disc of any one of claims 6 to 11 wherein the or each strut comprises an inclined portion such that the mounting ioop is spaced above the strut legs when viewed from the side.
13. The throwing disc of any one of claims 6 to 12 wherein the or each strut comprises a wire rod.
14. The throwing disc of any one of claims 6 to 12 wherein the or each strut comprises a planar bar.
15. The throwing disc of claim 14 wherein the planar bar is integral with a mounting ring and is arranged to substantially span the diameter of the mounting ring, the mounting ring being mounted on the disc.
16. The throwing disc of any one of the preceding claims wherein the flame device comprises a wick.
17. The throwing disc of any one of the preceding claims wherein the disc further comprises a heat resistant portion adjacent the aperture to protect the disc from the heat of the flame device in use.
18. The throwing disc of claim 17 wherein the heat resistant portion comprises an annular portion radially inwardly spaced from the outer periphery of the disc.
19. The throwing disc of claim 18 wherein the annular portion extends around the periphery of the aperture.
20. The throwing disc of any one of the claims 17 to 19 wherein the heat resistant portion comprises a heat resistant coating.
21. The throwing disc of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the disc comprises a heat resistant material.
22. The throwing disc of claim 21 wherein the heat resistant material comprises a heat resistant plastic.
23. A throwing disc substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.