LU83351A1 - DEFORMABLE DISC SHAPE TOY - Google Patents

Description

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The present invention relates to a deformable toy in the form of a disc, in particular an aerial toy which, when launched with a rotational movement, acquires an aerodynamic shape allowing it to glide.

In the past, such devices have generally been disk-shaped devices having a rigid structure, such as the toy described in US patent number 3,959,916, the aerial toy described in US patent number 10 3,852,910 and the hat. toy described in US patent number 3,571,811 but these toys are bulky to wear when not in use.

It is known that prior ring type devices are flexible. For example, the playing ring shown in US Patent No. 1,593,453 is a prior embodiment of a toy with a flexible ring device. A circular disc-shaped projectile made of a flexible, but padded material is described in US Patent No. 3,026,110. In addition, in US Patent No. 4,115,946 (a flexible disc-shaped device is described where uses a plurality of individual weights spread around the peripheral edge of this disc to achieve the desired results.

The above flexible devices, although being deformable, are expensive and use a plurality of elements which complicate their structure and their manufacturing process.

In addition, it has been found that known devices are susceptible to wear and tear more than would be desired. Thus, in the flexible disc-shaped device of US Patent No. 4,115,946, it can be seen that a tear in the edge 18 will have the effect of allowing the weights to fall out of the structure thus rendering the device useless.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy in the form of a deformable disc which is simple to manufacture, with which a minimum of elements are used and which can be produced economically.

The objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a structure, one embodiment of which comprises a flexible, one-piece ring defining a generally circular opening and a sheet member rigidly attached to the ring to close. the opening 5 circular and made of a flexible material.

In order that the invention may be better understood, reference is made to the following figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a top view of the deformable toy in the form of a disc produced according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a section in elevation through plane 2-2 of figure 1.

As indicated above, the present invention relates to deformable disc-shaped toys.

FIGS. 1 and 2 represent a deformable toy 15 in the form of a disc 10 consisting of a ring 12 and a sheet 14.

The ring 12 comprises a flexible ring in one piece, the inner edge 16 of which defines a generally circular opening. The ring 12 comprises a generally circular element 20 and a base 20 arranged around the inner edge of the circular element.

The ring 12 is made of a molded plastic which is flexible and which can be elastic. It has been found that suitable materials are moldable polyvinyl chloride and plastisol, however other suitable materials can be used.

The sheet 14 is rigidly fixed to the ring 12 along the inner edge of the ring 12 so as to close the opening defined by the ring 12.

* îr 30 The sheet 14 is generally a circular sheet comprising a plurality of orific® 24 formed around its periphery. The purpose of the orifices 24 is to allow a rigid seal to be formed between the sheet 14 and the ring 12 so as to prevent the separation of these elements during use. More specifically during the manufacture of the toy 10, the sheet 14 is placed in the opening of a circular mold so that the peripheral edge 26 of this sheet extends into the cavity of the mold. Then the sheet 14 is fixed in this position and the plastic material is injected into the mold cavity.

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The plastic passes through the openings 24 and is fixed around the edge of the sheet 14 so as to create a secure and fixed seal between the material of the sheet and the plastic of the ring.

Although many materials may be suitable for use as a sheet, it has been found that nylon is particularly useful.

More specifically in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the sheet 14 has dimensions such that it forms a concave surface 28 on its lower side and a convex surface on its upper side. This occurs when the toy is launched with a rotary movement. The shape of the sheet 14 during flight therefore establishes an aerodynamic air current on its surface so as to allow the toy to hover in the manner well known to "frisbee" (disc) players.

It can therefore be seen that the dimension of the surface of the sheet 14 when it is measured diametrically by means of the ring 12 from the inner edge 16 to the inner edge 16 is a dimension greater than that of the corresponding diameter of the ring. Such dimensions allow this aerodynamic effect and increase the recreational value of the toy.

As will be admitted, the structure according to the invention v is advantageous in that it consists of two elements, in that it is manufactured using an injection molding process thus allowing a manufacturing to large scale and inexpensive and in that it is an aerodynamically healthy but fully flexible element in order to improve its safety characteristics and therefore reduce the tendency to injure someone during its use.

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Claims (7)

1. Deformable toy in the form of a disc, characterized in that it comprises a one-piece ring (12), flexible 5 defining a generally circular opening and a sheet element (14) rigidly fixed to this ring (12) for close this circular opening, this sheet element (14) being made of a flexible material. 2. Toy according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet element (14) is fixed along the entire surface of this ring (12). 3. Toy according to claim 1, characterized in that this one-piece ring (12) comprises a generally circular element (18) and a base (20) extending radially inwards, arranged around the whole. from the internal edge (16) of this circular element (18), this element (14) being fixed to this ring (12), in one piece along this base (20). 4. Toy according to claim 3, characterized in that this sheet element (14) is fixed along the entire internal surface of this ring (12). 5. Toy according to any one of claims 1 and 3 characterized in that the length of the surface of this sheet element (14) measured diametrically through the internal diameter of this ring (12) is greater than the internal diameter of this ring (12). 6. Toy according to claim 3, characterized in that this ring (12) is made of a flexible, elastic w material. ^ 30 7. Toy according to claim 1, characterized in that this one-piece ring (12), flexible is made from a moldable material and in that this sheet element (14) comprises a plurality of openings (24 ) arranged around the peripheral edge of this sheet element (14)} these openings (24) receiving this moldable material to establish a rigid joint between this sheet element (14) and this ring in a flexible piece (12). 40