US20030220045A1

US20030220045A1 - Hipp skip

Info

Publication number: US20030220045A1
Application number: US10/154,965
Authority: US
Inventors: Kelly Haynes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-24
Filing date: 2002-05-24
Publication date: 2003-11-27

Abstract

Accordingly, the objects and advantages of the flexible skipping disc are:

(a) The external surface is soft and flexible, creating a low impact when struck.

(b) The rubber weight used for momentum flexes upon impact displacing its energy and is concealed between two pieces of soft foam.

(c) The aerodynamic shape allows for lift on the leading edge of the disc reducing drag and dramatically increasing it's range.

(d) Closed cell foam inhibits absorption of water.

(e) The closed cell foam of the Hipp Skip lets it float for easy recovery.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

No computer disc.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention was created by flipping a pool skimmer/filter cover over (IE upside down) with the beveled surface facing down towards the surface and throwing it across the surface of the water. It worked well but was dangerous. With safety in mind, I came up with a soft, low impact toy. After many prototypes, Soft Foam was used as the primary component of the exterior. This did not produce enough momentum for the disc to travel across the surface of the water sufficiently. A rubber weight shaped as a disc was concealed in the center of a larger designed foam disc and allowed for the momentum needed; yet it flexes upon impact, displacing its energy making this invention unique as a safe, soft, flexible, water-skipping toy.

BRIEF SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION

Many water toys and other throwing toys are primarily designed to either sink, float, or fly. Those most closely related to this invention are those designed to fly and are either rigid or heavy, which is a significant disadvantage for a skipping toy.

Additionally only the top of an individual's body is exposed when floating and “bobbing” in the water, making them potentially vulnerable to injury or damage from the impact of a rigid disc thrown at speed when a disc is thrown at or towards them.

This invention is unique with its flexible weight concealed in-between two pieces of soft foam. It carries enough momentum to travel a great distance yet is soft and flexible enough to displace it's energy upon contact, delivering a low impact. Presently, designed inventions and toys that can skip on water, do so erratically and dangerously. They are not intended for the same purpose as this soft flexible water-skipping toy, which is disc shaped with a sloping edge and comprised of soft foam exterior and conceals a flexible high density rubber disc interior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. [0008]
FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a disc of two pound close cell foam used to make the external surface of the invention. [0009]
FIG. 2 depicts the rubber disc placed in the center of the foam for weight. [0010]
FIG. 3 depicts the assembly process. [0011]
FIG. 4 depicts a description of the mold used to melt the foam. [0012]
FIGS. 5A and 5B depict the finished product.[0013]

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

Not applicable. [0014]

DESCRIPTION FIGS. 5A AND 5B PREFERED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the invention is two pieces of two-pound close cell foam one half (½) inch thick by nine (9) inches in circumference, encompassing one piece of rubber three sixteenths ({fraction (3/16)}) inch thick by six (6) inches in circumference. The three separate pieces are heated and melted together forming the proper aerodynamic shape. [0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B Additional Embodiments [0016]
Two pieces of two-pound close cell foam, they are one half (½) inch thick by nine (9) inches in circumference, soft and flexible in composition. They comprise the exterior surface of the invention. [0017]
FIG. 2 Additional Embodiments [0018]
Rubber, three sixteenths ({fraction (3/16)}) inch thick by six (6) inches in circumference, is centered in-between FIGS. 1A and 1B, flexible in its composition it comprises the center mass allowing for the momentum required for the invention to work. [0019]
FIG. 3 Additional Embodiments [0020]
FIGS. 1A and 1B are centered above and below one another. They are permanently adhered to one-another, completely encasing FIG. 2 leaving only FIGS. 1A and 1B exposed. [0021]
FIG. 4 Additional Embodiments [0022]
The toy's mold is a two piece and pre-manufactured mold, nine (9) inches in circumference its depth changes gradually from its center point of one half (½) inch deep radiating to its outer most edge at one eighth (⅛) inch deep. One piece is placed on the top and piece is placed on the bottom, encasing FIG. 3. When heat is applied to the mold the foam takes on the characteristics of the mold. [0023]
FIGS. 6A and 6B Alternative Embodiments [0024]
There are various possibilities in the construction of this invention. FIG. 6A shows how the foam can be stacked in layers, and FIG. 6B shows pre-forming the foam prior to adhering together. Regardless, the end result is the same; that is, a heavier object placed in the center of a soft aerodynamic shape will produce momentum and low impact. [0025]

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable. [0026]
Operation [0027]
The Hipp Skip invention is similar to the idea of skipping a rock; it is thrown parallel to and only inches above the surface of the water; shortly after being thrown it comes in contact with the surface of the water and begins skipping. With each skip it travels a great distance, towards another individual or towards a goal, target or similar object. [0028]
Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope [0029]
Accordingly, one can see that the Hipp Skip invention can be used in a wide variety of games such as but not limited to, catch, hockey, target shooting, skipping contests and many others reaching a very broad group of people both young and old. Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing information illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the foam can be increased both in thickness and circumference; as well as, the weight can be increased or decreased, etc. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. [0030]

Claims

1. FIGS. 1A and 1B are two pound close cell foam, this is unique in it's role for this invention to work:

Close-celled foam stops absorption of water.

Close-celled foam allows the toy to float, providing easy user recovery for game continuation.

Smooth texture surface of the disc reduces drag, increasing range when thrown (IE skipped) across the surface of the water.

Flexible composition allows for its energy to be displaced upon impact, therefore, greatly reducing personal injury.

2. Soft foam alone is not heavy enough for a disc to skip across the surface of the water which is why, as FIG. 2 depicts, rubber in the shape of a disc is included in the design for the momentum needed to propel the disc across the surface of the water. Most importantly it remains flexible upon impact for safety.

3. FIG. 3 depicts that the rigid rubber is completely encased in the center of the soft foam, this is for safety, leaving only a soft flexible disc shaped toy.

4. FIG. 5 depicts the tapered edges, which allow for the lift of the leading edge when the disc is skipped across the surface of the water.

5. Fun, safe, easy to use.