US20060141896A1

US20060141896A1 - Flying disc

Info

Publication number: US20060141896A1
Application number: US11/319,985
Authority: US
Inventors: Gary Owens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-12-27
Filing date: 2005-12-27
Publication date: 2006-06-29
Also published as: WO2006071767A2; WO2006071767A3

Abstract

A flying disc generally includes a substantially circular, solid outer rim; a substantially circular, inner rim; an annular space therebetween; and, an airfoil disposed within the annular space. The inner rim is concentrically disposed within the solid outer rim, and the airfoil maintains the integrity of the concentricity between the solid outer rim and the inner rim.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Benefit is claimed of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/639,486, filed Dec. 27, 2004, and entitled “Flying Disc”, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein as if set forth at length.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a flying disc and, more specifically, to a flying disc having an improved, durable construction.
2. Description of Related Art
The recreational use of flying toys has long been enjoyed by both children and adults. Many popular games involve passing such devices from player-to-player by hand or by using another device such as a stick.
Examples of flying toys include the Frisbee® flying disc, described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,359,678, and the Aerobie™ flying ring, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,358. The Frisbee® flying disc is a saucer-shaped device that can be thrown over relatively long distances. A player throws such a disc by grasping its edge and flexing the wrist, while holding the forearm in a neutral position. Next, the player extends the wrist and releases the disc, i.e., the player “flings” from the wrist, imparting spin to the disc, resulting in its being propelled through the air.
Such a disc will fly over relatively long distances because of its relatively high mass, peripheral mass distribution, and solid/rigid construction and aerodynamic structure.
Like the Frisbee® flying disc, the Aerobie™ flying ring has a relatively large mass, but, unlike the Frisbee® flying disc, has a mass which is distributed peripherally about a central void and a special air-foil shape, supposedly offering a unique flying capability.
Still other flying toys are known that offer features different from those of the Frisbee® flying disc and of the Aerobie™ flying ring. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,707 discloses a flying toy apparatus. The annular ring-like structure is readily deformable upon impact and is designed for use indoors. However, having almost no structural rigidity, the toy is of little value outdoors and is hard to launch for flight over longer distances. Likewise, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0111105 A1 is a non-uniformly compressible flying disc that is described as being relatively limp and flexible. Although the compressible flying disc may be constructed with pieces of gripping material covering a portion of the outer rim, the non-reinforced rim and airfoil may easily rip and tear when used outdoors. Similarly, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0232565 also discloses a compressible flying disc also possessing a non-reinforced rim and airfoil, which makes the design susceptible to damage when used outdoors.
In another related example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,453 describes a flying disc whose outer circular ring is constructed from inner connected ring segments to facilitate quick disassembly and easy assembly. However, the interconnected ring segments frequently come apart and/or break when the flying disc strikes the earth or other hard surface. Such a collision not only causes the flying disc to disassemble but the nylon-type fabric covering the outer circular ring may also rip and tear.
As a result, there exists a need for a flying disc having a rigid, durable construction. There also exists a need for a flying disc which requires no assembly prior to use. There further exists a need for a flying disc for outdoor use so that ultimate Frisbee® enthusiasts and other extreme Frisbee® participants may use and practically abuse the flying disc without damaging it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A flying disc comprises an outer rim comprising a substantially circular, solid ring; an inner rim comprising a substantially circular ring, the inner rim is concentrically disposed within the outer rim; an annular space disposed between the outer rim and the inner rim; and an airfoil disposed within the annular space.
A flying disc comprises a substantially circular, solid outer rim; a substantially circular, inner rim, the inner rim is concentrically disposed within the outer rim; an annular space disposed between the outer rim and the inner rim; and an airfoil disposed within the annular space.
A flying disc comprises a substantially circular, solid outer rim; a substantially circular, flexible inner rim; and an airfoil comprising a multidirectionally stretchable, air-flow permeable material disposed therebetween; wherein the flexible inner rim is concentrically disposed within the solid outer rim, and the airfoil is disposed between the solid outer rim and the flexible inner rim to maintain the integrity of the concentricity between the solid outer rim and the flexible inner rim.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flying disc; and
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flying disc of FIG. 1.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary flying disc designed for outdoor use such as extreme Frisbee® and ultimate Frisbee® games is disclosed herein. The exemplary flying disc is rigidly and durably constructed using solid annular rings as opposed to segmented outer and/or inner rings and/or interconnecting ring segments. Furthermore, the exemplary flying disc employs durable materials to insure that it does not tear, rip, or come apart while being used and enjoyed outdoors. Moreover, the exemplary flying disc does not require assembly prior to its use and enjoyment.
A flying disc may generally comprise a substantially circular outer rim, a substantially circular inner rim, an annular space therebetween, and an airfoil. The term “substantially circular” used herein is intended to encompass a circular shape, a near-circular shape, a non-circular shape, e.g., an oval or oblong shape, and the like. The terms “annular” and “annular space” are intended to define the space between one or more, substantially circular rims. “Concentricity” or “concentrically”, as applied to the substantially circular rims, means that their geometric centers are substantially coincident. Throughout the description, please note that the top and bottom of the exemplary flying discs described herein are interchangeable, or in other words, the exemplary flying discs may be thrown with either side up, eliminating confusion and “user-error” amongst users.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a flying disc 10 is shown. Flying disc 10 comprises a substantially circular outer rim 12, a substantially circular inner rim 14, an annular space 16 disposed therebetween, and an airfoil 18 disposed within annular space 16. Outer rim 12 may be constructed using a solid annular ring 20. Generally, a solid annular ring is preferred over a segmented ring or a ring comprising interconnected arcuate segments. Such ring segments are prone to disassembly upon impact with a hard surface such as the earth. Solid ring 20 can withstand such impact against hard surfaces thus eliminating concern by a user that flying disc 10 may disassemble during its use.
Solid ring 20 may be constructed using materials including, but not limited to, elastomeric materials, thermoset materials, thermoplastic materials, polymeric materials, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials, and the like. Such materials may be molded as a substantially circular, solid ring, or extruded and sealed to form a substantially circular, solid ring using one or more mechanical and/or chemical techniques, or a combination of such techniques, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Other suitable materials that are malleable, moldable, extrudable, and the like, as are known in the art, may also be employed to form solid ring 20 of outer rim 12.
Inner rim 14 may preferably be concentrically disposed within outer rim 12 of flying disc 10 such that annular space 16 is formed. Inner rim 14 may also be constructed using a flexible ring 22. Flexible ring 22 may be constructed using flexible materials including, but not limited to, elastomeric materials, polymeric materials, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials, and the like. More particularly, flexible ring 22 may preferably be constructed using elastic, fabric, nylon, rubber, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials, and the like. Flexible ring 22 may be formed using one or more conventional methods for attaching flexible materials together as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Annular space 16 of flying disc 10 may contain airfoil 18. The term “airfoil” as used herein generally refers to a structure that presents to an air stream, i.e., in flight, a differential path over the upper and lower surfaces of the structure to achieve lift. Preferably, airfoil 18 is disposed within annular space 16, and between outer rim 12 and inner rim 14, such that airfoil 18 maintains the integrity of the concentricity between rims 12 and 14. Airfoil 18 may comprise a multidirectionally stretchable, air-flow permeable material, as is known and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Suitable air-flow permeable materials may include, but are not limited to, synthetic materials, elastomeric materials, polymeric materials, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing air-flow permeable materials, and the like. Such lightweight fabric materials may preferably be a fabric capable of providing a smooth, tapered surface and shape for airfoil 18 which also provides aerodynamic stability to flying disc 10. The multidirectionally stretchable, air-flow permeable material of airfoil 18 may also be capable of and suitable for embodying a design or print. The design or print may be applied using one or more techniques known to one skilled in the art. Such techniques may include, but are not limited to, methods such as silk screening, printing, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing methods, and the like.
To facilitate the outdoor use and enjoyment of flying disc 10, outer rim 12 and inner rim 14 may be covered with one or more durable materials. Such durable materials may possess characteristics such as being generally resistant to abrasion, easy to grip, and flexibility. Suitable durable materials may include, but are not limited to, neoprene, dacron/mylar, cloth, nylon, molded plastic, combinations comprising one of the foregoing materials, and the like. More particularly, the durable material may preferably be a polyester fabric having a plurality of raised nodules along a leading edge of flying disc 10. The raised nodules act as micro vortex generators, that is, capable of generating micro vortices, as flying disc 10 travels through the air. The raised nodules enhance lift, reduce the stalling speed of disc 10, and improve the overall stability of the flight of flying disc 10. Another preferred durable material is Tough Tek®, a polyester fabric having a polyvinyl chlorine based non-slip surface applied to it, which is commercially available from most bulk fabric distributors. The durable material will cover the entirety of solid ring 20 of rim 12 such that the two ends of the durable material will come together and taper to form an edge disposed in contact with or approximate to airfoil 18. The two halves of durable material may be stitched, taped, glued, heat-sealed or otherwise fastened to airfoil 18 as is known and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, the durable material is stitched to airfoil 18 to create a seamless integration of the durable material and the air-flow permeable material.
The same air-flow permeable materials suitable for constructing airfoil 18, as discussed earlier, may also be disposed about flexible ring 22 of inner rim 14. In such an embodiment, the permeable air-flow material of airfoil 18 may be attached to the permeable air-flow material disposed about inner rim 14. As previously described, air-flow permeable material of airfoil 18 may be attached to the air-flow permeable material disposed about inner rim 14 using one or more methods as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such methods may include, but are not limited to, sewing, stitching, taping, gluing, heat-sealing, combinations comprising one or more of the foregoing methods, and the like. Preferably, air-flow permeable material of airfoil 18 and air-flow permeable material of inner rim 14 are stitched together to create a seamless integration of the air-flow permeable materials between airfoil 18 and inner rim 14.
The exemplary flying disc 10 of the present invention is adaptable to other sizes different and capable of embodying varying prints and designs, possessing varying geometric shapes of inner rim 14, and other features and characteristics as contemplated and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It is further noted that while flying disc 10 of the present invention can be launched like a Frisbee® by imparting a large initial torque, flying disc 10 is preferably launched by simply propelling flying disc 10 with a large force forward into the air. This method is preferred since it enables improved control of flying disc 10 by players involved in a game of catch.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible to modification of form, size, arrangement of parts, and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A flying disc, comprising:

an outer rim comprising a substantially circular, solid ring;

an inner rim comprising a substantially circular ring, said inner rim is concentrically disposed within said outer rim;

an annular space disposed between said outer rim and said inner rim; and

an airfoil disposed within said annular space.

2. The flying disc of claim 1, wherein said outer rim comprises a material selected from the group consisting of elastomeric materials, thermoset materials, thermoplastic materials, polymeric materials, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

3. The flying disc of claim 1, wherein said inner rim comprises a material selected from the group consisting of elastomeric materials, polymeric materials, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

4. The flying disc of claim 1, wherein said inner rim comprises a flexible material selected from the group consisting of elastic, fabric, nylon, rubber, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

5. The flying disc of claim 1, wherein said airfoil maintains the integrity of the concentricity between said outer rim and said inner rim.

6. The flying disc of claim 1, wherein said airfoil comprises an air-flow permeable material.

7. The flying disc of claim 6, wherein said air-flow permeable material is selected from the group consisting of synthetic materials, elastomeric materials, polymeric materials, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing air-flow permeable materials.

8. The flying disc of claim 1, wherein said airfoil further comprises a design.

9. The flying disc of claim 1, further comprising a durable material covering said outer rim.

10. The flying disc of claim 9, wherein said durable material is selected from the group consisting of neoprene, dacron/mylar, cloth, nylon, molded plastic, and combinations comprising one of the foregoing materials.

11. The flying disc of claim 9, wherein said durable material comprises a polyester fabric having a polyvinyl chlorine based non-slip surface applied thereupon.

12. The flying disc of claim 9, wherein said durable material comprises a polyester fabric having a plurality of raised nodules capable of generating a plurality of micro vortices during flight.

13. A flying disc, comprising:

a substantially circular, solid outer rim;

a substantially circular, inner rim, said inner rim is concentrically disposed within said outer rim;

an annular space disposed between said outer rim and said inner rim; and

an airfoil disposed within said annular space.

14. A flying disc, comprising:

a substantially circular, solid outer rim;

a substantially circular, flexible inner rim; and

an airfoil comprising a multidirectionally stretchable, air-flow permeable material disposed therebetween;

wherein said flexible inner rim is concentrically disposed within said solid outer rim, and said airfoil is disposed between said solid outer rim and said flexible inner rim to maintain the integrity of the concentricity between said solid outer rim and said flexible inner rim.