US20060141896A1 - Flying disc - Google Patents

Flying disc Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20060141896A1
US20060141896A1 US11/319,985 US31998505A US2006141896A1 US 20060141896 A1 US20060141896 A1 US 20060141896A1 US 31998505 A US31998505 A US 31998505A US 2006141896 A1 US2006141896 A1 US 2006141896A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
flying disc
materials
outer rim
rim
inner rim
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/319,985
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gary Owens
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/319,985 priority Critical patent/US20060141896A1/en
Publication of US20060141896A1 publication Critical patent/US20060141896A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/18—Throwing or slinging toys, e.g. flying disc toys

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a flying disc and, more specifically, to a flying disc having an improved, durable construction.
  • Examples of flying toys include the Frisbee® flying disc, described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,359,678, and the AerobieTM 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.
  • the AerobieTM 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.
  • 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.
  • the toy is of little value outdoors and is hard to launch for flight over longer distances.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flying disc
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flying disc of FIG. 1 .
  • the 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.
  • the exemplary flying disc employs durable materials to insure that it does not tear, rip, or come apart while being used and enjoyed outdoors.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • annular and “annular space” are intended to define the space between one or more, substantially circular rims.
  • Conscentricity” or “concentrically”, as applied to the substantially circular rims means that their geometric centers are substantially coincident.
  • 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.
  • 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 .
  • 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 .
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • outer rim 12 and inner rim 14 may be covered with one or more durable materials.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the durable material is stitched to airfoil 18 to create a seamless integration of the durable material and the air-flow permeable material.
  • air-flow permeable materials suitable for constructing airfoil 18 may also be disposed about flexible ring 22 of inner rim 14 .
  • the permeable air-flow material of airfoil 18 may be attached to the permeable air-flow material disposed about inner rim 14 .
  • 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.
  • 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.

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)
  • Turbine Rotor Nozzle Sealing (AREA)
US11/319,985 2004-12-27 2005-12-27 Flying disc Abandoned US20060141896A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/319,985 US20060141896A1 (en) 2004-12-27 2005-12-27 Flying disc

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US63948604P 2004-12-27 2004-12-27
US11/319,985 US20060141896A1 (en) 2004-12-27 2005-12-27 Flying disc

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060141896A1 true US20060141896A1 (en) 2006-06-29

Family

ID=36615442

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/319,985 Abandoned US20060141896A1 (en) 2004-12-27 2005-12-27 Flying disc

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20060141896A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006071767A2 (fr)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110041954A1 (en) * 2008-11-06 2011-02-24 Mark Noonan Devices and Methods Relating to the Cleanup of Leaves, to Pouring or Filling Non-Liquids, and/or to Reconfigurable Funneling Apparatus
USD832945S1 (en) 2017-04-19 2018-11-06 Gramercy Products, Inc. Football
USD837465S1 (en) 2018-04-03 2019-01-01 Gramercy Products, Inc. Spike ring
USD839497S1 (en) 2018-04-03 2019-01-29 Gramercy Products, Inc. Spike ball
USD839496S1 (en) 2018-04-03 2019-01-29 Gramercy Products, Inc. Ball
USD856612S1 (en) 2018-04-06 2019-08-13 Gramercy Products, Inc. Stick toy
USD858909S1 (en) 2018-04-06 2019-09-03 Gramercy Products, Inc. Spike stick
USD866879S1 (en) 2018-04-03 2019-11-12 Gramercy Products, Inc. Toy bone
USD873509S1 (en) 2018-04-06 2020-01-21 Gramercy Products, Inc. Stick toy
USD874747S1 (en) * 2017-11-15 2020-02-04 Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc. Pet toy
USD877429S1 (en) 2018-04-06 2020-03-03 Gramercy Products, Inc. Ball launching device
USD889056S1 (en) 2017-04-19 2020-06-30 Gramercy Products, Inc. Throwing toy
USD890453S1 (en) * 2018-06-09 2020-07-14 Safestix Ltd Animal toy
USD929674S1 (en) * 2020-01-30 2021-08-31 Brett Jordan McNay Flying disk with pet grasping lip assembly
US11577134B2 (en) * 2021-07-07 2023-02-14 Jlaser Llc Spring ring device
US11623158B1 (en) * 2021-10-22 2023-04-11 Guanglu Zhao Storage-size-adjustable play tunnel for children

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4906007A (en) * 1988-12-05 1990-03-06 Mitchell Robert P Hand-throwable flying toy
US5360258A (en) * 1992-01-07 1994-11-01 Maurice Adam Portable single and multiple unit baby support seat
US6113453A (en) * 1997-11-07 2000-09-05 Stuffelbeam; Kim Flying toy apparatus and assembly method
US20030184013A1 (en) * 2002-03-27 2003-10-02 Chodosh David Jeffrey Flying disc apparatus and methods of use

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU4239797A (en) * 1996-09-03 1998-03-26 Lonnie G. Johnson Flying disk

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4906007A (en) * 1988-12-05 1990-03-06 Mitchell Robert P Hand-throwable flying toy
US5360258A (en) * 1992-01-07 1994-11-01 Maurice Adam Portable single and multiple unit baby support seat
US6113453A (en) * 1997-11-07 2000-09-05 Stuffelbeam; Kim Flying toy apparatus and assembly method
US20030184013A1 (en) * 2002-03-27 2003-10-02 Chodosh David Jeffrey Flying disc apparatus and methods of use

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7984733B2 (en) * 2008-11-06 2011-07-26 Mark Noonan Devices and methods relating to the cleanup of leaves, to pouring or filling non-liquids, and/or to reconfigurable funneling apparatus
US20110041954A1 (en) * 2008-11-06 2011-02-24 Mark Noonan Devices and Methods Relating to the Cleanup of Leaves, to Pouring or Filling Non-Liquids, and/or to Reconfigurable Funneling Apparatus
USD866880S1 (en) 2017-04-19 2019-11-12 Gramercy Products, Inc. Disk
USD832945S1 (en) 2017-04-19 2018-11-06 Gramercy Products, Inc. Football
USD835859S1 (en) 2017-04-19 2018-12-11 Gramercy Products, Inc. Ring
USD889056S1 (en) 2017-04-19 2020-06-30 Gramercy Products, Inc. Throwing toy
USD878481S1 (en) 2017-04-19 2020-03-17 Gramercy Products, Inc. Toy disk
USD840116S1 (en) 2017-04-19 2019-02-05 Gramercy Products, Inc. Ball toy
USD874747S1 (en) * 2017-11-15 2020-02-04 Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc. Pet toy
USD839496S1 (en) 2018-04-03 2019-01-29 Gramercy Products, Inc. Ball
USD839497S1 (en) 2018-04-03 2019-01-29 Gramercy Products, Inc. Spike ball
USD837465S1 (en) 2018-04-03 2019-01-01 Gramercy Products, Inc. Spike ring
USD882888S1 (en) 2018-04-03 2020-04-28 Gramercy Products, Inc Spike ring dog toy
USD874748S1 (en) 2018-04-03 2020-02-04 Gramercy Products, Inc. Spike ball
USD866879S1 (en) 2018-04-03 2019-11-12 Gramercy Products, Inc. Toy bone
USD856612S1 (en) 2018-04-06 2019-08-13 Gramercy Products, Inc. Stick toy
USD877429S1 (en) 2018-04-06 2020-03-03 Gramercy Products, Inc. Ball launching device
USD873509S1 (en) 2018-04-06 2020-01-21 Gramercy Products, Inc. Stick toy
USD858909S1 (en) 2018-04-06 2019-09-03 Gramercy Products, Inc. Spike stick
USD890453S1 (en) * 2018-06-09 2020-07-14 Safestix Ltd Animal toy
USD929674S1 (en) * 2020-01-30 2021-08-31 Brett Jordan McNay Flying disk with pet grasping lip assembly
US11577134B2 (en) * 2021-07-07 2023-02-14 Jlaser Llc Spring ring device
US20230191216A1 (en) * 2021-07-07 2023-06-22 Jlaser, Llc Spring Ring Device Flying Disc Apparatus
US11957966B2 (en) * 2021-07-07 2024-04-16 Jlaser Llc Spring ring device flying disc apparatus
US11623158B1 (en) * 2021-10-22 2023-04-11 Guanglu Zhao Storage-size-adjustable play tunnel for children
US20230126448A1 (en) * 2021-10-22 2023-04-27 Guanglu Zhao Storage-Size-Adjustable Play Tunnel for Children

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2006071767A2 (fr) 2006-07-06
WO2006071767A3 (fr) 2006-10-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20060141896A1 (en) Flying disc
US5984753A (en) Aerodynamic toy
US6113453A (en) Flying toy apparatus and assembly method
US8241153B2 (en) Sports activity device
US7662012B2 (en) Throwable toy having spring assisted motion
US20060194504A1 (en) Whirling wheel toy
US20070077857A1 (en) Throwable toy having spring assisted motion
US6500042B1 (en) Foam trajectory toys
US5066017A (en) Suction cup projectile for use in paddle game
US5326299A (en) Flexible disc toy for singular and multiple flights and bounces
US20190335713A1 (en) Safe launcher-projectile assembly for pets
US8701640B2 (en) Specialized flying discs and disc launching devices
US5676581A (en) Deformable flying toy
US5263819A (en) Paired flying disks
EP1425074B1 (fr) Jouet a disque volant circulaire
US4679799A (en) Apparatus and method for propelling an object
US6837813B2 (en) Open center returning flying polygon
US5674101A (en) Aerial amusement device
US6595823B2 (en) Circular flying disk toy
US4669995A (en) Flying toy
US6582270B2 (en) Disc and a method for forming the same
EP1028789B1 (fr) Dispositif volant et procede d'assemblage
US5102146A (en) Paddle game
US4919435A (en) Throwing device for playing games
JP3083654U (ja) 飛行遊戯具

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION