U.S. patent application number 11/242474 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-06 for sports activity device.
Invention is credited to Richard Goodwin, Kevin Williams.
Application Number | 20060073758 11/242474 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36126152 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060073758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goodwin; Richard ; et
al. |
April 6, 2006 |
Sports activity device
Abstract
A sports activity device is provided comprising a toroidal
section having an outer shell and an inner portion comprising an
inflatable rubber bladder or a foam insert. The inner portion is
accessible by means of a closing mechanism, such as a zipper,
disposed along the inner circumferential portion of the outer
shell. The zipper also serves to provide structural support to the
toroidal section. A flexible material is attached to the upper
portion of the toroidal section so as to create an uninterrupted
planar surface that stretches across the toroidal section. Insignia
or advertising may be imprinted upon the flexible material.
Inventors: |
Goodwin; Richard; (Brooklyn,
NY) ; Williams; Kevin; (Brooklyn, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James G. Coplit, Esq.;GRIMES & BATTERSBY, LLP
Third Floor
488 Main Avenue
Norwalk
CT
06851
US
|
Family ID: |
36126152 |
Appl. No.: |
11/242474 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60615428 |
Oct 1, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/48 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/18 20130101;
A63B 2208/12 20130101; A63B 59/30 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/048 |
International
Class: |
A63H 27/00 20060101
A63H027/00 |
Claims
1. A sports activity device, alternatively playable as a device for
launching and catching a ball or similar object and as a tossable
flying disc, said device comprising: a toroidal section, said
toroidal section being comprised of an outer shell and an inner
portion, said inner portion being accessible by means of a closing
mechanism; a flexible material attached to said toroidal section so
as to create an uninterrupted planar surface that stretches across
said toroidal section, wherein said flexible material is attached
to the uppermost portion of said toroidal section.
2. The sports activity device of claim 1, wherein said inner
portion comprises an inflatable rubber bladder.
3. The sports activity device of claim 2, wherein said inflatable
rubber bladder is an inner tube having a valve therein.
4. The sports activity device of claim 1, wherein said inner
portion comprises a substantially rigid toroidal shaped object.
5. The sports activity device of claim 4, wherein said inner
portion is composed of foam.
6. The sports activity device of claim 1, wherein said closing
mechanism comprises a zipper.
7. The sports activity device of claim 6, wherein said zipper is
disposed along the inner circumferential portion of said outer
shell, and wherein said zipper also serves to provide structural
support to said toroidal section.
8. A sports activity device, alternatively playable as a device for
launching and catching a ball or similar object and as a tossable
flying disc, said device comprising: a toroidal section, said
toroidal section being comprised of an outer shell and an inner
portion comprising an inflatable rubber bladder, said inner portion
being accessible by means of a closing mechanism, wherein said
closing mechanism comprises a zipper disposed along the inner
circumferential portion of said outer shell, and wherein said
zipper also serves to provide structural support to said toroidal
section; a flexible material attached to said toroidal section so
as to create an uninterrupted planar surface that stretches across
said toroidal section, wherein said flexible material is attached
to the uppermost portion of said toroidal section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to sports activity
devices, and more particularly, to such a sports activity device
that may alternatively be used as a tossable flying disc or as a
device for launching or catching a ball or similar object, and even
more particularly to a sports activity device having a hollow
toroidal shell within which either an inflatable bladder or a foam
insert may be situated so as to allow the device to be
collapsible.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Flying discs and the like have long been known in the art,
as have variations on the basic premise, including discs that glow
in the dark or discs having a hole in the middle thereof to allow
for the disc to be thrown further.
[0005] An example of a glow-in-the-dark flying disc is shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,093, which issued to Komuro on Apr. 8, 2003 for
"Revolving and flying toy," which discloses a revolving and flying
toy which having an insert pocket in which a chemical luminous body
may be placed. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,799, which issued to
Thill on Jan. 28, 1992 for "Lightable whistling disc" discloses a
tossable disc including a substantially flat, planar section and an
inflatable ring and attached thereto with a chemiluminescent light
source positioned on the planar section and a plurality of whistle
elements mounted on the inflated ring such that as the toy is
tossed through the air the movement thereof will present an
auditory sound and the chemiluminescent light source may be
activated at the user's desire.
[0006] The concept using an inflatable tub in a flying disc has
also been known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,078,637, which issued to McFarland on Jan. 7, 1992 for "Flexible
flying disc with edge tube" discloses a flexible flying disc having
an aerodynamic design for long and stable flight made of soft,
flexible material and including a flexible tube within the disc to
provide a spring type action for maintaining the shape of the disc
or for returning the disc to its original shape when the disc is
folded or pulled out of shape. Another example is shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,466,212, which issued to Lehman on Aug. 21, 1984 for
"Inflatable saucer toy with shape holders and weights" and which
discloses a flying saucer toy made up of an upper dome section, an
upper lip section, a lower lip section, an inside lip section, and
a lower dome section all of which may individually be thicker than
the remaining sections or which may have reinforcement rings molded
into them to hold the saucer in an ideal aerodynamic shape.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,325, which issued to Lehman on Jan.
23, 1979 for "Inflatable flying saucer toy" discloses a hand tossed
flying saucer toy being inflatable from a central valve member
wherein the peripheral of the depending lip is substantially
circular in cross-section and formed so as to have a memory when
the saucer is inflated.
[0007] Other examples of inflatable throwing toys are shown in two
patents which issued to Magid, et al., namely, U.S. Pat. No.
4,335,536 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,244, both of which disclose an
inflatable throwing toy made of air impervious sheet material
comprises an inflatable ring having an inflating valve located
thereon the ring being comprised of a bottom and a top section
joined at their outer and inner peripheries, and two or more disc
sections with at least a first disc section of which being attached
to the top section of the inflatable ring and a second disc section
being attached to the first disc section of the inflatable ring
forming an inflatable enclosure with the first disc section with an
inflating valve located on a part of the inflatable enclosure.
[0008] There are also references which teach making the flying disc
toy flexible so as to be safer to use and easier to catch. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,226, which issued to Stauffer on Sep.
22, 1981 for "Flexible flying disc toy" discloses a flexible flying
disc toy having a flat, flexible body of fabric material, whereby
an advertising message or the like may be printed thereon, and a
shape defining and retaining, flexible peripheral ring and rim
integrally formed of vinyl or the like so that the disc toy may be
folded or crumpled for storage, the toy assuming its original shape
after storage and before use.
[0009] As shall be appreciated, the prior art fails to specifically
address either the problem or the solution arrived upon by
applicant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Against the foregoing background, it is a primary object of
the present invention to provide a sports activity device that may
be used as a flying disc.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
sports activity device that may be used to launch and catch objects
such as balls.
[0012] It is but another object of the present invention to provide
such a sports activity device that may be easily collapsed for
transportation and/or packaging.
[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
such a sports activity device is easy and fun to use.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such a sports activity device that is relatively soft so as to
prevent damage to players and objects the device strikes.
[0015] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide such a sports activity device that includes a toroidal
outer shell which houses an inflatable inner tube.
[0016] It is but another object of the present invention to provide
such a sports activity device in which the closing mechanism for
the outer shell provides stability to the device.
[0017] It is yet still another object of the present invention to
provide such a sports activity device that may be used as a
promotional or advertising tool by imprinting information, logos,
or advertising on the upper surface thereof.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such a sports activity device having an outer bladder-filled shape
which acts as a rigid structure allowing the user to hold the
device in one or two hands and position the elastic surface in such
a way as to catch and/or rebound a ball or other object.
[0019] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide such a sports activity device that may be shipped,
displayed, sold, and transported in a significantly compact
manner.
[0020] It is but another object of the present invention to provide
such a sports activity device that easily allows for the
replacement of damaged bladders.
[0021] It is yet still another object of the present invention to
provide such a sports activity device in which the closure
mechanism provides a ridge that increases the grasp ability of the
device.
[0022] To the accomplishments of the foregoing objects and
advantages, the present invention, in brief summary, comprises a
toroidal section having an outer shell and an inner portion
comprising an inflatable rubber bladder or a foam insert. The inner
portion is accessible by means of a closing mechanism, such as a
zipper, disposed along the inner circumferential portion of the
outer shell. The zipper also serves to provide structural support
to the toroidal section. A flexible material is attached to the
upper portion of the toroidal section so as to create an
uninterrupted planar surface that stretches across the toroidal
section. Insignia or advertising may be imprinted upon the flexible
material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The foregoing and still other objects and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the detailed
explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the sports activity device of
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sports activity
device of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the sports activity
device of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the sports activity
device of FIG. 1; and
[0028] FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the sports
activity device of FIG. 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to FIGS. 1 and
2 thereof, the sports activity device of the present invention is
provided and is referred to generally by reference numeral 10. The
sports activity device 10 comprises a toroidal section 12 comprised
of an outer shell 14 and an inner portion 16. The inner portion 16
is designed to be inserted and retained within the outer shell 14
to provide shape and support for the sports activity device 10. The
inner portion 16 is constrained and shaped by the outer shell 14.
It should be appreciated that while the shape of the sports
activity device 10 in the preferred embodiment is circular, and the
shape of the outer shell 14 and inner portion 16 are both toroidal,
such shape is merely one embodiment. Other shapes are also
contemplated in a variety of geometric shapes, such as ovoid,
star-shaped, triangular or rectangular. Certainly some shapes might
be better suited to flying than others; however, the sports
activity device 10 of the present invention may also be used for
other methods as discussed herein.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the inner portion 16 comprises
an inflatable inner tube 18 or similar device. The inner tube 18
may be inflated using a valve 20. However, other materials or
objects may be used, provided that they have sufficient rigidity
and strength so as to provide a shape and support to the sports
activity device 10. For example, a toroidal shaped foam insert may
also be used.
[0031] The inner portion 16 may be inserted within the outers shell
and thereafter retained therein by means of a closing mechanism 22.
In the preferred embodiment, the closing mechanism comprises a
zipper 24 disposed along the inner circumferential portion 26 of
the outer shell 14. In such embodiment, the zipper 24 also serves
to provide structural support to the toroidal section 12 and to the
entire sports activity device 10. Of course, other closure means
are contemplated, such as snaps, hook and loop fasteners, ties, or
even elastic devices. The zipper 24 also provides access to the
valve 20 for inflating or deflating the inner tube 18.
[0032] Attached to the upper surface of the toroidal section 12 is
an elastic material that creates an uninterrupted, trampoline-like,
planar surface 28 that stretches across the toroidal section 12.
This surface 28 can be formed using a variety of elastic materials
that serve the purpose of allowing the user to both catch or
rebound an object, and also assisting in the flight of the sports
activity device 10.
[0033] Having thus described the invention with particular
reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that
various changes and modifications can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as
defined by the appended claims. For example, the inner tube 18 can
be replaced with a rigid or semi rigid material such as, but not
limited to, open or closed cell foam around which the outer shell
14 would act as a protective surface and a medium to attach the
elastic planar surface 28.
[0034] The elastic planar surface 28 can additionally serve a
promotional or advertising purpose by allowing for graphic branding
or imprinting. Additionally a more heavy-duty elastic membrane may
be used for the planar surface 28, thereby allowing it to be used
as an athletic training aid. Used in conjunction with an exercise
"heavy ball", the device 10 would aid in organized training
sessions geared towards building core strength and coordination
across ages ranging from child to senior. Such a heavy-duty
membrane would further allow the device 10 to be used to catch
small animals that might jump from the window of a burning
building.
[0035] Furthermore, the sports activity device 10 of the present
invention can be made in a variety of sizes and materials that
would extend the occasions and environments in which it can be
used. For example, smaller softer versions may be used indoors with
softer and lighter balls or objects. Larger, more rigid versions
may be provided which would require greater strength and would
rebound balls and other objects to greater distances and
velocities. Heavy-duty versions that would utilize cover materials
for the elastic planar surface 28 having textures and reliefs
allowing for more positive handgrip and resistance to abrasion.
[0036] The sports activity device 10 of the present invention lends
itself to a variety of play/athletic uses. Examples of such uses
include: [0037] Two or more participants can catch and rebound a
ball or other object in a back and forth manner that allows them to
increase the velocity, height, and distance of the object. [0038]
One person can receive and rebound a ball or other object in an up
and down manner increasing the velocity and height of the object.
They may also use a variety of vertical surfaces as a target
against which to bounce a resilient ball or other object. [0039]
Two or more participants may engage in receiving and rebounding an
object and include the throwing of the device in a "Frisbee" like
manner at the same time in order to provide a more multi-skilled
sport. [0040] The sports activity device 10 may be used to
participate in a variety of existing athletic sports such as, but
not limited to: [0041] Tennis [0042] Badminton [0043] Volleyball
[0044] Basketball [0045] Baseball/softball [0046] Soccer [0047]
Handball [0048] Squash [0049] Racquetball [0050] Table tennis
[0051] Football [0052] Because the sports activity device 10 in its
inflated mode would float in water, it can be used in swimming
pools and open water environments in such activities as: [0053]
Water polo [0054] Water basketball [0055] Water badminton [0056]
Water volleyball [0057] The device 10 would particularly lend
itself to the catching and rebounding of water filled balloons and
water soaked objects. [0058] The device 10 can be set in a fixed
position and used as a target for throwing and rebounding of balls
and other objects.
* * * * *