U.S. patent application number 11/319985 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for flying disc.
Invention is credited to Gary Owens.
Application Number | 20060141896 11/319985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36615442 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060141896 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Owens; Gary |
June 29, 2006 |
Flying disc
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.
Inventors: |
Owens; Gary; (Brookfield,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACHMAN & LAPOINTE, P.C.
900 CHAPEL STREET
SUITE 1201
NEW HAVEN
CT
06510
US
|
Family ID: |
36615442 |
Appl. No.: |
11/319985 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60639486 |
Dec 27, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/48 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/048 |
International
Class: |
A63H 27/00 20060101
A63H027/00 |
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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] 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
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a flying disc
and, more specifically, to a flying disc having an improved,
durable construction.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] 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.
[0006] Examples of flying toys include the Frisbee.RTM. flying
disc, described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,359,678, and the Aerobie.TM.
flying ring, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,358. The Frisbee.RTM.
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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] Like the Frisbee.RTM. flying disc, the Aerobie.TM. flying
ring has a relatively large mass, but, unlike the Frisbee.RTM.
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.
[0009] Still other flying toys are known that offer features
different from those of the Frisbee.RTM. flying disc and of the
Aerobie.TM. 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.RTM. enthusiasts and other extreme Frisbee.RTM.
participants may use and practically abuse the flying disc without
damaging it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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
[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flying disc; and
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flying disc of FIG.
1.
[0018] Like reference numbers and designations in the various
drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] An exemplary flying disc designed for outdoor use such as
extreme Frisbee.RTM. and ultimate Frisbee.RTM. 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.RTM., 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.RTM. 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.
[0028] 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.
* * * * *