U.S. patent application number 14/029706 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-19 for interlocking flying discs with optional spacer ring.
The applicant listed for this patent is Damon Neth. Invention is credited to Damon Neth.
Application Number | 20150079869 14/029706 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52668351 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150079869 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Neth; Damon |
March 19, 2015 |
Interlocking Flying Discs with Optional Spacer Ring
Abstract
The present disclosure deals generally with flying discs, often
referred to as "Frisbees," more particularly, interlocking flying
discs of various shapes that may be temporarily affixed together
along their open bottom cavities to form a portable, substantially
waterproof storage container. One or more spacer rings may be
interposed between the two flying discs before they are interlocked
to provide an expanded volume storage container.
Inventors: |
Neth; Damon; (Austin,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Neth; Damon |
Austin |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52668351 |
Appl. No.: |
14/029706 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/46 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/18 20060101
A63H033/18 |
Claims
1. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ring
comprising: a) a first interlocking flying disc comprising a
circular body with a generally dished shape wherein the outward
facing aspect of the lower circumferential periphery of said first
interlocking flying disc has an outwardly protruding continuous
locking lip; b) a second interlocking flying disc comprising a
circular body with a generally dished shape wherein the inward
facing aspect of the lower circumferential periphery of said second
interlocking flying disc has an inwardly protruding continuous
locking lip; c) wherein said first interlocking flying disc and
said second interlocking flying disc are configured such that said
locking lip of said first interlocking flying disc may be inserted
through said locking lip of said second interlocking flying disc
thus securing said first interlocking flying disc and said second
interlocking flying disc together and forming a closed storage
space between them.
2. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ring of claim
1 such that when said first interlocking flying disc and said
second interlocking flying disc are locked together to form a
closed storage space said first interlocking flying disc and said
second interlocking flying disc may be separated by pulling them
apart.
3. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ring of claim
2 further comprising: a) a spacer ring generally cylindrical in
shape with an open top and bottom wherein: i. the inward facing
aspect of the upper circumferential periphery of the spacer ring
further comprises an inwardly protruding continuous locking lip;
and ii. the outward facing aspect of the lower circumferential
periphery of the spacer ring further comprises an outwardly
protruding continuous locking lip; b) wherein said outwardly
protruding concentric continuous locking lip of said first
interlocking flying disc may be inserted through said inwardly
protruding continuous locking lip of said spacer ring thus securing
said first interlocking flying disc and said spacer ring together
and forming a partially closed storage space; and, c) wherein said
outwardly protruding concentric continuous locking lip of said
spacer ring may be inserted through said inwardly protruding
continuous locking lip of said second interlocking flying disc thus
securing said spacer ring to said second interlocking flying disc
and forming a closed storage space.
4. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ring of claim
3 such that said spacer ring is rigid.
5. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ring of claim
3 such that said spacer ring is collapsible.
6. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ring of claim
5 such that said spacer ring is constructed of fabric.
7. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ring of claim
6 such that said spacer ring is constructed of nylon.
8. A method of using interlocking flying discs with an optional
spacer ring to store and retrieve personal effects comprising the
steps of: a) placing personal effects in the cavity of said second
interlocking flying disc; b) inserting said outwardly protruding
continuous locking lip of said first interlocking flying disc
through said inwardly protruding locking lip of said second
interlocking flying disc thus locking them together and forming a
closed storage space containing said personal effects; c)
subsequently pulling said first interlocking flying disc and said
second interlocking flying disc apart to unlock and separate them
and allowing the retrieval of said personal effects.
9. A method of using interlocking flying discs and with an optional
spacer ring to store and retrieve personal effects comprising the
steps of: a) placing personal effects in the cavity of said second
interlocking flying disc; b) inserting the said outwardly
protruding continuous locking lip of said spacer ring through said
inwardly protruding continuous locking lip of said second
interlocking flying disc thus securing said spacer ring to said
second interlocking flying disc and forming a partially closed
storage space containing said personal effects; c) inserting said
outwardly protruding continuous locking lip of said first
interlocking flying disc through said inwardly protruding
continuous locking lip of said spacer ring thus securing said first
interlocking flying disc and said spacer ring and forming a closed
storage space containing said personal effects; d) subsequently
pulling said first interlocking flying disc and said spacer ring
apart to unlock and separate them and allowing the retrieval of
said personal effects.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application takes benefit of U.S. Provisional App. No.
61/704,470 filed Sep. 22, 2012 which is hereby included in its
entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure deals generally with flying discs
known as "Frisbees" more particularly, interlocking flying discs
that may be temporarily affixed together along their open bottom
cavities to form a portable, substantially waterproof storage
container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] While gyroscopically stabilized flying disc toys date to at
least the late 1930s, the modern "Frisbee" was not patented until
1958. See: U.S. Design Pat. No. D183,626. While ordinarily used for
casual park or beach throwing games, competitive games have since
been created using the Frisbee as the main element. Games
simulating football, soccer, and basketball have all been practiced
at one time or another. One of these games is "disc golf." Created
in 1965, the object of the game is to pass a Frisbee through a
hole, net, or other shape placed at some distance from the player.
Ordinarily the distance is such that one toss of the Frisbee is
insufficient to closely approach, much less pass through, the hole.
Thus, the game is played much like conventional golf. The player
uses the first toss to shorten the distance to the hole, makes his
second toss from the location where the first toss landed, and so
on, until the player manages to pass the Frisbee through the hole.
The number of tosses required to pass the Frisbee through the hole
is then recorded and the player advances to the next hole. After
all the holes have been played, the winner of the game is the
player requiring the fewest tosses to complete all the holes. Early
on however, it was determined that conventional Frisbees were
somewhat unwieldy for disc golf playing purposes. As a result,
smaller diameter flying discs designed specifically for the game
were developed. These discs range from about 9 to 10 inches in
diameter and are denser than their larger counterparts. Even more
recently the "mini-disc" was developed. These are smaller still,
some only a few inches in diameter, and are often used as the
equivalent of a "ball marker" to mark the location of a thrown disc
in competitive disc golf.
[0004] No matter what size of flying disc is used, a more than one
disc may be used when playing disc golf, each designed for a
different purpose at a different point in the play of the hole. For
example, a "driver" disc is usually constructed with a relatively
sharp leading edge with a significant amount of its mass at the
peripheral edge of the disc. This construction allows lengthy,
straight flight over relatively long distances. Similarly, "putter"
discs, have a more curved edge and are designed to fly more slowly
and predictably for a shorter distance. Because of this, it is not
uncommon for disc golfers to simultaneously carry at least two or
more discs. While professional disc golfers may have caddies,
casual players do not, so a common problem for most disc golf
players revolves around carrying keys and other small personal
items to and from the course and on the course while playing. Some
time ago players began snapping two dissimilar, yet compatibly
sized discs together to provide storage in the cavity formed
between them. The problem with this approach is that there is no
mechanism for interlocking these discs, so they are generally
either too loose or too tight and can be either very difficult to
separate or, alternately, become separated too easily. Aside from
these difficulties, the two discs selected invariably were not
optimized for use in disc golf applications. What is needed then,
are a multiplicity of suitably engineered discs that may be easily
and conveniently locked together and taken apart to form a handy
storage container for small items needed when traveling to and from
the course. Of course, conventional Frisbee and mini-disc
enthusiasts might also enjoy the convenience of purchasing a pair
of discs that interlock forming a sealed storage cavity. Also,
since flying discs made in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention are substantially waterproof when assembled
together, they naturally float on the surface of water. This
further protects any personal effects secured inside. This is
useful since water hazards are a ubiquitous feature of the public
parks and disc golf courses where the game is played.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Most flying discs are similar in shape. Ordinarily, they
have a circular body that is generally dished with a cavity on the
bottom. While generally adopting this traditional shape, the
present invention consists of two different flying discs such that:
1) The first flying disc is molded of a pliable material such that
the outer facing aspect of the lower circumferential periphery
forming the cavity of the flying disc forms an outwardly protruding
continuous locking lip around the periphery; 2) The second flying
disc is molded of a pliable material such that the inner facing
aspect of the lower circumferential periphery forming the cavity of
the flying disc forms an inwardly protruding continuous locking lip
around the periphery; and, 3) The outside diameter of the outwardly
protruding continuous locking lip of the first flying disc is
somewhat larger than the inside diameter of the inwardly protruding
continuous locking lip of the second flying disc. Since the
continuous locking lips protrude either: 1) Radially away from the
lower circumferential periphery forming the cavity of the first
flying disc; or, 2) Radially in from the lower circumferential
periphery forming the cavity of the second flying disc, a shallow
channel is necessarily formed adjacent to each locking lip.
[0006] To assemble the two flying discs together to provide a
storage cavity between them, the user orients the two cavities so
that they face one another and are concentrically aligned. The user
next ensures that the outwardly protruding continuous locking lip
of the first flying disc is concentrically aligned with the
inwardly protruding continuous locking lip of the second flying
disc and snaps the outwardly protruding continuous locking lip of
the first flying disc into the cavity of the second flying disc
through the inwardly continuous locking lip of the second flying
disc. This operation insinuates the outwardly protruding continuous
locking lip of the first flying disc into the shallow channel that
is adjacent to the inwardly continuous locking lip of the second
flying disc, and vice versa, forming a sealed container. To
disassemble, the user merely unsnaps the first and second flying
discs. Once disassembled, the flying discs are used in the normal
manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIGS. 1a and 1b are disassembled and assembled cross-section
views of two interlocking flying discs of the present
invention.
[0008] FIGS. 2a and 2b are a bottom plan and cross-section view,
respectively, of a first interlocking flying disc of the present
invention.
[0009] FIGS. 3a and 3b are a bottom plan and cross-section view,
respectively, of a second interlocking flying disc of the present
invention.
[0010] FIGS. 4a and 4b are disassembled and assembled cross-section
views, respectively, of two interlocking flying discs of the
present invention with one form of a spacer ring insinuated between
them.
[0011] FIGS. 5a and 5b are a top plan and cross-section view,
respectively, of a second form of a spacer ring for use with the
present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 6a and 6b are a bottom plan and cross-section view,
respectively, of a second form of a spacer ring for use with the
present invention.
[0013] FIGS. 7a and 7b are cross-section views of third and fourth
forms of spacer rings for use with the present invention,
respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1a through 3b, several views of disc
golf driver 100 and disc golf putter 110, in disassembled and
assembled forms, are illustrated. Disc golf driver 100 typically
has a sharper leading edge 101 allowing it to fly long distances.
Like all flying discs, disc golf driver 100 has a cavity 102. In
this embodiment, the outer facing aspect of the lower
circumferential periphery forming cavity 102 of disc golf driver
100 is equipped with outwardly protruding continuous locking lip
103 around its circumference. As a result, a shallow channel is
necessarily formed adjacent to outwardly protruding continuous
locking lip 103. Outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 103 is
used to allow the user to assemble disc golf driver 100 to other
discs, such as disc golf putter 110, or various spacer rings.
[0015] Disc golf putter 110 typically has a blunt, more rounded
leading edge 111. Rounded leading edge 111 concentrates a
significant fraction of the mass of disc golf putter 110 in rounded
leading edge 111 thus increasing the gyroscopically stabilizing
effect rounded leading edge 111 imparts to disc golf putter 110 as
it flies through the air. Rounded leading edge 111 also lowers the
flight speed of disc golf putter 110 relative to disc golf driver
100 thus allowing more accurate placement, assuring it can
repeatedly fly short distances in a well-controlled line from the
user to the target. As before, disc golf putter 110 also has a
cavity 112. In this embodiment, the inner facing aspect of the
lower circumferential periphery forming cavity 112 of disc golf
putter 110 has an inwardly protruding continuous locking lip 113.
As a result, a shallow channel is necessarily formed adjacent to
inwardly protruding continuous locking lip 113. Inwardly protruding
continuous locking lip 113 is used to allow the user to assemble
disc golf putter 110 to other discs, such as disc golf driver 100,
or various spacer rings. To interlock properly and to ensure a
virtually liquid proof seal, the outside diameter of outwardly
protruding continuous locking lip 103 is slightly greater than the
inside diameter of inwardly protruding continuous locking lip
113.
[0016] Ordinarily a disc golf driver 100 and a disc golf putter 110
are used the same way as other flying discs, i.e. the user grasps
the rim of the disc between the thumb and forefinger and by
"flicking" the wrist sends the disc rotating and flying in the
desired direction. After using the discs, the user first places one
or more personal effects in the dished cavity of one of the discs,
orients cavities 102 and 112 so that they face one another and are
concentrically aligned. Without limitation, personal effects may
include such necessaries as car keys, a wallet, a cell phone, a
coin purse, food, a drink, and so on. Next, the user ensures that
outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 103 of disc golf driver
100 is concentrically aligned with inwardly protruding continuous
locking lip 113 of disc golf putter 110 and snaps outwardly
protruding continuous locking lip 103 of disc golf driver 100 into
cavity 112 of disc golf putter 110 by passing outwardly protruding
continuous locking lip 103 though inwardly protruding continuous
locking lip 113. This operation insinuates outwardly protruding
continuous locking lip 103 of disc golf driver 100 into the shallow
channel that is adjacent to inwardly protruding continuous locking
lip 113 of disc golf putter 110, and vice versa, thus forming a
virtually liquid proof sealed container the internal volume of
which comprises the combined internal volumes of cavity 102 and
cavity 112. To disassemble, the user merely unsnaps disc golf
driver 100 and disc golf putter 110 by pulling them apart. Once
disassembled, the user's personal effects may be recovered, and the
flying discs may be used in the normal manner.
[0017] While disc golf driver 100 and disc golf putter 110, like
all flying discs, are ordinarily constructed of polyethylene
plastic, this is not considered a limitation. Those having skill in
the art will recognize that many other materials, including,
without limitation, polypropylene, polystyrene, and biodegradable
polyester are equally suitable. Many other substances such as hard
rubber, ebonite, neoprene, carbon-reinforced plastics, metals such
as aluminum, and so on, are also suitable.
[0018] Referring now FIGS. 2a through 4b several views of disc golf
driver 100, disc golf putter 110, and spacer ring 120a, in
disassembled and assembled forms, are illustrated. As described
above, the outer facing aspect of the lower circumferential
periphery forming cavity 102 of disc golf driver 100 is equipped
with outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 103 around its
circumference. As a result, a shallow channel is necessarily formed
adjacent to outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 103.
Similarly, disc golf putter 110 also has a cavity 112. In this
embodiment, the inner facing aspect of the lower circumferential
periphery forming cavity 112 of disc golf putter 110 has an
inwardly protruding continuous locking lip 113. As above, a shallow
channel is necessarily formed adjacent to inwardly protruding
continuous locking lip 113. Spacer ring 120a has cavity 121 that is
continuous from the top to the bottom of spacer ring 120a. The
inner facing aspect of the upper circumferential periphery forming
cavity 121 of spacer ring 120a has an inwardly protruding
continuous locking lip 122. The outer facing aspect of the lower
circumferential periphery forming cavity 121 is equipped with
outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 124. As above, a
shallow channel is necessarily formed adjacent to outwardly
protruding continuous locking lip 124. Also as above, to ensure
proper interlocking, the outside diameter of each of outwardly
protruding continuous locking lips 103 and 124 is somewhat greater
than the inside diameter of each of inwardly protruding locking
lips 122 and 113, respectively.
[0019] In this embodiment, the user can create a virtually liquid
proof sealed container with increased volume by interposing spacer
ring 120a between disc golf driver 100 and disc golf putter 110.
This is done in the following manner: First, the user places one or
more personal effects in the dished cavity of disc golf putter 110,
orients cavities 112 and 121 so that they face one another and are
concentrically aligned. Without limitation, personal effects may
include such necessaries as car keys, a wallet, a cell phone, a
coin purse, food, a drink, and so on. Next, the user ensures that
outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 124 of spacer ring 120a
is concentrically aligned with inwardly protruding continuous
locking lip 113 of disc golf putter 110 and snaps outwardly
protruding continuous locking lip 124 of spacer ring 120a into
cavity 112 of disc golf putter 110 by passing outwardly protruding
continuous locking lip 124 of spacer ring 120a though inwardly
protruding continuous locking lip 113. Next, the user orients
cavities 102 and 121 so that they face one another and are
concentrically aligned. Next, the user ensures that outwardly
protruding continuous locking lip 103 of disc golf driver 100 is
concentrically aligned with inwardly protruding continuous locking
lip 122 of spacer ring 120a and snaps outwardly protruding
continuous locking lip 103 through inwardly protruding locking lip
122 of spacer ring 120a by passing outwardly protruding continuous
locking lip 103 though inwardly protruding continuous locking lip
122 of spacer ring 120a. By doing this, cavities 102, 112, and 121
are combined to form an expanded, virtually liquid proof sealed
storage space. To disassemble, the user merely unsnaps disc golf
driver 100 and disc golf putter 110 from spacer ring 120a. Once
disassembled, the user's personal effects may be recovered, and the
flying discs may be used in the normal manner. It will be apparent
that the above sequence of steps may be equivalently performed by
substituting disc golf driver 100 in lieu of disc golf putter 110
and vice-versa. Also, it will be readily apparent that a
multiplicity of spacers 120a may be stacked and snapped together to
create storage spaces of great volume.
[0020] Similarly, while the preferred embodiment of spacer ring
120a is preferably constructed of polyethylene plastic, this is
also not considered a limitation. Those having skill in the art
will recognize that many other materials, including, without
limitation, polypropylene, polystyrene, and biodegradable polyester
are equally suitable. Many other substances such as hard rubber,
ebonite, neoprene, carbon-reinforced plastics, metals such as
aluminum, and so on, are also suitable.
[0021] Similarly, it will be obvious that alternative spacers in
any form may be created. For example, FIGS. 5a through 6b show a
second form of a spacer ring 120b featuring substantially flat
sides in contrast with a first form spacer ring 120a featuring
convex sides.
[0022] Similarly, it is to be recognized that spacer rings 120a and
120b need not be rigid or even semi-rigid and as such many other
forms and other materials may be employed. For example, alternative
spacer rings may be cylindrical in form, made of flexible canvas or
nylon fabric, and equipped with suitable locking rings at both ends
allowing the user to attach mating flying discs at each end to
create a closed, flexible tube-like structure with nearly unlimited
internal storage capacity. Such a spacer ring may be equipped with
straps, pockets, and/or mounting rings for attaching various
accessories. Obviously, the aforementioned locking rings need not
be at the ends of the spacer ring, nor need there be only two
locking rings. For example, an alternative spacer ring may comprise
a multiplicity of locking rings each for attaching a particular
kind of flying disc and each opening to an individual storage
compartment.
[0023] Similarly, while disc golf driver 100, disc golf putter 110,
and spacer rings 120a and 120b have been described as having
compatible diameters such that disc golf driver 100 and disc golf
putter 110 may be assembled together or assembled with spacer ring
120a or 120b interposed between them, this is not considered to be
a limitation. For example, a particular disc golf driver may be
diametrically incompatible with a particular disc golf putter. In
this case an alternative spacer capable of accepting the disc golf
driver at one end and the disc golf putter at the other end may be
used to form a closed container. In such a case, this alternative
spacer may be said to "adapt" these diametrically incompatible
discs to one another.
[0024] Similarly, while spacer rings 120a and 120b have previously
been described as having an inwardly protruding continuous locking
lip 122 and an outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 124 such
that it is compatible with disc golf driver 100 and disc golf
putter 110, respectively, this is not considered a limitation. For
example, as show in FIG. 7a it will be readily apparent that an
alternative embodiment of spacer ring 120c may be equipped with two
inwardly protruding continuous locking lips 122 thus allowing the
interconnection of two golf drivers. Similarly, as show in FIG. 7b
it will be readily apparent that an alternative embodiment of
spacer ring 120d may be equipped with two outwardly protruding
continuous locking lips 124 thus allowing the interconnection of
two golf putters.
[0025] While the preferred embodiment of the invention comprehends
assembling at least two compatible flying discs to form a closed
storage container, this too is not considered a limitation. For
example, a single flying disc of the present invention may be used
with a closed storage vessel equipped with a suitable locking ring
as a removable lid.
[0026] Further, while the invention has been described in
conjunction with what are considered to the most useful and
practical embodiments, a cursory examination of the specification
will suggest a virtually limitless number of alternative
embodiments. More specifically, it will be apparent that many
equivalent means of attaching two flying discs together to form a
sealed storage space are available. For example, mating
interlocking tabs and recesses molded into the lower
circumferential periphery of each flying disc may serve the same
purpose. Similarly, molded "hook and ball" fastening strips applied
along the lower aspect of the lower circumferential periphery of
each flying disc will also serve the same purpose. It is to be
understood that all such alternative embodiments are included in
the scope and spirit of the present application. Similarly, the
multiplicity of "continuous locking lips" referred to in the
specification may be rendered each as a multiplicity of adjacent
locking lips molded or otherwise formed in the appropriate
peripheral edge. Finally, while the multiplicity of "continuous
locking lips" are shown as semi-ellipsoidal in cross section, this
is not considered a limitation. Indeed each may be rendered in a
variety of cross sections, including but not limited to,
semi-circular, square, and triangular.
* * * * *