U.S. patent application number 15/449747 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-09 for gyrating flying disc.
The applicant listed for this patent is DAB Design LLC. Invention is credited to Neil Barone.
Application Number | 20170319977 15/449747 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60242428 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170319977 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barone; Neil |
November 9, 2017 |
GYRATING FLYING DISC
Abstract
A gyrating disc is disclosed having a circular and flat shape
with an edge extending perpendicularly around its circumference.
The gyrating disc has a weight on the interior or exterior of the
edge, or between the center and the edge. When the gyrating disc is
launched in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner, the disc
achieves a gyrating flight, moving on its horizontal plane and
stable at the vertical axis established in the center of the
disc.
Inventors: |
Barone; Neil; (Rumson,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DAB Design LLC |
Red Bank |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60242428 |
Appl. No.: |
15/449747 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62391566 |
May 4, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/22 20130101;
A63H 33/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/18 20060101
A63H033/18; A63H 33/22 20060101 A63H033/22; A63H 27/00 20060101
A63H027/00 |
Claims
1. A gyrating disc, comprising: a substantially circular disc
having a center and an edge, the edge further comprising a weighted
portion with a weight and wherein when the disc is launched with a
counterclockwise or clockwise spin, the gyrating disc will gyrate
on a horizontal plane, a vertical axis being in a center of the
disc, the vertical axis remaining stable during flight.
2. The gyrating disc of claim 1, wherein the weight comprises
between 16.5 and 21% of the total weight of the gyrating disc.
3. The gyrating disc of claim 1, wherein the weighted portion is
between 8-20% of the circumference of the disc at the edge.
4. The gyrating disc of claim 3, wherein the weighted portion is
16% of the circumference of the disc at the edge.
5. The gyrating disc of claim 1, wherein the disc is substantially
uniform in thickness from the center to the edge.
6. The gyrating disc of claim 1, wherein the edge is a curved lip
that is substantially perpendicular to the center of the disc, and
extending between 0.5 and 1.5 inches.
7. The gyrating disc of claim 6, wherein the edge extends
approximately 1 inch.
8. A gyrating disc, comprising: a circular and flat center with an
edge, the edge being curved and substantially perpendicular to the
center; and a weight, the weight located on an interior portion of
the edge, the weight comprising between 16.5 and 21 percent of a
total weight of the gyrating disc, and wherein the weight is
distributed around 8-20% of an inner circumference of the disc,
wherein when the disc is launched with a counterclockwise or
clockwise spin, the gyrating disc will gyrate on a horizontal
plane, a vertical axis being in a center of the disc, and the
vertical axis remaining stable during flight.
9. The gyrating disc of claim 7, wherein the weight comprises 20%
of the total weight of the gyrating disc.
10. The gyrating disc of claim 7, wherein the inner portion of the
edge is 16% of the circumference of the disc at the edge.
11. The gyrating disc of claim 7, wherein the disc is substantially
uniform in thickness from the center to the edge.
12. The gyrating disc of claim 7, wherein the edge is a curved lip
that is substantially perpendicular to the circular and flat
center, and extends between 0.5 and 1.5 inches.
13. The gyrating disc of claim 12, wherein the edge extends
approximately 1 inch.
14. The gyrating disc of claim 7, wherein the gyrating disc is
substantially rigid.
15. A gyrating disc, comprising: a rigid circular and flat center
with a rigid edge of uniform thickness, the edge being curved and
substantially perpendicular to the center and extending between 0.5
and 1.5 inches; and a weight, the weight located on an interior
side of the edge and comprising between 16.5 and 21 percent of the
total weight of the gyrating disc, and wherein the weight is
distributed around 8-20% of an inner circumference of the disc,
wherein when the disc is launched with a counterclockwise or
clockwise spin, the gyrating disc will gyrate on a horizontal
plane, a vertical axis being in a center of the disc, and the
vertical axis remaining stable during flight.
16. The gyrating disc of claim 15, wherein the weight comprises 20%
of the total weight of the gyrating disc.
17. The gyrating disc of claim 15, wherein the weight is
distributed around 16% of the circumference of the disc at the
edge.
18. The gyrating disc of claim 15, wherein the edge extends
approximately 1 inch.
19. The gyrating disc of claim 15, wherein the gyrating disc is
made in one piece.
20. The gyrating disc of claim 15, wherein the weight is an
ergonomic shape to facilitate launch with the counterclockwise or
clockwise spin.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/391,566, filed May 4, 2016, entitled
"GYRATING FLYING DISC," which is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a
flying disc and more particularly to a gyrating flying disc.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Flying discs are known objects of entertainment and are
pervasively popular objects of game-play and amusement.
Manipulation of physical properties of the flying discs may confer
desirable variances in flight patterns such as, directional bias,
velocity, and distance/height.
[0004] For example, Forti, et al. (U.S. Patent Pub. No.
2006/0250735) describes a cylinder with a pointed forward edge that
edge allowing for a predictable distance of flight.
[0005] Creating a gyrating flying disc has been problematic. As
described by Forti et al., (U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,880), gyrating
flight can be accomplished with a cylinder-like hollow body having
a leading and training edge where the leading edge is heavily
weighted. This design, however, is devoid of a circular disc
center, and fails to achieve desirable lift and curvature of
flight. Moreover, the gyration achieved is only on the vertical
axis, which is not advantageous.
[0006] Other designs include a weight on the leading edge of the
disc, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,590,518 to Ross. The
weight, however, allows for a predetermined direction of flight.
Because the leading edge is weighted, the disc effectively becomes
a projectile. When launched, Ross' disc does not spin, but flies in
the direction of the weighted leading edge. To facilitate launch, a
separate launching device is provided. This design also includes a
thickened center relative to edge, thereby diminishing the airfoil
and lift achieved by the flying disc.
[0007] Still, other designs fail to achieve sustainable and
predictable gyrating flight. As described in DE202005014916, a
cavity within the disc holds sand, which when launched, disperses
via the Coriolis Effect to the edge of the disc. Because the
configurations of sand placement vary from throw to throw, a
different flight pattern is achieved at each launch. This design
also provides a hollow center, thus changing the dynamics of an
airfoil achieved by a flying disc that is substantially uniform in
thickness at its center.
[0008] A flying disc that consistently and yet preternaturally
gyrates on both the vertical and horizontal axis is desired. A
flying disc that gyrates and achieves flight in a spinning manner,
launching from a point, and increasing in height before reaching an
apex and descending is heretofore undescribed. Thus, there is a
need for a flying disc that addresses the deficiencies of prior
designs and provides a flying disc with an airfoil and weighted
interior edge, which flies in a spinning motion with a reproducible
gyrating motion from a launch, optionally reaching an apex before
descent.
SUMMARY
[0009] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a gyrating disc that
is substantially circular and uniform in thickness at its center.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further
provide a gyrating disc with a curved edge, the curved edge and
uniform center providing an airfoil for the achievement of
sustained flight, and having a weighted portion.
[0010] Embodiments disclosed herein are further directed to a
gyrating disc having a weight embedded within the interior edge,
the exterior edge, or between the center and the edge.
[0011] In some embodiments, the weight comprises between about 16.5
to 21% of the weight of the total disc, and contained across
between about 8% and 20% of the outer or inner circumference of the
disc. The weight may alternatively be distributed between the
center and the edge of the gyrating disc. The embodiments of the
present invention provide for additional configurations of the
gyrating disc as disclosed.
[0012] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are
directed to a gyrating disc which achieves a gyrating flight
regardless of the orientation of the weight at launch.
[0013] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are
further directed to a gyrating disc wherein a maximum frequency of
gyration is achieved when the launch originates from the weighted
portion of the disc edge.
[0014] Yet other embodiments in accordance with the present
invention are directed to a gyrating disc wherein distribution of
the weight at the edge of the disc affects the frequency of the
gyration, wherein a longer distribution of weight, occupying a
larger percentage of the circumference has a lower gyrating
frequency than a shorter, more concentrated weight, occupying a
smaller percentage of the circumference of the gyrating disc.
[0015] In other embodiments of the present invention, the gyrating
disc comprises a rigid disc of uniform thickness and having a
curved edge.
[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, the gyrating
disc comprising a curved edge embedded with a weight of a dimension
and magnitude so as to effect a gyrating flight when the disc is
launched with either a clockwise or counterclockwise spin.
[0017] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present
application of the embodiments described herein.
[0018] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an
understanding of some embodiments of the gyrating disc. This
summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the
present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents
selected concepts of embodiments of the present invention in a
simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description
presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the
present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination,
one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The foregoing and other aspects of the embodiments disclosed
herein are best understood from the following detailed description
when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the
purpose of illustrating the embodiments disclosed herein, there is
shown in the drawings embodiments presently preferred, it being
understood, however, the embodiments disclosed herein are not
limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in
the drawings are the following figures:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a gyrating disc, according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of a gyrating disc,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate three alternate weight
configurations from a bottom view of a gyrating disc, and FIG. 3D
illustrates the weight on the outer edge of the gyrating disc from
a top view, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the gyrating disc
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a grip orientation for launch of the
gyrating disc, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a launched gyrating disc,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] While embodiments of the present invention are described
herein by way of example using several illustrative drawings, those
skilled in the art will recognize the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be
understood the drawings and the detailed description thereto are
not intended to limit the present invention to the particular form
disclosed, but to the contrary, the present invention is to cover
all modification, equivalents and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention as defined
by the appended claims.
[0027] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes
only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the
description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the
word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the
potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning
must). Similarly, the words "include", "including", and "includes"
mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding,
like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to
designate like elements common to the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Embodiments of the present invention provide a gyrating disc
that achieves a gyrating flight, the flight having a launch, apex,
and descent.
[0029] The phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and/or" are
open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in
operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A,
B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and
C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone,
B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, or A, B and C together.
[0030] The term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that
entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at
least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be
noted that the terms "comprising", "including", and "having" can be
used interchangeably.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the gyrating disc. The disc
is substantially circular in shape. When viewed in the top
orientation, the uniformity of the disc is apparent. The disc
comprises a center 100 and an edge 101. The gyrating disc can be
comprised of a variety of materials including rubber, fabric,
plastic, resin, natural and/or synthetic polymers, vinyl,
fiberglass, and/or any mixtures thereof. In one preferred
embodiment, the gyrating disc is comprised of polyethylene. The
gyrating disc may be manufactured in multiple ways. In one
embodiment, the gyrating disc is entirely manufactured through
injection molding. In other embodiments the weight of the disc is
manufactured separately from circular disc and edge, discussed
below. While the gyrating disc in one preferred embodiment is
rigid, a flexible disc is also contemplated.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the gyrating disc. From
this perspective, the weight 102 can be seen. As shown in FIG. 2,
the weight 102 may be placed adjacent to the edge 101 of the
gyrating disc. In some embodiments, the weight 102 is placed on the
outer edge 101 of the gyrating disc. In other embodiments, the
weight 102 is placed on the inner edge 101 of the gyrating disc. In
yet other embodiments, the weight 102 is placed between the center
100 and edge 101 of the gyrating disc. The weight 102 can be
comprised of any manner of materials, including: clay, putty,
plastic, resin, natural and/or synthetic polymers, vinyl,
fiberglass, and/or any mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the
weight 102 is fabricated of the same material as the gyrating
disc's center 100 and edge 101. In some embodiments, the weight 102
is secured to the gyrating disc by any type of adhesive, including
glues, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the weight 102 is
injection molded as one piece with the center 100 and edge 101.
Without the weight 102, the disc is substantially uniform in
thickness from the center 100 to the edge 101. In yet other
embodiments, the gyrating disc is made from one piece (e.g.,
injection molding).
[0033] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate three alternate embodiments
of the gyrating disc, as viewed from the bottom. In these views, it
is apparent the weight 102 may vary in distribution and in size. In
the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3A, the weight 102 is longer
throughout the edge 101 relative to the embodiments illustrated in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3B. In some embodiments, the gyrating disc is
approximately 31 inches in circumference, and 10 inches in
diameter. The gyrating disc can be made in any size (e.g., from
2-100 inches in diameter). In FIG. 3A, the weight 102 is dispersed
across approximately 16% of the circumference of the gyrating disc
(i.e., wherein the disc edge 101 is 31 inches in circumference, the
weight is distributed 5 inches within that circumference). In FIG.
3B, the weight 102 occupies a smaller portion of the interior edge
101, about 12% (i.e., wherein the disc edge 101 is 31 inches in
circumference, the weight is distributed 3.8 inches within that
circumference). Other embodiments with weights occupying varying
percentages of the edge are contemplated, and do not depart from
the scope of the present invention. For instance, the weight could
be distributed amongst 10%, 14%, 18%, or at any value between 8%
and 20%. The proportion of weight 102 to the circumference of the
edge 101 is maintained when scaling up or down for size. While the
weight 102 is shown in an elongated shape in FIGS. 3A and 3B, it is
contemplated that the weight 102 may be more circular in shape, as
depicted in FIG. 2. FIG. 3C illustrates the gyrating disc as
manufactured in one piece. In this embodiment, it is apparent that
the weight 102 is integrated within the edge 101 and center 101.
FIG. 3D illustrates the gyrating disc from a top view, illustrating
a weight 102 on the outer edge 101 of the gyrating disc, as in one
embodiment. Moreover, other shapes such as rectangular, polygonal,
or oval are contemplated and do not depart from the scope of the
present invention. The weight 102 may further be shaped so as to be
ergonomic for facilitating launch with a spinning motion.
[0034] In FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D the magnitude of the weight
is similar. In one preferred embodiment the weight is approximately
30 grams, and the disc is approximately 147 grams. In other
embodiments, the weight is approximately 20% of the weight of the
disc, or 18.8% of the total weight. In yet other embodiments the
weight comprises between 16.5-21% of the total weight of the
gyrating disc. Where the weight 102 is distributed over a larger
portion of the edge 101, as seen in FIG. 3A, a slower frequency of
gyration is achieved.
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the gyrating disc.
From this perspective, the shape of the edge 101 can be
appreciated. The edge 101 is curved in shape and substantially
perpendicular to the center 100, and extends to create an overall
dome-like shape of the gyrating disc. In one preferred embodiment,
the edge 101 is substantially perpendicular to the center 100 of
the disc, and extends approximately 1 inch relative to the center
100 of the gyrating disc. In other embodiments the edge extends
between 0.5 and 1.5 inches.
[0036] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a user launching the gyrating
disc, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Launching the gyrating disc with a spinning motion 103 (i.e.,
counterclockwise or clockwise), while holding onto the weight 102
results in an optimum frequency of gyration, though gyrational
flight is achieved regardless of weight orientation at launch. The
gyrating disc is thrown with a spinning motion, the flight of the
disc having a launch point, an apex, and a descent. While rotating
in flight, the gyrating disc moves in a horizontal plane 104, with
a stable vertical axis at the center of the gyrating disc. The
solid center 100 and edge 101 of the gyrating disc allow for
advantageous lift when launched in a spinning manner, where air
moving over the top of the gyrating disc will move faster relative
to the air under the disc. The momentum of the spin at launch gives
the gyrating disc orientational stability by allowing the gyrating
disc to receive a steady lift from the air as the gyrating disc
passes through it. A launch with greater spin will increase
stability of flight and increase the frequency of gyration.
[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the gyrating disc after
launch. The disc is launched with the spin in FIG. 5, 103, and
oscillates on the horizontal plane 104 as it flies through the air.
As stated above, the magnitude and distribution of the weight 102
as well as the momentum of the spin 103 at launch will alter the
frequency of oscillation. A larger weight, with a smaller
distribution, and a high spin 103 at launch will facilitate maximum
gyration during flight.
[0038] The exemplary embodiments of this present invention have
been described in relation to gyrating discs. However, to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring the present invention, the preceding
description omits a number of known structures and devices. This
omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the
present invention. Specific details are set forth by use of the
embodiments to provide an understanding of the present invention.
It should however be appreciated that the present invention may be
practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific embodiments set
forth herein.
[0039] A number of variations and modifications of the present
invention can be used. It would be possible to provide for some
features of the present invention without providing others.
[0040] The gyrating disc of the present invention, in various
embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components,
methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as
depicted and described herein, including various embodiments,
sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art
will understand how to make and use the present invention after
understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in
various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes
providing devices and processes in the absence of items not
depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments,
configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such
items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g.,
for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of
implementation.
[0041] The foregoing discussion of the present invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms
disclosed herein. In the preceding Detailed Description, for
example, various features of the present invention are grouped
together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for
the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the
embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in
alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those
discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted
as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more
features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the
following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all
features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration,
or aspect.
[0042] Moreover, though the description of the present invention
has included the description of one or more embodiments,
configurations, or aspects and certain variations and
modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications
are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be
within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after
understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain
rights, which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or
aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly
dedicate any patentable subject matter.
* * * * *