U.S. patent number 3,798,834 [Application Number 05/343,558] was granted by the patent office on 1974-03-26 for flying disc having impact protected electric signaling device therein.
Invention is credited to Alfred F. Samuel.
United States Patent |
3,798,834 |
Samuel |
March 26, 1974 |
FLYING DISC HAVING IMPACT PROTECTED ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE
THEREIN
Abstract
A disc-shaped directional-flight toy having a generally
saucer-shaped body and at least one battery-powered audio or visual
signaling device with a centrifugally actuated switch oriented to
close and to energize said audio or visual signaling device when
said disc-shaped directional-flight toy is hurled through the air
and caused to rotate while in free flight. The visual device may be
a battery-powered light bulb. The audio device may be a
battery-powered buzzer or siren or the like. Removably mounted
inpact cushioning means are provided which function to secure the
signaling device, battery and switch to the body and also provide a
cushion between the audio or visual signaling device and
centrifugal switch, on the one hand, and the saucer-shaped body, on
the other hand, in order to cushion the device and switch against
the shock of the impact of said saucer-shaped body striking an
obstruction.
Inventors: |
Samuel; Alfred F. (New York,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
23346607 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/343,558 |
Filed: |
March 21, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/47;
362/802 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H
33/18 (20130101); Y10S 362/802 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
33/00 (20060101); A63H 33/18 (20060101); A63h
033/26 (); A63h 027/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;46/226,227,228,66,65,74D,75,232 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Shay; Barry F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stoll and Stoll
Claims
I claim:
1. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy comprising:
a. a generally saucer-shaped body having a central axis about which
it is adapted to rotate in sustained flight, and
b. at least one battery-powered light bulb and
centrifugally-actuated switch in circuit therewith,
c. means on said body for mounting each said bulb and switch
thereon with said switch in radially offset relation to said axis
whereby centrifugal force causes the switch to close and the light
bulb to be energized when the saucer-shaped body is thrown into the
air and caused to engage in free flight while rotating about its
center axis,
d. means for securing said bulb and switch to said mounting means
and for insulating them against impact, said securing and
insulating means comprising a cushion provided between said
battery-powered light bulb and associated centrifugally actuated
switch, on the one hand, and said mounting means, on the other
hand, to cushion said bulb and switch against the shock of impact
of the flying saucer-shaped body against an obstruction.
2. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim
1, wherein:
a. the saucer-shaped body is provided with two said battery-powered
light bulbs, each having a centrifugally actuated switch in circuit
therewith;
b. said mounting means being adapted to mount said battery-powered
light bulbs in diametrically opposite positions on said
saucer-shaped body.
3. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim
1, wherein:
a. the saucer-shaped body is provided with a plurality of said
battery-powered light bulbs each having a said centrifugally
actuated switch in circuit therewith,
b. said mounting means being adapted to mount said battery-powered
light bulbs and centrifugally actuated switches in spaced relation
on said saucer-shaped body such that their respective weights are
in aerodynamic balance.
4. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim
1, wherein:
a. the saucer-shaped body is provided with a plurality of said
battery-powered light bulbs, each having a centrifugally actuated
switch in circuit therewith,
b. said mounting means being adapted to mount said battery-powered
light bulbs such that they are spaced equally from each other on a
common circular line which is concentric with the saucer-shaped
body.
5. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim
1, wherein:
a. the centrifugally actuated switch comprises fixed and movable
contact elements which are in circuit with the battery-powered
light bulb;
b. said movable contact element being situated radially inwardly
from the fixed contact element and being spring-biased away from
said fixed contact element,
c. said movable contact element being movable radially ouwardly
into engagement with the fixed contact element responsive to
centrifugal force generated when the saucer-shaped body is caused
to rotate in flight through the air.
6. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim
5, wherein:
said axis is perpendicular to the flight trajectory.
7. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim
5, wherein:
the movable contact element is mounted on a leaf spring which is
biased away from the fixed contact element and toward the center of
the saucer-shaped body.
8. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim
5, wherein:
the movable contact element is mounted on a coil spring which is
biased away from the fixed contact element and toward the center of
the saucer-shaped body.
9. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim
1, wherein:
a. said mounting means comprises a pod formed in the saucer-shaped
body to receive said battery-powered light bulb and associated
centrifugally actuated switch,
b. said securing and insulating means comprises light-transmitting
plastic foam provided in said pod as said cushion between said
saucer-shaped body and said battery-powered light bulb and
associated centrifugally actuated switch.
10. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy comprising:
a. a generally saucer-shaped body,
b. at least one signal-emitting, electrically actuated device,
c. a power source for said signal-emitting device,
d. a normally open, centrifugally actuated switch in circuit with
said signal-emitting device and said power source,
e. means on said body for mounting each said signal-emitting
device, power source and centrifugal switch on said saucer-shaped
body in radially offset relation to its center axis,
f. whereby centrifugal force causes the centrifugal switch to close
and the signal-emitting device to be energized when the
saucer-shaped body is thrown into the air and caused to engage in
free flight while rotating about its center axis,
g. means for securing said signal-emitting device, power source and
switch to said mounting means for absorbing impacts to them, said
securing and absorbing means being provided between said
signal-emitting device, power source and centrifugal switch, on the
one hand, and said saucer-shaped body, on the other hand, to reduce
the shock impacted to said signal-emitting device, power source and
centrifugal switch, when the saucer-shaped body strikes an
obstruction while in flight.
11. A disc-shaped directional-flight toy in accordance with claim
10, wherein:
a. the saucer-shaped body is provided with two said signal-emitting
devices, power sources, and centrifugal switches, forming two
separate assemblies,
b. each of said assemblies consisting of a battery-powered light
bulb and a normally open, centrifugally actuated switch in circuit
therewith,
c. said mounting means being adapted for mounting said two
assemblies in diametrically opposite positions on said
saucer-shaped body in radially balanced relation to its rotational
center axis.
12. A disc-shaped directional-flight toy in accordance with claim
10, wherein:
a. the saucer-shaped body is provided with two said signal-emitting
devices, power sources and centrifugal switches, forming two
separate assemblies,
b. said signal-emitting device of one of said assemblies comprising
a battery-powered light bulb,
c. said signal-emitting device of the second assembly comprising a
battery-powered, sound-emitting device,
d. said mounting means being adapted for mounting said two
assemblies in diametrically opposite positions on said
saucer-shaped body in radially balanced relation to its rotational
center axis.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates to the game, sport or art of throwing
disc-shaped objects through the air. Such disc-shaped objects are
sometimes sold under the trademark FRISBEE, and they are sometimes
called "Frisbees." Frisbees are made by the Wham-O Mfg. Co., of San
Gabriel, Calif.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The closest prior art patent is believed to be U.S. Pat. No.
3,359,678. This is the patent which protects the disc-shaped
directional-flight toy which is sold by Wham-O Mfg. Co. under the
FRISBEE trademark. However, this device does not have a
battery-powered audio or visual signaling means, and its sole
functional value resides in its use as a toy flying saucer for toss
games and the like.
Other pertinent prior art patents are the following: U.S. Pat. No.
2,011,813 Heekin Aug. 20, 1935; U.S. Pat. No. 2,836,009 Wang May
27, 1958; U.S. Pat. No. 3,531,892 Pearce Oct. 6, 1970; U.S. Pat.
No. 3,610,916 Meehan Oct. 5, 1971. Although these prior art patents
disclose various forms of rotating or spinning toys and various
means for illuminating them, including means controlled by
centrifugally actuated switches, they do not show the invention of
the present application, which comprises a disc-shaped
directional-flight toy having the features and characteristics
hereinafter described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a disc-shaped directional-flight
toy such as a toy flying saucer sold under the FRISBEE trademark,
but unlike the latter it is provided with audio or visual or both
audio and visual means for producing distinctive lighting or sound
effects or both, in the course of free flight through the air. A
centrifugally actuated switch is provided to close a battery
circuit to such audio or visual means under the centrifugal force
which is generated when said disc-shaped directional-flight toy is
caused to rotate in flight.
The invention contemplates many variations. For example, a single
audio or visual signal-emitting device, or a plurality of such
devices in various combinations, may be used. When a single
signaling device is used it should be counterbalanced in the
saucer-shaped body, so that said saucer-shaped body may rotate
freely and smoothly while in flight. When two such signaling
devices are used, they may be placed diametrically opposite each
other, equidistant from the axial and gravitational center of the
saucer-shaped body. In such case each signaling device would
counterbalance the other. Various combinations are possible. Thus,
two audio signaling devices or two visual signaling devices or one
audio and one visual signaling device are all equally feasible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disc-shaped directional-flight toy made
in accordance with one form of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a side edge view thereof.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a light-emitting
device mounted in a pod provided in the saucer-shaped body of said
disc-shaped directional-flight toy.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of said pod, showing the saucer-shaped
body broken away and in section.
FIG. 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a section on the line 6--6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a section on the line 7--7 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 8 is a section on the line 8--8 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a modified form of said disc-shaped
directional-flight toy.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view on the line
10--10 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing one of the signaling devices
illustrated in FIG. 10 and also showing the impact-insulating or
absorbing means associated with said device.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the first form of the present invention and to
FIGS. 1-8, inclusive, it will be seen that disc-shaped
directional-flight toy 10 comprises a saucer-shaped body 12 and a
pair of electrically actuated signaling devices 14 mounted in said
saucer-shaped body. Each electrically actuated signaling device is
mounted in a pod 16 formed in the saucer-shaped body and impact
insulating or absorbing means 18 is provided between each said
device and the walls and floor of the pod. This impact insulating
means performs two functions: It secures the signaling device in
the pod, and it absorbs the shock of impact of the saucer-shaped
body striking an obstruction, thereby protecting the signaling
device from damage.
More specifically, each signaling device 14 comprises four
elements: a light bulb 20, a power source for said light bulb in
the form of a pencil battery 22, a holder 24 for both the light
bulb and the battery, and a switch element 26 which is mounted on
said holder or on said battery and is engageable with one of the
contact elements of the light bulb. Switch element 26 is simply a
switch arm which is spring-biased away from the light bulb. The
spring bias is relatively weak and may readily be overcome by
centrifugal force generated when the saucer-shaped body is thrown
into the air and caused to rotate about its central axis. When this
occurs the switch element is forced outwardly and into engagement
with the light bulb, thereby closing the circuit between said light
bulb and its power source.
It will of course be understood that the material which surrounds
the light bulb is light-transmitting material. This would apply to
both the insulating material 18 and the material of which the
saucer-shaped body and its pods 16 are made. As an illustration,
the cushioning material 18 may be polyurethane foam, and the
saucer-shaped body and its pods may be made of molded polyethylene.
These are purely illustrative materials, which are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention. Also contemplated within the
scope of the invention is the use of materials which are not
light-transmitting, provided that the light bulbs are exposed
through a window or other opening in the structure. In such case
light emitted by the light bulbs would simply pass through such
window or other opening.
The electrical system is conventional. Thus, if holder 24 is made
of electrically conductive material, electrical insulation 30
should be provided between said holder and the shell (contact
element) of the light bulb. If the holder is made of electrically
non-conductive material, this of course would not be necessary.
Alternatively, if the holder is held out of contact with either of
the terminals of the battery, the material of which the holder is
made would again be unimportant. In the illustrated form of the
invention, the holder is itself a conductor and is in electrical
contact with one of the terminals of the battery. The holder
includes clip elements 32, which are adapted to clip the battery
and hold it in operative position. Also, in the illustrated form of
the invention, switch arm 26 is integral with the holder, but
obviously this is not an essential requirement of the invention.
The switch arm is a spring element which is biased away from the
light bulb, and it is located between the light bulb and the axial
center of the saucer-shaped body. Thus, when the saucer-shaped body
is caused to rotate, centrifugal force causes the switch arm 26 to
flex radially outwardly until it makes contact with the light
bulb.
Pod 16 is merely a receptacle for the electrical device above
described and its impact insulating cushion. In the illustrated
form of the invention each pod is molded integrally with the
saucer-shaped body. Wall portions 34 are tapered, as shown in FIG.
7, to hold the impact absorbing material in place.
Referring to the second embodiment of the invention, as illustrated
in FIGS. 9-11, disc-shaped directional-flight toy 40 comprises a
saucer-shaped body 42, a pair of pods 44, and a pair of
electrically actuated signaling devices 46 and 48, respectively. In
each pod there is impact insulating means in the form of a pair of
cocoon elements 50. As is clearly shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, these
cocoon elements confine the two electrical devices in their
respective pods and protect said devices against damage from the
shock of impacting against an obstruction.
Taking electrical signaling device 46 first, it will be observed
that it comprises a light bulb 52, a power source for said light
bulb in the form of a pencil battery 54, a holder 56 for said light
bulb and battery, and a spring-mounted, centrifugally actuated
switch 58. The switch is in the form of a weighted contact element
60 supported by a coil 62 and movable into engagement with one of
the terminals of the battery under centrifugal force generated when
the saucer-shaped body is caused to rotate in flight.
It will be noted in FIGS. 9 and 10 that the electrical elements 46
and 48 are oriented along a diametric line extending through the
saucer-shaped body. The centrifugal switch is mounted between the
signaling device and the axial center of the saucer-shaped
body.
Signaling device 48 is similar to signaling device 46, except that
a sound-emitting element 70 is provided in signaling device 48 in
place of the light-emitting element 52 of signaling device 46. As
an illustration, sound-emitting device 70 may be an electrically
powered siren (or whistle or buzzer or the like). The power source
is a pencil battery 72. Holder 74 is similar to holder 56.
Centrifugally actuated switch 76 is like centrifugally actuated
switch 58.
The foregoing is illustrative of preferred forms of the invention,
and it will clearly be understood from the above description that
variations and modifications may be incorporated therein within the
broad scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *