U.S. patent number RE40,533 [Application Number 11/134,472] was granted by the patent office on 2008-10-07 for flying pet toy.
Invention is credited to Mark Oblack.
United States Patent |
RE40,533 |
Oblack |
October 7, 2008 |
Flying pet toy
Abstract
A flying toy having a resilient, non-circular frame
substantially radiated about an imaginary center axis. The fame
includes a plurality of elongated side members substantially
interconnected by a plurality of radially-extending feet members,
where a higher concentration of the weight of the frame resides at
its periphery. Each side member is arced inward toward the
imaginary center axis. The frame defines a central opening of which
the imaginary axis is axially aligned. A flexible membrane is
attached to least a portion of the side members and substantially
covers the central opening. In one embodiment, a center portion of
each side member is positioned above its adjacent feet members when
the toy is in an at rest position to form a structure that is
substantially concave in shape in the at rest state. During
spinning flight, the higher concentration of weight at the
periphery induces centrifugal force upon the toy causing the side
members to partially flatten out. When the toy lands, it lands
upright and reverts to its at rest position.
Inventors: |
Oblack; Mark (Issaquah,
WA) |
Family
ID: |
26935558 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/134,472 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60329472 |
Oct 10, 2001 |
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Reissue of: |
10243068 |
Sep 12, 2002 |
06565404 |
May 20, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K
15/025 (20130101); A63H 33/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
27/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;244/153R
;446/407,46-48,61-68,487 ;135/125.48,126.36,125,126,124 ;482/26-30
;267/142,153,110-112 ;119/707-711 ;473/197,446,588-590 ;5/648
;D21/445 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Francis; Faye
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Christensen O'Connor Johnson
Kindness PLLC
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/329,472, filed Oct. 10, 2001, and entitled
"Flying Pet Toy."
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flying toy comprising: a resilient, non-circular frame
substantially radially generated about an imaginary center axis,
said frame having a higher concentration of weight at its
periphery, wherein the frame includes a plurality of elongated side
members positioned between a plurality of corresponding
radially-extending feet members, each said side member being
positioned such that a central portion of each side member arcs
inwardly toward the axis when the toy is in an at rest position;
said frame defining a central opening of which the imaginary axis
is axially aligned; and a lightweight, flexible membrane that
attaches to at least a portion of the side members and
substantially covers the central opening forming a structure that
is capable of flight when propelled with a spinning force.
2. A flying toy comprising: a resilient, non-circular frame
substantially radially generated about an imaginary center axis,
said frame having a higher concentration of weight at its
periphery, wherein the frame includes a plurality of elongated side
members positioned between a plurality of corresponding
radially-extending feet members, each said side member being
positioned such that a central portion of each side member arches
upwardly of the adjacent feet members and inwardly toward the axis
when the toy is in an at rest position; said frame defining a
central opening of which the imaginary axis is axially aligned; and
a lightweight, flexible membrane that attaches to at least a
portion of the side members and substantially covers the central
opening forming a substantially concave-shaped structure as viewed
from the side when the structure is in the at rest state.
3. The toy according to claim 1 wherein the number of side members
and the number of feet members is the same.
4. The toy according to claim 2 wherein the number of side members
and the number of connected feet members is the same.
5. The toy according to claim 1 further comprising a weighted pad
at each foot member.
6. The toy according to claim 2 further comprising a weighted pad
at each foot member.
7. The toy according to claim 2 wherein there are four side members
and four feet members, wherein each said foot member includes a
weighted pad.
8. The toy according to claim 1 wherein each side member is a
tube.
9. The toy according to claim 2 wherein each side member is a
tube.
10. The toy according to claim 1 wherein each side member is a
rod.
11. The toy according to claim 2 wherein each side member is a
rod.
12. The toy according to claim 1 wherein each foot member includes
an abrasion resistant bottom portion.
13. The toy according to claim 2 wherein each foot member includes
an abrasion resistant bottom portion.
14. The toy according to claim 2 wherein each foot member includes
a bottom portion having a substantially convex outer surface.
15. The toy according to claim 2 wherein each foot member includes
a bottom portion defining a concave opening.
16. The toy according to claim 1 wherein the membrane is made of
fabric.
17. The toy according to claim 2 wherein the membrane is made of
fabric.
18. The toy according to claim 2 wherein the side members, feet
members, and membrane are all molded into a unitary member.
.Iadd.19. A flying toy comprising: a resilient, non-circular frame
substantially radially generated about an imaginary center axis,
said frame having a higher concentration of weight at its
periphery, wherein the frame includes a plurality of elongated side
members positioned between a plurality of corresponding
radially-extending feet members, at least one of said side members
being positioned such that a central portion of the at least one
side member arcs inwardly toward the axis when the toy is in an at
rest position; said frame defining a central opening of which the
imaginary axis is axially aligned; and a lightweight, flexible
membrane that attaches to at least a portion of the side members
and substantially covers the central opening forming a structure
that is adapted for flight when propelled with a spinning
force..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The toy of claim 19, wherein at least one of the sides
further comprises a portion that bows outwardly..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The toy of claim 19, wherein the plurality of sides
comprises between three and six sides..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The toy of claim 19, wherein the toy is substantially
flat..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The toy of claim 19, wherein the frame is a continuously
formed member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The toy of claim 19 further comprising a weighted pad at
each foot member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The toy of claim 19, wherein each side member is a
tube..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The toy of claim 19, wherein each side member is a
rod..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The toy of claim 19, wherein each foot member further
comprises an abrasion resistant bottom portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The toy of claim 19, wherein the membrane is made of
fabric..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. A flying toy comprising: a resilient, non-circular frame
substantially radially generated about an imaginary center axis,
said frame having a higher concentration of weight at its
periphery, wherein the frame includes a plurality of elongated side
members positioned between a plurality of corresponding
radially-extending feet members, at least one of said side members
being positioned such that a central portion of the at least one
side member arches upwardly of the adjacent feet members and
inwardly toward the axis when the toy is in an at rest position;
said frame defining a central opening of which the imaginary axis
is axially aligned; and a lightweight, flexible membrane that
attaches to at least a portion of the side members and
substantially covers the central opening forming a substantially
concave-shaped structure as viewed from the side when the structure
is in the at rest state..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The toy of claim 29, wherein at least one of the sides
further comprises a portion that bows outwardly..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The toy of claim 29, wherein the plurality of sides
comprises between three and six sides..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The toy of claim 29, wherein the resilient frame is
sufficiently resilient to allow centrifugal force to partially
flatten the toy during flight..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The toy of claim 29, wherein the frame is a continuously
formed member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The toy of claim 29, further comprising a weighted pad at
each foot member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The toy of claim 29, wherein each side member is a
tube..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The toy of claim 29, wherein each side member is a
rod..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The toy of claim 29, wherein each foot member further
comprises an abrasion resistant bottom portion..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The toy of claim 29, wherein the membrane is made of
fabric..Iaddend.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to toys capable of flight
while spinning about an axis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flying toys have been known for quite some time. The hard, plastic
flying disc has had great commercial success, both for use with
people and with dogs. However, some dogs are less enamored with the
hard plastic discs as they are not designed to be picked up easily
off the ground. Others have attempted flying discs; some have
invented fabric discs that land upright, but the discs are not
readily grippable by either a person's hand or a pet's teeth when
disc has landed. Moreover, many of the discs do not exhibit
superior flying and spinning characteristics, which makes such
discs less interesting to users, whether humans or pets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a flying toy that is capable of
flight when propelled with a spinning force. The apparatus includes
a substantially resilient, non-circular frame that is substantially
radially generated about an imaginary axis such that a higher
concentration of the frame's weight is at the frame's periphery.
The frame includes a plurality of side members with
radially-extending feet members positioned between adjacent side
members. The frame defines a central opening of which the imaginary
axis is axially aligned. A lightweight, flexible membrane
substantially covers the central opening and is attached to at
least a portion of each side member.
In a first embodiment, the side members are arched upwardly of the
adjacent feed members and inwardly toward the imaginary center axis
when the toy is in an at rest position. With the membrane, the
overall resulting structure is substantially concave in shape when
viewed from the side in the at rest position.
In a second embodiment, the side members are substantially coplanar
with the membrane in the at rest position.
The invention also includes a method of use whereby when the toy of
the first embodiment is launched into flight, the inherent higher
concentration of the toy's weight at the periphery induces
centrifugal force upon the toy thereby causing the side members to
partially flatten out. The opposing forces of centrifugal force and
resilience in the side members put the toy under tension during
flight, which affects the airfoil characteristics of the toy. When
the toy is traveling at a higher velocity, the reduced airfoil is
desirable. As the toy gradually slows down, the resilience of the
side members gradually overcomes the centrifugal force and the
overall substantially concave shape is gradually resumed, which
creates a thicker airfoil and increased lift while the toy descends
to ground.
The toy of the second embodiment also has a higher concentration of
the toy's weight at the periphery, but will move in a
boomerang-like path when the toy is propelled with a spinning
force.
These and other features and benefits will be discussed in further
detail in the various figures of the attached drawing, the Brief
Description of the Drawing, and the Best Mode for Carrying Out the
Invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts through
the several views of the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a flying toy
of the present invention shown in an "at rest" state;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the toy of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof;
FIG. 4 is right side view thereof;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view like that of FIG. 2 but only illustrating
the frame and central opening and feet shown in cross section;
FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the toy taken substantially along
lines 6--6 of FIG. 1, less the membrane, and better showing the
feet members;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the frame
connected to a foot member;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of ends of
side members connected to a foot member;,
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a
frame portion connected to a foot member;
FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 4 shown with an alternate embodiment of
the feet members;
FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of an alternate foot member of
FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a second embodiment frame shape;
FIG. 13 is a top pan view of a third embodiment frame shape;
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment frame shape;
FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment frame shape;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the
flying toy that is manufactured through a molding technique;
FIG. 17 is a side view of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of
the flying pet toy disclosing a frame that has an additional bowed
out portion to accommodate a face for aesthetic purposes;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the flying toy of FIG. 1 in
use;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the flying toy of FIG. 1
flattening out in its "in use" state;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view when the flying toy of FIG. 20 has
returned to its substantially concave shape in its "at rest"
state;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of
the flying toy;
FIG. 23 is a schematic representation of a typical flight path of
the toy of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 24 is a schematic representation of the flight path when
utilizing the invention of FIG. 22 as a boomerang.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A flying pet toy 10 that is capable of flight when propelled with a
spinning force as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. Referring also to FIGS.
5 and 6, the toy 10 includes a resilient, non circular, frame 12
that is substantially generated about Axis A--A. The frame 12 is
comprised of a plurality of resilient side members 14 positioned
between radially-extending feet members 16. In a first embodiment,
each side member is positioned such that a central portion 13 of
each side member is raised above its adjacent feet members 16 when
the toy 10 is in a quiescent or "at rest" state. As best
illustrated in FIGS. 5, the frame forms a periphery in which a
central opening 18 is defined. Axis A--A is axially-aligned within
central opening 18.
Each foot member 16 has a bottom portion 20 that is the nadir of
the toy in the at rest state. These bottom portions of each foot
member substantially reside in a nadir plane P.sub.n when the toy
10 is in the at rest position, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. It should be
understood that given the imprecise manufacturing techniques and
use, of which are further discussed, below, the feet members at any
given time may be not equally coplanar. Thus, the nadir plane is a
general guideline (substantially coplanar) as opposed to an
absolute value.
Each side member 14 is positioned in such a way relative to the
adjoining feet members as to define an essentially overall
concave-shaped frame as best illustrated in FIG. 6. According to
one embodiment of the invention, each side member 14 is arched
upwardly relative to the adjoining feet members and inwardly toward
Axis A--A. The overall concave-shape of the side members can be
accomplished, in one embodiment, through flexible, resilient tube
members 21 that have preset arches and that such arched tube
members 21 are attached at the feet members 16. Another embodiment
would be to use a continuous formed member that defines the shape
of the frame.
As discussed above, the side members may be made from flexible,
resilient, tube members 21. The term "tube member" does not
necessarily require a cylindrical-shaped member having a circular
cross section, although that is the preferred embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 5-6 and as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. For the
purposes of the present invention, tube member 21 can have any
polygonal, amorphous, arcuate, or airfoil cross section, such as
oblong, square, rectangular, triangular, etc. Alternatively, the
side members may be made from flexible rod, foam, rope, rubber,
thermoplastics urethanes, or any material that will provide
sufficient resilience to support the raised sides while allowing
centrifugal force to partially flatten the device while in
flight.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the weight of the toy is concentrated at
the periphery. A substantial portion of the overall weight of the
toy resides between the concentric circles C.sub.1 and C.sub.2,
which is generally 50% or more of the overall toy. A higher
concentration of weight of the frame inherently resides at the
periphery between C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 at the feet members 16 and a
portion of the adjacent side members 14 that radially extend
outwardly from Axis A--A.
In a preferred form, each foot member may include an additional
weighted pad 22, which may be a synthetic rubber pad.
Alternatively, the weighted pad 22, may be made from natural rubber
or any other tough and abrasion-resistant material. The additional
weight adds gyroscopic stability (e.g. making the toy fly in a
substantially straight path) and aids the toy to land upright, i.e.
on its feet after flight, which is desirable. Additionally, the
rubber pad added to each foot member minimizes abrasion damage to
the toy when landing on a hard surface, such as a pavement.
Referring to FIGS. 7-9, adjacent side members 14 can be joined to
its corresponding adjoining foot member 16 by a variety of means.
By way of illustration, one way to accomplish this is shown in FIG.
7 where ends 24 of side member 14 terminates within the adjoining
foot member. Alternatively, ends 24 of adjacent side members may be
adhered or sewn atop of the foot member, or sewn and secured
between the foot member and an outside layer of fabric or other
membrane material (discussed further below). Ends 24 from adjacent
side members 14 may be positioned together, as illustrated in FIG.
7, or apart as illustrated in FIG. 9. In yet another means, two
adjacent ends 24 may be connected by another tubular rod 26, as
illustrated in FIG. 8. However, the pad of the previous paragraph
is not a requirement for the invention to function properly.
Rather, the feet members 16 may consist of the joined ends of the
side members or of the peripheral ends of the frame that may be one
unitary structure as already mentioned above.
The foot member 16, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, may have a
relatively gently sloping, curved outer surface 30. If the weighted
rubber pad 22 is utilized, the sloped outward curved surface can
easily be formed from the rubber material. The gentle slope of the
foot member provides a sufficient planar area 32 to land after
flight while still retaining the toy's upright, essentially concave
shape. However, the invention is not limited to this particular
foot member design. For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 discloses another
embodiment where the bottom portion of each foot member 16' defines
a substantially concave-shaped opening or indentation. The concave
surface on the underside of each foot member assists in providing
additional lift while the toy is in spinning flight.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, a flexible membrane 36 covers central
opening 18. In one embodiment, this membrane may be a lightweight,
but sturdy fabric, such as a woven nylon material. In the preferred
embodiment, the flexible membrane is a urethane coated fabric for
durability. However, any fabric, felt, lightweight foil,
thermoplastic, urethane, rubber, latex, foam, or other flexible
material, can be used. With the membrane, the overall shape of the
toy is generally concave in nature. The highest point, or pinnacle,
on the substantially concave-shaped toy is in a pinnacle plane
P.sub.p, which is substantially parallel to the nadir plane. The
highest point on the toy is either the pinnacle of the concave
point on the side members or, depending on the slackness of the
membrane, a point on the membrane within the central opening.
Referring only to FIG. 4, the toy 10 is shown where the bottom
portions of the weighted feet are in the nadir plane P.sub.n, the
pinnacle of the concave portion of the side member shown is the
highest point of the toy and is in the pinnacle plane P.sub.p, and
Axis A--A is substantially perpendicular to both planes.
The flying toy apparatus shape of the present invention is not
dependent on the four side members as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.
Rather, any non-circular shape with arced sides members relative to
the adjoining feet members may suffice. For purposes of
illustrating examples of the many various frame types encompassed
in the present invention, the reader is referred to top plan views
showed in FIGS. 12-15.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an
alternate embodiment of the toy 10' may be molded as a unitary
structure. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the frame 12', including
side members 14' and feet members 16', and membrane 36' may all be
molded as a unitary structure. Any common molding technique, such
as blow molding, compression molding, injection molding,
thermo-forming, or other techniques such as over-molding onto
pre-molded components or fabrics, or combination thereof, may also
be used. The molded flying toy of the present invention provides
flexibility and resiliency, and, particularly, sufficient
resilience in the side members to return the toy to its overall
generally concave when the toy is at rest, and sufficient
flexibility to allow centrifugal force induced by the weight of the
spinning feet to partially flatten out the toy while in flight.
Referring to FIG. 18, the toy 10 may include a side member 38 bowed
outwardly from Axis A--A on one side 38 to accommodate a face, or
other design feature, for aesthetic purposes and/or product
configuration purposes. For example, an anthropomorphic animal
figure may be added to the membrane and frame for user interest,
such as a squirrel (head shown at 40, body 42, and four legs 44 to
replicate a "flying squirrel") and of which is the subject of the
Applicant's U.S. Design Pat. No. D461,603, granted Aug. 13, 2002,
and entitled "Flying Pet Toy" from an application filed Oct. 10,
2001.
Although not illustrated, the present invention can encompass
variations in overall size. For example, the embodiment shown in
FIG. 18 may be approximately 6-14 inches long taken as measured
from one foot member to the adjacent foot member. However, the
present invention encompasses a smaller version, such as one being
less than 6 inches as measured from the standards discussed
directly above. The smaller version would be ideally suited for
office desk toy or promotional giveaway.
For visual interest to the user, the toy 10 may also include
multicolor stripes, such as shown at 46 and 48 in FIG. 18, where
"46" enumerates one color and "48" enumerates another contrasting
color. In use, the colors of the membrane/frame spinning about Axis
A--A can be visually interesting to the user, such as a child or
pet, thus, encouraging further play.
Use of the toy is best illustrated in FIGS. 19-21. A user 50 can
grab a foot member or a side member (with or without a portion of
the adjacent membrane). The toy is flung from the user's hand 52 in
such a manner as to propel they toy with a spinning force in a
relatively horizontally-oriented plane P. The feet members, side
members, and membrane spin about Axis A--A, while the toy and Axis
A--A move relative to the ground a distance X.
During flight (use state), centrifugal force imposed by the
concentration of weight at the periphery makes the toy partially
"flatten out" (FIG. 20) relative to the more defined concave shape
when the toy is in the at rest state (FIG. 21). While the toy is
relatively flattened out, it induces less drag (FIG. 20). The toy
produces more lift as it regains a more concave shape as the spin
slows down.
When momentum and spinning inertia cease, lift is no longer
produced and the toy drops gently to the ground as it catches air
in the concave-shaped membrane. The toy lands in an upright
position and resumes its overall concave shape (FIG. 21). The
raised side members 14 makes it easier for a dog 60 to grab.
A schematic view of a typical flight path is shown in FIG. 23 at
54. The produced lift is shown at time point 56. A typical flight
path 58 is illustrative of a light wind gust.
An alternate embodiment of the toy 10'' is illustrated in FIG. 22
where the side members 14'' are not raised. The "flattened"
embodiment of the toy is comparable to the view in FIG. 20, but the
side members and feet members do not form a substantially concave
overall shape as viewed from the side in an "at rest" state.
Without the variable changing airfoil, which exists in the overall
concave-shaped embodiment, the toy is prone to gyroscopic
precession. This particular embodiment is well-suited for
boomerang-like applications. FIG. 24 illustrates a schematic (plan)
view of an alternate flight path when the toy of FIG. 22 is used as
a boomerang.
As discussed above, the toy may be molded to achieve the shape and
characteristics of the present invention. Other ways known to those
of ordinary skill the art will be apparent as to how to produce the
invention, such as through cut and sew techniques.
Also referring again to FIG. 18, the membrane 36 may be sewn in
sections. This can be done not only to provide the aesthetic color
stripes, discussed above, but also to add strength and flexibility
to the membrane and to provide a substantially concave shape to the
membrane. Moreover, the membrane may be made from one or more
fabric layers. For example, an internal rectangular seamed box 62
defines the area where only a single layer of material covers
central opening 18, rather than the double thickness layer
elsewhere in the central opening area. In this embodiment, Axis
A--A is positioned within the single fabric layer of box 62. The
shape of the "box" is not important. The reduced weight of the
membrane at the Axis, along with the higher concentration of the
weight at the periphery, increases the spinning inertia about the
Axis A--A during spinning flight, as well as maintaining gyroscopic
stability.
Advantages of the present invention include a superior flying toy
that easily spins about its axis, lands upright such that it is
easy to grip (by a user's hand or a pet's teeth). The illustrated
embodiments are only examples of the present invention and,
therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that many
changes in the particular structure, materials, and features of the
invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention. Therefore, it is the Applicant's intention that
his patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments
illustrated and described herein, but rather by the following
claims interpreted according to accepted doctrines of claim
interpretation, including the Doctrine of Equivalents and Reversal
of Parts.
* * * * *