Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FLYING DISK
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to toy flying disks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Toy flying disks, such as those sold under the tradename
"FRISBEE", have existed for many years. These flying disks
typically have a rigid saucer shaped body with a downturned
peripheral lip. In use, the flying disk is sailed by throwing
it with a flicking motion of the wrist to cause the disk to spin
rapidly while in flight. The configuration of the disk during
flight however is stagnant. Additionally, these types of disks
are typically caught along the leading, peripheral edge, a task
which is often difficult for small children. Furthermore, the
disk may cause physical harm to small children not accustomed to
catching the disk. This physical harm may come about from not
properly catching the edge of the disk and thereby causing harm
to the hand, or from missing the disk entirely which may result
in the rigid disk colliding with the body or head of a child.
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Soft flying disks have also been developed having a fabric
disk-shaped center and a weighted peripheral edge in the form of
a hollow fabric ring filled with weighted material, as disclosed
in U.S. Patent Nos.4,241,533, 4,223,473 and 5,078,637. These
flying disks however tend to turn onto their sides during flight
rather than flying level. These disks also have a stagnant,
level configuration during flight due to centrifugal force upon
the weighted peripheral edge. While these disks are not rigid,
their weight may still cause harm to a child upon collision.
Accordingly, it is seen that a need remains for a flying
disk which can be thrown for dynamic flight and which may be
easily grasped by a small child without causing possible harm.
It is to the provision of such therefore that the present
invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a preferred form of the invention a flying disk comprises
a flexible, limp body having a top surface, a bottom surface and
a peripheral rim. The body has an annular array of passages
therethrough and a plurality of bumps projecting outwardly from
the upper surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a flying disk embodying
principles of the invention is a preferred form.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the flying disk of Fig. 1
shown grasped within a hand prior to flight.
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Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the flying disk of Fig. 1
shown being caught.
Fig. 4 is a sequence of perspective views of the flying disk
of Fig. 1 showing the configuration of the flying disk during
flight.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the flying disk shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an
alternative embodiment of the flying disk shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative
embodiment of the flying disk shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of the flying disk shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 9 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of
the flying disk shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 10 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of
the flying disk shown in Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference next to the drawings, there is shown a
flexible, limp flying disk 10 made of a soft, nonrigid, rubber.
The disk 10 has a generally circular, central body portion 11 and
an upturned, annular peripheral lip 12. The body portion 11 has
a bottom surface 14 and top surface 15 having a multitude of
bumps 16 thereon. A series of openings or passages 18 extend
through the body portion 11. Preferably the openings 18 are
aligned in an annular array and in a symmetric pattern with
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respect to a bisecting diameter D. Also, the series of bumps 16
are preferably oriented in an annular array and in a symmetric
pattern with respect to diameter D.
In use, the flying disk 10 is grasped about its peripheral
lip 12, as shown in Fig. 2, and thrown with the same manual
motion as conventional flying disks. As shown in Fig. 4, the
thrown disk is typically imparted with a pair of symmetric,
standing waves W which results from the flexibility of the disk,
the generally even distribution of weight from center to
peripheral edge, and the manual release of the disk, i.e. the
disks takes on a wavy configuration during flight as opposed to
the level configuration of prior art disks. The standing waves
W in the spinning disk typically rotate about the spinning disk
in the same direction as the direction of disk spin or rotation
R, but at a much slower rate than that of the disk rotation R.
This wavy, undulating configuration during flight gives the disk
a dynamic flying characteristic which resembles the swimming
pattern of sea creatures such as sting-rays. The height, width
and rotation of the standing wave may be changed by the manner
in which the disk is thrown.
The bumps 16 upon the top surface 15 of the disk provide
lift to the disk while in flight due to the flow of air over the
bump which creates an air foil effect. The openings 18 aid the
disk in achieving a relative level flight path. Without such
openings 18 the disk tends to tilt during flight causing it to
veer off the intended flight path. The openings also allow air
passing over the bumps to continue through the body to increase
the lifting effect of the bumps.
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As shown in Fig. 3, to catch the disk one needs only place
a hand H in the flight path of the disk. As the disk collides
with the hand it tends to fold upon itself and momentarily wrap
about the hand. At this time the hand is closed to grasp the
disk. This action differs from conventional rigid disks in that
rigid disks tends to ricochet or bounce off the hand very quickly
and therefore the hand must be closed at precisely the moment of
contact. Conversely, disk 10 remains in intimate contact with
the hand for an extended period of time rather than bouncing off
the hand. Also, conventional disks are usually caught along the
periphery of the leading edge of the disk since their bodies
cannot be grasped from the top or bottom alone. The soft body
of disk 10 however allows it to be folded and grasped from any
direction along any part of the disk. A person may catch the
disk by grasping the top, bottom or edge of the disk. It should
be understood that the light, limp construction of the disk will
not cause physical harm to a child, even if it should hit the
child in the face.
With reference next to Fig. 5, a flying disk 20 in another
preferred form is shown as an alternative to that shown in Figs.
1-4. Here, the disk 20 has a flexible, limp body 21 of a
generally octangular shape. The body has an annular array of
bumps 22 having a generally square shape rather than a rounded
shape. The body also has four large openings 23 rather than many
small openings.
With reference next to Fig. 8, a flying disk 40 in another
preferred form is shown. Here, the disk 40 has a star-shaped
body 41 having six arms 42 extending about an annular, inner lip
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43 defining a central opening 44.
With reference next to Fig. 9, a flying disk 50 in another
preferred form is shown. The disk 50 has a central opening 51
and an annular array of six openings 52. Here, the disk 50 has
an annular array of bumps 53 extending radially from the central
opening 51.
With reference next to Fig. 10, a flying disk 60 in another
preferred form is shown. The disk 60 has a central portion 62
and a peripheral portion 63. The central portion 62 has three
concentric annular arrays of bumps 64 which form a field of bumps
having openings therebetween so as to have a spoke-like
appearance. The peripheral portion 63 also has an annular array
of bumps 65.
With reference next to Fig. 7, a flying disk 70 in another
preferred from is shown. The disk 70 has a body 71 with a
central, annular lip 72 having an upper portion 73 extending
upwardly and a lower portion 74 extending downwardly. The disk
70 also has a peripheral lip 76 having an upper portion 77 and
a lower portion 78. It is believed that the central lip 72
maintains the disk in the inclined angle at which it is thrown,
i.e. preventing self-leveling of the disk in flight. Likewise,
the lower portion 78 of peripheral lip 76 iS believed to enhance
the flying characteristics of the disk.
It should be understood that the disk bumps may be formed
in most geometric shapes so long as the crown 25 iS rounded so
as to cause an even flow of air thereover. Also, it is believed
that the size and number of bumps are not critical so long as
they provide adequate lift. Also, it should be understood that
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.
the size, shape and number of the disk openings are not critical
so long as an even flow of air passes through the body and the
body has adequate structure to enable the disk to be grasped.
The shape of the disk is preferably circular, however other
symmetric shapes may be employed. As such, the terms annular and
disk used herein are not meant to be limited to circular or
annular shapes, but are meant to include generally symmetric
shapes such as stars, pentagons, heptagons, octagons, etc.
Lastly, it is preferred that the disk include a peripheral lip
to aid grasping and air flow about the periphery, however, this
lip also is not critical to the invention.
Referring next to Fig. 6, the disk may also include dimples
30 which extend from the bottom surface 14 of the disk body.
Preferably, the dimples 30 are aligned with the bumps 16
protruding from the top surface 15. It is believed that the
dimples 30 provide a greater amount of lift to the disk during
flight than the flat bottom surface.
It thus is seen that a toy flying disk in now provided which
may be used for children for dynamic flight in a safe and easy
to grasp manner. While this invention has been described in
detail with particular references to the preferred embodiments
thereof, it should be understood that many modifications,
additions and deletions, in addition to those expressly recited,
may be made thereto without departure from the spirit and scope
of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
