FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a flying disc capable of bouncing to a substantial degree, and rolling on its circumferential edge.

[0002] There are many commercial flying discs, e.g. so called Frisbee* discs, and a substantial number of these can be seen online at the 13 page website to be found at

alibaba.com''showroom/ ^' shapes/Frisbee.htmi. Among these are some flying discs identified as being "inflatable" including one on the first page of such website on the right hand side entitled "Inflatable Frisbee" and another on page 2 of such document entitled "PVC Inflatable Frisbee" and another with the same title on page 3. Such inflatable discs appear to be generally tire- shaped or doughnut-shaped, but of an mflatable beach-ball character of relatively thin walls. U.S. Patents 4,135,325 and 4,466,212 in the name Lehman also show inflatable flying saucer toys.

[0003] It appears from the aforementioned website that most or all of the prior doughnut shaped flying discs shown therein are made of PVC or of silicone plastic or rubber. None of the descriptions are seen to mention any unusual ability of the noted flying discs to bounce. Insofar as is known, none of these prior flying discs are designed for or capable of bouncing from the ground or a hard surface to any substantial degree, or of rolling.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] The flying disc or Frisbee* -like amusement device of the present invention combines the capabilities of flying, bouncing and rolling, particularly good for playing Frisbee golf as well as other flying disc games. Used in Frisbee* golf, for example, the flying disc of the present invention can bounce 25-30 feet and then roll on its outer circumferential edge a considerable distance farther, the distance of course depending partly on the surface on which the flying disc lands.

[0005] Structurally, the flying disc of the present invention has a hol low inflated doughnut-shaped outer ring (approximately a torus shape) and desirably a closed, substantially flat or planar surface interior. To enhance flight, the outer doughnut-shaped ring desirably merges with the interior flat or planar surface in an approximate concavity, i.e. a concave shape reaching the flat internal planar surface.

[0006] In one embodiment, the flat internal planar surface has a diameter of about 9.5 cm, the o verall diameter of the device is about 21 cm, and the horizontal di ameter of the roughly annular doughnut-shaped ring is about 6 cm with a height of about 4.5 cm. These dimensions can be changed, but the relative dimension proportions are desirably maintained approximately the same as the aforementioned example for maximum ability to carry out ail three functions at the same time of fly, bounce and roll. The width-to-height ratio of the annular ring should not exceed 2: 1.

[0007] Other factors of importance are (1) the wall thickness of the material from which the flying disc is formed, (2) the plastomeric or elastomeric material from which the flying disc is made, (3) the overall weight of the flying disc relative to its dimensions, (4) the high pressure of inflation of the annular ring, and (5) the formation of the flyi g disc by injection molding. Thus, for a flying disc of the size indicated in the example above, the material is a thermoplastic polyurethane, the maximum weight is approximately 200 gms, preferably 198 gms, the wall thickness of the thermoplastic polyurethane wall of the flying disc is 0.08 " (80 mils; 2 mm), preferably 0.0728 " (72.8 mils) to 0.10 " (100 mils: 2.54 mm), and the diameter of the planar surface interior is no less than about 4.5 cm.

[0008] The hollow doughnut ring portion of the device is infl ated to a pressure of 0.9 to

1.5 kg/cm ^" ', preferably 1.2 to 1.3 kg/cm ' (117.6 to 127.5 kpa). The doughnut ring portion is permanently inflated, but is not inflatable, i.e. after initial inflation, the inflation opening is permanently closed so that the selected internal pressure is maintained. From a cost standpoint, the inflation gas is desirably air, but can otherwise be an inert or inactive gas, such as helium or nitrogen.

[0009] The foregoing and various other features of the invention will appear in the course of the description which is rendered below with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein the same reference numerals depict the identical element or part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a disk amusement device in accordance with the present invention;

[0011] Fig. 1 A is a perspective view of a variation thereof;

[0012] Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

[0013] Fig. 3 is a sectional view along line 3—3 of Fig. 2; and

[0014] Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3;

[0015] Figs, 4A and 4B show variations of the transition between the central portion within the doughnut ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0016] As shown in the attached drawing, Figs. 1-4, the disc amusement device of the present invention comprises a flying disc 10 which, due to its method of manufacture and its physical properties, is capable, after its flight has ended, of bouncing to a substantial degree and then rolling on its edge 12. Features which contribute to the aforementioned characteristics include the thermoplastic nature of the polymer from which the walls 14 of the flying disc 10 are made, the overall shape of the device including the preferred shape of the merger 18 between the doughnut shaped ring portion 16 and the flat portion 20, the thickness of t he walls 14, and the pressure of inflation of the doughnut-shaped ring 16. It is also desirable that the doughnut- shaped ring 16 be somewhat flattened, i.e. that its height be less than the distance between its outer edge 12 and its merged portion 18 with the flat central portion 20. The overall weight of flying disc 10 should not exceed approximately 200 gms.

[0017] The embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4, and particularly as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is symmetrical, top and bottom, but such symmetry is only preferred, but is not essential. Thus, as shown in Fig. 1 A, the central portion 20' may be bowed to a slight convex configuration of as little as two degrees, making the central portion 20' almost flat, or the convexity may be as great as 20°. The slightly bowed surface of the central portion 20 ' assists in the flight of the flying disc. However, the disadvantage is that the flying disc of Fig. 1A flies more poorly if thrown in an upside-down position. The central portion 20, 20' may be embossed or debossed.

[0018] Substantially the same effect of the bo wed central portion 20' is achieved in the preferred embodiment of Figs. 1-4 by the transition area 18 which constitutes a curved area providing the beginning of a concave shape.

[0019] The material from which the flying disc 10 is formed is important for two reasons.

First, it is highly desirable to form the flying disc 10 by injection molding, and this means that the plastic material from which it is formed should be a thermoplastic plastomer or a

thermoplastic elastomer. Second, because of the desired bounceability of the flying disc 10, the material from which its wails are formed needs to be relatively soft and flexible. The preferred material is a thermoplastic elastomer, and most desirable is a thermoplastic polyureth ne. Other materials, although less satisfactory, can be selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, softer polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthaiate (PET). The preferred thermoplastic polyurethane is formed of polyol, diphenylmethane diisocyanate and toluene diisocyanate.

[0020] Fig. 4 A shows a less preferred variation where the transition area 18' is curved in only one direction. This variation is desirably coupled with the variation of Fig. 1 A.

[0021] Fig. 4B shows another variation wherein the flat central portion is connected to the doughnut-shaped ring without any curvature whatsoever. This variation has the disadvantage that, although it is symmetrical and flies equally regardless of its up-or-down orientation, it does not fly as well as the preferred structure of Figs. 3 and 4,

[0022] The flying disc 10 not only flies well, but also bounces and rolls, unlike any other known flying disc. Depending on the surface on which the disc lands after flight, it can bounce as much as 25-30 feet. If it lands on its edge, it can also roll an additional distance.

[0023] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will, so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without undue experimentation and without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and

modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. The means, materials, and steps for carrying out various disclosed functions may take a variety of alternative forms without departing from the invention.

[0024] Thus the expressions "means to..." and "means for...", or any method step language, as may be found in the specification above and/or in the claims below, followed by a functional statement, are intended to define and cover whatever structural, physical, chemical or electrical element or structure, or whatever method step, which may now or in the future exist which carries out the recited function, whether or not precisely equivalent to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed in the specification above, i.e., other means or steps for carrying out the same functions can be used; and it is intended that such expressions be given their broadest interpretation.