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(11) | EP 0 628 329 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Paired flying disks |
| (57) Paired flying disks utilizing in-flight aerodynamic induced separation. A second
disk (20) is nested within a first disk (10) so that such can be easily thrown together
as one flying disk and provide repeatable vertical separtion in flight. The outer
or larger disk has vanes above corresponding openings (19) and/or holes employed in
the body of the disk to divert air from the top side or other location to the underside
thereof to assist the separation of the disks from one another in flight. After separation,
both disks follow the same flight direction making it possible for a single person
to consistently catch both of the disks. |
[0001] This invention relates to aerodynamic toys which include two nested flying disks with one of the disks provided with aerodynamic vanes to improve separation of the disks during use.
[0002] Flying disk toys have long been known to the prior art. These toys have become increasingly more popular due to the success of the toy sold under the trademark FRISBEE as described by U. S. Patent Nos. 3,359,678 and 3,724,122. These flying disks are generally molded from a plastic material in the shape of a saucer having a curved convex upper surface and a corresponding concave lower surface with a thick rim at its periphery. The rim is typically thicker than the rest of the saucer in order to provide a gyroscopic action critical to the aerodynamic features of the toy. Throwing is usually performed by placing the thumb on the convex upper side and one or more fingers on the concave lower side, thereby grasping the rim, and with a wrist-snapping motion releasing the disk with a spin as it moves forward. Rotational motion and forward momentum cause the toy to fly or glide through the air. The recreational appeal of this toy is the fact that it exhibits definite aerodynamic characteristics and can be made to perform a number of various maneuvers depending upon the skill of the user. Several different kinds of games have been developed from the throwing and catching of this kind of flying disk.
[0003] One variation in the use of flying disks is the throwing and catching of two flying disks at the same time. Such a use creates a variety of new games and fun between two or more persons. For example, a simple game is when two or more players, separated by about 75 to 100 feet, throw the two disks simultaneously to each other with the requirement that both disks be caught by one individual. Points are assigned according to the players'performance. Other games using both disks present unique challenges to a player's timing and coordination skills.
[0004] One attempt at improving the performance of paired flying disks is the device shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,855,728 to William B. Hynds. This toy consists of two concentrically sized flying disks in which a smaller disk is nested within a larger disk in a manner which allows the disks to be thrown together. However, the inner disk is not held firmly to the outer disk and thus the disks may not be properly aligned at the initial release of a throw. This can cause premature separation or poor flight performance. Also, the separation generated by the undulated surface of a disk does not result in a consistent flight pattern enabling the two disks to be caught by one person unless the thrower is of exceptional skill.
[0005] Another prior effort to design paired flying disks is found in U.S. Patent No. 4,212,131 to Alexander D. Ross, Jr. This patent discloses a pair of identically shaped flying disks which can be stacked one above another and thrown as a plurality of units. However, because these disks are stacked, the overall height of the stacked disks require a throwing grasp different than that of a single flying disk. In addition, like Hynds, the separation generated by the relative position of the disks does not result in a repeatable flight pattern so that both disks can be easily caught by one person unless the thrower is of exceptional skill.
[0006] Relevant prior art is also found in U.S. Patent No. 4,370,824 by Herbert Resnicow which discloses a single flying disk with angulated vane openings at equispaced points about its perimeter. This toy utilizes vanes, openings and/or holes to enhance the lift imparted to the device.
[0007] Other pertinent examples of flying disks include those revealed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,182,073 by Tabet and 4,752,267 by Layman. Tabet's invention is a rotary aircraft toy with two disk-shaped members secured together. Layman's patent discloses a double flying disk with two disks permanently fastened together in a vertical stacked relation by a plurality of collapsible rings.
[0008] The above mentioned prior flying disks can be improved to provide a pair of disks that feel as one disk when thrown and have greater throwing predictability with respect to separation and flight pattern of the disks with less skill required. Most flying disk enthusiasts have at least on one occasion or another picked up two flying disks at the same time and used the same tossing technique in the hope that both flying disks will have a successful trajectory. The results are typical - one flying disk assumes a somewhat normal flight pattern while the other disk either falls quickly to the ground or has an unpredictable flight pattern. When the use of paired flying disks results in erratic and unpredictable behaviour, the toy loses recreational appeal.
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention provides paired flying disks adapted to be tossed together to rotate through the air, including a first disk having an upper surface leading to a depending rim portion, and a second disk adapted to be nested within said first disk so that said disks may be tossed together to rotate through the air, characterized in that the first disk has openings formed in its upper surface and means for forcing air through said openings during rotation of said disks for urging said disks to separate.
[0010] The invention also provides a paired flying disk toy designed to be thrown through the air, comprising:
(a) a first disk having a circular substantially flat main body portion having a top side and an underside, a downwardly extending rim circumscribing said main body portion;
(b) a second disk removably received within said first disk having a circular main body portion of a smaller diameter than that of said first disk, said main body portion of said second disk having a top side and an underside, a downwardly extending rim circumscribing said main body portion;
(c) a bottom edge of said rim of said second disk terminating above a horizontal plane of a bottom edge of said rim of said first disk when said second disk is nested within said first disk with the top side of said main body portion of said second disk flush against the underside of the main body portion of said first disk;
and (d) at least one protuberance projecting downwardly from the underside of the body portion of said first disk into at least one notch formed on top side of the body portion of said second disk to anchor said second disk within said first disk when said second disk is nested within said first disk with the top side of said main body portion of said second disk flush against the underside of the main body portion;
enabling said disks to be thrown together for separating in flight.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, an aerial toy includes a set of paired flying disks, with one smaller diameter disk nested within a larger diameter disk. On the outer disk, an air pump preferably formed by vanes positioned above corresponding openings is employed in the body of the disk in order to divert air from the top side of the disk down through the openings to the underside of the outer disk during in-flight rotation, thereby tending to separate the nested disks. The vanes, in conjunction with the openings, induce vertical separation of the outer disk from the inner disk. Once the disks separate in flight, the outer disk tends to fly more slowly than the inner disk due to the increased drag caused by the vanes, thus causing the outer disk to arrive later than the inner disk. This feature makes it easier for a single person to catch both disks.
[0012] The nested disks further have mating structures to keep the inner disk properly positioned within the outer disk while nested.
[0013] The lower surface of the outer disk may also have a concentric cylindrical rib, and perhaps plural concentric cylindrical ribs, extending downwardly and increasing in extension as they occur progressively further from the center of the disk. Such rib or ribs of the outer disk make the lower surface of the outer disk match the outer surface of the inner disk. These ribs are designed so that both disks have similar outer surface aerofoil profiles and comparable weights. This assures similar aerodynamic flight performance of both disks after separation.
[0014] The rib or ribs, in combination with the mating structures, secure the inner disk to the outer disk in order to hold both disks together during the initial release of both disks. This prevents premature separation and establishes the best starting flight position for utilizing the outer disk's ability to generate an inflight aerodynamic induced separation. After this type of separation, both disks follow generally the same flight direction making it possible for a single person to catch both disks.
[0015] Both disks are provided with a rim or skirt around their periphery, preferably of a thickness greater than the bodies of the disks. The bottom edge of the rim or skirt of the inner disk may terminate above the horizontal plane of the bottom edge of the rim or skirt of the outer disk when the inner disk is nested within the outer disk with the upper surface of the main body of the inner disk flush against the lower surface of the outer disk. This, along with the above mentioned rib or ribs, allows both disks to be held together in a throwing grasp that is similar to a single flying disk.
[0016] Accordingly, with the benefit of the invention it is possible to provide, inter alia,
1. A flying toy which includes a pair of flying disks which when nested together provide a throwing grasp and feel similar to that of a single flying disk,
2. A flying toy which includes a pair of flying disks which when thrown together generates an in-flight, aerodynamically induced, repeatable, vertical separation, and
3. A flying toy which includes a pair of flying disks which when thrown by one person will separate, maintain close proximity to one another, and then land in the same desired area such that one individual can catch both disks.
[0017] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments, by way of example only. The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 2 showing the disks in a nested position;
FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the outer disk with the vanes situated for a right-handed thrower;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sketch illustrating a side view of an aerodynamic toy being thrown wherein a pair of disks separate and continue in the same direction;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic sketch illustrating a top view of an aerodynamic toy being thrown wherein a pair of disks separate and continue in the same direction;
FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the outer disk with the vanes situated for a left-handed thrower; and
FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of the outer disk with the vanes situated for either a right-handed or left-handed thrower.
[0018] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the inner disk 20 nested within the outer disk 10. The outer disk 10 includes a circular substantially flat main body portion 11. The inner disk 20 also has a circular main body portion 21 which is of a smaller diameter than the main body portion 11 of the outer disk 10.
[0019] FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 illustrate a plurality of vanes 18, 28 and 29. FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 are top elevational views of the outer disk 10 of FIG. 1. The vanes 18, 28 and 29 are oriented on the upper disk's 10 surface in a circular pattern at equispaced points about the main body portion 11. It should also be understood that the vane or vanes may be of any suitable size, shape and location as long as during in-flight rotation thev divert air flow from the top side through the corresponding opening 19 to the underside of the outer disk 10. Experimental results have revealed that the size, shape, placement and number of vanes on the outer disk 10 yield a wide range of in-flight separation performance.
[0020] The vanes 18, 28 and 29 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 were selected because of their flight performance and streamline appearance. During rotation, the vanes 18, 28, and 29 function much like a rotor of an air pump to divert air inwardly and downwardly through the corresponding opening 19 to the underside of the outer disk 10, thereby increasing the air pressure between the nested disks to force the paired disks to vertically separate in flight. Also, the positioning of the vanes 18, 28 and 29 determine which type of rotation will induce in-flight separation. The vanes 18 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are positioned to function for clockwise rotation, the direction which would be imparted to the device by a right-handed thrower; the vanes 28 shown in FIG. 5 are positioned to function for counter-clockwise rotation, the direction which would be imparted to the device by a left-handed thrower; and the vanes 29 shown in FIG. 6 are positioned to function for either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation. The vanes illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 provide the best performance in flight, while those in FIG. 6 would allow the greatest marketability. Another embodiment of this invention could include moveable vanes positioned such than either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation will induce separation. Once the disks separate in flight, the outer disk 10 flies more slowly than the inner disk 20 due to the increased drag caused by the vanes 18, 28 or 29, thus causing the outer disk to arrive later than the inner disk 20. This feature makes it easier for a single person to catch both disks.
[0021] Mating structures are provided on the pair of disks to align the disks properly when nested. In one form of the present invention, the outer disk 10 is provided with a protuberance 12 which is found on the underside of the outer disk 10. The protuberance 12 is used to center and anchor the inner disk 20 when nested inside the outer disk 10 by fitting into a matching notch 22 found centered on the main body portion 21 of the inner disk 20. The protuberance 12 and notch 22 should be designed such that the protuberance 12 fits snugly within the notch 22 so as to keep the inner disk 20 from moving out of alignment once nested within the outer disk 10, yet not so snug as to prevent the disks from separating in flight. Alternatively, a protuberance may be formed on the upper surface of the inner disk 20 to engage a corresponding recess formed in the undersurface of the outer disk 10. Other structures could be used to maintain the necessary alignment between the disks.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a series of downwardly extending cylindrical ribs or walls 14-17 may be found on the underside of the outer disk 10. Each rib is concentric and radially spaced from the other ribs, with the first cylindrical rib 14 radially spaced from the outer disk rim 13. The number of cylindrical ribs may be varied as desired to provide both disks with comparable weights and similar outer surface aerofoil profiles. This assures similar aerodynamic flight performance of both disks after separation. The cylindrical ribs 14-17, in combination with the protuberance 12 and matching notch 22, tend to aide in positioning the inner disk 20 while nested within the outer disk 10. Thus, both disks are held parallel during the initial release of both disks which establishes the best starting flight position that will utilize the outer disk 10 ability to generate an in-flight aerodynamic induced separation.
[0023] The outer edge of the main body portion 11 of the outer disk 10 curves downwardly and terminates in a vertically extending rim 13 which circumscribes the main body portion 11. The inside edge 13a of the rim 13 is substantially vertically to a horizontal plane. A dcwnwardly extending rim 23 circumscribes the main body portion 21 of the inner disk 20. Similar to the outer disk 10, the rim 23 of the inner disk 20 extends downwardly from the main body portion 21 at a right angle to the horizontal plane parallel to the rim of the outer disk 10. The inner rim 23 terminates above the outer rim 13 as illustrated in FIG. 1 so as to provide a comfortable grasp and feel as one disk when throwing the paired flying disks together.
[0024] Both disks may be constructed of any suitable polymer utilized for the single disks described in more detail in the above mentioned patents. However, both disks should be constructed of the same polymer so that no difference in density and other physical properties occur. If the disks are made different materials, they could have different coefficients of thermal expansion. This would cause them to expand and/or contract at different rates depending upon their temperature. This can cause problems in the performance of the invention in that should the outer disk 10 expand or contract faster than the inner disk 20 so that the inner disk 20 outside diameter exceeds the inside diameter of the outer disk 10, the disks could possibly fail to separate in flight.
[0025] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, an individual is throwing to another individual the paired flying disks which includes a larger diameter flying disk 10 which has a smaller flying disk 20 nested therein. In throwing the disks, a wrist snapping motion is utilized with the thrower usually standing at an approximate right angle to the direction that he desires to throw the disks. The disks are normally grasped in one hand with the thumb carried on top of the upper disk 10 and one or more fingers pressing against the bottom side of the lower disk 20. Only minimal skill is required so that when thrown the disks continue together in the same direction after they separate, such as shown in both FIG. 3 side elevation and from the top elevation in FIG. 4. With both of the disks continuing in the same direction as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is possible for a single player to catch one disk in one hand and the other disk in the other hand.
[0026] While there has been disclosed effective and efficient embodiments of the invention using specific terms, is should be well understood that the invention is not limited to such embodiments as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition, and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the accompanying claims.
(a) the first disk has a circular substantially flat main body portion (11), said main body portion having a top side and an underside, and the depending rim portion (13) extends downwardly therefrom;
(b) the second disk (20) removably received within said first disk has a circular main body portion (21) of a smaller diameter than that of said first disk, said main body portion of said second disk having a top side and an underside, and a downwardly extending rim (23) circumscribing said main body portion (21);
(c) a bottom edge of said rim (23) of said second disk terminates above a horizontal plane of a bottom edge of said rim portion (13) of said first disk when said second disk is nested within said first disk with the top side of said main body portion (21) of said second disk flush against the underside of the flat main body portion of said first disk;
and (d) the mating structures comprise at least one protuberance projecting downwardly from the underside of the body portion (11) of said first disk into at least one notch (22) formed on top side of the body portion (21) of said second disk to anchor said second disk within said first disk when said second disk is nested within said first disk with the top side of said main body portion (21) of said second disk flush against the underside of the body portion (11) of said first disk.
(a) a first disk (10) having a circular substantially flat main body portion (11) having a top side and an underside, a downwardly extending rim (13) circumscribing said main body portion;
(b) a second disk (20) removably received within said first disk having a circular main body portion (21) of a smaller diameter than that of said first disk, said main body portion of said second disk having a top side and an underside, a downwardly extending rim (23) circumscribing said main body portion (21);
(c) a bottom edge of said rim (23) of said second disk terminating above a horizontal plane of a bottom edge of said rim (13) of said first disk when said second disk is nested within said first disk with the top side of said main body portion (21) of said second disk flush against the underside of the main body portion of said first disk;
and (d) at least one protuberance projecting downwardly from the underside of the body portion (11) of said first disk into at least one notch (22) formed on top side of the body portion (21) of said second disk to anchor said second disk within said first disk when said second disk is nested within said first disk with the top side of said main body portion (21) of said second disk flush against the underside of the main body portion (11);
enabling said disks to be thrown together for separating in flight.characterized in that the disks are formed with means for aligning them together in their nested position to resist separation, and in that the outer disk is formed with openings (19) through which air is forced in flight to increase the air pressure between the discs to urge separation thereof.