Games using tangible projectile – Projectile – per se; part thereof or accessory therefor – Disk- or ring-shaped
Reexamination Certificate
1996-05-28
2001-01-30
Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Projectile, per se; part thereof or accessory therefor
Disk- or ring-shaped
C446S046000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179737
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flying discs, intended for throwing and catching are well known throughout the world. A typical example is Headrick, U.S. Pat. No. 3,359,678. The disc comprises a rim encompassing a contiguous thin central plate. The rim has substantial vertical height and which adds substantial aerodynamic drag. However the rim is required to provide at least some degree of directional stability. Without the rim the disc will veer severely sideways in flight.
Despite their popularity, prior art discs have serious limitations. The three most vexing problems are listed below:
First, the configuration of the rim causes many throwers to launch the disc with wobble. This very common complaint and has driven many people away from the sport.
Second, the flight direction is velocity sensitive. For a right-handed throw, the disc rolls right during the initial part of the flight and rolls left during the final part of the flight. In addition the rate of roll is highly variable due to the type of throw and the velocity and direction of the prevailing winds. This makes it very difficult to throw these discs accurately.
Third, the substantial aerodynamic drag limits flight range and/or requires a strong throw.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a flying disc, intended for throwing and catching, which overcomes the problems of prior art flying discs.
In brief, a disc according to the invention comprises an outer rim encompassing a contiguous thin central plate. The rim has a cross-section comprising an outer surface, top and bottom edges, and fillet curves joining the top and bottom edges to the respective top and bottom surfaces of the central plate.
The shape of the disc of the invention fits the thrower's hand in a manner which allows the disc to be launched totally free of wobble. The disc of the invention has balanced aerodynamic lift, which results in a straight flight without a tendency to roll left or right in flight. The aerodynamic drag of the disc of invention is lower than that of prior art discs. This results in longer flights and easier throws.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2798722 (1957-07-01), Fluhrer
patent: 3359678 (1967-12-01), Headrick
patent: 3544113 (1970-12-01), Hand
patent: 3563548 (1971-02-01), Tolott
patent: 3566532 (1971-03-01), Wilson
patent: 3724122 (1973-04-01), Gillespie, Sr.
patent: 3959915 (1976-06-01), Kettlestrings
patent: 4253269 (1981-03-01), Sullivan
patent: 4279097 (1981-07-01), Walker
patent: 4479655 (1984-10-01), Adler
patent: 4560358 (1985-12-01), Adler
patent: 4915661 (1990-04-01), Getgey
patent: 5366403 (1994-11-01), Weiss
patent: 1201-734 (1986-03-01), None
patent: 8447 (1910-04-01), None
patent: 8447 (1910-01-01), None
patent: 289986 (1928-05-01), None
patent: 2039760 (1980-08-01), None
Edward Edelson, “Lord of the Rings” Popular Science, pp. 94-95, Sep. 1986.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
Wong Steven
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