Amusement devices: toys – Aerodynamically supported or retarded – Spinning disc
Reexamination Certificate
2003-02-03
2004-07-20
Banks, Derris H. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Aerodynamically supported or retarded
Spinning disc
C446S047000, C473S588000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06764371
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to amusement devices adapted to sail through the air and more particularly to such devices having a sound-emitting structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Present-day amusement devices which sail through the air, after being thrown, are generally circular and designed with aerodynamic principles in mind so that they sail with a spinning motion. One such device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,359,678. When properly thrown, such devices remain airborne due to lifting forces exerted by the relative movement of the air caused, in part, by the spinning action. These devices eventually settle to the ground, after being thrown, as the spinning action continues, providing amusement and delight to users.
Such amusement devices, as described, are for the most part, noise-free as they sail through the air because of the desire to keep the structure aerodynamically clean. However, if sound were to be emitted from such a device as it sails through the air and spins, it would add to the enjoyment of the user of the device. Recognizing this, there have been some attempts to provide such a circular, amusement device with sound-emitting structure. Known devices with sound-emitting structure are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,031,655 and 4,297,809.
For the most part, however, many aerodynamic devices of the type to which this invention relates are manufactured and used without sound-emitting structure of any kind because of certain undesirable characteristics. For example, some sound-emitting structures such as whistles are of such complex design that their cost of manufacture would seriously hamper the commercial aspects of marketing the device. Further, other whistle structures proposed are heavy and bulky, thereby affecting and impairing the aerodynamic capabilities of the spinning amusement device. Finally, some known whistle structures for aerodynamic devices will operate only if the device is made to spin in one predetermined direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome these deficiencies and increase the enjoyment obtained through the use of such aerodynamic devices, there is provided according to the present invention, a whistle structure mounted upon a circular, thrown and spun amusement device to cause a sound to be emitted from the device as it sails through the air. The sound is generated as a function of the spinning action and horizontal travel of the device.
The device is a shallow saucer-shaped body having a central axis about which is a circular portion and an outer rim that circumscribes the circular portion. Symmetrically disposed upon the body, about the central axis of the device is a whistle structure comprising a number of individual whistles that possess a simple, clean, aerodynamic shape and are lightweight to maintain the aerodynamic capabilities of the device.
Each individual whistle has a bottom, side walls, and an apertured top portion which define an enclosure that functions basically as a resonant chamber of fixed size. Throwing the device with a motion to cause it to spin about its central axis, as it sails through the air, will generate an airstream about the device. The apertured top portions of each whistle are positioned so that the airstream blows across the aperture in the top portion, partially into the whistle's chamber and partially away from it. The air entering the chamber causes a vibratory motion, which, in turn, produces a sound, the pitch of which is dependent upon the volume of the chamber and orientation of the aperture relative to the direction of spin imparted to the device. Thus, the whistle functions much as a simple tubular resonator with one end closed, the other end, through the aperture, being open to the atmosphere thereby producing a whistling sound.
The aperture of each whistle is positioned facing perpendicular to a tangent line on the circular central disk so as to be responsive to an airstream generated by the spinning action, as well as horizontal travel of the device. The body of the device can be of thin wall construction with an interior depth sufficient to sustain the lift of the device as it sails through the air. The device can be of one-piece or of a multiple piece construction and can be formed from a moldable, metallic, or other suitable material.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3359678 (1967-12-01), Headrick
patent: 3900986 (1975-08-01), Torres
patent: 3900987 (1975-08-01), Holt
patent: 4031655 (1977-06-01), Ponciano et al.
patent: 4058314 (1977-11-01), Wolf
patent: 4297809 (1981-11-01), Branson
patent: 5083799 (1992-01-01), Thill
Hartman William V.
Shaw, Jr. Ralph P.
Banks Derris H.
Brufsky Allen D.
Williams Jamila
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