GB2076671A

GB2076671A - Collapsible disc-toys

Info

Publication number: GB2076671A
Application number: GB8116339A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-05-30
Filing date: 1981-05-28
Publication date: 1981-12-09
Also published as: NO811768L; FI811626A7; SE443517B; FI811626L; JPS5722774A; LU83351A1; CA1174251A; IT1136837B; GB2076671B; FR2483246A1; ES258682Y; DE3120546A1; NL8102446A; BE888752A; IT8121928A0; ES258682U; DK213981A; AU7048381A; AU549546B2; SE8103306L

Abstract

A collapsible disc-toy comprises a flexible, one-piece ring (12) defining a generally circular opening and a flexible sheet member (14) rigidly secured to the ring (12) and closing the opening. The ring comprises an element (18) of circular section on the inside of which is located a shoulder (20). The member (14) has holes around its periphery to provide points of securement for the shoulder of the ring, which is moulded in situ thereto. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Collapsible disc toy This invention relates to aerial toys, and more specifically to a collapsible disc-like toy which, when thrown with a spinning motion is aerodynamically shaped to sail.

Such devices in the past have been generally disc-shaped devices which are rigid in structure, such as the whistling scaling toy disclosed in United States Patent Number 3 959 916, the aerial toy disclosed in United States Patent Number 3 852 910 and the toy hat disclosed in United States Patent Number 3 571 811, but are cumbersome to carry when not in use.

Early ring type devices were known to be flexible. For example, the play ring shown in United States Patent Number 1 593 453 is an early embodiment of a flexible toy ring device. A circular disc like projectile manufactured of flexible material, but stuffed, is disclosed in United States Patent Number 3 026 110. Additionally, there is shown in United States Patent Number 4 11 5 946 a flexible disc device which utilizes a plurality of spaced individual weights around the peripheral edge thereof to achieve the desired results.

The foregoing flexible style devices, while being collapsible, are expensive to manufacture and utilize a plurality of parts which complicate their structure and manufacturing procedure.

Additionally, known devices have been found to be subject to wear and tear to a degree greater than that desired. Thus, in the flexible disc device of patent number 4 11 5 946, it can be seen that tearing the hem 1 8 will permit the weighted materials to drop out of the structure thus rendering the device useless.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a collapsible disc toy which is simple to manufacture, utilizes a minimum of elements, and is economical to manufacture.

The objects of the present invention are achieved by a structure, one embodiment of which includes a flexible, one-piece ring defining a generally circular opening and a sheet member rigidly secured to the ring for closing the circular opening and formed of a flexible material.

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had from the following detailed description thereof particularly when read in the light of the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a top view of collapsible disc toy structured according to the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view through the plane 2-2 of Fig. 1.

As noted above, this invention relates to collapsible disc-like toy devices.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a collapsible disc toy generally designated as 10 and comprised of a ring element 12 and a sheet member 14.

Ring element 12 comprises a flexible, onepiece ring, the inner edge 1 6 of which defines a generally circular opening. Ring 12 includes a generally circular element 1 8 and a radially inwardly extending shoulder 20 disposed around the inner edge of the circular element.

Ring 1 2 is manufactured from molded plastic material which is flexible and which may be resilient. It has been found that suitable materials are moldable PVC and plastisol however other suitable materials may be utilized.

The sheet member 14 is rigidly secured to ring 12 along the inner edge of ring 12, such as to close the opening defined by ring 12.

Sheet member 14 is a generally circular sheet which is provided with a plurality of holes 24 formed around its peripheral. The purpose of holes 24 is to permit a rigid bond between sheet member 14 and ring 12 such as to preclude separation thereof during use. More specifically, during the manufacture of toy 1 0, sheet member 14 is placed within the opening of a circular mold device such that the peripheral edge 26 thereof extends within the mold cavity. Thereafter, the sheet member 14 is clamped in that position and plastic injected into the mold cavity. The plastic passes through holes 24 and sets up around the edge of sheet member 14, such as to cause a secure, fixed bond between the material of the sheet and the plastic of the ring.

Although many materials may be suitable for use as he sheet material, it has been found that nylon is particularly useful.

Referring specifically to Fig. 2 it can be seen that sheet member 14 is dimensioned such as to cause a concave surface 28 on its underside and a convex surface 30 on its upper side. This occurs when the toy is thrown with a spinning motion.

The configuration of the sheet 14 during flight, therefore, establishes an aerodynamic flow of air across its surface such as to permit it to sail in the manner well known to "frisbee" players.

It thus can be seen that the dimension of the surface of sheet member 14 when measured diametrically across ring 1 2 from inner edge 1 6 to inner edge 1 6 is a greater dimension than the corresponding diameter of the ring. Such dimensioning permits the aforesaid aerodynamic effect and enhances the recreational value of the toy.

As will be recognized by those skilled in these arts, the structure of the present invention is advantageous in that it comprises two elements, is manufactured through the use of an injected molding process thus permitting high volume, low cost manufacture, and is an aerodynamically sound but fully flexible element, such as to improve its safety characteristics and thus reduce likelihood of injury during use.

1. A collapsible disc-like toy characterized in comprising: a flexible, one piece ring defining a generally circular opening and a sheet member rigidly secured to said ring for closing said circular opening, said sheet member being of a flexible material.

2. A toy according to claim 1 characterized in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Collapsible disc toy This invention relates to aerial toys, and more specifically to a collapsible disc-like toy which, when thrown with a spinning motion is aerodynamically shaped to sail. Such devices in the past have been generally disc-shaped devices which are rigid in structure, such as the whistling scaling toy disclosed in United States Patent Number 3 959 916, the aerial toy disclosed in United States Patent Number 3 852 910 and the toy hat disclosed in United States Patent Number 3 571 811, but are cumbersome to carry when not in use. Early ring type devices were known to be flexible. For example, the play ring shown in United States Patent Number 1 593 453 is an early embodiment of a flexible toy ring device. A circular disc like projectile manufactured of flexible material, but stuffed, is disclosed in United States Patent Number 3 026 110. Additionally, there is shown in United States Patent Number 4 11 5 946 a flexible disc device which utilizes a plurality of spaced individual weights around the peripheral edge thereof to achieve the desired results. The foregoing flexible style devices, while being collapsible, are expensive to manufacture and utilize a plurality of parts which complicate their structure and manufacturing procedure. Additionally, known devices have been found to be subject to wear and tear to a degree greater than that desired. Thus, in the flexible disc device of patent number 4 11 5 946, it can be seen that tearing the hem 1 8 will permit the weighted materials to drop out of the structure thus rendering the device useless. It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a collapsible disc toy which is simple to manufacture, utilizes a minimum of elements, and is economical to manufacture. The objects of the present invention are achieved by a structure, one embodiment of which includes a flexible, one-piece ring defining a generally circular opening and a sheet member rigidly secured to the ring for closing the circular opening and formed of a flexible material. A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had from the following detailed description thereof particularly when read in the light of the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a top view of collapsible disc toy structured according to the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view through the plane 2-2 of Fig. 1. As noted above, this invention relates to collapsible disc-like toy devices. Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a collapsible disc toy generally designated as 10 and comprised of a ring element 12 and a sheet member 14. Ring element 12 comprises a flexible, onepiece ring, the inner edge 1 6 of which defines a generally circular opening. Ring 12 includes a generally circular element 1 8 and a radially inwardly extending shoulder 20 disposed around the inner edge of the circular element. Ring 1 2 is manufactured from molded plastic material which is flexible and which may be resilient. It has been found that suitable materials are moldable PVC and plastisol however other suitable materials may be utilized. The sheet member 14 is rigidly secured to ring 12 along the inner edge of ring 12, such as to close the opening defined by ring 12. Sheet member 14 is a generally circular sheet which is provided with a plurality of holes 24 formed around its peripheral. The purpose of holes 24 is to permit a rigid bond between sheet member 14 and ring 12 such as to preclude separation thereof during use. More specifically, during the manufacture of toy 1 0, sheet member 14 is placed within the opening of a circular mold device such that the peripheral edge 26 thereof extends within the mold cavity. Thereafter, the sheet member 14 is clamped in that position and plastic injected into the mold cavity. The plastic passes through holes 24 and sets up around the edge of sheet member 14, such as to cause a secure, fixed bond between the material of the sheet and the plastic of the ring. Although many materials may be suitable for use as he sheet material, it has been found that nylon is particularly useful. Referring specifically to Fig. 2 it can be seen that sheet member 14 is dimensioned such as to cause a concave surface 28 on its underside and a convex surface 30 on its upper side. This occurs when the toy is thrown with a spinning motion. The configuration of the sheet 14 during flight, therefore, establishes an aerodynamic flow of air across its surface such as to permit it to sail in the manner well known to "frisbee" players. It thus can be seen that the dimension of the surface of sheet member 14 when measured diametrically across ring 1 2 from inner edge 1 6 to inner edge 1 6 is a greater dimension than the corresponding diameter of the ring. Such dimensioning permits the aforesaid aerodynamic effect and enhances the recreational value of the toy. As will be recognized by those skilled in these arts, the structure of the present invention is advantageous in that it comprises two elements, is manufactured through the use of an injected molding process thus permitting high volume, low cost manufacture, and is an aerodynamically sound but fully flexible element, such as to improve its safety characteristics and thus reduce likelihood of injury during use. CLAIMS

2. A toy according to claim 1 characterized in that said sheet member is secured along the entire surface of said ring.

3. A toy according to claim 1 characterized in that said one-piece ring includes a generally circular element and a radially inwardly extending shoulder disposed around the entire inner edge of said circular element, said sheet member being secured to said one-piece ring along said shoulder.

4. A toy according to claim 3 characterized in that said sheet member is secured along the entire inner surface of said ring.

5. A toy according to claim 1 characterized in that the length of the surface of said sheet member as measured diametrically across the inside diameter of said ring is greater than the inside diameter of said ring.

6. A toy according to claim 3 characterized in that the length of the surface of said sheet member as measured diametrically across the inside diameter of said ring is greater than the inside diameter of said ring.

7. A toy according to claim 3 characterized in that said ring is manufactured from a resilient flexible material.

8. A toy according to claim 1 characterized in that said flexible, one-piece ring is manufactured from a moldable material and wherein said sheet member includes a plurality of holes disposed around the peripheral edge of said sheet member, said holes for receiving said moldable material therethrough to establish a rigid bond between said sheet member and said flexible, one-piece ring.