Flying Disc Aural Beacon

• US 20130303314A1
• Filed: 05/08/2013
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: D3, LLC (Diam International SASU)
• Original Assignee: D3, LLC (Diam International SASU)
• Inventors: Tackett, Nason Wayne
• Application Number:
  US13/889,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20130303314A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/571
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/06 Ring or disc tossing games , e.g. quoits; Throwing or tossing games, e.g. using balls; Games for manually rolling balls, e.g. marbles
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/00 Toy aircraft; Other flying toys toys with parachutes A63H33/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/18 Throwing or slinging toys, e.g. flying disc toys discs used in athletics A63B65/10as part of a game A63F9/02; sling weapons F41B3/00; spring toy guns F41B7/08
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 5/00 Musical or noise- producing devices for additional toy effects other than acoustical musical tops A63H1/28; sound-producing dolls A63H3/28; musical toy vehicles A63H17/268; acoustical vehicle-signalling devices A63H17/32; whistling toy locomotive arrangements A63H19/14; music, sound or noise production in general G10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A locator beacon device for use with flying sport discs includes an over-molded housing that encloses a substrate, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) on which is mounted a computer-based processor, e.g., a microcontroller that is configured to control a sound generating device. The device is configured with a height that is less than the depth of an annular rim that extends from the circumferential edge of the disc.

Claims

1. A device for use with a flying sport disc, the disc having a recessed surface and an annular rim having a depth and extending from the recessed surface, said device comprising:

a. an over-molded housing extending from the recessed surface and configured with a height less than the depth of the annular rim;

b. a substrate enclosed within said over-molded housing and on which is mounted;

i. a computer-based processor;

ii. a sound generating device responsive to said computer-based processor;

iii. a rechargeable power source; and

iv. a switch operable for causing said computer-based processor to energize said sound generating device.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor mounted to said substrate, said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor being one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a compass, a gyro, and a strain gauge.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor generates an output signal representing motion of device and that is coupled to said computer-based processor.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said over-molded housing is attached to the recessed surface with one of an adhesive, a fastener, or a double-sided adhesive tape.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said over-molded housing is attached to the recessed surface using at least a surface bonding primer.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said over-molded housing comprises a high surface energy material.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said over-molded housing is integrally formed with the disc.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor mounted to said substrate, said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor being one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a compass, a gyro, and a strain gauge.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor generates an output signal representing motion of device and that is coupled to said computer-based processor.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a computer interface coupled to said computer-based processor and configured to allow access to said computer-based processor from an external computer.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency wireless communications module responsive to said computer-based processor.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor mounted to said substrate, said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor being one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a compass, a gyro, and a strain gauge.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor generates an output signal representing motion of device and that is coupled to said computer-based processor.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising a computer interface coupled to said computer-based processor and configured to allow access to said computer-based processor from an external computer.