FLYING SAUCER

• US 3,724,122 A
• Filed: 03/16/1971
• Issued: 04/03/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kransco
• Original Assignee: Richard L. Gillespie Sr
• Inventors: Gillespie, Richard L. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chamblee, Hugh R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Heinz, A.
• Application Number:
  US05/124,784
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 46/74D,174 273/16R,16B
• US Class Current: 446/46
• 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

Abstract

An improved saucer shaped throwing implement. A portion of the upper surface of the saucer located intermediate a circular rim portion and crown portion is also below the points of maximum elevation of the rim and crown portions to create a trough or depression extending around the saucer which is located immediately adjacent to the rim portion. A low profile contributes to the ability to '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'fly'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' the saucer at a relatively high speed.

Claims

1. A saucer adapted to be thrown through the air and having an aerodynamic lifting surface facing substantially vertically upward;

said aerodynamic lifting surface comprising;

a circular crown portion having a center, an intermediate circular surface area surrounding the center, and a circumferential portion surrounding the circular surface area and having a gradual slope extending downwardly from the circular surface area, the crown portion having a circumferencial boundary defined by a first radius extending from said center;

a rounded peripheral portion circumscribing the crown portion and located at an elevation lower relative to the circular surface area of the crown portion, the peripheral portion having an inner boundary defined by a second radius greater than said first radius such that the pEripheral portion is radially spaced from the circular crown portion, said peripheral portion further defined by an annular top surface area having a generally upwardly facing convex curvature and an edge portion extending downwardly relative to the top surface area thereof to define a circumferencial rim for the saucer; and

an intermediate depressed annular portion extending between the peripheral portion and the circular crown portion and having inner and outer boundaries integrally formed with said crown and peripheral portions, respectively, wherein a depressed surface extends around the saucer immediately, interiorly of the peripheral portion such that the general cross sectional outline of the lifting surface of the saucer is characterized by a first convex surface along the outer periphery of the saucer extending radially inwardly to an intermediate concave surface which in turn extends radially inwardly to a second more centrally located generally convex surface, each of the three main portions of the saucer having respective elevations which are interrelated such that the saucer presents a low profile.

2. A saucer according to claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion is an annular trough extending circumferencially around the saucer.

3. A saucer according to claim 2 wherein the trough has the form of a circular arc whereby the lifting surface of the saucer is convex on both sides of the trough and concave in the region of the trough.

4. A saucer according to claim 1 wherein the intermediate circular portion comprises a pair of inclined surfaces joined together along a common annular line to provide a V-shaped annular trough extending circumferencially around the saucer.

5. A saucer according to claim 2 wherein the edge portion of the rim is substantially thicker than the remaining portions of the saucer and in cross-section is a shape approximating a circular segment.

6. A saucer according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of air spoilers are located on the lifting surface of the saucer.

7. A saucer according to claim 6 wherein the air spoilers are located on the circular crown portion.

8. A saucer according to claim 7 wherein the air spoilers are a plurality of concentric, closely spaced raised ribs.

9. A saucer according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of concentric raised ribs are located on the surface of the trough.

10. A saucer according to claim 9 wherein the circular of the crown portion is essentially flat.

11. A saucer according to claim 1 in which the intermediate surface area of the crown portion is substantially planar.