ILLUMINATED FLYING SAUCER

• US 3,786,246 A
• Filed: 03/24/1972
• Issued: 01/15/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jesse C. Ward, Stephen C. Johnson
• Original Assignee: Jesse C. Ward, Stephen C. Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Stephen C., Ward, Jesse C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Matthews, Samuel S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harris, Michael D.
• Application Number:
  US05/237,767
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 240/6.4R 46/74D,228
• US Class Current: 446/47
• 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

A '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'Frisbee'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' type flying saucer toy which has a generally discshaped body terminating at its periphery in a downwardly pointing rim so that the body and rim define a generally convex upper surface and a generally concave lower surface. Lighting means, preferably in the form of a plurality of regularly spaced lamps, is generally fixedly disposed proximate the rim so as to be visible when energized from the outside of the rim. A battery holder is generally centrally located on the body, preferably on the underside thereof, and electrical conductors extend generally radially outwardly along the body from the battery holder to the lights. The battery holder, lights, and electrical conductor means are all embodied in a unitary structure having a central hub in which the battery holder is located, with a plurality of regularly spaced arms extending radially outwardly from the hub, with the lights located at the ends of the arms, and the electrical conductor extending along the arms. This unitary structure is adapted to be engaged in the concave underside of the flying saucer. The centrally located battery holder and the peripherally located lights present a minimum interference with the aerodynamic characteristics of the saucer, so that good flight characteristics are retained.

Claims

1. A flying saucer toy which comprises a generally disc-shaped body terminating at its periphery in a downwardly pointing rim, said body and rim defining a generally convex upper surface and a generally concave lower surface;

power source retaining means generally centrally located on the underside of said body;

lighting means generally fixedly operatively positioned proximate said rim and visible when energized from the outside of said rim;

means for holding said lighting means in its said operative position;

said lighting means holding means comprising at least one arm extending generally radially from said power source retaining means to said operative position of said lighting means; and

electrical circuit means extending from said power source retaining means to said lighting means for conducting electricity from said power source retaining means to said lighting means so as to energize said lighting means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lighting means, said lighting means holding means, said power source retaining means, and said electrical circuit means, comprise a unitary structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said unitary structure comprises a centrally located power source retaining means, and a plurality of regularly spaced, radially extending arms of substantially equal length having said lighting means at their distal ends.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said unitary structure is mounted and retained in the flying saucer by an over-center action.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 which includes three of said arms.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 including means for centering said unitary structure on the undersurface of said flying saucer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm is held to said flying saucer toy by adhesive means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit means comprises a pair of wires positioned along said arm.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm is held to said flying saucer toy by an over-center action.

10. A flying saucer toy which comprises a generally disc-shaped body terminating at its periphery in a downwardly pointing rim, said body and rim defining a generally convex upper surface and a generally concave lower surface;

lighting means generally fixedly disposed proximate said rim and visible when energized from the outside of said rim;

power source retaining means generally centrally located on said body; and

electrical circuit means Extending from said power source retaining means to said lighting means for conducting electricity from said power source retaining means to said lighting means so as to energize said lighting means.

11. A flying saucer toy as defined in claim 10, which includes manually operable on-off switch means operatively connected with said electrical circuit means for controlling the flow of electricity through said electrical circuit means.

12. A flying saucer toy as defined in claim 10, which includes window means in said rim optically associated with said lighting means.

13. A flying saucer toy as defined in claim 10, wherein said power source retaining means is located on the underside of said body.

14. A flying saucer toy as defined in claim 13, wherein said electrical circuit means comprises electrical conductor means located proximate the underside of said body.

15. A flying saucer toy as defined in claim 10, wherein said lighting means comprises a plurality of discrete lamps regularly spaced about said rim.

16. A flying saucer toy as defined in claim 15, wherein three of said lamps are regularly spaced about said rim.