FLYING DISC HAVING IMPACT PROTECTED ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE THEREIN

• US 3,798,834 A
• Filed: 03/21/1973
• Issued: 03/26/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfred F. Samuel
• Original Assignee: Alfred F. Samuel
• Inventors: Samuel, Alfred F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shay, Barry F.
• Application Number:
  US05/343,558
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 46/226,227,228,66,65,74D,75,232
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A disc-shaped directional-flight toy having a generally saucershaped body and at least one battery-powered audio or visual signaling device with a centrifugally actuated switch oriented to close and to energize said audio or visual signaling device when said disc-shaped directional-flight toy is hurled through the air and caused to rotate while in free flight. The visual device may be a battery-powered light bulb. The audio device may be a battery-powered buzzer or siren or the like. Removably mounted inpact cushioning means are provided which function to secure the signaling device, battery and switch to the body and also provide a cushion between the audio or visual signaling device and centrifugal switch, on the one hand, and the saucer-shaped body, on the other hand, in order to cushion the device and switch against the shock of the impact of said saucer-shaped body striking an obstruction.

Claims

1. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy comprising:

a. a generally saucer-shaped body having a central axis about which it is adapted to rotate in sustained flight, and b. at least one battery-powered light bulb and centrifugallyactuated switch in circuit therewith, c. means on said body for mounting each said bulb and switch thereon with said switch in radially offset relation to said axis whereby centrifugal Force causes the switch to close and the light bulb to be energized when the saucer-shaped body is thrown into the air and caused to engage in free flight while rotating about its center axis, d. means for securing said bulb and switch to said mounting means and for insulating them against impact, said securing and insulating means comprising a cushion provided between said battery-powered light bulb and associated centrifugally actuated switch, on the one hand, and said mounting means, on the other hand, to cushion said bulb and switch against the shock of impact of the flying saucer-shaped body against an obstruction.

2. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

a. the saucer-shaped body is provided with two said battery-powered light bulbs, each having a centrifugally actuated switch in circuit therewith;

b. said mounting means being adapted to mount said battery-powered light bulbs in diametrically opposite positions on said saucer-shaped body.

3. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

a. the saucer-shaped body is provided with a plurality of said battery-powered light bulbs each having a said centrifugally actuated switch in circuit therewith, b. said mounting means being adapted to mount said battery-powered light bulbs and centrifugally actuated switches in spaced relation on said saucer-shaped body such that their respective weights are in aerodynamic balance.

4. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

a. the saucer-shaped body is provided with a plurality of said battery-powered light bulbs, each having a centrifugally actuated switch in circuit therewith, b. said mounting means being adapted to mount said battery-powered light bulbs such that they are spaced equally from each other on a common circular line which is concentric with the saucer-shaped body.

5. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

a. the centrifugally actuated switch comprises fixed and movable contact elements which are in circuit with the battery-powered light bulb;

b. said movable contact element being situated radially inwardly from the fixed contact element and being spring-biased away from said fixed contact element, c. said movable contact element being movable radially ouwardly into engagement with the fixed contact element responsive to centrifugal force generated when the saucer-shaped body is caused to rotate in flight through the air.

6. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim 5, wherein:

said axis is perpendicular to the flight trajectory.

7. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim 5, wherein:

the movable contact element is mounted on a leaf spring which is biased away from the fixed contact element and toward the center of the saucer-shaped body.

8. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim 5, wherein:

the movable contact element is mounted on a coil spring which is biased away from the fixed contact element and toward the center of the saucer-shaped body.

9. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

a. said mounting means comprises a pod formed in the saucer-shaped body to receive said battery-powered light bulb and associated centrifugally actuated switch, b. said securing and insulating means comprises light-transmitting plastic foam provided in said pod as said cushion between said saucer-shaped body and said battery-powered light bulb and associated centrifugally actuated switch.

10. A disc-shaped, directional-flight toy comprising:

a. a generally saucer-shaped body, b. at least one signal-emitting, electrically actuated device, c. a power source for said signal-emitting device, d. a normally open, centrifugally actuated switch in circuit with said signal-emitting device and said power sourcE, e. means on said body for mounting each said signal-emitting device, power source and centrifugal switch on said saucer-shaped body in radially offset relation to its center axis, f. whereby centrifugal force causes the centrifugal switch to close and the signal-emitting device to be energized when the saucer-shaped body is thrown into the air and caused to engage in free flight while rotating about its center axis, g. means for securing said signal-emitting device, power source and switch to said mounting means for absorbing impacts to them, said securing and absorbing means being provided between said signal-emitting device, power source and centrifugal switch, on the one hand, and said saucer-shaped body, on the other hand, to reduce the shock impacted to said signal-emitting device, power source and centrifugal switch, when the saucer-shaped body strikes an obstruction while in flight.

11. A disc-shaped directional-flight toy in accordance with claim 10, wherein:

a. the saucer-shaped body is provided with two said signal-emitting devices, power sources, and centrifugal switches, forming two separate assemblies, b. each of said assemblies consisting of a battery-powered light bulb and a normally open, centrifugally actuated switch in circuit therewith, c. said mounting means being adapted for mounting said two assemblies in diametrically opposite positions on said saucer-shaped body in radially balanced relation to its rotational center axis.

12. A disc-shaped directional-flight toy in accordance with claim 10, wherein:

a. the saucer-shaped body is provided with two said signal-emitting devices, power sources and centrifugal switches, forming two separate assemblies, b. said signal-emitting device of one of said assemblies comprising a battery-powered light bulb, c. said signal-emitting device of the second assembly comprising a battery-powered, sound-emitting device, d. said mounting means being adapted for mounting said two assemblies in diametrically opposite positions on said saucer-shaped body in radially balanced relation to its rotational center axis.