Lighted flying disc

• US 8,858,289 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2010
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chad Forte
• Original Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Inventors: Forte, Chad
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): HYLINSKI, ALYSSA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US12/763,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20110104977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,639 Days
• Field of Search: 446/47, 446/242
• 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: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068

Abstract

A soft, flexible, illuminating flying disk toy may be used for recreation by adults and children and as a fetch toy for animals. The disk is designed as an improvement to existing soft, flexible flying disks by incorporating an illuminated outer edge, typically battery powered. This illuminated outer edge, while sewn into a durable, light weight, tear resistant translucent material, will also provide the semi-rigid support needed to create and maintain stable flight. The illuminated outer edge which is sewn into the translucent durable material is then sewn onto a slightly over-sized central circular disk shaped section of the same or similar material which, when thrown, creates an aerodynamic lift providing stable flight. By incorporating the illuminated outer edge into a soft flying disk, visibility and additional safety are provided when using the disk in dimming light conditions and during the dark of night.

Claims

1. A disk comprising:

a circular portion, wherein said circular portion is flexible;

an edge portion attached to the circular portion;

a first tube contained within the edge portion, wherein the first tube within the edge portion provides a semi-rigid structure for the disk, the edge portion made of a durable tear-resistant circular piece of fabric material, wherein the first tube allows light to travel through;

at least one light emitting device located within the first tube; and

a power source located within the first tube and connected to the at least one light emitting device to provide power to the at least one light emitting device;

a light tube, containing the at least one light emitting device, the light tube located within the first tube, the light tube being composed of a material durable enough to withstand the pressure of an animal'"'"'s biting down;

wherein the disk emits light when activated and when thrown with spin about an axis substantially perpendicular to the circular portion, the circular portion assumes a dome shape providing an aerodynamic lift effect to the disk.

2. The disk of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitting device is a plurality of light emitting devices, along a length of the first tube, the disk further comprising:

a first circuit interconnected with the power source and plurality of light emitting devices, configured to turn the plurality of light emitting devices on and off in sequence, giving a first appearance of light traveling in a circular pattern within the edge portion;

a second circuit interconnected with the power source and plurality of light emitting devices, configured to turn the plurality of light emitting devices on and off in sequence, giving a second appearance of a strobe-like effect; and

a third circuit interconnected with the power source and plurality of light emitting devices, configured to turn the plurality of light emitting devices on and off in sequence, giving a third appearance of a solid ring of light.

3. The disk of claim 2, further comprising:

a fourth circuit interconnected with the power source and plurality of light emitting devices, configured to turn the plurality of light emitting devices on and off in sequence, giving a fourth appearance of the plurality of light emitting devices being activated in a random fashion.

4. The disk of claim 1 wherein the disk has said first tube, and said first tube has a first and second end, and the first and second end interconnect to form a circle.

5. The disk of claim 4 wherein the first and second end have a snap type interconnection.

6. The disk of claim 4 wherein the edge portion includes a hollow circular fold of fabric, and the first tube is inserted into the hollow circular fold of fabric.

7. The disk of claim 6, further comprising:

a flap oriented in the hollow circular fold of fabric, wherein the flap is configured to be opened and configured to be secured using an open-and-close type connection; and

a power switch, located such that the flap covers the power switch when the flap is closed, with the power switch interconnected with the power source.

8. The disk of claim 7, further comprising:

a battery door, located such that the flap covers the battery door when the flap is closed.

9. The disk of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitting device is a plurality of light emitting devices, and the plurality of light emitting devices are located along the length of the light tube interconnected along a set of leads, wherein the first tube provides durability to the light tube.

10. The disk of claim 1 wherein the light tube is composed of a light emitting material that is light enhancing.

11. The disk of claim 10 wherein the light emitting material is selected from the group consisting of thermal plastic polymer, PVC, and poly carbonate.

12. The disk of claim 9 wherein the light tube is waterproof.

13. The disk of claim 1 wherein the first tube is bendable and flexible.