Flying disc with protected electronics

• US 9,873,064 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2016
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goliath Far East Limited
• Original Assignee: Tucker International LLC (Goliath International Holding BV)
• Inventors: Adkins, Mark A., Lovewell, Jack S., Hu, Byron
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hylinski, Alyssa
• Application Number:
  US15/277,038
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• 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 33/185 Aerial toy rotating automatically when descending under gravity
• 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: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles

Abstract

A flying disc assembly that contains an electronics module. The electronics module is protected from impact forces by the structure of the flying disc assembly. The flying disc assembly includes an annular disc body that defines a central opening. The electronics module extends through the central opening and is joined to the annular disc body by shock absorbing elements. The shock absorbing elements enable the electronics module to move relative the annular disc body when the flying disc assembly experiences a rapid change in velocity. The range of movement is limited to prevent permanent deformation of the shock absorbing elements. However, the range of movement that is permitted significantly reduces the forces that are experienced by the electronics module.

Claims

1. A flying disc assembly comprising:

an annular disc body that defines a central opening;

an electronics module;

a mounting ring disposed within said central opening that receives and retains said electronics module; and

deformable plastic elements that span between said annular disc body and said mounting ring, wherein said deformable plastic elements are integrally molded as part of both said annular disc body and said mounting ring, wherein said deformable plastic elements enable said mounting ring and said electronics module to move relative said annular disc body when said flying disc assembly experiences a rapid change in velocity.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electronics module is mechanically affixed to said mounting ring.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said deformable plastic elements are serpentine lengths of plastic that span between said annular disc body and said mounting ring and interconnect the mounting ring to the annular disc body.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein said annular disc body, said deformable plastic elements and said mounting ring are integrally molded together as a single piece.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electronics module is limited to range of movement relative said annular disc body by contact with said annular disc body.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electronics module has a circular flange that is disposed within said central opening, wherein said circular flange contacts said annular disc body should said electronics module move relative said annular disc body outside of a predetermined range.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electronics module broadcasts audio signals.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electronics module streams audio that is wirelessly transmitted from a remote source.

9. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein said electronics module has volume controls for adjusting a volume associated with said audio signals being broadcast.

10. A flying disc assembly comprising:

an annular disc body that defines a central opening;

an electronics module that extends into said central opening;

a plurality of serpentine plastic elements that radially extend into said central opening from said annular disc body, wherein said electronics module is supported by said plurality of serpentine plastic elements and is able to move within said central opening, relative said annular disc body, through a range of movement by elastically deforming said plurality of serpentine plastic elements.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of serpentine plastic elements elastically deform when said flying disc assembly experiences a rapid change in velocity.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, further including a mounting ring disposed within said central opening, wherein said mounting ring is attached to said plurality of serpentine plastic elements and said electronics module is coupled to said mounting ring.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein said annular disc body, said plurality of serpentine plastic elements and said mounting ring are integrally molded together as a single piece.

14. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said electronics module has a circular flange that is disposed within said central opening, wherein said circular flange contacts said annular disc body should said electronics module move relative said annular disc body outside of said range of movement.

15. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said electronics module broadcasts audio signals.

16. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said electronics module streams audio that is wirelessly transmitted from a remote source.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein said electronics module has volume controls for adjusting a volume associated with said audio being broadcast.

18. A flying disc assembly comprising:

an annular disc body that defines a central opening;

an electronics module;

a mounting ring disposed within said central opening that receives and retains said electronics module; and

elastic bands that span between said annular disc body and said mounting ring, wherein said elastic bands enable said mounting ring and said electronics module to move relative said annular disc body when said flying disc assembly experiences a rapid change in velocity.