US20050070198A1

US20050070198A1 - Flying disc accessory

Info

Publication number: US20050070198A1
Application number: US10/675,179
Authority: US
Inventors: Loring Pickering; Keely Pickering
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-30
Filing date: 2003-09-30
Publication date: 2005-03-31

Abstract

Flying Disk Accessory with a C shaped member and an attached handle member. The handle member has a gripping portion attached to an elongated rod shape. The end of the rod portion of the handle member is joined to the C shaped member at the lower portion of the C shape. The C shape has a U shaped cross section where the legs of the U shape are facing toward the center of the C shape. The C shape has a spring biased hinged joint near the junction of the C shape so that the the rod portion is fixedly joined to the lower portion of the C shape. The C shape ends each curve outwardly in the opposite direction of the curve of the main body of the C shape. A hinge pin midway along the handle rod allows for folding during storage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of flying disc toys and more specifically to a flying disc accessory for augmenting the throwing and catching ability of the user.
Flying discs used by people as airborne toys have been available for more than thirty years. The discs generally have a generally round flat member with an integral skirt attached at ninety degree. The discs are generally made of semi-rigid plastic so that they do not cause damage to the thrower or receiver. The user throws the disc by holding the skirt portion of the disc and flinging it using a flicking wrist action. The wrist action takes practice and can sometimes cause frustration by and inexperienced user.
Additionally, the disc can only be hand thrown a maximum distance of approximately one hundred yards. The distance is limited by the user's arm strength and skill at flinging the disc. Finally, the user can not catch a disc that is thrown higher than the user can reach by hand.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a way to throw a flying disc farther than is currently possible.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hand held device that can launch a standard flying disc long distances.
Another object of the invention is to provide a disc launching accessory that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture.
A further object of the invention is to provide a disc launching accessory that is available in different sizes for adults and children.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a disc launching accessory that has an adjustable length handle.
Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a disc launching accessory that can also catch a disc.
Another object of the invention is to provide a disc launching accessory that can fold for compact storage and shipping.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed Flying Disc Accessory comprising: a C shaped member, a handle member, said handle member having a gripping portion at one end and an attached elongated rod shaped at the opposite end. The end of said rod portion joined to said C shaped member at the lower portion of said C shape. Said C shape having a U shaped cross section where the legs of said U shape are facing toward the center of said C shape. Said C shape having a spring biased hinged joint near the said joining point of said C shape so that the said rod portion is fixedly joined to the lower portion of said C shape. Said C shape ends each curving outwardly in the opposite direction of the curve of the main body of the C shaped member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a section view of the C shaped member showing the U shaped configuration
FIG. 3 is a section view of the C shaped member showing the extension spring

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a side section of the present invention 100. The invention is comprised of a C shaped portion 150 and a handle portion 50. The C shape 150 is comprised of a lower portion 12 and an upper portion 16. The two portions are joined at hinge point 14. The upper portion 16 can be forced back as shown by dotted line 24 when the user throws a flying disc that is held by the C shape 150. The ends of the C shape 18, 20 are flared out thereby making it easier for the C shape 150 to release and receive a standard flying disc. The C shape has a U shaped cross section as shown by dotted line 26 and the section view shown in FIG. 2. The C shape is comprised of legs 30 and 34 attached to a radically disposed wall 32. Referring back to FIG. 1, handle portion 50 is comprised of a gripping section 2 and a rod portion 90. In the preferred embodiment the rod portion 90 is comprised of section 6 and tubular member 4. The rod portion 6 can slide into tube portion 4 as shown by dotted line 23 allowing the overall length of the handle 50 to be adjusted. The longer the handle, the farther the flying disc can be thrown. However, the longer length may not be suitable for smaller children and requires more skill to use. Hinged joint 10 allows rod portion 90 to fold so that the entire assembly 100 can be stored a smaller space. FIG. 32 shows the C shape cut in a longitudinal section view 150. This view shows extension spring 40 attached at one end to the lower C portion 12 and at the opposite end to the main C portion 16. The spring keeps the C shape in a closed position that helps removably retain a standard flying disc toy such as the Frisby manufactured by Whamo.
When the user inserts the flying disc, grips the handle portion 2 and swings the invention 100 in an arctuate manner similar to a lacrosse stick, the flying disc exits the C shaped member 150 and can fly further than when thrown by hand. The user may also catch the incoming disc in the C shaped member 150 and can therefore catch high flying discs that could not be caught by hand.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A flying disk accessory comprising:

a C shaped member having an upper portion and a lower portion;

a handle member, said handle member including a hinge pin midway along the handle so that the handle may fold during shipping and storage;

said handle member having a gripping portion at one end and an attached elongated rod portion at the opposite end;

the end of said rod portion of said handle member joined to said C shaped member at the lower portion of said C shaped member;

said C shaped member having a U-shaped cross section where the legs of said U shape are facing toward the center of said C shaped member;

said C shaped member having a spring based hinged joint near the junction of said C shape so that the said rod portion is fixedly joined to the lower portion of said C shaped member; and

said C shaped member ends each curving outwardly in the opposite direction of the curve of the main body of the C shaped member.

3. (canceled).

4. An apparatus for throwing and catching a disc comprising:

a handle member having a proximate end and a distal end;

a gripping portion disposed at said proximate end; and

a curved element hingedly fastened to said distal end, said curved element having a first segment and a second segment,

whereby, said first segment may be moved relative to said second segment when throwing or catching a disc.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said curved element has a C shape.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ends of said curved element curve outwardly in the direction opposite of the main body of the C shape.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said handle member further includes a plurality of telescopic sections connected in telescopic relationship.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said handle member further includes a hinge pin along the handle between said proximate end and said distal end, whereby said handle member may fold during shipping and storage.