Flying pet toy
A flying toy having a resilient, non-circular frame substantially radiated about an imaginary center axis. The fame includes a plurality of elongated side members substantially interconnected by a plurality of radially-extending feet members, where a higher concentration of the weight of the frame resides at its periphery. Each side member is arced inward toward the imaginary center axis. The frame defines a central opening of which the imaginary axis is axially aligned. A flexible membrane is attached to least a portion of the side members and substantially covers the central opening. In one embodiment, a center portion of each side member is positioned above its adjacent feet members when the toy is in an at rest position to form a structure that is substantially concave in shape in the at rest state. During spinning flight, the higher concentration of weight at the periphery induces centrifugal force upon the toy causing the side members to partially flatten out. When the toy lands, it lands upright and reverts to its at rest position.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/329,472, filed Oct. 10, 2001, and entitled “Flying Pet Toy.”
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to toys capable of flight while spinning about an axis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFlying toys have been known for quite some time. The hard, plastic flying disc has had great commercial success, both for use with people and with dogs. However, some dogs are less enamored with the hard plastic discs as they are not designed to be picked up easily off the ground. Others have attempted flying discs; some have invented fabric discs that land upright, but the discs are not readily grippable by either a person's hand or a pet's teeth when disc has landed. Moreover, many of the discs do not exhibit superior flying and spinning characteristics, which makes such discs less interesting to users, whether humans or pets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a flying toy that is capable of flight when propelled with a spinning force. The apparatus includes a substantially resilient, non-circular frame that is substantially radially generated about an imaginary axis such that a higher concentration of the frame's weight is at the frame's periphery. The frame includes a plurality of side members with radially-extending feet members positioned between adjacent side members. The frame defines a central opening of which the imaginary axis is axially aligned. A lightweight, flexible membrane substantially covers the central opening and is attached to at least a portion of each side member.
In a first embodiment, the side members are arched upwardly of the adjacent feed members and inwardly toward the imaginary center axis when the toy is in an at rest position. With the membrane, the overall resulting structure is substantially concave in shape when viewed from the side in the at rest position.
In a second embodiment, the side members are substantially coplanar with the membrane in the at rest position.
The invention also includes a method of use whereby when the toy of the first embodiment is launched into flight, the inherent higher concentration of the toy's weight at the periphery induces centrifugal force upon the toy thereby causing the side members to partially flatten out. The opposing forces of centrifugal force and resilience in the side members put the toy under tension during flight, which affects the airfoil characteristics of the toy. When the toy is traveling at a higher velocity, the reduced airfoil is desirable. As the toy gradually slows down, the resilience of the side members gradually overcomes the centrifugal force and the overall substantially concave shape is gradually resumed, which creates a thicker airfoil and increased lift while the toy descends to ground.
The toy of the second embodiment also has a higher concentration of the toy's weight at the periphery, but will move in a boomerang-like path when the toy is propelled with a spinning force.
These and other features and benefits will be discussed in further detail in the various figures of the attached drawing, the Brief Description of the Drawing, and the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention.
Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts through the several views of the drawings, wherein:
A flying pet toy 10 that is capable of flight when propelled with a spinning force as illustrated in
Each foot member 16 has a bottom portion 20 that is the nadir of the toy in the at rest state. These bottom portions of each foot member substantially reside in a nadir plane Pn when the toy 10 is in the at rest position, as shown in
Each side member 14 is positioned in such a way relative to the adjoining feet members as to define an essentially overall concave-shaped frame as best illustrated in FIG. 6. According to one embodiment of the invention, each side member 14 is arched upwardly relative to the adjoining feet members and inwardly toward Axis A—A. The overall concave-shape of the side members can be accomplished, in one embodiment, through flexible, resilient tube members 21 that have preset arches and that such arched tube members 21 are attached at the feet members 16. Another embodiment would be to use a continuous formed member that defines the shape of the frame.
As discussed above, the side members may be made from flexible, resilient, tube members 21. The term “tube member” does not necessarily require a cylindrical-shaped member having a circular cross section, although that is the preferred embodiment illustrated in
Referring again to
In a preferred form, each foot member may include an additional weighted pad 22, which may be a synthetic rubber pad. Alternatively, the weighted pad 22, may be made from natural rubber or any other tough and abrasion-resistant material. The additional weight adds gyroscopic stability (e.g. making the toy fly in a substantially straight path) and aids the toy to land upright, i.e. on its feet after flight, which is desirable. Additionally, the rubber pad added to each foot member minimizes abrasion damage to the toy when landing on a hard surface, such as a pavement.
Referring to
The foot member 16, as shown in
Referring again to
The flying toy apparatus shape of the present invention is not dependent on the four side members as illustrated in
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an alternate embodiment of the toy 10′ may be molded as a unitary structure. Referring to
Referring to
Although not illustrated, the present invention can encompass variations in overall size. For example, the embodiment shown in
For visual interest to the user, the toy 10 may also include multicolor stripes, such as shown at 46 and 48 in
Use of the toy is best illustrated in
During flight (use state), centrifugal force imposed by the concentration of weight at the periphery makes the toy partially “flatten out” (
When momentum and spinning inertia cease, lift is no longer produced and the toy drops gently to the ground as it catches air in the concave-shaped membrane. The toy lands in an upright position and resumes its overall concave shape (FIG. 21). The raised side members 14 makes it easier for a dog 60 to grab.
A schematic view of a typical flight path is shown in
An alternate embodiment of the toy 10″ is illustrated in
As discussed above, the toy may be molded to achieve the shape and characteristics of the present invention. Other ways known to those of ordinary skill the art will be apparent as to how to produce the invention, such as through cut and sew techniques.
Also referring again to
Advantages of the present invention include a superior flying toy that easily spins about its axis, lands upright such that it is easy to grip (by a user's hand or a pet's teeth). The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that many changes in the particular structure, materials, and features of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is the Applicant's intention that his patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments illustrated and described herein, but rather by the following claims interpreted according to accepted doctrines of claim interpretation, including the Doctrine of Equivalents and Reversal of Parts.
Claims
1. A flying toy comprising:
- a resilient, non-circular frame substantially radially generated about an imaginary center axis, said frame having a higher concentration of weight at its periphery, wherein the frame includes a plurality of elongated side members positioned between a plurality of corresponding radially-extending feet members, each said side member being positioned such that a central portion of each side member arcs inwardly toward the axis when the toy is in an at rest position;
- said frame defining a central opening of which the imaginary axis is axially aligned; and
- a lightweight, flexible membrane that attaches to at least a portion of the side members and substantially covers the central opening forming a structure that is capable of flight when propelled with a spinning force.
2. A flying toy comprising:
- a resilient, non-circular frame substantially radially generated about an imaginary center axis, said frame having a higher concentration of weight at its periphery, wherein the frame includes a plurality of elongated side members positioned between a plurality of corresponding radially-extending feet members, each said side member being positioned such that a central portion of each side member arches upwardly of the adjacent feet members and inwardly toward the axis when the toy is in an at rest position;
- said frame defining a central opening of which the imaginary axis is axially aligned; and
- a lightweight, flexible membrane that attaches to at least a portion of the side members and substantially covers the central opening forming a substantially concave-shaped structure as viewed from the side when the structure is in the at rest state.
3. The toy according to claim 1 wherein the number of side members and the number of feet members is the same.
4. The toy according to claim 2 wherein the number of side members and the number of connected feet members is the same.
5. The toy according to claim 1 further comprising a weighted pad at each foot member.
6. The toy according to claim 2 further comprising a weighted pad at each foot member.
7. The toy according to claim 2 wherein there are four side members and four feet members, wherein each said foot member includes a weighted pad.
8. The toy according to claim 1 wherein each side member is a tube.
9. The toy according to claim 2 wherein each side member is a tube.
10. The toy according to claim 1 wherein each side member is a rod.
11. The toy according to claim 2 wherein each side member is a rod.
12. The toy according to claim 1 wherein each foot member includes an abrasion resistant bottom portion.
13. The toy according to claim 2 wherein each foot member includes an abrasion resistant bottom portion.
14. The toy according to claim 2 wherein each foot member includes a bottom portion having a substantially convex outer surface.
15. The toy according to claim 2 wherein each foot member includes a bottom portion defining a concave opening.
16. The toy according to claim 1 wherein the membrane is made of fabric.
17. The toy according to claim 2 wherein the membrane is made of fabric.
18. The toy according to claim 2 wherein the side members, feet members, and membrane are all molded into a unitary member.
19. A flying toy comprising:
- a resilient, non-circular frame substantially radially generated about an imaginary center axis, said frame having a higher concentration of weight at its periphery, wherein the frame includes a plurality of elongated side members positioned between a plurality of corresponding radially-extending feet members, at least one of said side members being positioned such that a central portion of the at least one side member arcs inwardly toward the axis when the toy is in an at rest position;
- said frame defining a central opening of which the imaginary axis is axially aligned; and
- a lightweight, flexible membrane that attaches to at least a portion of the side members and substantially covers the central opening forming a structure that is adapted for flight when propelled with a spinning force.
20. The toy of claim 19, wherein at least one of the sides further comprises a portion that bows outwardly.
21. The toy of claim 19, wherein the plurality of sides comprises between three and six sides.
22. The toy of claim 19, wherein the toy is substantially flat.
23. The toy of claim 19, wherein the frame is a continuously formed member.
24. The toy of claim 19 further comprising a weighted pad at each foot member.
25. The toy of claim 19, wherein each side member is a tube.
26. The toy of claim 19, wherein each side member is a rod.
27. The toy of claim 19, wherein each foot member further comprises an abrasion resistant bottom portion.
28. The toy of claim 19, wherein the membrane is made of fabric.
29. A flying toy comprising:
- a resilient, non-circular frame substantially radially generated about an imaginary center axis, said frame having a higher concentration of weight at its periphery, wherein the frame includes a plurality of elongated side members positioned between a plurality of corresponding radially-extending feet members, at least one of said side members being positioned such that a central portion of the at least one side member arches upwardly of the adjacent feet members and inwardly toward the axis when the toy is in an at rest position;
- said frame defining a central opening of which the imaginary axis is axially aligned; and
- a lightweight, flexible membrane that attaches to at least a portion of the side members and substantially covers the central opening forming a substantially concave-shaped structure as viewed from the side when the structure is in the at rest state.
30. The toy of claim 29, wherein at least one of the sides further comprises a portion that bows outwardly.
31. The toy of claim 29, wherein the plurality of sides comprises between three and six sides.
32. The toy of claim 29, wherein the resilient frame is sufficiently resilient to allow centrifugal force to partially flatten the toy during flight.
33. The toy of claim 29, wherein the frame is a continuously formed member.
34. The toy of claim 29, further comprising a weighted pad at each foot member.
35. The toy of claim 29, wherein each side member is a tube.
36. The toy of claim 29, wherein each side member is a rod.
37. The toy of claim 29, wherein each foot member further comprises an abrasion resistant bottom portion.
38. The toy of claim 29, wherein the membrane is made of fabric.
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Type: Grant
Filed: May 19, 2005
Date of Patent: Oct 7, 2008
Inventor: Mark Oblack (Issaquah, WA)
Primary Examiner: Faye Francis
Attorney: Christensen O'Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC
Application Number: 11/134,472
International Classification: A63H 27/00 (20060101);