FLYING DISC WITH GRIP SURFACES
A circular flying disc having an annular rim and a central section joined together by an annular shoulder formed in a single piece of a first material. The annular rim extends downwardly from the annular shoulder bounding a central cavity below the central section. The annular rim includes an inside grip edge facing the central cavity. The grip surface is attached to the circular flying disc and is formed from a second material which is pliant and different from the first material. The grip provides a pliant surface to facilitate grasping and throwing by a user.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/779,321 filed on Mar. 3, 2006 entitled “Flying Disc With Grip Surfaces” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNONE
TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates generally to flying discs and, more particularly, to flying discs used in the game of disc golf. However, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not limited to this type of flying disc, but could be used on any style flying disc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFlying discs, particularly for the game of disc golf, have been made out of many different polymers. Some of the early models were molded out of filled polyethylene or other blended compounds such as rubber and polypropylene. Some discs were even made out of synthetic rubber. Whole discs made with certain filled polymers or rubber discs perform well when new, but they are subject to wear and distortions in shape with use because of impacts with stationary objects. This is a particular problem when used in the manner necessary for disc golf competition.
High tech, high durability polymers such as polyurethanes, and T.P.E.'s have pretty much become the standard for the highest quality disc golf discs because of their durability and shape memory (resistance to shape distortions). One problem with high tech polymers is their surface properties, which make them harder to grip without your hand contact points slipping especially with colder temperatures or when wet. This results in a loss of control and distance capability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes these problems by providing a grip surface or surfaces made from a soft, easy to grip, pliant polymer such as silicone or any number of synthetic rubbers to critical areas of the disc where players grip the disc for throwing. This can either be done by over molding, molding into the disk, bonding with an adhesive or any other method known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
The area could be as little as a small area on the top of the disc, where most people put their thumb, or a band of rubber material around the top or top and bottom. Another possible model might have pliant material along the inside grip edge.
These and other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description are described below.
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The over molded versions would provide a permanent solution to the grip problem. The grips attached with adhesive could be changed as they wear or a player could substitute a piece with more or less grip depending on personal preference. The analogy would be to different grips on things such as golf clubs.
This combination of high durability polymers for wear with super grip polymers creates a dramatic improvement in design and performance over current discs, particularly disc golf disc configurations.
The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.
Claims
1. A circular flying disc comprising:
- an annular rim and a central section having a top and bottom joined together by an annular shoulder, and formed in a single piece of a first material, said annular rim extending downwardly from said annular shoulder bounding a central cavity adjacent said bottom of said central section, said annular rim including an inside grip edge facing said central cavity;
- a grip surface attached to said circular flying disc, said grip is formed from a second material different from the first material, said second material being pliant and different from said first material
- whereby said grip provides a pliant surface to facilitate grasping and throwing by a user.
2. The circular flying disc of claim 1, wherein said grip surface is attached to said central section.
3. The circular flying disc of claim 2, wherein said grip surface is attached to said top of said central section.
4. The circular flying disc of claim 2, wherein said grip surface is attached to said bottom of said central section.
5. The circular flying disc of claim 1, wherein said grip surface is attached to said inside grip edge.
6. The circular flying disc of claim 1, wherein said grip surface is a narrow continuous band.
7. The circular flying disc of claim 2, wherein said grip surface is a narrow continuous band.
8. The circular flying disc of claim 3, wherein said grip surface is a narrow continuous band.
9. The circular flying disc of claim 2, wherein said grip surface is a series of intermittent surfaces.
10. The circular flying disc of claim 3, wherein said grip surface is a series of intermittent surfaces.
11. The circular flying disc of claim 1, wherein said grip surface is molded onto said flying disc.
12. The circular flying disc of claim 1, wherein said grip surface is attached to said flying disc with an adhesive.
13. The circular flying disc of claim 1, wherein said grip surface is attached to said central section and to said inside grip edge.
14. The circular flying disc of claim 1, wherein said grip surface is attached to said top and bottom of said central section and to said inside grip edge.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 2, 2007
Publication Date: Sep 6, 2007
Inventor: James Kenner (Highland, MI)
Application Number: 11/681,356
International Classification: A63H 27/00 (20060101); A63B 67/14 (20060101); A63B 65/10 (20060101);