FLYING DISC CARRYING CLIP
A flying disc carrying clip for holding a flying disc and methods of using the same. The carrying clip preferably is formed from a material molded into at least three sections having a first section of a substantially closed loop to secure the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or a securing device; a second, generally U-shaped section contoured to fixedly engage a flying disc; and a third section having a release flange, whereby the engaged flying disc may be disengaged by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange.
This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/763,584, filed Feb. 12, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates to a flying disc carrying clip and methods of using the same for holding a flying disc.
BACKGROUNDSports involving flying discs are increasing in popularity. Currently, there are few options for transporting or storing a flying disc. Flying discs are typically too large to fit in an ordinary pant or jacket pocket, and as a result people resort to carrying their flying discs by hand or to placing the flying discs in some sort of bag. However, carrying a flying disc by hand can be an inconvenience and takes away the availability of the person's hands. Additionally, many specialty bags are designed to store numerous flying discs, when it may be desirable or more convenient to only transport or store a single flying disc. Furthermore, non-specialty bags such as a personal backpack or duffle bag are not specifically designed to transport or store a flying disc. As a result, transportation or storage of a flying disc in these personal bags can result in disc warping and thus poor disc flight. Additionally, transport or storage of a flying disc in these personal bags also takes space away from other materials, such as books and a laptop. Moreover, among participants in certain flying disc sporting cultures, flying discs are not only used as game projectiles, but also serve to identify and promote a participant's sponsors, affiliations, and colors, e.g., or as a display for creative art. As such, flying disc users often want to display their flying discs openly rather than have them obscured by a containment article.
A previous solution specifically concerned with the secure transport and open storage of flying discs was set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,656 ('656). The '656 carrying clip is designed and described to require insertion of the flying disc into the carrying clip prior to attachment of the carrying clip to a garment of the user. Additionally, the carrying clip must be unattached from the user prior to removal of the flying disc from the carrying clip. This is not a desirable design since it requires a step of removing the carrying clip from garment of the user prior to attachment or removal of flying disc. Furthermore, the disclosed carrying clip is deficient with respect to security since the flying disc can be easily pulled out of the carrying clip by applying downward pulling force on the flying disc. Thus, the flying disc can be easily removed from the carrying clip by a third party and can also be easily removed from the carrying clip if the rim of the flying disc is caught on an object as the user continues to move forward.
As such, there is a need for a carrying clip that permits secure attachment and transport of a flying disc on the outside of a carrier device or garment of the user until the user desires release of the flying disc from the carrying clip, and that is designed to remain attached to the user's garment or gear during insertion and removal of a flying disc from the carrying clip, and that further permits freedom of a user's hands, preservation of the form and integrity of the flying disc during transport, and display of the flying disc to others.
SUMMARYAccordingly, a flying disc carrying clip that allows for the freedom of user's hands, preservation of the form and integrity of the flying disc, and display of the flying disc to others is provided. The flying disc carrying clip of the present disclosure securely retains a flying disc until the user wants to remove the flying disc. Additionally, some embodiments of the flying disc carrying clip are designed to remain attached to the user's garment or gear during the acts of attaching and removing the flying disc from the flying disc carrying clip.
One embodiment is directed to a flying disc carrying clip for holding a flying disc. The carrying clip is formed from a material molded into at least three sections comprising a first section comprising a substantially closed loop to secure the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or a securing device; a second, generally U-shaped section contoured to fixedly engage a flying disc; and a third section comprising a release flange, whereby the engaged flying disc is disengaged by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange.
Another embodiment is directed to methods of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip. The methods comprise the steps of: providing a flying disc; providing a carrying clip formed from a material molded into at least three sections comprising a first section comprising a substantially closed loop to secure the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or a securing device; a second, generally U-shaped section contoured to fixedly engage a flying disc; a third section comprising a release flange; attaching the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or securing device through the use of the first section; inserting the flying disc into U-shaped section; and disengaging the flying disc from the U-shaped section by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange.
According to another embodiment, a flying disc carrying clip for holding a flying disc comprising a rim lip, a rim edge, and a rim inner cheek is provided. The carrying clip is formed from a one-piece integrally molded member having least three sections comprising: a first section comprising a substantially closed loop secured to a key chain ring, the key chain ring allowing for attachment of the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or securing device; a second, generally U-shaped section comprising an opening having an initial selected distance, the initial selected distance being undersized with respect to the flying disc's rim edge, the initial selected distance expanding during insertion of the flying disc's rim edge and contracting back to the initial selected distance after insertion of the flying disc's rim edge, the U-shaped section contoured to fixedly engage the rim edge, rim lip, and rim inner cheek of the flying disc; and a third section comprising a release flange comprising a substantially closed loop, whereby the engaged flying disc is disengaged by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange without removal of the flying disc carrying clip from the garment, gear, or securing device.
An additional embodiment is directed to a method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip. The method comprises providing a flying disc comprising a rim lip, a rim edge, and a rim inner cheek, and an inner cheek; providing a carrying clip formed from a one-piece integrally molded member having at least three sections comprising a first section comprising a substantially closed loop to secure the carrying clip to a key chain ring; a second, generally U-shaped section comprising an opening having an initial selected distance, the initial selected distance being undersized with respect to the flying disc's rim edge, the initial selected distance expanding during insertion of the flying disc's rim edge and contracting back to the initial selected distance after insertion of the flying disc's rim edge, the U-shaped section contoured to fixedly engage the rim edge, rim lip, and rim inner cheek of the flying disc; and a third section comprising a release flange comprising a substantially closed loop; attaching the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or securing device through the use of the key chain attached to first section; inserting the flying disc into U-shaped section; and disengaging the flying disc from the U-shaped section by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange without removal of the flying disc carrying clip from the garment, gear, or securing device.
These and additional aspects and advantages of the instant invention will be clarified by reference to the figures and detailed description set forth herein.
Particular details of various embodiments of the invention are set forth to illustrate certain aspects and not to limit the scope of the invention. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the embodiments defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of embodiments of the present invention may be identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently-disclosed subject matter belongs.
With reference to
In some embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter, the carrying clip 2 comprises a first section 4 comprising a substantially closed loop 6 to secure the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or a securing device 8. A garment can include any type of article of clothing, such as pants, jacket, or a belt. Non-limiting examples of gear include backpack, duffle bag, Ultimate bag, or a bicycle. Non-limiting examples of securing devices include a carabineer, key chain ring, string, cord, or a wall. In certain embodiments, the first section 4 is secured to a key chain ring 8. The key chain ring 8 can then be used to attach the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or other securing device.
In some embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter, the carrying clip 2 further comprises a second, generally U-shaped section 10 contoured to fixedly engage a flying disc 12. The flying disc 12 is inserted into the opening 14 of the U-shaped section 10. Due to the design of the present invention allowing for proper clearance of the engaged flying disc, this procedure can be performed while the first section of the carrying clip is already attached to a garment, gear, or a securing device. Alternatively, the flying disc can be inserted into the opening 14 of the U-shaped section 10 before the first section 6 is attached to a garment, gear, or a securing device 8. In certain embodiments, the flying disc comprises a rim lip 16, a rim edge 18, and a rim inner cheek 20, as depicted in
In some embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter, the carrying clip 2 further comprises a third section 24 comprising a release flange 26. An engaged flying disc is disengaged by holding the flying disc 12 stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange 26. This upward force applied to the flange portion 26 increases the selected distance 22 at the opening 14 of the U-shaped member 10, therefore releasing the flying disc 12. A person may perform this procedure single-handedly, such as by holding the flying disc with the fingers while applying an upward force with the thumb. A significant security feature of the inventive carrying clip 2 is that it is virtually impossible to remove the flying disc 12 from the carrying clip, without risking severe damage to the flying disc, except by the release flange 26. In certain embodiments, an engaged flying disc may be disengaged without removing the carrying clip from the garment, gear, or securing device. In particular embodiments, the release flange 26 comprises a substantially closed loop.
In other embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter, a method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip is provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing a flying disc 12. In certain embodiments, the flying disc 12 comprises a rim lip 16, a rim edge 18, and a rim inner cheek 20, as depicted in
In some embodiments of the method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip, the carrying clip 2 comprises a first section 4 comprising a substantially closed loop 6. The substantially closed loop 6 is used to secure the carrying clip 2 to a garment, gear, or a securing device 8. A garment can include any type of article of clothing, such as pants, jacket, or a belt. Gear can include, but is not limited to, a backpack, duffle bag, Ultimate bag, or a bicycle. A securing device can include, but is not limited to, a carabineer, key chain ring, string, cord, or a wall. In certain embodiments, the first section 4 is secured to a key chain ring 8. The key chain ring 8 can then be used to attach the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or securing device.
In some embodiments of the method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip, the carrying clip 2 further comprises a second, generally U-shaped section 10 contoured to fixedly engage a flying disc 12. In certain embodiments, the U-shaped section comprises an opening 14, with the opening 14 comprising an initial selected distance 22. According to very specific embodiments, the initial selected distance 22 is undersized with respect to the flying disc's rim edge 18. In more particular embodiments, the initial selected distance 22 at the opening 14 of the U-shaped section 10 expands during insertion of the flying disc's rim edge 18 and contracts back to the initial selected distance 22 after insertion of the flying disc's rim edge 18. In certain particular embodiments, the U-shaped section 10 is contoured to fixedly engage the rim lip 16, rim edge 18, and rim inner cheek 20 of the flying disc 12, as depicted in
In some embodiments of the method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip, the carrying clip 2 further comprises a third section 24 comprising a release flange 26. In particular embodiments, the release flange comprises a substantially closed loop.
In some embodiments of the method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip the carrying clip 2, the method further comprises attaching the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or securing device through the use of the first section 4. In some embodiments, the method further includes inserting the flying disc 12 into a U-shaped section 10. The flying disc 12 is inserted into an opening 14 of the U-shaped section 10. This procedure can be performed while the first section of the carrying clip is already attached to a garment, gear, or a securing device 8 due to the design of the present invention allowing proper clearance for the engaged flying disc. Alternatively, the flying disc 12 can be inserted into the U-shaped section 10 before the first section 4 is attached to a garment, gear, or a securing device 8. In other embodiments, the method further comprises disengaging the flying disc from the U-shaped section 10 by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange 26. This upward force applied to the flange portion 26 increases the selected distance 22 at the opening 14 of the U-shaped member 10 is increased, therefore releasing the flying disc 12. A person may perform this procedure single-handedly, such as by holding the flying disc with the fingers while applying an upward force with the thumb. A significant security feature of the inventive carrying clip 2 is that it is virtually impossible to remove the flying disc 12 from the carrying clip, without risking severe damage to the flying disc, except by the release flange 26. In certain embodiments, an engaged flying disc may be disengaged without the removing of the carrying clip from the garment, gear, or securing device.
EXAMPLESThe following examples are given by way of illustration and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.
Example 1This example describes a very specific embodiment of the invention illustrated according to
a second section comprising a generally closed loop-shaped member including a curved central portion having opposite spaced apart ends, a resilient first leg and a resilient second leg, the first leg and second leg being connected to the opposite ends of the central portion and extending generally downward therefrom and toward one another, the first leg connected to and being integral with the second section of the first arm of the U-shaped member, the second leg ending juxtaposed to the curved central portion of the U-shaped member, thus forming an essentially closed loop-shaped member, and a key chain ring attached to said second section;
a third section comprising a release flange connected to the second arm of the U-shaped member, the release flange comprising a first curved section being integral with and extending away from the second arm of the U-shaped member opposite the first arm and a second curved section being integral with the first section, said second section extending back towards the second arm of the U-shaped member and ending juxtaposed to the second arm thus forming essentially a closed loop, whereby the U-shaped member is adapted to support a flying disc, the flying disc being manually inserted into the opening of the second U-shaped member, and the flying disc being manually removed from the second U-shaped member, without removal of the carrying clip from the garment or gear, by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange, thus disengaging the flange portion away from the first arm so that the selected distance between the first arm and the second arm at the opening of the U-shaped member is increased, therefore releasing the flying disc.
Example 2This example illustrates a very specific embodiment of the invention according to
a second section comprising a flange member connected to the second arm of the U-shaped member, the flange member including a first section being integral with and extending generally downward from the second arm of the U-shaped member, the flange member including a second curved section integral with the first section and extending generally away from the second arm of the U-shaped member opposite the first arm, the flange member including a third curved section being integral with the second section, said third section extending back towards the second arm of the U-shaped member and ending juxtaposed to the second arm thus forming essentially a closed loop, whereby the U-shaped member is adapted to support a flying disc, the flying disc being manually inserted into the opening of the U-shaped member, and the flying disc being manually removed from the U-shaped member, without removal of the clip from the garment or gear, by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange, thus disengaging the flange portion away from the first arm so that the selected distance between the first arm and the second arm at the opening of the U-shaped member is increased, therefore releasing the flying disc.
Example 3This example illustrates of a very specific embodiment of the invention according to
a second section comprising a second downwardly disposed generally U-shaped member comprising a curved central portion having opposite spaced apart ends, a resilient first arm and a resilient second arm, the first arm and second arm being connected to the opposite ends of the curved central portion and extending generally downward therefrom, the first arm having a first section that curves generally toward the second arm and a second section that curves generally away from the second arm towards the second leg of the first U-shaped member, the second section of the first arm of the second U-shaped member being integral with the distal end of second leg of the first U-shaped member, the first arm and the second arm being a selected distance apart from one another at an opening of the second U-shaped member, the initial selected distance at the opening of the second U-shaped member being undersized with respect to the flying disc's most thick rim edge, the initial selected distance at the opening of the second U-shaped member expands during insertion of the flying disc's rim edge and contracts back to the initial selected distance after insertion of the flying disc's rim edge, the second U-shaped member being contoured to fixedly engage the rim edge, the rim lip, and the rim inner cheek of the flying disc;
a third section comprising a release flange connected to the second arm of the second U-shaped member, the flange member including a first section being integral with and extending downward from the second arm of the second U-shaped member, a second section being integral with the first section and extending away from the second arm opposite the first arm, whereby the second U-shaped member is adapted to support a flying disc, the flying disc being manually inserted into the opening of the second U-shaped member and the flying disc being manually removed from the second U-shaped member, without the removal of the carrying clip from the garment or gear, by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange, thus disengaging the flange portion away from the first arm so that the selected distance between the first arm and the second arm at the opening of the U-shaped member is increased, therefore releasing the flying disc.
All documents cited are incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
Having described embodiments of the present invention in detail, and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the embodiments defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of embodiments of the present invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects.
Claims
1. A flying disc carrying clip for holding a flying disc, said carrying clip formed from a material molded into at least three sections comprising:
- a first section comprising a substantially closed loop to secure the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or a securing device;
- a second, generally U-shaped section contoured to fixedly engage a flying disc;
- a third section comprising a release flange, whereby the engaged flying disc may be disengaged by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange.
2. The flying disc carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein said carrying clip comprises a one-piece integrally molded member.
3. The flying disc carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein said carrying clip comprises a resilient material.
4. The flying disc carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the flying disc comprises a rim lip, a rim edge, and a rim inner cheek and the U-shaped section comprises an opening, said opening comprising an initial selected distance, the initial selected distance being undersized with respect to the flying disc's rim edge.
5. The flying disc carrying clip according to claim 4, wherein the flying disc comprises a rim lip, a rim edge, and a rim inner cheek and the initial selected distance at the opening of the U-shaped section expands during insertion of the flying disc's rim edge and contracts back to the initial selected distance after insertion of the flying disc's rim edge.
6. The flying disc carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the flying disc comprises a rim lip, a rim edge, and a rim inner cheek and the U-shaped section is contoured to fixedly engage rim edge, the rim lip, and the rim inner cheek of the flying disc.
7. The flying disc carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the engaged flying disc may be disengaged without the removing of the carrying clip from the garment, gear, or securing device.
8. The flying disc carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the release flange comprises a substantially closed loop.
9. The flying disc carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the first section is secured to a key chain ring.
10. A method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip comprising:
- providing a flying disc;
- providing a carrying clip formed from a material molded into at least three sections comprising: a first section comprising a substantially closed loop to secure the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or a securing device; a second, generally U-shaped section contoured to fixedly engage a flying disc; a third section comprising a release flange;
- attaching the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or securing device through the use of the first section;
- inserting the flying disc into U-shaped section;
- disengaging the flying disc from the U-shaped section by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange.
11. The method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein said carrying clip comprises a one-piece integrally molded member.
12. The method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein said carrying clip comprises a resilient material.
13. The method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the flying disc comprises a rim edge, a rim lip, and a rim inner cheek and the U-shaped section of the flying disc carrying clip comprises an opening having an initial selected distance, the initial selected distance being undersized with respect to the flying disc's rim edge.
14. The method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the flying disc comprises a rim edge, a rim lip, and a rim inner cheek and the initial selected distance at the opening of the U-shaped section expands during insertion of the flying disc's rim edge and contracts back to the initial selected distance after insertion of the flying disc's rim edge.
15. The method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the flying disc comprises a rim edge, a rim lip, and a rim inner cheek and the U-shaped section is contoured to fixedly engage the rim edge, the rim lip, and the rim inner cheek of the flying disc.
16. The method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the engaged flying disc may be disengaged without the removing of the carrying clip from the garment, gear, or securing device.
17. The method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the release flange comprises a substantially closed loop.
18. The method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip according to claim 1, wherein the first section is secured to a key chain ring.
19. A flying disc carrying clip for holding a flying disc comprising a rim edge, a rim lip, and a rim inner cheek, said carrying clip formed from a one-piece integrally molded member having at least three sections comprising:
- a first section comprising a substantially closed loop secured to a key chain ring, the key chain ring allowing for attachment of the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or securing device;
- a second, generally U-shaped section comprising an opening having an initial selected distance, the initial selected distance being undersized with respect to the flying disc's rim edge, the initial selected distance expanding during insertion of the flying disc's rim edge and contracting back to the initial selected distance after insertion of the flying disc's rim edge, the U-shaped section contoured to fixedly engage the rim edge, the rim lip, and the rim inner cheek of the flying disc;
- a third section comprising a release flange comprising a substantially closed loop, whereby the engaged flying disc may be disengaged by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange.
20. A method of engaging and releasing a flying disc from a carrying clip comprising:
- providing a flying disc comprising a rim edge, a rim lip, and a rim inner cheek;
- providing a carrying clip formed from a one-piece integrally molded member having at least three sections comprising: a first section comprising a substantially closed loop to secure the carrying clip to a key chain ring; a second, generally U-shaped section comprising an opening having an initial selected distance, the initial selected distance being undersized with respect to the flying disc's rim edge, the initial selected distance expanding during insertion of the flying disc's rim edge and contracting back to the initial selected distance after insertion of the flying disc's rim edge, the U-shaped section contoured to fixedly engage the rim edge, the rim lip, and the rim inner cheek of the flying disc; a third section comprising a release flange comprising a substantially closed loop;
- attaching the carrying clip to a garment, gear, or securing device through the use of the key chain attached to first section;
- inserting the flying disc into U-shaped section;
- disengaging the flying disc from the U-shaped section by holding the flying disc stationary while applying an upward force to the release flange.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 12, 2014
Publication Date: Aug 14, 2014
Inventor: Benjamin G. PARRIS (Pewee Valley, KY)
Application Number: 14/178,735
International Classification: A45F 5/02 (20060101);