Abstract:
A sports activity device playable, for example, as a device for launching and catching objects and as a tossable flying disc. Embodiments of the sports activity device includes an outer annular ring member and an inner annular ring assembly detachably engaged to the outer annular ring member. The inner annular ring assembly may include an inner annular ring member and an engagement assembly configured and operable to facilitate detachable engagement of the inner annular ring assembly with the outer annular ring member.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to sports activity devices, and more particularly, to a sports activity device that may be used as a tossable flying disc or as a device for launching or catching an object. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Flying discs and the like have long been known in the art, as have variations on the basic premise, including discs that glow in the dark or discs having a hole in the middle thereof to allow for the disc to be thrown further. 
     An example of a glow-in-the-dark flying disc is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,093 to Komuro for a “Revolving and flying toy,” which discloses a revolving and flying toy having an insert pocket in which a chemical luminous body may be placed. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,799 to Thill for a “Lightable whistling disc” discloses a tossable disc including a substantially flat, planar section and an inflatable ring and attached thereto with a chemiluminescent light source positioned on the planar section and a plurality of whistle elements mounted on the inflated ring such that as the toy is tossed through the air the movement thereof will present an auditory sound and the chemiluminescent light source may be activated at the user&#39;s desire. 
     There are also references which teach making the flying disc toy flexible so as to be safer to use and easier to catch. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,226, to Stauffer for a “Flexible flying disc toy” discloses a flexible flying disc toy having a flat, flexible body of fabric material, whereby an advertising message or the like may be printed thereon, and a shape defining and retaining, flexible peripheral ring and rim integrally formed of vinyl or the like so that the disc toy may be folded or crumpled for storage, the toy assuming its original shape after storage and before use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a sports activity device playable as a device for launching and catching objects and as a tossable flying disc. Embodiments of the sports activity device include an outer annular ring member having a continuous outer surface and a continuous inner surface, and an inner annular ring assembly detachably engaged to the outer annular ring member. 
     The inner annular ring assembly may include an inner annular ring member having a continuous outer surface and a continuous inner surface. An engagement assembly may be provided on the continuous inner surface of the inner annular ring member configured and operable to facilitate the detachable engagement of the inner annular ring assembly with the outer annular ring member. The inner ring assembly preferably further includes a flexible material creating a substantially uninterrupted planar surface that stretches across an annular cavity defined by the continuous inner surface of the inner ring member configured and operable to launch and/or catch objects, such as balls. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and features of the invention may be understood with reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present invention taken together in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top planar view of the of the sports activity device of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the sports activity device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side-planar view of the sports activity device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the sports activity device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top planar view of an inner trampoline assembly of the sports activity device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an inner partial side view the inner trampoline assembly of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an outer side view of the inner trampoline assembly of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the inner trampoline assembly of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top planar view of the sports activity device in accordance with another illustrated embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the sports activity device of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side-planar view of the sports activity device of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the sports activity device of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top planar view of an inner trampoline assembly of the sports activity device of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an inner partial side view the inner trampoline assembly of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an outer side view of the inner trampoline assembly of  FIG. 13 ; and 
         FIG. 16  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the inner trampoline assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrated embodiments of the present invention are shown and like reference numerals identify similar elements. The present invention is not limited in any way to any of the illustrated embodiments. 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , a new sports activity device embodying the principles and concepts of an illustrated embodiment of the present invention, and generally designated by reference numeral  10 , will now be described. 
     Sports activity device  10  includes an outer ring member  12  detachably engaged with an inner ring assembly  14 . Outer ring member  12  may be formed of any material having sufficient composition (e.g, foam, plastic, and the like) which retains its annular shaped ( FIG. 1 ) when used in play activity. In the present illustrated embodiment, the outer ring member  12  has an elliptical side profile ( FIG. 3 ). It is to be appreciated the outer ring member  12  may also be configured in other various side profiled configurations, including, semi-circular, toroidal and the like. Similarly, the shape of the outer ring member  12  is not to be understood to be limited to circular as other shapes are also contemplated in a variety of geometric shapes, such as oval, star-shaped, triangular or rectangular. Certainly some shapes might be better suited to flying than others; however, the sports activity device  10  of the present invention may also be used for other activities as discussed herein. 
     The outer ring member  12  is formed with an opposing annular distal end  16  and annular proximal end  18 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the annular proximal end  18  is formed to have a circular cross-section hereinafter also referred to as a “removable trampoline extrusion receiver.” This annular removable trampoline extrusion receiver  18  is configured to detachably engage with a removable trampoline extrusion provided on the inner trampoline ring assembly  14 , as to be described below. As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the outer ring assembly  12  defines an inner circular cavity  20  in which the inner trampoline ring assembly  14  detachably engages therewithin. 
     With primary reference now to  FIGS. 5-8 , the inner ring trampoline assembly  14  forms an annular shaped configuration in conformity with that of the inner circular cavity  20  of the outer ring assembly  12  so as to detachably engage therewith, as described below. The inner ring trampoline assembly  14  includes an annular ring member  22  having an outer annular end portion  24  defining a circular cross-sectional cavity (also know as the “removable trampoline extrusion member”) configured to detachably receive the annular removable trampoline extrusion receiver  18  of the aforesaid outer ring member  12 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the removable trampoline extrusion member  24  is slotted to receive the annular removable trampoline extrusion receiver  18  of the aforesaid outer ring member  12 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the inner ring assembly  14  defines an inner circular cavity  26  in which extends a flexible web like material  28 . Preferably, the flexible web material  28  is fabricated of an elastic material that creates a substantially uninterrupted, trampoline-like, planar surface that stretches across the inner circular cavity  26  of the inner ring assembly  14 . The flexible web like material  28  is adhered to the annular ring member  22  through any known appropriate affixation means including, sewing, gluing, staples, welding, stakes and the like. This trampoline surface  28  can be formed using a variety of elastic materials that serve the purpose of allowing the user to both catch or rebound an object, and also assisting in the flight of the sports activity device  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the sports activity device  10  of the present illustrated embodiment is shown having its aforesaid outer ring member  12  detachably engaged with its inner ring assembly  14 . It is noted that when a load is applied perpendicular to the trampoline surface  28  (e.g., when a ball strikes it), the removable trampoline extrusion member  24  is configured to rotate about the removable trampoline extrusion receiver  18  of the aforesaid outer ring member  12 , as opposed to tending to slide off and separate from the annular the removable trampoline extrusion member  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-13 , another illustrated embodiment of the sports activity device, designated generally by reference numeral  100 , will now be discussed. Sports activity device  100  is similar to the above described sports activity device  10  which includes an outer ring member  112  preferably affixed to an inner ring assembly  14 , which inner ring assembly  14  is to be understood to be the same as described above with reference to the above described sports activity device  10 . 
     The outer ring member  112  of sports activity device  100  is preferably formed of a foam like material forming a circular configuration. In this illustrated embodiment, the outer ring member  112  has a semi-circular side profile ( FIG. 11 ). An annular channel  150  is defined along the surface of the outer ring member  112  as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     Sports activity device  100  of this illustrated embodiment includes a separate trampoline extrusion member  160  having a first end  162  affixed within the annular channel  150  of the outer ring member  112  preferably using any known affixation means, such as glue. A second opposing end  164 , preferably orientated at a 90 degree angle relative to the first end  162 , is configured to detachably engage with the removable trampoline extrusion  24  provided on the inner trampoline ring assembly  14 , as described above. Thus, like sports activity device  10 , the inner ring assembly  14  of sports activity device  100  detachably engages with its aforesaid outer ring member  112 . 
     Having thus described the invention with particular reference to illustrated embodiments hereof, it is to be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the elastic planar surface  28  can additionally serve a promotional or advertising purpose by allowing for graphic branding or imprinting. Additionally a more heavy-duty elastic membrane may be used for the planar surface  28 , thereby allowing it to be used as an athletic training aid. Used in conjunction with an exercise “heavy ball”, the invention would aid in organized training sessions geared towards building core strength and coordination across ages ranging from child to senior. 
     Furthermore, the aforesaid sports activity device  10  of the invention can be made in a variety of sizes and materials that would extend the occasions and environments in which it can be used. For example, smaller softer versions may be used indoors with softer and lighter balls or objects. Larger, more rigid versions may be provided which would require greater strength and would rebound balls and other objects to greater distances and velocities. Heavy-duty versions that would utilize cover materials for the elastic planar surface  28  having textures and reliefs allowing for more positive handgrip and resistance to abrasion. 
     It is further to be appreciated that the aforesaid sports activity device lends itself to a variety of play/athletic uses. Examples of such uses include:
         Two or more participants can catch and rebound a ball or other object in a back and forth manner that allows them to increase the velocity, height, and distance of the object.   One person can receive and rebound a ball or other object in an up and down manner increasing the velocity and height of the object. They may also use a variety of vertical surfaces as a target against which to bounce a resilient ball or other object.   Two or more participants may engage in receiving and rebounding an object and include the throwing of the device in a “Frisbee” like manner at the same time in order to provide a more multi-skilled sport.   The sports activity device may be used to participate in a variety of existing athletic sports such as, but not limited to:
           Tennis   Badminton   Volleyball   Basketball   Baseball/softball   Soccer   Handball   Squash   Racquetball   Table tennis   Football   
           The aforesaid sporting device can be set in a fixed position and used as a target for throwing and rebounding of balls and other objects.