Aerial amusement projectile and method of manufacture

An aerial amusement projectile and method of manufacture, the projectile including an aerodynamic body having a streamer secured therein. The aerodynamic body is fabricated from a resilient, penetrable material and has an ornamental design on a leading face opposite the streamer. The streamer is fabricated from a plurality of multicolor ribbons and is secured inside the aerodynamic body by a novel fastener apparatus and method. The fastener may be fabricated as a U-shaped staple from a resilient wire with a pair of barbed probes or as a harpoon-like device to hold the streamer in the body. The configuration of the fastener and resiliency of the aerodynamic body material assists in securing the fastener against dislodgment from the body material. A padding member is mounted on the staple fastener to protect the streamer against abrasion. The harpoon-like fastener includes a coaxial, countersunk bore for receipt of an insertion tool.

BACKGROUND 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to an amusement device and, more particularly, to an 
aerial amusement projectile and method of manufacture, the aerial 
amusement projectile including an aerodynamic body with a streamer secured 
to the body by a novel fastener apparatus and method. 
2. The Prior Art 
Numerous aerial amusement devices are well-known in the art and include 
such familiar items as balls used in sporting events such as football, 
basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, and the like. Additional non-ball 
aerial projectiles include the conventional shuttlecock and the flying 
saucer-type toy sold under the tradename of Frisbee (a trademark of the 
Whammo Corporation). 
Other aerial amusement projectiles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 159,354; 
645,919; 1,081,037; 1,436,028; 1,538,640; 2,360,173; 2,481,522; 2,484,475; 
3,264,776; 3,368,815; and 3,393,911 and French Pat. No. 1,443,833 and 
German Pat. No. 820,557. Each of the foregoing references discloses an 
aerial amusement projectile with most including some form of flight 
stabilizing streamer. These are believed to be relatively expensive to 
fabricate in view of the numerous components involved and the plurality of 
manufacturing steps believed necessary to fabricate the same. 
In view of the foregoing, it would be an advancement in the art to provide 
an aerial amusement projectile and method of manufacture which (1) readily 
adapts a commercially available sponge rubber ball as the aerodynamic body 
to which a streamer may be fastened; (2) a streamer for the projectile, 
the streamer being fabricated from a plurality of multicolor strips, some 
of the strips selectively being fabricated from a plastic material having 
a shiny metallic surface; and (3) a fastener for the streamer and adapted 
to be embedded in the material of the body and being fabricated as a 
harpoon-like body either from a resilient wire including barbed probes 
formed therein with the resiliency of the wire forcing the barbs outwardly 
into engagement with the sponge material of the aerodynamic body or as a 
solid body also adapted to be embedded within the resilient material of 
the aerodynamic body. Such an invention is disclosed and claimed herein. 
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a novel aerial amusement projectile and 
method of manufacture whereby a commercially available, synthetic sponge 
body such as a spherical ball or other selected shape has a multicolor, 
multi-strand streamer secured thereto. Securement of the streamer is 
easily accomplished by engaging the streamer with a fastener and embedding 
the fastener in the sponge material of the aerodynamic body. The fastener 
may be fabricated as a harpoon-like body either from a resilient wire with 
barbs formed therein so that the resiliency of the wire forces the barbed 
probes outwardly into engagement with the sponge material or as a solid 
body for embedment in and engagement by the resiliency of the sponge-like 
material of the aerodynamic body. 
It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide 
improvements in aerial projectiles. 
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method for 
manufacturing an aerial amusement projectile. 
Another object of this invention is to provide an amusement projectile 
having a novel visual appearance. 
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved fastener whereby 
the streamer may be replaced or re-attached to the aerial projectile. 
Another object of this invention is to provide improvements in fastening a 
streamer to an aerodynamic body. 
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become 
more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims 
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The invention is best understood by reference to the drawing wherein like 
parts are designated with like numerals throughout. 
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of 
the aerial amusement projectile of this invention is shown generally at 10 
and includes an aerodynamic body 12 to which a streamer 20 is affixed by a 
fastener 14. Aerodynamic body 12 is fabricated from a suitable, resilient 
and penetrable material such as rubber, synthetic sponge or the like. 
Advantageously, aerodynamic body 12 can be prepared from a commercially 
available sponge rubber ball. 
Aerodynamic body 12 is suitably embossed with an ornamental design shown 
herein as star design 18. Star design 18 is formed on a leading face of 
aerodynamic body 12, the leading face being opposite the exit site of 
streamer 20 from aerodynamic body 12. Streamer 20 serves as a drogue for 
aerodynamic body 12 during flight thereby presenting star design 18 at the 
forward profile of aerial amusement projectile 10. Star design 18 may be 
either painted or otherwise printed directly on the face of aerodynamic 
body 12 or may be separately fabricated from a sheet of aluminized Mylar, 
for example, and adhesively secured to aerodynamic body 12. The remainder 
of the surface of aerodynamic body 12 not covered by star design 18 may be 
any suitable color which contrasts or compliments the color of star design 
18 thereby providing a pleasing visual appearance to aerodynamic body 12. 
Streamer 20 is fabricated from a plurality of ribbons 21-29 (shown broken 
and thereby substantially foreshortened for ease of illustration). Ribbons 
21-29 may be prepared by cutting strips from an aluminized Mylar material, 
fabric, or other suitable plastic material. Preferably, the material of 
ribbons 21-29 is multicolor and, advantageously, includes shiny, metallic 
surfaces for imparting a pleasing visual appearance to aerial amusement 
projectile 10 while in flight. Importantly, ribbons 21-29 are fabricated 
from a suitably flexible material so as to impart a shimmering or 
fluttering appearance to streamer 20 during flight of aerial amusement 
projectile 10. 
Additionally, streamer 20 is prepared from a material having sufficient 
strength to withstand forces imposed thereon when streamer 20 is used as a 
tether for twirling aerodynamic body 12 prior to launching the same upon 
release of streamer 20 by the thrower (not shown). Streamer 20 thereby 
serves as a throwing handle with streamer 20 being hand-grasped to 
accommodate the thrower (not shown) twirling aerodynamic body 12 in a 
circle for an increased impetus upon launch. The increased centrifugal 
force imparted to aerodynamic body 12 assures a longer flight distance 
thereby greatly enhancing the play characteristics of aerial amusement 
projectile 10. Importantly, in view of the stresses imposed upon streamer 
20 and its interconnection with aerodynamic body 12, streamer 20 is 
securely fastened to aerodynamic body 12 by the particular fastener. 
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 3, fastener 14 is shown 
configurated as a U-shaped keeper having a generally rectangular profile. 
Fastener 14 consists of a centrally disposed, streamer-engaging midsegment 
or base member 40 with probes 42 and 44 extending from each end. Probes 42 
and 44 are coplanar and generally perpendicular to base member 40. Probes 
42 and 44 have barbs 43 and 45, respectively, formed on the ends thereof. 
Barbs 43 and 45 are also coplanar and directed outwardly with respect to 
the remainder of fastener 14. 
Advantageously, fastener 14 is fabricated from a suitably resilient wire 
material so that probes 42 and 44 are urged inwardly to the position 
indicated by broken lines 42a and 44a, respectively, thereby readily 
adapting fastener 14 for penetration into aerodynamic body 12. Fastener 14 
is inserted into aerodynamic body 12 preferably to a position beyond the 
epicenter of aerodynamic body 12 thereby providing a more secure lodgement 
of streamer 20 thereto. After penetration, barbs 43 and 45 are urged 
outwardly by the resilient characteristics of fastener 14 thereby forcing 
barbs 43 and 45 into more secure engagement with the material of 
aerodynamic body 12. Additionally, forces against streamer 20 tending to 
dislodge fastener 14 cause barbs 43 and 45 to be urged outwardly into more 
secure engagement with the resilient material of aerodynamic body 12. In 
this manner, fastener 14 is securely embedded within aerodynamic body 12 
thereby resisting dislodgment therefrom by pulling forces against streamer 
20. 
With particular reference to FIG. 4, a padding member 16 is shown and 
consists of a generally cylindrical padding body 15 having an axial bore 
17 therethrough. Axial bore 17 is configurated to be slipped over base 
member 40 during manufacture of fastener 14 prior to probes 42 and 44 
being formed therein. Alternatively, a longitudinal slit (not shown) may 
be cut into padding member 16 between the external surface and bore 17 to 
accommodate padding member 16 being slipped over base member 40 after 
fastener 14 has been fabricated. 
Padding member 16 is provided for the purpose of cushioning or otherwise 
protecting individual ribbons 21-29 of streamer 20 (FIG. 1) against 
abrasion or cutting by contact with the relatively small diameter wire of 
base member 40 of fastener 14 (FIG. 3). Padding member 16 is fabricated 
from a suitable, resilient material to provide a resilient, enlarged 
diameter surface against which streamer 20 may be held inside aerodynamic 
body 12 thereby reducing inadvertent dislodgment of streamer 20 from 
aerodynamic body 12. 
Fastener 14 is adapted to be securely embedded within the structural 
material of aerodynamic body 12 thereby precluding inadvertent dislodgment 
of streamer 20 from aerodynamic body 12. 
Fastener 14 is adapted to be securely embedded within the structural 
material of aerodynamic body 12 thereby precluding inadvertent dislodgment 
or removal. A padding member 16 is mounted on fastener 14 for (1) 
cushioning ribbons 21-29 against abrasion by fastener 14 and (2) clamping 
ribbons 21-29 between padding member 16 and the material of aerodynamic 
body 12. The illustrated, broken away portion of aerodynamic body 12 shown 
in FIG. 1 provides a more clear understanding of the interrelationship of 
the various components and the fastening technique for aerodynamic body 
12, fastener 14, padding member 16, and streamer 20. 
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, a second preferred embodiment of 
the aerial amusement projectile of this invention is shown herein at 50 
and includes an aerodynamic body 52 with a streamer 20 secured thereto. 
Aerodynamic body 52 is fabricated with a teardrop-like configuration with 
a streamer 20 extending from the apex of the teardrop profile. Fastener 14 
is embedded inside aerodynamic body 52 and thereby provides a secure 
anchor for streamer 20. Aerodynamic body 52 also includes an ornamental 
star design 54 embossed on a leading face. Streamer 20 acts as a drogue 
member to stabilize the direction of flight of aerodynamic body 52 thereby 
presenting the star design 54 at the forward end of aerial amusement 
projectile 50. It should be emphasized that the broken away portion of 
aerodynamic body 52 illustrates the interrelationship among aerodynamic 
body 52, streamer 20 and fastener 14. Clearly, in practice, streamer 20 
will be securely clamped to aerodynamic body 52 by fastener 14 and padding 
member 16 (FIG. 4) as set forth hereinbefore with respect to the 
embodiment shown in FIG. 1. 
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 5, a third preferred embodiment of 
the aerial amusement projectile of this invention is shown generally at 60 
and includes an aerodynamic body 62 to which a streamer 80 is attached by 
a harpoon-like fastener 66. Aerodynamic body 62, like aerodynamic bodies 
12 and 52 (FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively), is fabricated from a suitable, 
resilient and penetrable material such as a rubber, synthetic sponge 
material or the like. Advantageously, aerodynamic body 62 can be prepared 
from a commercially available sponge rubber ball. 
Aerodynamic body 62 is suitably embossed with an ornamental design shown 
herein as a star design 64. Star design 64 is formed on the leading face 
of aerodynamic body 62, the leading face being opposite the exit site of 
streamer 80 from aerodynamic body 62. Streamer 80 serves as a drogue for 
aerodynamic body 62 during flight, thereby presenting star design 64 at 
the forward profile of aerial amusement projectile 60. Star design 64 may 
be either painted or otherwise printed directly on the face of aerodynamic 
body 62 or may be separately fabricated from a sheet of aluminized Mylar 
and adhesively secured to aerodynamic body 62. The remainder of the 
surface of aerodynamic body 62 not covered by star design 64 may be any 
suitable color which contrasts or compliments the color of star design 64 
thereby providing a pleasing visual appearance to aerodynamic body 62. 
Streamer 80 is fabricated from a plurality of discrete ribbons (shown 
broken and thereby substantially foreshortened for ease of illustration). 
Streamer 80 may be fabricated by cutting a plurality of strips from an 
aluminized Mylar material, fabric, or other suitable material. Preferably, 
the material of streamer 80 is multi-color and, advantageously, includes 
shiny, metallic surfaces for imparting a pleasing visual appearance to 
aerial amusement projectile 60 while in flight. Importantly, streamer 80 
is fabricated from a suitably flexible material so as to impart the 
shimmering or fluttering appearance to streamer 80 during flight of aerial 
amusement projectile 60. Additionally, streamer 80 is prepared from a 
material having sufficient strength to withstand forces imposed thereon 
when streamer 80 is used as a tether for twirling aerodynamic body 62 
prior to launching the same upon release of streamer 80 by the thrower 
(not shown). Streamer 80 thereby serves as a throwing handle with streamer 
80 being hand-grasped to accommodate the thrower (not shown) twirling 
aerodynamic body 62 in a circle for an increased impetus upon launch. The 
increased centrifugal force imparted to aerodynamic body 62 assures a 
longer flight distance thereby greatly enhancing the play characteristics 
of aerial amusement projectile 60. Importantly, in view of the stresses 
imposed upon streamer 80 and its interconnection with aerodynamic body 62, 
streamer 80 is securely fastened to aerodynamic body 62 by the second 
preferred fastener embodiment, fastener 66. 
With reference also to FIG. 6, fastener 66 is fabricated as a cylindrical 
body 74 having a cone 76 extending from one end thereof and terminating in 
an apex 68. A slot 70 is cut in one face of cone 76 and provides a 
securement device for streamer 80 engaged by fastener 66. Fastener 66 is 
particularly configurated with a harpoon-like configuration to accommodate 
being penetrably inserted into aerodynamic body 62 with the cone 76 
spreading or otherwise momentarily displacing the resilient material of 
aerodynamic body 62 to allow the passage of fastener 66 into aerodynamic 
body 62. After insertion of fastener 66, the resilient material of 
aerodynamic body 62 tends to return to its original position thereby 
closing around streamer 80 and forming a surface against which a base 78 
presses thereby resisting dislodgment of fastener 66 when tensile forces 
are imposed upon streamer 80. Additionally, the resilience of the material 
of aerodynamic body 62 encloses about the portion of embedded streamer 80 
within aerodynamic body 62 providing additional frictional engagement 
between aerodynamic body 62 and streamer 80. 
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 6, fastener 66 is shown in 
cross-section and in exploded relationship with an insertion rod 82. In 
particular, a coaxial counterbore 72 is formed in base 78 and is 
fabricated to receive the end of insertion rod 82 in snug-fitting 
relationship. While rod 82 does not form a part of the apparatus of this 
invention, rod 82 substantially facilitates the fabrication of the aerial 
amusement projectile 60 (FIG. 5) of this invention. In particular, the end 
of rod 82 is inserted into counterbore 72 and streamer 80 is engaged by 
slot 70. Thereafter, apex 68 is placed against the surface of aerodynamic 
body 62 (FIG. 5) and pushed by means of insertion rod 82 and forced inside 
aerodynamic body 62 along a diameter thereof until reaching a point inside 
aerodynamic body 62 preferably beyond the epicenter of aerodynamic body 
62. Advantageously, counterbore 72 receives the end of insertion rod 82 in 
snug-fitting, releasable relationship so that the direction of insertion 
of fastener 66 can be suitably controlled thereby precluding misalignment 
of fastener 66 during insertion. An indicia 84 may be included on 
insertion rod 82 to serve as a marker for the operator (not shown) to 
assist in placing fastener 66 at the appropriate location within 
aerodynamic body 62 by allowing the operator to visually observe when 
indicia 84 reaches the external surface of aerodynamic body 62 during 
insertion of fastener 66. Thereafter, the insertion rod 82 is readily 
removed from aerodynamic body 62 leaving fastener 66 with streamer 80 
securely attached to aerodynamic body 62 thereby completing assembly of 
aerial projectile 60. Insertion rod 82 may then be used for assembling the 
next aerial amusement projectile 60. 
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another preferred embodiment of the aerial 
amusement projectile of this invention is shown generally at 90 (FIG. 8) 
and includes a streamer 91 secured to an aerodynamic body 92 by a 
harpoon-like fastener 96. Aerodynamic body 92, like aerodynamic bodies 12 
(FIG. 1), 52 (FIG. 2), and 62 (FIG. 5), is fabricated from a suitable, 
resilient and penetrable material such as a rubber, synthetic sponge 
material or the like. Advantageously, aerodynamic body 92 can be readily 
prepared from a commercially available sponge rubber ball. 
As in the other preferred embodiments of this invention, aerodynamic body 
92 is suitably embossed or otherwise decorated with an ornamental design 
shown herein as a star design 89. Star design 89 is formed on the leading 
face of aerodynamic body 92, which is the face opposite the face from 
which streamer 91 extends from aerodynamic body 92. Streamer 91 serves as 
a drogue for aerodynamic body 92 during flight so that star design 89 is 
at the leading profile of aerial amusement projectile 90. Star design 89 
may be formed on aerodynamic body 92 by any suitable means such as 
painting, printing, or adhesive securement of a separate design, for 
example, a star cut from a sheet of aluminized Mylar and adhesively 
secured at the desired location on aerodynamic body 92. The remainder of 
the surface of aerodynamic body 92 may be of any suitable color which 
either contrasts or compliments the color and appearance of star design 89 
thereby providing a pleasing visual appearance to aerodynamic body 92. 
Streamer 91 is preferentially fabricated from a plurality of discrete 
ribbons which may be prepared, for example, by cutting a plurality of 
strips from an aluminized Mylar material or any other suitable material. 
Preferably, the material of streamer 91 is multi-colored and, 
advantageously, includes a plurality of shiny, metallic surfaces for 
imparting a pleasing visual appearance to streamer 91 while aerial 
amusement projectile 90 is in flight. Streamer 91 is also fabricated from 
a suitably flexible material so that streamer 91 imparts a desirable 
shimmering or fluttering appearance during flight. Additionally, streamer 
91 is fabricated from a material having sufficient strength to withstand 
the forces imposed thereon when streamer 91 is used as a tether for 
twirling aerodynamic body 92 prior to launching the same upon release of 
streamer 91 by the thrower (not shown). Streamer 91 thereby readily serves 
as a throwing handle for the thrower (not shown) hand-grasping the same to 
accommodate twirling aerodynamic body 92 in a circle for an increased 
impetus upon launch. The increased centrifugal forces imposed upon 
aerodynamic body 92 assures a longer flight distance of aerial amusement 
projectile 90 thereby greatly enhancing the play characteristics of the 
same. 
Importantly, in view of the stresses imposed upon streamer 91 and its 
interconnection with aerodynamic body 92, fastener 96 is selectively 
configurated to provide a secure engagement inside aerodynamic body 92. 
Fastener 96 is fabricated as a cylindrical body having an apex 93, a 
streamer-receiving slot 94, a coaxial counterbore 95, and a slanted rear 
face 98. Counterbore 95 selectively receives an insertion rod similar to 
insertion rod 82 (FIG. 6) while apex 93 allows fastener 96 to be 
penetrably inserted inside aerodynamic body 92. For example, during 
assembly of aerial amusement projectile 90, a plurality of suitable 
ribbons forming streamer 91 are folded into slot 94 and an insertion rod 
is inserted into counterbore 95. Fastener 96 is inserted inside 
aerodynamic body 92 and the insertion rod (not shown) is thereafter 
removed, leaving fastener 96 with streamer 91 attached thereto embedded 
within aerodynamic body 92. Tensile forces exerted on streamer 91 cause 
fastener 96 to pivot longitudinally so that the angular profile of face 98 
cuts into the material of aerodynamic body 92 in an offset configuration 
shown best in FIG. 8 thereby more securely lodging fastener 96 within 
aerodynamic body 92. The configuration of fastener 96 is, therefore, such 
that fastener 96 is securely embedded within aerodynamic body 92 to 
strongly resist any attempt toward dislodgment thereof. Accordingly, it 
can readily be seen that while fastener 96 is inserted through a 
relatively small passageway represented by passageway 97, the 
cross-sectional area against which fastener 96 is in frictional engagement 
with the material of aerodynamic body 92 is greatly enlarged so that 
fastener 96 is securely engaged within aerodynamic body 92. 
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing 
from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments 
are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not 
restrictive and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the 
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes 
which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are 
to be embraced within their scope.