Abstract:
An inflatable flying disc may include an inflatable annular body having an air inlet to inflate and deflate the flying disc; a base membrane being attached to the inflatable annular body along a peripheral edge; a first membrane being attached to the base membrane along the perimeter of the first membrane. The base membrane and the first membrane may form a water-tight compartment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present relates to a sport or a recreational article, in particular, a kind of inflatable flying disc. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Recreational devices have a wide appeal to the population in general. These recreational devices may be used at home, on vacation or just about anywhere that will allow the recreational devices to be operated. In particular, flying recreational devices participate in this wide appeal to the population. The flying recreational devices may employ lights to provide visual identification and a decorative addition to these devices. However, there is a need for electrical circuits to operate these recreational devices. The electrical circuits need to be operated in a waterproof environment in case the flying recreational device contacts water. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    An inflatable flying disc may include an inflatable annular body having an air inlet to inflate and deflate the flying disc; a base membrane being attached to the inflatable annular body along a peripheral edge; a first membrane being attached to the base membrane along the perimeter of the first membrane. The base membrane and the first membrane may form a watertight compartment. 
         [0004]    The base membrane may be a circular base membrane. 
         [0005]    The first membrane may be a first top membrane positioned on the top of the base membrane. 
         [0006]    The inflatable flying disc may include a second membrane being attached to the first membrane. 
         [0007]    The second membrane may be a top second membrane positioned on the top of the base membrane. 
         [0008]    The watertight chamber may be formed by a chamber base and a chamber cap. 
         [0009]    A first membrane compartment may be formed between first membrane and base membrane. 
         [0010]    Base membrane may include an opening to allow access to first membrane compartment. 
         [0011]    The inflatable flying disc may include a second membrane compartment formed between first membrane and second membrane, and an opening on first membrane. 
         [0012]    The inflatable flying disc may include a hood on top of first membrane. 
         [0013]    The inflatable flying disc may include a hood on top of second membrane. 
         [0014]    A An electronic device may be positioned within the first membrane compartment. 
         [0015]    An electronic device may be positioned within the second membrane compartment. 
         [0016]    An electronic device may also be positioned within the first chamber compartment of the watertight chamber. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the water-tight chamber; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  illustrates a block diagram of the electronic device; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  illustrates a schematic diagram of the electronic device; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the seventh embodiment of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the eighth embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    An inflatable flying disc may be light-weight, flexible, and able to float on water. The inflatable flying disc of the present invention can be used on the beach, or in any water event, by players of all ages. 
         [0032]    The inflatable flying disc of the present invention can contain an electronic light emitting device, and it can be traced visually when played in the dark. The inflatable flying disc of the present invention can contain an electronic sound producing device, and it can be heard and followed when played by people who cannot see. 
         [0033]    The inflatable flying disc of the present invention can contain an electronic remote control device, and its light and sound effects, or even the flying trajectory can be manipulated remotely. 
         [0034]    The body of an inflatable flying disc may be substantially air-tight and may include an air inlet for air filling. The air inlet may be small, so that it can be sealed easily. However, such conditions make it difficult for electronic devices to be installed into, or withdrew out of the inflatable flying disc. 
         [0035]    This invention provides a solution for installing or replacing electronic devices of an inflatable flying disc, without disturbing or damaging its air-tight body. 
         [0036]    The inflatable flying disc of the present invention may include an annular inflatable body, a base membrane, top membranes, and water-tight chambers. There can be a cap on a top membrane. Furthermore, the flying disc may include openings on base membrane and top membrane. Such openings will allow connection of the compartments within water-tight chamber to the compartments enclosed by top membranes, and also to the compartment within the cap, hence expanding the capacity, and providing a variety of compartment configurations for installing electronic devices into the inflatable flying disc. The electronic device can be placed into the compartment within water-tight chambers, or into the compartments enclosed by the top membranes, or further into the compartment within the cap. Batteries in the electronic devices are hence replaceable and the duration of use of the inflatable flying disc is extended. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the inflatable flying disc  1  may include an inflatable annular body  2 , and an air inlet  5 , on the external surface of inflatable annular body  2 . Air is to be filled into or released out of inflatable annular body  2  by way of air inlet  5 . Air inlet  5  may include an inlet base  6 , and an inlet sealing cap  7 . A circular base membrane  3  may be attached onto inflatable annular body  2  along their common circumference. Base membrane  3  may be permanently attached onto inflatable annular body  2 , and may have the substantially the same diameter as inflatable annular body  2 . A first top membrane  1301  may be attached, along its perimeter, onto base membrane  3 . The size of first top membrane  1301  may be varied as small as the outer perimeter of water-tight chamber  8 , or as big as the circumference of inflatable annular body  2 , or one in between. First top membrane  1301  may be permanently attached onto base membrane  3 . The present invention may include additional top membranes, ie, other than first top membrane  1301 , such as a second top membrane  1302  (not shown), so on and so forth. The size range of second top membrane  1302  may be similar to that of first top membrane  1301 . Second top membrane  1302  may be attached, along its perimeter, onto base membrane  3 , or on top of first top membrane  1301 . Likewise, any subsequent top membrane after second top membrane  1302 , will have a similar size range as second top membrane  1302 , and can be attached onto base membrane  3 , or on top of a membrane other than base membrane  3 . 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , there can be one, or more than one, water-tight chamber  8  positioned on one side of base membrane  3 . A water-tight chamber  8  may include a chamber base  9 , an opening  91  at one end of chamber base  9 , and a water-tight chamber cap  10  for sealing opening  91 . With chamber base  9  attached to one side of base membrane  3 , opening  91  may be an entrance to a first chamber compartment  11 . Upon the sealing up of opening  91  by chamber cap  10 , first chamber compartment  11  operates as a water-tight compartment. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention. First top membrane  1301  and base membrane  3  are of the same diameter. First top membrane  1301  and may be attached onto base membrane  3  along their common circumference, forming a first membrane compartment  1401 . Only one water-tight chamber  8  is shown, but additional can be added if necessary. Water-tight chamber  8  may be attached to the underside of base membrane  3  of inflatable flying disc  1 . A base membrane opening  15  may be formed at a position corresponding to first chamber compartment  11 , connecting the first membrane compartment  1401  to the first chamber compartment  11 . A second top membrane  1302  may be attached, along its perimeter, on top of first top membrane  1301 , forming a second membrane compartment  1402 . The size of second top membrane  1302  may be between the outer perimeter of water-tight chamber  8 , and the circumference of inflatable annular body  2 . A first membrane opening  1801  may be formed at a position corresponds to first chamber compartment  11 , connecting second membrane compartment  1402  to first membrane compartment  1401 . Electronic device  12  may be placed, through opening  91 , into the first chamber compartment  11 , or then, through the base membrane opening  15 , into first membrane compartment  1401 , or further, through the first membrane opening  1801 , into the second membrane compartment  1402 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of the electronic device  12 . Electronic device  12  may include light emitting components, sound producing components, a motor, a triggering device, and a battery. 
         [0041]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , Electronic device  12  may include a controller  122 . Controller  122  may be a pre-programmed micro-chip. One end of first light emitting component  125  is connected to the light emitting diode LED 2  pad of controller  122 , while the other end of it is connected to the cathode of battery  123 . One end of triggering device  128  is connected to the TRIG pad of controller  122 , while the other end of it is connected to the cathode of battery  123 . The VSS pad of controller  122  is connected to the cathode of battery  123 . One end of second light emitting component  131  is connected to the LED 1  pad of controller  122 , while the other end of it is connected to the cathode of battery  123  and the emitter of transistor  130 . A resistor  132  is in series between the base of transistor  130  and the MTO pad of controller  122 . The negative end of motor  129  is connected to the collector of transistor  130 , while its positive end is connected to the VDD pad of controller  122 . One pole of power switch  127  is connected to the VDD pad of controller  122 , while the other end of it is connected to the anode of battery  123 . The two ends of first sound producing component  126  are connected to the BZ1 and BZ2 pads of controller  122  respectively. The two ends of second sound producing component  133  are connected to the PWM1 and PWM2 pads of controller  122  respectively. 
         [0042]    First light emitting component  125 , and second light emitting component  131 , can be a light emitting diode, a light bulb, or an EL panel. First sound producing component  126  can be a magnetic speaker. Second sound producing component  133  can be a piezo buzzer, or a transducer. Controller  122  can be a Tritan TRS085A1 OTP, or a micro-chip with compatible capability. Power switch  127  may be used to establish or cut off the electrical connection between controller  122  and battery  123 . Triggering switch  128  can be a vibration sensor, or a remote control signal receiver. When triggering switch  128  is subject to vibration, or a remote control signal is received, a connection between the TRIG pad of controller  122  and the cathode of battery  123  is established. Controller  122  is then subject to a low pull signal, and will begin commanding the light emitting components, the sound producing components, and the motor to work. 
         [0043]    Circuit board  121  is a printed circuit board, with the electrical circuitry etched on it. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the invention. First top membrane  1301  and base membrane  3  may be the same diameter. First top membrane  1301  may be attached onto base membrane  3  along their common circumference, forming a first membrane compartment  1401 . Only one water-tight chamber  8  is shown, but there can be more than one if necessary. Water-tight chamber  8  may be attached to the underside of base membrane  3  of inflatable flying disc  1 . A base membrane opening  15  may be formed at a position corresponding to first chamber compartment  11 , connecting first membrane compartment  1401  to first chamber compartment  11 . A second top membrane  1302  may be attached, along its perimeter, on top of first top membrane  1301 , forming a second membrane compartment  1402 . The size of second top membrane  1302  may be between the outer perimeter of water-tight chamber  8 , and the circumference of first membrane  1301 . A first membrane opening  1801  may be formed at a position corresponds to base membrane opening  15 , connecting second membrane compartment  1402  to first membrane compartment  1401 . A hood  16  may be attached onto the upper side of second top membrane  1302 , at a position corresponding to the water-tight chamber  8 , forming a hood compartment  17 . A second membrane opening  1802  may be formed, connecting second membrane compartment  1402  and hood compartment  17 . The functions of hood  16  are: a) providing a hood compartment  17 , hence expanding the capacity of the first chamber compartment  11 , first membrane compartment  1401 , and second membrane compartment  1402 , providing for a housing electronic devices; b) providing a light effect from the light emitting components  125  and  131  can be seen on the upper side of the inflatable flying disc  1 ; c) balancing the weight of water-tight chamber  8 , allowing a smoother and steadier flight of the inflatable flying disc  1 . Electronic device  12  may be placed, through opening  91 , into first chamber compartment  11 , or then, through base membrane opening  15 , into first membrane compartment  1401 , or then, through first membrane opening  1801 , into second membrane compartment  1402 , or further, through second membrane opening  1802 , into hood compartment  17 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the invention. The size of first top membrane  1301  may be between the outer perimeter of water-tight chamber  8 , and the outer perimeter of second top membrane  1302 . The size of second top membrane  1302  may be between the outer perimeter of first top membrane  1301 , and the circumference of inflatable annular body  2 . First top membrane  1301  may be attached, along its perimeter onto base membrane  3 , forming a first membrane compartment  1401 . Only one water-tight chamber  8  is shown, but the present invention may have be more than one if necessary. Water-tight chamber  8  may be attached to the underside of base membrane  3  of inflatable flying disc  1 . A base membrane opening  15  may be formed at a position corresponds to first chamber compartment  11 , connecting first membrane compartment  1401  to first chamber compartment  11 . Second top membrane  1302  may be attached, along its perimeter, onto base membrane  3 , the compartment enclosed by base membrane  3 , first top membrane  1301  and second top membrane  1302  becomes a second membrane compartment  1402 . A first membrane opening  1801  may be formed at a position corresponding to first chamber compartment  11 , connecting the second membrane compartment  1402  to the first membrane compartment  1401 . The electronic device  12  may be placed, through the opening  91 , into the first chamber compartment  11 , or then, through the base membrane opening  15 , into the first membrane compartment  1401 , or further, through the first membrane opening  1801 , into the second membrane compartment  1402 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the invention. The first top membrane  1301  may be positioned between the outer perimeter of water-tight chamber  8 , and the outer perimeter of second top membrane  1302 . The second top membrane  1302  may be positioned between the outer perimeter of first top membrane  1301 , and the circumference of inflatable annular body  2 . The first top membrane  1301  may be attached, along its perimeter onto base membrane  3 , forming a first membrane compartment  1401 . Only one water-tight chamber  8  is shown, but there can be more than one if necessary. The watertight chamber  8  may be attached to the underside of the base membrane  3  of the inflatable flying disc  1 . A base membrane opening  15  may be formed at a position corresponding to the first chamber compartment  11 , connecting the first membrane compartment  1401  to the first chamber compartment  11 . The second top membrane  1302  may be attached, along its perimeter, onto the base membrane  3 , the compartment enclosed by base membrane  3 , the first top membrane  1301 , and the second top membrane  1302  becomes a second membrane compartment  1402 . A first membrane opening  1801  may be formed at a position corresponding to the first chamber compartment  11 , connecting the second membrane compartment  1402  to the first membrane compartment  1401 . A hood  16  may be attached to the upper side of the second top membrane  1302 , at a position corresponding to the water-tight chamber  8 , forming a hood compartment  17 . A second membrane opening  1802  may be formed, connecting the second membrane compartment  1402  and the hood compartment  17 . The functions of the hood  16  may be: a) providing a third enclosed compartment  17 , hence expanding the capacity of the first chamber compartment  11 , the first membrane compartment  1401 , and the second membrane compartment  1402 , for housing electronic devices; b) providing a light effect from the light emitting components  125  and  131  which can be seen on the upper side of the inflatable flying disc  1 ; c) balancing the weight of the water-tight chamber  8 , allowing a smoother and steadier flight of the inflatable flying disc  1 . The electronic device  12  can be placed, through the opening  91 , into the first chamber compartment  11 , or then, through the base membrane opening  15 , into the first membrane compartment  1401 , or then, through the first membrane opening  1801 , into the second membrane compartment  1402 , or further, through the second membrane opening  1802 , into the hood compartment  17 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The first top membrane  1301  may be attached onto base membrane  3 , forming a first membrane compartment  1401 . The second top membrane  1302  is not shown. The size of first top membrane  1301  may extend to the outer perimeter of water-tight chamber  8 . Only one water-tight chamber  8  is shown. The watertight chamber  8  may be attached to the underside of the base membrane  3  of the inflatable flying disc  1 . A base membrane opening  15  may be formed at a position corresponding to the first chamber compartment  11 , connecting the first membrane compartment  1401  to the first chamber compartment  11 . The first membrane compartment  1401  and the base membrane opening  15  may overlap each other. The electronic device  12  can be placed into the first chamber compartment  11 , or further into the first membrane compartment  1401 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The first top membrane  1301  may be attached onto the base membrane  3 , forming a first membrane compartment  1401 . The second top membrane  1302  is not shown. The first top membrane  1301  may extend to the outer perimeter of the water-tight chamber  8 . Only one water-tight chamber  8  is shown. The watertight chamber  8  may be attached to the underside of the base membrane  3  of the inflatable flying disc  1 . A hood  16  may be attached to the upper side of first top membrane  1301 , on top of the water-tight chamber  8 , forming a hood compartment  17 . A base membrane opening  15  may be to be formed, connecting the first chamber compartment  11  and the first membrane compartment  1401 . A first membrane opening  1801  may be to be formed, connecting the first membrane compartment  1401  and the hood compartment  17 . The first membrane compartment  1401 , the base membrane opening  15 , and the first membrane opening  1801  may overlap each other. The functions of the hood  16  may be: a) providing a hood compartment  17 , hence expanding the capacity of the first chamber compartment  11  and the first membrane compartment  1401  for the housing electronic devices; b) generating a light effect from the light emitting components  125  and  131  which may be seen on the upper side of the inflatable flying disc  1 ; c) balancing the weight of the water-tight chamber  8 , providing a smoother and steadier flight of the inflatable flying disc  1 . The electronic device  12  may be placed into the first chamber compartment  11 , or then into the first membrane compartment  1401 , or further into the hood compartment  17 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The first top membrane  1301  and the second top membrane  1302  are not shown. Only one water-tight chamber  8  is shown, but there can be more than one if necessary. The water-tight chamber  8  may be attached to the underside of the base membrane  3  of the inflatable flying disc  1 . The electronic device  12  may be housed in the first chamber compartment  11 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The first top membrane  1301  and the second top membrane  1302  are not shown. Only one water-tight chamber  8  is shown, but there can be more than one if necessary. The water-tight chamber  8  may be attached to the underside of the base membrane  3  of the inflatable flying disc  1 . A hood  16  may be attached onto the upper side of the base membrane  3 , on top of the water-tight chamber  8 , forming a hood compartment  17 . A base membrane opening  15  may be formed, connecting the first chamber compartment  11  and the hood compartment  17 . The functions of the hood  16  may be: a) providing a hood compartment  17 , hence expanding the capacity of the first chamber compartment  11  for housing electronic devices; b) generating a light effect from the light emitting components  125  and  131  which may be seen on the upper side of the inflatable flying disc  1 ; c) balancing the weight of the water-tight chamber  8 , allowing a smoother and steadier flight of the inflatable flying disc  1 . The electronic device  12  can be placed into the first chamber compartment  11 , or then into the hood compartment  17 . 
         [0051]    Inflatable annular body  2 , base membrane  3 , first top membrane  1301 , and second top membrane  1302 , may be formed from soft plastic film or other appropriate material, which can be transparent, translucent, or opaque. 
         [0052]    The procedure of installing the electronic device  12  into, or replacing it from inflatable flying disc  1  may be as follows. The watertight chamber cap  10  may be detached from the chamber base  9 . The electronic device  12  can then be placed into the first chamber compartment  11 , or next into the first membrane compartment  1401 , or next into the second membrane compartment  402 , or further into the hood compartment  17 , or vice versa. 
         [0053]    The watertight cap  10  may be then attached back to chamber base  9 , completing the installation or replacement procedure. 
         [0054]    The first light emitting component  125  can be connected to the LED 2  pad of controller  122  and cathode of battery  123  by electrical wires. Similarly, second light emitting component  132  can be connected to the LED 1  pad of the (the) controller  122  and cathode of battery  123  by electrical wires. By using different lengths of electrical wires, and different color lights from the first light emitting component  125  and the second light emitting component  132 , a variety of light effect and patterns can be displayed inside the first membrane compartment  1401  and the second membrane compartment  1402 . If the triggering switch  128  is a remote control signal receiver, the controller  122  can then be activated by remote controlled signals. The motor  129  can work together with a gyroscope to change the flying pattern or the trajectory of inflatable flying disc  1 . 
         [0055]    The inflatable flying disc  1  is a safe sporting or recreational article, because it is light-weight, flexible, and therefore can prevent players from being injured by its impact. It is easy to store, because its volume may be greatly reduced upon being deflated. The cost of transportation may be much lowered when it is being mass produced. The features such as the water-tight chamber  8 , the base membrane  3 , the first top membrane  1301 , the second top membrane  1302 , and the hood  16  are simple, low cost, easy to produce, yet they provide an effective solution for installing electronic device  12  into, or replacing it from the inflatable flying disc  1 , without disturbing or damaging its air-tight body. The present invention will certainly bring along a craze of flying disc playing, and make it an even more popular sport. 
         [0056]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.