Abstract:
A soft, flexible, illuminating flying disk toy may be used for recreation by adults and children and as a fetch toy for animals. The disk is designed as an improvement to existing soft, flexible flying disks by incorporating an illuminated outer edge, typically battery powered. This illuminated outer edge, while sewn into a durable, light weight, tear resistant translucent material, will also provide the semi-rigid support needed to create and maintain stable flight. The illuminated outer edge which is sewn into the translucent durable material is then sewn onto a slightly over-sized central circular disk shaped section of the same or similar material which, when thrown, creates an aerodynamic lift providing stable flight. By incorporating the illuminated outer edge into a soft flying disk, visibility and additional safety are provided when using the disk in dimming light conditions and during the dark of night.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/170,871 filed on Apr. 20, 2009 titled “LIGHTED FLYING DISC” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Disk shaped throwing toys have been constructed from molded hard plastic as well as durable tear resistant fabric material incorporating a rigid outer edge. The soft type of throwing disk is particularly favorable when being used by children, in crowed areas, or when thrown to dogs or other animals. The throwing disks made of molded hard plastic are capable of more damage or injury if a child or adult should unexpectedly be struck by one, and may damage an animal&#39;s mouth or teeth when the animal tries to catch the disk. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The present invention relates to disk shaped throwing toys, and particularly to an improvement to soft flexible throwing disks which are made of a durable tear resistant fabric material having a semi-rigid outer edge. This type of throwing disk is particularly favorable when being used by children, in crowed areas, or when thrown to dogs or other animals. The flexible throwing disk is made of a durable tear resistant fabric material and incorporates a lighted sewn in edge which makes the disc visible in dim light or dark conditions with less chance of being lost and with more chance of retrieval by a child or dog that would be able to easily locate it. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an elevation view of the disk in flying motion with the air underneath it creating the air foil properties needed for stable flight. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top perspective view of the disk depicting the seam connecting the edge to the top portion of material. 
         FIG. 3  shows a hollow tube incorporating a light tube having multiple light-emitting diodes and a power switch and a point of separation. 
         FIG. 4  shows the light tube separated at a point of separation and in a straightened position. 
         FIG. 5  shows the power switch and battery enclosure. 
         FIG. 6  shows the side of the power switch having a removable door to provide access for replacing the batteries. 
         FIG. 7  shows one or more light sources illuminating a solid or hollow light emitting material. 
         FIG. 8  shows the underside of the disk and a flap for accessing the power switch and battery door. 
         FIG. 9  shows a cross section of the edge of the disk. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the Figures, like reference numerals and names refer to structurally and/or functionally similar elements thereof, and if objects depicted in the figures that are covered by another object, as well as the tag line for the element number thereto, may be shown in dashed lines.  FIG. 1  shows an elevation view of the disk in flying motion with the air underneath it creating the air foil properties needed for stable flight. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , Disk  10  is a soft, flexible, buoyant, and lighted throwing disk. Soft Body Portion  14  is flexible and is made of a durable tear resistant circular piece of fabric material such as 400-500 denier nylon pack cloth, rip stop nylon, hemp cloth, cotton, or a similar durable tear resistant material. One advantage of Disk  10  relates to semi-rigid Edge  12  which comprises a hollow circular fold of soft fabric, which may be made of the same material as Soft Body Portion  14 . Edge  12  is large enough to create an air pocket to act as an air foil creating lift while flying through the air resulting in stable flight. For aesthetic reasons, Soft Body Portion  14  and the hollow circular fold of soft fabric of Edge  12  are typically made of different color material, but they can be the same color. Edge  12  contains a Hollow Tube  20  which contains a Light Tube  21  (See  FIG. 3 ). Hollow Tube  20  is typically made of a clear or translucent material, such as plastic, PVC, or rubber, which allows light to travel through it. The material should be durable enough to withstand impacting the ground or other immovable objects. Light Tube  21  will be rigid enough to maintain its shape, while at the same time being flexible enough to not cause serious harm to a child, adult, or animal, or a vehicle, glass window, interior or exterior wall or the like. The material should also be durable enough to withstand the pressure of an animal&#39;s biting down on it when used as a throw toy for pets. The color of the hollow circular fold of soft fabric of Edge  12  is also light enough to allow Light  18  from Light Tube  21  to escape from Edge  12  (See  FIG. 3 ). 
     Hollow Tube  20  enclosed within the circular fold of soft fabric of Edge  12  provides structural support to Disk  10 , allowing Disk  10  to maintain a disk-like shape. See also  FIG. 9  which shows Edge  12  in cross-section. Hollow Tube  20  is bendable and flexible. Existing disks known in the art have an outer edge comprised of rubber, plastic, foam or a like material to create buoyancy and maintain the disk&#39;s shape during flight, but are typically much more rigid than Edge  12  of Disk  10 . Disk  10  adds to and improves upon those attributes. Soft Body Portion  14  and the hollow circular fold of soft fabric of Edge  12  may be separate pieces, or one unitary piece. In either case, Seam  16  secures Soft Body Portion  14  to Edge  12 . Seam  16  is typically a single or double stitched seam, but could be any other type or method of joining two edges together. When in flight as shown in  FIG. 1 , Disk  10  spins about Axis  11 , which is substantially perpendicular to Soft Body Portion  14 , in either direction depending upon how Disk  10  is thrown. A right-handed person will typically throw Disk  10  with a clockwise spin, whereas a left-handed person will typically throw Disk  10  with a counter-clockwise spin. Soft Body Portion  14  is a slightly over-sized central circular disk shaped section bounded by Edge  12  which, when thrown, creates an aerodynamic lift providing stable flight. Soft Body Portion  14  rises in flight due to its over-size and because of the differences in air pressure above and below Disk  10 , causing Soft Body Portion  14  to have the rounded or dome shape shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a top perspective view of the disk depicting the seam connecting the edge to the top portion of material. Referring now to  FIG. 2 , Seam  16  is typically a single or double stitched seam attaching Soft Body Portion  14  to the hollow circular fold of soft fabric of Edge  12  which houses Hollow Tube  20 . Edge  12  is shown emitting Light  18  (See also  FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 3  shows a hollow tube incorporating a light tube having multiple light-emitting diodes and a power switch and a point of separation. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , Light Tube  21  is contained within Hollow Tube  20  (only a portion of Hollow Tube  20  is shown in  FIG. 3  so the detail of Light Tube  21  can be more clearly seen. See also  FIG. 9  for a cross-section view along line A-A′). Light Tube  21 , which is also flexible and bendable like Hollow Tube  20 , houses a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s)  22  which emit Light  18 . Light Tube  21  is typically water tight and weather resistant. In addition to LED&#39;s  22 , other light devices may be used, such as fiber optic strands, incandescent lighting, laser lights, or other similar light emitting technology. LED&#39;s  22  may have a thermoplastic polymer lens enhancing the light emitted. LED&#39;s  22  are attached to Power Housing  24  through pairs of Leads  26 . Power Housing  24  typically contains one or more Batteries  28  (See  FIG. 5 ), such as CR927, AG3, or AG13 batteries. Power Switch  25  switches the power on and off, and may be a push-button type switch, a sliding multiple position slide switch, or any other suitable switch. Power Switch  25  is typically weather resistant and may be made of a durable, flexible material such as PVC, rubber, plastic or the like. At Connection Point  27 A and  27 B, one end of Light Tube  21  connects to the other end, forming a circle, typically through a pressure or snap type fitting, where one end of Light Tube  21  has a smaller diameter that fits into, with friction or a snap, a larger diameter of the other end. Hollow Tube  20  may have a similar type fitting at Connection Point  27 A and  27 B. Having Light Tube  21  contained within Hollow Tube  20  provides extra protection for LED&#39;s  22 , Leads  26 , and Power Housing  24 . In other embodiments of the invention, only Light Tube  21  is contained within the hollow circular fold of soft fabric of Edge  12 . In such cases, the thickness of Light Tube  21  may be increased to provide more protection for LED&#39;s  22 , Leads  26 , and Power Housing  24 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the light tube separated at a point of separation and in a straightened position. Referring now to  FIG. 4 , Light Tube  21  is shown disconnected at Connection Point  27 A and  27 B. There is no electrical connection at Connection Point  27 A and  27 B. This is simply where the two differing diameters of Light Tube  21  fit together. The ability to separate Light Tube  21  at Connection Point  27 A and  27 B can aid in the ease of sewing Light Tube  21  and Hollow Tube  20  into Disk  10 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the power switch and battery enclosure. Referring now to  FIG. 5 , one or more Batteries  28  located within Power Housing  24  provide power to the plurality of LED&#39;s  22  when Power Switch  25  is activated. Power Switch  25  may connect circuits within Power Housing  24  that are designed to turn the plurality of LED&#39;s  22  on and off in various patterns, modes, or sequences to achieve pleasing visual effects. For example, pressing Power Switch  25  once or sliding Power Switch  25  to a first position may activate a first circuit that causes the plurality of LED&#39;s  22  to turn on and turn off in sequence, giving the appearance of Light  18  traveling in a circular pattern within Edge  12 . Pressing Power Switch  25  a second time or sliding Power Switch  25  to a second position may activate a second circuit that causes the plurality of LED&#39;s  22  to turn on and turn off in tandem, giving a strobe-like appearance to Light  18  within Edge  12 . Pressing Power Switch  25  a third time or sliding Power Switch  25  to a third position may activate a third circuit that causes the plurality of LED&#39;s  22  to turn on solid. Pressing Power Switch  25  a fourth time or sliding Power Switch  25  to a fourth position may activate a fourth circuit that causes LED&#39;s  22  to and turn off in a random pattern, or, alternating between the other three patterns or modes described above. One skilled in the art will recognize that many different circuits with varying affects on the LED&#39;s  22  may be incorporated within Disk  10  to achieve varying light effects, or, may have simply one circuit with one light pattern or mode. 
       FIG. 6  shows the side of the power switch having a removable door to provide access for replacing the batteries. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , Battery Door  30  allows access for replacing Batteries  28  when they need to be replaced. Battery Door  30  may simply slide away, or, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a Screw  31  may need to be removed in order to gain access. 
       FIG. 7  shows one or more light sources illuminating a solid or hollow light emitting material such as a thermal plastic polymer or similar light enhancing material. Referring now to  FIG. 7 , in another embodiment of the invention, an additional option for a light source may consist of a solid or hollow Light Emitting Material  32  such as a thermal plastic polymer, PVC, poly carbonate or similar light enhancing material. In this embodiment, only one, or more preferably, two LED&#39;s  22  may be used. Light  18  is continuously emitted throughout Light Emitting Material  32 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the underside of the disk and a flap for accessing the power switch and battery door. Referring now to  FIG. 8 , Flap  34  conceals, seals, and protects Power Housing  24  and Power Switch  25 . Flap  34  and Base Portion  36  typically are a hook-and-loop type connection attached to a top and bottom portion of the hollow circular fold of soft fabric of Edge  12 . Flap  34  and Base Portion  36  may also consists of one or more snaps or a zipper or any other type of open-and-close connection. Flap  34  can be opened from Base Portion  36  to access Power Switch  25  and Battery Door  30  when Batteries  28  need to be replaced. 
       FIG. 9  shows a cross section of the edge of the disk. Referring now to  FIG. 9 , Light Tube  21  which contains Leads  26  is itself contained within Hollow Tube  20 . The hollow circular fold of soft fabric of Edge  12  overlaps Soft Body Portion  14  and the two are attached via Seam  16 , shown here as a double-stitched seam. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and circuitry and widely differing embodiments and applications will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter.