Abstract:
A flexible toss device disclosed has a one-piece dished body with a flat top portion and a relatively short side portion with an outer bead portion. The body is of a soft elastomer material with relatively thin, tear-resistant walls. The top portion and the side portion having sufficient rigidity so that as the side portion flexes outwardly on spinning, during flight, causes the top portion to flex down.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to recreational devices and more particularly to a flexible, low profile, toss device. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A number of circular toss devices have been heretofore provided. The most common toss device presently in use is a flying device sold under the trademark FRISBEE. The flying device is usually above eight inches in diameter and usually made of a hard, rigid plastic material. The side wall is usually curved and has an inside bead. The conventional flying device is usually characterized by hardness and rigidity and therefore may damage people, animals and property during use. The flying device cannot be folded up and put in a pocket, purse or the like when not in use. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a low profile, soft, circular, dished, body having relatively thin, tear resistant walls and a very short height in relation to diameter. The device can be readily propelled by gripping the side portion on the inside with the index finger and the outside against the top with the thumb in a pencil-type grip. The device is preferably propelled by a wrist action with a forward side arm throwing stroke and will travel relatively long distances with a minimal throwing force required. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Details of this invention are described in connection with the accompanying drawings which like parts bear similar reference numerals in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a toss device drawn to three quarters scale embodying features of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the fold-up position for the device shown in FIGS. 1-3. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toss device showing a preferred hand grip for throwing. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawing there is shown a toss device 12 comprised of a soft, flexible, one-piece molded, unitary, low profile, dished body 13. The body 13 has a relatively thin, flat, circumferentially continuous top portion 15 of uniform thickness and a relatively short, relatively thin, annular, circumferentially continuous side portion 16 extending down and at substantially right angles in a direction away from the top portion 15. The side portion has an outwardly projecting circumferentially continuous outside bead portion 17 along the bottom periphery. 
     The body 13 is preferably made of a rubber like that used in tire treads. Alternatively, the body may be formed of another elastomer exhibiting softness and capable of being molded, such as natural or synthetic rubber, EPDM, BUNA&#34;N&#34;, neoprene or a thermal plastic elastomer (TPE) or any suitable equivalent material. A device constructed in accordance with the present invention as shown has a body with a diameter designated A of about 6.7 inches and a height designated B of about 0.73 inches. The top portion 15 has a thickness designated C of about 0.102 inches and the side portion has a thickness designated D of about 0.094 inches. The bead portion 17 has a diameter designated E of about 0.188 inches. The side portion 16 shown is inclined at a selected angle designated F to a line normal or perpendicular to the top portion of about two degrees. The inside corner designated G between the top portion 15 and side portion 16 is rounded having a radius of 0.078 inch. The outside corner designated H between the top portion 15 and side portion 16 is rounded having a radius of about 0.141 inch. 
     While the above dimensions have been found suitable in a device, the toss device in accordance with the present invention may vary to some extent with that of the embodiment above described. The body may have a diameter in the range of about 5.0 to 10.0 inches. The body may have a height in the range of about 0.25 to 1.50 inches. The top portion may have a thickness in the range of about 0.060 to 0.20 inches. The body may have a side portion with a thickness in the range of about 0.060 to 0.250 inches. The body may have a diameter to height ratio in the range of about 40:1 to 3:1. The bead portion may have a diameter in the range of about 0.088 to about 0.36 inches. The toss device may have an angle to the normal designated F in the range of about 1 to 4 degrees. 
     The toss device 12 is foldable in half along a diameter line through the center to a fold-up position as shown in FIG. 4 so as to readily fit in a pocket, bag, purse-like container or the like when not in use. 
     In summary, the features of a toss device made in accordance with the present invention may be described as flexible, durable, safe, not harmful to windows, easy to throw with either the backhand or a side arm, a long range such as 80 yards, the device will stall, it will curve left or right, it will skip off the pavement, it will travel in a straight line, and can be used in frisbee golf. In use the device will return to the thrower when thrown into the wind. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, in use the device 12 preferably is gripped much like that of a pencil grip with the index finger on the inside of the side portion 16 and the thumb on the top surface of the top portion 15 and the flexible side portion 16 is gripped between the thumb and next finger adjacent the index finger. The device is preferably propelled with a forward wrist action and side arm throwing stroke. The best results have been attained using a sharp forward wrist and arm movement. In flight the top portion 15 dishes or becomes downwardly concave and the side portion 16 flares out at a greater angle than the 2 degrees shown. 
     By way of example and not limitation the material of the preferred embodiment disclosed would have the following properties: 
     
         ______________________________________ASTM No.   Property        Desirable Characteristics______________________________________P 2240  Shore A hardness                   80 durometerD 412   Tensile strength                   3000 psi   Elongation (%)  400%D 624   Tear resistance (Die C)                   400 #/inch   Weight          0.21 lb.______________________________________ 
    
     By way of example and not limitation the material of the body would have the following range of properties: 
     
         ______________________________________ASTM No.   Property        Desirable Characteristics______________________________________P 2240  Shore A hardness                   40-90 durometerD 412   Tensile strength                   2000-3500 psi   Elongation (%)  250-450%D 624   Tear resistance (Die C)                   150-300 #/inch   Weight          0.187 lb.-0.437 lb.______________________________________ 
    
     Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that changes in details of structure may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.