Illuminated flying disc

Abstract

A recreational or competitive flying disc includes an illumination system employing an array of flexible optical fibers to distribute the light of a single light emitting diode (LED) from the rotational center of the disc to its outside periphery. A small water-resistant compartment centered on the underside of the disc houses the LED, battery, and the illumination control. The leads of the LED also serve as the contacts of the battery. One end of each of the optical fibers is embedded in the LED, and the other end extends radially from the central housing on the underside surface of the disc to the rim of the disc. The flying disc is illuminated without altering the aerodynamic properties of the disc.

1 . A flying disc comprising: 
 a disc-shaped body member having a first surface and a second surface and terminating at its periphery in an annular rim; said first surface being essentially flat; said rim extending in a direction substantially away from the plane of said first surface and together with said second surface defining a semi-enclosed space;    an electronics housing centrally located on said second surface, located entirely within said semi-enclosed space with no portion thereof protruding from said first surface, and having a maximum external housing radius of one-fourth or less of the radius of said annular rim, said electronics housing enclosing a power source; and    an electronic source of light connected to said power source and located entirely within said semi-enclosed space.    
   
   
       2 . A flying disc as in  claim 1  wherein said maximum external radius of said electronics housing is one-fifth or less of the radius of said annular rim.  
   
   
       3 . A flying disc as in  claim 1  wherein said maximum external radius of said electronics housing is one-seventh or less of the radius of said annular rim.  
   
   
       4 . A flying disc as in  claim 1  wherein said electronics housing is circular.  
   
   
       5 . A flying disc as in  claim 2  wherein said external radius of said circular electronics housing ranges from 0.75 inches to 1.5 inches.  
   
   
       6 . A flying disc as in  claim 1  wherein said power source comprises a battery said electronic source of light comprises a light emitting diode (LED), and said flying disc further includes an optical fiber located to receive light from said light source said optical fiber located entirely within said semi-enclosed space.  
   
   
       7 . A flying disc as in  claim 6  and further including a dual battery adapter and there are two of said batteries located in said adapter.  
   
   
       8 . A flying disc as in  claim 1  and further including at least one rib attached to said second surface and an optical fiber located to receive light from said light source and attached to said rib.  
   
   
       9 . A flying disc as in  claim 1  wherein said electronic power source includes a light switch.  
   
   
       10 - 38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . A method of making an illuminated flying disc, said method comprising: 
 providing a gliding body having a disc-shaped member and an annular rim integrally formed with said disc-shaped member, said annular rim extending in a direction substantially away from the plane of said disc-shaped member, the inner surface of said rim and the lower surface of said disc-shaped member defining a semi-enclosed space; said gliding body including an aerodynamic surface including the upper surface of said disc-shaped member and the outer surface of said annular rim; and    integrating an electronic illumination system into said flying disc without altering the aerodynamic properties of said aerodynamic surface.    
   
   
       40 . A method as in  claim 39  and further including forming aerodynamic ridges in said aerodynamic surface.  
   
   
       41 - 65 . (canceled)  
   
   
       66 . A flying disc as in  claim 1  wherein said power source comprises a circular battery located in a plane substantially parallel to said first surface and substantially on the axis of said disc.  
   
   
       67 . A flying disc as in  claim 66  wherein said power source comprises two of said circular batteries.  
   
   
       68 . A method as in  claim 39  wherein said integrating comprises locating a circular battery substantially on the axis of said disc in a plane substantially perpendicular to said axis.  
   
   
       69 . A method as in  claim 68  wherein said locating comprises locating two of said circular batteries substantially on the axis of said disc and in planes substantially perpendicular to said axis.