Disc Launching Mechanism and Method

Abstract

The “DISC LAUNCHING MECHANISM AND METHOD” was originally invented due to common flaws seen in most youth baseball/softball swings which is an inadequate grip and rolling the top hand over too soon which causes the bat to jump off the intended swing path and ultimately leads to a miss or inaccurate strike. With the present invention, that would equate to poor disc flight. The axe-shaped handle naturally promotes a proper baseball/softball grip. Incorporating a disc, resting on a flat shaft and anchored with spring holding mechanisms and using a tacky surface under the back of the disc to create drag, allows the disc to be held in place until the proper speed and swing-angle are reached. In testing the present invention, it was observed that it could be used for any disc launching entertainment such as disc golf or disc home run derby.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mechanism for launching flying discs. Specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanism for launching flying discs in a manner which is similar to that of a baseball or softball swing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flying discs have been a source of enjoyment for the general public since 1957 when the Wham-O Frisbee™ was introduced commercially. Original enjoyment was in the form of throwing these discs by hand between two or more individuals. Recent trends are seeing discs being used for other games such as disc-based golf as well as baseball-type games using discs.

That being said, the background of the present invention is to provide a fun alternative way to throw a disc which is easy and in the process, attempt to cure some flaws seen in baseball/softball swings. Because the present invention adds additional length by providing an extension to the human arm in comparison to a manually thrown disc which utilizes just the human arm, additional distance can be achieved as well. This present invention is a mechanical representation of a “thumber” grip technique for throwing a disc with the human hand.

Prior art which is designed to launch discs using an apparatus with two hands for recreation would be similar to U.S. Pat. No. 8,387,601 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,617 which do allow for two hands but is not promoting a proper hitting grip and are designed more for distance than a precise area where the launch occurs to emulate a two-handed baseball/softball-type swing which is just prior to the 90 degree hitting area of a two-handed baseball/softball-type swing.

Most prior art in the area of baseball/softball hitting aids deal mainly with hand eye coordination training instead of focusing on the swing itself. Examples of this would be U.S. Pat. No. 8,535,179, U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,194 as well as the many patents for batting tees that are on file with the U.S. Patent Office.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of this invention to provide a disc launching mechanism to provide a fun alternative method for launching a disc.

It is an objective of this invention to provide a disc launching mechanism to promote a proper palm-up/palm-down two-handed baseball/softball-type swing.

It is an objective of this invention to provide a disc launching mechanism to promote a proper two-handed baseball/softball-type swing path with the hands slightly above the imaginary hitting/contact area where the disc is launched.

It is an objective of this invention to provide a disc launching mechanism to promote a proper two-handed baseball/softball-type swing grip.

It is an objective of this invention to provide a disc launching mechanism to allow the user of the invention to swing the mechanism with both arms which would allow for additional distance compared to a human hand-thrown disc.

It is an objective of this invention to provide a disc launching mechanism to provide a simple disc loading procedure to allow more swings per swing session.

The present left-handed version of the invention solves the problems described above by involving a disc launch mechanism that employs a handle shaped as an axe handle connected to a flat shaft. The handle shaped as an axe handle promotes a proper two-handed baseball/softball-type swing grip and the flat shaft provides a place for the disc to sit at rest and guide the disc when launching. A launching mechanism, formed in likeness of a human thumb, resides at the top of the flat shaft. A friction pad resides at the bottom of the flat shaft to create drag and/or delay in the launch of the disc when swung to ensure the disc is launched just prior to 90 degrees. Two spring holders (one protruding at approximately 45 degree angle on top portion of the flat shaft and one at the bottom of the flat shaft) are employed at each ends of the shaft to hold the disc in place at rest. If swung improperly and the hands are rolled prior to almost 90 degrees, the immediate result is poor flight for the disc. If swung properly with a calm and deliberate butt end to the ball approach, hands coming through with palm up/palm down and accelerating with a quick burst (flick of the wrists-like chopping a tree) at almost 90 degrees using a proper path follow-through, the disc should fly long and true. All materials used in the proof-of-concept and working model could be substituted with numerous other materials to reach the same result of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS (LEFT-HANDED DEPICTION)

FIG. 1A is an overhead view of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side-rear view of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a side-front view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a magnified depiction of the bottom area of the shaft of the present invention where the disc is slid under the spring tension metal and on top of the friction surface.

FIG. 3 is a magnified view of the top area of the shaft of the present invention where the disc goes over the launcher and under the spring tension metal.

FIG. 4 is an overhead view of the present invention with the disc overlaid and the main flat shaft and attachments depicted dotted lines.

FIG. 5 is a bottom rear view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the swing, using the present invention, at almost 90 degrees which is where contact of a baseball/softball would occur and with the present invention, the disc launches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Directing attention to FIGS. 1A through 1C, there is shown generally a disc 200 launching mechanism that incorporates a flat shaft 101 which fits into the wedge area of a handle (in the shape of a standard axe handle) 102 and is anchored with fasteners 109.

The disc's 200 edge is placed over the launcher 105 and the back end of the disc 200 is rotated under spring holder #1 104 which resides on a secondary flat 45 degree extension 103 to accompany spring holder #1104. The user will continue to rotate the disc 200 back to and under spring holder #2 107 and over friction area 106. To simplify the seating of the disc under of the spring holder #2 107, a knob 111 was added to simplify the lifting of the spring holder #2 107 to slide the disc 200 under. Directing attention to FIGS. 2 and 3 are magnified views of those areas where the disc 200 is held in place with spring holders 104 and 107. All components are attached with various fasteners 109. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate how the disc will be seated at rest with FIG. 4 showing an overhead view with the disc overlaid and seated appropriately on primary shaft 101. FIG. 5 represents a lower rear view of the disc seated and at rest.

The disc launching mechanism is swung like a baseball/softball bat similar to the swing in FIG. 6. Using a calm and controlled approach to the hitting/launching area and with the butt end of the present invention approaching the launch area first, the front and back ends of the disc 200 are being held by the tension of spring holders #1 104 and #2 107. This is followed by a flick of the wrists when approaching 90 degrees. The circular force unseats the disc from the spring holders #1 104 and #2 107 and the friction pad 106, when 90 degrees is reached, the disc 200 rides up the ramp-shaped launcher 105 and takes flight. For correct disc 200 flight, the hands need to maintain a palm-up/palm-down configuration even when the wrists are flicked and through the launch area to ensure the integrity of the disc 200 path. This would be similar to a user chopping a tree. If the hands are rolled too soon, the side of the axe hits the tree and with the present invention, the disc 200 will not fly true and instant results are provided. If the hands remain in the proper configuration through the launch/contact area, the disk will fly long and true.

Claims

1. A disc launching mechanism comprising: a handle and shaft which make up the foundation of the present invention.a launcher at the top of the main flat shaft shaped in the likeness of a human thumb in front and which is shaped like a ramp in the back portion to allow the disc to ride up the back as the disc rotates out of the spring holders as a result of swing force. There are spring holders at each end of the main shaft to hold the disc flat and snug at rest. The spring holder at the top of the main shaft rests on another lighter weight flat surface which protrudes from the main shaft.a friction area at the bottom of the main shaft to create drag and delay the launch of the disc until almost 90 degrees is reached.