Abstract:
The invention is an apparatus comprising all apparatus, as well as a method that incorporates the apparatus. The apparatus includes an upper flying disk and a lower flying disk having an upper surface, and a cord connecting the two flying disks.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention is an apparatus comprising an apparatus with tethered flying disks, as well as a method that incorporates the same. 
         [0002]    The Inventive Apparatus 
         [0003]    The inventive apparatus is an apparatus that includes an upper flying disk having an upper surface, a perimeter, a centerpoint, and a lower surface. The apparatus further includes a lower flying disk that has an upper surface, a perimeter, a centerpoint, and a lower surface. A cord connects the upper flying disk to the lower flying disk. The first end of the cord attaches adjacent the centerpoint of the lower flying disk, and the cord passes through an aperture positioned near the centerpoint of the upper flying disk. In a preferred embodiment, the second end of the cord engages the upper flying disk adjacent its centerpoint. 
         [0004]    Optionally, the apparatus may have an aperture positioned at the centerpoint of the upper flying disk, with the cord passing through the aperture. In like manner, the apparatus may also have a hole positioned adjacent the centerpoint of the lower flying disk, with the cord passing through the hole. In a preferred embodiment, the cord is a static cord that does not stretch. In a second preferred embodiment, the cord comprises elastic that does allow stretch. 
         [0005]    Optionally, the cord may have an adjustable length. In a preferred embodiment, the cord is made adjustable threading a loop of the cord through the aperture on the upper flying disk so that the loop extends above the upper surface of the upper flying disk. A bead is mounted on the loop of the cord, the bead having diameter larger than the aperture. 
         [0006]    Preferably, the upper flying disk is slightly larger than the lower flying disk. The size disparity enables the lower flying disk to engage within the upper flying disk in a nested position. 
         [0007]    The Inventive Method 
         [0008]    The inventive method includes the steps of providing an upper flying disk having an upper surface, a perimeter having a downwardly depending edge, a centerpoint, and a lower surface. The method also includes the step of providing a lower flying disk having an upper surface, a perimeter, a centerpoint, and a lower surface. Moreover, the method requires one to provide a cord and connecting it adjacent its first end of the cord to the lower surface of the upper flying disk. It also requires one to connect the cord adjacent its second end to the centerpoint of the upper disk. 
         [0009]    The method also requires one to engage the upper flying disk and the lower flying disk together into an engaged position, then throw the upper flying disk and lower flying disk 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment of the inventive method, one may make an aperture at the centerpoint of the upper flying disk and pass the cord through the aperture. In like manner, one may also make a hole adjacent the centerpoint of the lower flying disk and pass the cord through the hole. 
         [0011]    Alternatively, the cord may comprise elastic. Moreover, one may also select a cord to have an adjustable length. 
         [0012]    In a preferred embodiment, the flying disks nest. In order to accomplish this nesting aspect, the engaging step includes the steps of selecting the upper flying disk to have a circumference slightly larger than a circumference of the lower flying disk so that the lower flying disk engages within the upper flying disk in a nested position. 
         [0013]    Finally, the inventive method may involve two players—a thrower and a receiver, wherein, the throwing player performs the throwing step while the disks arc in the engaged position; and, the receiving player catches the upper flying disk and the lower flying disk. Of course, the disks usually disengage while airborne, so that the method presents the challenge of catching both disks when in a disengaged position. 
         [0014]    Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present. invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view detailing the inventive apparatus, according to the principles of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view detailing a second embodiment of the inventive apparatus, according to the principles of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view detailing another embodiment of the inventive apparatus, according to the principles of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view detailing underneath the upper disk that is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the inventive apparatus, shown with the flying disks in a nested position. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 5-7  are comparative and progressive perspective views that detail the relative position of the disks when they separate from one another as they are airborne. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows the inventive apparatus in use by a throwing player and a receiving player. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view that details the inventive apparatus  10  and its component parts. Specifically, the apparatus  10  includes an upper disk  12  having an upper surface  16 , a lower surface  20 , and bound by a perimeter edge  18 . Of course, the upper disk  12  also has a center point  14  about which the disk rotates as the disk is thrown airborne. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  also includes a lower disk  22  having an upper surface  26 , a lower surface  30 , and a perimeter edge  28 . When the lower flying disk  22  is thrown, it rotates about an axis through its centerpoint  24 . 
         [0024]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a cord  32  connects the upper flying disk  12  to the lower flying disk  22 . Specifically, the cord  32  attaches at a first end to the lower surface  20  of the upper flying disk  12  by engaging adjacent the center point  14  of the upper flying disk  12 . In like manner, the cord  32  attaches at its second end to the upper surface  26  of the lower flying disk  22 , preferably at the center point  24  of the lower flying disk. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view that details a second embodiment of the inventive apparatus  10  and its component parts. Specifically, the apparatus  10  includes an upper disk  12  having an upper surface  16 , a lower surface  20 , and bound by a perimeter edge  18 . Of course, the upper disk  12  also has a center point  14 ′ about which the disk rotates as the disk is thrown airborne, the centerpoint  14 ′ also having an aperture allowing the cord  32  to pass through. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the apparatus  10  also includes a lower disk  22  having an upper surface  26 , a lower surface  30 , and a perimeter edge  28 . When the lower flying disk  22  is thrown, it rotates about an axis through its centerpoint  24 . 
         [0027]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , a cord  32  connects the upper flying disk  12  to the lower flying disk  22 . Specifically, the cord  32  attaches at a first end to the lower flying disk  22  by engaging adjacent the centerpoint  24  of the lower flying disk  22 . In this embodiment, the cord  32  passes from the lower flying disk  22  and connects to the upper flying disk  12  by passing a loop  33  of the cord  32  through the center point  14 ′ in the upper flying disk  12 . The loop  33  bears a bead  31  that has a diameter larger than the aperture at the center point  14 ′, which prevents the cord  32  from becoming disengaged from the upper flying disk  12 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cord  32  passes downwardly through the. aperture  14 ′ toward its terminus. A cord lock  44  is mounted the cord  32  adjacent its second end. The cord lock  44  may comprise any known spring-loaded biasing cord lock, such as a spring loaded biasing lock. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , one may form a loop  35  of the cord  32  that passes through the cord lock  44 . In order to adjust the free length of the cord  32 , one may make the loop  35  larger by pulling a greater length through the cord lock  44 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view that details another preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus  10  and its component parts. As with the previously-discussed embodiments, this embodiment of the apparatus  10  includes an upper disk  12  having an upper surface  16 , a lower surface  20 , and bound by a perimeter edge  18 . 
         [0031]    The embodiment of the apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 3  also includes a lower disk  22  having an upper surface  26 , a lower surface  30 , and a perimeter edge  28 . A cord  32  attaches adjacent its to the lower flying disk  22  by engaging adjacent the centerpoint  24  of the lower flying disk  22 . The cord  32  may comprise a snap connector  37  that enables the cord  32  to disconnect, which may prevent unwanted tangles or the danger of choking. 
         [0032]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  shows the snap connector having two parts, one of which is anchored to the upper surface  26  of the lower disk  22 . Of course, the connector  37  may be positioned at any suitable location, including at an intermediate portion of the cord  32 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3A  is an isolated perspective view from the underside of the upper flying disk  12 . In this embodiment, the cord  32  winds into a biasing coil  49  attached to the lower surface  20  of the upper disk  12 . When the disks  12 , 22  (See  FIG. 3 ) are in a nested position ( FIG. 5 , supra), the cord  32  will be completely retained within the coil  49 . As the disks are airborne and begin to separate, the cord  32  is let out of the coil  49 . In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 3A , the coil  49  is biased in a manner that will retract the cord  32  back into the coil  49  when a preselected length of cord  32  exists the coil. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus, shown with the lower flying disk  22  nested within the upper flying disk  12 . As shown, the upper flying disk  12  has a perimeter edge  18  that defines a circumference that is slightly larger than the circumference of the lower flying disk  22 . Thus, the perimeter edge  18  of the upper flying disk  12  fits over and around the perimeter edge  28  of the lower flying disk, enabling the two flying disks  12 ,  22 , to nest as shown. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the upper surface  26  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the lower flying disk.  22  is adjacent the lower surface  20  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the upper flying disk  12  when in a nested position. Preferably, a small gap g separates the upper surface  26  of the lower flying disk  22  from the lower surface  20  (sec  FIG. 1 ) of the upper flying disk  12 . This gap g not only facilitates the disengagement that will occur when airborne, the gap g will also allow for stowage of the cord  32 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , shown with the lower flying disk  22  nested into the upper flying disk  12  as the flying disks are thrown in direction  13 . This  FIG. 5  intends to show the relative positions of the flying disks immediately after being thrown in direction D. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the apparatus  10 . By way of comparison,  FIG. 6  shows the configuration of the apparatus  10  shortly after it has traveled a short distance in Direction D. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the upper flying disk  12  begins to separate from the lower flying disk  22  as the apparatus  10  travels in Direction D. As they two disks  12 ,  22  separate from one another, air currents pass between the upper flying disk  12  and the lower flying disk  22  to create even further separation. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows another comparative perspective view of the apparatus  10 . By way of comparison,  FIG. 7  shows the configuration of the apparatus  10  after it has traveled a further than the apparatus had traveled in  FIG. 6 . As the apparatus travels further in direction D, the upper flying disk  12  further separates itself from the lower flying disk  22 , and the cord  32  connecting the flying disks  12 ,  22  begins to unravel between them. Of course, the cord  32  will limit the separation distance that sets the two disks apart  12 ,  22  while they are airborne. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows the apparatus  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) in use by a throwing player  40  and a receiving player  42 . As the apparatus  10  (See  FIG. 1 ) travels from the throwing player  40  toward the receiving player  42  along the flight path p, the upper disk  12  and lower flying disk  22  separate from one another, but remain tethered to one another by means of the cord  32 . The separation of the disks  12 ,  22  presents a challenge to the receiving player  42  in that the receiving player  42  may attempt to catch both disks  12 ,  22 , usually one disk in each hand. Alternatively, additional receiving players (not shown) may be added. Of course, other means and methods of playing with the apparatus arc certainly within the scope of the invention. 
         [0040]    Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention arc to be limited only by the appended claims that precisely define the metes and bounds of the invention.