Patent Abstract:
A water disc toy comprises an upper platter, a lower platter, and a plurality of supports. Both the upper platter and the lower platter comprise a plastic structure with a flat or even slightly convex outer surface which facilitates skipping the device across a water surface. The upper and lower platter are interconnected with the plurality of integral supports. Each support comprises a small cylindrical plastic structure. The area between the upper platter, the lower platter, and the supports is filled with a lightweight foam material which allows the entire device to float in water.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to water throwing toys, and in particular, to a disc toy for skipping across water. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many toys for use in water or bodies of water are known. Rocks are used for skipping, but do not offer buoyancy. Frisbees are effective for passing between users in the air. Disc toys which skip across the water create an amusing game for various people. Various disc toys are known and while these water disc toys are effective, they offer little amusement to the user. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide a water skipping toy. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Patent No. 2007/0,099,535, issued in the name of Riebersal et al., describes a water disc toy for skipping across water having a convex shape. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,610, issued in the name of Sneddon, describes a fluid carrying flying disc toy. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,082, issued in the name of Hincke, describes a saucer-shaped water skipping toy. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for an aerial toy exist, particularly U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 323,000. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Accordingly, there exists a need for a water disc toy without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a water disc toy. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one (1) of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a water disc toy which skips in water and provides amusement to the users. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a manually propelled disc toy. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a buoyant top half and a buoyant removably fastened bottom half. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of columns fixed to the top half and fastened to the bottom half. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an alternate bottom half. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the alternate bottom half with light sources to illuminate the water disc. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an alternate bottom half with a battery to power the light sources. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an alternate bottom half with a battery compartment to house the battery. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an alternate bottom half with a switch to control the light sources. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of attaching the bottom half from the top half, throwing the water disc toy in a fashion which skips across water, removing the bottom half from the top half via detaching the columns, or utilizing the alternate bottom half to illuminate the light sources. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of a water disc toy  10 , according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective bottom view of the water disc toy  10  depicting a top half  20  separated from a bottom half  30 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the bottom half  30  of the water disc toy  10  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a top parallel view of the bottom half  30  of the water disc toy  10  with a plurality of light sources  42 , according to an alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom parallel view of the bottom half  30  of the water disc toy  10  with a plurality of light sources  42 , according to the alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective top view of the water disc toy  10  with a plurality of light sources  42 , according to the alternate embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the bottom half  30  of the water disc toy  10  with a plurality of light sources  42  taken along line B-B of  FIG. 4 , according to the alternate embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  water disc toy 
               20  top half 
               21  top disc 
               22  top shell 
               24  column 
               27  column fastener 
               30  bottom half 
               31  bottom disc 
               32  bottom shell 
               33  foam core 
               34  battery cover 
               35  cover fastener 
               36  sealing member 
               37  battery compartment 
               38  transparent or translucent surface 
               39  switch 
               40  battery 
               42  light source 
               47  electrical wiring 
               50  alternate bottom half 
               51  alternate bottom disc 
               52  alternate bottom shell 
               53  alternate foam core 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3  and in an alternate embodiment within  FIGS. 4 through 7 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective top view of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  is a manually propelled disc toy utilized in a manner similar to a common flying disc such as a FRISBEE®. The apparatus  10  is also of a buoyant waterproof construction specifically adapted for use in swimming pools and other wet recreational settings. 
     The apparatus  10  includes a top half  20  removably fastened to a bottom half  30 . The top half  20  includes a top disc  21  and a plurality of columns  24 . The top disc  21  is a generally flat structure and has a top shell  22  forming an exterior of the top disc  21 . The top shell  22  is constructed of a buoyant, waterproof material. The top shell  22  is hollow and is filled with a buoyant foam material (see  FIG. 3 ). In the preferred embodiment, the top disc  21  is a circular disc with a rounded perimeter edge, providing a radially symmetric and corner-less shaped that is well suited for throwing and catching in a manner similar to a common flying disc. In the preferred embodiment, the top shell  22  is constructed of a synthetic rubber providing a comfortable and secure grip and a waterproof construction. 
     The bottom half  30  includes a bottom disc  31  of similar construction to the top disc  21 . The bottom disc  31  is a generally flat structure of the same size, shape, and material construction as the top disc  21  and has a bottom shell  32  constructed of the same material as the top shell  22 . The bottom shell  32  is also hollow and contains a buoyant foam core  33  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective bottom view of the apparatus  10  depicting the top half  20  separated from the bottom half  30 . The plurality of columns  24  are affixed to a flat surface of the top disc  21  during manufacturing and extend outwardly perpendicularly from the surface of the top disc  21 . The columns  24  provide mechanical connection and structural stability between the top half  20  and bottom half  30  during use. The columns  24  are preferably cylindrical in shape and constructed of the same material as the top shell  22 . The columns  24  are preferably spaced radially about both the exterior and interior areas of the top disc  21 . 
     Each column  24  includes a column fastener  27  at an end opposite the top disc  21 . The column fasteners  27  provide detachable mechanical connection to a flat surface of the bottom disc  31 . In the preferred embodiment, the column fasteners  27  are suction cups that provide a vacuum against the bottom shell  32 , however other fasteners such as screws, slotted channels, male and female friction fit profiles, hook-and-loop type fasteners, or the like could be used with similar effect. The column fasteners  27  are engaged to the bottom half  30  prior to use, such that the top disc  21  is held in a parallel and aligned position relative to the bottom disc  31 . 
     With the top half  20  and the bottom half  30  fastened together, a user can grip the apparatus  10  by one (1) or both discs  21 ,  31  and throw the apparatus  10  in a manner similar to a common flying disc. When thrown properly, the apparatus  10  will soar through the air in a controlled manner due to rotation of the discs  21 ,  31 . The apparatus  10  can be skipped across a water surface and caught by another user. The buoyant construction of the discs  21 ,  31  and the columns  24  further ensures that the apparatus  10  will float if it comes to rest on a surface of a body of water, such as a swimming pool. 
       FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of the bottom half  30  of the apparatus  10  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2 . The line A-A is taken along a diameter of the bottom disc  31 . The foam core  33  is of a congruent shape to the bottom shell  32  and is housed within the bottom shell  32 . The foam core  33  is constructed of a lightweight foam material such as polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam, or the like. The foam core  33  reduces the overall weight and density of the apparatus  10  to increase safety and buoyancy. 
     The top disc  21  has a foam core (not shown) of identical geometric and material construction as the foam core  33  of the bottom disc  31 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a top parallel view of an alternate bottom half  50  of the apparatus  10  including a plurality of light sources  42 . In at least one (1) embodiment, the alternate bottom half  50  of the apparatus has a plurality of light sources  42  providing illumination to the apparatus  10  during use, wherein the plurality of light sources  42  are each a light-emitting diode. 
     The light sources  42  are powered by a battery  40  housed within a battery compartment  37 . The battery compartment  37  is housed within an alternate bottom disc shell  52 . The alternate bottom shell  52  has a battery cover  35  within a top surface. The battery cover  35  is removed to provide access to the battery compartment  37  that houses the battery  40 . The battery cover  35  is constructed of the same material as the alternate bottom shell  52  and is removably fastened within the alternate bottom shell  52  with a cover fastener  35  such as a screw. There is a sealing member  36  affixed to the alternate bottom shell  52  between the battery cover  35  and the battery compartment  37  that prevents water or other liquids from entering the battery compartment  37  when the battery cover  35  is installed (see  FIG. 7 ). 
       FIG. 4  further depicts the alternate bottom half  50  having a transparent or translucent surface  38  integrally formed within the alternate bottom shell  52 . The transparent or translucent surface  38  covers the plurality of light sources  42  and allows light from those light sources  42  to escape and illuminate the apparatus  10 . The transparent or translucent surface  38  is preferably formed from a transparent plastic material. The transparent or translucent surface  38  is affixed within the alternate bottom shell  52  during manufacturing with a process such as a compound molding process, a permanent adhesive, or an equivalent process. In an alternate embodiment, the transparent or translucent surface  38  is a circular ring centered within the top surface of the alternate bottom shell  52  and encompassing the battery cover  34 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a bottom parallel view of the alternate bottom half  50  of the apparatus  10  including a plurality of light sources  42 . A bottom surface of an alternate bottom disc  51  has a waterproof switch  39  that controls operation of the light sources  42 . In the preferred embodiment, the switch  39  is a waterproof two (2) position push button located at a center position along the bottom surface of the alternate bottom shell  52 . Examples of such waterproof push button constructions can be found with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,421 and other common commercial embodiments. The switch  39  alternates between an illuminated “ON” position and an un-illuminated “OFF” position. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective top view of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus  10  with a plurality of light sources  42 . The columns  24  are preferably located in positions such that the column fasteners  27  do not cover the transparent or translucent surface  38  when installed. 
     The user can actuate the switch  39  in order to illuminate the light sources  42  and thus illuminate the space between the discs  21 ,  51 . This provides additional visibility and entertaining aesthetic functions when utilizing the apparatus  10  in the dark. The waterproof construction of the battery cover  34  and the switch  39  ensures that the electrical components of the apparatus  10  with function continuously while the apparatus  10  is wet or even completely submerged. 
       FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of the alternate bottom half  50  of the apparatus  10  with a plurality of light sources  42  taken along line B-B of  FIG. 4 . The battery compartment  37  is a hollow area located directly underneath the battery cover  34  and within the alternate bottom disc  51 . The battery compartment  37  receives a battery  40  to power the light sources  42 . The sealing member  36  is preferably an elastomeric gasket that spans the entire perimeter of the battery compartment  37 . When the battery  40  is installed, it is in electrical communication with the switch  39  via a length of insulated electrical wiring  47  installed within the alternate bottom disc  51  during manufacturing. 
     Each light source  42  is housed within the alternate bottom disc  51  directly beneath the transparent surface  38 . The light source  42  is affixed within the alternate bottom disc  51  during manufacturing with an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, a geometric retaining means, or a similar method. Each light source  42  is in electrical communication with the battery  40  via a length of insulated electrical wiring  47  installed within the alternate bottom disc  51  during manufacturing. 
     The alternate foam core  53  has a circular aperture centered within the alternate bottom disc  51  and encompassing the battery compartment  37  and the plurality of light sources  42 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. A user obtains a model of the apparatus  10  with a desired material construction, size, and shape. The user attaches the top half  20  to either flat surface of the bottom half  30  with the column fasteners  27 , grips one (1) or both of the top and bottom discs  21 ,  31 , and throws the apparatus  10  in a manner similar to a common flying disc for entertainment and exercise. Furthermore, the apparatus  10  can be utilized in water and will float on the surface of the water. 
     The user can detach the bottom half  30  from the top half  20  by unfastening the column fasteners  27 . The user can then replace the bottom half  30  or install a bottom half  30  with a different aesthetic appearance or material construction. 
     A user can actuate the plurality of lights sources  42  of the alternate bottom half  50  with the switch  39  to illuminate the light sources  42  and provide a unique, aesthetic and highly visible appearance to the alternate embodiment of the apparatus  10 . The user can utilize the apparatus  10  in water while the light sources  42  are illuminated. The user can detach the alternate bottom half  50  from the top half  20  in order to access the battery compartment  37  and battery  40  for removal, recharging, or replacement. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0