Abstract:
This invention, a return top with multiple designing means enables the child to make numerous design changes in his or her return top to satisfy the creative desire or need of the individual.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This invention is a Continuation-in-Part of my application filed Sept. 29, 1982, Ser. No. 427,697, Group Art Unit 331, Examiner, Mickey Yu, for a Return Top. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The field of the invention lies in the category of tethered tops which represent toy tops that spin on a tethered string and return to the user&#39;s hand. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Prior art indicates Salayka, U.S. Pat. No. 3,624,958, December, 1971 as having disk members. Kuhn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,701, June, 1980 indicates a threaded screw portion for assembling two return top halves. Asbury, U.S. Pat. No. 1,793,151, February, 1931 indicates design portions replaceable on outside of return top. Russell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,373, February, 1972 has disk members. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Since all return tops basically serve the same mechanical function of spinning on a string and returning to the user&#39;s hand the most realistic difference between one return top and another apparently rests in its novelty of design. Consequently, since children are so enthusiastic about their own interpretation of what kind of design is desirable to them this invention provides the manufacturer with a means to reach the individual presence of the child rather than to look for a design that is hoped will please everyone. 
     This invention achieves this purpose by providing a multiple number of design inserts which fit into a recessed or cut out section on either side of the return top and secured by a decorative capped nut which mounts onto a threaded portion of the axle of said return top. 
     All of said design inserts except the one on the outside have apertures extending through the respective centers and are of thin wafer like material with different designs on the outer periphery of the face of either side and graduated in diameter sizes so that the design which will apear on the outer periphery of each insert comes into view once the design inserts are secured into place. 
     The outer design insert is of a much thicker material necessitated by its need to provide a threaded hole in its center to serve as a nut to secure the other design inserts into place, but the hole does not extend all the way through because the surface area of said outer design insert is needed to reveal a finished design. 
     While the outer design insert functions as a nut to secure all of the design inserts into place on a given side of the return top there is no visible indication that said outer design insert provides anything more than a finished design element once it has been secured. 
     This layer of design inserts provides a three dimensional design effect which can afford a multiple choice of designs by reversing the inner design inserts to reveal different designs on the reverse side or the manufacturer can further multiply the number of multiple choice designs by providing additional inner or outer design inserts as optional choices and a plurality of color schemes can enhance the options further. 
     There is no specific number of design inserts needed to complete the multiple designing means, but three on each side of said return top would be a practical number. Likewise, if simplicity is wished a single design insert on a given side could be utilized and optional choices provided for multiple changes. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide the child with means for experimentation to cater to his or her natural desire to be creative. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide the child with an opportunity of having his or her own design of a return top wherein the child selects design elements and color schemes. 
    
    
     Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation view showing design inserts secured into place on a given side of said return top. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view revealing the positions of the design inserts relative to the side elevation of said return top. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view revealing the dissembled design inserts in a perspective position for assembly. 
     FIG. 4 is a detail view of an inner design insert and its aperture for mounting the axle of said return top. 
     FIG. 5 is a detail view of a set of new and different design insert replacements for said return top. 
    
    
     With continued reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the return top 1 having design portions fastened into place on one given side of said return top. 
     FIG. 2 reveals design portions likewise fastened into place but in a different side elevation view and fastened on both sides of said return top 1. 
     FIG. 3 reveals the assembly and fastening means. Said return top 1 has two substantially disk shaped parts 2 and 3 joined by an axle 4 having screw threaded portions 5 and 6 at its end extremities. The two aforementioned disk shaped parts 2 and 3 have corresponding recessed areas 7 and 8 to receive design inserts. 
     On one given side of return top 1 design inserts 9 and 10 have clearance apertures as indicated in FIG. 4 at 11 which enable said design inserts 9 and 10 to mount the aforementioned screw threaded portion 5 of said axle 4. The surface area 12 of design insert 9 bears against the recessed area 7 of the disk shaped part 2. The surface area 13 of design insert 10 bears against the surface area 14 of design insert 9. 
     There is a third design insert 15 which also functions as a capped nut and has a threaded opening 16 which terminates at 17, said threaded opening corresponding with and mounting said screw threads 5 of said axle 4, the surface area 18 of said third design insert 15 bearing against the surface area 19 of said design insert 10. Said third design insert 15 tightens against the aforementioned design insert 10 which in turn tightens against design insert 9 which in turn tightens against the recess area 7, thus securing all three design inserts on disk shaped part 2. 
     The fastening means on the opposing side of return top 1 function in a like manner. Design inserts 20 and 21 have clearance apertures as indicated on FIG. 4 at 11 which enable said design inserts 20 and 21 to mount the screw threaded portion 6 of said axle 4. The surface area 22 of design insert 20 bears against the recessed area 8 of the disk shaped part 3. The surface area 23 of design insert 21 bears against the surface area 25 of design insert 20. 
     There is a third design insert 26 which also functions as a capped nut and has a threaded opening 27 which terminates at 28, said threaded opening corresponding with and mounting said screw threads 6 of axle 4, the surface area 29 of said third design insert 26 bearing against the surface area 30 of said design insert 21. Said third design insert 26 tightens against the aforementioned design insert 21 which in turn tightens against design insert 20 which in turn tighens against the recessed area 8 thus securing all three design inserts on disk shaped part 3. 
     FIG. 1 shows design 31 of design insert 15, design 32 of design insert 9 and design 33 of design insert 10. 
     FIG. 5 shows a set of replacement design inserts 34, 35 and 36. 37 indicates the design of insert 34, 38 indicates the design of insert 35 and 39 indicates the design of insert 36. 
     The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.