Disc and a method for using same

Abstract

A toy apparatus and a method for using the same are provided. The toy and the method for using the same include a disc of rubber-like buoyant material. The disc has an upper convex surface and a lower convex surface. The upper convex surface and the lower convex surface are symmetrical. A user throws the disc through water. If the disc is thrown from a starting point that is underwater, the disc travels in a pattern such that the disc ends in the general area of the user. If the disc is thrown from a starting point above the water, the disc travels in a pattern such that the disc enters the water and ends in the general area of entry into the water.

1 . A toy comprising:
 a disc constructed from a buoyant material wherein the buoyant material is nonporous and flexible and further wherein the disc has an upper convex surface and a lower convex surface wherein the upper convex surface has an upper apex and the lower convex surface has a lower apex and further wherein the upper convex surface and the lower convex surface are symmetrical wherein the disc has an interior defined between the upper convex surface and the lower convex surface wherein the interior is the buoyant material.   
   
   
       2 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein the buoyant material is a thermoplastic elastomer. 
   
   
       3 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein the buoyant material is a thermoplastic vulcanizate. 
   
   
       4 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein the buoyant material is a polyolefin-based thermoplastic vulcanizate. 
   
   
       5 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein the disc is a single molded piece of the buoyant material. 
   
   
       6 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein the disc is sized to fit between a thumb of a user and at least one other finger of the user. 
   
   
       7 . A toy comprising:
 a disc constructed from a buoyant material wherein the disc has an upper convex surface, a lower convex surface, a perimeter edge and a radius wherein the disc has an interior defined between the upper convex surface and the lower convex surface wherein the interior is the buoyant material and further wherein the upper convex surface has an upper apex and the lower convex surface has a lower apex and further wherein the upper convex surface and the lower convex surface are symmetrical and further wherein a distance between the upper apex and the lower apex defines a height of the disc and the radius is larger than the height.   
   
   
       8 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein the disc has a center point and a perimeter edge wherein the perimeter edge is equidistant from the center point. 
   
   
       9 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein the upper convex surface and the lower convex surface are identically shaped and sized. 
   
   
       10 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein the perimeter is equidistant from a center point of the disc and further wherein a distance from the upper apex to the center point is equal to a distance from the lower apex to the center point. 
   
   
       11 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein the perimeter edge is equidistant from the upper apex and further wherein the perimeter edge is equidistant from the lower apex. 
   
   
       12 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein the radius is between 0.5 inches and 6 inches. 
   
   
       13 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein the height is between 0.5 inches and 6 inches. 
   
   
       14 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein a ratio of the radius to the height is between 1:1 and 6:1. 
   
   
       15 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein a mass of the toy is between 0.5 pounds and 3 pounds. 
   
   
       16 . A method for using an aquatic toy, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a disc constructed from buoyant material wherein the disc is symmetrical around an axis of rotation and the buoyant material is nonporous and flexible; and   throwing the disc from a general area defining a point of release wherein throwing the disc imparts spin to the disc around the axis of rotation wherein the disc travels through the water and returns to the general area of the point of release.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the point of release is under water. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the point of release is above water. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the buoyant material is a thermoplastic elastomer. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the buoyant material is a thermoplastic vulcanizate.