Disk launching apparatus and methods

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for launching and resetting a projectile are disclosed. The apparatus may include a launcher, projectile and, in some embodiments, packaging. The launcher configured to impart a rotation to the projectile and to launch the projectile from the launcher. The launcher is configured to automatically reset the projectile on a spindle after launch. The packaging may permit the visualization of the flight of the projectile after it is launched from the launcher.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a launcher including a launcher housing, the launcher housing defining a launch surface, a peripheral wall extending about at least a portion of the launch surface, a spindle rotatably secured to the launcher housing and extending from the launch surface; and   a rotating projectile including a hub and at least one lift generating surface extending from the hub, the lift generating surface having a peripheral edge, the hub defining a spindle receptacle on at least a lower surface of the hub, the spindle receptacle configured to receive the spindle of the launcher and to engage the spindle to permit rotation of the lift generating surface about a central axis to generate lift, the rotating projectile adapted to position the spindle receptacle over an upper surface of the spindle when a peripheral edge of the rotating projectile is in contact with the peripheral wall and the launch surface of the launcher housing.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus, as in  claim 1 , further comprising the spindle of the launcher defining at least a first projecting arm and a second projecting arm and the spindle receptacle of the rotating projectile defining at least one retention member, the at least one retention member secured between the first projecting arm and the second projecting arm to engage the spindle with the spindle receptacle to confer a rotational force from the spindle to the rotating projectile. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus, as in  claim 1 , further comprising the launcher including a guide secured to the launcher housing, the guide configured to direct the rotating projectile onto the launch surface of the launcher. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus, as in  claim 1 , further comprising a packaging including an inner surface defining a flight chamber adapted to contain the projectile after the projectile is launched from the launcher and while in motion independent of the launcher, the motion of the projectile being visible from outside the packaging. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a launcher including a launcher housing, the launcher housing defining a launch surface, a peripheral wall extending about at least a portion of the launch surface, a spindle receptacle rotatably secured to the launcher housing and centrally positioned on the launch surface; and   a rotating projectile including a hub and at least one lift generating surface extending from the hub, the lift generating surface having a peripheral edge, the hub including a spindle extending from a lower surface of the hub, the spindle configured to receive the spindle receptacle of the launcher and to engage the spindle receptacle to permit rotation of the lift generating surface about a central axis to generate lift, the rotating projectile adapted to position a lower surface of the spindle over the spindle receptacle when a peripheral edge of the rotating projectile is in contact with the peripheral wall and the launch surface of the launcher housing.   
   
   
       6 . An apparatus, as in  claim 5 , further comprising the spindle of the rotating projectile defining at least a first projecting arm and a second projecting arm and the spindle receptacle of the launcher defining at least one retention member, the at least one retention member secured between the first projecting arm and the second projecting arm to engage the spindle with the spindle receptacle to confer a rotational force from the spindle receptacle to the rotating projectile. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus, as in  claim 5 , further comprising the launcher including a guide secured to the launcher housing, the guide configured to direct the rotating projectile onto the launch surface of the launcher. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus, as in  claim 5 , further comprising a packaging including an inner surface defining a flight chamber adapted to contain the projectile after the projectile is launched from the launcher and while in motion independent of the launcher, the motion of the projectile being visible from outside the packaging. 
   
   
       9 . A method, comprising:
 providing a launcher configured to launch a projectile, the launcher comprising a launch surface, a spindle and a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall extending around at least a portion of the launch surface and the spindle, the projectile comprising a hub and a lift generating surface, the hub defining a spindle receptacle;   releasably securing the projectile on a spindle over a launching surface of the launcher;   rotating the projectile;   launching the projectile into free flight from of the launcher;   receiving the projectile on the launch surface of the launcher;   contacting the peripheral wall and the launch surface with a peripheral edge of the projectile to juxtapose the hub with an upper surface of the spindle;   receiving the spindle receptacle of the hub over the spindle; and   engaging the spindle with a retention member of the spindle receptacle to reset the projectile in the launcher for a subsequent launch.   
   
   
       10 . A method, comprising:
 providing a launcher configured to launch a projectile, the launcher comprising a launch surface, a spindle receptacle and a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall extending around at least a portion of the launch surface and the spindle, the projectile comprising a hub and a lift generating surface, the hub having a spindle extending from a lower surface;   releasably securing the spindle of the projectile on the spindle receptacle over a launching surface of the launcher;   rotating the projectile;   launching the projectile into free flight from of the launcher;   receiving the projectile on the launch surface of the launcher;   contacting the peripheral wall and the launch surface with a peripheral edge of the projectile to juxtapose the hub with an upper surface of the spindle;   receiving the spindle of the rotating projectile over the spindle receptacle of the launcher; and   engaging the spindle with a retention member of the spindle receptacle to reset the projectile in the launcher for a subsequent launch.