Abstract: A flying toy has a wing having a leading edge, a first end, and a second end. A ballast element is coupled to the first end of the wing, and a launcher receiver element that receives a launcher is coupled to the ballast element.

Abstract: Improved toy glider having folding wings and incorporating improved release mechanisms which increase the initial height achievable by the glider by preventing early transition of the folding wings from a launch configuration to a glide configuration.The improved glider may advantageously include a long ribbon-like tail wrapped around the glider to prevent biased wings from transitioning from a launch to a glide configuration. When the glider changes attitude in a manner indicating a change from an upward to a downward flight path, a weight is released from a support and the released weight unwraps the tail. Once the tail is unwrapped, the wings transition from a launch configuration to a glide configuration.

Abstract: An improved toy glider having folding wings is retained in a launch configuration during launch by at least one wrappable retaining member. The at least one wrappable retaining member is wrapped around the glider during launch and prevents early deployment of the wings, and, after the glider is launched, becomes unwrapped from around the glider so as to allow deployment of the wings. The improved glider may advantageously include multiple long ribbon-like tails/streamers wrapped around the glider to prevent biased wings from transitioning from a launch to a glide configuration. After launch, the tails/streamers unwrap, and the wings transition from a launch configuration to a glide configuration.

Abstract: A free spinning gyroscopic device has a hollow body with leading and following open ends, in which the outside perimeter of the leading open end has particular relationships to other characteristics of the device. In one aspect, the perimeter may advantageously measure at least 600, 800, 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 times the average thickness of the leading edge, or 150, 200, 250, 500, 750, or 1000 times the point of greatest thickness of the body. In another aspect, the perimeter may advantageously measure at least 4.7, 5.0, 7.5 or 10, times the length of the body. In another aspect, the perimeter may advantageously measure at least 9 inches, 12 inches, 15 inches, or 20 inches.