Flying toy with extending wings

Abstract

A flying toy may comprise an elongate body extending along a body axis from a forward end to a rearward end. The flying toy may comprise a wing assembly, comprising a wing adapted to move relative to the body between an extended position in which at least a portion of the wing extends away from the body and a retracted position in which the wing portion is closer to the body. The flying toy may comprise an actuator movable along the body between a forward position and a rearward position. One of the wing assembly and the actuator may comprise a contact element, and the other of the wing assembly and the actuator may comprise an elongate contact surface extending obliquely relative to the body axis. The contact element may move along the contact surface as the actuator moves between the rearward position and the forward position, thereby moving the wing between the retracted position and the extended position.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/685,166, filed May 27, 2005. The complete disclosure of the above-identified patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to flying toys and, more particularly, to toy gliders having extending wings. Such flying toys may be launched with an elastic mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Flying toys are well known, including toy gliders launched with an elastic mechanism, such as a rubber band. However, traditional toy gliders with fixed wings may deliver less than optimal performance due to the drag imposed by the wing. Toy gliders tend to have relatively large wings, which tend to create large amounts of lift. While the large amounts of lift produced by the wings of a glider may be desirable during the gliding phase of flight, the induced drag from such a wing may be problematic during the launching phase.

When a toy glider is launched, such as by an elastic mechanism, the glider may experience relatively high acceleration and may be propelled upwards at a relatively high velocity. Initially, the glider may be accelerated by the tension in the elastic launching mechanism until the glider is free of the launching mechanism. Once free of the mechanism, the glider may be traveling at a higher velocity than its optimal gliding speed, such that the glider may climb due to lift from the wing or the ballistic trajectory induced by the launching mechanism. The glider may continue to climb until it reaches its peak altitude, at which point the glider may transition to a gliding mode of flight in which the weight of the glider instills a forward velocity sufficient for the wings to induce lift.

However, the different conditions during the launch and glide phases of flight may make it difficult to improve both the launching and gliding performance of a fixed configuration glider. For example, launching performance may be improved if a toy glider has relatively low drag, thereby allowing a greater height to be reached. A toy glider may have relatively low drag if a relatively small wing is used. In contrast, gliding performance may be improved if a toy glider produces a relatively large amount of lift, such as due to a relatively large wing. However, large wings tend to produce significant amounts of aerodynamic drag, which would be detrimental to launching performance.

Unlike a glider with a fixed wing, a glider having swinging or extending wings may exhibit improved performance in both the launch and glide phases of flight. In particular, when the wings are in a retracted position, the glider may have relatively low drag such that it may exhibit improved launch performance. Further, when the wings are in an extended position, the glider may have increased lift such that it may exhibit improved glide performance.

Examples of toy gliders launched with an elastic mechanism are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,116,122, 1,190,343, 1,842,434, 1,920,746, 2,059,131, 2,078,374, 2,587,699, 3,369,319, 3,408,767, 3,654,729, 4,915,664, 5,299,966, 5,846,112, and 5,934,967. Examples of toy gliders including automatically extending wings are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,116,122, 1,190,343, 1,353,147, 1,842,434, 1,920,746, 2,059,131, 2,078,374, 2,306,866, 2,587,699, 2,765,582 3,006,109, 3,369,319, 3,408,767, 3,380,189, 3,654,729, 3,839,818, 3,943,657, 4,915,664, 5,299,966, and 5,934,967. Examples of toy gliders including wings that retract for launch are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,369,319, 4,915,664, and 5,934,967. Examples of toy gliders including automatically extending wings and a mechanism configured to retard or delay wing extension are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,306,866, 3,006,109, 3,380,189, 3,654,729, and 3,943,657. Examples of mechanisms to automatically extend arms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,781,596, and 5,934,967. The disclosures of these and all other publications referenced herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one example, a flying toy may comprise an elongate body extending along a body axis with the body comprising a forward end and a rearward end. The flying toy may comprise a wing assembly, which may comprise a wing adapted to move relative to the body between an extended position in which at least a portion of the wing extends away from the body and a retracted position in which the wing portion is closer to the body. The flying toy may comprise an actuator movable along the body between a forward position and a rearward position. One of the wing assembly and the actuator may comprise a contact element, and the other of the wing assembly and the actuator may comprise an elongate contact surface extending obliquely relative to the body axis. The contact element may move along the contact surface as the actuator moves between the rearward position and the forward position, thereby moving the wing between the retracted position and the extended position.

In one example, a flying toy may comprise an elongate body extending along a body axis from a forward end to a rearward end. The flying toy may comprise a wing assembly, which may comprise a wing adapted to pivot relative to the body between a retracted position in which at least a portion of the wing is proximate the body and an extended position in which the wing portion extends away from the body. The flying toy may comprise an actuator movable along the body from a forward position toward a rearward position. One of the wing assembly and the actuator may comprise a contact element, and the other of the wing assembly and the actuator may comprise an elongate contact surface extending obliquely relative to the body axis. The contact element may move along the contact surface as the actuator moves from the forward position toward the rearward position. The motion of the contact element along the contact surface as the actuator moves from the forward position toward the rearward position may enable pivoting motion of the wing from the extended position toward the retracted position.

In one example, a flying toy may comprise an elongate body extending along a body axis, with the body comprising a forward end and a rearward end. The flying toy may comprise a wing adapted to move relative to the body between a retracted position in which at least a portion of the wing is proximate the body and an extended position in which the wing portion extends away from the body. The flying toy may comprise an actuator movable along the body between a forward position and a rearward position. The flying toy may comprise a coupling assembly coupling the actuator with the wing. The coupling assembly may be configured to move the wing from the extended position toward the retracted position as the actuator moves from the forward position toward the rearward position. The flying toy may comprise a retarding assembly, where the retarding assembly is configured to retard motion of the actuator along the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a flying toy with the wings shown in an extended position with the retracted position indicated by dashed lines.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the flying toy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a launching device suitable for use with of the flying toy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the flying toy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the flying toy of FIG. 1, taken generally along line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear plan view of the flying toy of FIG. 1 with the fixed wing omitted, illustrating an embodiment of a wing extension mechanism with the wings shown in an extended position.

FIG. 7 illustrates the wing extension mechanism of FIG. 6 with the wings shown in a retracted position.

FIG. 8 is a rear plan view of the flying toy of FIG. 1 with the fixed wing omitted, illustrating another embodiment of a wing extension mechanism with the wings shown in an extended position and with a schematic representation of a retarding assembly.

FIG. 9 illustrates the wing extension mechanism of FIG. 8 with the wings shown in a retracted position.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a pre-launch sequence for the flying toy of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the launching and wing extension of the flying toy of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An illustrative example of a flying toy is shown generally at 20 in FIGS. 1-2. Flying toy 20 may include a body 22, a wing assembly 24, and a wing extension mechanism 26. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIG. 1, body 22 and wing assembly 24 may be mutually configured such that flying toy 20 is configured as a tailless aircraft.

Body 22 may be a generally elongate structure that extends along a body axis 28 from a forward end 30 to a rearward end 32. The external surfaces of body 22 may be configured into any suitable shape such as to resemble a human figure, an animal, an aircraft fuselage, or the like. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIG. 1, when body 22 is configured to resemble a human figure, forward end 30 may be configured to resemble a head, and rearward end 32 may be configured to resemble feet. In some embodiments, body 22 may be configured to resemble a superhero, such as the character BATMAN, as shown in FIG. 1. BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and copyrighted by DC Comics and are used by permission.

The forward end 30 of body 22 may include a resilient structure such as nose member 34. The nose member 34 may include a generally hollow structure, such as one fabricated from an elastomer. In the illustrative embodiment presented in FIG. 1, nose member 34 be configured to resemble the head of a human figure.

Wing assembly 24 may include at least one wing 36. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIG. 1, wing 36 may include a first wing 38 and a second wing 40. Each of the first and second wings 38, 40 may be adapted to move relative to body 22, such as from an extended position 44, in which at least a portion, such as outer region 48, of the respective first or second wing 38, 40 extends away from body 22, toward a retracted position 42, in which outer region 48 is closer to body 22, as shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, each of first and second wings 38, 40 may be biased towards extended position 44. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIG. 1, wing assembly 24 may be configured to resemble a cape, such as one worn by a superhero.

As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIG. 1, each of the first and second wings 38, 40 may be pivotingly connected to body 22 proximate the forward end 30. When the first and second wings 38, 40 are pivotingly connected to body 22, each of the first and second wings 38, 40 may rotate about a pivot point 46 (not shown in FIG. 1) from extended position 44 toward retracted position 42, in which an outer region 48 of wing 36 may be proximate the rearward end 32, as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIG. 1, wing assembly 24 may include at least one fixed wing 50. Fixed wing 50 may be attached to body 22 using any method of attachment sufficient to maintain the position of fixed wing 50 relative to body 22 and, such as mechanical fasteners and/or an adhesive. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, fixed wing 50 may be attached to body 22 using one or more wing attachment pins 52.

As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIG. 2, flying toy 20 may include at least one vertical stabilizer 54, which may be attached to body 22 and/or wing assembly 24. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, vertical stabilizer 54 may be generally disposed on an upper surface 56 of fixed wing 50.

An illustrative embodiment of a launching device 58 suitable for use with flying toy 20 is shown in FIG. 3. Launching device 58 may include a handle 60 and an elastic member 62 defining a loop 64. Handle 60 may be configured to be gripped by a hand 66, as shown in FIG. 10.

Flying toy 20 may be configured for launching with any suitable device, such as launching device 58. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIG. 1, flying toy 20 may include at least one launch hook 68 disposed on body 22.

In FIGS. 5-7, a portion of an illustrative example of flying toy 20 is shown with an illustrative embodiment of wing extension mechanism 26. Wing extension mechanism 26 may include an actuator 70 and at least one wing support arm 72.

Actuator 70 may be configured to move along body 22, such as along a path generally parallel to body axis 28, from a forward position 74, as shown in FIG. 6, toward a rearward position 76, as shown in FIG. 7. Actuator 70 may include a generally flattened region 78, such as proximate its rearward end, which may be referred to as a launch grip 80. Launch grip 80 may be adapted to be grasped by a hand, such as between a thumb and a finger, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, launch grip 80 may include a plurality of ridges 82, which may be configured to enhance the graspability of launch grip 80. Moving launch grip 80 relative to body 22 from a forward position 84 toward a rearward position 86, as shown in FIG. 1, may move actuator 70 from forward position 74, as shown in FIG. 6, toward rearward position 76, as shown in FIG. 7.

Actuator 70 may be biased towards forward position 74 in some embodiments. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 5-7, actuator 70 may be connected to body 22 with an elastic element, such as extension spring 88, which may tend to bias actuator 70 towards forward position 74. In some embodiments, spring 88 may be a compression spring such that actuator 70 may be biased towards rearward position 76.

In some embodiments of wing extension mechanism 26, the motion of actuator 70 along body 22 may be retarded, such as by a retarding assembly (not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). The retarding assembly may include any suitable mechanism for retarding motion of actuator 70 along body 22. Nonexclusive exemplary retarding mechanisms may include friction, such as might occur due to close tolerances and/or a layer of grease or other material between actuator 70 and body 22, or aerodynamic drag, such as due to a pinion-gear driven vane rotated by a rack on actuator 70 or body 22. In some embodiments, the retarding assembly may delay motion of actuator 70 along body 22. A nonexclusive exemplary delay mechanism may include a suction cup (not shown) disposed on one of actuator 70 and body 22, wherein the suction cup is configured to adhere to the other of actuator 70 and body 22 for a delay period prior to motion of actuator 70 along body 22.

As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, wing 36 may be attached to wing support arm 72 such that wing support arm 72 and wing 36 may be configured to move relative to body 22, such as between a retracted position 42 and an extended position 44. Wing 36 may be attached to wing support arm 72 using an adhesive and/or a mechanical fastener such as one or more wing attachment pins 52, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Wing support arm 72 may be pivotingly attached to body 22, such as at pivot point 46, as shown in the illustrative embodiment presented FIGS. 6 and 7. Wing support arm 72 and wing 36 may pivot relative to body 22 between extended position 44, as shown in FIG. 6, and retracted position 42, as shown in FIG. 7.

Wing extension mechanism 26 may include at least one contact surface 90, and at least one contact element 92. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, contact surface 90 may be disposed on actuator 70, and contact element 92 may be disposed on wing 36, such as on wing support arm 72. In some embodiments, contact surface 90 may be disposed on wing 36 and contact element 92 may be disposed on actuator 70.

Contact surface 90 may extend obliquely relative to body axis 28, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The relative angle between contact surface 90 and body axis 28 may be any suitable angle between zero (0) and ninety (90) degrees, including an angle between thirty (30) degrees and sixty (60) degrees, such as about forty-five (45) degrees. Although contact surface 90 is angled toward rearward end 32 in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, contact surface 90 might be angled toward forward end 30 in some embodiments.

Contact element 92 may be configured to engage contact surface 90, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, contact element 92 may be disposed on wing support arm 72. As may be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, contact element 92 may be configured to move relative to contact surface 90, such as by sliding along contact surface 90, as actuator 70 moves from forward position 74 toward rearward position 76. In the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, contact element 92 may slide inwardly along contact surface 90 as actuator 70 moves from forward position 74 toward rearward position 76, such that wing 36 moves from extended position 44 toward retracted position 42. When actuator 70 moves from rearward position 76 toward forward position 74, contact element 92 may slide outwardly along contact surface 90, such that wing 63 moves from retracted position 42 toward extended position 44.

As used herein, contact element 92 refers to the portion of wing 36 or wing support arm 72 that engages contact surface 90. As such, contact element 92 is not limited to any particular structure or shape. Rather, wing 36 or wing support arm 72 merely need include some structure or structures configured to engage contact surface 90. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, contact element 92 may at least partially include the combination of two surfaces 94, 96. In particular, contact element 92 may at least partially include the radiused or angular transition between two intersecting surfaces such as surfaces 94, 96.

Wing 36 and wing support arm 72 may be biased toward retracted position 42 in some embodiments. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, wing support arm 72 may be connected to body 22 with an elastic element, such as extension spring 98, which may tend to bias wing support arm 72 and wing 36 toward retracted position 42.

In the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, wing 36 and wing support arm 72 are biased toward retracted position 42 and actuator 70 is biased toward forward position 74. The bias of wing 36 toward retracted position 42 may react against the bias of actuator 70 toward forward position 74 such that contact element 92 may be held against contact surface 90, as shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6 and 7. When wing 36 and wing support arm 72 are biased toward retracted position 42 and actuator 70 is biased toward forward position 74, the bias of actuator 70 may be relatively greater than the bias of wing 36 and wing support arm 72 such that wing 36 is effectively biased toward extended position 44.

Contact element 92, contact surface 90, and springs 88 and 98, which may maintain contact element 92 against contact surface 90, may collectively define a coupling assembly 100. As shown in the illustrative embodiment presented in FIGS. 6 and 7, coupling assembly 100 may couple actuator 70 to wing 36, such that coupling assembly 100 may move wing 36 from extended position 44 toward retracted position 42 when actuator 70 is moved from forward position 74 toward rearward position 76.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, a portion of an illustrative example of flying toy 20 is shown with another illustrative embodiment of a wing extension mechanism 102. Unless otherwise specified, wing extension mechanism 102 may contain the same structure, functionality, and variations as the previously described wing extension mechanism 26.

Wing extension mechanism 102 may include one or more arms 104. A first end of arm 104 may be pivotingly connected to wing support arm 72 and a second end of arm 104 may be pivotingly connected to actuator 70, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Arm 104 may define a coupling assembly 106, such that coupling assembly 106 may move wing support arm 72 and wing 36 from extended position 44 toward retracted position. 42 when actuator 70 is moved from forward position 74 toward rearward position 76, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Wing extension mechanism 102 may include a retarding assembly, which is illustrated schematically at 108 in FIGS. 8 and 9. Retarding assembly 108 may include any of the retarding mechanisms discussed above in connection with wing extension mechanism 26.

An exemplary launch functionality for an illustrative embodiment of flying toy 20 may be explained with reference to FIGS. 10-13. As shown in FIG. 10, handle 60 of launching device 58 may be grasped in a first hand 66 and loop 64 may be engaged with launch hook 68. Second hand 110 may grasp launch grip 80 and move flying toy 20 away from first hand 66 and launching device 58, as indicated by arrow 112, such that loop 64 of elastic member 62 is placed in tension. The opposing forces respectively imparted by loop 64 on launch hook 68 and by second hand 110 on launch grip 80 may cause actuator 70 to move toward rearward position 76. As shown in FIG. 11, motion of launch grip 80 from forward position 84 toward rearward position 86, as indicated by arrow 114, which corresponds to motion of actuator 70 from forward position 74 toward rearward position 76, may cause the first and second wings 38, 40 to move from extended position 44 toward retracted position 42, as indicated by arrow 116.

When second hand 110 releases launch grip 80, the force imparted by elastic member 62 on launch hook 68 may launch flying toy 20, as shown in FIG. 12. When second hand 110 releases launch grip 80, actuator 70 may move toward forward position 74, such as in response to a forward bias on actuator 70, which may cause the first and second wings 38, 40 to move from retracted position 42 toward extended position 44, as indicated by arrow 118.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claim should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A flying toy, comprising:

an elongate body extending along a body axis, the body comprising a forward end and a rearward end;

a wing assembly, comprising a wing adapted to move relative to the body between an extended position in which at least a portion of the wing extends away from the body and a retracted position in which the wing portion is closer to the body;

an actuator movable along the body between a forward position and a rearward position; and

one of the wing assembly and the actuator comprising a contact element, and the other of the wing assembly and the actuator comprising an elongate contact surface extending obliquely relative to the body axis, the contact element moving along the contact surface as the actuator moves between the rearward position and the forward position, thereby moving the wing between the retracted position and the extended position.

2. The flying toy of claim 1, wherein the wing is biased toward one of the extended position and the retracted position.

3. The flying toy of claim 1, wherein the actuator is biased toward one of the forward position and the rearward position.

4. The flying toy of claim 1, wherein the wing is pivotingly connected to the body proximate the forward end.

5. The flying toy of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to resemble a human figure.

6. The flying toy of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the wing assembly is configured to resemble a cape.

7. The flying toy of claim 1, comprising a vertical stabilizer disposed on the wing assembly.

8. The flying toy of claim 1, comprising a retarding assembly, the retarding assembly configured to retard motion of the actuator along the body.

9. A flying toy, comprising:

an elongate body extending along a body axis from a forward end to a rearward end;

a wing assembly, comprising a wing adapted to pivot relative to the body between a retracted position in which at least a portion of the wing is proximate the body and an extended position in which the wing portion extends away from the body;

an actuator movable along the body from a forward position toward a rearward position; and

one of the wing assembly and the actuator comprising a contact element, and the other of the wing assembly and the actuator comprising an elongate contact surface extending obliquely relative to the body axis, the contact element moving along the contact surface as the actuator moves from the forward position toward the rearward position, the motion of the contact element along the contact surface as the actuator moves from the forward position toward the rearward position enabling pivoting motion of the wing from the extended position toward the retracted position.

10. The flying toy of claim 9, wherein the wing is biased toward the extended position.

11. The flying toy of claim 9, wherein:

the wing is biased toward the retracted position; and

the actuator is biased toward the forward position, the forward bias of the actuator sufficient to overcome the bias of the wing toward the retracted position, thereby moving the wing between the retracted position and the extended position.

12. The flying toy of claim 9, wherein the wing portion is proximate the rearward end when the wing is in the retracted position.

13. The flying toy of claim 9, wherein the body is configured to resemble a human figure.

14. The flying toy of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the wing assembly is configured to resemble a cape.

15. The flying toy of claim 9, comprising a retarding assembly, the retarding assembly configured to retard motion of the actuator along the body.

16. A flying toy, comprising:

an elongate body extending along a body axis, the body comprising a forward end and a rearward end;

a wing adapted to move relative to the body between a retracted position in which at least a portion of the wing is proximate the body and an extended position in which the wing portion extends away from the body;

an actuator movable along the body between a forward position and a rearward position;

a coupling assembly coupling the actuator with the wing, the coupling assembly being configured to move the wing from the extended position toward the retracted position as the actuator moves from the forward position toward the rearward position; and

a retarding assembly, the retarding assembly configured to retard motion of the actuator along the body.

17. The flying toy of claim 16, wherein the coupling assembly comprises:

an elongate contact surface extending obliquely relative to the body axis, the contact surface disposed on one of the wing assembly and the actuator; and

a contact element disposed on the other of the wing assembly and the actuator, the contact element moving along the contact surface as the actuator moves between the rearward position and the forward position, thereby moving the wing between the retracted position and the extended position.

18. The flying toy of claim 16, wherein the wing is biased toward one of the extended position and the retracted position.

19. The flying toy of claim 16, wherein the actuator is biased toward one of the forward position and the rearward position.

20. The flying toy of claim 16, wherein the body is configured to resemble a human figure and at least a portion of the wing assembly is configured to resemble a cape.