Abstract: An aerial toy to be projected into the air, the toy having a rotor to slow the descent. The rotor is locked to be coplanar with the body while the toy is projected and during the ascent of the toy. At the apex of flight, the toy changes its attitude, the front pointing down, and a gravity operated driver releases the lock for the rotor. The rotor then rotates, providing enough aerodynamic drag to cause the toy to have a slow descent, and a soft landing.

Abstract: A water wheel for providing both flotation and propelling forces. The water wheel includes a disc made up of a pair of side walls spaced apart in their center area and joined at their peripheries to define a cavity. Paddle members are fixed to the outside of the disc, and have a curved working surface for acting against water as the wheel rotates. The leading edge of the paddle members cuts into the water without creating turbulence, and water flow over the rest of the paddle member is smooth.