Toy Glider

Abstract

This invention relates to a toy glider or similar non-motorized craft utilizing an adjustable weight to alter the centre of gravity of the craft. A weight or mass may be connected to a main body portion or a handle of the craft and movable along that portion to correct for unstable flight characteristics in the glider.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to toy aeroplanes, gliders or similar air-borne craft and, in particular, although not necessarily solely, toy aircraft without motor driven propulsion.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention is generally concerned with toy aircraft in the form of gliders that are typically made of a light body and large aerofoil wing span for hand propulsion or perhaps powered by use of a projectile launcher.

[0003] Such gliders are often manufactured in a single piece or relatively small number of pieces. As the aircraft operates without motorized power during the flight of the craft, it is typically to provide a relatively large wing span with minimal body portion to the craft.

[0004] Once such gliders are mass-produced, there is always a risk of minor variations in different gliders produced. Furthermore, continued use of such gliders may cause minor damage to the aerofoil wing span or even different wind or environmental conditions can have a large impact on the flight of the craft.

[0005] In such craft, it is not unknown for the craft to develop or already have a tendency to drive, rise or otherwise alter from a smooth steady flight. Furthermore, by existing manufacture, there is no opportunity to adjust the flight of the glider to any significant extent.

[0006] The result is that the flight of the glider can often be unsteady and this may be an inherent defect in the glider itself causing considerable dissatisfaction to customers. Alternatively even if this is a problem that develops through use, the usable life of such a craft may be significantly shortened if such defects cannot be compensated.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-motorized aircraft in the form of a glider or similar that can overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior art by allowing some adjustment to the flight of the craft subsequent to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a non-motorized toy aircraft including:

[0009] a body portion;

[0010] at least one wing attached to said body portion; and

[0011] a movable mass to alter the centre of gravity of the craft to thereby manipulate the flight characteristics.

[0012] Preferably said at least one wing comprises at least one pair of wings such that one of said pair extends either side of said main body portion.

[0013] Preferably said main body portion includes a portion extending underneath said at least one wing for gripping by a user or a projectile launcher for launching of the craft.

[0014] Preferably said movable mass is provided on or in said main body portion.

[0015] Preferably said main body portion includes a handle extending below said at least one wing with said movable mass being movable along said handle.

[0016] Preferably said movable mass comprises a mass threaded onto a cylindrical portion of said handle to allow movement at least in a direction from a front to a rear of said craft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] This invention will now be described by way of further embodiments with reference to the following drawings in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 shows an underside view of one embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3; and

[0022] FIGS. 5A, B and C provide diagrammatic representations of the flight of a preferred embodiment of the invention in different configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the figures. This embodiment comprises an aircraft 1 generally provided in the form of a hand-propelled glider. It will be appreciated that the invention itself may be applied to other forms of craft rather than the specific winged glider shown in the drawings. Although generally relating to non-motorized craft, other toy aircraft may benefit from the invention.

[0024] Referring specifically to FIG. 1, a view of the underside of the craft 1 is shown. It can be seen that the craft generally comprises an aerofoil wing 3 with a body portion 2 attached, in this instance, to an underside of the aerofoil wing 3. The wing 3 may be considered as a single aerofoil wing or a pair of wings. Often this may depend on the construction of the glider itself. Of course, multiple wing spans may be used in such a craft.

[0025] As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body portion 2 can be seen to comprise a handle 4 downwardly dependent from the aerofoil wing 3. Attached to that body portion is a mass 5 that is movable in a determined direction.

[0026] Although a movable mass may be incorporated onto a main body portion in a number of forms, this preferred embodiment conveniently provides the mass 5 as being threaded onto a cooperating thread 6 on the handle 4. Thus the mass 5 can be rotated to move in a general direction between a forward and a rearward position along the handle 4.

[0027] It will be appreciated that many alternative forms of connecting a mass to a handle or other main body portion may be utilized. It is preferred that the mass is relatively stable in desired positions and, therefore, a mass that is movable between discrete stable locations or continuously stable locations as is provided by a threaded connection is preferred.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, the craft 1 is shown with directions of movement 7 of the mass 5 indicated to correct flight path 8 should the glider exhibit such difficulties.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 5A, it can be seen that the flight path 8 prior to movement of the mass is indicating a tendency of the glider to rise. Forward movement of the movable mass 5 along the thread 6 of the handle 4 may alter the centre of gravity sufficiently to remove this characteristic.

[0030] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5B, the flight path 8 is now causing the craft to dive and a rearward movement of the mass 5 may compensate for this.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 5C, if the ideal stable flight path is already achieved, no movement of the mass is necessary.

[0032] It will be appreciated that the preferred embodiment described thus far is generally provided to shift the centre of gravity along a central axis of the craft to correct rise or fall of the craft. Defects may also alter the lateral characteristics of the flight and may be attended to by adjustment of a further movable mass along a substantially orthogonal axis or by movement of a combined mass.

[0033] Considering the mass 5, it will be appreciated that if the mass 5 is eccentrically located on the thread 6, some lateral shift of the centre of gravity will occur if a larger portion of the mass 5 is on one side of the thread 6 compared with the other. As a single half rotation of the mass may not unduly alter the characteristics of the flight as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, such a half turn can move an eccentric mass from one side of the handle 4 to another so as to correct any lateral defects in the flight.

[0034] Many alternatives are possible and the invention is not restricted to the use of a single mass. Multiple masses movable to different positions on the craft are possible including attachment of the masses to various locations on the wing spans themselves.

[0035] In manufacture, such gliders are often made from particularly light materials with the main body portion either being formed integrally or formed separately from light materials such as light wood, cardboard, plastics or similar materials. The wing span 3 is similarly made from light materials and this preferred embodiment utilizes a synthetic foam material to provide a large area at relatively light weight.

[0036] Referring again to the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that the launching of such a craft by hand requires gripping of the craft in the first instance to provide sufficient propulsion. The provision of a handle 4 and the mass 5 itself may provide items allowing better purchase to be gained on the craft for providing the initial propulsion to the craft.

[0037] Thus it can be seen that the invention provides a glider in which the centre of gravity can be manipulated to alter the flight path of the craft to overcome difficulties associated with inherent manufacturing defects or developed defects through use. In addition, the same movable mass is provided in a form in the preferred embodiment that allows relatively easy movement between stable positions as well as providing greater purchase for a user to hold the craft for launching.

[0038] It will be appreciated that some such gliders may be launched from projectile launchers which are typically powered by elastic bands or similar. In such cases the movable mass may still be provided on the main body portion and can be above or below the wing span as may be necessary to fit with the launched vehicle.

[0039] It should also be appreciated that projectile launchers often use a downwardly dependent hook or other portion for engagement with the launcher. The hook itself could be movable in its position in relation to the wing span 3 such that the hook or other engagement with the launcher is also utilized as a movable mass to alter the centre of gravity.

Claims

1. A non-motorized toy aircraft including:

a body portion;

at least one wing attached to said body portion; and

a movable mass to alter the centre of gravity of the craft to thereby manipulate the flight characteristics.

2. A non-motorized toy aircraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one wing comprises at least one pair of wings such that one of said pair extends either side of said main body portion.

3. A non-motorized toy aircraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein said main body portion includes a portion extending underneath said at least one wing for gripping by a user or a projectile launcher for launching of the craft.

4. A non-motorized toy aircraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable mass is provided on or in said main body portion.

5. A non-motorized toy aircraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein said main body portion includes a handle extending below said at least one wing with said movable mass being movable along said handle.

6. A non-motorized toy aircraft as claimed in claim 5 wherein said movable mass comprises a mass threaded onto a cylindrical portion of said handle to allow movement at least in a direction from a front to a rear of said craft.