Tossable flier
An aerodynamic toy is disclosed comprising a flying airplane configured to launch into flight by being thrown from a wing portion of the airplane, the airplane including a weighted nose portion, a generally horizontal wing portion, and a rearwardly extending generally vertical portion. A tossable toy flier is also disclosed having a first body portion that is generally flat extends along a first plane, the first body portion being of a single piece of material; a weight fixed to a nose portion of the first body portion adjacent said front end; and a second body portion being generally flat and extending along a second plane. The first plane and the second plane intersect along a line that extends longitudinally from said front end to a tail end of the first body portion. The second body portion comprises the tail and extends from a point behind a midpoint of the first body portion towards a rear end portion of the first body portion.
Flying toys of various shapes and sizes have been a part of the toy industry for more than seventy-five years. Flying toys include: flying discs, model airplanes, boomerangs, kites and ring airfoils. Popularity of this type of toy arises from people's general fascination with flight and the joy of throwing something that flies.
Toy gliders were originally made from thin, light-weight wood, wood frames covered with flexible skin materials and later, polystyrene foam, such as that sold under the tradename Styrofoam. More recently, newer materials made from polystyrene foam, closed cell resin material and foam plastics have been used.
All previous toy gliders have one thing in common, they must be launched like a dart. Whether by hand, by spring, by rubber, or by air they must be propelled in a straight, forward (or upward) direction. Mechanical launchers were produced for two reasons, one is to provide a more powerful launch resulting in longer flights. The second reason is to give younger children, who do not have the dexterity to launch a glider, the ability to play with these toys.
SUMMARYThe above-discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by an aerodynamic toy that is launched by holding a part of the wing and tossing it like a flying disc. More specifically, A tossable toy flier having a first body portion that is generally flat extends along a first plane, the first body portion being of a single piece of material; a weight fixed to a nose portion of the first body portion adjacent said front end; and a second body portion being generally flat and extending along a second plane. The first plane and the second plane intersect along a line that extends longitudinally from said front end to a tail end of the first body portion. The second body portion comprises the tail and extends from a point behind a midpoint of the first body portion towards a rear end portion of the first body portion.
The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
Additionally, the flier may be constructed by any suitable methods, cutting, molding, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the flier is made from die cut foam. Printing, painting, laminating, silk screening or other means of applying color to the material may be performed prior to die cutting. Stickers, either functional or decorative may be applied before or after die cutting. Holes 44 and 46 (
After die cutting and the removal of the cutout pieces, the vertical tail 24 may be attached by means of adhesive or heat welding. The first weight 26 and the second weight 28 may be inserted into forward first weight hole 44 and forward second weight hole 46. The top canopy cover 30 and the bottom canopy cover 32 may be attached by means of adhesive. In one exemplary embodiment, the top canopy cover 30 and the bottom canopy cover 32 is a plastic that is flexible, light weight and durable enough to contain the first weight 26 and the second weight 28 in place even in the event of forceful impacts on hard surfaces.
In the basic exemplary version depicted in
Unlike all previous toy gliders, the tossable flier is advantageously launched as one would throw a flying disc: To launch the tossable flier, either the left outer wing 40, or the right outer wing 42 may be held between the thumb and the index, middle, ring and pinky fingers. Right handed people might hold the tossable flier by the right outer wing 42 and position it on the left side of the body. Launching the flier may be done by rotating and extending the arm at the elbow in a quick, firm manner and releasing it at the end of the extension. One-piece construction or well joined pieces of the wing, fuselage, horizontal tail section, and good durability of the materials facilitates throwing the flier in this manner.
The tossable flier can additionally be thrown in a forehand manner. Right-handed people might hold the tossable flier by the left outer wing 40 and position it on the right side of the body. Launching it may be done by rotating and extending the arm at the shoulder in a more straight line, snapping motion.
The tossable flier can additionally be thrown by holding it almost anywhere and tossing in almost any manner. The overall design, material, vertical tail 24, first weight 26 and second weight 28, each may play a part in facilitating the tossable flier's unique launch and flight capabilities.
Incorporating the control surfaces into the design and die cuts, as shown in this additional exemplary embodiment, allows for specific control of the flight path and behavior in flight of the tossable flier. Pressing any of the control surfaces into an up or down, right or left position prior to launch changes its flight characteristics for the subsequent flight.
Incorporating into the design and die cuts, the tab and slot features shown in this additional embodiment allows the manufacturer to distribute the finished product in an unassembled form. The customer would insert the rubber ball/weight 90 into the cutout 89 within the nose with ball trap 88. Next that assembly is inserted into the cutout 92, which effectively traps and contains the ball. The vertical tail with tab and slot design 86 may be flexed and inserted into the cutout 94 to complete the assembly.
The injection molded tossable flier as shown in this additional exemplary embodiment would create great lift due to the cambered wings, leading edge and the overall slight camber. The result would be longer flights and improved flight characteristics. Because of the asymmetrical nature of the cambered design illustrated by the exemplary injection molded tossable flier 96, it would only fly one side up. The die cut versions fly either side up.
These additional embodiments address the canopy weight part of the tossable flier. Making it removable allows different canopies for different conditions. A light weight may be used for no wind situations, a heavier weight for windy conditions.
In the embodiments incorporating ribbons 165, any of the tossable flier embodiments can be launched in a dynamic way by grasping one of the ends of the ribbons and twirling the flier above the head and then releasing the ribbon.
A exemplary tossable flier made in accordance with
Indoor/Outdoor model:
Wingspan=4 21/32″
Mean aerodynamic chord=1¼″
Nose to tail (without vertical tail)=7⅜″
Nose to tail (with vertical tail)=8⅞″
Nose to weight= 29/32″
Horizontal tail width=2 23/32″
Circular arm width= 15/32″
Wing angle (of attack) 30 degrees
Center of gravity (from nose)=2 5/16″
Weight (ball bearing)=17.2234 grams
Ball bearing size=⅜″
Material used:
Rogers Corporation, High Performance Foams (Division)
F-Cell 2.0—Closed-Cell Metallocene Polyolefin Foam
¼″ thickness
Density—test method=ASTM D-3575
Units US=2.0 PCF
Metric Units=32 kg/m3
Outdoor model:
Wingspan=7 7/16″
Mean aerodynamic chord=2 1/16″
Nose to tail (without vertical tail)=10⅜″
Nose to tail (with vertical tail)=13⅛″
Nose to weight=1⅜″
Horizontal tail width=4¼″
Circular arm width=⅞″
Wing angle (of attack)=30 degrees
Center of gravity (from nose)=2¾″
Weight (ball bearing)=78.7357 grams
Ball bearing size=⅝″
Material used:
Stanlar Industries
100% Polyolefin
7/16″ thickness
It was found that the tossable flier flew unexpectedly long distances when tossed firmly as previously discussed. The inventor believes that the aerodynamics of the tossable flier are more related to paper airplane aerodynamics than with the cambered wing aerodynamics of real or model airplanes. The fuselage is not vertically situated, its flat and on the same plane as the wing and horizontal tail. The nose weight is heavier than a conventional model glider, making the center of gravity substantially closer to the nose. The percentage of the distance to the center of gravity from the nose, verses the overall length of the tossable flier ranges from 20% to about 26%. The percentage of the distance to the center of gravity from the nose, verses the overall length of a conventional model glider ranges from 32% to more than 40%. The wingspan verses the nose to tail length (without the vertical tail) ratio is 0.63 for the tossable flier made in accordance with
It could be that the flat leading edge and non-cambered wing produces a large pressure gradient at the leading edge, which aids transition to turbulent boundary layer, which in turn promotes vortex flow behind the leading edge on the upper surface. This forces air moving over the top surface to travel farther and faster, to meet up with air traveling under the wing and body/tail which creates differentials in pressure, which generates lift. Vortex lift increases exponentially with lift coefficient, so this could be why to achieve full flight performance, a strong quick toss may be preferable. Induced lift also seems to be a part of this equation. While these are the dynamics believed to be involved, the inventor does not wish to be bound by them.
Accordingly, the reader will see that the tossable flier achieves flight without the traditional dart type launch. It can be launched by children who do not have the dexterity to throw a traditional glider effectively. The tossable flier can be easily manufactured with a minimum of parts.
While the specifications provided in the descriptions represent an exemplification of one embodiment in each case, many designs, materials and scales are viable. For example, alternate embodiments such as an inflatable version for beach or pool. An extra large version made of nylon could be thrown, or used as a kite. A small version made of durable, flexible plastic with a rubber nose would make a shuttlecock that flies after struck with a racket. Glow in the dark material or paint could be used for night flights. Electronic lights could be incorporated with the battery assembly functioning as the weight canopy also for night or twilight flights. Sound producing components, either electronic or wind generated can also be used. The tossable flier could be designed to look like animals, monsters, spaceships, or logos. Molded canopy weights made of soft heavy foam could take the form of cartoon, movie, or any licensed characters. Launching aids could also be developed.
While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Terms such as “first” and “second” as used herein are not intended to imply an order of importance or location, but merely to distinguish between one element and another of like kind. It is to be understood that the invention has been described by way of illustration only, and such illustrations and embodiments have been disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting to the claims.
Claims
1. An aerodynamic toy, comprising
- a flying airplane configured to launch into flight by being thrown from
- a wing portion of the airplane, the airplane including a weighted nose
- portion, a generally horizontal wing portion, and a rearwardly
- extending generally vertical portion.
2. The aerodynamic toy of claim 1, wherein the flying airplane is configured to launch by being thrown from a ribbon or other thin, flexible material attached to a wing portion of the airplane.
3. The aerodynamic toy of claim 1, wherein the center of gravity is less than about 30% from the front of airplane relative to the overall length of the airplane.
4. The aerodynamic toy of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the wingspan verses the overall length of the horizontal portion is less than about 1.0.
5. An aerodynamic toy, comprising:
- a tossable flier, including:
- a first generally flat body portion extending along a first plane, said first body portion being of a single piece of material;
- a weight provided as part of, on or within a nose portion of said first body portion adjacent said front end; and
- a second generally flat body portion extending along a second plane, said first plane and said second plane intersecting along a line that extends longitudinally from said front end to a tail end of said first body portion, said second body portion comprising said tail and extending from a point behind a midpoint of said first body portion towards a rear end portion of said first body portion.
6. The tossable flier of claim 5 wherein said second body portion is formed from a separate piece of material and is attached to said first body portion.
7. The tossable flier of claim 6 wherein said second body portion is attached to said first body portion using adhesive.
8. The tossable flier of claim 6 wherein said second body portion is attached to said first body portion by inserting a tab into a slot formed in said first body portion.
9. The tossable flier of claim 5 wherein said first body portion and said second body portion are formed of a single piece of material.
10. The tossable flier of claim 5 wherein said weight comprises a metal ball or a die cut weight.
11. The tossable flier of claim 10 wherein said weight is positioned within a hole formed through said first body portion, said hole being covered by a canopy to prevent said weight from becoming removed from said hole.
12. The tossable flier of claim 5 wherein said first body portion includes at least one die cut control surface, said die cut control surface being manipulatable such that a portion of said die cut control surface may be displaced from a planar configuration thereby affecting the flight characteristics of said tossable flier.
13. The tossable flier of claim 12, wherein said second body portion includes at least one die cut control surface, said die cut control surface being manipulatable such that a portion of said die cut control surface may be displaced from a planar configuration thereby affecting the flight characteristics of said tossable flier.
14. The tossable flier of claim 5, wherein said second body portion includes at least one die cut control surface, said die cut control surface being manipulatable such that a portion of said die cut control surface may be displaced from a planar configuration thereby affecting the flight characteristics of said tossable flier.
15. The tossable flier of claim 5, wherein the weight is a die cut weight provided in a die cut cavity in the nose portion.
16. The tossable flier of claim 5, wherein the weight is an injection molded or milled foam ball surrounding a weighted material, the configured with the shape of the cavity to securely engage at least a portion of the cavity walls.
17. The tossable flier of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and second body portions is substantially flat.
18. The tossable flier of claim 5, wherein the first body portion includes at least one ribbon or other thin, flexible material attached thereto.
19. The tossable flier of claim 18, wherein the at least one ribbon or other thin, flexible material is attached through the first body portion by looping it through a reinforced cavity provided through the first body portion.
20. The tossable flier of claim 5, wherein a portion of the first body portion is configured to receive and contain water or sand in varying amounts.
21. The tossable flier of claim 5, wherein the portion configured to receive and contain water or sand is permanently attached to the first body portion.
22. The tossable flier of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and the second body portions is constructed at least partially from an open cell foam designed to absorb water.
23. The tossable flier of claim 5, wherein the first body portion includes at least one score line configured to allow a portion of the first body portion to bend out of horizontal relative to another portion of the first body portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 18, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 21, 2007
Inventor: Matthew Abeshouse (Woodbridge, CT)
Application Number: 10/561,127
International Classification: A63H 27/00 (20060101);