AERODYNAMICALLY GLIDING BALL

Info

Publication number: 20220047958
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 27, 2021
Publication Date: Feb 17, 2022
Applicant: Real Radical Flight LLC (Wichita, KS)
Inventor: James Dean Zongker (Wichita, KS)
Application Number: 17/512,617

Abstract

An aerodynamic flying toy ball apparatus comprised of a plurality of semi-rigid uniformly shaped semicircular fins joined along, and angularly arranged radially around a longitudinal axis, balanced for aerodynamic gliding flight with slight up elevator to create a stable 3-D ball shaped glider capable of gliding and maneuvering (climbing, turning and looping) as a gliding airplane. The apparatus resembles a ball and can roll on the ground. The apparatus can be made from a variety of lightweight materials. Optional features include a small extra fin for holding and throwing the apparatus, provision for catapult launch, and semi-elliptical fins and/or holes in fins to optimize flight and rolling performance.

Description

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/420,637 to James D. Zongker filed on Nov. 11, 2016.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/811,498 to James D. Zongker filed on Nov. 13, 2017.

FIELD

The embodiments presented provide an aerodynamically gliding ball, and in particular, to a heavier-than-air winged toy ball comprised of a plurality of fins affixed along a longitudinal axis which enable aerodynamically gliding flight.

BACKGROUND

Throwing toys make up some of the most basic and prolific toys in the industry, comprising the key component in several sports and other recreational games such as baseball, basketball, football, etc. Many of these throwing toys are spherical or ball-shaped, and despite some slight variations, are generally solid or comprised of a semi-rigid outer shell filled with air to maintain the shape of the throwing toy. These throwing toys, and especially those used in various sports, have evolved and have been developed to produce specific results and allow the users to interact with the ball in various ways either directly or through tools such as a baseball bat. Many throwing balls have further been developed to permit the user to alter the flight path by introducing spin to the ball, changing both the maximum distance the ball may travel and its general trajectory.

Novel throwing toys have been introduced over the years to further incorporate the benefits of aerodynamics. These aerodynamic toys have taken several forms, primarily either adding additional components to the exterior of a common ball structure such as wings and parachutes, or making the toy more planar such as the case with various flying discs. Aerodynamic toys which build off of a more commonly constructed ball-shaped base typically attempt to benefit from the ease and predictability of use offered by a common ball, with the modification merely enhancing or altering the enjoyment and performance of the ball.

Aerodynamic toys such as flying disks and rings, balsa and foam gliders and paper airplanes on the other hand are typically designed to manipulate the flow of air to produce lift, enhance stability, stay airborne through aerodynamic flight and may permit further maneuvering. By incorporating flat surfaces which may be easily gripped and making the toys lightweight by design, these toys allow users of all ages and sizes to effectively enjoy and utilize the recreational toy.

Systems and methods which disclose throwing toys have been known in the art, including U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,753 to Perez, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,101 to Saloor. Further, throwing toys which incorporate aerodynamic modifications into the projectile are known in the art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,616 to Bushman. However, there is no single invention or combination which disclose the features provided in the embodiments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described herein provide a light-weight aerodynamically flyable ball shaped gliding airplane toy comprised of a plurality of semi-circular fins joined along the longitudinal axis and designed to be thrown by the user by grasping one of the fins with a single hand and launching the apparatus in a manner similar to throwing a glider. If the apparatus is appropriately sized, it may also be cupped in a hand front end is oriented forward and thrown like a ball. The invention is capable of gliding airplane flight, can be trimmed for a sustained steady speed-seeking glideslope, pulls up and loops at higher speed, and turns when thrown hard steeply banked left or right, and is somewhat responsive to contemporary art fin bending trim adjustments. The apparatus will roll upon landing on a level surface, such as the ground. The apparatus includes a plurality of semi-circular fins rigidly angularly spaced apart around the longitudinal axis which traverses the front to back length of the apparatus. The angular spacing of the fins may be equiangular, with the same angle between any angularly adjacent pair of fins 14, as illustrated by a front elevation view of embodiment 44 shown in FIG. 4), or the angles may be varied to provide dihedral to a pair of fins 71 acting as wings on opposite sides of the apparatus, as illustrated by a front elevation view of embodiment 45 shown in FIG. 4, or provide a uniquely shaped grip fin 34 for holding and throwing the ball, such as, but not limited to the grip fin embodiment illustrated by FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Further, each of the semicircular fins is uniformly (identically) shaped with the same diameter equal to the length of the core longitudinal axis extending between the front and back of the apparatus. The apparatus is configured having a center of gravity (CG) located as required to aerodynamically airplane glide front end 18 pointed in the direction of gliding flight, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The forward and outer edges of the semicircular fins may be made thicker (20 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3) or denser to stiffen the craft for flight, throwing and impact resistance, and achieve the required balance (center of gravity location) for sustained gliding flight. Solid semicircular fins (without holes in the surfaces) will require the embodiment balance forward of the geometric center of the sphere corresponding to the outer edges of the fins. If necessary to achieve the required center of gravity location, additional compact high-density component parts, such as but not limited to steel ball bearing(s), may be included within the apparatus shape defined by the invention claims.

Other embodiments described herein address semi-elliptical fins and fins with holes to permit alternative balance to tailor flight and rolling behavior. Alternatively, much of the invented apparatus may be described as “a plurality of three or more flight fins angularly spaced apart around and extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis which traverses from a front of said apparatus to a back of said apparatus, each flight fin having a uniformly shaped and uniformly sized flight fin profile, said flight fin profiles all consisting of a root diameter connecting the endpoints of either a semi-circle or semi-ellipse such that said root diameter is either the minor (shorter) or major (longer) axis diameter of semi-ellipse. Each said root diameter coincident with and having the same length as the apparatus longitudinal axis, each flight fin profile semi-circle or semi-ellipse being an inherently flat planer curve which inherently defines an associated flight fin plane said semi-circle or semi-ellipse is located within, such that the flight fin planes intersect at the apparatus longitudinal axis, each said flight fin profile having a forward edge, consisting of the half of said semi-circle or semi-ellipse closer to said apparatus front, and a back edge, consisting of the half of said semi-circle or semi-ellipse closer to said apparatus back.” This alternate description, which is geometrically equivalent to the description above plus the addition of semi-elliptical fins, more comprehensively describes and clearly differentiates the invention from existing art, and supports a more thorough definition of certain aspects and features of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes six semi-circular fins as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, a minimum of three semi-circular fins are required for gliding and creating a 3-D ball shape. Fewer fins have less drag for a flatter glide that can fly farther, whereas, more fins appear more like a spherical ball from a greater range of view angles, and roll more like a ball upon landing.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an aerodynamically gliding ball;

FIG. 2 illustrates a further view of the apparatus including the CG and direction of flight;

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of an additional layer of fin material at the front end;

FIG. 4 illustrates front elevation views of embodiments with fin angles equiangular and irregular to embody dihedral;

FIG. 5 illustrates front elevation views of gliding flight unbanked roll angles of four variants of the apparatus with different numbers of fins;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation view of the profile of an extra fin added for and throwing the apparatus;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front elevation view of an apparatus with an extra grip fin added for holding and throwing the apparatus;

FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view of a wing fin identifying areas which may be bent upwards for elevator trim;

FIG. 9 illustrates fin cross sections with thicker leading edges;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a ball apparatus with non-flyable front ballast;

FIG. 11 illustrates a side elevation of a ball apparatus resting on the ground with its center as low as possible;

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of a fin including a smaller hole removed from a portion of a fin;

FIG. 13 illustrates a plan view of a fin including a larger hole removed from a portion of the fin;

FIG. 14 illustrates a plan view of two types of semi-elliptical fin profiles;

FIG. 15 illustrates a semi-elliptical fin;

FIG. 16 illustrates a front elevation view of an apparatus with elliptical fins; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a side elevation view of FIG. 15, an apparatus with elliptical fins; and

FIG. 18 illustrates a plan view of an elliptical fin with a hole removed from the front portion of the fin.

FIG. 19 illustrates a section view of a six fin apparatus with hooks for catapult launching;

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of six fins held by an extruded fuselage part;

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of an asterisk shaped front fin edge cap;

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of six fins assembled from three injection molded parts; and

FIG. 23 illustrates a bilateral symmetry plane section of a six fin apparatus with a hook on the top and a hook notch incorporated into a grip fin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Any reference to “invention” within this document is a reference to an embodiment of a family of inventions, with no single embodiment including features that are necessarily included in all embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, although there may be references to “advantages” provided by some embodiments, other embodiments may not include those same advantages, or may include different advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to any of the claims.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the aerodynamically gliding ball. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.

Specific quantities, dimensions, spatial characteristics, compositional characteristics and performance characteristics may be used explicitly or implicitly herein, but such specific quantities are presented as examples only and are approximate values unless otherwise indicated. Discussions and depictions pertaining to these, if present, are presented as examples only and do not limit the applicability of other characteristics, unless otherwise indicated.

Flight test results presented herein discuss unique characteristics of the invention as a special example of contemporary gliding airplane art. Many prototypes have been made in a variety of sizes and configurations with different materials and construction methods demonstrating what works well and revealing pitfalls to avoid, which are related in systematic detail in this specification which focuses on key aspects that define the scope of the invention concept and enable one competent in the arts of flying glider and toy design to make the concept work for a specific embodiment which can be somewhat tailored using the techniques described herein to achieve different combinations of flight and rolling performance. The invention exhibits flight like that of a gliding airplane, including a steady sustained glideslope, ability to pull up and loop at high speed, turn if thrown banked left or right, and some response to airplane trim techniques. The basic invention is a free-flight craft, meaning it has no onboard or remote active flight control to guide or pilot the craft. Numeric values given provide valuable guidance, however they are not to be construed as representing the only possible or optimum values for all embodiments.

The apparatus described illustrates a spherical aerodynamically gliding ball which is a heavier than air winged ball toy apparatus comprised of a plurality of identically shaped semicircular fins intersecting at longitudinal axis which extends from the front to the back of the apparatus. The apparatus may be grasped with a thumb and one or more fingers on a fin to be launched in a manner similar to throwing a profile balsa glider or paper airplane by its keel or wing, or cupped in the hand front side forward and thrown like a ball.

The invention is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numbers represent like parts throughout the several views. Turning now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present aerodynamic toy apparatus 10 is depicted. In this embodiment, the apparatus 10 has a substantially spherical 3-D form and includes a plurality semi-circular shaped fins 14 (which are referred to as “flight fins” in some claims) equiangularly spaced about the longitudinal centerline axis (i.e., core) 16 having an axial length 17 of 3 inches defined by the diameter of each semicircular fin 14.

During use, the apparatus 10 is thrown into the air like a balsa glider or paper airplane while gripped by a thumb and finger(s) on one of the plurality of semi-circular fins 14, or cupped like a ball with the front pointed forward and thrown. The flight trajectory is determined by the fin trim setting, launch speed, bank angle, climb or dive angle and wind.

An alternative embodiment includes the bending or curving of the fins as is done on a paper or balsa glider, to act as flight controls or trim tabs to regulate pitch, roll and yaw for gliding or maneuvering as is done with existing airplane art

As understood by existing gliding airplane art, the apparatus is configured with a combination of a center of gravity location (sometimes described as balance) and fin trailing (back) edge bending (commonly described as “trim”), causing stable, pitch, yaw and roll controlled sustained speed-seeking gliding airplane flight. Specifically, while referring to FIG. 2, a center of gravity 22 located to create a slightly aerodynamically nose heavy balance causes a speed-seeking glider nose to angle down more to dive at lower speed, thereby using gravity to increase speed, while bent up trailing edges 25 on horizontal (or nearly horizontal) “wing” fins 71 (known in contemporary art as “up elevator” trim) causes the nose to angle up to climb at higher speed, thereby using gravity to decrease speed. As with contemporary airplane gliders, the apparatus may be balanced and trimmed in the customary way such pitch vs speed oscillations (referred to as “phugoid” oscillations in the contemporary art) damp out (diminish) to a steady glide speed and angle of descent, commonly known as “glideslope”.

Further, bending the trailing edges of vertical or near vertical fins the same direction (left or right) causes the nose and glidepath to deviate to that same side (left or right), known as “rudder trim”, and bending fins on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 16 (shown in FIG. 2), opposite directions (with helical symmetry, known as “roll trim”, will cause the glider to rotate (tip) on its longitudinal axis (shown as 16 in FIG. 2.) Bending trailing edges as described herein to control pitch, yaw and roll are well understood concepts in contemporary glider art. Adapting contemporary trim methods to the invention involves applying these practices to what may be a novel assortment of fin angles. However, flight tests showed that fin trim may need to be limited to small deflections of the trialing edges, else the apparatus may suffer significantly degraded flight performance, or not fly at all.

If the apparatus has many fins, it is not necessary to bend every fin to provide flight trim: Bending a pair horizontal or near fins suffices to provide elevator trim. Bending a single near vertical fin or a pair of near vertical fins may suffice for yaw trim. Bending a pair of fins located at or near a 180° angle relative to each other may suffice for roll trim.

In contemporary gliding art, an aerodynamically neutrally balanced glider has a center of gravity moved aft to a location where no up elevator is required to hold the nose up. It is often difficult for many gliders to sustain a glide over a long distance with neutral balance. Flight tests with an aerodynamically neutrally balanced apparatus with six equiangularly spaced fins with no trim (no up elevator and no other fin bending) demonstrated the apparatus could often glide oriented near each of the six roll angles where a pair of adjacent fins straddled the downward direction. Similar results were obtained when flight testing similar neutrally balanced craft with three, four, and five identical equilaterally spaced fins with no trim (no up elevator or fin bending. Flight tests with 8 equiangularly spaced fins showed did not suggest a preferred roll attitude. FIG. 5 illustrates the associated unbanked roll attitude as seen from the back for three fins 40, four fins 41, five fins 42, and six fins 43. This suggests a neutrally balanced equiangularly spaced apparatus with three, four, five or six fins may tend to glide roll stabilized with two adjacent fins straddling the downward direction, thereby giving it three, four, five or six weakly preferred bottoms (or opposite side weakly preferred tops) respectively. There may be an aerodynamic reason why this occurs, perhaps because a fin pointed down which is not perfectly aligned tends to get deflected to one side by air slowly flowing up relative to the apparatus. However, preferred embodiments of the apparatus permit additional aspects and features to be employed to establish a preferred “bottom” side for flight, which tends to orient downwards while flying, thereby establishing the opposite side of the apparatus as a preferred “top”. Further, as with other existing art, the preferred top may be banked (tilted) to the left or right to angle some lift in the direction the top is tilted to cause flight around a turning path. Vertical lift may be reduced while banking, which may be overcome by throwing a bit harder to fly faster while turning.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be trimmed during flight test per contemporary art as a speed-seeking glider with a somewhat nose-heavy balance and slight up elevator trim, the center of gravity and trim determined by flight test. Anyone competent to properly balance a gliding airplane could balance and trim the apparatus, however, flight tests suggest for this apparatus, it is very important the fins be flat and aligned with roots coincident with a single longitudinal axis (which can be more challenging with more fins), and fin bending, including up elevator trim, consist of small bending deflections. Specific suggested elevator trim dimension ranges are disclosed elsewhere within this specification. Otherwise, the apparatus may suffer degraded flight performance or not fly at all. Up elevator trim will bend wing fin back edges up toward a corresponding preferred top.

While an aerodynamically neutral balance configuration may be of interest to highly skilled users due to its versatility, flight tests demonstrated it was difficult to get and maintain exact trim, particularly with an actual apparatus that is not perfectly shaped, making flight somewhat unpredictable and unsatisfactory for the average user. Therefore, the inventor regarded standard art nose-heavy speed-seeking glide balance to be the preferred embodiment for a consumer toy product.

Contemporary aerodynamic science suggests increasing the number of fins should increase drag due to more surface area and closer fin spacing affecting airflow between fins. Further, additional fins oriented near vertical would not be expected to add lift. Therefore contemporary aerodynamic science would suggest more fins would entail a lower lift to drag ratio, resulting in a steeper glideslope, reduced flight distance and quicker loss of speed during maneuvers (turns and loops). Flight tests with three, four, five, six and eight fins confirmed a steeper glide and greater loss of speed during maneuvers as the number of fins was increased.

A preferred embodiment consists of an even number of fins, whereby rolling performance on a surface is more optimal because the apparatus does not need to tilt significantly to be supported by differently oriented edges as it rolls end over end. Instead, it would roll alternating between supported by a pair of adjacent fin edges on the bottom, and supported by a pair of adjacent fin edges on the top, transitioning between pairs of adjacent edges as the front or back contacted the surface the apparatus rolls on without tipping to a different roll angle to transition between pairs of supporting edges.

An embodiment optimized to visually look like a ball from a wide range of view angles, including viewed obliquely from the front and side, and viewed from the side at a shallow angle below the altitude of the apparatus, would either have many fins to approximate a spherical ball, or a pair of fins that is either nearly vertical or canted to be viewed relatively perpendicularly from the side and below. Since a large number of fins has too much drag to fly well, the apparatus was found to be a bit more aerodynamically roll stable with two angularly adjacent lower fins straddling the down direction, and even number of fins was preferred to optimize rolling, the inventor regarded four and six fins as optimal embodiment choices. A four-fin apparatus flying at an X-wing bank angle looks noticeably flatter than a ball when viewed from the side, and does not look much like a ball when viewed more obliquely from the ends. A six flight fin apparatus has a more ball-like circular profile when viewed from these angles, appears as a circle when seen 30° above or below the horizon from the side when flying with its opposite pair of wing fins at a level roll attitude. This suggests six fins is an excellent preferred embodiment for rolling upon landing and visual ball-like appearance in flight.

The inventor felt six fins was a preferred configuration embodiment for a gliding toy ball product application. However, three or more fins are embodied by the invention. Two fins are inadequate as they make a circular wing, perhaps with dihedral, which does not fill the shape of a sphere well enough to visually represent a ball. The inventor deemed more than six fins to have too much drag for optimal flight. Four fins could also be flown as a “cruciform” wherein one pair of fins angled horizontal and the other pair of fins angled vertical by adding enough ballast to one “bottom” fin to create pendular stability. Four fins, flown at an X-wing bank attitude, or perhaps flown as a cruciform might also be an attractive embodiment for some applications. The preferred six fin embodiment to consist of either 6 equiangularly spaced fins with a 60° angle between any adjacent pair of fins, oriented with 2 wing fins level as illustrated by 43 in FIG. 5, or with the two wings symmetrically angled upwards to provide dihedral as illustrated by 71 in FIG. 4 to add top up roll axis stability in flight.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate a preferred embodiment, (though not intended to be the only possible embodiment) of a grip fin. Flight tests demonstrated good glide and maneuvering flight performance with a preferred embodiment apparatus illustrated by FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 consisting of six 6″ longitudinal axis semi-circular “flight fins” with speed seeking balance and up elevator, and a differently shaped small compact grip fin 34 oriented at an angle bisecting the angle between two otherwise adjacent “flight” (non-grip) fins 14 straddling the downward direction with a vertical extent from the longitudinal axis less than half the length of the longitudinal axis, the grip fin described thus “said grip fin 34, extending down from the apparatus longitudinal axis 16 within said bilateral symmetry plane, said grip fin with a forward edge 72 aft of the two adjacent lower uniformly shaped and sized flight fin front edges to avoid contact with a level surface the apparatus rolls upon, said grip fin with a back edge 32 at or forward of a center of gravity 22 of the apparatus to minimize yaw fishtail oscillations due to throwing, and said grip fin with a bottom edge 32 close to the longitudinal axis 16 to minimize pitch oscillation due to throwing.” Further, the grip fin may feature a radius 33 very near the longitudinal axis to permit a longer attachment of the fin such that a finger applied to the back of the grip fin can push the craft forward close to the longitudinal axis. The grip fin material, mass, thickness, layering and/or density distribution should be durable and provide weight that contributes to the proper fore-aft aerodynamic balance of the apparatus, and relocate the apparatus center of gravity (which might otherwise be on the longitudinal axis), downward to provide a pendulum effect to add roll stability for gliding flight, whereby the grip fin weight acts to keep the intended bottom of the apparatus oriented down, while still allowing the apparatus to be thrown “banked” (top roll tilted to the left or right) to cause the glide to turn in the banked direction, as is done with contemporary gliding art. The grip fin also visually indicates which end is the front and which side is the bottom of the toy apparatus.

It is well-known in contemporary airplane and glider art, wing dihedral (illustrated in embodiment 45 shown in FIG. 4) and/or a swept back delta-wing can provide some roll stability. The inventor suggests, (without offering strict proof) a round wing planform may also offer a little roll stability, which may contribute to the roll stability of six equiangular “flight” fins stabilizing with two flight fins straddling the downward direction. However, adding a weighted grip fin introduces pendular roll stability, which can provide substantial six flight fin wings-level roll stability when the center of gravity is sufficiently below the longitudinal axis. Per established contemporary gliding art, roll stability flight performance may be adjusted as desired by flight testing various distances the center of gravity is located below the longitudinal axis.

In another embodiment, the apparatus could be fitted with a hook feature to permit a rubber band to be sued to slingshot or catapult launch the apparatus, the hook feature very close to the apparatus longitudinal axis at or ahead of the CG for a catapult or rubber band to launch the apparatus. FIG. 19 (a section cut from FIG. 2) illustrates a section cut 90 taken at the bilateral symmetry plane through a preferred six flight fin embodiment. The hook feature should be kept close to the apparatus longitudinal axis 16. The hook 91 is shown on top of the longitudinal axis, but could be below if the grip were not present. Alternatively, if the bottom 31 of the grip fin 34 is close to the apparatus longitudinal axis 16, a notch 92 in the grip fin could serve as a hook feature. The hook feature could be between other fins rather than on the top or bottom, particularly if the hook feature is kept close to the apparatus longitudinal axis to avoid imparting yaw angular momentum during catapult launches. However slightly better launch results may be obtained if it is kept on the bilateral symmetry axis.

Flight tests showed relatively small pitch trim deflections for slightly nose heavy balance exhibited good glide and maneuvering performance. However, slightly larger trim deflections those familiar with contemporary art might expect to fly were often found to cause directional instability, loss of lift, or loss of both stability and lift. Loss of stability was often exhibited by the front oscillating in a helical or sinusoidal way about the direction of travel through the air. Loss of lift was exhibited by either reduced maneuvering performance, or the apparatus following an arcing path typical of a thrown ball or rock, indicating a lack of aerodynamic gliding flight.

The inventor deemed the difficulty of trimming a 3″ or 6″ diameter six flight fin toy apparatus to achieve satisfactory flight performance to prefer a toy embodiment consisting of preset (not user adjustable) balance and up elevator with no option for the user to adjust trailing edge trim. Instead, the user could throw harder to pull up and climb, throw hard and high to loop, and throw steeply banked left or right to turn in the direction of the bank. This would provide a toy with predictable performance which was easy to learn how to use.

Contemporary gliding and airplane art recognizes such craft are best kept bilaterally shape and mass/weight symmetric about a vertical plane which includes the aircraft longitudinal axis, whereby glide, maneuvering and trim would then be expected to behave in a predictable manner not veering to the left or right without trim or a force causing the veering. Similarly, once an intended glid attitude is defined (with a certain side up or down), the apparatus so oriented is required to have a left side shape and weight is a mirror image of an apparatus right side shape and weight reflected across a vertical bilateral symmetry plane containing the apparatus longitudinal axis, said bilateral symmetry plane to contain the optional grip fin (if present) below the apparatus longitudinal axis, such that a mirror image pair of flight fins most nearly perpendicular to the bilateral symmetry plane is a pair of wing fins.

While equiangular spacing is not required for many embodiments, the invention contemplates the flight fin profile planes be at least somewhat equally angularly spaced around the longitudinal axis: For example, the invention does not anticipate four fins arranged with a pair of mirrored flight fins 10° above level, and another pair 10° below level. However, the four fins raised and lowered to angles of 40°-50° from level are contemplated. The angles presented are for conceptual clarity and not meant to establish exact bounds on the invention. The intent is to angularly distribute fins to visually approximate a spherical or ellipsoidal ball, which might best be described as “at least somewhat visually equally angularly spaced.”

Shown in FIG. 2 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment wherein the center of gravity 22 is longitudinally positioned forward of the mid-point 24 of the longitudinal axis. Early flight tests located the center of gravity “forward of a mid-point 24 of the longitudinal axis 16 a distance between ⅕th and ⅙th of the length of the longitudinal axis 16 to provide stability during flight.” Subsequent six flight fin flight tests more accurately located the center of gravity “within said bilateral symmetry plane on the longitudinal axis, or below the longitudinal axis to provide a pendulum to add roll stability during flight, in either case, between 17% and 24% of a length of the longitudinal axis forward of a midpoint of the longitudinal axis” to provide stability during flight. Per standard contemporary art practice, the center of gravity location is more exactly determined for a fully developed final toy design embodiment by flight test to achieve desired flight characteristics, whereby the final production configuration can be mass-produced with the same center of gravity for consistent flight performance.

The elevator region area and bending must not be so large as to degrade flight performance as determined by flight testing. Excellent flight test results were obtained from a six flight fin apparatus with the trailing edge of two wing fins bent up 0.5% to 2.5% of the length of the longitudinal axis along a bend line whose maximum distance forward of the trailing edge was between 6% and 12% of the length of the longitudinal axis to provide up elevator trim. Stated more formally, “the up-elevator trim for the each said wing fin comprised of an elevator region of the wing fin curled or bent up slightly toward a top fin, the elevator region located between an elevator region back edge consisting of a portion of the wing fin back edge, and a forward elevator region boundary where the not bent or curled fin material thickness is centered at said wing fin profile plane, said forward elevator region boundary located a maximum distance from said wing fin back edge approximately between 6% and 12% of the length of the apparatus longitudinal axis, said elevator surface area curled or bent up such that the maximum distance said back edge of the elevator region is raised above said flat wing profile plane is located approximately 0.5% to 2.5% of the length of the longitudinal axis above said flat wing profile plane.” The plan view FIG. 8 shows where elevator deflection beds were made on a six flight finned apparatus. Transverse bends 47 may cross the longitudinal axis provided the structure can include bending the trailing there. Alternatively, diagonal bends 48 may be used to avoid a bend at the longitudinal axis.

Flight tests showed the best flight performance was obtained with thin. A 3″ longitudinal axis six-flight fin apparatus flew with 0.003″, 0.009″ and 0.070″ thick flight fins, whereas a 3″ longitudinal axis six flight fin apparatus did not fly with 0.011″ thick fins. A 6″ longitudinal axis six flight fin apparatus flew well with 0.11″ thick fins, flew with 0.16″ thick fins, however flew noticeably less well with fins 0.20″ to 0.25″ thick. This suggests a wing crossection fineness ratio (as defined by contemporary art as) the ratio of wing root length (which coincides with the apparatus longitudinal axis) divided by the fin thickness of more than 30:1 may be required for a 3″ to 6″ diameter six flight fin apparatus to fly, whereas a wing root to thickness fineness ratio of approximately 40:1 or higher may be required to for good flight performance. Flight tests show a grip fin of thickness similar to or less than the than the average thickness is compatible with good flight performance.

Flight tests demonstrated a feature which disrupts a thin smooth contour at the leading edge of a fin near the front may degrade or prevent gliding flight. FIG. 9 illustrates six flight fin flight tested fin cross sections with aerodynamic steps near the leading edge. A 3″ longitudinal axis apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with 0.004″ thick paper fins and 0.03″ total thickness near the leading edge (illustrated at 66 in FIG. 9) flew well. A 3″ longitudinal axis apparatus with 0.070″ thick plastic foam fins with cardstock shapes shown in FIG. 1 bonded near the front to create a 0.090″ total thickness near the leading edge (illustrated at 67 in FIG. 9) flew well. A 6″ longitudinal axis apparatus with a 0.25″ outside radius semi-circular leading edge cap over fins 0.20″ to 0.25″ thick (illustrated at 68 in FIG. 9) had noticeably degraded directional control and glide performance. FIG. 10 illustrates a 3″ longitudinal axis 0.007″ thick six flight fin apparatus with a 0.16″ thick leading edge 23 ballast weight 70 near the longitudinal axis 16. The front of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 10 oscillated in a helical fashion in a degraded glide.

Flight tests showed for this apparatus, it is very important the fins be flat and aligned with roots coincident with a single longitudinal axis (which can be more challenging with more fins), and fin bending, including up elevator trim, consist of small bending deflections. Otherwise, the apparatus may suffer degraded flight performance or not fly at all. Therefore, the craftsmanship, or tools and parts employed to produce the apparatus must result in an accurately aligned apparatus.

It is further contemplated the invention may be assembled from a variety of component parts, including but not limited to, optional embodiments described below:

An apparatus consisting six fins created as one piece by plastic injection molding using a complex, multi-part mold.

FIG. 20 illustrates an apparatus 100 consisting of fins 101 inserted and/or bonded into slots in a central fuselage piece 102 consisting of an extrusion with a u-channel feature to retain each fin. The fuselage extrusion could be hollow-centered to accommodate dense metal ballast material at the front for proper flight balance. A grip fin, as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may be bonded to the fuselage or molded with the fuselage as a single component part. However, a firm plastic fuselage extrusion may be too dense and thus too heavy to permit proper balance for flight without adding a lot of weight at the front, perhaps causing the apparatus to be much heavier than optimal for flight.

Three slotted disks which slide tightly together and bonded with glue, incorporating triangular ridges near the slots to further stiffen the assembly was tested but not found optimal enough to consider for production.

FIG. 21 illustrates an asterisk shaped nose cap part 105 designed to wrap around and thereby envelop the leading edges (or trailing edgers) of the six fins to hold and stiffen the fin angular spacing and/or to protect the edges from impact damage while adding weight in front to help achieve proper balance for flight. To avoid possible degradation of flight performance due to a fin front edge cap (68 in FIG. 9), refer to FIG. 1, wherein the back edges of the cap 20 maybe be extended aft a short distance over the fin such, and/or the fin may be thinner where the cap is located such the surface of the cap and fin are flush with no surface contour step at the back edge of the cap.

FIG. 22 illustrates the assembly of a round wing fin disk 110, a disk 111 bent 120° along its diameter comprising two top fins, and another disk 112 bent 120° along its diameter comprising two bottom fins. All three parts could consist of plastic or foam formed with 2-piece injection molds, and include features (such as but not limited indented or cut out slots 114 and tabs 115) to facilitate accurate assembly alignment and increase bonding strength when bonded together with any glue or bonding agent compatible with the plastic or foam parts. A grip fin may be added or perhaps molded as part of the bottom fin piece.

The concept illustrated by FIG. 22 can be modified by separating the top 111 and bottom 112 into two separate fins. FIG. 23 illustrates a front plane view of such a fin 115. The wing may have holes or slot(s) that accommodate pegs or tabs 116 extending down from the single fin. The flat side 117 could rest against the same featured mirrored to the fin left-right opposite the fin 115 shown. The fin could include a feature 118 that sits on top of the wing disk. The parts could be bonded together with a glue or bonding agent suitable for the fin material employed.

These and other concepts can be combined. For example, the most promising design being finalized for production includes a slot cut at the front of a circular wing fin disk extending a short distance along the apparatus longitudinal to permit a hollow fuselage extrusion with fin U-slots to securely hold only the forward portion of the fins. Ball bearing ballast would be included within the front of the hollow fuselage, and further secured with an asterisk shaped nose cap bonded on the front for added weight and impact protection. Aft of the short fuselage extrusion, the fins would be bonded to each other using a still being optimized variant of the concepts presented in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23. Near the back, an additional much shorter and lighter fuselage extrusion and/or something akin to a lightweight version of the asterisk cap concept shown in FIG. 21 might be employed if extra stiffening is required for durability, however it is not clear these can be added without requiring excessive ballast at the front resulting in the apparatus being too heavy to be optimal for flight.

There are many ways to construct the invention from component parts from a wide variety of materials. This patent discloses and describes the configuration, aspects and gliding toy art techniques required to create embodiments of the invention conforming to the description and claim limitations and provides specification guidance about common and unique aspects of this novel flying invention adequate to employ established gliding toy art techniques to achieve the flight and rolling performance capabilities described herein, without unnecessarily constraining how the invention may be embodied.

Flight tests were conducted to determine the optimal weight for a consumer toy embodiment consisting of a six flight fin 6″ longitudinal axis apparatus with 0.11″ thick fins. The apparatus lacked the momentum to be thrown high and handle wind well while weighing 12 grams. Weight was added while maintaining the same center of gravity. The apparatus flew better but was not optimal for the wind and rolling while weighing 15 grams. The apparatus had good momentum to for flying in a light to moderate wind and rolling upon landing when the apparatus weighed 18-20 grams. Two other 6″ longitudinal axis craft with thicker fins at 25-27 grams flew less well and seemed too heavy for optimal flight. The inventor's experience suggests a weight closer to 20 grams may be preferred to allow for a more durable product. The inventor deemed the ideal weight for a six flight fin 6″ longitudinal axis consumer toy apparatus to be between approximately 17 and 21 grams.

Additional ballast weight may be added near the front of the apparatus to achieve the center of gravity required for flight by embedding a dense part, such as a metal ball bearing, a cut length of metal rod stock, a nut or a bolt within one or more of the molded plastic fins, within a fuselage coinciding with the longitudinal axis, or within the grip fin. Alternatively, the forward edge of the fins or grip fin may consist of a denser material bonded on the fin or embedded within the foam or plastic fin.

It is contemplated that the material thickness and durometer of each of the semicircular shaped fins 14 be pre-selected based on routine use, impact, and desired roll characteristics without comprising the structural integrity of the apparatus.

The apparatus is to be comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material(s) providing (possessing) a high stiffness to weight ratio, said material thin to minimize drag and optimize flight performance and stability. Examples include, but need not be limited to bond or kent paper, cardstock, balsa wood, Expanded Polyolefin (EPO) foam, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam, Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) foam, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) foam KT board, ABS Plastic (where localized strength and impact resistance are desired), steel or copper (ballast), or lightweight composite material.

Possible configurations include a preferred prototype embodiment consisting of six 6″ longitudinal axis semi-circular fins comprised of 0.11″ thick Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) foam KT board, with 200 gsm cardstock reinforced leading edges, balanced slightly nose heavy at 1.20″ forward of the midpoint of the longitudinal axis to require 0.03″ up elevator deflection trim on two opposite fins acting as wings, fitted with a 0.12″ thick plywood hold and throw fin bisecting the 60° angle between the two lower angularly adjacent fins, weighing a total of 20.1 grams.

A preferred embodiment consisting of six 6″ longitudinal axis semi-circular fins comprised of 3 mm thick Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam, balanced slightly nose heavy to require a small amount of up elevator trim on two opposite fins acting as wings, fitted with a hold and throw fin bisecting the 60° angle between the two lower angularly adjacent fins.

A preferred embodiment consisting of six 6″ longitudinal axis semi-circular fins comprised of 5 mm thick Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) foam, balanced slightly nose heavy to require a small amount of up elevator trim on two opposite fins acting as wings, fitted with a hold and throw fin bisecting the 60° angle between the two lower angularly adjacent fins.

A preferred embodiment consisting of a six 3″ longitudinal axis semi-circular fins comprised of 0.07″ thick PVC foam KT board, balanced slightly nose heavy to require a small amount of up elevator trim on two opposite fins acting as wings, weighing a total of 3.0 grams.

A preferred embodiment consisting of a six 3″ longitudinal axis semi-circular fins comprised of an appropriate stiff resilient thin plastic film, balanced slightly nose heavy to require a small amount of up elevator trim on two opposite fins acting as wings.

A preferred embodiment of apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 with a 3″ long longitudinal axis for six semi-circular fins comprised of a light-weight rigid 0.004″ thick paper material with a density defined between 70-80 Grams per Square Meter (GSM) with added leading edges parts 20 consisting of 200 GSM cardstock, resulting in leading edges 0.026″ to 0.030″ thick, the apparatus weighing a total of 2.1 grams.

The apparatus may be comprised of any thin, lightweight, low-density material which provides stiffness, high strength and impact durability. Impact durability may be provided by either a substance which resists deformation o which elastically deforms and which springs back to the party's original shape after impact. Such materials are commonly used for toy, paper aircraft and non-paper competition glider design. Materials used in the contemporary art include, but need not be limited to paper, cardstock, balsa wood, foam, plastic, and new types of composite material. The invention may consist of any of many such materials known in the existing glider art.

The apparatus 10 is configured to roll any direction at high speed, or end over end at low speed till it comes to rest, typically with the front 18 oriented downward towards the ground or surface the apparatus lands and comes to rest upon.

Rolling distance upon landing is significantly limited because the apparatus tends to quickly seek a nose down attitude when balanced for flight with weight forward. Modifications to the basic invention can significantly enhance rolling performance.

FIG. 11 shows a side elevation view of the apparatus resting on a level surface 30 with its longitudinal axis 16 level. The fins 14 of the apparatus 10 are canted relative to vertical such they support the midpoint 24 of the longitudinal axis 16 less than the semicircular fin radius above the floor or ground. The midpoint 24 is at its lowest point relative to the surface 30 when the rolling rotation is at this attitude. Therefore if the apparatus could be balanced at the midpoint 24, its potential energy would be minimized at this attitude, causing it to prefer to come to rest at this attitude if it could be balanced at the midpoint 24.

Rolling distance upon landing is significantly limited because the apparatus tends to quickly seek a nose down attitude when balanced for flight with weight forward. Modifications to the basic invention can significantly enhance rolling performance.

Alternative embodiments such as those illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 include cut holes 15 in semi-circular shaped fins 14 to change the center of lift. The center of lift can thus be moved aft, permitting the apparatus to be aerodynamically balanced with a center of gravity nearer or at the midpoint of the longitudinal axis for better rolling performance. As illustrated, the cut holes 15 are to be centered forward of the center 24 of the apparatus 10 of a size and shape estimated, and subsequently demonstrated by flight test, to reduce lift on the forward part of the fins the correct amount to ensure stable flight balanced at the center of the ball, which coincides with the midpoint of the longitudinal axis 16. Rough mathematical estimation assuming lift is centered 25% aft along any wing chord line (defined as any line parallel to the apparatus longitudinal axis extending from the leading edge 23 the trailing edge 25) revealed once the chord of the remaining forward (canard) part of the fin is chosen, there will typically be 2 solutions for the quadratic equation defining the corresponding chord length for the aft part of the fin remaining aft of the hole. However, if material were cut out of every chord line, the wing would be divided into two parts touching at a point at each wing fin tip. Therefore, extra material ought to be kept near the fin tips and apparatus longitudinal axis to provide needed structure. One such pair of solutions is illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. Flight tests indicated slight additional adjustment of the hole size or location was required for exact aerodynamic balance at the center of the semi-circular fin perimeter. Flight tests with 3″ diameter 0.07″ thick fins did not fly well with either of the holes shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, suggesting remaining fin areas were too short for the fin material thickness (their “fineness ratio” was too low, far below 30), However greatly improved rolling performance was confirmed. A 3″ diameter wing test apparatus with much thinner cardstock reinforced paper fins flew well, strongly suggesting the low fineness ratio degrading or preventing gliding flight hypothesis was correct. Balancing to optimize rolling was not deemed worthwhile enough to attempt to develop a durable structure for an initial product introduction, but may be marketed at a later date.

Another alternative embodiment, which may be combined with the above embodiment, extends each fin span wise (away from the longitudinal axis centerline) by replacing the semi-circular edge shown in FIG. 3 with a semi-elliptical edge shown in FIG. 15 with its minor (shorter) axis (diameter) 26 coincident with the apparatus longitudinal axis 16, and its major (longer) axis (half major axis length 29 shown in FIG. 15) perpendicular to the apparatus longitudinal axis 16 such that when the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 rests on level ground 30 on 2 adjacent fin edges 27 with the apparatus longitudinal axis 16 level, the midpoint 24 of the apparatus longitudinal axis 16 height above the ground 30 equals half 28 the minor axis (diameter) 26, and such that as the apparatus rolls along fin edges 27, the midpoint 24 of the apparatus longitudinal axis remains a constant distance 28 above the ground. By combining this with the above alternative embodiment with holes in the fins that permit balancing the apparatus at the midpoint of the apparatus longitudinal axis, the apparatus will not tend to stop rolling end over end at a certain attitude to minimize potential energy, thus enabling the apparatus to roll farther on a smooth level surface more like a ball.

Another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 14, replaces semi-circular fins 36 with semi-elliptical fins (37 and 38), with the longitudinal axis 16 becoming either the major (longer) axis for the semi-ellipse 37, or the longitudinal axis 16 becoming the minor (shorter) axis for semi-ellipse 38. Making the longitudinal axis the major elliptical axis shortens the outboard span of the fins which will reduce the fin aspect ratio, which should decrease glide and flight performance per commonly understood aerodynamic principles. Alternatively, making the longitudinal axis the minor elliptical axis increases the outboard span of the fins which increases the fin aspect ratio (ratio of fin span (fin tip to longitudinal axis) divided by average fin chord (average distance from front to back edge measured parallel to the apparatus longitudinal axis)), which is known by contemporary flight science to increase lift to drag ratio and thereby improve glide and flight performance. As illustrated in front elevation view FIG. 16 and side elevation view FIG. 17, the fin span 29 can be increased by an amount that causes the midpoint 24 of the longitudinal axis 16 to remain a constant distance equal half of the longitudinal axis 16 length above a level surface 30 as the apparatus 10 rolls on the level surface 30 while supported by two angularly adjacent fin edges 27. For an apparatus comprised of 6 equiangularly spaced fins, the span of each circular fin would need to be increased by multiplying by 1/cosine (30°), which is approximately 1.1547.

An alternative embodiment combines the hole embodiment and semi-elliptical embodiment with the longitudinal axis being the minor axis and major axis increased such the apparatus is balanced at the center of the longitudinal axis which remains a constant distance above the surface the apparatus rolls on. FIG. 18 illustrates a fin 46 embodying these concepts. Then the apparatus will not tend to stop rolling end over end at a certain attitude to minimize potential energy, thus enabling it to roll far on a smooth level surface much like a round ball.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiments are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the following claims

Claims

1. A light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of three or more uniformly shaped fins angularly spaced around and extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis which traverses from a front of said apparatus to a back of said apparatus, the apparatus comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material(s) providing (possessing) a high stiffness to weight ratio, said material thin to minimize drag and optimize flight performance and stability, said apparatus having: each uniformly shaped fin semi-circular with the same diameter equal to the length of said core longitudinal axis extending between the front and back of said apparatus, a forward edges of said semi-circular fins thicker or denser to stiffen said apparatus for flight, throwing and impact resistance, and to achieve (impart) a required balance for sustained gliding flight with a center of gravity located between ⅕th and ⅙th of a length of said longitudinal axis forward of a midpoint of said longitudinal axis to provide stability during flight, and the apparatus including (requiring to function as intended) the bending or curving of said semi-circular fins as is done on a paper or balsa glider, to act as flight controls or trim tabs to regulate pitch, roll and yaw for gliding or maneuvering as is done with existing airplane art,

whereby said toy, when thrown like a glider, will sustain gliding flight, and roll on a smooth level surface the apparatus lands on upon landing.

2. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid or semi-rigid material is cardstock, balsa wood, foam, plastic, or composite material.

3. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 1, wherein said uniformly shaped fins are arranged equiangularly about the longitudinal axis.

4. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cut hole(s) in said uniformly shaped fins to change a center of lift, said cut hole(s) centered forward of a center of said apparatus to ensure (bring about) stable flight balanced at said center, which coincides with said midpoint of said longitudinal axis, which may be combined with said semi-elliptical fins maintaining said midpoint of the longitudinal axis said constant distance above said level surface supporting said apparatus rolls upon, whereby said apparatus will not tend to stop rolling end over end at a certain attitude to minimize the apparatus potential energy, thus enabling said apparatus to roll farther on said smooth level surface more like a ball.

5. A light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of three or more uniformly shaped fins angularly spaced around and extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis which traverses from a front of said apparatus to a back of said apparatus, the apparatus comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material(s) providing (possessing) a high stiffness to weight ratio, said material thin to minimize drag and optimize flight performance and stability, said apparatus having: each uniformly shaped fin semi-elliptical, having a minor (shorter) diameter coinciding with the apparatus longitudinal axis, and a major (longer) diameter perpendicular to the apparatus longitudinal axis such that when the apparatus rests on a level ground on 2 adjacent fin edges with the apparatus longitudinal axis level, the midpoint of the apparatus longitudinal axis is at a height above a ground (a level surface supporting the apparatus) equal to half the minor diameter, such that as the apparatus rolls along the fin edges, the midpoint of the apparatus longitudinal axis remains a constant distance (height) above the level surface, a forward edges of said semi-circular or semi-elliptical fins thicker or denser to stiffen said apparatus for flight, throwing and impact resistance, and to achieve (impart) a required balance for sustained gliding flight with a center of gravity located between ⅕th and ⅙th of a length of said longitudinal axis forward of a midpoint of said longitudinal axis to provide stability during flight, and the apparatus including (requiring to function as intended) the bending or curving of said semi-circular fins as is done on a paper or balsa glider, to act as flight controls or trim tabs to regulate pitch, roll and yaw for gliding or maneuvering as is done with existing airplane art,

whereby said toy, when thrown like a glider, will sustain gliding flight, and roll on a smooth level surface the apparatus lands on upon landing.

6. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 5, wherein the rigid or semi-rigid material is cardstock, balsa wood, foam, plastic, or composite material.

7. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 5, wherein said uniformly shaped fins are arranged equiangularly about the longitudinal axis.

8. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a cut hole(s) in said uniformly shaped fins to change a center of lift, said cut hole(s) centered forward of a center of said apparatus to ensure (bring about) stable flight balanced at said center, which coincides with said midpoint of said longitudinal axis, which may be combined with said semi-elliptical fins maintaining said midpoint of the longitudinal axis said constant distance above said level surface supporting said apparatus rolls upon, whereby said apparatus will not tend to stop rolling end over end at a certain attitude to minimize the apparatus potential energy, thus enabling said apparatus to roll farther on said smooth level surface more like a ball.

9. A light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus, comprising:

six flight fins angularly spaced apart around and extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis which traverses from a front of said apparatus to a back of said apparatus, each flight fin having a uniformly shaped and uniformly sized flight fin profile, said flight fin profiles all consisting of a root diameter connecting the endpoints of a semi-circle, each said root diameter coincident with and having the same length as the apparatus longitudinal axis, the each flight fin profile semi-circle being an inherently flat planer curve which inherently defines an associated flight fin plane said semi-circle is located within, such that the flight fin planes intersect at the apparatus longitudinal axis, each said flight fin profile having a forward edge, consisting of the half of said semi-circle closer to said apparatus front, and a back edge, consisting of the half of said semi-circle closer to said apparatus back, a seventh grip fin smaller and distinct from the said flight fins, the apparatus comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material(s) providing (possessing) a high stiffness to weight ratio, said material thin to minimize drag and optimize flight performance and stability, said apparatus having: an intended glide attitude such that an apparatus left side shape and weight is a mirror image of an apparatus right side shape and weight reflected across a vertical bilateral symmetry plane containing the apparatus longitudinal axis, said bilateral symmetry plane to contain the optional grip fin below the apparatus longitudinal axis, said bilateral symmetry plane bisecting a 60° angle between a pair of two angularly adjacent top flight fin planes above the apparatus longitudinal axis, and bisecting a 60° angle between a pair of two angularly adjacent bottom flight fins below the apparatus longitudinal axis, a remaining two flight fin planes, also called wing fin planes, either perpendicular to the bilateral symmetry plane such that all six said flight fin planes are equiangularly spaced, or two said wing fin planes bilaterally symmetrically angled a few degrees closer to said pair of top fins to provide wing dihedral to enhance flight roll stability, said grip fin, extending down from the apparatus longitudinal axis within said bilateral symmetry plane, said grip fin with a forward edge aft of the two adjacent lower uniformly shaped and sized flight fin front edges to avoid contact with a level surface the apparatus rolls upon, said grip fin with a back edge at or forward of a center of gravity of the apparatus to minimize yaw fishtail oscillations due to throwing, and said grip fin with a bottom edge close to the longitudinal axis to minimize pitch oscillation due to throwing, said flight fins having a fineness ratio defined as the respective root diameter or root length divided by the average thickness between opposite surfaces of the flight fin, the fineness ratio being high enough (roughly 30 or greater) to facilitate stable sustained gliding flight, the grip fin thickness being similar to or less than the average thickness of flight fins to optimize flight performance, a combination of said center of gravity and an up-elevator trim for each of the two wing fins, the combination, whether within or near the ranges specified below, determined by flight test to be a combination capable of gliding flight, more specifically, said center of gravity located within said bilateral symmetry plane below the longitudinal axis to provide a pendulum to add roll stability during flight between 17% and 24% of a length of the longitudinal axis forward of a midpoint of the longitudinal axis, and the up-elevator trim for the each said wing fin comprised of an elevator region of the wing fin curled or bent up slightly toward a top fin, the elevator region located between an elevator region back edge consisting of a portion of the wing fin back edge, and a forward elevator region boundary where the not bent or curled fin material thickness is centered at said wing fin profile plane, said forward elevator region boundary located a maximum distance from said wing fin back edge approximately between 6% and 12% of the length of the apparatus longitudinal axis, said elevator surface area curled or bent up such that the maximum distance said back edge of the elevator region is raised above said flat wing profile plane is located approximately 0.5% to 2.5% of the length of the longitudinal axis above said flat wing profile plane, a forward edge of said flight fins and/or grip fin thicker or denser to stiffen the apparatus for flight, throwing and impact resistance, and to achieve a required balance (center of gravity location) for sustained gliding flight, and to locate said center of gravity far enough below the apparatus longitudinal axis to provide a pendulum effect to add roll stability for gliding flight,

whereby said toy, when thrown like a glider, will sustain gliding airplane flight, and roll upon landing on a level surface.

10. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 9, wherein the rigid or semi-rigid material includes one or more of: bond or kent paper, cardstock, balsa wood, Expanded Polyolefin (EPO) foam, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam, Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) foam, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) foam KT board, ABS Plastic (providing localized strength and impact resistance), steel or copper (ballast), or lightweight composite material.

11. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 9, wherein the length of the apparatus longitudinal axis is 6″.

12. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a hook feature is included to permit a rubber band to be used to slingshot or catapult launch said apparatus, the hook feature very close to said apparatus longitudinal axis to minimize angular momentum imparted into said apparatus during launch which otherwise might destabilize or degrade flight performance.

13. A light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of three or more flight fins angularly spaced apart around and extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis which traverses from a front of said apparatus to a back of said apparatus, each flight fin having a uniformly shaped and uniformly sized flight fin profile, said flight fin profiles all consisting of a root diameter connecting the endpoints of either a semi-circle or semi-ellipse such that said root diameter is either the minor (shorter) or major (longer) axis diameter of semi-ellipse, each said root diameter coincident with and having the same length as the apparatus longitudinal axis, each flight fin profile semi-circle or semi-ellipse being an inherently flat planer curve which inherently defines an associated flight fin plane said semi-circle or semi-ellipse is located within, such that the flight fin planes intersect at the apparatus longitudinal axis, each said flight fin profile having a forward edge, consisting of the half of said semi-circle or semi-ellipse closer to said apparatus front, and a back edge, consisting of the half of said semi-circle or semi-ellipse closer to said apparatus back, an option to include a single grip fin smaller and distinct from the said flight fins, the apparatus comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material(s) providing (possessing) a high stiffness to weight ratio, said material thin to minimize drag and optimize flight performance and stability, said apparatus having: the flight fin profile planes at least somewhat visually equally angularly spaced around the longitudinal axis, the apparatus configured with either the flight fin profiles arranged equiangularly around the longitudinal axis, and a center of gravity at a neutral balance location determined by flight test such that the apparatus may glide some distance with all fins straight flat (no trim), either with a grip fin bisecting the angle between two flight fin planes, or without a grip fin present to facilitate locating the center of gravity on the apparatus longitudinal axis, thereby avoiding pendular roll stability to allow the apparatus limited gliding stability with no single preferred top side, or a combination of said center of gravity and an up-elevator trim for an intended glide attitude, said combination determined by flight test to be a combination capable of stable gliding flight, specifically; said intended glide attitude such that an apparatus left side shape and weight is a mirror image of an apparatus right side shape and weight reflected across a vertical bilateral symmetry plane containing the apparatus longitudinal axis, said bilateral symmetry plane to contain the optional grip fin (if present) below the apparatus longitudinal axis, such that a mirror image pair of flight fins most nearly perpendicular to the bilateral symmetry plane is a pair of wing fins, said center of gravity located within said bilateral symmetry plane on the longitudinal axis, or below the longitudinal axis to provide a pendulum to add roll stability during flight, in either case, between 17% and 24% of a length of the longitudinal axis forward of a midpoint of the longitudinal axis, and the up-elevator trim modifying two wing fins, the up-elevator trim for the each said wing fin comprised of an elevator region of the wing fin curled or bent up slightly, the elevator region located between an elevator region back edge consisting of a portion of the wing fin back edge, and a forward elevator region boundary where the not bent or curled fin material thickness is centered at said wing fin profile plane, the elevator region area and bending not so large as to degrade flight performance as determined by flight testing, said grip fin, extending down from the apparatus longitudinal axis within said bilateral symmetry plane, said grip fin with a forward edge aft of the two adjacent lower uniformly shaped and sized flight fin front edges to avoid contact with a level surface the apparatus rolls upon, said grip fin with a back edge at or forward of the center of gravity of the apparatus to minimize yaw fishtail oscillations due to throwing, and said grip fin with a bottom edge close to the longitudinal axis to minimize pitch oscillation due to throwing, the flight fins having a fineness ratio defined as the fin root diameter divided by the average thickness between opposite surfaces of the flight fin, the fineness ratio being high enough (roughly 30 or greater) to facilitate stable sustained gliding flight, the grip fin thickness being similar to or less than the average thickness of flight fins to optimize flight performance, a forward edge of flight fins and/or grip fin thicker or denser to stiffen the apparatus for flight, throwing and impact resistance, and to achieve a required balance (center of gravity location) for sustained gliding flight, and when up-elevator trim is included to locate the center of gravity far enough below the apparatus longitudinal axis to provide a pendulum effect to add roll stability for gliding flight, all the flight fins uniformly optionally including an at least a one hole(s) in the forward part of the flight fin to reduce lift near the front of the apparatus such that the apparatus center of gravity required for a stable gliding flight is farther aft, such that the center of gravity can be located closer to or at the midpoint of the longitudinal axis, thereby facilitating rolling a greater distance on a level surface the apparatus lands upon,

whereby said toy, when thrown like a glider, will sustain gliding airplane flight, and roll upon landing on a level surface.

14. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 13, wherein the rigid or semi-rigid material includes one or more of: bond or kent paper, cardstock, balsa wood, Expanded Polyolefin (EPO) foam, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam, Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) foam, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) foam KT board, ABS Plastic (providing localized strength and impact resistance), steel or copper (ballast), or lightweight composite material.

15. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 13, wherein said flight fins are arranged equiangularly about the apparatus longitudinal axis.

16. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 13, wherein the number of flight fins is even, whereby rolling performance on said surface is more optimal because the apparatus does not need to tilt significantly to be supported by differently oriented edges as it rolls end over end.

17. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flight fin profiles are semi-elliptical with the root diameter being the minor ellipse diameter, such the span of each flight fin (the distance each fin extends away from the apparatus longitudinal axis) is greater than for semi-circular profiles of a root diameter of the same length, thereby improving flight glide and maneuvering performance due to higher aspect ratio lifting surfaces.

18. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 17, wherein the number of flight fins is even, and the said fin profile being semi-elliptical, the said semi-ellipse having a minor (shorter) diameter coinciding with the apparatus longitudinal axis, and a major (longer) diameter perpendicular to the apparatus longitudinal axis such that when the apparatus rests on a level ground on 2 adjacent fin edges with the apparatus longitudinal axis level, the midpoint of the apparatus longitudinal axis is at a height above a ground (a level surface supporting the apparatus) equal to half the minor diameter, such that as the apparatus rolls along the fin edges, the midpoint of the apparatus longitudinal axis remains a constant distance (height) above the level surface, which if combined with optional said holes configured to permit flight with said center of gravity at the midpoint of the apparatus longitudinal axis, ensures said center of gravity remains a constant distance above the surface the apparatus rolls on, whereby the apparatus will not tend to stop rolling end over end at a certain attitude to minimize potential energy, thus enabling it to roll far on a smooth level surface much like a round ball.

19. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a hook feature is included to permit a rubber band to be used to slingshot or catapult launch said apparatus, the hook feature very close to said apparatus longitudinal axis to minimize angular momentum imparted into said apparatus during launch which otherwise might destabilize or degrade flight performance.

20. The light-weight aerodynamically flying gliding toy ball apparatus of claim 13, further wherein the number of said flight fins is the even number six, said flight fins are arranged equiangularly about the apparatus longitudinal axis, and optional said hole(s) in the forward part of the flight fins are included such the apparatus balances for flight with said center of gravity farther aft, perhaps at said midpoint of the longitudinal axis, thereby facilitating rolling a greater distance on a level surface the apparatus lands upon.