Space Vehicle Or Rocket Patents (Class 446/231)
  • Patent number: 9938009
    Abstract: A radio controlled model rotorcraft implemented with features improving ease of flight and flight performance by increasing structural stability, increasing rotorcraft visibility and orientation awareness through the use of multifunctioning, configurable, and aesthetically pleasing components, while also increasing resistance to damage from crashes through use of impact and vibration absorbing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: TRAXXAS LP
    Inventors: Casey Christen Jens Christensen, Otto Karl Allmendinger, Richard Douglas Hohnholt, Kent Poteet, Scott Rollin Michael Schmitz, Thomas Blackwell
  • Patent number: 9541358
    Abstract: An elastomeric blow pipe dart (10) including: a generally circular body portion (12); a tapered portion (16) extending from the generally circular body portion (12); and a nose (18) having a smaller diameter than the tapered portion (16) and extending from the tapered portion (16) to a tip (20). The blow pipe dart (10) may comprise a soft rubber, and the nose (18) may define an end bore (26) so that air passes through the nose (18) when the dart (10) is launched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Ralph Robertson Hepburn
  • Patent number: 8858350
    Abstract: An inflatable rocket assembly is an apparatus that improves upon existing rocket shaped balloons. The apparatus is provided in a particular arrangement that enables said inflatable rocket assembly to traverse a fluid, in a particular manner, upon being thrown by human capable means. The inflatable rocket assembly is able to provide amusement and function as a teaching tool to a user through a plurality of interactions. The apparatus utilizes the combination of an inflatable body coupled with a plurality of front fins and a plurality of tail fins in order to achieve a particular flight characteristic while traversing through a fluid. The particular component arrangement allows the inflatable rocket assembly to be thrown through the air, achieving distances of 30? feet or more while requiring very little effort from the user. Furthermore, the inflatable rocket assembly is provided in manner that permits it to be easily inflated and deflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: John Stanley Christoffel
  • Publication number: 20140187119
    Abstract: An electronic toy with synchronized sound and lighting system that utilizes projectiles, and method, including a base, a projectile, pre-recorded sounds, a speaker, LED lights, and various circuitry. The invention can be programmed to operate in standby mode at all times, and will power-on when the user locks the projectile into the locking unit. The invention is programmed to initiate synchronized sequences of lights and sounds based on the user's locking and loading of a projectile into the invention, rather than through the use of unnecessary buttons or an on/off switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: 1-Star Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Martin Barry Abrams, Joel Resenzweig
  • Publication number: 20100167622
    Abstract: An expandable toy space shuttle that employs a detachable cabin which allows a telescoping inner fuselage to extend from inside of the main fuselage thereby doubling the interior volume of the toy space shuttle. The toy can be customized to individual missions by the use of different inner fuselages of different sizes, different cabins, and different main fuselages all of which fit together and work with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Jay Zeek
  • Patent number: 7647921
    Abstract: A submerging air pressure projectile launching toy, suitable for use by children, includes a main device body, a launch structure connected to an upper end thereof to define an interior air chamber, and a projectile, all for use in water. The main device body has a hollow elongate member, defining a longitudinal axis, and a water intake, in fluid communication with the interior air chamber, at a lower end thereof, and the water intake opening is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The projectile is temporarily mountable via to the launch structure to semi-seal the interior air chamber. When the lower end of the main device body is pushed into a body of water, air within the interior air chamber is compressed until a frictional or other coupling force between the projectile and the launch structure is overcome, causing the projectile to launch into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Keith Alan Mullin
  • Patent number: 7537508
    Abstract: A model rocket and launch system in which a rocket is launched by combustion produced from a mixture of water and calcium carbide. The water and calcium carbide are combined in a mixing container and launch tube and create a combustible gas. The container and launch tube incorporates a spark chamber consisting of a spark element device and electrode. Both the rocket body tube and launch tube includes a conductive coupling device and is designed to be co-dependent of each other in order to complete an electrical circuit for ignition purposes. The launch tube conductive coupling device and is electrically connected to a spark element device. Electrical current is sent to the spark element device and electrode when the electrical current provided from a high voltage generator passes through both the model rocket unit and the launch system unit via the combined conductive coupling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Picone Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Picone, Nicholas Picone
  • Publication number: 20080289530
    Abstract: An airborne device such as a model rocket or balloon is provided with a light source and/or a sound source that makes the rocket visible during ascent, descent and recovery at night. The sound source is provided to assist in day time recovery. The light source may be located in a transparent or translucent nose cone section of a rocket or otherwise attached adjacent or in a balloon to assist in operation and viewing. The light source may include a timing or flashing feature to make the airborne device or rocket more visibly distinct during flight and recovery. Additional signaling and informational light sources may be added to other parts of the rocket and to the ground mounted launch apparatus to announce launching and/or improve the night time viewing. One form of the rocket system uses a count down feature with lights on the launch structure to signal when blast off will occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: John Adorjan, Matthew Adorjan
  • Patent number: 6997770
    Abstract: An air pressure projectile launcher toy comprising at lease one soft foam projectile and a telescopic tube assembly, adapted on one end for releasably securing a projectile, and capable of generating a high speed compressed air stream, which is buffered by a large available air volume, intended to accelerate lightweight foam projectiles without generating an undesirable shock wave, caused by the rapid build-up of high internal pressures, thereby making it possible for children to launch safe foam projectiles with less effort and increased accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Brian Lapointe
  • Patent number: 6926579
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for launching a toy rocket that includes rotating a launch tube about an axis that is parallel with a connecting tube, which is rotatably connected to the launch tube; extending the launch tube in a perpendicular direction; progressively closing a safety valve by rotating the launch tube toward a vertical position, relative to a launch pad assembly; loading the toy rocket onto a distal end of the extended launch tube; and rapidly compressing a bellows in communication with the launch tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Rappaport
  • Patent number: 6808436
    Abstract: A aerial toy comprises a hollow sleeve member and a base member to receive and accommodate the hollow sleeve member longitudinally for sliding movement, the base member having a cap provided with a plurality of holes permit air entrance into the base member when it is pulled and an air insulation member bendably placed thereof inside the cap in a position opposite to the holes to prevent air exit from the base member when it is pushed to permit easy sliding of the base member along the hollow sleeve member while maintaining sufficient compressed air thereof. The aerial toy apparatus further comprises an air chamber into which the hollow sleeve member fits securely and a launch tube into which the air chamber fits securely to receive the compressed air from the hollow sleeve member and a flying member mountable onto an upper end of the launch tube to be pushed off of the apparatus by the compressed air released from the launch tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Kong Wai Siu
  • Patent number: 6752682
    Abstract: A cylindrical toy rocket that measures at least 8-inches long and 2½ inches in diameter. The rocket has a weighted rubber nose cone that is mounted on an inner slide tube that fits inside the rocket's main body tube in contact with a compression spring. At least three guide fins are attached to the outside bottom of the rocket's main body tube. The rocket is launched by means of an attached tether and gripping handle. In use, the handle is gripped in the hand of the player and swung in a vertical circular motion starting in an upward direction. The rocket is then released such that it is catapulted upward into the sky along an initial flight path. When the rocket reaches its apex and starts a descent, the heavier nose cone will assume a downward position. Upon impact with the ground, the nose cone and inner sliding tube are forced into the main tube body of the rocket, thereby compressing and storing potential energy in the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Conrad M. Ferrell
  • Patent number: 6568985
    Abstract: An aerial toy includes a hollow sleeve member which is open at both ends and a base member which acts as a pump into which the sleeve fits longitudinally in a sliding arrangement, wherein movement of the base member from a first extended position to a second position along the hollow sleeve member results in air moving out the upper end of the sleeve. A launch tube portion fits onto an upper end of the hollow sleeve member. A flying member which is made from a compressible foam is mountable on the launch tube, the flying member having at least one constriction along its length, wherein the internal diameter of a body portion of the flying member is slightly decreased at the constriction, providing a tighter fit between the flying member and the launch tube without significantly increasing the force necessary to mount the flying member on the launch tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis E. Binkley
  • Patent number: 6095885
    Abstract: A candy toy holder device which provides fun and visual pleasure for the consumer as well as providing a candy treat. The device includes an upper housing and a main housing which provides a support for a lollipop via a stationary stick holder secured to the main housing. The upper housing has one or more movable parts that perform a variety of movements. It may be constructed so that the movements include appendages moving around, up, down, in or out and the candy is designed to remain stationary whether or not the motion parts are active or inactive. The movements are activated by the use of a motor, a switching device and a power source. The power source is self contained within the main housing and the housing is designed in a manner that allows the battery to be replaced as well as the candy. Use of one or more gears and/or gearing systems allows the movements of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas J. Coleman, William K. Schlotter, IV, Princess Ann Coleman, Ann M. Schlotter
  • Patent number: 6000988
    Abstract: A fighting UFO toy car in which a power source such as a motor is used to drive a gear set which further drives a cam of a driving shaft to rotate and make a UFO model ascend and show up outside the toy car. The driving shaft synchronously drives guide members on two outer sides of the casing to rotate. The guide members drive two rocking arms to regularly swing to drive a resilient linking member which further drives a lifting support shaft to vertically move. Accordingly, two wings disposed on two sides of the toy car body are stretched and retracted. The gear set drives a rotary disc of a driving shaft to rotate, whereby a cam of the rotary disc drives a guide board to regularly slide back and forth. By means of such arrangements, multiple sets of decorations mounted on outer side of the toy car body are lively repeatedly operated to achieve an entertaining effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Wen-Ho Tsai
  • Patent number: 5976590
    Abstract: A screaming rocket pop which includes at least one inner telescoping housing within an outer housing. A lollipop can be secured to the at least one inner housing for consumption by a user. The at least one inner housing may have a lollipop stick retaining device extending from an upper end into the housing for securing the lollipop stick. The device includes a noisemaker therein which can be activated by blowing air through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas J. Coleman, William K. Schlotter, IV, Princess Ann Coleman, Ann M. Schlotter
  • Patent number: 5712446
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method a flat-side model rocket. In the preferred embodiment, the model rocket is four-sided, and may be constructed by a user from wooden pieces that are pre-cut and pre-engraved with a sealed-CO.sub.2 laser. The model rocket of the present invention is compatible with existing model rocket engines, launching apparatuses, and parachute-type recovery apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: David R. Spence
  • Patent number: 5188557
    Abstract: A toy rocket to include a cylindrical body formed with a conical upper end portion, with the conical end portion formed of a flexible material, the cylindrical body formed of a rigid material and including a launcher structure, including a first conduit to receive a pneumatic air supply therethrough, with a first conduit orthogonally oriented and in pneumatic communication with a second conduit. The second conduit terminating in a sivel connection, with the swivel connection mounting a mounting tube thereon. The mounting tube is arranged for projection through a floor of the rocket into a first chamber containing a fluid propulsion medium therewithin. Pressurizing of the first chamber effects subsequent release of the rocket relative to the mounting tube for projection along a trajectory of flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: Randall L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5156564
    Abstract: A bubble blower device which comprises a cyclindrical tube with a pleated periphery providing longitudinal grooves with sharp apical edges, the tube being fitted into a skirt of a cap which forms with the tube a reservoir for the bubble forming liquid which is aspirated with the tube when motivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Gary K. Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5139456
    Abstract: A structurally simplified and diversified toy flying saucer is provided. The toy saucer includes a housing mounting therein a prime mover driving a reduction gear assembly, an elevating mechanism for elevating the housing, a turning mechanism for turning the housing, and a transmitting disk driven by the gear assembly and having thereon an irregular groove slidably receiving therein a slider connected to an oscillating piece which has a first end pivotally connected to the housing and a second end coupled to the elevating mechanism. The saucer can also be devised to have a sparkling illuminating medium and a vertically movable top cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: Chuan-Tien Chuang
  • Patent number: 5111524
    Abstract: A signal transmitting steering cable (4, 40, 40') for remotely-controlled flying bodies (1) which, once the flying body (1) has been launched, can be located and disposed of easily. For this purpose the surface layer (44, 46) of the steering cable (4) includes a material which is fluorescent when illuminated with light of a predetermined wavelength range. Preferably, a dye whose emission spectrum lies approximately between 530 and 690 nm is employed as the fluorescent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Schunk, Reinfried Stolllewerk, Gerhard Hubricht, Jorg Peters
  • Patent number: 5080625
    Abstract: A balloon toy apparatus contains a lighter-than-air gas, causing it to rise. Wetting the toy with a controlled amount of a volatile liquid, such as water ejected from a water pistol, overcomes the tendency to rise and results in the toy descending or floating at or near neutral buoyancy. Evaporation of the liquid reestablishes the tendency to rise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventor: Terry W. Huffhines
  • Patent number: 4934712
    Abstract: A weighted object is attached to a tether and the tether is twisted to cause the weighted object to spin and to change in vertical position. The apparatus which causes the tether to twist can also orbit through a path to cause horizontal motion of the weighted object thereby providing three-dimensional movement to the weighted object. Movable objects are provided as targets for the weighted object with points being given for producing interaction between the weighted object and the movable objects. Also, due to the resonance properties of the tether, many different sculptural forms within the harmonies can be created. By stroboscopically illuminating the tether, further visual forms can be observed. By pulsating the lights on the weight many visual effects can be produced along with altering the tether to produce special effects for film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas R. Byrd
  • Patent number: 4850922
    Abstract: A flight simulating aircraft toy is provided having a harness member adapted to be worn upon the chest of a child, and an aircraft model pivotably supported by the harness member. When the toy is worn by the child, the aircraft model can be manipulated to simulate actual flight movements. The aircraft model can also be removed from the harness for independent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Allen R. Harris
  • Patent number: 4749104
    Abstract: A cleansing liquid dispenser which can alternately be used as a toy plane or toy rocket or serve as a piggy bank when the cleanser is completely used up. The dispenser comprises a cylindrical main body having an opening for cleansing liquid and a plurality of evenly spaced vertically oriented upper and lower brackets on its upper and lower outer circumference respectively. A conical top cover frictionally engages with a circular seat on the top of the main body. The dispenser is supported by a suction cup which secures the dispenser to a wall. Three or four toy tail fins are respectively engageable with three or four lower brackets and two toy wings are respectively engageable with the upper brackets so as to respectively form either a toy plane or a toy rocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Inventor: Hsun W. Chao
  • Patent number: 4718875
    Abstract: A toy vehicle having wheels which may be folded to a horizontal position under the vehicle by squeezing a hand grip. Two elongated axle members are rotatably engaged to the sides of the vehicle. The wheels are rotatably mounted on front and rear axles attached to the elongated axle members. A pivot plate is rotatably mounted to the bottom of the toy vehicle. When the hand grip is squeezed, a link connected to a trigger member causes the plate to rotate. The rotating plate then causes two slotted links to rotate the elongated axle members. As a result, the wheels mounted on the axle members also rotate until they reach a substantially horizontal position under the vehicle. The wheels remain in this folded position until the hand grip is released. When the grip is released, springs return the wheels to a vertical position. The slotted links are designed to allow the wheels at just one side of the toy vehicle to be folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McKittrick, David L. Maurer, Howard R. Stern
  • Patent number: 4681554
    Abstract: A toy device is disclosed which can be opened at any angle desired by means of a mechanical structure, which comprises mainly a fixed member with two notches being furnished at both ends respectively; two movable members, of which the bottom ends are fixed respectively to two transmission members being mounted in the notches on the fixed member; a control member, of which two lugs on both ends thereof are hooked in the two round holes of the two transmission members respectively so as to have the control member coupled with the two movable members. When the control member is being driven to move upwards, the movable members will be moved to open at a given angle or fully open at an angle of 180.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventor: Chang Hsien-Yang
  • Patent number: 4573938
    Abstract: A spaceship type toy is disclosed employing a lower base assembly, a duct, and a generally spherical toy space capsule closely received by the tube. A fan assembly within the base provides air pressure to the lower portion of the duct which, when sufficiently great, causes the toy capsule to translate within the tube, thus simulating space travel over a limited distance. By providing an adjustable electrical power supply to the fan assembly, the position of the capsule within the tube can be controlled by the user. In accordance with another feature of this invention, within the capsule is a seat which supports a toy astronaut figure. This seat can be rotated between two positions, which causes an electrical switching action upon a visual display within the spacecraft. The toy astronaut figure chair is further movable to expose a battery compartment within the spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: 4560361
    Abstract: Decorative objects such as spheres are rotated on a toy vehicle at body locations remote from a rotating wheel, which serves as the drive mechanism therefor. Thus a flexible cable, such as formed from coiled spring wire, is journalled about a body path by eyelets to rotate the objects when affixed to the cable at one or more locations. One embodiment, substantially of streamlined rocket shape, with a plurality of rotatable spheres spaced about a generally cylindrical body and shrouded with decorative cover panels overlying the eyelets thus gives the effect of a space object such as a comet when propelled by a suitable motor across a floor surface, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Inventor: Paul Cantu