Abstract: A thrust ring for a rocket motor for one or more of limited re-use or single use, including a rocket motor housing, the motor housing adapted to contain propellant; an aft closure with a nozzle, the aft closure connected or connectable to the housing; a forward closure connected or connectable to the housing; wherein one or both of the aft closure and the forward closure are connectable to the housing in manner adapted for one or both of limited re-use or single use.

Abstract: A projectile launching apparatus and methods for use with an aerosol spray device containing a flammable liquid. The apparatus comprising a chamber and a tube, the tube fixedly attached to an opening in the chamber. Inside the chamber is a spark gap connected by an electrical cable to a spark power source, the cable having sufficient length to permit the spark power source to be located away from the chamber. A method comprising the steps of sliding the projectile over the tube; spraying some of the flammable liquid into the chamber; activating the spark power source, thereby igniting the mixture of air and flammable liquid, the ignition of the mixture of air and flammable liquid thereby propelling the projectile rapidly away from the projectile launcher apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in conducting an eruption reaction are disclosed. The apparatus includes a catalytic solids container with a mouth and fluid egress opening and a trigger device or mechanism that allows for the controlled release of a catalytic solid into an eruptible fluid. The catalytic solids container may be adapted to be coupled to a container for an eruptible fluid.

Abstract: A parachute rocket toy in which the parachute is attached to the rocket by spars is provided. A preferred embodiment uses semi-rigid spars attached to a ring that surrounds the rocket body and may slide along the body. As a portion of the parachute deploys, it may pull on the closest spars, which in turn pull the connector ring to the top of the rocket. As the ring slides to the top of the rocket, it pushes the spars, and thus the parachute, outward. A tail may be wrapped around the parachute to hold it in place for launch and ascent. After the tail unwraps, it may facilitate deployment of the parachute.

Abstract: The water rocket engine with a two-phase nozzle includes a water rocket propulsion system having a reservoir, and a nozzle assembly disposed along a central longitudinal axis therein, the nozzle assembly comprising an inverted cup shaped fluid capture vessel having a substantially concave sidewall and extending away from an elongated tube. Open lower portion of the fluid capture vessel forms a fluid inlet. The elongated tube has a concave shaped side wall that forms a nozzle gas inlet at an upper portion of the tube, a nozzle outlet at a lower portion of the tube, and a passageway disposed between the tube upper portion and the tube lower portion. Within the confines of the capture vessel, fluid injection holes are disposed in the tube sidewall to provide fluid intake into the nozzle passageway where fluid and gas combine to form a two phase propellant.

Abstract: A toy rocket launching device includes a stand and a positioning unit is pivotably connected to the stand. A control unit includes a control member which has a first end connected to an injection nozzle of the rocket and a second end of the control member extends through a positioning unit and is secured by a threaded sleeve. An valve is inserted into the first end of the control member and a cap is mounted on the first end of the control member. An activation member is located in the positioning unit and multiple balance cables are connected between the activation member and the cap. An end of an activation cable is connected to a center of the activation member so that when the activation cable is pulled, the cap is simultaneously pulled to activate the injection nozzle to lunch the toy rocket.

Abstract: A pressure-actuated rocket system comprises a bottom base, a detonator and a rocket body. A top base is placed on a top surface of the bottom base. At least one through hole is located on a side of the top base and extended to an opening of the top surface. The hollow detonator has a closed and an opened ends. The rocket body is a bottle with fins. After soda powder is placed inside the detonator and vinegar is filled into the rocket body, the bottom base, the detonator and the rocket body are held inclined. The openings are aimed at the inclined bottom base in turn, the pressure-actuated rocket system is then turned upside down. Soda powder subsequently falls and reacts with vinegar, and gas is generated. A pressure accumulates inside the rocket body until it is high enough to shoot the rocket body up.

Abstract: This invention is a long thin rocket that launches forward and glides backward after an ejection pitch maneuver with no moving parts. It takes advantage of a shift in center of pressure caused by a change in the angle of incidence of the rocket. This change in angle of incidence is caused by the side thrust pitch maneuver. The pitch maneuver is initiated by the ejection charge out a side thrust port or other side thrusting apparatus at a location on the rocket causing a large torque about the center of gravity of the rocket. The center of gravity of the rocket after the pitch is optimally less than 60% of the way between the Barrowman center of pressure and the center of lateral area center of pressure.

Abstract: A model rocket motor retainer apparatus for model rockets comprised of two components, a cylindrical retainer body (1) and an aft closure ring (2); wherein the retainer body is attached to a rocket motor tube (3), and the aft closure ring attaches into the aft end of the retainer body (3). Installation and tightening of the aft closure ring traps the rocket motor (4) between the aft closure ring and the rocket motor tube, thereby positively retaining the motor.

Abstract: A toy rocket set that includes a rocket and a launcher for the rocket that utilizes compressed air to launch the rocket. The upper end of the launch tube has an end cap secured thereupon by a threaded connection. An annular elastomeric element is retained between the end cap and the launch tube body. As the end cap is tightened onto the launch tube body, the elastomeric element is compressed resulting in an adjustable frictional engagement with a radially enlarged nose cone on the rocket. The centerpoint of the parachute is secured by a tether to a removable link in the rocket body. The removable link is retained within the rocket body by a slidable rod. During flight, when the rocket inverts, the rod slides within the rocket body to release the link and permit the parachute to deploy to an open position.

Abstract: A rocket (10) is disclosed having a body (11) with a bay (13) therein and hatch (16) which is movable between a bay opened position and a bay closed position by a spring biased hinge (19). The hatch is coupled to a two stage catch (29). A parachute (23) is mounted to the hatch. Upon initial movement of the rocket the hatch is partially unlatched, the upon the near completion of forward movement the latch completely releases the hatch so as to pull the parachute from the bay for deployment.

Abstract: A rocket (100) is disclosed having a body (101) with a bay (102) therein and a latchable hatch (109) which is movable between a bay opened position and a bay closed position by a spring biased hinge (110). A parachute (117) is mounted to the hatch. Upon unlatching the hatch, the drag upon the hatch causes it to move reward thereby pulling the parachute from the bay for deployment.

Abstract: A pressure dependent parachute release device having a primary storage volume, a check valve between the primary storage volume and a secondary storage volume, a pressure operable valve, the outlet of which is connected to the inlet of a flow restrictor, with the outlet of the flow restrictor being connected to a pressure operated actuator. The inlet of the check valve and a primary port of the pressure operable valve are in fluid communication with the primary storage volume, and a secondary port of the pressure operable valve and the outlet of the check valve are in fluid communication with the secondary storage volume. The pressure operable valve is first set to a primary position, blocking communication from the secondary storage volume to the outlet. A pressure differential between the primary and secondary storage volumes shifts the valve to a secondary position allowing fluid communication between the secondary storage volume and the pressure operated actuator via the flow restrictor.

Abstract: A rocket (100) is disclosed having a body (101) with a bay (102) therein and a hatch (109) which is movable between a bay opened position and a bay closed position by a spring biased hinge (110). The hatch is pivotally coupled to a nose section (104) by a spring biased hinge (11). The hatch is configured to be engaged and disengaged with a catch (118) mounted to the rocket body. With the initial forward movement of the launched rocket the inertia and/or the force of the wind upon the nose section causes the disengagement of the catch whereby the continued movement of the rocket creates a wind upon the nose section which maintains the hatch in its bay closed position.

Abstract: A rocket launcher (18) is disclosed having a pressure chamber (74) coupled to a pump (66) through a pressure tube (67) and a release valve assembly (87) having a manifold (78) in fluid communication with the pressure chamber. The manifold has a plunger (79) therein which is slidable between a first position storing pressurized air within the pressure chamber and a second position releasing pressurized air from the pressure chamber and into a launch tube (76).

Abstract: A shuttle launch system for a model rocket which includes a model rocket engine having a propellant charge for propelling the model rocket in a first direction and an ejection charge for ejecting matter in a second direction generally opposite the first direction consists of a booster rocket having a longitudinally extended tube with a peripheral sidewall, an inner chamber and top and bottom ends and an engine-receiving chamber adjacent the bottom end of the tube. A shuttle glider support structure is mounted on the booster rocket for releasably supporting a shuttle glider thereon. A fluid passage extends between the inner chamber of the booster rocket and the shuttle glider support structure such that a portion of gas within the inner chamber is redirected from the inner chamber through the fluid passage and out of the shuttle glider support structure.

Abstract: A toy rocket with velocity dependent chute release comprises an elongated generally cylindrical fuselage formed with a cavity along one side. The cavity is sized to receive and contain a folded parachute. An elongated hatch is hingedly attached to the fuselage and is movable at its hinged attachment between a first position covering the cavity and constraining the parachute therein and a second position displaced from and opening up the cavity for deployment of the parachute. A latch mechanism releasably secures the hatch in its closed position. A trigger assembly includes a flap that is presented to the wind during flight of the rocket and that has a first position securing the latch mechanism and a second position releasing the latch mechanism to open the hatch. The flap is oriented such that the force of the impinging wind urges the flap to its first position.

Abstract: Apparatus in kit form for the assembly of a model rocket having a body tube, fins, and propellant mount, wherein each fin has a root portion at a radially inner-most end for mountingly extending through slots apertured in the body tube and for mounting engagement with the propellant mount. The body tube is apertured with slots for mountingly receiving the root portions of respective fins. The propellant mount telescopically mounts within the body tube and mountingly seats the fin roots. In one embodiment, a plurality of mounting brackets is arranged for assembly with one another for forming the propellant mount. The mounting brackets have radially-extending mounting recesses for engaging and positioning a fin root.

Abstract: Parachute ejection and recovery system for rockets which protects and permits recovery of the entire rocket after launch including means for cooling ejection gases, means for directing the cooler ejection gases for using in ejection, the nose cone and parachute therefrom during flight, and means for controlling descent of the rocket body, its nose cone and a parachute associated therewith.

Abstract: This model rocket car carries a U-shaped tube with lower and upper straight segments connected at their front ends by a bight segment. The lower segment of the tube holds a model rocket engine which, upon ignition, first ejects gas out the back end to propel the car forward and after a burning time ejects gas from its front end forward into the tube. The upper segment of the tube holds a folded braking parachute, tethered to the car, which is blown out of the tube by the gas ejected from the front end of the engine and opens behind the car. Flame retardant wadding is in the upper segment of the tube directly in front of the folded parachute.

Abstract: An amusement projectile device includes a hollow body and head and tail portions, characterized in that the hollow body is formed of a pair of body sections hinged together at one end for movement between closed and open positions. The body includes a pair of fins connected with the body sections adjacent the tail portion to assist in flight of the projectile device through the air. A plurality of colored streamers and a parachute connected with the body of the device are arranged in the hollow body with the body sections in the closed position. The projectile device is propelled into the air in the closed position. At the apex of its flight, the body sections open releasing the streamers and the parachute. The streamers randomly flutter to the ground and the projectile floats to the ground while suspended from the parachute providing amusement to the user.

Abstract: A flying model rocket includes a body made up of several telescoping segments with a model rocket engine at one end. The telescoping segments are movable between a retracted condition, for ease of transport and storage, and an extended condition, for greater visibility. A recovery system includes a collapsible recovery surface, such as a parachute or paraglider, mounted to the outside of one of the telescoping segments, and a recovery surface containment structure, secured to an adjacent telescoping segment. According to the method of recovery, the recovery surface and the containment structure are positioned so that when their associated telescoping segments are telescopically retracted, the containment structure keeps the recovery surface in a stowed condition external of, and typically next to, the outer surface of the body.