Abstract: A rubber band powered toy vehicle uses the stored energy of a twisted rubber band to power a propeller during vehicle travel, either airborne flight or water borne travel. The vehicle has a slide tube attached to its underside which is slidably disposed along a main tube, the main tube having the rubber band passing therethrough. Prior to flight, the slide tube and its attached vehicle are slid rearwardly along the main tube until stopped by a positioning ring. Once the vehicle is released for travel, the rubber band untwists providing energy for rotation of the propeller. When the vehicle crashes, either during a crash landing into the ground or crashing in flight into an object, the slide tube and its attached vehicle slide forwardly along the main tube in order to act as a shock absorber for the crash in order to help protect the components of the toy.

Abstract: An aircraft for unmanned aviation is described. The aircraft includes an airframe, a pair of fins attached to a rear portion of the airframe, a pair of dihedral braces attached to a bottom portion of the airframe, a first thrust-vectoring (“T/V”) module and a second T/V module, and an electronics module. The electronics module provides commands to the two T/V modules. The two T/V modules are configured to provide lateral and longitudinal control to the aircraft by directly controlling a thrust vector for each of the pitch, the roll, and the yaw of the aircraft. The use of directly articulated electrical motors as T/V modules enables the aircraft to execute tight-radius turns over a wide range of airspeeds.

Abstract: A remote controlled flying toy figure has a thrust-powered, weight shifting rudder head. The flying toy figure comprises a head, a body, a propulsion system, and a control system. The head is attached to the body by a flexible support member, making the head securely fixed in flexible relation to the body, thus permitting a yawing motion of the head relative to the body. The propulsion system comprises two independently operable motorized propellers, each of which is attached to opposite ends of a steering bar. The steering bar and head form an integral steering unit. Increasing the thrust from one of the propellers causes the figure to turn in the opposite direction. This increased thrust causes the steering bar to yaw, which moves the center of gravity of the head to the opposite side of the center line of the body, which causes the figure to bank towards the turn.

Abstract: A remote controlled flying toy figure has a thrust-powered, weight shifting rudder head. The flying toy figure comprises a head, a body, a propulsion system, and a control system. The head is attached to the body by a flexible support member, making the head securely fixed in flexible relation to the body, thus permitting a yawing motion of the head relative to the body. The propulsion system comprises two independently operable motorized propellers, each of which is attached to opposite ends of a steering bar. The steering bar and head form an integral steering unit. Increasing the thrust from one of the propellers causes the figure to turn in the opposite direction. This increased thrust causes the steering bar to yaw, which moves the center of gravity of the head to the opposite side of the center line of the body, which causes the figure to bank towards the turn.

Abstract: An aerobat toy comprising propellers (30), a fuselage (50) and an undercarriage (70), wherein the propellers (30) comprise a first propeller (310) and a second propeller (320); the first propeller (310) is provided at a top part of the fuselage (50), and the second propeller (320) is provided between the fuselage (50) and the undercarriage (70) thereunder.

Abstract: An aircraft for unmanned aviation is described. The aircraft includes an airframe, a pair of fins attached to a rear portion of the airframe, a pair of dihedral braces attached to a bottom portion of the airframe, a first thrust vectoring module and a second thrust vectoring module, and an electronics module. The electronics module provides commands to the two thrust vectoring modules. The two thrust vectoring modules are configured to provide lateral and longitudinal control to the aircraft by directly controlling a thrust vector for each of the pitch, the roll, and the yaw of the aircraft. The use of directly articulated electrical motors as thrust vectoring modules enables the aircraft to execute tight-radius turns over a wide range of airspeeds.

Abstract: Toy aircraft may include an airframe, a modular power system, first and second wheel supports, and first and second wheels. The modular power system may be configured for selective use with and selective removal from the airframe. The power system may include a propulsion unit operable to propel the toy aircraft and a power unit, which may include an energy source configured to supply energy to the propulsion unit. The airframe may include a fuselage, a propulsion unit mount, which may be disposed on the airframe and configured to removably retain the propulsion unit, and a power unit mount, which may be disposed on the fuselage and configured to removably retain the power unit. The first and second wheel supports may extend from the power unit mount toward respective first and second wheel mounts to which the first and second wheels may be rotatably mounted.

Abstract: Toy aircraft, modular toy aircraft, capacitor-based modular power systems, and toy aircraft kits are disclosed. Toy aircraft may include a self-contained power system and an airframe. The self-contained power system may include at least one propulsion unit operable to propel the toy aircraft and a power unit. The power unit may include a capacitor that is electrically connected to the at least one propulsion unit. The capacitor may be configured to provide power to the at least one propulsion unit to propel the toy aircraft. The airframe may include a wing, a first mount configured to removably retain the at least one propulsion unit, and a second mount configured to removably retain the power unit.

Abstract: The present invention includes an embodiment defined as a flying vehicle having a pair of wings and a transition assembly partially housed within each of the pair of wings. The transition assembly has ends rotatable with respect to each other and separately secured to the wing in which the end is housed. The transition assembly has a first position defined as having each wing positioned at an angle offset from a substantial horizontal orientation and oriented in an opposite direction from the other wing. When the transition assembly is in the first position the vehicle spins and will fly in a substantially hovering vertical orientation. The transition assembly has a second position defined as having each wing positioned in a substantial horizontal position. When the transition assembly is in the second position the vehicle will fly in a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: Toy aircraft may include an airframe, a modular power system, first and second wheel supports, and first and second wheels. The modular power system may be configured for selective use with and selective removal from the airframe. The power system may include a propulsion unit operable to propel the toy aircraft and a power unit, which may include an energy source configured to supply energy to the propulsion unit. The airframe may include a fuselage, a propulsion unit mount, which may be disposed on the airframe and configured to removably retain the propulsion unit, and a power unit mount, which may be disposed on the fuselage and configured to removably retain the power unit. The first and second wheel supports may extend from the power unit mount toward respective first and second wheel mounts to which the first and second wheels may be rotatably mounted.

Abstract: A toy helicopter, in accordance with the present disclosure, includes a body having a longitudinal length and a main rotor. There is an element movable along the longitudinal length. The element allows a user to selectively adjust the location of the center of gravity of a toy helicopter by moving the element along the longitudinal length, thereby changing the velocity of the helicopter.

Abstract: Toy aircraft, modular toy aircraft, modular power systems, and toy aircraft kits are disclosed. Toy aircraft may include a self-contained power and control system and an airframe. The self-contained power and control system may include at least one propulsion unit operable to propel the toy aircraft and a power and control unit. The power and control unit may include at least one energy source, be electrically connected to the at least one propulsion unit, and be configured to control operation of the at least one propulsion unit to control flight of the toy aircraft. The airframe may include a wing, a first mount configured to removably retain the at least one propulsion unit, and a second mount configured to removably retain the power and control unit.

Abstract: An internal spur gear drive has a mounting base including one or more sets of motor mounting lugs extending therefrom, for attaching a corresponding number of drive motors thereto. A drive shaft housing containing a rotary drive shaft extends from the mounting base. A drive bell is affixed to the drive shaft distal end, and rotates therewith. The opposite end of the drive bell has an internally toothed ring gear extending therefrom. Each motor drives a pinion gear which engages the internal teeth of the drive bell ring gear to rotate the drive bell and thus rotate the drive shaft as well. The motor mounting lugs are slotted, allowing the motors to be adjusted radially relative to the drive shaft and drive bell ring gear. This provides adjustment for gear lash, as well as permitting different sizes of pinion gears to be installed on the motors for different gear ratios.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cathode ray tube (1). In the method, a cone part (4) of the tube is first provided with a first coating (13) so as to reduce an annoying crackling sound, whereafter a neck part (5) is connected to the cone part (4). Due to the presence of a closing element (20) on the cone part (4), said first coating is prevented from covering an inner surface of the cone part (4). As a consequence, the performance of the tube is not affected. A good quality of the connection is obtained if the layer thickness of the first coating (13) is equal to or less than 1 &mgr;m. A suitable material for the first coating is Antimony Tin Oxide combined with TEOS.

Abstract: A balloon toy vehicle is disclosed which has full direction control, altitude control and a motorized release feature that permits an object to be lifted and dropped remotely. Fixed tandem reversible thruster motors are positioned approximately perpendicular to the gondola body of the vehicle and work in tandem to provide forward, reverse, left turn and right turn movements. A third thruster motor is positioned along the length of the gondola body facing downward to provide lift. In a preferred embodiment, the lift thruster motor, is positioned slightly angularly from a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the gondola body and is attached to the gondola body by a bracket. This motor arrangement gives the vehicle both lift and anti-spin stability. An adjustment feature is provided to set the gondola body in a horizontal plane. This accommodates any variations in the fixed balloon connection. The vehicle is preferably operated by wireless remote control.

Abstract: A propeller-driven educational vehicle for teaching science, mathematics, technology, and research methodology. The educational vehicle includes a body, one pair of wheels at the front end of the body and a second pair of wheels at the front end of the body, and a number of interchangeable propellers of different sizes for attachment by means of a propeller shaft to the front end of the body. A rubber band connects the rear end of the body to the propeller shaft. Rotation of the propeller and the propeller shaft in one direction winds and tightens the rubber band, thus storing in the rubber band potential energy which is transformed into kinetic energy and causes the propeller and propeller shaft to rotate in the opposite direction as the rubber band unwinds and loosens, causing the vehicle to move at an acceleration and speed which are directly related to the size of the propeller, and illustrating the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy.

Abstract: A toy airplane generally has a fuselage, a nose assembly, a tail assembly, a hear train connected with a double rubber band forming a transmission mechanism, a propeller, a pair of wing seats on the fuselage, a plurality of wings and an undercarriage under the fuselage thereof. The improvement of this toy airplane is a structure that is more releasable and movable, particularly a displaceable wing structure that provides great flexibility to the operator to make their own adjustments. An undercarriage provides possible protection to the propeller from damage when landing.

Abstract: A helium-filled remote-controlled saucer toy comprising a hollow saucer having a central aperture disposed therethrough; a filling mechanism for allowing the saucer to be filled with helium gas for enabling the saucer to hover in air; a first fan having a fixed stator coupled within the aperture of the saucer, a rotatable rotor extended upwards therefrom, and fan blades coupled about the rotor for providing a propelling force for moving the saucer upwards or downwards when the rotor is rotated in one direction or in the opposite direction; a second fan having a fixed stator coupled within the aperture of the saucer, a rotatable rotor extended downwards therefrom, and fan blades coupled about the rotor for providing a propelling force for spinning the saucer clockwise or counter-clockwise when the rotor is rotated in one direction or in the opposite direction; a receiver mechanism adapted for receiving signals for controlling the direction of rotation of the fan blades; a power mechanism for energizing the fan

Abstract: A remote control lighter-than-air toy apparatus has an inflatable container having a predetermined shape, such as the shape of a dirigible, for holding a lighter-than-air gas. A gondola is removably attached to the inflatable container and has a shaft extending therethrough and rotatably supported thereon. A reversible electric motor is attached to each end portion of the shaft passing through the gondola with each electric motor having a propeller attached thereto for rotation upon actuation of the electric motor. Each of the electric motors and propellers are rotatably attached to the shaft. A radio receiver is connected to each of the electric motors with a plurality of conductors. A control box has a radio transmitter therein and a plurality of controls thereon for transmitting to said receiver and remotely controlling each motor separately, so that a lighter than air toy can be remotely controlled with two propellers.

Abstract: A rubber band powered motor for a model airplane is provided having dual parallel drive shafts from which perpendicularly extend through the wing portions of the plane rubber band motor units, which comprise tape rollers, non-elastic tapes, guide rollers and rubber bands. The drive shafts extend through and are fixed to the tape rollers, upon which is wound the non-elastic tapes. The rubber bands are guided around the guide rollers and are connected to the tapes at one end and to the airframe at the other. Gear means are wound to rotate the shafts to wind the tapes so as to stretch the rubber bands. In operation, the bands relax and pull the tapes to turn the shafts and, via an intermediate gear drive train, the propeller. The tapes and gears absorb the sudden burst of rubber band energy and provide for an extended and stable flight.