Pneumatically launched folding wing glider toy
AssigneeUncle Milton Industries, Inc.
InventorsEric Poesch, Michael O'Connor, Joel Shrock, Russell Rasmussen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A glider toy has pivoting wings that may be locked in a retracted position prior to launch. Upon launching of the glider, the wings may be unlocked. During flight, the wings extend forward for an entertaining glide at the urging of one or more elastic members. A launcher includes an orientation-sensitive safety feature that limits the angles at which projectiles may be launched therefrom. The safety feature permits projectiles to be launched from the launcher only within approximately a generally upward, non-vertical angular range.
Claims14
A toy glider system comprising:
- (a) a glider, comprising:
- pivoting wings, and
- a proximally-open receptacle;
- and
- (b) a launcher operable to launch said glider, comprising:
- a support member configured to be received by said receptacle,
- a pneumatic pressure source, and
- a launch feature configured to selectively communicate a pressurized medium from said pressure source to impinge said pressurized medium against said glider.
A toy glider system comprising:
- (a) a glider, comprising
- pivoting wings, and
- a wing sweep mechanism comprising a locking mechanism, wherein said locking mechanism is operable to hold said wings in a retracted position when said locking mechanism is in a locked position, wherein said wing sweep mechanism operable to urge said wings to an extended position when said locking mechanism is in an unlocked position;
- and
- (b) a launcher operable to launch said glider;
- wherein said locking mechanism is configured to change from said locked position to said unlocked position when said glider is launched from said launcher.
A launcher operable to launch projectiles with a pressurized medium approximately within a generally upward, non-vertical angular range, the launcher comprising:
- (a) a launch guide configured to guide the angle at which projectiles are launched from the launcher;
- (b) a trigger;
- (c) a linkage configured to cause a projectile to be launched from the launcher in response to communication of actuation of said trigger;
- and
- (d) a safety feature responsive to the angle at which said launch guide is oriented, wherein said safety feature is configured to enable communication of actuation of said trigger to said linkage in response to said launch guide being oriented approximately within a generally upward, non-vertical angular range.
A toy glider system, comprising:
- (a) a glider, said glider comprising
- wings, and
- a means to pivot said wings;
- and
- (b) a launcher, said launcher comprising
- a means to launch said glider, and
- a means to limit an angular range within which said glider may be launched from said launcher.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.