US 2010/0144233 A1Published application

Flying toy having gyroscopic and gliding components

OwnerGuy L. Scarboroughinventor

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Abstract

Provided are flying devices and methods of manufacturing and launching same, in particular flying toys or other recreational items that are designed to be thrown through the air by a user participating in any one of a variety of throwing (i.e. “catch”) games. In particular, the concept is directed toward a flying disc having rotatably attached non-rotating (a.k.a. “gliding”) portions that are attached to the disc and provide an optical illusion, wherein the user (and, similarly, an observer) does not notice the spinning of the flying disc, but instead sees a flying craft that appears to have no propulsion, yet flies. While the non-rotating portions alter the airflow associated with a typical flying disc, they do not negatively affect the flight characteristics of the disc itself. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the non-rotating portions (e.g., ailerons) have been observed to improve the flight characteristics of typical flying discs. The non-rotating portions (a.k.a. “gliding”) also provide surfaces upon which to place advertising that remains legible during flight. In this manner, the non-rotating portions of the flying device serve both a functional and an aesthetic purpose

Claims27

Dependent claims

A flying toy apparatus, said flying toy apparatus when flying along a generally horizontal flight path comprising:

A) a rotating disc portion having including a substantially circular central body portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a substantially circular outer periphery, and also including a substantially annular outside rim depending downwardly from said outer periphery and terminating at a substantially circular lower free edge, said rotating disc portion having a substantially vertical central rotational axis, said disc defining a lower cavity defined as underneath said rotating disc portion and above a substantially horizontal plane being substantially perpendicular to said central rotational axis and including said substantially circular lower free edge, and said rotating disc portion configured to rotate about said central rotational axis while flying along said generally horizontal flight path such that said rotational axis moves generally along said flight path while remaining generally perpendicular to said flight path;
B) a gliding body portion comprising at least one underside aileron, said underside aileron including a downwardly directed aileron fin portion;
and
C) a rotating connection portion, said rotating connection portion rotatably connecting said rotating disc portion relative to said gliding body portion substantially about said vertical rotational axis, such that at least a portion of said downwardly directed aileron fin portion is within said cavity and defines a generally forwardly-facing surface which is inclined relative to horizontal, and remains forwardly-facing notwithstanding said rotation of said disc portion.

1 more element

A method of operating a flying toy apparatus, said flying toy apparatus when flying along a generally horizontal flight path comprising the steps of:

A) providing a flying toy apparatus itself comprising:
1) a rotating disc portion having including a substantially circular central body portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a substantially circular outer periphery, and also including a substantially annular outside rim depending downwardly from said outer periphery and terminating at a substantially circular lower free edge, said disc portion having a substantially vertical central rotational axis, said disc defining a lower cavity defined as underneath said disc portion and above a substantially horizontal plane including said substantially circular lower free edge and being substantially perpendicular to said central rotational axis, said disc portion configured to rotate about said central rotational axis while flying along said generally horizontal flight path such that said rotational axis moves generally along said flight path while remaining generally perpendicular to said flight path;
2) a gliding body portion comprising at least one aileron, said aileron including a downwardly directed aileron fin portion;
and
3) a rotating connection portion, said rotating connection portion rotatably connecting said disc portion relative to said gliding body portion substantially about said vertical rotational axis, such that at least a portion of said downwardly directed aileron fin portion is within said cavity and defines a generally forwardly-facing surface which is inclined relative to horizontal, and remains forwardly-facing notwithstanding said rotation of said disc portion;
and
B) launching said flying toy apparatus into flight, such that said disc portion rotates about its while said rotational axis moves generally along said flight path while said rotational axis remains generally perpendicular to said flight path, and such that said body portion, including said aileron, does not rotated but provides a gliding action.

4 more elements

A flying toy apparatus, said flying toy apparatus when flying along a generally horizontal flight path comprising:

A) a rotating disc portion having including a substantially circular central body portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a substantially circular outer periphery, and also including a substantially annular outside rim depending downwardly from said outer periphery and terminating at a substantially circular lower free edge, said disc portion having a substantially vertical central rotational axis, said disc defining a lower cavity defined as underneath said disc portion and above a substantially horizontal plane including said substantially circular lower free edge and being substantially perpendicular to said central rotational axis, said disc portion configured to rotate about said central rotational axis while flying along said generally horizontal flight path such that said rotational axis moves generally along said flight path while remaining generally perpendicular to said flight path;
B) a gliding body portion comprising at least one aileron, said aileron including a downwardly directed aileron fin portion;
and
C) a rotating connection portion, said rotating connection portion rotatably connecting said disc portion relative to said body portion substantially about said vertical rotational axis, such that at least a portion of said downwardly directed aileron fin portion is within said cavity and defines a generally forwardly-facing surface which is inclined relative to horizontal, and remains forwardly-facing notwithstanding said rotation of said disc portion, said rotating connection portion also including:
1) an upper bearing assembly positioned above said central body portion of said disc portion, said upper bearing assembly itself including an upper race element, a lower race element configured to be attached relative to said central body portion of said disc portion, and intermediate rolling bearing elements between said upper and lower race elements;
2) a lower bearing assembly. positioned below said central body portion of said disc portion, said lower bearing assembly itself including an upper race element configured to be attached relative to said central body portion of said disc portion, a lower race element configured to be attached relative to said gliding body portion, and intermediate rolling bearing elements between said upper and lower race elements;
and
3) a connecting rod element configured to connect the following three elements together:
a) said upper race element of said upper bearing;
b) said lower race element of said lower bearing;
and c) said gliding body portion, such that said rotating disc portion can rotated thereto.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.