Propeller and Frame Assemblies for Toys

A toy entity comprising:

• a housing;
• a power source secured to the housing;
• a motor secured to the housing and in communication with the power source;
• a controller secured to the housing and configured to direct operation of the motor and power source;
• a drive shaft mounted for rotation to the housing and defining an axis;
• a ball joint mounted to the drive shaft;
• a propeller mount pivotally mounted to the ball joint;
• two blades each extending outwardly from the propeller mount to distal ends;
• a circular safety ring extending about the drive shaft axis and secured to the distal ends;
• upper and lower gimbal portions secured to the propeller mount to pivotally retain the ball joint therebetween;
• a transmission operably connected to the motor and drive shaft such that the drive shaft rotates independent of the housing;
• a plurality of frame segments indicative of a hot air balloon-shaped region therebetween and each segment including an arc portion secured to a frame cap and a panel secured to the housing;
• and
• a body secured to the housing external to the balloon-shaped region.

A toy entity comprising:

• a propeller mount defining a shaft opening;
• two or more blades extending outwardly from the propeller mount to distal ends;
• a circular safety ring extending about the propeller mount and secured to the distal ends;
• an upper gimbal housing secured to the propeller mount and defining a receiving cavity;
• a lower gimbal housing secured to the propeller mount and defining an open slot in substantial registration with the shaft opening;
• a ball joint including two pin extensions and sized to sit within the receiving cavity to pivot about a pin axis defined by the pin extensions and at least pivot about another axis perpendicular thereto;
• and
• a housing;
• a drive shaft mounted for rotation to the housing and supporting the ball joint;
• a motor secured to the housing;
• a transmission operably connected to the motor and the drive shaft such the drive shaft rotates independent of the housing;
• a plurality of fins secured to the housing and extending away from the propeller mount;
• at least one sensor to detect a surface;
• and
• a controller secured to the housing and configured to direct operation of the motor and power source in response to receiving a signal from the at least one sensor indicating detection of the surface.

A toy entity comprising:

• a housing;
• a drive shaft mounted for rotation to the housing and defining an axis;
• a propeller with a central portion mounted for pivotal movement to the drive shaft and two blades extending from the central portion to distal ends;
• a circular safety ring extending about the drive shaft axis and secured to the distal ends;
• a motor secured to the housing and operably connected to the drive shaft;
• a power source in communication with the motor;
• a plurality of fins secured to the housing and extending away from the propeller;
• a frame cap;
• and
• a plurality of frame segments each having an arc portion secured to the frame cap and a panel portion secured to the housing, wherein the frame segments form an exo-skeletal structure defining an at least partially prolate spheroidal region within the structure arranged with the propeller such that circular safety ring is enclosed therein.