US 5,344,354 AGranted

Flight-simulating airplane toy

OwnerLarry Wileyinventor

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Abstract

A flight-simulating airplane toy that consists of a two-handle control grip resembling a conventional cockpit control yoke comprising a forward-projecting shaft upon which a model aircraft is removably mounted. The shaft is rotatably journaled on a bearing in the front of the grip and is driven by a reversible motor actuated by control switches in the handles that permit a user to rotate the shaft clockwise or counterclockwise, thus simulating an aircraft roll in either direction as the grip is held stationary. The proximal end of the shaft is fitted with radial arms that are visible through a window in the grip, thus providing a bank indicator for the position of the craft with respect to the ground. The same grip can be used with different airplane models by replacing planes through a connection of the distal end of the shaft with a longitudinal opening along the back side of the plane.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A flight-simulating airplane toy comprising:

(a) a hand-held grip assembly having gripping means adapted to be held by a child;
(b) a straight shaft rotatably mounted on said grip assembly, such that the shaft is capable of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, said shaft having a forward-projecting distal portion and a proximal portion contained within said grip assembly;
(c) a model aircraft having a back portion that comprises a longitudinal channel adapted to receive and engage said distal portion of the shaft so as to provide a rigid connection between the aircraft and the shaft;
and
(d) means for alternatively rotating said shaft and the aircraft connected thereto clockwise or counterclockwise, wherein said means for alternatively rotating said shaft and the aircraft connected thereto clockwise or counterclockwise comprises a drive gear fitted coaxially with the shaft, said drive gear being engaged by a tangential continuous worm-screw drive connected to a reversible electric motor, and said electric motor being energized by a power source in an electric circuit controlled by switching means operable by a user.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.