Self-propelled football with internally ducted fan and electric motor
First Claim
1. A self-propelled football comprising:
- (a) an oblate spheroidal body having a front section, a center section, a back section, and a longitudinal axis;
(b) a first ducted fan located within the body substantially within the center section and substantially along the longitudinal axis;
(c) a second ducted fan located within the body substantially within the center section and substantially along the longitudinal axis and positioned adjacent to the first ducted fan;
(d) an electric motor located within the body and mechanically coupled to the first ducted fan and the second ducted fan;
(e) at least one electrical power source located within the body and electrically coupled to the electric motor;
(f) at least one air-inlet located within the front section having airflow communication with the first and second ducted fans; and
(g) at least one air-outlet located within the back section having airflow communication with the first and second ducted fans.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a self-propelled football with an internally ducted fan and electric motor. An exemplary embodiment has an oblate spheroidal body. The body has a front section, a center section, a back section, and a longitudinal axis. The ducted fan is located within the body substantially within the center section and substantially along the longitudinal axis. The electric motor is located within the body and mechanically coupled to the ducted fan. At least one electrical power source is located within the body and electrically coupled to the electric motor. At least one air-inlet is located within the front section of the body in airflow communication with the ducted fan. At least one air-outlet is located within the back section of the body in airflow communication with the ducted fan. A means for automatic activation and deactivation of the electrical motor is located within the body.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A self-propelled football comprising:
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(a) an oblate spheroidal body having a front section, a center section, a back section, and a longitudinal axis; (b) a first ducted fan located within the body substantially within the center section and substantially along the longitudinal axis; (c) a second ducted fan located within the body substantially within the center section and substantially along the longitudinal axis and positioned adjacent to the first ducted fan; (d) an electric motor located within the body and mechanically coupled to the first ducted fan and the second ducted fan; (e) at least one electrical power source located within the body and electrically coupled to the electric motor; (f) at least one air-inlet located within the front section having airflow communication with the first and second ducted fans; and (g) at least one air-outlet located within the back section having airflow communication with the first and second ducted fans. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A self-propelled football comprising:
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(a) an oblate spheroidal body having a front section, a center section, a back section, and a longitudinal axis; (b) a variable pitch ducted fan comprised of a main hub and a plurality of rotatable blades rotatably attached to the main hub, wherein the variable pitch ducted fan is located within the body substantially within the center section and substantially along the longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of rotatable blades rotate in a pitch rotation which is perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis and is controlled by a pitch control mechanism located within and mechanically attached to the self-propelled football; (c) an electric motor located within the body and mechanically coupled to the variable pitch ducted fan through the main hub; (d) at least one electrical power source located within the body and electrically coupled to the electric motor; (e) at least one air-inlet located within the front section having airflow communication with the variable pitch ducted fan; and (f) at least one air-outlet located within the back section having airflow communication with the variable pitch ducted fan. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A self-propelled football, comprising:
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(a) a body shaped as an oblate spheroid having a substantially symmetrical shape about a longitudinal axis, wherein the body is further defined as having a front section, a center section, and a back section, wherein the longitudinal axis extends from the front section, through the center section, and to the back section, and wherein the body is comprised of a compressible and resilient material; (b) a ducted fan located within the body substantially along the center section and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis; (c) an electric motor located within the body mechanically coupled to the ducted fan wherein the electrical motor is brushless; (d) at least one electrical power source located within the body and electrically coupled to the electric motor wherein the electrical power source is a lithium polymer rechargeable battery; (e) a brushless motor controller located within the body and electrically coupled to the electric motor and electrical power source; (f) at least one air-inlet disposed along the front section of the body in airflow communication with the ducted fan; (g) at least one air-outlet disposed along the back section of the body in airflow communication with the ducted fan, such that an airflow can be drawn through the air-inlet by the ducted fan and expelled through the air-outlet thereby creating a forward thrust; and (h) a means for automatic activation and deactivation of the electrical motor by detecting an in-flight and a not-in-flight condition located within the body and in electrical communication with the electrical motor and the electrical power source. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification