Recreational Device with Rotor Assembly

• US 20180161639A1
• Filed: 02/06/2018
• Published: 06/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: William J. Warren
• Original Assignee: William J. Warren
• Inventors: Warren, William J.
• Application Number:
  US15/890,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20180161639A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2043/001 Short-distance or low-velocity balls for training, or for playing on a reduced area
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/01 Special aerodynamic features, e.g. airfoil shapes, wings or air passages
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10

Abstract

Recreational footballs with rotor assemblies are provided herein. An example recreational device includes a shell forming a prolate spheroid frame, a shaft disposed within the prolate spheroid frame and located along a central axis defined by the prolate spheroid frame, and one or more fan assemblies each having a plurality of blades, the one or more fan assemblies rotating around or in conjunction with the shaft, the one or more fan assemblies changing at least one aerodynamic aspect of flight of the recreational device when air passes through the prolate spheroid frame and across the plurality of blades of the one or more fan assemblies as the recreational device spirals during flight.

Claims

1. A football, comprising:

two or more mid-section rotor assembly sections, each comprising;

a frame section that forms a part of an outer surface of the football; and

a plurality of blades that are rotatably supported within the frame section, the plurality of blades rotating to create a lift force when the football is thrown; and

end caps coupled with the two or more mid-section rotor assembly sections to form a remainder of the football, each of the end caps having an opening to allow air to enter the football.

2. The football according to claim 1, further comprising vents formed in the end caps to further increase airflow through the football.

3. The football according to claim 1, wherein vents are located forward of the two or more mid-section rotor assembly sections to allow the air to enter the football and rotate the plurality of blades of the two or more mid-section rotor assembly sections.

4. The football according to claim 1, further comprising a skin that covers the outer surface of the football.

5. A football, comprising:

two or more mid-section rotor assembly sections, each comprising;

a frame section that forms a part of an outer surface of the football; and

a plurality of blades that are rotatably supported within the frame section, the plurality of blades rotating to create a lift force when the football is thrown; and

end caps coupled with the two or more mid-section rotor assembly sections to form a remainder of the football, each of the end caps having sealed ends and vents, the vents allowing air to enter the football when thrown.

6. The football according to claim 5, further comprising an opening formed in a rearward one of the end caps to further increase airflow through the football.

7. The football according to claim 5, further comprising a skin that covers the outer surface of the football.

8. The football according to claim 7, wherein the vents are located forward of the two or more mid-section rotor assembly sections to allow the air to enter the football and rotate the plurality of blades of the two or more mid-section rotor assembly sections.

9. A recreational device, comprising:

a shell forming a prolate spheroid frame;

a shaft disposed within the prolate spheroid frame and located along a central axis defined by the prolate spheroid frame; and

vibrational dampers extending from the shaft so as to dampingly couple the shaft with the prolate spheroid frame.

10. The recreational device according to claim 9, wherein a portion of the vibrational dampers extend from terminal ends of the shaft.

11. The recreational device according to claim 9, wherein a portion of the vibrational dampers extend between the prolate spheroid frame and clamps that couple with the shaft.

12. The recreational device according to claim 9, further comprising:

one or more fan assemblies each having a plurality of blades, the one or more fan assemblies rotating around or in conjunction with the shaft, the one or more fan assemblies changing at least one aerodynamic aspect of flight of the recreational device when air passes through the prolate spheroid frame and across the plurality of blades of the one or more fan assemblies as the recreational device spirals during flight.

13. The recreational device according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the fan assemblies is disposed at an open outlet end of the prolate spheroid frame.

14. The recreational device according to claim 9, further comprising a propeller disposed on a terminal end of the shaft.

15. The recreational device according to claim 14, further comprising a motor assembly that comprises a motor, the motor rotating the propeller.

16. The recreational device according to claim 9, wherein a first of the one or more fan assemblies is disposed at an open inlet end of the prolate spheroid frame.

17. The recreational device according to claim 9, wherein the shell is a skin.

18. The recreational device according to claim 9, further comprising a motor assembly that comprises a motor, the motor rotating the shaft or a plurality of propeller blades disposed on the shaft.

19. The recreational device according to claim 18, further comprising an acceleration sensor, the acceleration sensor turning on the motor when acceleration of the recreational device is sensed by the acceleration sensor.

20. The recreational device according to claim 18, wherein the motor is turned on using short range wireless communication.