Aerodynamic toy

• US 4,302,901 A
• Filed: 04/17/1980
• Issued: 12/01/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Louis G. Psyras
• Original Assignee: Louis G. Psyras
• Inventors: Psyras, Louis G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Application Number:
  US06/141,174
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 46/74 D. 228, 273/424, 273/425, 273/428, D21/86, D21/85
• US Class Current: 446/46
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/18 Throwing or slinging toys, e.g. flying disc toys discs used in athletics A63B65/10as part of a game A63F9/02; sling weapons F41B3/00; spring toy guns F41B7/08

Abstract

An aerodynamic toy having a circular-shaped rotatable, free-flight body of generally convex/concave shape is provided. A downwardly extending rim portion integral with and forming a smooth continuous curve with the body acts in flight as a primary air foil. Spiral-shaped air spoilers are provided on the upper surface of the convex-shaped body.

Claims

1. An aerodynamic toy comprising a rotatable free-flight body of generally circular configuration comprising a main body portion having a generally convex upper surface and a generally concave bottom surface, a downwardly extending rim portion integral with said main body portion and defining the circumferential perimeter of the aerodynamic toy which acts in flight as a primary air foil, said rim portion having an outside surface which curves downwardly and somewhat inwardly and at least one spiral-shaped air spoiler on said convex upper surface extending outwardly from centrally of the aerodynamic toy, said at least one spiral-shaped air spoiler being defined by an involute of a predetermined fixed curve located centrally of the aerodynamic toy.

3. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 1 wherein said fixed curve is a polygon of predetermined size located at the geometric center of the aerodynamic toy.

4. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 1 wherein said fixed curve is a circle of predetermined diameter whose center coincides with the geometric center of the aerodynamic toy.

5. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 4 wherein the at least one spiral-shaped air spoiler is defined by the involute formed by a predetermined arc of the said circle of the said predetermined diameter.

6. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 5 wherein the at least one spiral-shaped air spoiler comprises a plurality of air spoilers defined by the plurality of involutes formed by a plurality of predetermined arcs alternating one after the other about the circumference of a circle of predetermined diameter.

7. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 6 wherein the said predetermined arcs are at least one degree.

8. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 7 wherein the said air spoilers are involutes which comprise raised elevations above the generally convex upper surface, and between said raised elevations are flat involutes alternating with the raised involutes.

9. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 8 wherein the raised elevations are of convex shape in cross-section.

10. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 7 wherein the involutes comprise grooves inscribed in the generally convex upper surface of the aerodynamic toy.

11. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 9 wherein the raised elevations each terminate at the point where the rim portion joins with the upper convex surface.

12. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 4 wherein said circle defines a circular-shaped depression in the convex upper surface of the aerodynamic toy.

13. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 4 wherein said circle defines a raised portion above the convex upper surface of the aerodynamic toy.

14. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 6 wherein the said predetermined arcs are of equal degrees.

15. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 8 wherein the said air spoilers are defined by involutes formed by successive 45°

arcs of said circle of predetermined diameter.

16. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 8 wherein said air spoilers are defined by alternating involutes which are defined by arcs of said circle of different degrees.

17. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 8 wherein the said leading edge of the raised elevation is higher than the trailing edge.

2. An aerodynamic toy comprising a rotatable free-flight body of generally circular configuration comprising a main body portion having a generally convex upper surface and a generally concave bottom surface, a downwardly extending rim portion integral with said main body portion and defining the circumferential perimeter of the aerodynamic top which acts in flight as a primary air foil, said rim portion having an outside surface which curves downwardly and somewhat inwardly and at least one spiral-shaped air spoiler on said convex upper surface extending outwardly from centrally of the aerodynamic toy.