Toy aircraft with vertical flight dynamics

• US 5,492,494 A
• Filed: 12/13/1994
• Issued: 02/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Keennon, Matthew
• Original Assignee: Keennon, Matthew
• Inventors: Keennon, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Application Number:
  US08/355,048
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 446/44, 446/37, 446/36, 446/60, 446/59, 446/57
• US Class Current: 446/44
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/005 Rockets; Missiles
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/12 Helicopters A63H27/04 takes precedence; Flying tops
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/14 Starting or launching devices for toy aircraft; Arrangements on toy aircraft for starting or launching for launching objects from an aircraft A63H27/004

Abstract

A hobby aircraft arranged for vertical flight aerodynamics. A substantially-planar body is symmetrical about a central axis. An upper blade is fixed to the bottom of the body. An elastic band is aligned with the central axis for powering a lower blade that is in spaced relation to the upper blade. Rotation of the second blade is controlled by means of a locking mechanism to assure that gravity alone powers the final stage of aircraft flight.

Claims

1. An aircraft comprising, in combination:

a) a body, said body being symmetrical about a central axis that extends between a top and a bottom,

b) a first blade symmetrical with respect to said central axis comprising a pair of planar first blade members of opposite pitch inclined upwardly from horizontal at a predetermined dihedral angle, said first blade being fixed adjacent the bottom of said body and substantially orthogonal to said central axis;

c) a second blade symmetrical with respect to said central axis comprising a pair of second blade members of opposite pitch;

d) means for mounting said second blade so that said second blade is spaced from said first blade along said central axis and rotatable with respect thereto;

e) an elastic band aligned with said central axis for storing torsional energy;

f) means for selectively restraining rotation of said second blade; and

g) means fixed to said second blade for stabilizing said body so that said central axis is oriented in a substantially vertical plane when said aircraft is on the ground.

2. An aircraft as defined in claim 1 further including means for locking rotation termination of said second blade with respect to said first blade at a predetermined angle.

3. An aircraft as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for locking is engaged to an end of said elastic band.

4. An aircraft as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for locking additionally includes:

a) an elongated rod, said rod being aligned with said central axis;

b) one end of said rod being rotatably coupled to said first blade;

c) the opposed end of said rod being fixed to said second blade;

d) means for terminating rotation of said rod; and

e) said last-named means is responsive to rotation of said band.

5. An aircraft as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for terminating rotation further includes:

a) an elongated threaded member;

b) one end of said elongated threaded member being fixed to said band and the opposed end of said member being fixed to said rod; and

c) an interiorly-threaded cup member being fixed to the bottom of said body and arranged to receive said elonged member.

6. An aircraft as defined in claim 5 further including a spring member, said spring member being coaxial with said rod and positioned between the bottom of said body and said second blade.

7. An aircraft as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a) an upper block, fixed to the bottom of said body, centrally engages each of said oppositely-pitched first blade members; and

b) a lower block centrally engages each of said oppositely-pitched second blade members.

8. An aircraft as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for stabilizing further includes a support strut fixed to each of said second blade members.

9. An aircraft as defined in claim 1 further including a launch platform comprising a planar disk and a base for supporting said planar disk.

10. An aircraft as defined in claim 9 wherein said base includes a plurality of radially-directed footings.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including:

a) a launcher;

b) said launcher including a ring for coupling said first blade to said second blade; and

c) a cord fixed to said ring for applying an axial force to remove said ring from said blade.