Aerodynamic toy

• US 5,873,761 A
• Filed: 04/10/1997
• Issued: 02/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael W. Johnson
• Original Assignee: Michael W. Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahr, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/831,694
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 446/34, 446/36, 446/46, 446/47, 446/48, 473/588, 473/589
• US Class Current: 446/47
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerodynamic toy particularly of the type for manually launching into the air. The toy includes a disc shaped body having a plurality of airfoil shaped sections, and a plurality of slots in the body. Light emitting devices and sound generating devices may also be included to enhance the amusement value of the toy. It is believed that airfoil shaped disc sections, depressions in the bottom of the disc body, and slots in the body improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the toy enabling it to remain in the air for a longer period of time when thrown, and cause the toy to tend to level itself while airborne.

Claims

1. An aerodynamic toy for manually launching into flight comprising:

a disc shaped body having a substantially convex top surface shaped to define a plurality of airfoil sections radiating outwards from a center of the body, and an open concave bottom;

a connecting face extending downwards from a leading edge of each airfoil section to a trailing edge of an adjacent airfoil section; and

a slot adjacent the leading edge of each airfoil section such that air may pass through said slot from the top surface of the toy to beneath the toy.

2. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 1 wherein the concave bottom is shaped similarly to the top surface of the disc body.

3. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 1 wherein the slots are in the respective connecting faces.

4. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 1 wherein the leading edge and trailing edge of each airfoil curve counter clockwise as they extend radially outwards from the center of the disc body.

6. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 1 wherein light emitting means are mounted in each connecting face above the slot.

9. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 6 wherein there are three electric lights spaced apart and arranged in each connecting face.

13. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 1 wherein the toy includes sound generator means arranged thereon.

14. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 13 wherein the sound generator means comprise at least one whistle.

5. An aerodynamic toy to be launched manually into flight, said top comprising:

a disc shaped body having a substantially convex top surface shaped to define a plurality of airfoil sections radiating outwards from a center of the body, and an open concave bottom;

a slot adjacent a leading edge of each airfoil section such that air may pass through said slot from the top surface of the toy to beneath the toy; and

light emitting means mounted on the body adjacent the leading edge of each airfoil.

7. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 5 including means for causing the light emitting means to flash on and off.

8. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 5 wherein the light emitting means comprise electric lights.

10. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 8 wherein the electric lights are of differing colours.

11. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 8 wherein the toy includes a battery holder for holding at least one electric battery and means connecting the lights to the battery to power the lights.

12. An aerodynamic toy according to claim 11 wherein the battery holder is located at a center of the bottom of the body.