Main wing positioning and release system for a toy aircraft

• US 6,048,247 A
• Filed: 12/31/1998
• Issued: 04/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Spin Master Limited (Spin Master Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Spin Master Toys Far East Limited (Spin Master Corp.)
• Inventors: Kownacki, Charles D., Rehkemper, Jeffrey G., Harary, Ronnen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carlson, Jeffrey D.
• Application Number:
  US09/224,930
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 446/4, 446/6, 446/34, 446/55, 446/56, 446/57, 446/58, 446/59, 446/60, 446/61, 446/62, 446/66
• US Class Current: 446/66
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/007 Collapsible wings, e.g. for catapult aeroplanes
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/02 Model aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 17/02 Engines

Abstract

A main wing positioning and release system particularly adapted for use with a toy or model aircraft, includes a wing positioning bracket upon the axial centerline of the aircraft, the bracket having projecting elements directed upwardly from the centerline of the aircraft. The system also includes a wing release mechanism including a lower portion press-fittably securable to the upwardly projecting elements of the positioning bracket to provide proper positioning of the release mechanism relative to the aircraft fuselage, a rear area of the lower portion including a press fittable receiving recess, an upper surface of the lower portion of the release mechanism proportioned for complemental engagement of a lower surface of the main wing. The wing release mechanism also includes an upper portion having upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface proportioned for complemental engagement of the top of the aircraft main wing, the upper portion including a press-fittable connection element complemental to the press-fittable receiving recess in which the recess and element are releasible from each other. A flexible normally openly biased hinge joins respective front edges of such lower and upper portions of the release mechanism from each other. Upon impact of the aircraft, as in a crash or emergency landing mode, the press fittable element and recess will separate from each other, releasing the main wing from the release mechanism without damage to the wing.

Claims

1. A main wing positioning and release system for a toy aircraft, the system comprising:

(a) a support bracket proportioned for securement to the top of a fuselage of said aircraft and positioning along the axial centerline thereof at a location at which a main wing of the aircraft is to be secured, said bracket including upwardly projecting elements thereof; and

(b) a wing release means comprising;

(i) a lower portion having an upper and lower surface thereof, said lower surface press-fittable securable to said upwardly projecting elements of said support bracket, a rear transverse surface of said lower portion including press fittable receiving means thereon, said upper surface of said lower portion proportioned for engagement of a bottom surface of an aircraft main wing;

(ii) an upper portion having upper and lower surfaces thereof, said lower surface proportioned for complemental engagement with a top of said aircraft main wing, said upper portion, at a transverse end thereof, including press fittable securing means complemental in geometry to said first complemental securement means of said lower portion, said receiving and securing means releasable from each other in the event of impact including an axial component of force; and

(d) flexible openly biased hinge means integrally joining respective front opposing edges of said upper and lower portions to each other, in which, upon release of said receiving and securing means from each other, said flexible hinge will urge said upper portion open relative to said lower portion thereby permitting release of the main aircraft wing in the event of a crash of the model aircraft,

whereby, upon an impact upon the main wing having an upward force component thereof, the lower portion of the wing release means will release from the support bracket, releasing the entire upper and lower portions of the wing release means and, with it, the main wing, from the aircraft fuselage.