Tossable ring airfoil projectile

• US 6,220,918 B1
• Filed: 07/06/2000
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oddzon, Inc. (Hasbro Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Oddzon, Inc. (Hasbro Inc.)
• Inventors: Laronge, Ronald V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kien T.
• Application Number:
  US09/610,921
• Time in Patent Office: 292 Days
• Field of Search: 446/46, 446/48, 446/61, 446/63, 446/64, 446/67, 446/71, 446/255, 473/579, 473/580, 473/585, 473/586, 244/3.24, 244/3.3, 244/35.R, 244/36, 244/39, 244/198, D21/387
• US Class Current: 446/63
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 65/00 Implements for throwing throwing toys A63H33/18 ; Mechanical projectors, e.g. using spring force

Abstract

Tossable ring airfoil projectiles configured to adopt and maintain a flying orientation that generates lift. The tossable ring airfoil projectiles generally include (i) a ring airfoil having a trailing end, an aperture, and a longitudinal symmetry axis running through the aperture, and (ii) a tail associated with the ring airfoil and extending rearward beyond the trailing end. The ring airfoil provides lift that allows the tossable ring airfoil projectile to follow a flying trajectory. The tail stabilizes the projectile during flight and may provide a torque that biases the ring airfoil toward preferred flying orientations. The tail may extend along the longitudinal symmetry axis and may include outwardly extending fins. The tossable ring airfoil projectile further may include a connection configured to associate the tail with the ring airfoil. The connection also may extend along the longitudinal symmetry axis and may include outwardly extending flanges.

Claims

1. A throwing toy, comprising:

a ring airfoil that is rotationally symmetric to facilitate spinning of said ring airfoil when said ring airfoil is thrown by a person, said ring airfoil comprising;

an annular body having a central axis and a diameter, said annular body being rotationally symmetric about said central axis, said annular body having a leading end, a trailing end spaced apart from said leading end in a direction parallel to said central axis, a smooth, non-planar annular outer surface, and a smooth annular inner surface, said annular body having a first thickness at a point adjacent said leading end, a second thickness at a point adjacent said trailing end, and a third thickness at a point disposed between said leading end and said trailing end, said third thickness being greater than each of said first and second thicknesses, said annular body having a length corresponding to the distance between said leading end and said trailing end in a direction parallel to said central axis, said length of said annular body being at least as large as the width of a person'"'"'s hand to allow a person to grip said annular body by the hand to throw said annular body, said annular inner surface having a diameter;

a front circular opening formed in said annular body, said front circular opening being formed at said leading end of said annular body, said front circular opening having a center that is located on said central axis of said annular body;

a rear circular opening formed in said annular body, said rear circular opening being formed at said trailing end of said annular body, said rear circular opening having a center that is located on said central axis; and

a central passageway formed through said annular body, said central passageway having a central axis that is coincident with said central axis of said annular body, said central passageway interconnecting said front circular opening and said rear circular opening so that, when said annular body is thrown through the air, air flowing into said front circular opening passes through said central passageway and exits said central passageway through said rear circular opening, said central passageway having a diameter that is at least one-half of said diameter of said annular body of said ring airfoil;

an elongate tail portion coupled to said ring airfoil, said elongate tail portion having a leading end and a trailing end and a length corresponding to the distance between said leading end of said elongate tail portion and said trailing end of said elongate tail portion in a direction parallel to said central axis of said annular body, said length of said elongate tail portion being about at least as great as said length of said annular body of said ring airfoil;

at least three fins coupled to said elongate tail portion, said fins being spaced radially around said tail portion, each of said fins extending outwardly from said tail portion and having a thickness that is less than said third thickness of said annular body of said ring airfoil, at least a portion of each of said fins extending behind said annular body of said ring airfoil and outside of said central passageway; and

a connecting structure that interconnects said elongate tail portion and said ring airfoil, at least a portion of said connecting structure being disposed within said central passageway of said annular body of said ring airfoil, said connecting structure comprising;

an annular body having a front end, a back end, an outer annular surface and an inner annular surface, said outer annular surface of said annular body of said connecting structure having a diameter that corresponds to said diameter of said inner surface of said annular body of said ring airfoil, said annular body of said connecting structure having a thickness that is less than said third thickness of said annular body of said ring airfoil, said annular body of said connecting structure having a length corresponding to the distance between said front end of said annular body of said connecting structure and said back end of said annular body of said connecting structure in a direction parallel to said central axis, said length of said annular body of said connecting structure being smaller than said length of said annular body of said ring airfoil;

a first connecting member having a first end coupled to said annular body of said connecting structure and a second end spaced from said annular body of said connecting structure, said first connecting member having a thickness that is less than said third thickness of said annular body of said ring airfoil;

a second connecting member having a first end coupled to said annular body of said connecting structure and a second end spaced from said annular body of said connecting structure, said second connecting member having a thickness that is less than said third thickness of said annular body of said ring airfoil, said second end of said second connecting member being coupled to said second end of said first connecting member; and

a third connecting member having a first end coupled to said annular body of said connecting structure and a second end spaced from said annular body of said connecting structure, said third connecting member having a thickness that is less than said third thickness of said annular body of said ring airfoil, said second end of said second connecting member being coupled to said second end of said first connecting member and said second end of said second connecting member.

2. A throwing toy as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongate tail portion comprises a tail member having a cross section that is circular in shape.

3. A throwing toy as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongate tail portion comprises a tail member that is cylindrical in shape.

4. A throwing toy, comprising:

a ring airfoil that is rotationally symmetric to facilitate spinning of said ring airfoil when said ring airfoil is thrown by a person, said ring airfoil comprising;

an annular body having a central axis and a diameter, said annular body being rotationally symmetric about said central axis, said annular body having a leading end, a trailing end spaced apart from said leading end in a direction parallel to said central axis, a non-planar annular outer surface, and an annular inner surface, said annular body having a first thickness at a point adjacent said leading end, a second thickness at a point adjacent said trailing end, and a third thickness at a point disposed between said leading end and said trailing end, said third thickness being greater than each of said first and second thicknesses, said annular body having a length corresponding to the distance between said leading end and said trailing end in a direction parallel to said central axis, said length of said annular body being at least as large as the width of a person'"'"'s hand to allow a person to grip said annular body by the hand to throw said annular body, said annular inner surface having a diameter;

a front circular opening formed in said annular body, said front circular opening being formed at said leading end of said annular body, said front circular opening having a center that is located on said central axis of said annular body;

a rear circular opening formed in said annular body, said rear circular opening being formed at said trailing end of said annular body, said rear circular opening having a center that is located on said central axis; and

a central passageway formed through said annular body, said central passageway having a central axis that is coincident with said central axis of said annular body, said central passageway interconnecting said front circular opening and said rear circular opening so that, when said annular body is thrown through the air, air flowing into said front circular opening passes through said central passageway and exits said central passageway through said rear circular opening, said central passageway having a diameter that is at least one-half of the diameter of said annular body of said ring airfoil;

an elongate tail portion coupled to said ring airfoil, said elongate tail portion having a leading end and a trailing end and a length corresponding to the distance between said leading end of said elongate tail portion and said trailing end of said elongate tail portion in a direction parallel to said central axis of said annular body, said length of said elongate tail portion being about at least as great as said length of said annular body of said ring airfoil;

at least three fins coupled to said elongate tail portion, said fins being spaced radially around said tail portion, each of said fins extending outwardly from said tail portion, at least a portion of each of said fins being disposed behind said annular body of said ring airfoil and outside of said central passageway; and

a connecting structure that interconnects said elongate tail portion and said ring airfoil, at least a portion of said connecting structure being disposed within said central passageway of said annular body of said ring airfoil.

5. A throwing toy as defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting structure comprises an annular body having a front end, a back end, an outer annular surface and an inner annular surface, said outer annular surface of said annular body of said connecting structure having a diameter that corresponds to said diameter of said inner surface of said annular body of said ring airfoil, said annular body of said connecting structure having a length corresponding to the distance between said front end of said annular body of said connecting structure and said back end of said annular body of said connecting structure in a direction parallel to said central axis, said length of said annular body of said connecting structure being smaller than said length of said annular body of said ring airfoil.

6. A throwing toy as defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting structure comprises:

an annular body having a front end, a back end, an outer annular surface and an inner annular surface, said outer annular surface of said annular body of said connecting structure having a diameter that corresponds to said diameter of said inner surface of said annular body of said ring airfoil, said annular body of said connecting structure having a length corresponding to the distance between said front end of said annular body of said connecting structure and said back end of said annular body of said connecting structure in a direction parallel to said central axis, said length of said annular body of said connecting structure being smaller than said length of said annular body of said ring airfoil;

a first connecting member having a first end coupled to said annular body of said connecting structure and a second end spaced from said annular body of said connecting structure; and

a second connecting member having a first end coupled to said annular body of said connecting structure and a second end spaced from said annular body of said connecting structure, said second end of said second connecting member being coupled to said second end of said first connecting member.

7. A throwing toy as defined in claim 4 wherein said elongate tail portion comprises a tail member having a cross section that is circular in shape.

8. A throwing toy as defined in claim 4 wherein said elongate tail portion comprises a tail member that is cylindrical in shape.

9. A throwing toy, comprising:

a ring airfoil that is rotationally symmetric to facilitate spinning of said ring airfoil when said ring airfoil is thrown by a person, said ring airfoil comprising;

an annular body having a central axis and a diameter, said annular body being rotationally symmetric about said central axis, said annular body having a leading end, a trailing end spaced apart from said leading end in a direction parallel to said central axis, an annular outer surface, and an annular inner surface, said annular body having a length corresponding to the distance between said leading end and said trailing end in a direction parallel to said central axis, said length of said annular body being at least as large as the width of a person'"'"'s hand to allow a person to grip said annular body by the hand to throw said annular body, said annular inner surface having a diameter;

a front circular opening formed in said annular body, said front circular opening being formed at said leading end of said annular body, said front circular opening having a center that is located on said central axis of said annular body;

a rear circular opening formed in said annular body, said rear circular opening being formed at said trailing end of said annular body, said rear circular opening having a center that is located on said central axis; and

a central passageway formed through said annular body, said central passageway having a central axis that is coincident with said central axis of said annular body, said central passageway interconnecting said front circular opening and said rear circular opening so that, when said annular body is thrown through the air, air flowing into said front circular opening passes through said central passageway and exits said central passageway through said rear circular opening, said central passageway having a diameter that is at least one-half of the diameter of said annular body of said ring airfoil;

an elongate tail portion coupled to said ring airfoil;

a plurality of fins coupled to said elongate tail portion, said fins being spaced radially around said tail portion, each of said fins extending outwardly from said tail portion, at least a portion of each of said fins being disposed behind said annular body of said ring airfoil and outside of said central passageway; and

a connecting structure that interconnects said elongate tail portion and said ring airfoil, at least a portion of said connecting structure being disposed within said central passageway of said annular body of said ring airfoil.

10. A throwing toy as defined in claim 9 wherein said elongate tail portion has a leading end and a trailing end and a length corresponding to the distance between said leading end of said elongate tail portion and said trailing end of said elongate tail portion in a direction parallel to said central axis of said annular body, said length of said elongate tail portion being about at least as great as said length of said annular body of said ring airfoil.

11. A throwing toy as defined in claim 9 wherein said annular body has a first thickness at a point adjacent said leading end, a second thickness at a point adjacent said trailing end, and a third thickness at a point disposed between said leading end and said trailing end and wherein said third thickness is greater than each of said first and second thicknesses.

12. A throwing toy as defined in claim 9 wherein said connecting structure comprises an annular body having a front end, a back end, an outer annular surface and an inner annular surface, said outer annular surface of said annular body of said connecting structure having a diameter that corresponds to said diameter of said inner surface of said annular body of said ring airfoil, said annular body of said connecting structure having a length corresponding to the distance between said front end of said annular body of said connecting structure and said back end of said annular body of said connecting structure in a direction parallel to said central axis, said length of said annular body of said connecting structure being smaller than said length of said annular body of said ring airfoil.

13. A throwing toy as defined in claim 9 wherein said connecting structure comprises:

an annular body having a front end, a back end, an outer annular surface and an inner annular surface, said outer annular surface of said annular body of said connecting structure having a diameter that corresponds to said diameter of said inner surface of said annular body of said ring airfoil, said annular body of said connecting structure having a length corresponding to the distance between said front end of said annular body of said connecting structure and said back end of said annular body of said connecting structure in a direction parallel to said central axis, said length of said annular body of said connecting structure being smaller than said length of said annular body of said ring airfoil;

a first connecting member having a first end coupled to said annular body of said connecting structure and a second end spaced from said annular body of said connecting structure; and

a second connecting member having a first end coupled to said annular body of said connecting structure and a second end spaced from said annular body of said connecting structure, said second end of said second connecting member being coupled to said second end of said first connecting member.

14. A throwing toy, comprising:

a ring airfoil that is rotationally symmetric to facilitate spinning of said ring airfoil when said ring airfoil is thrown by a person, said ring airfoil comprising;

an annular body having a central axis and a diameter, said annular body being rotationally symmetric about said central axis, said annular body having a leading end, a trailing end spaced apart from said leading end in a direction parallel to said central axis, an annular outer surface, and an annular inner surface, said annular body having a length corresponding to the distance between said leading end and said trailing end in a direction parallel to said central axis, said length of said annular body being at least as large as the width of a person'"'"'s hand to allow a person to grip said annular body by the hand to throw said annular body, said annular inner surface having a diameter;

a front circular opening formed in said annular body, said front circular opening being formed at said leading end of said annular body, said front circular opening having a center that is located on said central axis of said annular body;

a rear circular opening formed in said annular body, said rear circular opening being formed at said trailing end of said annular body, said rear circular opening having a center that is located on said central axis; and

a central passageway formed through said annular body, said central passageway having a central axis that is coincident with said central axis of said annular body, said central passageway interconnecting said front circular opening and said rear circular opening so that, when said annular body is thrown through the air, air flowing into said front circular opening passes through said central passageway and exits said central passageway through said rear circular opening;

an elongate tail portion coupled to said ring airfoil, said elongate tail portion having a length that is at least as great as said length of said annular body of said ring airfoil;

a plurality of fins coupled to said elongate tail portion, said fins being spaced radially around said tail portion, each of said fins extending outwardly from said tail portion, at least a portion of each of said fins being disposed behind said annular body of said ring airfoil and outside of said central passageway; and

a connecting structure that interconnects said elongate tail portion and said ring airfoil.

15. A throwing toy as defined in claim 14 wherein said annular body of said ring airfoil has a first thickness at a point adjacent said leading end, a second thickness at a point adjacent said trailing end, and a third thickness at a point disposed between said leading end and said trailing end and wherein said third thickness is greater than each of said first and second thicknesses.

16. A throwing toy as defined in claim 14 wherein at least a portion of said connecting structure is disposed within said central passageway of said annular body of said ring airfoil.

17. A throwing toy as defined in claim 14 wherein said central passageway has a diameter that is at least one-half of said diameter of said annular body of said ring airfoil.

18. A throwing toy, comprising:

a ring airfoil that is rotationally symmetric to facilitate spinning of said ring airfoil when said ring airfoil is thrown by a person, said ring airfoil comprising;

an annular body having a central axis and a diameter, said annular body being rotationally symmetric about said central axis, said annular body having a leading end, a trailing end spaced apart from said leading end in a direction parallel to said central axis, an annular outer surface, and an annular inner surface, said annular body having a length that facilitates a person to grip said annular body by the hand to throw said annular body;

a front circular opening formed in said annular body, said front circular opening being formed at said leading end of said annular body, said front circular opening having a center that is located on said central axis of said annular body;

a rear circular opening formed in said annular body, said rear circular opening being formed at said trailing end of said annular body, said rear circular opening having a center that is located on said central axis; and

a central passageway formed through said annular body, said central passageway having a central axis that is coincident with said central axis of said annular body, said central passageway interconnecting said front circular opening and said rear circular opening so that, when said annular body is thrown through the air, air flowing into said front circular opening passes through said central passageway and exits said central passageway through said rear circular opening;

a tail portion coupled to said ring airfoil; and

a plurality of fins coupled to said tail portion, said fins being spaced radially around said tail portion, each of said fins extending outwardly from said tail portion, at least a portion of each of said fins being disposed behind said annular body of said ring airfoil and outside of said central passageway.

19. A throwing toy as defined in claim 18 wherein said annular body of said ring airfoil has a first thickness at a point adjacent said leading end, a second thickness at a point adjacent said trailing end, and a third thickness at a point disposed between said leading end and said trailing end and wherein said third thickness is greater than each of said first and second thicknesses.

20. A throwing toy as defined in claim 18 additionally comprising a connecting structure that interconnects said elongate tail portion and said ring airfoil, at least a portion of said connecting structure being disposed within said central passageway of said annular body of said ring airfoil.

21. A throwing toy as defined in claim 18 wherein said central passageway has a diameter that is at least one-half of said diameter of said annular body of said ring airfoil.