Recreational device with rotor assembly

• US 9,993,694 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2017
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William J. Warren
• Original Assignee: William J. Warren
• Inventors: Warren, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Steven
• Application Number:
  US15/640,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20180161638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2043/001 Short-distance or low-velocity balls for training, or for playing on a reduced area
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/01 Special aerodynamic features, e.g. airfoil shapes, wings or air passages
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10

Abstract

Recreational footballs with rotor assemblies are provided herein. An example recreational device includes a shell forming a prolate spheroid frame, a shaft disposed within the prolate spheroid frame and located along a central axis defined by the prolate spheroid frame, and one or more fan assemblies each having a plurality of blades, the one or more fan assemblies rotating around or in conjunction with the shaft, the one or more fan assemblies changing at least one aerodynamic aspect of flight of the recreational device when air passes through the prolate spheroid frame and across the plurality of blades of the one or more fan assemblies as the recreational device spirals during flight.

Claims

1. A recreational device, comprising:

a shell forming a prolate spheroid frame;

a shaft disposed within the prolate spheroid frame and located along a central axis defined by the prolate spheroid frame;

vibrational dampers extending from the shaft so as to dampingly couple the shaft with the prolate spheroid frame; and

one or more fan assemblies each having a plurality of blades, the one or more fan assemblies rotating around or in conjunction with the shaft, the one or more fan assemblies changing at least one aerodynamic aspect of flight of the recreational device when air passes through the prolate spheroid frame and across the plurality of blades of the one or more fan assemblies as the recreational device spirals during flight.

2. The recreational device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the vibrational dampers extend from terminal ends of the shaft.

3. The recreational device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the vibrational dampers extend between the prolate spheroid frame and clamps that couple with the shaft.

4. The recreational device according to claim 1, further comprising a propeller disposed on a terminal end of the shaft.

5. The recreational device according to claim 1, wherein a first of the one or more fan assemblies is disposed at an open inlet end of the prolate spheroid frame.

6. The recreational device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more fan assemblies is disposed at an open outlet end of the prolate spheroid frame.

7. The recreational device according to claim 1, wherein the shell is a skin.

8. The recreational device according to claim 1, further comprising a motor assembly that comprises a motor, the motor rotating the shaft or a plurality of propeller blades disposed on the shaft.