US1980391A - Aeroplane toy - Google Patents

Description

J. ESLINGER Nov. 13, 1934.

AEROPLANE TOY Filed June 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet NGV. 13, 1934. J- E$L|NGER 1,980,391

AEROPLANE TOY Filed June 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 13, 1934 PATENT OFFICE AEROPLANE TOY John Eslinger, Chicago, Ill. l y Application June 18, 1931, Serial'No. 545,209

1s claims. (o1. 272-31) 4' My invention relates to aeroplane toys arranged to be driven by electric motors and has more particular reference to a toy in which the miniature aeroplane travels in a circular path about a vertical pivot under the power of Va motor located adjacent the pivot.

An important object of the invention is to pro-` vide a toy of the above character vhaving the aeroplane mounted in a novel manner so as to simulate closely the action of a commercial aeroplane during its flight and also in Iascending from and descending to the supporting surface around which the plane travels.

Another object is to adapt the aeroplane to loop-the-loop at any time during its flight.

A further object is to .provide a novel mechanism by which the looping action of the aeroplane may be controlled at the willl of the operator and `from a point exteriorly of the path traversed by the plane during its flight.' 'Y l v The invention also resides in the novel means by which the aeroplane is supported from a point near its turning axis and in the means for trans*- mitting the motive power to the yaeroplane propeller.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with vthe accompanying drawings, in which Y Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aeroplane toy embodying the features ofv the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view of the forward portion of the aeroplane taken substantially in the plane of the driving shaft.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

taken in the plane of the driving shaft. The view also shows the controlling rheostat in section.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 to 1l are fragmentary side elevational views showing the aeroplane in different positions.

While lthe invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I -have shown in the drawings and will hereiny describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. f l

In the drawings, the miniature aeroplane of the improved toy comprises a sheet metal bodyV 11 built around a frontrframe 12 (Fig. 2) and adapted to be supported by a wheeled strut 13 at its forward end and avtail skid at the rear end.. Being of the monoplane type, the aeroplane has the usual wings 14 and a tail l5. The'propell'er 16 is carried by a forwardly projecting shaft 17 journaled in the frame 1 2.

The means illustrated/in the drawings fo-r defining the movement of the aeroplane about a vertical pivot, at the same ,time permitting the aeroplane to rise and fall relative to a horizontal pivot, includesan elongated tubular rod 18 of small diameter having sufiicient rigidity to sus-l t'ain the .weight of the aeroplane without appreciable bending. If desired, the .rod/'may taper toward the aeroplane. The aeroplane'ispivotally mounted on thesmaller en d` of the tube which, forapurposeAv to later appear, projects into onel side of the body 11`slightly-behind the'planes longitudinal center of gravity.

To provide the pivotal ymounting, the small end of the tube 18 isfreceived in one end and terminate'sshort of the other end of a transverse sleeve 19 (Figs. 2 and 3) which projects beyond opposite sides of the body 11 and is journaled in the legs 20 of a yoke 21 which also provides a bearing for the propeller shaft 17. Thisyoke is slidable along horizontal guideways formed by slots 22 in the frame member 12 to which it may be rigidly clamped by screws 23. By shifting the yoke 21 longitudinally of the plane, the spacing of the tube rearwardly ofthe planes center of gravity may be adjusted as desired. The sleeve 19 drives the propeller 16 and for this purpose carries a bevel gear 24 meshing with a gear 25 fast on the rear end of the shaft 17 and made smaller than the gear 24 in order to rotatethc propeller at a speed greater than that of the driving motor. j

In order that the aeroplane may -traverse a ixed circular path and rise and fall inits flight around such path, the end of the tube 18 opposite the aeroplane is mounted to turn about a vertical axis and also to tilt about an adjacent horizontal axis. In the present instance, such a mounting is provided by a turntable 26 which supports an electric motor 27 at one end and near' its other 'end carries' two standards 28V through which the tube 18 projects. The exact axial and angular positions of the tube are determined by a set screw 29.

Intermediate its ends, the turntable carries a U-shaped sheet metal yoke 30 nesting with a similarly shaped yoke 31 rigid with. a plate 32 which is supported by a bearing 33 to turn about a vertical pedestal 34 as an axis. The pedestal is rigid with a base 35 which rests upon the supporting surface around which the aeroplane travels. The upstanding legs of the two yokes are pivotally connected by a rod 36 and the yoke 30 is secured to the, turntable by a clamping bolt 37 which is adjustable along a slot 38 in the turntable to enable the spacing of the motor relative to the rod 36 to be varied.

With the tube 18 thus mounted, it will be apparent that the aeroplane, the tube, the turntable, and the yokes are adapted to turn as a unit around the pedestal as an axis under the` tractive effort of the propeller. At the same time, the plane may ascend from or descend to the vsupporting surface as permitted by tilting of 'the' turntable about the rod 36 as an, axis.

The motor 27 being disposed on the side of the rod 36 opposite from the aeroplane, its weight exerts a lifting or counter-balancing action which tends to raise the plane from its supporting sur-` v face. Inasmuch as the bulk of the motor isdisposed above the axis defined by the rod `36, it will be apparent that as the aeroplane rises from its supporting surface and the motor moves downwardly through a corresponding distance, the center of gravity ofthe motorY moves away from the vertical plane through Ithe axis 36. In this way, the counter-balancing effect increases automaticallyr as an incident to the ascent of the aeroplane.

The rate of change of this counter-balancing action may be varied to suit conditions by chang.-

ing the holesv 39 in the yokes 30` and 31 through.

which the rod `36 projects.` By this adjustment andthat provided bythe clamping bolt 37 and slot 38, the counter-balancing actionis set at a value such that the weight ofthe aeroplane is nearlyy but not completely` vovercome when the plane is resting on its supporting surface but'is completely overcome when the plane rises to a substantial height and the turntable isV tilted out of horizontal position as shown inVV dotted outline i111ig.4.` 'Y f 'Ihe power of the motor 27 is transmitted to the aeroplane through the medium of a shaft which may be in the form of a relatively small wire 40 having suillcient flexibility to adapt itself to the irregularities of the tube 18 and the slightr curvature which the latter may assume during operation lof the toy. ySuoh a shaft permits the use of a tube having some; flexibility and is adapted to transmit the power of the motor at high speed efficiently and without substantial noise. One end of the wire is joined by a coupling 41 to thel motor shaft while the other end projects kcompletely through the sleevel 19 and A erably comprising a pile ofcarbon disks 43 forming an electrical connection of variable resistancebetween two binding terminals 44 according to the pressure under which the disks arev placed by manipulation of a screw 45. One of the terminals leads to one of the power lines of circuit and impressing the full line voltage upon the motor winding.

In view of the fact that the aeroplane is pivoted on the tube 18 and is therefore free to turn about the tube axis which extends transversely of the plane, rotation of the shaft 40 to drive the propeller produces a torsional force which tends to turn the aeroplane around the tube and cause the same to loop-the-loop. This looping tendency is proportional to the torque opposing rotation of ;the propeller which, as is well' known in the design of :fan blades, increaseswith' the speed of rotation.- `That this is true,`willv be apparent Vfrom the factthat if the propeller k16` is held against turning relative toV the body of 'they plane which would simulatean excessive load on cause the aeroplane as a whole toloop-the-loopl around the tube 18 at the speed Aof rotation of the motor. On the other hand, Whenthe prof,`

peller loadis Lsmall, as when the shaft 40 is rotating slowly, the tilting tendencyistoo small,

to cause looping. Y

In the present instance, the propeller vbladesg are pitched so that when the motor rotates the propeller in a direction to move the plane. for-1:- wardly, the looping tendency above referred to is in `a counter-clockwise direction as viewedpin Fig. 1. In the present instance, the shaft;40 rotates in this same direction. Y Thus, the looping tendency acts in a direction to `overcome the excessiveweight of the forward end vofthe aero,-

plane-dueto the locationfof the tube 18rea`rwardly ofthe planes center of gravity. "Thislooping tendency is further vbalanced gby the ,tail

of the aeroplane which is turnedI downl slightly as indicated at 50` (Fig. 1) and acts while theV plane is flying to raisetherear end of thelplane slightly about the tube' 18 as a pivot. The tail,

thus constructed, also serves to stabilize the;` looping action and maintain the proper `hori-I'.

zontal position of the plane in spite of slighty and sudden changes in thelooping tendency.A

The action of the aeroplane in ascending from,y and descending lto its supporting surface is ren--v dered extremely realistic ,by virtue of the-loca-` tion of the pivotal'mounting behind the planes center of gravity and the looping tendency above mentioned which varies automatically `with the speed of f rotation of the propeller. In operation, the plane mayn remain at standstill on the supporting surface Withthe propeller idling at a slow speed. As the speed is increased, the plane` may move in its xed circular path with all three of itswheels contacting on the surface. lIn such V a. case, the speed of rotation of the propeller would not be such Vas to`cause the lexcessive weight of the planes forward end tobe over-- Now as the speed is increased further,rv the resultingl lifting action overcomes the un# counterbalanced weight of the planer and Vthe" At this speed, the excessive Come;

latter starts to rise. weight of the forward end of the plane is over# come by the tendency of the planeto tilt about the tube 18, with the result that the plane noses upwardly much the same as a commercial aeroplane. But as the plane gains speed, the tail 15 stabilizes the looping tendency and the plane proceeds in its horizontal flight without immediate looping. When the speed is reduced in order to cause the plane to ascend to its supporting surface, the accompanying reduction in the looping tendency enables the excessive weight of the forward end of the plane to nose the plane downwardly so that a realistic landing is made. It will be apparent that when the plane is in full flight with the propeller rotating at a speed such that the looping tendency completely overcomes the forces tending to nose the plane downwardly, the plane will tend to loop-the-loop. As the nose of the plane points upwardly, the plane ascends to a higher level and the tractlve eort decreases with the inclination of the plane. Under these conditions, the plane may travel around its xed path several times before looping, depending on the speed of the propeller. Eventually when the speed of the plane has been reduced sufficiently and the plane has reached a height such that its entire weight is counter-balanced as above described, actual looping takes place in a manner closely simulatingthat of a commercial aeroplane because, during the looping, the flight of the plane around its xed path is interrupted. Such looping, while the plane is at standstill, is made possible by the fact that the entire weight of the plane is counterbalanced or overcome as above described at the elevation at which looping takes place.

When the aeroplane has once come to rest and completed one loop, there is a tendency for the plane to continue rather than to remain in horizontal position and then proceed further around its circular path. Means is therefore providedV for limiting the looping action both as to the number of loops made andthe time of looping, and also for enabling the aeroplane to fly at low levels around its circular path and at high speed with out looping. The means herein employed operates automatically as an incident to the completion of one loop by the aeroplane to hold the aeroplane against further looping until the means has been rendered ineffectual by a manually operable control device adapted to be actuated from a remote point while the aeroplane is in flight.

In the present instance, the looping control comprises a device mounted on the aeroplane for movement automatically by the action of gravity and according to inclination of the plane into and out of engaging relation with respect to a non-rotatable part carried at the outer end of the tube 18. Herein said device is in the form oi a latch 51 mounted intermediate its ends on a pivot 52 located slightly above and forwardly of the tube 18. At its lower end the latch is formed with a hook 53 adapted for engagement with a radially extending shoulder 54 dened by a lug 55 on a collar rigid with the outer end of the tube 18 and constituting the non-rotatable part above mentioned. At its upper end, the latch has two oppositely projecting lateral arms 56 which constitute weights for producing an over-center action as will later be described and which are adapted to engage the under side of the wing 14 and thereby limit the swing of the latch to a small angle.

It will be observed from Fig. 6 that in one limiting position of the latch, the shoulder 54 will be disposed in the path of the hook 53 so that when actual engagement takes place, the looping movement of the plane will be arrested andthe plane held against further looping until the latch is released. In the other limiting or inactive position shown in'dotted outline in Fig. 6, the hooked end of the latch is positioned outwardly beyond the shoulder and will pass the shoulder without catching as the aeroplane starts a loop. According to their present positions, the shoulder and the hooked end are positioned for engagement when the plane is nosed upwardly slightly from a horizontal position asis clearly illustrated in Fig. 6.

In view of the mass of the arms 56 and of the hooked end 53, it will be apparent that the latch 51 will tend to swing into and remain in one limiting position or the other under the action of gravity, depending on the position of the center of gravity of the latch relative to a vertical line through the pivot 52. Thus, while the plane is in horizontal position and the latch is in active position, the center of gravity of the `latch is disposed forwardly of the pivot 52 and the hook 53 will remain in position to engage the shoulder 54. As the nose of the plane is raised from such position, the center of gravity of the latch moves rearwardly toward the vertical line through the pivot 52. When the center of gravity passes behind this line, the latch will tendto swing into disengaged position.

As shownin dotted outline in Fig, 6, the shoulder 54 is raised slightly whenv the propeller is turning owing to the friction between the wire 40 and irmer surface of the tube 18. This normal position is indicated by the line 54a in the Adifferent figures. The shoulder is so positioned and the hook on the latch so Aconstructed `thatr the latch will pass over-center, and endeavor to move out into inactive position just before the hook 53 reaches the shoulder 54 as the plane is tilting upwardly. This willbe-the case when the plane `tilts upwardly in ascending initially from its supporting siuface or after having traveled around its xed pathat a comparatively slow speed. But if the plane is turning about-the tube 18 at a more rapid rate such as after the completion of one loop, the hook 53 will engage the vshoulder 54 before the latch khas had time to move into released position after its center of gravity has passed the vertical center line. It will thusbe seen that a short interval of time is required for the inertia of the latch to be overcome and actual movement of the latch out or active position to occur. Thus, the'latch will catch on the shoulder' following the completion of one loop' and thereby prevent further looping `but will move to released position before the hook 53 reaches the shoulder 54 under other conditions, for example when the plane is ascending from its supporting surface. K Y When the latch once becomes engaged after looping of the aeroplane and the propeller continues to turn at a fairly high speed, the pressure existing between the radially disposed surfaces of the hooi; 53 and the shoulder 54 develops enough friction to prevent release or' the latch even though the center of gravity Iis disposed considerably behind the pivot 52 therebytending to cause disengagement. v With the aeroplane thus held against further looping and substantially in horizontal position, "the tractive eiort of the rotating propeller again starts the aeroplane around its fixed path and at the high level attained during looping.

If the speed of the motor is suiiciently high, the centrifugal force developing as the plane trav- Cit vagainst further looping. 1

. ting energy thereto.

els around its circular path will have a vertical component of a magnitude sufiicient to overcome the counter-balancing force tending to hold vthe aeroplane at its maximum height attained during looping. Thus, by speeding up the motor after looping, the aeroplane will be forced to a lower level at which the counter-balancing action exerted by the mass of the motor no longer overcomes the Weight of the plane. In this way, the aeroplane is reconditioned for making a landing in response to a further decrease in the speed of the driving motor. So long as the latch remains in engagement with the shoulder 54, the speed of the aeroplane may be increased to any desired degree without danger of looping. Thus, after looping, the aeroplane is conditioned for traveling at high speed around its circular path.

In the course of one loop, the aeroplane passes successively through the positions illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, from which it will be seen lthat the latch remains in disengaged or inactive position while the plane is passing through vertical position (Fig. 8) and until it reaches the `horizontal inverted position shown in Fig. 9, whereupon the center of gravity of the latch will be disposed forwardly of the pivot 52 and the latch will move into active position. This relation of the pivot 52 and the center of gravity ofthe latch prevails until the plane has reached the normal horizontal flying position and the hook 53 approaches the shoulder 54. However, since the plane is tilting about the tube`18 at a comparatively rapid rate following the completion of a loop, withdrawal of the latchv does not take place by the time `that the engagement between the hook and the shoulder occurs. The latch thus catches onthe shoulder as shown in Fig. 10 and the plane becomes locked veffectually Release of the latch maybe effected and the plane again conditioned for looping without interrupting the operation of the toy. One way of accomplishing this result is to decrease the speed of the motor 27 by manipulation of the rheostat so as to reduce the pressure between the latch'surfaces and to allow theplane toy nose downwardly sufficiently to move the hook out of contact with the shoulder 54. When this latter occurs, the center of gravity of the latch will still be disposed rearwardly of the pivot 52 and the latch will immediately move out of the way of the shoulder. As an incident to this movement, the center of gravity becomes disposed still further behind the pivot 52 with the result that the latch will remain in disengaged position while the plane continues to ily in horizontal position (see Fig. 7). Then to effect another looping of the plane, it is merely necessary to speed up the motor and ythereby increase the ""l looping tendency to the proper degree for looping to occur in the manner previously described.

The latch 51 may also be released by causing a sudden and momentary increase in the speed of the motor thereby producing a sudden and abnormally high increase in the tendency of the planete nose upwardly about the tube 18 as above described. This may be accomplished by depressing the push-button 49 and thereby forcing the bar 48 into engagement with the terminals 44 vwhich shunts out the resistance element 43 and applies the full line voltage to the motor. The plane is thus tilted upwardly into the position shown in Fig. ll, and because the latch is engaged,

torsional force is exerted on the tube 18 impart- Then when this sudden current application is interrupted and the'load on the propeller accordingly reduced,v as'will be the case when the button 49 is released, the energy thus stored in the tube -18 will be imparted to the aeroplane in a direction reverse to thelooping tendency and the plane will be tipped downwardly to .an inclination such thatthe latch will disengage the shoulder 54. Thereafter `the aeroplane will nose upwardly 'of its own accord at a slower rate allowing the latch to move to disengaged position in the same manner as when the plane is initially ascending from its supporting surface.

The adaptation of the aeroplane for looping and the provision of means for controlling the looping action, enables the present toy tor simulate closely ,various movements of a commercial aeroplane other than those'o'f ascending and descending from a supporting surface. The interest of the operator of the toy is retained by virtue of the various different ways in which the aeroplane may be controlled in its flight by manipulation of the rheostat. i

The present application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serialv No. 427,708, filed February 12, 1930.v

I claim as my invention:

l. An aeroplane toy comprising, in combination, a miniature aeroplane having a rotatable propeller at its forward end, a bearing lmember carried' by the body of said aeroplaneand arranged for adjustment in -a direction longitudinally of the aeroplane, an'elongated member having one end projecting into one side ofthe aeroplane body and journaled in said bearing member so as-to support the aeroplane for pivoting on said elongated member about an axis disposed rearwardly ofthe longitudinal'center of gravity of the aeroplane and shiftable relative to such center by relative movement between said body and said bearing member, means supporting the opposite end of said elongated member to define a circular path of movement for the aeroplane while permitting the latter to rise and fall in its flight, andan electric motor arranged to drive said propeller in a direction to produce a torque opposing the excessive weight ofthe forward end of said aeroplane.

Y2. An aeroplane toy comprising, in combination, a substantially rigid horizontal tube sup'- ported at one end to turn about a Vertical axis and held against rotation about its'longitudinal axis, a miniature aeroplane pivoted on the other end of said tube to turn freely about van axis extending transversely of the aeroplane, an electric motor disposed adjacent said vertical axis, and a wire extending through said tube and coupled at one end to theshaft of said motor, the other end of said wire having a bevel gear connection with the propeller shaft ofvsaid aeroplane.

3; In an aeroplane toy of the character described, the combinationr of a miniature aeroplane having a propeller at its forward end with the shaft thereof extending longitudinally of the nection with said sleeve at a point beyond the endof said tube. 4` An aeroplane toy comprising,` in combinal'from one side of said axis to the other during tion, an elongated non-rotatable tube supported adjacent one end to turn horizontally about a vertical axis and to tilt vertically, a miniature aeroplane pivotally mounted on the opposite end of said tube to turn about a transverse axis located behind the longitudinal center of gravity of the aeroplane, a motor located remotely from the aeroplane and arranged to drive the propeller of said aeroplane in a direction to draw the plane forwardly and produce a turning movement about said tube causing the aeroplane to loop-the-loop when said propeller is rotating above a predetermined speed, a shoulder on said tube against said aeroplane, and a latch movably mounted on the body of said aeroplane and acting automatically to engage said shoulder after the aeroplane has completed a loop whereby to hold the aeroplane in substantially horizontal position against further looping.

5. An aeroplane toy comprising, in combination, an elongated non-rotatable tube supported adjacent one end to turn horizontally about a vertical axis and to tilt vertically, a miniature aeroplane pivotally mounted on the opposite end 1 of said tube to turn about a transverse axis, a

motor for driving the propeller of said aeroplane to produce a forward tractive eiort and a tendency of the aeroplanevto loop-the-loop depending on the speed of rotation of the propeller, a T-shaped hook pivoted intermediate its ends in upright position forwardly of said tube and swingable from inactive to active position during looping of the aeroplane and from active to inactive position as the aeroplane tilts upwardly after looping, and a substantially horizontal shoulder rigid with said tube and adapted to be passed by said hook after the latter has moved to inactive position but engageable by the hook before the latter leaves active position while the aeroplane is turning about said tube at a rapid rate following the completion of one loop.

6. An aeroplanev toy comprising, in combination, an elongated non-rotatable tube supported adjacent one end to turn horizontally Vabout a Vertical axis and to tilt vertically, a miniature aeroplane pivotally mounted en the opposite end of said tube to turn about a transverse axis, a motor for driving the propeller of said aeroplane to produce a forward tractive effort and a tendency of the aeroplane to loop-the-loop depending on the speed of rotation of the propeller, a latch pivotally mounted on the aeroplane body to` swing between active and inactive positions about an axis extending parallel to said tube, the center of gravity of said latch shifting automatically upward tilting of the aeroplane through a substantially horizontal position whereby the latch tends to move from active to inactive position,

4and a shoulder rigid with said tube and posi- 'tioned for engagement by said latch subsequent to the time when said center of gravity passes over-center, said latch thereby passing said shoulder without engagement during slow upward tilting of the aeroplane but engaging the shoulder lwhen the aeroplane is turning about said tube at high speed such as after looping.

'7. An aeroplane toy comprising, in combination, an elongated non-rotatable member sup- -ported at one end to turn horizontally about a lvertical axis and to tilt vertically, a miniature aeroplane having a propeller and pivotally mounted on the opposite end of said member to turn on a transverse axis, power driven means for rotating said propeller whereby to produce a forward tractive effort and a tendency of the aeroplane to loop-the-loop about said axis, a shoulder on said member, and a device movably mounted on the aeroplane body acting automatically to engage said shoulder and prevent looping following the completion of one loop but passing the shoulder without engagement when the aeroplane is tilting at a slower rate about said axis.

8lAn aeroplane toy'comprising, in combination, an elongated non-rotatable member supported at one end to turn horizontally about a vertical axis andA to tilt vertically, a miniature aeroplane having a propeller and pivotally mounted on the opposite end of said member to turn on a transverse axis, power drivenmeans for r0- tating said propeller whereby to produce a forward'tractive effort and a tendency of the aeroplane to loop-the-loop about said axis, a shoulder on' said member, and a device movably mounted on the aeroplane body acting automatically to engage said shoulder and prevent looping lfollowing the 'completion of one loop but passing the shoulder without engagement when the aeroplane is tilting at a slower rate about said axis, said device, when engaging said shoulder, being releasable automatically as an incident to a decrease in the speed of rotation of said propeller.

9. An aeroplane toy comprising, in combination, an elongated non-rotatable member supported at one end to turn horizontally about a vertical axis and to tilt vertically, a miniature aeroplane having a propeller and pivotally mounted on the opposite end of said member to turn on a transverse axis, power driven means for rotating said propeller whereby to produce a forward tractive effort and a tendency of the aeroplane -to loop-the-loop about said axis, a shoulder on said member, and a device movably mounted on the aeroplane body acting automatically to engage said shoulder and prevent looping following the completion of one loop but passing the shoulder without engagement when the aeroplane is tilting at a slower rate about said axis, said device, when engaging said shoulder, being releasable automatically upon a momentary and sudden increase in the speed of rotation of said propeller.

10. An aeroplane toy comprising, in combination, an elongated non-rotatable member supported at one end to turn horizontally about a vertical axis and to tilt vertically, a miniature aeroplane having a propeller mounted on the opposite end of said member to turn on a transverse axis, power driven means for rotating said propeller whereby to produce a. forward tractive effort and a tendency of the aeroplane to loop-the-loop about said axis, Va. shoulder on said member, a device movably mounted on the aeroplane body and acting automatically to engage said shoulder and prevent further looping after one complete loop has been executed, said device passing said shoulder without engagement as the aeroplane turns about said member at a slower rate, and means by whichl the speed of said motor may be increased suddenly and momentarily whereby to twist said member and impart energy thereto for turning the aeroplane reversely to release said device and and pivotallyr adapted to drive a propeller of said aeroplane whereby to produce a tractive eflort'and a tendency of the aeroplane to loop-the-loop, and means acting automatically as an incident to the completion of one loop to prevent further looping.

'12. An aeroplane toy comprising, in combination, a miniature aeroplane arranged to iiy in a xed circular path under its tractive eifort and adapted for looping-the-loop about an axis extending transversely of the aeroplane, an electric motor located remotely from the aeroplane and adapted to drive a propeller of saidy aeroplane whereby to produce a tractive effort and a tendency of the aeroplane to loop-the-loop, means acting automatically as anincident to thecompletion of one loop by the aeroplane to hold the latter against further looping, and means controllable from a point remote from said aeroplane for releasing said device and thereby reconditioning the aeroplane for looping. y

' 13. An aeroplane toy comprising, in combination, a miniature aeroplane arranged to ily in a fixed circular path under its tractive effort and adapted vfor looping-the-loop aboutan axis exj, tending transversely of the aeroplane, an electric motor located remotely from the aeroplane and adapted to drive a propeller of said aeroplane whereby to produce a tractive effort and a tendency of the aeroplane to loop-the-loop, means acting automatically as an incident yto the completion of one loop to prevent further looping,

and means for arresting the motion of said aeroplane about said axis following the completion. of one loop comprising apart movable around said 35 path with the aeroplane but non-rotatable about said axis and a second part on the aeroplane body movable automatically into and out of engageable relation with respect to said first part as an incident to changes in the inclination of said aeroplane.

14. In an aeroplanev toy of the character described, the combination of a miniature aeroplane having a rotatable propeller, an elongated member projecting into one side 'of the aeroplane body and providing a transverse pivot about which the aeroplane is adapted to turn, means associated with the other end of said member to denne a xed circular path of movement of the aeroplane while permitting the aeroplane to rise and fall in its flight around such path, an electric motor for driving said propeller located adjacent the center of said path, means for effecting gradual variations in the speed of rotation of said motor, and independently operable means for producing a sudden and momentary increase in the motor speed.

15. In an aeroplane toy of the character described, the combination of a miniature aeroplane having a rotatable propeller, an elongated member projecting into one side of the aeroplane body yand providing a transverse pivot about which the aeroplane is adapted to turn, means associated with the other end of said member to define a xed circular path of movement of the aeroplane while permitting the aeroplane to rise and fall 'in its flight around such path, an electric motor for driving said propeller located adjacent the center of said path, a rheostat for effecting gradual variations in the speed of rotation of said motor, and a switch for shunting the rheostat out of said motor circuit whereby to effect a sudden variation in the speed of said motor. f v

16. An aeroplane toy comprising, in combination, a miniature aeroplane having a body and a propeller at the forward end thereof, an elongated member non-rotatable about its own axis and having one end projecting into the side of said body to support the aeroplane for pivoting thereon about a substantially horizontal axis dened by said member and disposed behind the longitudinal center of gravity of the aeroplane, means associated with the other end of said member and acting therethrough to support the aeroplane, for movement in a fixed circular path, and an electric motor located exteriorly of the aeroplane andjecting into the body of said aeroplane'a'nd pro viding a horizontal pivot spaced rearwardly from thelongitudinal center of 'gravity of the aero-` plane, andvan electric motor-having a power transmitting connection with said propellerfor driving the same in a direction to draw the aero' vplane forwardly and'produce a torque about said axis opposing the excessive weight of the for ward end of said aeroplane due to the location of said pivot, the pitch of said propeller and the distance between said axis andcenter of gravity? being proportioned to create a torque opposing butv not overcoming the excessive weight of the forward end of the aeroplane at low speeds and completely overcoming said Weight when the propeller is rotating at comparatively higher speeds.

18. An aeroplane to'y comprising, in combination, a miniature aeroplane having a propellerand a tail with a downwardly and rearwardly inclined under surface tending in the flightvof said plane to raise the rear end of the latter rabove the forward end, an elongated substantially rigid member having one end projecting laterally into the side of said plane and pivotally supporting the latter to turn on a transverse axis disposed rearwardly of the longitudinal center of gravity of the plane whereby the excessive weight of the forward end of the plane tends lto lower such end,l

said member being held against rotation about its own longitudinal axis, means associated with the other end of said member supporting the same to turn about a vertical axis while permitting theV plane to rise and fall in its flight around the latter axis, and an electric motor located adjacent said vertical axis and having a power transmitting connection with said propeller for rotating the same in a direction to pull the aeroplane forwardly and produce a torqueopposing the exces-v sive weight of the forward end of the plane due to the location of said nrst mentioned axis.

JOHN ESLINGER.

ist

Images