US3691674A

US3691674A - Aerial twister toy and catapult therefor

Info

Publication number: US3691674A
Application number: US82680A
Authority: US
Inventors: James E Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-10-21
Filing date: 1970-10-21
Publication date: 1972-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-19

Abstract

A toy which is adapted to be used as a projectile to be catapulted vertically into the air. This toy is provided with a body that is elongated and shaped so that when it reaches the peak of its climb it assumes a horizontal position and starts to rotate around its long axis. This rotation continues during descent and slows the speed of descent making it possible to catch the toy by hand.

Description

United States Patent Thompson 51 Sept. 19, 197 2 [541 AERIAL TWISTER TOY AND 3,559,331 2/l97l Eller ..46/74 R CATAPULT THEREFOR 2,899,773 8/1959 Lockwood ..46/74 R 72 Inventor: James E. Thompson, 452 Bartlett, 2,598,349 Carrmgton X 202 S Francisco Calif. 94110 2,837,077 6/1958 Frazelle ..273/l06 D [22] Filed: 1970 Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay [2| Appl. No.: 82,680 Attorney-Allen & Chromy 52 us. Cl ..46/74 R, 46/84, 124/16, [57] ABSTRACT 273/ 06 R A toy which is adapted to be used as a projectile to be 3 /0 A631! 27/14 catapulted vertically into the air. This toy is provided Fleld of Search 46/74 R, 82, 85; with a body that is elongated and shaped so that when 273/106 106 D; 124/16 it reaches the peak of its climb it assumes a horizontal position and starts to rotate around its long axis. This [56] References cued rotation continues during descent and slows the speed UNITED STATES PATENTS of descent making it possible to catch the toy by hand.

1,481,826 1] l 924 Brown ..46/84 14 Claims, 40 Drawing Figures PHENTEDSEP 19 I872 sum 1 or 5 INVENTOR. JAMES E. THOMPSON w FIG] ATTORNEYS AERIAL TWISTER TOY AND CATAPULT THEREFOR DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to toys generally. More particularly this invention relates to a toy which is adapted to be catapulted into the air.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved toy which is adapted to be catapulted into the air and which is provided with an elongated body that is shaped so that the toy assumes a horizontal position during its descent and rotates around its long axis thereby slowing its descent.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved toy that is in the shape of an elongated projectile which when projected into the air assumes a horizontal position when it reaches the peak of its climb and without veering off course executes a gradual descent.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved toy which is adapted to be catapulted into the air and which is provided with an elongated lightweight body which is shaped so that when it reaches the peak of its climb it assumes a horizontal position and rotates on its long axis as it descends.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved toy which is adapted to be catapulted aloft, said toy being provided with a lightweight rod-shaped body having blades attached to the end portions thereof, said blades being oriented with respect to each other so that the toy when it reaches the peak of its climb assumes a horizontal position and starts to rotate around its long axis, said rotation controlling the speed of its descent.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following specification, claims and drawing.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a toy having an elongated lightweight body that is adapted to be catapulted into the air. This toy may be provided with a rather large variety of configurations as will be apparent from the specification and drawing and each of these configurations is provided with means at least at one end of the body for gripping the rubber band of a catapult frame. The operator grips the other end of the body and stretches the rubber band of the catapult so that the toy is projected aloft when said other end thereof is released. In some variations of this toy the body thereof is shaped so that when the toy reaches the peak of its climb it assumes a horizontal position and starts to rotate around its long axis which rotation continues as it descends. In other forms or embodiments of this toy the body thereof includes a rod or tubular member which is provided with blades at the opposite end portions thereof. These blades are disposed with respect to each other in various orientations and they facilitate the rotation of the toy around its long axis after the toy reaches the peak of its climb and starts to descend.

Further details and features of this invention will be set forth in the following specification, claims and drawing in which briefly:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing different views of one of the toys of this invention catapulted into the air, said toy assuming a horizontal position at the peak of its climb and thereafter gradually descends while rotating on its long axis;

FIG. 2 is a view of an embodiment of this toy with the central part of its rod-shaped body broken away and showing the configurations of the blades attached to the end parts of said rod-shaped body;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 showing an end of the forward blade;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 which shows an edge view of the rear blade in solid lines and a side view thereof in broken outline;

FIG. 5 is a view of another embodiment of this toy with modified blades attached to the ends thereof;

FIG. 6 is another view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a lightweight body shaped so that it rotates on its long axis when catapulted into the air and during its descent;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a modified form of the toy shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an end view of the toy shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a toy such as shown in FIG. 8 with the central parts of the body thereof scalloped;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the toy shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a toy such as shown in FIG. 12 having the body thereof twisted so that one end part thereof is substantially at right angles to the other end part;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the toy shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a catapult showing the rubber band thereof being threaded into a hole in the end of the handle;

FIG. 16a is a side view of the catapult with a part of the handle broken away;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a toy having a rod-shaped member with blades attached to the end parts thereof, the forward blade being shown in two positions at right angles, one of which is in broken outline;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line I8 18 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line 19- 19 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a side view of another embodiment of this toy showing the forward blade in two positions at right angles to each other, one of which is in broken outline;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line 21- 21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a side view of the rear blade of the toy shown in FIG. 20; taken along the line 22-22 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a side view of another embodiment of this toy showing the plan of the rear blade and edge of the forward blade;

FIG. 24 is a view of the toy shown in FIG. 23 with the forward blade in plan and the edge of the rear blade;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along the line 25- 25 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along the line 26 26 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is side view of another form of rear blade which may be used with the toy shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is a side view of another form of forward blade adapted to be used with the device shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 29 is another configuration of the rear blade adapted to use with this toy;

. FIG. 36 is a side view of the rear blade shown in FIG.

FIG. 37 is a plan view of still another form of rear blade;

FIG. 38 is a side view of the blade shown in FIG. 37; and

FIG. 39 is a sectional view taken along the line 39- 39 of FIG. 37.

Referring to the drawing in detail, reference numeral designates the frame of a catapult or slingshot having a rubber band 11 which is attached to the ends of the fork of the frame. The rubber band 11 is hooked behind the pin 12 which is attached to the forward end of the body 13 of the toy and is used for projecting the toy aloft as shown in FIG. 1. The body 13 is provided with

blades

14 and 15 which are attached to the forward part and rearward part, respectively, thereof. Each of the

blades

14 and 15 include major surfaces which extend laterally from the body of the device and the major surfaces of these blades are oriented substantially at right angles to each other.

Blades

14 and 15 may be constructed as shown in FIG. 2, and each of these blades is made of twosheets of cardboard, plastic, or the like, joined at opposite sides by suitable adhesive, cement, or heat setting, and the like. The

sheets

14a and 14b forming the forward blade are spread apart to receive the rod-shaped body 13 as shown in FIG. 3 and these sheets are attached to this rod-shaped body by glue, cement, adhesive, or the like. Likewise, the

sheets

15a and 15b of the rear blade 15 are spread apart as shown in FIG. 4 to receive the rod-shaped body 13, and these sheets are also attached to this rod-shaped body by suitable glue, adhesive, cement, or the like. It will be noted that the rear blade 15 is given a slight twist with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod 13 as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, when the toy is projected or catapulted aloft as shown in FIG. 1 the rear blade 15 causes the body thereof to rotate around the longitudinal axis thereof as indicated by the circular arrows. This rotation is relatively slow when the toy is catapulted but it increases after the toy reaches the peak of its climb and assumes a horizontal position in its descent. The twist in the rear blade also adds air friction thereto causing it to follow the front blade in line for a straight flight up, when catapulted. The descent of the horizontal toy is practically vertical without sidewise on a calm day.

In FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 there is illustrated another embodiment of this invention employing a tubular central body portion 16 and

blades

17 and 18 which have portions 17a and 18a, respectively, fitting into the ends of the body portion 16. Suitable cements or adhesives may be applied to the part 17a and 18a for holding them assembled with the body 16. Blade 17 functions as the forward end of the device and this blade is provided with a notch 17b for receiving the rubber band of the catapult 10 so that the device may be projected into the air in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The rear blade 18 is provided the configuration shown in FIG. 7 from which it is seen that one part of the blade is offset from the other part. This offsetting increases toward the rear, or vice versa and facilitates a true upward flight.

In FIGS. 8 to 13, inclusive, there are illustrated basic simplified versions of this device and if these versions are properly proportioned then they perform in much the same manner as the devices previously described although at a lower height. The device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is provided with a body 19 of lightweight materials such as balsa wood. Other materials may be used if desired and the body may be made in the shape of a lath which is about inch thick and V4 inch wide by 6 to 12 inches long. These dimensions are not critical as long as the ratios are substantially those given.

Suitable notches

20 and 21 are provided adjacent the ends of the body 19 for receiving the rubber band of the catapult at either end. The body 22 of the device shown in FIGS; 10 and 11 is similar to that of the device shown in FIG. 8.

Notches

23 and 24 are provided at opposite ends of the body 22 for receiving the rubber band of the catapult. In addition,

members

26 and 25 are provided to the ends of the body 22, these members function as weights to increase the mass at the ends.

In FIGS. 12 and 13 there is shown a device 27 which is quite similar to that shown in FIG. 8 except that the sides thereof have been cut away as indicated at 27a and 27b to increase the mass at the ends. This device is also provided with

notches

28 and 29 adjacent the ends thereof for receiving the rubber band of the catapult. The device shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is similar to that shown in FIG. 12 except that the end part 30a thereof has been twisted to an angle of with respect to the end part 30b as shown in the end view FIG. 15.

The device shown in FIGS. 16 and 16a is a modified form of a catapult which may be used in place of the catapult 10 shown in FIG. 1 for projecting the toys disclosed herein aloft. This catapult is provided with a handle 36 which has a hole 33 cut into one end. The rubber band 34 is inserted into this hole so that a part of the rubber band extends out of the recess 34a as shown in FIG. 16. The end 35 of the band is looped over the end of the handle and the band drawn into the position shown in FIG. 16a ready for use. This device forms an efficient and inexpensive catapult for use with this invention as the rear blade of the device clears the handle.

The device shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 is provided with a rod 38 and the

blades

39 and 40 are attached to the end portions thereof. A pin 41 is attached to the rod 38 slightly ahead of the blade 39 and the rubber band of the catapult is hooked behind this pin when the device is to be projected aloft. The forward blade is made of two

parts

39 and 39a with the rod 38 cemented therebetween and the opposite halves of this blade are is made of two sheets which are cemented together and the rod 42 is cemented therebetween as shown in FIG. 21. The opposite sides of the blade 44 are offset by a distance roughly equal to the diameter of the rod 42 as shown in the side view FIG. 22. The offsets of these opposite sides are opposed and this imparts air friction and a rotating motion to the blade when it is projected aloft by hooking the rubber band of the catapult behind the pin 45 of the device.

The embodiments of this device as shown in FIGS. 23, 24, and 26 are provided with air foil shaped front and rear vanes or

blades

47 and 48, respectively, which are preferably molded from foam plastic.

Blades

47 and 48 may be molded separately and attached to the rod 46 by suitable adhesive. On the other hand the

blades

47 and 48 and the rod 46 and pin 49 may all be molded simultaneously from suitable plastic material. The forward blade 47 is provided with thin edge portions and the central part A thereof is slightly thicker than the rod 46 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 26. The rear blade 48 is shaped so that the opposite sides thereof are offset so as to impart a twist or rotating motion and air friction to the blade, The

blades

47 and 48 shown in FIGS. 23, 25, and 26 are provided with thin edge portions. These

blades

47 and 48 may however be provided with the thin edge portions only at the front and rear thereof as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28in which the sides of these blades bulge to the full thickness thereof with the center cored out.

Various configurations may be provided to the rear blades of this device as shown in FIGS. 29 to 39, inclusive, to cause some air friction around the rear of the device which causes the rear blade to drag after the front bIade.'The blades in all of these figures are shown provided with pins for joining the blades to tubular body members in the manner shown in FIG. 5. However, these blades may be made so that they may be attached to or formed integral with rod-shaped body members if desired. These blades are all preferably molded from thin flexible plastic. The blade 50 shown in FIGS. 29 and is provided with a substantially flat body portion with

ribs

51 and 52 projecting from the opposite sides thereof oriented crosswise in opposite directions as shown in FIG. 29 so that they cause the device to rotate on its axis when it is projected aloft.

The blades shown in FIGS. 31, 32, 33 and 34 are provided with flairing projections that will increase the wind resistance of the rear blade slightly. The

flairing projections

54 and 55 provided to blade 53 shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 are positioned toward the rear of the blade whereas the

flairing projections

57 and 58 provided to the blade 56 shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 are positioned on the forward part of this blade. In FIGS. and 36 there is shown a rear blade 59 which is provided with

flairing tail portions

60 and 61 having a reinforcing rib 62 therebetween. The rear blade 63 shown in FIGS. 37, 38 and 39 is made in the form of a cone having an oval cross section as shown in FIG. 39, and a reinforcing rib 64 is provided in the center of this oval cone.

The following must be taken into consideration when flying and designing a twister. The weight of the shaft has to be adjusted to the surface area of the blades. The area of the blades must be such as to allow a slow descent with as rapid a blade rotation as possible. The

greater the distance between the blades the greater the stability both going up and coming down.

For a high flight starting point, the proper twist in the rear blade is essential. The air friction or drag on the rear blades surfaces is what keeps the unit in straight upward flight, as the front and rear ends are in balance. The unit must be in balance or nearly so. The front end can be slightly heavier by about one or two grains of weight, if as much as five grains heavier it will shoot straight up and fall straight down. The upward flight path can be controlled somewhat by bending either up or down the back end of the vanes of the rear blade.

The device should be shot in little or no wind. It should be shot so it will come down spinning into the wind for a long in-air flight, many times returning to the operator where it can be caught by hand.

I have observed that the amount of twist in rear blade can affect the flight as follows:

No twist in rear blade, the device spins out into a horizontal position nearer the ground most of the time. Not enough twist in the rear blade, then the device makes a large are into the ground. Too much twist in the rear blade, then the device will require more force to shoot it high. Right amount of twist in the rear blade, then the device shoots nearly straight up and swings or flips at peak into a horizontal position already spinning.

While I have shown and described preferred forms of the invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates that the invention is capable of variation and modification from the forms shown so that the scope thereof should be limited only by the proper scope of the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination comprising an elongated body member having at least the front and rear longitudinal end portions-thereof, respectively, in the shape of relatively wide blades fixedly attached to said body member so that said blades cannot rotate with respect to said body member, said blades comprising means for causing said twisting motion in response to movement of said toy through the air, said latter means including the orientation of said blades so that their main surfaces are substantially at right angles to each other, means positioned at said front end portion of said body member detachably engaging the resilient band of a catapult, said other end portion of said body member being adapted to be gripped to stretch said resilient band for projecting the toy aloft when said other end is released, said elongated body member and said blades being substantially balanced with respect to the center of said elongated body so that the toy goes into a horizontal orientation when it reaches its maximum height which horizontal orientation it maintains during its descent, said relatively wide blades being shaped and oriented to cause said toy to rotate around the long axis of said body member and slowing the speed of descent.

2. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said blades each comprise a pair of sheet members and said elongated body member includes a rod, each of said pair of sheet members being attached to said rod with said rod therebetween.

3. ln a toy adapted. to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 3, further characterized in that the portions of said rear blade on the opposite sides of said rod are displaced with respect to each other such that the main surfaces of these portions are curved or angled in the opposite directions.

4. in a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said body member includes a tubular member and said blades each include a pin, the pin f the front blade being attached in one end of said tubular member and the pin of the rear blade being attached in the other end of said tubular member.

5. in a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 4, further characterized in that said front and rear blades are formed of paper plastic or wood.

6. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said rear blade is made with a twisted configuration.

7. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said rear blade is provided with ribs on opposite sides thereof, said ribs being oriented such that they add air friction to said blade.

8. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said rear blade is provided with flaring ribs on opposite sides thereof.

9. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that the cross sections of said blades taken parallel to the body member are of air foil shape, formed of foam plastic.

10. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said elongated body member comprises a thin rectangular body member.

11. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 10, further characterized in that said thin rectangular body member is weighted at each end thereof.

12. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twistinghmotion increasing during descent thereby reducing e speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that the rear blades of said body member are flaired outwardly.

13. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that opposite sides of both front and rear blades of said body member are twisted, with respect to each other.

14. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said catapult comprises a rod having a tubular cross section at one end with an opening through the side wall thereof, a portion of said resilient UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 6 91 674 Dated September 19, 1972 Inventor(s) James E. Thompson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 14, "l/4 inch" shouldread 3/4 inch Claim 5, line 6, "3" should read Z Signed and sealed this 20th day of March 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents QRM 1 0-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 urs. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I959 0-355-334.

Claims

1. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination comprising an elongated body member having at least the front and rear longitudinal end portions thereof, respectively, in the shape of relatively wide blades fixedly attached to said body member so that said blades cannot rotate with respect to said body member, said blades comprisiNg means for causing said twisting motion in response to movement of said toy through the air, said latter means including the orientation of said blades so that their main surfaces are substantially at right angles to each other, means positioned at said front end portion of said body member detachably engaging the resilient band of a catapult, said other end portion of said body member being adapted to be gripped to stretch said resilient band for projecting the toy aloft when said other end is released, said elongated body member and said blades being substantially balanced with respect to the center of said elongated body so that the toy goes into a horizontal orientation when it reaches its maximum height which horizontal orientation it maintains during its descent, said relatively wide blades being shaped and oriented to cause said toy to rotate around the long axis of said body member and slowing the speed of descent.

3. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 3, further characterized in that the portions of said rear blade on the opposite sides of said rod are displaced with respect to each other such that the main surfaces of these portions are curved or angled in the opposite directions.

4. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said body member includes a tubular member and said blades each include a pin, the pin of the front blade being attached in one end of said tubular member and the pin of the rear blade being attached in the other end of said tubular member.

12. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that the rear blades of said body member are flaired outwardly.

14. In a toy adapted to execute twisting motion when projected aloft, said twisting motion increasing during descent thereby reducing the speed of descent, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said catapult comprises a rod having a tubular cross section at one end with an opening through the side wall thereof, a portion of said resilient band being inserted into said tubular end, said portion of said band being looped over and around said one end of said rod adjacent said side wall opening.