US3839817A

US3839817A - Toy aircraft set

Info

Publication number: US3839817A
Application number: US00421437A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Widener
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-12-03
Filing date: 1973-12-03
Publication date: 1974-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-08

Abstract

A U-control type toy aircraft set wherein the toy aircraft has no propeller or other self powering means, but rather the flight power is imparted to the toy aircraft by manual manipulation of the control handle and the control lines which connect the handle to the aircraft. The U-control handle includes reel means around which the two control lines are wound for selectively lengthening and shortening the control lines, thus the radius of the arc through which the toy aircraft travels. The control handle has a grip portion, and a pair of elongated flexible and resilient extension portions which extend outwardly from the grip portion in a generally parallel but converging relation to one another in a common vertical plane. Each of the extension portions retains one of the control lines so as to define the lateral position of the line, while permitting longitudinal movement of the line. A mechanical interlock is provided between the extension portions to retain them in the common plane and prevent them twisting, while permitting them to move relative to one another.

Description

United States Patent n91 Widener TOY AIRCRAFT SET [76] Inventor: Charles D. Widener, 9 Coach Rd.,

Rolling Hills, Calif. 90274 [22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 421,437

Primary ExaminerAntonio F. Guida Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert M. Ashen [57] ABSTRACT A U-con'trol type toy aircraft set wherein the toy aircraft has no propeller or other self powering means, but rather the flight power is imparted to the toy aircraft by manual manipulation of the control handle and the control lines which connect the handle to the aircraft. The U-control handle includes reel means around which the two control lines are wound for selectively lengthening and shortening the control lines, thus the radius of the arc through which the toy aircraft travels. The control handle has a grip portion, and a pair of elongated flexible and resilient extension portions which extend outwardly from the grip portion in a generally parallel but converging relation to one another in a common vertical plane. Each of the extension portions retains one of the control lines so as to define the lateral position of the line, while permitting longitudinal movement of the line. A mechanical interlock is provided between the extension portions to retain them in the common plane and prevent them twisting, while permitting them to move relative to one another.

7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures TOY AIRCRAFT SET U-control powered toy aircraft are well known for use by children and also adults. Normally, the aircraft has a small gasoline-powered reciprocating engine which drives a propeller to provide the propelling force for the aircraft. The toy aircraft is attached to the end of a pair of control lines which are each attached at their other end to a control handle. The handle is often called a U-control, because it is in a generally U-shape configuration, with the mid-portion being the part which the user grips in one hand to manipulate the control lines. The handle is held by the user so that the handle extends generally vertically. The lines connect to a control surface on the toy aircraft in such a manner that a slight differential longitudinal movement of the two control lines operates the control surface on the toy aircraft to cause it to climb or dive. To achieve this differential in the lines and thus the control of the aircraft movement, the U-handle is manipulated so as to tilt it slightly forward or slightly backward. The operators are not concerned with twirling or actually causing the toy aircraft to fly, since the operation of the motor controls that aspect of the flight. U-control flying is very exciting because of the ability, by delicate manipulation of the U-handle, to simulate movements like those of real aircraft. Thus, the flight pattern and even take-off and landing of the aircraft are controlled by the sensitive manipulation of the U-handle, which provides excellent timing and sensitivity of control, as contrasted with merely trying to manipulate flight by raising or lowering the level of the control lines as you might with a kite.

There are certain limitations, however, involved with the use of engine-powered U-control aircraft. For one thing, the engine-powered aircraft are quite expensive, both initially and to run. They require a battery for starting and they utilize a fuel which must be handled with some care. It is inconvenient to carry around the fuel and battery and to periodically re-fuel and restart the aircraft. There is also a certain skill required in handling the fuel, in refueling the engine, and in maintaining the engine running properly. There is a substantial problem of battery failure, engine malfunction, and of minor damage nevertheless rendering the aircraft inoperable. Repair of the aircraft is costly. For such reasons, the continued enjoyment and/or repeat users of these aircraft have been limited, particularly among younger children.

An additional major limitation on the use of such powered aircraft is that they create loud noise when they are in operation so that they may be very disturbing to people in the area. Because of this, there is a severe limitation on where such aircraft can be flown. Many municipalities have ordinances banning or limiting their use on school grounds, public parks, etc. and it appears likely that more will follow suit because of the noise pollution as well as the resulting air pollution from the relatively inefficient engines which these aircraft utilize.

The toy aircraft apparatus of the present invention contemplates a non-powered aircraft which thus eliminates a number of the above problems. The aircraft is given its flight power by the user whirling it around in a circle by use of a control handle and control lines. Thus, the control handle and lines must be capable of effectively imparting this flight motion to the aircraft as well as controlling its flight as in the case of the powered aircraft. The attachment of the control lines to the aircraft may be in a conventional manner, however, the control handle is constructed and arranged, and connected to the control lines in a manner which not only permits, but facilitates the duel function of powering flight and also providing high-sensitivity, quickresponse, control for the aircraft. In particular, the control handle is provided with a pair of elongated, flexible and resilient extension portions which are generally parallel but converge toward one another. Each extension portion serves to retain one of the control lines to limit lateral movement of the line, while permitting free longitudinal movement thereof. In the illustrated form of control handle, the extension portions have substantially more flexibility in the common generally vertical plane defined by said portions than in the transverse direction. Thus, the extension portions will readily converge toward the aircraft regardless whether the handle is rotated from the vertical as in the fly up or fly down control position. The relative stiffness in the other direction facilitates the whirling of the aircraft in its circular path by the control handle. A mechanical interlock is provided between the extension portions which limits their twisting about their own axis and bending out of their common plane; the interlock permits, however, the desired relative movement between the portions. The handle may include reel means around which the control lines are wound, and let out or taken in, to control the length of line from the control handle to the aircraft.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view (partially broken way) of a control handle which is a preferred form of the present in vention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view (partially broken away) of the handle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an extension portion taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views taken generally along lines 55, 66 and 7-7, respectively, of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate form of extension portion.

FIG. 9 shows another alternate form of extension portion.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the handle together with a toy aircraft and control lines.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the control handle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the control handle of FIG. 1.

The drawings illustrate a non-powered U-control toy aircraft set or apparatus 10 which comprises a preferred form of the present invention. The apparatus 10 includes generally, as shown in FIG. 10, a non-powered toy aircraft 12, a pair of control lines 14 connected at one end to the aircraft, and a U-control handle 16 which the other ends of the control lines are attached to. Toy aircraft 12 is launched by grasping the control handle 16 and whirling the aircraft round at the end of the control lines 14, while allowing the lines to play out. The flight of the aircraft is then controlled by manipulating the control handle.

The illustrated toy aircraft l2 simulates a propellerless jet fighter plane. This streamlined silhouette minimizes wind resistance and provides the desirable aerodynamic features and appearance of modern-day jet aircraft. Since there is no propeller, replicas of actual jet aircraft can be utilized, as was not possible with propellet type powered toy aircraft. The aircraft 12 is provided with a vertically movable control surface 20 which may be connected in a conventional manner to a mechanism mounted on or within the toy aircraft that is operable to cause the control surface to raise and lower. The control lines 14 are each mounted at one end to portions of this mechanism so that differential longitudinal movement or displacement of the two lines will effect vertical movement of the control surface 20. Such mechanism is well known in the art and is therefore not shown or described in detail herein.

The toy aircraft 12 may be provided with additional weights to provide varying centrifugal force to maintain the aircraft in a flight radius commensurate with the size and skill of the operator.

The illustrated handle 16 comprises generally a central elongated grip portion 32 having a longitudinal axis X-X, an end portion 34 at either end of the grip portion, and a pair of elongated, flexible and resilient extension members or portions 36 which extend outwardly from the end portions, generally parallel but converging together at the tips (see FIGS. and 12). The extension portions lie in a common generally vertical plane. Mechanical interlock means 37 connects the two extension portions 36 to limit them from twisting or bending out of the common plane, while the interlock means permits the portions relative movement. The handle 16 may be formed of any suitable material such as wood, metal or plastic. In the illustrated structure, the grip portion 32 and the end portions 34 are formed of two mating half sections which come together along a parting line indicated at YY in FIG. 3. As shown best in FIG. 3, there is a larger half section 38 and a smaller half section 40.

The illustrated handle 16 also includes reel means 42 around which the control lines 14 are wound and from which they can be let out during launch to increase the radius of the lines 14 and wound in after landing. The reel means 42 includes a reel member 44 which has a central shaft portion or section 46 and at each end, a take-up reel or spool section 48. The reel member 44 is received in a complimentary-shaped recess within the control handle, with the shaftsection 46 extending generally centrally and longitudinally of the grip portion 32, and each take-up spool section 48 disposed within one of the end portions 34.

As shown best in FIG. 2, the larger half section 38 provides the one half of the grip portion 32, and the parts of the end portions 34 which define one half of the recess in which the wind up member 44 is rotatably received and supported. The smaller half section 40 provides the portions which define the other half of that recess. The

half sections

38 and 40 further provide arm sections 41 of the end portions 34 which extend outwardly is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The part of the larger half section 38 providing each of the arm sections 41 is generally U-shaped as shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7. The part of the smaller half section 40 providing each of the arm sections 41 is complementary in that it has a tongue section 43 which is received within one of said U-shaped parts of the larger half section 38.

The half sections may be held together by suitable means such as screws 45. The end of each control line 14 is fixed to one of the take-up reel sections 48 and extends through a small centering groove 50 in the end portion 34. The groove 50 is generally aligned with the center of the groove 52 of the take-up reel section 48 (See FIG. 2). The inner end of each extension member or portion 36 is securely held in a mating recess 54 in an end portion 34. A longitudinal opening or passageway 56 (FIG. 4) through the interior of the extension portion is generally aligned with and in communication with the adjacent centering groove 50. Thus, the control line 14 extends from the take-up reel section 48 through the centering groove 50 and then through the opening 56 in the extension portion 36. The illustrated extension portions or members 36 shown in FIGS. l-7 are generally rectangular plastic extrusions or injection moulded parts made from a material such as ABS plastic. Such a material is relatively strong, durable and weather-resistant, while providing a desired degree of flexibility and resilience. As noted above, it is desirable that the extension members have substantial flexibility within the plane which they define with the handle grip portion. This is to facilitate, during any control position of the handle, the convergance of the two extension members and the enclosed control lines generally toward the aircraft so as not to deflect the control lines in the vertical plane as would occur with more rigid extension members. This then accurately duplicates the feel and skills required in powered U-control flight. The extension members must, of course, have a sufficient amount of stiffness or resistance in this plane to permit some manual control of the lines. To impart the flight power to the toy aircraft, however, it has been found desirable that the extension members be substantially stiffer in the direction transverse to the plane defined by the extension members and the gripping portion of the handle. In other words, when the handle is twirled around by the user to impart flight motion to the aircraft, some resilient or flipping action is desired; however, substantially less flexibility and more stiffness was found to be desirable as compared to desired freedom of movement of the extension members within the plane which they define with the handle.

The illustrated extension member 36 has been found to provide the desired amounts of flexibility and resilience and to be a relatively inexpensive and durable part to produce and maintain. As shown in FIG. 4, the extension member 36 has a generally rectangular shape in cross-section. The central groove 56 through the extension member 36 is generally circular in cross-section and it extends for the length of the part. When assembled in the control handle, the extension member 36 is disposed with its larger cross-sectional dimension running transverse to the plane defined by the extension members and the grip portion 32. The smaller crosssectional dimension of the member 36 extends generally parallel to that plane and to the axis of the grip portion 32 of the handle. The extension member just described may be conveniently and economically extruded or injection mounded. To provide the desired range of flexibility between the inner end of the extension member 36 where it is attached to the end portion of the handle and the outer or free end of the member 36, it has been found that the plastic member may be formed to provide a slight inward taper in the direction of the free end of the member.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate construction of extension member 360 comprised of a bendable sheet material such as aluminum or other metal. A strip of such material may be folded or rolled over around its central longitudinal portion so that it is generally U-shaped in cross-section, with the edge or marginal portions of the strip coming together sufficiently to retain a control line within the loop thereby formed. It will be noted from FIG. 8 that this member has a substantially greater dimension in section in one direction than in the other. Thus, while this configuration member will have some give or bend in all directions, it has substantially greater stiffness or resistance to flexing in its longer cross-sectional direction than in the other or shorter cross-sectional direction. This member 36a would be oriented in the handle the same way as the plastic extension member 36. That is, the large dimension would be oriented transverse to the plane of the members while the smaller dimension would be aligned with that plane.

It was found that as the force required to impart flight motion to the toy aircraft was applied to the handle, the extension members 36 tended to rotate about their longitudinal axis about 90 and then bend excessively, causing considerable loss of ability to propel the aircraft.

It was also determined that as the tension in the con trol lines become unequal as in a full fly up or fly down position of the control handle, the control line with the higher tension would cause its extension mem ber to be deflected in the transverse direction a greater amount than the other extension member, resulting in an unbalanced twisting effect on the handle. This excessive deflection also aggravated the rotational problem described above in that member.

FIGS. 11 and 12 shown an interlock mechanism 37 which functions to limit the rotation of the extension members and retain them in the common vertical plane, while still permitting relative motion between the extension members. In particular, relative longitudinal movement between the extension members is required when the handle is rotated to impart control to the lines. The illustrated interlock means 37 comprises a pair of mounting blocks 58, one secured to each extension member 36 intermediate its ends, and generally opposite from one another. A pair of linking rods 60 are each pivotally connected at opposite ends to the respective blocks 58. The rods 60 are positioned on either side of the extension members 36, lying to either side of the common plane defined by the members. Thus, the blocks 58 and the rods 60 form a rectangular structure which resists and limits twisting of an extension member about its own axis or bending of a member out of the common plane. At the same time, each rod 60 may pivot about axes normal to the common plane to permit relative movement between the members. In particular, for example, as the upper end of the handle is tilted forward (toward the toy aircraft) as shown in broken line in FIG. 12, the upper extension member moves forward relative to the lower member.

Suitable means may be provided for controlling the rotational movement of the reel means 42 to take up the control lines 14 and to let them out as desired. In the illustrated device, the ends of the reel sections 48 are exposed and a crank 62 is provided on the outer face of one of the reel sections for manually turning the reel member 44 to take in the lines. For letting the lines out to thereby increase the length of the lines between the handle and the toy airplane during launching, the force on the line will be provided by the centrifugal force of the rotating aircraft. This force, which is in a generally radially outward direction, will tend to draw the lines outwardly and unreel them from the reel means. This outward unreeling may be controlled by having a portion of the reel member exposed so that it can be manually engaged by the fingers of the user as he grips the control handle to stop or control the rate of pay-out of th line.

Since there are times when the control lines 14 will not be exerting a steady outward pull on the reel means 42, such as when the plane is not in flight, it is desirable to provide frictional means to maintain a minimum amount of resistance against movement of the real means. Otherwise, if the lines unwind from the reel means while there is insufficient tension or pull on them, the lines can easily become snarled or twisted. Thus, a small washer type spring member (FIG. 2) may be provided in engagement with the reel member 44 so that a minimum amount of line pull is necessary to unwind the reel member.

The illustrated arrangement permits the user to launch the toy aircraft with one hand, to achieve a relatively large radius of flight, and to retain control while sustaining the flight of the aircraft.

More particularly, the extension members make it easier to launch the aircraft by positioning the aircraft initially a greater distance out away from the user than can be obtained merely using ones arm. This is very important for children since they have short arms and do not possess great skill in handling the aircraft. Further, it has been found there is a maximum radius of stable flight for each effective arm length (i.e., the length of the users arm plus the length of the extension if any). The maximum radius of stable flight is the maximum radius at which the aircraft can still be adequately controlled; when the aircraft begins to slow down when being flown at a larger radius, it gets behind the user, cannot be made to catch up, and the aircraft will then go quickly out of control and crash. For example, without any extension, for a user with about a 3 foot long arm, the maximum radius of flight would be about 10 feet. For the same user with a 2 foot extension, the maximum radius of flight is enlarged to about 20 feet. The reels permit the aircraft to be effectively launched with one hand: the user grips the control handle with one hand and the aircraft begins its circling flight at a position radially adjacent to the outer ends of the extension members; as it circles, centrifugal force tends to pull it radially outwardly; the same hand which holds the control handle also exerts frictional control over the unwinding of the lines from the reels to provide a controlled increase in the radius of flight to the desired final radius.

Thus, the control handle with resilient, interlocked, extension members acts on the control lines and the non-powered toy aircraft to effectively propel the aircraft in its circling orbit while at the same time providing quick response, high sensitivity, control of the flight of the aircraft. The structure is relatively simple and economical to produce and maintain, and may be used by even very young children without danger. FIG. 9 shows a modified extension member 36' having a circular cross section for low cost and simple production and assembly. I claim:

1. U-control handle for both controlling and imparting flight power to a non-powered toy aircraft through a pair of flexible lines, said handle comprising:

a grip portion,

a pair of elongated, flexible and resilient extension portions being connected to said grip portion and extending outwardly therefrom in a generally, converging relation to one another, said extension portions being disposed in a common reference plane, each of said extension portions being designed and constructed to retain a control line so as to limit lateral movement of the line while permitting free longitudinal movement of the line,

mechanical interlocking means connected between said extension portions to limit their ability to twist or to bend out of said common plane, while permitting them to move within said plane relative to one another, and

reel means around which the control lines are wound positioned on said handle, said reel means including means for selectively controlling operation of the reel means to effect increase or decrease in the length of the control lines between the control han- 5. The handle of claim 1 wherein each of said extension portions has a longitudinally extending central opening for receiving therein one of the control lines.

6. The handle of claim 1 in combination with a nonpowered toy aircraft and a pair of flexible control lines each connected at one end to said aircraft and at the other end to said handle.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said extension portions have substantially greater flexibility in said plane defined by said extension portions than transversely of said plane.

Claims

1. U-control handle for both controlling and imparting flight power to a non-powered toy aircraft through a pair of flexible lines, said handle comprising: a grip portion, a pair of elongated, flexible and resilient extension portions being connected to said grip portion and extending outwardly therefrom in a generally, converging relation to one another, said extension portions being disposed in a common reference plane, each of said extension portions being designed and constructed to retain a control line so as to limit lateral movement of the line while permitting free longitudinal movement of the line, mechanical interlocking means connected between said extension portions to limit their ability to twist or to bend out of said common plane, while permitting them to move within said plane relative to one another, and reel means around which the control lines are wound positioned on said handle, said reel means including means for selectively controlling operation of the reel means to effect increase or decrease in the length of the control lines between the control handle and the toy aircraft.

2. The handle of claim 1 wherein said extension portions have substantially greater flexibility in said common plane defined by said extension portions than transversely of said plane.

3. The handle of claim 2 wherein said extension portions each have a larger dimension in the direction generally normal to said plane than in the direction of said plane.

4. The handle of claim 3 wherein said extension portioNs each have a generally rectangular cross-section.

5. The handle of claim 1 wherein each of said extension portions has a longitudinally extending central opening for receiving therein one of the control lines.

6. The handle of claim 1 in combination with a non-powered toy aircraft and a pair of flexible control lines each connected at one end to said aircraft and at the other end to said handle.