WO1998003240A1

WO1998003240A1 - Flying toy

Info

Publication number: WO1998003240A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000456
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kurt Daniel James Harrison; Richard Bart Shadforth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-07-17
Filing date: 1997-07-17
Publication date: 1998-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 1999-01-17
Also published as: AUPO109496A0

Abstract

A flying toy (10) has a body (15) having a fore-and-aft centre line and an aerodynamic surface (24, 26) on each side of the centre line but no aerodynamically functional surface able to control or counter yawing. A first control line (14) is connected to the body (15) forward of its centre of gravity and a second control line (16) is connected to the body (15) rearward of the centre of gravity. The other ends of the control lines (14, 16) are secured to a handle (18) which is moved by a user to generate sufficient force to keep the body (15) airborn with manipulation of the control lines (14, 16) affecting the interaction of the yaw/pitch/roll coupling and centrifugal and gravitational forces on the body (15) to cause the body (15) to execute flying manoeuvres.

Description

FLYING TOY FIELD QF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flying toy. In particular, the present invention relates to a motorless model aeroplane toy in which the aeroplane is able to fly in a substantially circular path under the control of a user manipulating a plurality of control lines to the aeroplane, the user being able to affect the interaction of the yaw/pitch/roll coupling and centrifugal and gravitational forces on the aeroplane to cause the aeroplane to execute various flying manoeuvres. BACKGROUND ART

Flying model aeroplane toys may be classified as being either radio controlled or line controlled. Although radio controlled model aeroplane toys are the most popular, they are also the most expensive and technically problematic. Line controlled model aeroplane toys have maintained some popularity mainly due to their simplicity of operation. There are two main kinds of line controlled model aeroplanes, these being either motor driven or motorless model aeroplanes. While the motor provides the necessary thrust in motor driven model aeroplanes, motorless model aeroplanes rely upon the user to manually swing the line in a circular motion so as to generate the necessary centrifugal force on the aeroplane to elevate it an appropriate altitude for flying in a substantially circular path around the user.

With concerns about excessive noise in parklands and other open recreational spaces becoming more predominant, the noisy motor driven model aeroplanes are facing an increasing number of noise related complaints. Motorless model aeroplanes, on the other hand, are silent, and also offer the user a greater opportunity for exercise because of the physical movement needed to generate the necessary centrifugal force to fly the aeroplane. A line controlled, motorless model aeroplane toy is known that is controlled by whip action as exerted through a flexible "fishing rod" type handle. The whip action is necessary to provide the thrust for the aeroplane's flight. However, the whip action will not in itself ensure that such thrust is controllable unless the aeroplane has a tail or similar vertical aerodynamic surfaces. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a motorless model aeroplane toy that does not require a vertical tail or similar vertical aerodynamic surface to control the flight characteristics of the aeroplane.

It is another object of the invention to provide a motorless model aeroplane toy that may be operated by a user manipulating at least two control lines connected across the centre of gravity of the aeroplane. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a flying toy comprising:- a body having a fore-and-aft centre line and an aerodynamic surface on each side of the centre line but not having an aerodynamically functional surface adapted to control or counter yawing, first and second control lines connected at respective first ends thereof to the body, the first control line being connected forward of the centre of gravity of the body, and the second control line being connected rearward of the centre of gravity of the body, and a handle to which the respective second ends of the first and second control lines are connected at space apart locations on the handle, the said handle adapted to be gripped by a user, the arrangement being such that the body may be flown in a substantially circular path by a user swinging the control lines in a circular motion so as to generate sufficient force to keep the body airborn, whereby manipulation by the user of the control lines will affect the interaction of the yaw/pitch/roll coupling and centrifugal and gravitational forces on the body to cause the body to execute desired flying manoeuvres. Preferably, the body has wings and a substantially transverse tail. Preferably, the body is a motorless model aeroplane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a flying toy according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the position of the handle for the user relative to the aeroplane allows the aeroplane to assume a stable elevation for flying, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the flying toy of Fig. 1 in which the position of the handle relative to the aeroplane causes the aeroplane to bank toward the user and ascend, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the flying toy of Fig. 1 in which the position of the handle relative to the aeroplane causes the aeroplane to bank away from the user and descend, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a flying toy according to a second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a flying toy according to a third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 is a front view of an operator flying the toy of Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of an operator using the toy of Fig. 1 . BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The flying toy 10 shown in Figs. 1 , 2 and 3 consists of a motorless model aeroplane 1 2, a first control line 14, a second control line 1 6, and a handle 1 8 for a user. The model aeroplane 1 2 has a body 1 5, aerodynamic surfaces in the form of aerofoils or wings 24 and 26 and a substantially transverse aerodynamic tail 22 but no aerodynamically functional rudder or tail plane. The control lines 1 4, 1 6 are connected to opposite ends of the handle 1 8 and are connected to the aeroplane 1 2 across the centre of gravity 20 of the aeroplane 1 2. In this instance, the control line 14 is connected to the aeroplane body 1 5 forward of the centre of gravity 20 and the control line 16 is connected to the near wing 26 rearward of the centre of gravity 20. The model aeroplane 1 2 may be flown in a substantially circular path by the user swinging the control lines 14, 1 6 in a circular motion (see Figs. 6 and 7).

The aeroplane 1 2 will be maintained in an elevated position when a sufficient centrifugal force is generated from the swinging action. The user is able to manipulate the control lines 14, 1 6 to affect the interaction of the yaw/pitch/roll coupling and centrifugal and gravitational forces on the aeroplane 1 2 to cause the aeroplane 1 2 to execute desired flying manoeuvres. Preferably, the swinging action of the control lines 14, 16 is achieved by the user using both hands at separate times to carry out a smooth, rhythmical movement of the handle 18 similar to the movement practiced in the art of tai chi. This action can involve a co-operation of the body and mind in the form of mental concentration and physical co- ordination, which will provide a benefit to the health and fitness of the user and allow the user to fly the model aeroplane 1 2 for protracted periods while maintaining his or her balance as they do not necessarily have to spin around.

The aeroplane 1 2 may be caused to execute desired flying or aerobatic manoeuvres by the user manipulating the control lines 14, 1 6 in combination with the user's swinging action which imparts centrifugal force on the aeroplane and with the wind conditions. The manipulation of the control lines is achieved by subtle movement of the handle 1 8. The handle 1 8 can be held in a horizontal plane, vertically or at any desired angle.

When the aeroplane 1 2 is being flown in a substantially circular path around the user, the elevation of the aeroplane 1 2 is kept constant by gripping the handle 1 8 in the position shown in Fig. 1 relative to the aeroplane, whereby the axis of the handle 1 8 is more or less parallel to the fore-and-aft axis of the aeroplane 1 2. In that position, the tension on both the first control line 1 4 and second control line 1 6 is substantially equal so that the wings 24, 26 of the aeroplane 1 2 are square to the airflow and the lift generated across each wing 24, 26 is substantially equal. In this condition, the effect of the centrifugal and gravitational forces is defined as being neutral. The axis of the handle 1 8 need not be parallel to the fore- and-aft axis of the aeroplane 1 2 so long as the fore-and-aft axis of the aeroplane 1 2 approximately marks out the tangent of the arc followed by the aeroplane 1 2.

If the tension on the second or rear control line 1 6 is relaxed, such as by moving the handle 1 8 in the position shown in Fig. 2 relative to the aeroplane, the aeroplane 1 2 will yaw or sideslip at the rear control line 1 6. The direction of airflow over the wings 24, 26 will change, increasing lift on the far wing 24 and decreasing lift on the near wing 26, so as to cause the aeroplane 1 2 to roll and bank towards the user. The presence of the rear control line 16 attached to the near wing

26, however, will tend to retard the decrease in lift of the near wing 26, and the increased gravitational force now acting through the rear of the aeroplane 1 2 will cause an increase in lift at the centre of gravity 20 of the aeroplane 1 2 so that the aeroplane 1 2 ascends in addition to banking. If the tension on the first or front control line 14 is relaxed, such as by moving the handle 1 8 in the position shown in Fig. 3 relative to the aeroplane, the aeroplane will yaw in the opposite direction and roll away from the user. The increase in lift in the near wing 26 will be retarded by the control line 1 6 and the increased gravitational force now acting through the front of the aeroplane 1 2 will cause a decrease in lift at the centre of gravity 20 of the aeroplane 1 2 so that the aeroplane will descend.

The embodiments of Figs. 4 and 5 merely indicate variations in body configuration with the same numerals being used as used with the embodiment of Fig. 1 . The tail plane 22 of each of these embodiments has a vertical portion 22a and a substantially horizontal portion 22b but no aerodynamically functional tail plane or rudder.

The yaw/pitch/roll coupling referred to above is the conventional operational parameters of flying. In this invention, yaw is introduced into the movement of the body by the action of the operator pulling on the control lines as described above. Pitch then comes into play as the tail drops under the force of gravity and roll is the consequence of yaw and pitch.

The absence of a functional vertical tail plane on the body means that the toy itself cannot correct yawing. The closer the control lines are to the centre line of the body, the greater the tendency of the body to roll.

The aerodynamic surface on each side of the centre line may be continuous as shown in Fig. 5 or may be a rotor in the case of a helicopter or an autogyro. The centre of gravity may be on or off the centre line of the body and the body may or may not be symmetrical about the centre line. The attachment point of each control line to the body may be selected as desired as long as one control line is forward of the centre of gravity and one is aft of the centre of gravity. The control lines may be of different lengths. Various modifications may be made in details of design and construction without departing from the scope or ambit of the invention. For instance, the aerodynamic manoeuvrability of the aerodynamic body will depend on variables such as its size, mass, the position of its centre of gravity, its aerofoil shape and the like, in combination with the particular location of the control lines.

The body may also take the form of a bird or other animal, helicopters, autogyros, canard-type craft, space craft or any other object having a body that is able to be flown in the manner of the present invention.

Claims

1 . A flying toy comprising:- a body having a fore-and-aft centre line and an aerodynamic surface on each side of the centre line but not having an aerodynamically functional surface adapted to control or counter yawing, first and second control lines connected at respective first ends thereof to the body, the first control line being connected forward of the centre of gravity of the body, and the second control line being connected rearward of the centre of gravity of the body, and a handle to which the respective second ends of the first and second control lines are connected at space apart locations on the handle, the said handle adapted to be gripped by a user, the arrangement being such that the body is flown in a substantially circular path by a user swinging the control lines in a circular motion so as to generate sufficient force to keep the body airborn, whereby manipulation by the user of the control lines will affect the interaction of the yaw/pitch/roll coupling and centrifugal and gravitational forces on the body to cause the body to execute desired flying manoeuvres.

2. A flying toy according to claim 1 wherein the body is symmetrical about its fore-and-aft centre line.

3. A flying toy according to claim 2 wherein the centre of gravity is on the fore-and-aft centre line of the body.

4, A flying toy according to claim 2 wherein the centre of gravity is not on the centre line of the body.

5. A flying toy according to claim 1 wherein each aerodynamic surface is a wing or part of a wing of the body.

6. A flying toy according to claim 5 wherein the aerodynamic surfaces are continuous.

7. A flying toy according to claim 1 wherein one of the control lines is secured to the body on the centre line and the other is not on the centre line.

8. A flying toy according to claim 1 wherein the control lines are secured to the body on the centre line.

9. A flying toy according to claim 1 wherein the control lines are secured to the body at points which are not on the centre line of the body.

10. A flying toy according to claim 8 wherein one control line is on one side of the centre line of the body and the other control line is on the other side of the centre line of the body.

1 1 . A flying toy according to claim 1 and including additional control line(s).