Amusement devices: toys – Aerodynamically supported or retarded
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-18
2001-09-04
Ackun, Jr., Jacob K. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Aerodynamically supported or retarded
C446S061000, C446S086000, C446S087000, C244S15300R, C244S15500A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283816
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, generally, to kites and methods for making kites. More particularly, it relates to miniature kites suitable for use both indoors and outdoors and to methods that facilitate the making of such miniature kites.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Kites and construction techniques for making them are of course well known but there are a number of problems with such construction methods when the size of the kite is reduced to approximately the size of an index card.
A very small kite has utility as a novelty item because, unlike a full-size kite, it can be flown indoors. Those who have office jobs cannot enjoy full size kites during working hours. However, a miniature kite can be tethered to a small portable fan, or other source of blowing air, and enjoyed even by office workers. A gaily-colored miniature kite with long flowing tails in flight is just as much fin to watch indoors as is a full-sized kite when flown outdoors. Accordingly, a miniature kite flying in an office has great stress-reducing qualities, and provides an aesthetically pleasing, mobile display that enlivens a sterile office or cubicle environment.
The construction of a small, very light-in-weight kite, however, is somewhat problematic. For example, it is hard to attach the kite string to the kite in the correct location, especially when there is a requirement that many of such kites be assembled quickly. A nimble-fingered worker can do the job quite well, but it is difficult to maintain the same consistent quality of work throughout the workday.
What is needed, then, is a means for facilitating miniature kite manufacturing. The needed means should produce miniature kites of consistently high quality, should make the assembler's job easy, and should lower the level of skill required to perform the assembly task. Moreover, the quantity of kites that could be manufactured per hour should be high so that the cost of each kite to the consumer could be low.
There is also a need for a miniature kite that is aerodynamically designed so that it may also be flown outdoors like a full-size kite.
However, at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the kite-making art how these needs could be fulfilled, how such miniature kite could be constructed and how the difficulties inherent in miniature kite making could be overcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objects of this invention are achieved by a new, useful and nonobvious invention. The novel method for making the miniature kite of this invention includes the steps of forming from tissue paper a kite body of predetermined configuration, forming from tissue paper a flap member of predetermined configuration, making a frame that maintains the preselected configuration of the kite body by securing at least a first elongate support member to a first side of the kite body and at least a second elongate support member to the first side of the kite body, and securing an elongate tail means to a trailing end of a preselected side of said kite body.
An elongate string is first coiled about a dowel pin, and a short predetermined length of the string is then uncoiled from the dowel pin. The free end of the uncoiled length of string is then adhered to the flap member. An elongate base of the flap member is then secured to a second side of the kite body in substantial registration with the longitudinal axis of the kite body. The flap member is then folded along its base so that the main body of the flap member is positioned at a substantially right angle to the kite body, and the miniature kite is ready to fly.
In a second embodiment, a kite body of predetermined configuration is formed of tissue paper as in the first embodiment, at least a first and a second elongate support member is secured to a first side of the kite body to form a frame that maintains the preselected shape of the kite body. An elongate tail means is then secured to a trailing end of a preselected side of the kite body, all as in the first embodiment.
An elongate string is coiled about a dowel pin and a predetermined length of the string is uncoiled from the dowel pin.
A pair of upstanding posts are mounted in laterally spaced apart relation to one another. A taut loop is formed around the posts by wrapping the uncoiled length of string around the posts and a knot is tied therein to maintain the taut loop around the posts. The knot is positioned about midway between the posts.
A template having substantially the same shape and size as the kite body is provided. A closed end slot is formed in the template coincident with a longitudinal axis of the template such that first and second ends of the closed end slot are spaced apart from leading and trailing ends of the kite body, respectively, by a predetermined distance. A first notch is formed in a first preselected side of the template near a leading end thereof. The first notch extends at its deepest point to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the template. The deepest point of the first notch is positioned between the first end of the closed end slot and a leading end of the template. A second notch is also formed in the first preselected side of the template near a trailing end thereof. The second notch extends at its deepest point to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the template. The deepest point of the second notch is positioned between the second end of the closed end slot and a trailing end of the template.
The loop is removed from the posts by inserting the first preselected side of the template through the loop, and positioning opposite ends of the loop in the first and second notches, respectively. The loop has a top section disposed on a first side of the template and a bottom section disposed on a second side of the template. The template is positioned atop the kite body in alignment therewith so that the bottom section of the loop is disposed in overlying relation to the kite body. A top section of the loop is then pulled in a direction away from the slot formed in the template and the bottom section of the loop is secured to the kite body by applying an adhesive to the bottom section and the kite body at first and second points at opposite ends of the closed end slot. The first and second points being predetermined by the length of the closed end slot and by the registration of the template to the kite body. The template is then removed from the kite body and the kite is ready for use.
It is therefore understood that a primary object of this invention is to provide fast and efficient means for making miniature kites of consistently high quality.
A closely related object is to lower the skill level required for miniature kite assembly so that they can be economically produced.
Another important object is to make a miniature kite from very lightweight materials so that it can fly in very low air movement conditions.
These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this description proceeds.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
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Ackun Jr. Jacob K.
Cegielnik Urszula M
Smith Ronald E.
Smith & Hopen , P.A.
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