Model airplane kit

Details Model airplane kit Model airplane kit

2000-03-15

2001-10-23

Ricci, John A. (Department: 3712)

Amusement devices: toys

Aerodynamically supported or retarded

Glider

C446S093000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06306004

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a model airplane and a kit and method for making the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a model airplane constructed from a polystyrene foam food tray and a kit and method for making the airplane.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Toy airplanes which fly through the air when thrown by hand are well known in the art. Among such toy airplanes designed to fly are model gliders constructed from balsa wood. U.S. Patents describing flying toy airplanes include U.S. Pat. No. 3,590,517 to Regehr; U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,541 to Miller; U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,454 to Stone; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,388,777 to Herman.
Plastic foam cutters employing a heated wire are also well known in the art. Such cutters are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,438 to Burkepile et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,856 to Gershon; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,017,487 to Priestly. Another foam cutter is described and claimed in my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,580 mentioned above which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Applicant is unaware of the prior use of polystyrene foam trays as a primary material for making a model airplane, nor of any kit or methodology for the construction thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The model airplane kit of the present invention includes components to build a well flying model airplane from food trays commonly used to display meat or produce or other food items in a grocery store and generally discarded afterwards.
As one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for making a model airplane. As a first step, an airplane wing template is removably secured to a preformed plastic foam molding. As a second step, the wing is cut from the foam molding cutting along an edge of the template. Preferably, a first template is used to cut a leading edge of the wing and a second template is used to cut a trailing edge of the wing. An airfoil is then sanded on the wing. Weights are attached to a nose of the wing. Optionally wheels are cut from the foam molding, attached to a wire and secured to the wings to form landing gear. The wing cutting step preferably includes the step of latching a cutting wire to a U-bend hook to complete an electrical circuit with a battery and heat the wire. The plastic foam molding preferably comprises a polystyrene 10-S food or meat tray commonly found in the grocery store. The wheels are preferably cut from the foam using a tubular die.
As another embodiment, the present invention provides a model airplane kit. The kit comprises a preformed plastic foam molding, an optional plastic foam cutter, a template for cutting a wing from the plastic foam molding, sandpaper for sanding an airfoil on the wing, one or more weights for weighting a nose of the wing, an optional die for cutting wheels from the foam sheet, and an optional wire for attaching the wheels to the wing and forming a landing gear for the model airplane. The kit preferably comprises a polystyrene foam molding in the form of a 10-S food or meat tray commonly found in the grocery store. The kit preferably includes a template for making a sanding block from residual foam sheet.
As yet a further embodiment, the present invention provides a model airplane made by the steps of: securing a wing template against a preformed plastic foam molding; cutting the wing from the foam molding; sanding an airfoil on the wing; attaching weights to a nose of the wing; and optionally making a landing gear for attachment to an underside of the wing by cutting wheels from the foam molding, attaching the wheels to a wire and securing the wire to the wings. The plastic foam molding preferably comprises a polystyrene 10-S food or meat tray commonly found in the grocery store. The wheels are preferably cut from the foam molding using a tubular die.
In another aspect, the invention provides a model airplane having a wing and symmetrical upturned winglets formed at either end of the wing. The wing has a swept back leading edge and an airfoil with a generally convex upper surface. The wing is symmetrical with respect to a centerline extending rearwardly from the nose at an apex of the leading edge. The winglets each have an upper reflex area having concavity in a horizontal plane and in a vertical plane at a right angle to the wing centerline. A leading portion of each winglet extends rearwardly from the leading edge of the wing with upper, inner and lower, outer surfaces parallel to the wing centerline. The upper, inner surfaces have concavity in said vertical plane. A trailing winglet portion curves inwardly and rearwardly from the leading winglet portion toward said centerline to define said reflex area. The wing preferably has a flat lower surface between the winglets and is sculpted from a 10-S polystyrene foam tray.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2347561 (1944-04-01), Howard et al.
patent: 2676431 (1954-04-01), Goldberg
patent: 2784524 (1957-03-01), Jackle
patent: 3017487 (1962-01-01), Priestly
patent: 3297856 (1967-01-01), Gershon
patent: 3590517 (1971-07-01), Regehr
patent: 3883092 (1975-05-01), Ditto
patent: 3895438 (1975-07-01), Burkepile et al.
patent: 4103454 (1978-08-01), Stone
patent: 4270301 (1981-06-01), Meek
patent: 4388777 (1983-06-01), Hermann et al.
patent: 4895541 (1990-01-01), Miller
patent: 5334068 (1994-08-01), Davis
patent: 5733164 (1998-03-01), Albrecht
patent: 5908341 (1999-06-01), Dasa
patent: 3039403 (1982-05-01), None

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