Amusement devices: toys – Aerodynamically supported or retarded – Glider
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-12
2001-01-30
Ackun, Jacob K. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Aerodynamically supported or retarded
Glider
C446S063000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179680
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to toys, games and amusement devices. More particularly, it relates to a toy or amusement device comprising a first part adapted for flight and improved for safety purposes. The invention includes a second part for launching the first part.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Human beings, particularly children, are fascinated by motion, especially flight. There are a myriad of toys and amusement devices adapted to fly. Examples include flying disks, model airplanes, balls, projectiles and other objects designed to be thrown from person to person, or by a person at a target or other receiving structure. The popularity of model airplanes, ranging from simple balsa-wood gliders to radio-controlled, gas or electric powered scale replicas of actual airplanes, manifests our interest in flight.
While some toys and amusement devices adapted, either in whole or part, for flying through the air are launched or thrown by hand, mechanical or electromechanical launching devices are used as well. In some instances, such as in the field of model rocketry, chemical launching means may be used.
One example of a flying toy or amusement device with a flying member is a glider toy, the TEK FIGHTER™, marketed by the assignee of the present invention. The toy includes a separate hand-held, pistol-like launcher and a flyer designed to look like a jet airplane. In use, the glider or flying part of the toy is loaded on the launcher by inserting a launching rod carried by the launcher into the frame of the glider, compressing a coil spring associated with the launcher. When the spring is fully pushed back, an integral flange carried by the frame of the glider engages a trigger clip. To launch the glider, the hand launcher is preferably pointed into the wind (and away from people or animals), and the launching trigger is pulled, removing the clip from engagement with the flange. The coil spring urges the glider rapidly off the rod and it takes flight, performing various aerial maneuvers including climbs, rolls and level long range flight. The glider is equipped with a compressible soft nose cone to reduce landing impact and enhance safe use.
The flying toy described in the preceding paragraph has achieved success in the marketplace, but, as with any launchable projectile toy, it would be desirable to optimize safety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an additional safety feature for an amusement device with a flying member. The amusement device includes the flying member and a launcher for propelling the flying member into flight. The safety feature of the present invention is associated with the flying member, more specifically, with the release able interconnection between the member and the launcher.
The launcher includes launching guide rod connected to a handle grip carrying a trigger mechanism with a trigger clip. A coil spring is coaxially received on the guide rod and anchored at one end to the handle.
The flying member of the present invention includes a generally tubular internal support frame, an exterior shell supported by said frame and a latch structure for releaseably coupling or connecting the member to the launcher. The latch structure has a latch body generally conforming to the shape of a portion of the body shell and a distal end provided with a notch or a semi-annular flange. In use, the frame of the member and the guide rod are aligned coaxially, and the flying member is pushed onto the rod, compressing the spring, until the catch hook of the launcher releaseably captures the notch. When the trigger mechanism is actuated, the flying member is strongly urged off the rod by the spring, taking flight. In one embodiment, the shell has the shape of an fighter jet. The latch structure of the present invention is designed to prevent the launching of the frame without the shell, i.e., if the shell is removed from the frame, the launcher will be unable to launch the flying member.
In one embodiment the present invention comprises an amusement device comprising a launcher comprising a pistol grip handle carrying a trigger mechanism, an elongated launching rod extending from the pistol grip handle, the rod having a free end, and a coil launching spring with a free end and a second end connected to the pistol grip handle, said spring positioned around the launching rod and having a compressed charged position and a discharged position wherein the respective free ends of the rod and spring are generally adjacent to each other, and an aircraft having such mass and air foil construction that when launched by the launcher it will glide as a true aircraft and comprising an internal generally tubular support frame with a first end and a second end, an exterior body shell in the shape of an aircraft, said shell mounted on and generally surrounding said support frame, said exterior body shell having a generally tubular fuselage portion having a first end, a second end and a length extending between said ends, said fuselage portion extending substantially coextensively with the support frame whereby the respective first and second ends of the support frame and the shell are generally aligned, and a latch structure for releaseably receiving a portion of the trigger mechanism for releaseably coupling the aircraft to the launcher, said latch structure comprising a body having a first end and a second end wherein the second ends of the latch structure, support frame and shell are generally aligned, the latch structure including an exposed surface generally congruent to the shell, said exposed surface including an area adjacent to the second end for releaseably receiving a portion of the trigger mechanism and releaseably connecting the aircraft to the launcher, said latch structure permanently connected to the shell, whereby if the shell is removed from the support frame, the launcher is unable to launch either of the aircraft and support frame.
The present invention encompasses one embodiment for making an embodiment of the aircraft comprising the steps of providing the generally cylindrical, tubular support frame, a first exterior aircraft body portion and a second exterior aircraft body portion, connecting the first and second aircraft body portions whereby the support frame is substantially encapsulated by the body portions, and mounting the latch structure on the second aircraft body portion for releaseably receiving a portion of the launcher, whereby if the support frame is removed from the body portions, the launcher is unable to launch either the aircraft or the support frame. In one embodiment, the first body portion is generally planar and aircraft shaped including the upper or top portion of an aircraft body, the wings and tail, and the second body portion is shaped like the bottom or underside of the fuselage of the aircraft. Preferably, the latch structure is permanently mounted on the second body portion. The aircraft thus made may be used with the launcher described above.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a safety feature for an amusement device with a flying member.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a safety feature for an amusement device with a flying member, wherein the flying member is launched by a launcher, the safety feature being associated with the flying member and designed to make it difficult to launch the flying member, or a portion thereof, if the flying member is disassembled.
An advantage of the present invention is that the level of safety associated with a product which has achieved success in the marketplace is enhanced without significantly changing the cosmetic appearance and appeal of the product.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the drawings, the description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1473419 (1923-11-01), Cudlipp
patent: 1541579 (1925-06-01), Kikta
patent: 2976644 (1961-03-01), Crisci
patent: 3
Benson, Jr. Marcellus Rambo
Hornsby Russell
Keefe, III James August
Kitchell Richard Craig
McGowan Joseph Lee
Ackun Jacob K.
Carlson Jeffrey D.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Trendmasters Inc.
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