U.S. patent application number 10/839441 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for toy aircraft.
Invention is credited to Erickson, Adam G., Erickson, Alexander J., Erickson, Randall T..
Application Number | 20050014439 10/839441 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34068002 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050014439 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Erickson, Adam G. ; et
al. |
January 20, 2005 |
Toy aircraft
Abstract
A toy glider aircraft is assembled using a recycled beverage
container. Portions of a box containing a plurality of the beverage
containers can include airplane parts such as wings and a vertical
stabilizer. Other parts for the toy glider can be fit to the glider
using the beverage container neck threads. The bottle can be formed
to resemble an aircraft fuselage.
Inventors: |
Erickson, Adam G.; (Wheaton,
IL) ; Erickson, Alexander J.; (Wheaton, IL) ;
Erickson, Randall T.; (Wheaton, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE LAW OFFICE OF RANDALL T. ERICKSON, P.C.
425 WEST WESLEY STREET, SUITE 1
WHEATON
IL
60187
US
|
Family ID: |
34068002 |
Appl. No.: |
10/839441 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60467916 |
May 5, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 27/001
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/061 |
International
Class: |
A63H 027/00 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A toy gliding aircraft, comprising: a beverage container; and a
pair of wings attached to the beverage container.
2. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 1, further
comprising a vertical stabilizer attached to the container and
extending upward from a surface of said container.
3. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said
container comprises a neck and further comprising a nose cone
section having a tapered profile, attached to said neck to close
said container.
4. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said
container includes attachment formations on an outside thereof for
mounting said wings.
5. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said
container includes formations thereon simulating the fuselage of an
aircraft.
6. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 1, comprising a
closure for screw mounting to said neck, a propeller and a
self-contained motive drive carried by said closure, and said
propeller mounted rotatably to said closure, said motive drive
connected to said container by being screwed onto said neck by
threads formed on an inside of said closure and threads formed on
an outside of said neck.
7. The toy aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said motive drive
comprises a support extending from said closure inside said
container and a rubber band connected to said propeller and to an
end of said support.
8. The toy aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said container is
pre-formed to include a radially extending stabilizer.
9. The toy aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said container is
pre-formed to include a radially extending cockpit section.
10. The toy aircraft according to claim 1, further comprising a
whistle component attached to said container.
11. A toy kit comprising: a package comprising at least one wall;
at least one beverage container contained by said package; and said
wall having designated thereon at least one wing for attachment to
said beverage container.
12. The toy kit according to claim 11, wherein said at least one
wall comprises at least two parallel walls, and each wall has
designated thereon one wing for attachment to said beverage
container.
13. The toy kit according to claim 11, wherein said package
contains at least four beverage containers.
14. A method of assembling a toy gliding aircraft comprising the
steps of: providing a beverage container filled with a beverage;
consuming said beverage from said container; providing wing
components attached to or attachable to said container; and
deploying or attaching said wing components to extend from opposite
sides of said container.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said step of
providing a beverage container is further characterized in that the
beverage container is contained within a package and wherein said
step of providing wing components is further characterized in that
said wing components are carried by said package.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said step of
providing wing components is further characterized in that said
wing components are secured in rolled configuration onto said
container and are deployed by un securing and unrolling said wing
components.
17. A toy gliding aircraft, comprising: a plastic bottle having a
neck; and a cap closing said neck, said bottle aerodynamically
shaped to first function as a beverage container and when empty
function as a toy glider.
18. The toy aircraft according to claim 17, comprising detachable
wings.
19. The toy aircraft according to claim 18, comprising a detachable
vertical stabilizer.
20. The toy aircraft according to claim 18, comprising detachable
horizontal stabilizers.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 60/467,916 filed May 5, 2003.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to toys and in particular to
toy aircraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known to provide toy airplanes or toy gliders that
comprise a lightweight balsa wood frame and polymer, lightweight
wings. Such toy gliders are typically propelled into flight by a
thrust from movement of a person's arm. It is also known to provide
such gliders with a rubber band driven propeller for driving the
gliders through the air.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a glider or toy aircraft that
utilizes as a fuselage a recycled beverage container. Particularly,
a plastic beverage container, such as a soft drink plastic bottle,
is used. Cardboard, balsa wood, polymer, or other material wings
and a vertical stabilizer are attached to the beverage container to
configure the beverage container like an aircraft. The beverage
container, having a thin wall and being lightweight has surprising
aerodynamic capabilities when wings and vertical stabilizer are
added.
[0005] As a further refinement of the invention, the plastic
container can carry a rubber band driven propeller assembly, or
other type motive drive, which can be quickly mounted to the
container using the threaded neck of the container. As an alternate
to a rubber band drive, a fluid motor drive or a battery motor
drive can be fit into the container using the threaded neck of the
container.
[0006] As a further refinement of the aircraft, a nose cone can be
screwed onto the threaded neck of the container to further simulate
an airplane and to increase the aerodynamic capabilities of the
aircraft.
[0007] As a further refinement of the invention, a whistle device
can be formed into the nose cone. The whistle device is configured
such that travel of the aircraft through the air causes flow of air
through the whistling device to cause a whistling sound.
[0008] As a further refinement, the container can be pre-formed to
simulate the coloring or contour of a real life aircraft. The
container, for example, can have a preformed cockpit dome or
windows or can have the overall tapered shape of an aircraft.
[0009] As a further refinement, the container can be packaged for
sale in a box or package that includes integrated aircraft
components for attachment to one or more of the beverage
containers. The airplane components can be, for example, punch-out
portions of the box panels.
[0010] Alternately, the bottle could be a completely assembled,
aerodynamically shaped glider that first functions as a beverage
container and when empty functions as a toy glider.
[0011] Numerous other advantages and features of the present
invention will be become readily apparent from the following
detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof,
from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a toy aircraft according to
the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the aircraft of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary alternate right side view of the
aircraft of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment
nose cone section of the aircraft of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken generally along line 4A-4A
of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternate aircraft of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an aircraft of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging arrangement of
beverage containers, the packaging including airplane
components
[0020] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment
aircraft of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a right side view of the alternate embodiment
aircraft of FIG. 8;
[0022] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of another alternate
embodiment aircraft of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a right side view of the alternate embodiment
aircraft of FIG. 10; and
[0024] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the alternate embodiment aircraft
of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be
described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments
illustrated.
[0026] A toy aircraft, such as an airplane 30, of the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 1. The airplane 30 comprises a plastic beverage
container 34 and add-on components. The add-on components include
wings 38, 40 (40 shown in FIG. 2), an engine section 44, a vertical
stabilizer 48, a cockpit section 52, and a nose cone 56. The
cockpit section 52 and the engine section 44 are substantially
decorative, particularly arranged to simulate actual aircraft
components. The beverage container 34 is advantageously a soft
drink plastic bottle having a cylindrical section 58, and an
elongated tapered transition section 60 and a neck 61.
[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the preferred
dimensions of the cylindrical section 58 are is about 4 inches long
and 2.75 inches in diameter. The preferred dimensions of the
tapered section are 3.25 inches long and 2.75 inches in large
diameter and 1 inch in small diameter. The plastic bottle can be a
lightweight, thin walled commercially available bottle, such as
that sold to package SUNKIST.RTM. soft drinks. This particular
bottle has a volume of about 20 fl. oz. (592 ml), and weighs about
1.1 ounces empty without its cap. Other commercially available
bottles could also work
[0028] The wings and vertical stabilizer of the first embodiment
each have substantially the same shape, and have a dimension "a" of
about 3.75 inches and a dimension "b" about 4.75 inches. The wings
and vertical stabilizer are approximate right triangles with a
curved hypotenuse.
[0029] The wings and vertical stabilizer can be composed of
plastic, cardboard, wood, foam material, or any other material that
is relatively strong and lightweight to be useful on a glider.
[0030] The add-on components are preferably shaped and sized to add
to the aerodynamics of the airplane. The above dimensions for the
wings and vertical stabilizer are for the first prototype and
should not be considered to be optimized dimensions. Further
testing may ascertain better dimensions.
[0031] The components can also be shaped and sized such that the
airplane resembles any known, popular or historic aircraft. Thus,
the components can be shaped for example, to resemble World War II
airplanes, or the U.S. space shuttle, comic book hero aircraft, a
U.S. stealth fighter jet, etc.
[0032] The nose cone 56 is shape to provide an aerodynamic profile.
It preferably has inside threads that allow the nose cone to be
screwed onto the neck 61 of the bottle 34. The cockpit 52 can
include a clear plastic dome(s) mounted on a support plate that is
mounted to the container.
[0033] The wings and vertical stabilizer can be mounted in a
variety of ways. According to FIG. 1, the wings and vertical
stabilizer are connected by folded adhesive tape elements 76, 78
adhered on opposite faces of the wings and vertical stabilizer,
extending over the edges adjacent to the bottle 34. The tape
elements 76, 78 can be applied to the wings and vertical stabilizer
and cover paper can be removed from the adhesive tape elements to
expose the adhesive to be pressed to the container. Alternately,
the elements 76, 78 could be plastic pieces that are adhesively
secured to the wings and vertical stabilizer and then adhesively
secured to the container.
[0034] According to FIGS. 3, the wings and vertical stabilizer are
mounted by being tightly fit between parallel ribs 82, 84 formed on
an outside of the container, that form a groove 85 therebetween.
Adhesive can be applied between the ribs 82, 84 to secure the
component to the bottle, or the groove 85 can be sized for the
component to be a snap fit therein.
[0035] Alternately, the wings and/or the vertical stabilizer could
be pre-fastened to a sleeve that fits over the bottle 34 and is
held in place by friction or adhesive.
[0036] Alternately, the wings and/or vertical stabilizer could be
pre-attached at base ends to the bottle 34 and rolled tightly
around the perimeter of the bottle and secured for shipping and
sale wherein the customer can thereafter deploy the wings and/or
vertical stabilizer by un-securing the wings or vertical stabilizer
and unrolling same from the bottle. The rolled wings preferably
have a material memory that allows them to be rolled out
substantially straight or otherwise at an aerodynamic profile. The
wings and/or vertical stabilizer can be secured with one or more
rubber bands or one or more pieces of tape.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate nose cone 102 having a nose
cone portion 106 having internal threads 108 screwed onto a
container 34 (shown in phantom). A cockpit section 110 is unitary
with the nose cone portion 106. The cockpit section 110 includes a
clear dome 114 and a frustoconical skirt portion 112 which is sized
to be slightly elevated from a top surface 113 of the container,
forming a gap 115 on an end thereof. A whistle hole 16 through the
skirt portion 112 is in communication with a space 118 between the
skirt portion 112 and the top surface 113. During travel through
the air, air passes through the whistle hole 16, through the space
118 and out of the gap 115 causing a whistling sound. The skirt
portion can be contoured and/or elements, such as a reed element,
can be added to the whistle hole 116 or space 118 to enhance or
amplify the whistle sound.
[0038] Other known configurations for applying a toy projectile air
whistle are encompassed by the invention.
[0039] The nose cones described herein can be composed of plastic,
rubber, foam material, or other material.
[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a further refinement of the invention
wherein motive components can be quickly added to the aircraft
described herein. A motive component 150 is connected to a threaded
closure 154 which is threaded to the container 34. The motive
component can fit inside the container, substantially out of sight.
A propeller 152 is driven by a member 154 which penetrates the
closure and is engaged to the motive component 150.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates the motive component 150 being a rubber
band assembly. A rubber band 160 is connected to the member 154,
extends to the end of a rigid support such as a cylinder 162,
wherein it is connected at an end 166 of the support. Winding of
the propeller repetitively twists the rubber band 160. Releasing
the propeller allows the rubber band to spin the propeller to cause
movement of the airplane in flight.
[0042] Alternately, the component 150 could be a motor and battery
assembly or a fluid motor such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,006,517 or 4,329,806 herein incorporated by reference.
[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates a packaging arrangement wherein beverage
containers 34 are packaged in a box 200 having cut out or punch out
portions of the box serve as add-on components to complete the toy
aircraft such as the wings 38, 40 and vertical stabilizer 48. A
cone section 204 can be provided to be rolled into a cone and
secured over the neck, in lieu of a screwed-on cone section.
Alternately, parts to assemble the toy aircraft can be packaged
separately within the box, or the box can provide punch out
patterns from which component parts can be made from other raw
materials.
[0044] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment wherein the
container 34' itself is pre-contoured during manufacture thereof to
resemble part of an aircraft, such as the fuselage a vintage or
modern jet fighter, or other aircraft such as the space shuttle. In
this regard the cock pit 52' and the vertical stabilizer 48' could
be formed as part of the hollow container and hold beverage. The
nose cone 106' could be the actual beverage containing cap screwed
onto the bottle neck 61'. Alternatively, the vertical stabilizer
48' and/or the cockpit 52' could be a separate panel or element
attached as described herein for previous embodiments.
[0045] As also shown in FIGS. 8-12, the bottle 34' can have an
aerodynamic shaping wherein the diameter D2 at a rear of the bottle
is less than a diameter D1 in a central region.
[0046] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a variation to the embodiment
described above, in that horizontal stabilizers 302, 304 are
attached to a rear portion of the bottle using ribs 82, 84 as
described above. Alternately, the horizontal stabilizers 302, 304
could be attached in alternate fashion or formed with the bottle,
as described herein. The horizontal stabilizers 302, 304 can also
be provided packaged with, or as part of the box as shown in FIG.
7.
[0047] As a further advantage, demonstrated in FIG. 12, advertising
or other message labels 310 can be applied to the aircraft parts,
such as to the wings 38, 40 and/or the stabilizers 302, 304,
48.
[0048] Alternatively to the above described embodiments, the bottle
34' could be a completely assembled, aerodynamically shaped glider
toy that first functions as a beverage container and when empty
functions as a toy glider.
[0049] As further refinements of the invention, the bottles
described above could be surface treated to allow the consumer to
apply stickers or to paint the bottle to resemble real aircraft. As
a further refinement of the invention, the bottles within a
package, or within different packages, could be different
collectible aircraft. As a further refinement of the invention, the
aerodynamic components such as the nose cone, wings and/or vertical
stabilizer could be sold at the beverage supply outlet on display
next to the beverage display, or sold in hobby shops or retail
stores.
[0050] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
variations and modifications may be effected without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that
no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated
herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course,
intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as
fall within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *