A toy comprising a rotor (20), an actuator mechanism (33), and a launch device (41), wherein the rotor comprises an actuator mechanism (33), and wherein the one toy building element comprises a launch device (41) in the form of a cavity, wherein the cavity is configured for receiving the actuator mechanism (33), and wherein the actuator means (50) can be inserted into a through-going slit opening (42) to cooperate with the actuator mechanism to the effect that a momentum can be transferred from the actuator means (50) to the rotor (20), whereby the rotor can be rotated and launched from the launch device, and wherein the toy comprises at least two toy building elements, of which the one toy building element (40) comprises the launch device (41), and wherein the toy building element (40) is provided with one or more of first types of coupling means (43) and the second toy building element is provided with one or more of second types of coupling means that are geometrically configured complementarily relative to the first type of coupling means, whereby the first and second types of coupling means can be interconnected to form a spatial structure comprising the launch device (41).

A toy comprising a rotor (20), an actuator mechanism (33), and a launch device (41), wherein the rotor comprises an actuator mechanism (33), and wherein the one toy building element comprises a launch device (41) in the form of a cavity, wherein the cavity is configured for receiving the actuator mechanism (33), and wherein the actuator means (50) can be inserted into a through-going slit opening (42) to cooperate with the actuator mechanism to the effect that a momentum can be transferred from the actuator means (50) to the rotor (20), whereby the rotor can be rotated and launched from the launch device, and wherein the toy comprises at least two toy building elements, of which the one toy building element (40) comprises the launch device (41), and wherein the toy building element (40) is provided with one or more of first types of coupling means (43) and the second toy building element is provided with one or more of second types of coupling means that are geometrically configured complementarily relative to the first type of coupling means, whereby the first and second types of coupling means can be interconnected to form a spatial structure comprising the launch device (41).

A throwing and/or catching toy includes a generally elongated spheroidal body defining a longitudinal axis. A length of the body is longer than an equatorial diameter. A lift-generating wing is non-movably attached to the body near and/or at a center of the wing. At least one finger hold extension extends from a distal end of either a left or right wing portion. The finger hold extension is configured to allow a user to throw the toy in a discus-launched manner and the body is configured to be caught by the user. The lift-generating wing may be made as an injection molded, polymer wing. A manual adjuster may be associated with and controlling the shape of a horizontal stabilizer. A front end of the elongated body may be a resilient foam having a Shore A durometer hardness equal to or less than 25.

A throwing and/or catching toy includes a generally elongated spheroidal body defining a longitudinal axis. A length of the body is longer than an equatorial diameter. A lift-generating wing is non-movably attached to the body near and/or at a center of the wing. At least one finger hold extension extends from a distal end of either a left or right wing portion. The finger hold extension is configured to allow a user to throw the toy in a discus-launched manner and the body is configured to be caught by the user. The lift-generating wing may be made as an injection molded, polymer wing. A manual adjuster may be associated with and controlling the shape of a horizontal stabilizer. A front end of the elongated body may be a resilient foam having a Shore A durometer hardness equal to or less than 25.

A toy system having a folding kite projectile and a launcher that launches the kite projectile into flight. The kite projectile is launched in a folded configuration. Once in flight, the kite projectile expands into an open configuration. The kite is biased into its open configuration by an internal spring bias. The kite projectile is manually manipulated into its folded configuration prior to launching. The transformation of the kite projectile its folded configuration to its open configuration is delayed by an internal deployment control that opposes the spring bias and delays movement of kite projectile components that expand after launch. In this manner, the kite projectile cn fly in its folded condition for a period before it opens. This maximizes the distance the kite projectile travels by the force of the launcher.

A throwing or catching toy includes a generally elongated spheroidal body defined as having a longitudinal axis, where a length of the body along the longitudinal axis between a front end to a back end of the body is longer than an equatorial diameter. A support is attached to the body and extends beyond the back end of the body and does not extend beyond the front end of the body. A lift-generating wing is non-movably attached to the support. A push surface is disposed near the back end of the body, where the push surface is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A horizontal stabilizer is attached to the support and disposed behind the lift-generating wing. An impact transfer surface is attached directly to the support, where the impact transfer surface is disposed within the body and fixed between the front end of the body and the support.

A throwing or catching toy includes a generally elongated spheroidal body defined as having a longitudinal axis, where a length of the body along the longitudinal axis between a front end to a back end of the body is longer than an equatorial diameter. A support is attached to the body and extends beyond the back end of the body and does not extend beyond the front end of the body. A lift-generating wing is non-movably attached to the support. A push surface is disposed near the back end of the body, where the push surface is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A horizontal stabilizer is attached to the support and disposed behind the lift-generating wing. An impact transfer surface is attached directly to the support, where the impact transfer surface is disposed within the body and fixed between the front end of the body and the support.

A hand gesture controlled flying toy can utilize one or more infrared sensors and/or pressure sensors to determine how a user is interacting with the flying toy and conduct aerial maneuvers based on those interactions. The flying toy may be configured to ascend when lateral infrared sensors detect reflections of infrared light in multiple lateral directions. The flying toy may be configured to ascend when a pressure sensor detects a pressure increase from below the flying toy. The flying toy may be configured to conduct a roll responsive to an upward infrared sensor and a lateral infrared sensor detecting reflections of infrared light. The roll may be oriented at least partially based on which lateral infrared sensor detected a reflection.

A hand gesture controlled flying toy can utilize one or more infrared sensors and/or pressure sensors to determine how a user is interacting with the flying toy and conduct aerial maneuvers based on those interactions. The flying toy may be configured to ascend when lateral infrared sensors detect reflections of infrared light in multiple lateral directions. The flying toy may be configured to ascend when a pressure sensor detects a pressure increase from below the flying toy. The flying toy may be configured to conduct a roll responsive to an upward infrared sensor and a lateral infrared sensor detecting reflections of infrared light. The roll may be oriented at least partially based on which lateral infrared sensor detected a reflection.

Systems, devices and methods for model rocketry are provided. According to some aspects, new forms of model rocket nose cones, other model rocket components, and methods for their use, are provided. A new form of reversibly-divisible nose cone is provided, including a plurality of housing sections forming an interior payload section and, in some embodiments, including a locking mechanism(s) configured to hold the plurality of housing sections together during the initial phases of flight. In some embodiments, such a locking mechanism is unlocked, and the housing sections are separated, at least in part, in an ejection phase of model rocket flight. In some embodiments, such a locking mechanism is unlocked, at least in part, by increased air resistance and tension from shock cord(s) of a model rocket. Shock cord mounting arms are provided, including eyelet(s), mounted at an angle to a trailing surface of the nose cone.