AERODYNAMICALLY GLIDING BALL

Abstract

An aerodynamic flying toy ball apparatus comprised of a plurality of semi-rigid uniformly shaped semicircular fins joined along, and equiangularly arranged radially around a longitudinal axis, balanced for aerodynamic gliding flight to create a stable 3-D ball shaped glider capable of gliding and maneuvering (climbing, turning and looping) as a gliding airplane. The apparatus resembles a ball and can roll on the ground. The apparatus can be made from a variety of lightweight materials.

Claims

1. A light weight throwable winged ball apparatus; the apparatus comprising: a spherically-shaped ball-like toy glider comprised of a plurality of semi-circular fins equiangularly spaced and extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis and configured to achieve aerodynamic gliding flight.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of semi-circular fins include a dimensioned fin structure to provide a stable glide path during flight.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the dimensioned fin structure is comprised of a material having a higher density than a density of the semi-circular fins

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of semi-circular fins is configured to be adjusted to provide a trim control.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a length of the longitudinal axis is further defined as a uniform diameter of the plurality of semi-circular fins.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a center of gravity located between th and th of a diameter forward of a midpoint of the axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a weighted front portion to provide a stable gliding path during flight.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of semi-circular fins is further defined as at least three.

9. A throwable paper-based winged ball apparatus; the apparatus comprising: a spherically-shaped toy member including: a longitudinal axis extending between a front and a back of the apparatus and configured to releasably secure a plurality uniformly configured semi-circular fins; and a plurality of semi-circular fins having an affixed and dimensioned stability fin.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a center a gravity located approximated 0.5-0.6 inches forward of a midpoint of the longitudinal axis which is 3 inches in length.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is comprised of a semi-rigid paper material having a uniform thickness between 70-80 grams per square meter.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of semi-circular fins is configured to be manually curved in a vertical and a horizontal position to provide a trim adjustment.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a weighted front portion to provide a stable gliding path during flight.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of semi-circular fins is further defined as at least three.

15. A throwable paper-based winged ball apparatus; the apparatus comprising: a spherically-shaped toy member including: a longitudinal axis extending between a front and a back of the apparatus and configured to releasably secure a plurality of outwardly protruding and uniform semi-circular fins; and a plurality of semi-circular fins having an affixed and dimensioned stability fin equiangularly spaced to each other and extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis to achieve aerodynamic gliding flight.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein center a gravity is located between 0.5-0.6 inches forward of a midpoint of the longitudinal axis which is 3 inches in length.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprised of a semi-rigid and resilient material having a uniform thickness between 70-80 grams per square meter.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further including a weighted frontal region to provide a stable gliding path during flight.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an aerodynamically gliding ball;

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a further view of the apparatus including the CG and direction of flight;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an additional layer of fin material at the front end;

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment including a hole removed from a portion of a fin; and

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment with a hole removed from the front portion of the fin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Any reference to invention within this document is a reference to an embodiment of a family of inventions, with no single embodiment including features that are necessarily included in all embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, although there may be references to advantages provided by some embodiments, other embodiments may not include those same advantages, or may include different advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to any of the claims.

[0017] Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the aerodynamically gliding ball. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0018] As used herein, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.

[0019] Specific quantities, dimensions, spatial characteristics, compositional characteristics and performance characteristics may be used explicitly or implicitly herein, but such specific quantities are presented as examples only and are approximate values unless otherwise indicated. Discussions and depictions pertaining to these, if present, are presented as examples only and do not limit the applicability of other characteristics, unless otherwise indicated.

[0020] The apparatus described illustrates a spherical aerodynamically gliding ball which is a heavier than air winged ball toy apparatus comprised of a plurality of identically shaped semi-circular fins intersecting at longitudinal axis which extends from the front to the back of the apparatus. The apparatus may be grasped with a thumb and one or more fingers on a fin to be launched in a manner similar to throwing a profile balsa glider or paper airplane by its keel or wing, or cupped in the hand front side forward and thrown like a ball.

[0021] The invention is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numbers represent like parts throughout the several views. Turning now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present aerodynamic toy apparatus 10 is depicted. In this embodiment, the apparatus 10 has a substantially spherical 3-D form and includes a plurality semi-circular shaped fins 14 equiangularly spaced about the longitudinal centerline axis (i.e., core) 16 having an axial length 17 of 3 inches defined by the diameter of each semicircular fin 14.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment, the leading edge 23 includes approximately a 0.03-inch uniform thickness (1% of longitudinal axis length) which has been demonstrated to be thin enough to enable stable flight and support impact force from the ground while landing and rolling.

[0023] It is further contemplated the semicircular fins of the apparatus 10 is comprised of a light-weight rigid paper material with a density defined between 70-80 Grams per Square Meter (GSM) with all added parts consisting of 200 GSM cardstock. The light weight paper and cardstock includes a high strength-to-thickness ratio to maintain its semi-rigid design. However, any sufficient rigid or semi-rigid material such as cardstock, balsa wood, foam, plastic, or composite material may be used as long as it provides a high enough stiffness to weight ratio and can be kept thin and stiff to minimize drag and optimize flight performance and stability.

[0024] Shown in FIG. 2 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment wherein the center of gravity 22 is longitudinally positioned forward of the mid-point of the axis 24 a distance between th and th of the length of the longitudinal axis 24 to provide stability during flight.

[0025] It is further contemplated that the material thickness and durometer of each of the semi-circular shaped fins 14 be pre-selected based on routine use, impact, and desired roll characteristics without comprising the structural integrity of the apparatus. The apparatus 10 is configured to roll any direction at high speed, or end over end at low speed till it comes to rest, typically with the front end 18 oriented and in contact with at least a portion of the ground surface.

[0026] During use, the apparatus 10 is thrown into the air like a balsa glider or paper airplane while gripped by a thumb and finger(s) on one of the plurality of semi-circular fins 14, or cupped like a ball with the front pointed forward and thrown. The flight trajectory is determined by the fin trim setting, launch speed, bank angle, climb or dive angle and wind,

[0027] Alternative embodiments such as those illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 include cut holes in semi-circular shaped fins 14 to enhance to enhance lift. As illustrated, the cut holes are to be centered farther slightly aft of the center of the apparatus 10 to ensure a balanced and stable flight.

[0028] Another alternative embodiment, which may be combined with the above embodiment, extends each fin span wise (away from the longitudinal axis centerline) by replacing the semicircular edge with an elliptical edge with an elliptical edge with its minor (shorter) diameter along the longitudinal axis identical to the original semicircle diameter, and its major diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis increased such when the apparatus rests on level ground on 2 adjacent fin edges with its longitudinal axis level, the center of the longitudinal axis height above the ground equals half the minor diameter, such as the apparatus rolls along fin edges, the center of the its longitudinal axis remains a constant distance above the ground. By combining this with the above alternative embodiment with holes in the fins that permit balancing the apparatus at the center of the longitudinal axis, the apparatus will not tend to stop rolling end over end at a certain attitude to minimize potential energy, thus enabling it to roll far on a smooth level surface much like a round ball.

[0029] An alternative embodiment includes the bending or curving of the fins as is done on a paper or balsa glider, to act as flight controls or trim tabs to regulate pitch, roll and yaw for gliding or maneuvering as is done with existing airplane art.

[0030] Another alternative embodiment balances the craft with nearly neutral stability such it tends to glide with flat surfaces (i.e., no up elevator) which permits a stable glide with plurality semi-circular shaped fins 14 in a nearly vertical position and perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline axis 16.

[0031] Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

[0032] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiments are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the following claims.