Abstract:
The human-powered, bird-like flying device of the present invention has wings which may rotate around the keel and legs that let the pilot control rotation of the wings, which is to make the wings flap. The present invention develops one of the more efficient methods of ascending, which is to increase the angle of attack by moving the control bar forward while shifting the pilot&#39;s weight to efficiently strike onto the legs that make the wings flap downward. The present invention is secure and stable in the air, particularly while ascending and descending. This is done by selecting the proper shape and sail area of the wings and by proper attachment of the arm, legs and the hang loop, which hold the pilot&#39;s body.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to flying devices, such as hang gliders, kites, paragliders, ornithopters, sailplanes, and various other flying devices. More specifically, this invention relates to a flying device, such as, but not limited to, one that is human powered, has bird like wings, and achieves ascent by flapping of the wings. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
         [0003]    The earliest attempt to build a flying device is described in the Ancient Greek story about Daedalus and Icarus (1500 BC). Icarus was able to glide and soar in the beginning of his flight, but we do not have any evidence that he flapped the wings. Two problems are associated with Icarus&#39; device. First, is the construction of the wings, i.e., the joints of the components itself and their relationship to Icarus&#39; body. When Icarus soared up for some time, the joints melted since the glue was made out of wax. The second, and most important problem, is that Icarus would not be able to flap the wings. Indeed, the proportion of the power of human hands to the body&#39;s weight is many times less than the proportion of the power of the birds&#39; wings to their weight. Bird may flap their wings. However, humans cannot flap the artificial wings using their hand muscles. This problem has been encountered by other inventors of wings many times for the next three and half millenniums after Icarus. 
         [0004]    The second milestone that influence our creative thinking for building the human-powered bird-like-wings is Leonardo da Vinci&#39;s flying device (circa 1485). da Vinci&#39;s flying device resembles the modern hang gliders and ornithopter, a winged-flapping device intended to fly. However, this device would be difficult to reduce into practice because of the lack of the light and durable metals for building this device. This does not even take into consideration the ability to fly and the stability of the device. A model that da Vinci built for a test flight in 1496 did not fly. 
         [0005]    In 1948 Rogallo patented the flying device “Flexible Kite” (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,116,406 and 4,116,407), which provides a kite which is simple to fly and graceful in flight. It is simple and economically constructed. However, such hang gliders are dependent on air updrafts to maintain them airborne. Otherwise, the device is inevitably descends to earth. These devices can glide and soar, but lack the most important element of flying, the ability to ascend by flapping the wings. Many other inventors of the prior art claim that their devices may flap, but there is no evidence that these devices are able to fly; that is to glide, to soar, and to flap the wings for ascent, as well as to be stable and secure in the air. In sum, we see the following historic problems of the prior art; there is no device that sustains stability and equilibrium in the air while flapping the wings and there is no reliable method of flapping the wings for ascension. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The human-powered, bird-like-wing flying device (a/k/a KROUNK) of the present invention overcomes the problems associated with prior art. The present invention does that by the following: KROUNK has wings which may rotate around the keel and it has legs that let the pilot control rotation of the wings, which is to make the wings flap. The present invention develops one of the more efficient methods of ascending, which is to increase the angle of attack by moving the control bar forward while shifting the pilot&#39;s weight to efficiently strike onto the legs that make the wings flap downward. The present invention is secure and stable in the air, particularly while ascending and descending. This is done by selecting the proper shape and the area of the wings and by proper attachment of the arm, legs and the hang loop, which holds the pilot&#39;s body. 
         [0007]    It is a goal of the present invention to illustrate the following: (1) how to construct a human-powered, bird-like flying device that has two wings able to flap; (2) a method of use of this device; (3) a means of manufacturing the device, and (4) a superior method of flying which includes, but is not limited to, a superior method of ascending. 
         [0008]    Further, it is another goal of the present invention to illustrate the methodologies that may be used in order to flap the wing for ascension in a variety of flying devices. 
         [0009]    The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the present invention illustrating the components that make up the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of the keel, the arm, and the hang loop of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is perspective view of the leading edges, as well as the keel, arm, and the hang loop of the present invention when placed in use. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    Overview: In  FIG. 1 , flying device  10  has wings or sails  20 ,  22 , arm  30 , legs  40 , a pilot  50 , a hang loop  60 , and a keel  70 . Both right wing  20  and left wing  22  are capable of rotating several degrees around keel  70 . Legs  40  and  42  are securely attached to right wing  20  and left wing  22 . Pilot  50  is hanging on keel  70  by hang loop  60 . The pilot&#39;s hands may push inward and outward, left and right on arm  30  and their feet on legs  40  and  42  to push them straight down, down-left, down-right, down-inward, or down-outward. 
         [0017]    In  FIG. 2 , flying device  10  has a right wing  20 , which has a right leading edge (RLE)  24 , which is attached to keel  70 . Also, flying device  10  has left wing  22 , which has a left leading edge (LLE)  26 , which is attached to keel  70 . Hang loop  60  and arm  30  are securely attached to keel  70 . 
         [0018]    RLE  24  and LLE  26  are metal tubes. Alternatively, they may be a rod or other similar forms. RLE  24  and LLE  26  run along the front edge of the left wing  22  and right wing  20  to keep them taut. Legs  40  and  42  may pull RLE  24  and LLE  26  down, which make RLE  24  and LLE  26  rotate to some degree around keel  70 . Pilot  50  may push the legs down and the wings flap down. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates how hang loop  60  and arm  30  are attached to keel  70 . It also illustrates that when hang loop  60  moves toward the nose of flying device  10 , the speed of the device is increased. When hang loop  60  moves toward the tail, the speed of the device is decreased. When hang loop  60  moves to the right, flying device  10  moves to the right TR. When hang loop  60  moves to the left, the device  10  turns to the left TL. 
         [0020]    The intention of these figures is to illustrate a preferred methodology of making the flying device  10  with pilot  50  moving up, left, right, increasing the speed forward, or decreasing the speed. The unique means for ascending is the use of the components of flying device  10 , such as wings  20  and  22 , arm  30  and legs  40  and  42 . In alternative embodiments, any number of combination of wing shapes, arm, and legs and their elements may be used, all of which would be considered under the scope of the present invention. 
         [0021]    Arm: In  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , keel  70  is a light metal tube attached longitudinally to the intersection of wings  20  and  22 . Keel  70  supports RLE  24  and LLE  26  and allows RLE  24  and LLE  26  rotate to some degree around keel  70 . Hang loop  60  is attached to keel  70  and suspends pilot  50 . Arm  30  is attached to keel  70  near hang loop  60  and allows pilot  50  shift his or her weight to the right, left, forward, and backward. Arm  30  connects to wires (not shown) to prevent wings  20  and  22  from folding upward when in flight. Arm  30  also serves to transmit the pilot&#39;s control of wings  20  and  22  to the left, right, backward, and forward. 
         [0022]    Legs: In  FIG. 4 , legs  40  and  42  are attached to RLE  24  and LLE  26  and allow pilot  50  to shift their weight from keel  70  to RLE  24  and LLE  26  and vice versa. Legs  40  and  42  also serve to transmit the pilot&#39;s control of wings  20  and  22  by moving them up or down and making them rotate to some degree around keel  70 . Hang loop  60  serves to hang the pilot dynamically on the center of gravity of flying device  10 . 
         [0023]    Wings: Wings  20  and  22  form a surface that is acted upon by aerodynamic forces to keep flying device  10  aloft. They are able to respond to pilot  50  who exercises control by the shifting of the pilot&#39;s body weight from keel  70  to legs  40  and  42 . Wings  20  and  22  may be moved around keel  70 ; thus, efficiently exercising flap and creating additional lift allowing flying device  10  with pilot  50  to move upward. 
         [0024]    Method of Manufacture: In  FIG. 2 , RLE  24 , LLE  26 , and keel  70  are made of a light metal, wood, foam, or other durable material, including but not limited to, an aluminum alloy. The Legs  40  and  42  are made of flexible ropes, including but not limited to, stainless steel wires or synthetic nylon ropes. Left wing  20 , right wing  22 , and keel  70  are attached together at one end in such a way that left wing  20  and right wing  22  may rotate around keel  70 . Wings  20  and  22  are made of a durable fabric, including but not limited to, nylon or polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron®). The sail area of wings  20  and  22  has to be determined according to the pilot weight. It may range, but is not limited to, from between approximately 80 sq. ft. to 250 sq. ft. Hang loop  60  is attached to keel  70  at the point where the center of applying forces (the sum of the weight of the pilot and the device) and the center of lift. Arm  30  are attached to keel  70  a slight distance behind hang loop  60  to allow pilot  50  to move arm  30  and thus may move hang loop  60  and himself to exercise the control over flying device  10 . Legs  40  and  42  are attached to some part of the middle of left wing  20  and right wing  22 . A variety of means may be used for attaching above mentioned components, including but not limited to above mentioned means. 
         [0025]    Method of Use: Pilot  50  exercises control by shifting body weight in opposition to arm  30 . That is, wings  20  and  22  are controlled by changing their pitch and roll by means of shifting their center of applied forces. This is done by suspending the payload in the center by applying weights beneath wings  20  and  22  and moving pilot  50  left or right or forward or aft. When the center of applied weight of the pilot&#39;s body shifts toward the nose, the angle of attack of flying device  10  is decreased and, consequently, the speed of the device  10  is increased. When the body weight of pilot  50  shifts toward the tail, the angle of attack of flying device  10  is increased, and consequently, the speed of device  10  is decreased. When the body weight of pilot  50  shifts left, device  10  turns left. When the pilot&#39;s body shifts right, device  10  turns right. When the pilot&#39;s body weight shifts from hang loop  60  to legs  40  and  42 , wings  20  and  22  are rotated down around keel  70 . When pilot  50  releases the body weight pressure from legs  40  and  42  back to hang loop  60 , wings  20  and  22  are rotated up around keel  70 . When the pilot  50  pushes legs  40  and  42  straight-down, down-left, down-right, down-inward, or down-outward, the angle of attack or roll changes, and the direction of flight is changed accordingly. 
         [0026]    Method of Flying [locomotion]: There are several aerial locomotion maneuvers, including but not limited to, gliding flight, soaring, and flying proper. Gliding flight is defined as falling at less than 45 degrees from the horizon. Soaring is essentially a form of gliding wherein the device is rising or otherwise moving air without flapping the wings. When pilot  50  hangs on hang loop  60  and does not shift their weight onto legs  40  and  42 , wings  20  and  22  are not rotating around the keel  70 ; that is, they do not flap and flying device  10  is gliding or soaring. However, flying proper is defined as the flapping of wings to produce thrust ascending without the aid of the motion of the wind itself, as opposed to gliding and soaring. When wings  20  and  22  flap, as opposed to gliding or soaring, they develop some lift as before due to the shape of wings  20  and  22  that produce aerodynamic force which lifts flying device  10 . Wings  20  and  22  change the angle of attack between the up-stroke and the down-stroke. When pilot  50  shifts their weight at a certain speed from hang loop  60  to legs  40  and  42 ; that is, making the wings  20  and  22  down-stroke, pilot  50  also moves arm  30  forward, increasing the angle of attack, or pushing legs  40  and  42  down and forward without pushing arm  30 . This combination of moves makes flying device  10  move upward and forward. 
       ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    In  FIG. 5 , flying device  110  works in much the same manner as flying device  10  in  FIG. 1 . Flying device  110  has wings  120  and  122 , arm  130 , legs  140  and  142 , pilot  150 , hang loop  160 , and keel  170 . Both the right wing  120  and left wing  122  may either rotate to some degree around keel  170 , or may be fixed together without the ability to rotate around keel  170 . Legs  140  and  142  are securely attached to right wing  120  and left wing  122 . Pilot  150  hangs on keel  170  by hang loop  160 . The hands of pilot  150  may push arm  130  inward and outward, left and right, and their feet may be positioned on legs  140  and  142  to push them down. 
         [0028]    Method of Flying [locomotion] of the First Embodiment: There is an important difference in locomotion when right wing  120 , left wing  122  and keel  170  are fixed together. When pilot  150  pushes down on leg  140 , right wing  120  flaps down, and left wing  122  flaps up. When pilot  150  pushes down on leg  142 , left wing  122  flaps down, and right wing  120  flaps up. While pushing legs  140  or  142  up and/or down, pilot  150  pushes and/or pulls arm  130 ; thus changing the angle of attack. The entire flying device is rotating around an imaginary axis in propeller-like rotation. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 6 , flying device  210  works in much the same manner as flying device  10  in  FIG. 2 . However, flying device  210  does not have arm. However, the angle of attack and rolling may be controlled by pushing legs  240  and  242  down-forward, or down-backward, or down-left, or down-right. The performance of this variant of the flying device  210  is substantially the same: even though it does not have arm. 
         [0030]    The spirit of the present invention provides a breadth of scope that includes all methods of the human-powered bird-like flying device, element of another flying device. The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.