Abstract:
The present invention provides an amusement device with a flying member launchable by a hand-held launcher. The launcher includes launching guide rod connected to a handle grip carrying a trigger mechanism with a catch hook. A coil spring is coaxially received on the guide rod. The flying member includes a generally tubular internal support frame, an exterior shell supported by said frame and a latch body connected to the shell for releasably connecting the flying member to the launcher. 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 releasably captures the latch body. When the trigger mechanism is actuated, the flying member is forced off the rod by the spring, taking flight. The connection of the latch body to the shell prevents the launching of the frame without the shell. The invention encompasses a method of making one embodiment of the flying member.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/694,616, filed Aug. 13, 1996 now abandoned. 
    
    
     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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of the amusement device with a flying member of the present invention, depicting the flying member and launcher. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art flying toy, particularly the trigger and latch ring thereof. 
     FIG. 3 depicts the trigger mechanism of the present invention, including the trigger clip and latch structure thereof. 
     FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the latch structure of the flying member of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a second embodiment of the flying member, wherein the flying member is in the shape of a helicopter with flexible rotor blades, particularly the latch structure thereof. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 9 is an elevational assembly view of the flying member of the present invention, including a second embodiment of the latch structure. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the latch structure of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded, largely representation view depicting one embodiment of the aircraft of the present invention, and a method of making or assembling it. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although in the preferred embodiment of the amusement device of the present invention, the flying member or aircraft of the invention is an airplane (of the jet-fighter type represented in the Figures), it could take the form of any flying member such as other airplanes (biplanes, airliners, transport planes, etc.), rockets, flying disks or saucers, spaceships and the like. 
     As used herein, the terms “latch” and “latch structure” are intended to encompass any of various devices, and component portions thereof, in which mating mechanical parts engage to temporarily and releaseably fasten. This includes, e.g., a receiving member for releaseably receiving a movable second member, wherein the receiving member has a feature (e.g., a rib. flange, notch or relieved area), usually complementary to at least a portion of the movable member, for receiving it. The terms are also intended to mean to join, couple, catch and/or hold. 
     With regard to means for fastening, mounting, attaching or connecting the components of the present invention to accomplish the invention as a whole, unless specifically described as otherwise, such means are intended to encompass conventional fasteners such as machine screws, rivets, nuts and bolts, toggles, pins, or the like. Other fastening or attachment means appropriate for connecting components include adhesives, welding (including chemical and sonic welding) and soldering, the latter particularly if the launcher includes any electro-mechanical features or if the flying member includes electrical features such as lights or sensors. Unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for making the components of the present invention are selected from appropriate materials such as various plastics (including styrenes), metal and metallic alloys, wood, vinyls, cellulose or paper products and the like. 
     In the following description, any references to right and left, top and bottom, upper and lower and horizontal and vertical are to be read and understood with their conventional meanings and with reference to viewing the present invention as depicted in FIG.  1 . 
     Referring now to the Figures, particularly FIG. 1, the amusement device  10  of the present invention comprises a flying member  12  and a launching component  14 . The launching component  14  is generally pistol-shaped and comprises a hand grip  16 , a barrel  18  and a trigger mechanism indicated generally at  20 . The trigger mechanism  20  is carried at the junction of the hand grip  16  and the barrel  18 , and includes a trigger  22  and a trigger clip  24  connected to the trigger  22  for movement therewith. The launching component  14  also includes an elongated cylindrical guide rod  26  coupled to the barrel  18  and extending therefrom. A coil spring  28  is received coaxially about the guide rod  26 . The spring  28  includes a fixed end (not shown, but suitably fixed in the barrel  18 ) and a free end generally adjacent to the free end  30  of the guide rod  26  when the spring  28  is relaxed or extended along the rod  26  as depicted in FIG.  1 . 
     The flying member  12  preferably exhibits the shape of a jet airplane. The member  12  includes a vacuum formed styrene fuselage  32  (the skin or exterior shell forming the generally central body portion of the flying member  12 ), wings  34 , a tail section, indicated generally at  36 , and a resiliently compressible rubber nose cone  38 . The flying member  12  has an internal generally tubular, elongated frame structure  42  (depicted largely in phantom) inside and extending generally for the length of the fuselage  32  from the tail section  36  to adjacent to the nose cone  38  housing a glue ring and an adjustable balancing flight weight  39  (see FIG.  9 ). Preferably, the frame  42  is formed of cardboard or pressed board. In the preferred embodiment, the frame  42  is a hollow cylindrical tube having two opposite open ends and a continuous cylindrical wall extending therebetween. The fuselage  32  is adhesively connected to the frame  42  and is supported thereby. The flying member  12  includes a latch structure, indicated generally at  40 , complementary and cooperative with respect to the trigger mechanism  20 , specifically the trigger clip  24 , for releaseably coupling the member  12  to the launching component  14 . 
     FIG. 2 depicts a portion of a prior art flying toy marketed by the assignee of the present invention, particularly the lock and release mechanism  46  thereof. The trigger arrangement depicted in FIG. 2 is substantially the same as the trigger mechanism  20  of the launching component  14  depicted in FIG. 1, and is, therefore, commonly numbered. A trigger clip  24  is present. The flying member  12  of the prior art flying toy is depicted only in part, a portion of its fuselage  32  being shown, along with a portion of its internal frame  42 . One difference between the prior art flying toy and the amusement device with a flying member of the present invention is that the prior art flying toy includes a launch ring  48  at the rear end of the frame  42 . The launch ring  48  is attached directly to the frame  42 , not to the fuselage  32  of the prior art flying member, and includes a plug portion  49  and an annular flange  50  for catching the trigger clip  24 . 
     In contrast to the prior art flying toy depicted in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 depicts the amusement device with a flying member of the present invention and, more particularly, its improved latch structure  40 . The latch structure  40  includes a generally elongated latch body  60  having one curved surface  61 , the upper surface (see FIGS. 4 and 5) generally conforming to the bottom portion of the fuselage  32  of the flying member  12 . At one end, the rearward end, the body  60  carries a distil flange portion  62 , including a relieved area  64 , for receiving the trigger clip  24 . Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the latch body  60  is designed to be aligned generally in parallel with the elongated central axis of the flying member  12 . FIGS. 4 and 5 also depict that the upper side of the latch body  60  generally conforms to the shape of the underside of the fuselage  32  and is connected to the fuselage  32  of the flying member  12  rather than directly to the internal support frame  42 . This connection between the latch structure  40  and the fuselage  32  may be accomplished by mechanical fasteners, sonic welding or suitable adhesives, including those adhesives which create or enable an elastomeric weldment as shown. The latch structure  40  may also be formed (e.g., molded or otherwise shaped) integrally with the fuselage  32 . An advantage of this arrangement, wherein the latch body  60  is connected directly to or integrated with the fuselage shell  32  of the flying member  12  rather than to the internal frame  42 , is that it makes it difficult to remove the fuselage  32  from the internal frame  42  and then launch or shoot the internal frame  42  alone using the launch mechanism  14 . In other words, in contrast to the prior art frame  42  and launch ring  48  (depicted in FIG.  2 ), the flying member  12  of the present invention, particularly the internal tubular frame  42  thereof, can not be caught by the trigger clip  24  without the fuselage  32  intact on the frame  42 . 
     FIGS. 6-8 depict another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the flying member  12  takes the shape of a helicopter fuselage  70  with a soft nose cone  71  and a pair of flexible rotor blades  72  which deploy or flare when the second embodiment is launched. The launching component  14  described herein above is used to launch the second embodiment. FIG. 6 depicts the latch structure  40  carried by the helicopter fuselage  70 , namely the latch body  60 . As in the first embodiment, the jet airplane configuration of the present invention (FIG.  1 ), the helicopter embodiment includes an internal frame  74  to which the helicopter fuselage  70  is attached. FIG. 7 depicts the direct adhesive connection of the latch body  60  to the helicopter fuselage  70 , rather than to the internal frame  74 . The distal end of the latch body  60 , with its trigger clip receiving notch  80 , is depicted in FIG. 8, as is the connection of the rotor blades  72  to the frame  74  at pegs  82 . 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 depict another embodiment of the latch structure  40  of the present invention, particularly the latch body  60 . Referring to FIG. 10, the latch body  60  of this embodiment is generally semi-cylindrical, with an upper curved surface  61  conforming generally to the underside of the fuselage  32 , a lower curved surface generally congruent with the upper surface, and at distal generally semi-annular ring flange  63 . Again, an objective of the present invention is to preclude the launching of either the internal frame  42  or the latch body  60  alone, i.e., with the fuselage  32  removed therefrom. This is accomplished as represented in FIG. 9, depicting the latch body  60  for connection or mounting on the outside of the fuselage  32  rather than to the internal frame  42 , shown in phantom inside the fuselage  32 . Note that the distal or rearward end of the frame  42  does not carry or exhibit an outstanding flange arrangement which might serve to catch the trigger clip  24  (see also FIG.  4 ). Also, with regard to the embodiment of the latch body  60  depicted in FIG. 10, the two ends  65 ,  67  of the semi-annular ring flange  63  are generally nonconvergent, i.e., the angular length of the flange  63  is generally  180 ° or less, so that the latch body  60  can not grip the guide rod  26 . 
     The frame  42  may be formed by web of internal struts; the spring  28  may be replaced by a spring driven mule/track launching system wherein a mule held and guided in a groove on the rod  26  is pushed in the direction of the handle, against a spring, then released to travel rapidly in the direction of the free end of the rod  26  carrying the flying member  12  with it. The spring  28  could be replaced by an stretchable elastomeric member. 
     FIG. 11 depicts another embodiment of the aircraft  12  of the present invention, and a method of making it. As described above, the frame  42  is an internal generally cylindrical, tubular support frame with a first end and a second end. A first exterior aircraft body portion  43  generally in the shape of an aircraft, i.e., in the shape of the top portion of the fuselage, the wings and tail is provided and positioned generally over the frame  42 , with the frame  42  generally aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the body portion  43  (i.e., of the aircraft). A second exterior aircraft body portion  45 , shaped generally like the underside or bottom portion of the fuselage of the aircraft and including a pair of side flanges  47  and a central frame accommodating channel  51 , is provided and the channel  51  is aligned with the frame  42 . A latch structure  40  is provided and mounted on the second body portion  45  near the rear end thereof. Suitable means, e.g., adhesive means, are the used to join the body portions  43 ,  45 , and/or the frame  42  and body portions  43 ,  45 , into a unitary piece, as well as to join the latch structure  40  to the second body portion  45 . When this embodiment of the aircraft  12  is finished, the frame  42  is substantially encapsulated by the body portions  43 ,  45 . The body portions  43 ,  45  may be formed of vacuformed styrene, and it should be appreciated that the second portion  45  and frame  42  could be glued to either side of the top of the portion  43  to form either the top or the underside of the fuselage of the aircraft  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 1, in use, the flying member or aircraft  12 , specifically the frame  42  thereof, is aligned coaxially with the guide rod  26  of the launcher  14 . The flying member  12  is pushed onto the guide rod  26  in the direction of the barrel  18  until the trigger clip  24  engages the latch body  60 . In this position, shown in FIG. 3, the flying member or aircraft  12  is ready to be launched into flight. The trigger  22  is pulled and the spring  28  extends, rapidly urging the aircraft  12  off the guide rod  26  and into flight. 
     Although a description of a preferred embodiment has been presented, various changes, including those mentioned above, could be made without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. It is desired, therefore, that reference be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.