Patent Publication Number: US-8992280-B2

Title: Flying toy figure

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of United States utility patent application Ser. No. 13/869,644, filed on Apr. 24, 2013, which claims priority to United States provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/649,893, filed on May 21, 2012, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of remote controlled flying toys, and more particularly, to a control and steering system for flying toy figures. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Past flying toy figures are driven by a single propeller, or by two propellers in fixed relation to the body of the figure. As a result, these flying toys can be difficult to control and maneuver during flight. With this loss of control, these toys often fly out of the range of the radio controller, causing the toy to crash. 
     The present invention seeks to overcome these problems by providing a steering and propulsion system that is retained in flexible relation to the main body of the flying toy figure, thereby enhancing control and performance of the figure during flight. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The flying toy figure comprises a head flexibly connected to a body, a propulsion system, and a control system. The body comprises one or more wing members and one or more side members. Various embodiments of the body include the combination of top wings, bottom wings, intermediate wings, and lateral wings that are joined together to form the body of the flying toy figure. The head of the figure is connected to the body by a flexible support member. For example, the flexible support member could be a wire or resilient plastic member attaching the body to the head. 
     The propulsion system generally comprises two or more propulsion units. In most embodiments of the propulsion system, each propulsion unit is an electric motor that drives a propeller. At least two propulsion units are attached to opposite ends of a steering bar. The steering bar is securely attached to the head such that the head and steering bar move as a single unit. The control system, comprises a receiver, a power source such as a battery, a circuit board, and other electronic components and wiring necessary to create electrical connectivity between the receiver, the power source, and the electrical motors that drive the propellers. 
     During flight operation, the propulsion units are independently driven to promote a greater degree of steering and control by the user. The user uses a wireless control device to send a signal to the receiver of the control system to allocate more power to one of the two propulsion units, thereby creating greater thrust on one side of the body, which forces the flying toy figure to turn to in the opposite direction. Since the head and steering bar unit is attached to the body by a flexible support member, the thrust differential between the propulsion units causes the head to move in a yawing motion relative to the body. 
     In a common embodiment of the flying toy figure, the control system is mounted to the head, moving weight to the head portion of the flying toy figure. During the yawing motion, the center of gravity of the head moves to the right or left of the longitudinal axis of the figure, thereby causing the figure to bank while turning. The banking motion promotes greater control and maneuverability of the figure during flight. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the remote controlled flying toy figure. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the remote controlled flying toy figure. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of one embodiment of the flying toy figure. 
         FIG. 4  shows the cutout patter for the five-piece body of one embodiment of the remote controlled flying toy figure. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing the support member and the left side of the head of the flying toy figure. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial view of the flying toy figure showing one embodiment of the flexible support member. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the connection between the flexible support member and the body of the flying toy figure. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the steering bar yawing in one direction in relation to the body of the flying toy figure. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of one embodiment of the flying toy figure wherein the top wing is partially cut away to reveal the servo connectivity for the flying toy figure. 
         FIG. 10  shows one embodiment of a wireless control device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described with regard for the best mode and the preferred embodiment. In general, the device is a remote controlled, flying toy figure having a head, a body in the shape of a recognizable figure, a propulsion system, and a control system. The embodiments disclosed herein are meant for illustration and not limitation of the invention. An ordinary practitioner will understand that it is possible to create many variations of the following embodiments without undue experimentation. 
     The flying toy  figure 99  is generally controlled by a wireless control device  5  having a transmitter to transmit an electronic signal to the control system  53  of the flying toy  figure 99 . The control system  99  controls the propulsion system  50  on the flying toy  figure 99  to produce a gliding form of flight, as discussed below. As used herein, the terms “right,” “left,” “forward,” “rearward,” “top,” “bottom,” and similar directional terms refer to orientations when facing the direction of flight of the toy figure. The term “horizontal” means a plane generally parallel to the ground or other surface above which the flying toy  figure 99  is flying. The term “vertical” means the direction generally perpendicular to the ground or other surface above which the flying toy  figure 99  is flying. The term “electronic signal” means any wireless electromagnetic signal transmitted from the wireless control device  5  to the control system  53  for controlling the flying toy  figure 99 . In the most common embodiment, the electronic signal is a radio frequency signal typical for radio controlled (RC) toys. The term “longitudinal axis” of the flying toy figure refers to the axis about which the figure rolls. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the flying toy  figure 99  comprises a head  15 , a steering bar  51 , a body  10 , a propulsion system  50 , and a control system  53 . The flying toy  figure 99  preferably takes the form of a recognizable shape, such as the general form of a super hero, a human, an animal, an automobile, or the like. For the purposes of this discussion, and by way of example and not limitation, the flying toy  figure 99  will be discussed herein as taking the generalized form of a human. 
     The head  15  is generally the nose of the flying toy  figure 99 , and the head  15  can take on many shapes. In one exemplary embodiment, the head  15  is a conical member or shaped in the form of an air foil, depending on the aerodynamic effect desired to be produced. In another embodiment, the head  15  is a flat panel, which serves as a rudder-type member at a forward position of the flying toy  figure 99 , as discussed below. In this embodiment, the head  15  is oriented vertically with respect to the body  10 , which is generally oriented in a plane horizontal to the ground. The steering bar  51  is securely attached to the head  15  such that the head  15  and steering bar  51  move as a single unit. Optionally, the connection between the head  15  and steering bar  51  can comprise stiffening members  56  to strengthen the connection between these respective members. 
     The body  10  generally comprises one or more wing members  8  such as bottom wings  11 , a top wings  12 , lateral wings  23 , and intermediate wings  25 . The body  10  also comprises one or more side members  9 , such as a first side panel  13 , and a second side panel  14 . In one exemplary embodiment, to provide additional lift the body  10  comprises arms  16  configured into the shape of lateral wings  23 , or one or more intermediate wings  25  located between the bottom wing  11  and top wing  12 . The lateral wings  23  are either separately attached to the body  10 , or they are integrated with the top wing  12  to form a single unit. The lateral wings  23  are attached to the body  10  either in-plane with the top wing  12 , or at a dihedral angle to the top wing  12 . 
     The first and second side panels  13 ,  14  are configured to portray the shape of the figure. When the  figure 99  takes the form of a superhero, the first and second side panels  13 ,  14  are configured in a shape generally portraying the torso  17 , legs  18 , and feet  19  of the superhero. The bottom and top wings  11 ,  12  and the side panels  13 ,  14  and head  15  are made of cardboard, foam board, plastic sheets, lightweight wood such as balsa, or other suitable material typically used to make flying toys. 
     In one embodiment, the top wing  12 , bottom wing  11 , and side panels  13 ,  14  form the generalized cross section of a box with corners that are perpendicular or close thereto. The first and second side panels  13 ,  14  are attached to the bottom and top wings  11 ,  12  by conventional means such as gluing, taping, or the like. In another embodiment of the manner of connection, the bottom and top wings  11 ,  12  and any intermediate wings  25  are fabricated with insertion tabs  22  which are inserted into corresponding slots  21  in the first and second side panels  13 ,  14 . Additional glue, tape, or the like can be used to further retain the tabs  22  inside the slots  21 . As an example of this embodiment, the body  10  comprises one or more wing members  8  and one or more side panels  11 ,  12 , and at least one of said one or more wing members  8  is configured in the shape of legs of the toy  figure 99  and has insertion tabs  22  on these legs. At least one of the side panels  11 ,  12  is configured in the shape of legs  18  and feet  19  of the toy  figure 99 , and the feet  19  have a plurality of slots  21  for receiving the insertion tabs  22 . The insertion tabs  22  are inserted into the slots  21  at the desired location. The selection of these slots  21  changes the curvature of the legs on the wing member  8 , thus changing the pitch of the flying toy  figure 99  during flight, as described below. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom and top wings  11 ,  12  and the side panels  13 ,  14  are connected at angles other than perpendicular to form other cross sectional shapes, such as trapezoids, pentagons, curved or contoured shapes, or the like. The cross sectional configuration of the  figure 99  depends on the type of figure being portrayed, and the desired aerodynamic properties of the  figure 99  during flight. An ordinary practitioner will understand that dozens of cross sectional configurations of the body can be implemented as desired. 
     In many embodiments of the flying toy  figure 99 , the body  10  will have a generally elongated form, such as the torso of a superhero. In these embodiments, it is desirable to provide a combination of wing members  8  and side members that form a generally closed cross section to provide torsional stiffness to the body  10 . This torsional stiffness provides rigidity to the body, which translates into better control and maneuverability of the flying toy  figure 99 . Other embodiments of the body  10  can have an open cross section, such as in the shape of an “H”, where a wing member  8  forms the cross member of the “H,” and side members  9  form the vertical members of the “H.” This configuration may be more desirable for certain embodiments of the flying toy  figure 99 , or as a manner of producing a low cost version of a flying toy  figure 99 . 
     For ease of manufacturing, it is convenient for the body  10  to be stamped out of a single sheet  29  of material, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The sheet  29  is typically a single sheet  29  of foam board, cardboard, or other sheet material for constructing the body  10 . This manufacturing method allows certain sections of the body  10  to be joined by folds in the sheet  29 , as opposed to relying on more difficult joints, such as by tape or glue. Consequently, in the embodiment of the body  10  shown in  FIG. 4 , the body  10  has a top member  30  and a base member  31  cut or stamped out of the sheet  29 . The base member  31  has a 5-section foldable configuration comprising a middle section  32 , two transitional sections  33 , and two exterior sections  34 . The two transitional sections  33  are joined to opposite sides of the middle section  32  along transitional/middle fold lines  35 . Each of the two exterior sections  34  are joined to one of the transitional sections  33  on the side of the transitional section  33  opposite that of the middle section  32 , and each of the exterior sections  34  are joined to the transitional section  33  along an exterior/transitional fold line  36 . To form the body  10 , the base member  31  is folded at the transitional/middle fold lines  35  so that the middle section  32  forms a bottom wing  11  of the body  10 , and the transitional sections  33  form side members  13 ,  14  of the body  10 . The base member  31  is then folded at the exterior/transitional fold lines  36  such that the exterior sections  34  form lateral wings  23  extending laterally from the body  10 . The top member  30  is then joined to the base member  31  such that the top member  30  forms a top wing  12  of the body  10 . The remaining body  10  pieces and joints are then formed and secured according to the teachings of the previous embodiments of the body  10  discussed above. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the head  15  of the  figure 99  is connected to the body  10  by a flexible support member  20 . For example, the flexible support member  20  could be a wire or other resilient member attaching the body  10  to the head  15 . In one embodiment, the support member  20  is a wire or thin rod to which the head  15  and body  10  are attached. Other embodiments of the flexible support member  20  may comprise a system of springs, wires, or other flexible or elastic members to resiliently connect the body  10  to the head  15 . As one example, shown in  FIG. 6 , the flexible support member  20  is oriented in a zig-zag shape to promote flexibility of the overall member. Generally, the support member  20  is attached to the body  10  at the top wing  12 , the bottom wing  13 , or another convenient location, depending on the configuration of the  figure 99  and the body  10 . In most configurations, the support member  20  is attached to the top wing  12 . The support member  20  is attached to the head  15  and body  10  by tape, glue, mechanical anchor, or other suitable means. 
     In some instances, the  figure 99  may land by impacting the ground or other object first with the head  15 , and then with the body  10 . In these instances of head-first impact, the head  15  absorbs the majority of the force from impact. In prior art flying toys, the head or other leading member of the figure is rigidly connected to the body, and these components tend to break apart under the severe force created by head-first impact. The flexible support member  20  of the present  figure 99  provides superior performance in these head-first landings because the flexible support  20  flexes to absorb the severe impact force. For example, the support member  20  could comprise a lateral arm  30  that extends horizontally along the body  10 , and the distal end of the arm  30  is secured to the body  10 . The remainder of the arm  30  and support member  20  remain free-floating to provide flexibility. In this manner, upon head-first impact the horizontal arm  30  flexes to absorb the impact force, thereby protecting the head and body from impact-related damage. 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 , to further absorb the head-first impact force, the support member  20  is attached to the body  10  via a receptacle  55  or other releasable attachment from which the support member  20  is dislodged upon impact. As an example of this embodiment, the support member  20  is a wire and the receptacle  55  is a tube-like member attached to the bottom side of the top wing  11  a mechanical anchor, or by glue, tape, epoxy, or the like. This tube-like receptacle  55  is sized such that the support member  20  wire is snugly insertable into the receptacle  55 . During normal operation the support member  20  is retained inside the receptacle  55  by surface friction between the two members. During a head-first impact event, if the force from the impact exceeds the surface friction force, the support member  20  is dislodged from the receptacle  55 , thereby separating the head  15  and steering bar  51  unit (described below) from the body  10 . This releasable connection between the head  15  and the body  10  reduces the instances in which the head  15  or body  10  sustains damage during head-first impact. Other releasable attachments  55  could be used for the same purpose, such releasable attachments  55  being bonding agents or adhesive bonds that break under a predetermined force, or breakable or releasable members such as clips, clamps, ties, or the like. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the propulsion system  50  generally comprises a plurality of propulsion units  52 . The most common embodiment of the propulsion units  52  is an electrical motor driving a propeller. In embodiments of the propulsion system  50  having two propulsion units  52 , each of the propulsion units  52  is attached to opposite ends of the steering bar  51 . The power delivered by the motors and the size and shape of the propellers is a matter of design choice, and these components of the propulsion units  52  are selected in proportion to the other aerodynamic properties of the flying toy  figure 99 . The propulsion units  52  are independently operable, meaning that the thrust produced by one of the propulsion units  52  is greater than that of the other propulsion unit  52 . 
     The propulsion system  50  can comprise more than two propulsion units  52 . For example, the propulsion system  50  can comprise two propulsion units  52  attached to the steering bar  51  adjacent to one side of the head  15 , and two propulsion units  52  attached to the steering bar  51  adjacent to the opposite side of the head  15 , for a total of four propulsion units  52 . Alternately, the flying toy  figure 99  could have two steering bars  51  attached to the head  15 , with one steering bar  51  above the other. Each of these steering bars  51  could support two propulsion units  52  attached at opposite ends of the steering bar  51 , for a total of four propulsion units  52 . 
     In any of the embodiments of the steering bar  51 , the steering bar  51  can take the shape of an airfoil or a wing such that the steering bar  51  operates as a front wing  24  during flight, thereby creating an additional lift force for the flying toy  figure 99 . 
     The control system  53  comprises the electronic components for operation of the remote controlled toy  figure 99 . The control system  53  typically comprises a receiver, a power source such as a battery, a circuit board, and other electronic components and wiring necessary to create electrical connectivity between the receiver, power source, and the propulsion units  52 . In most embodiments, the control system  53  comprises components that are common in the RC toy industry. The main components of the control system  53  are attached to the flying  figure 99  by tape, glue, screws, clips, or other suitable attachment material or device. In any of the embodiments of the steering bar  51 , the bar  51  could be hollow, thereby acting as a conduit for the passage of electrical wires between the control system  53  and at least one of the propulsion units  52 . 
     In one embodiment of the operation of the flying toy  figure 99 , the propulsion units  52  are independently driven to promote a greater degree of steering and control by the user. For example, the user uses the wireless control device  5  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) to send a signal to the receiver of the control system  53  to allocate more power to one of the two propulsion units  52 , thereby creating a thrust differential between the respective propulsion units  52 . This increase in power causes an increase in thrust produced by the over powered propulsion unit  52 , thereby producing greater thrust on one side of the body  10 . This thrust differential forces the  figure 99  to turn to in the opposite direction. For example, to make a turn to the right, the control system  53  allocates more power to the left propulsion unit  52 , thereby creating greater thrust on the left side of the body  10  and forcing the  figure 99  to turn to the right. A corresponding left turn is produced by producing more thrust from the right propulsion unit  52  than from the left. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the head  15  moves in a yawing motion in relation to the body  10  as the  figure 99  turns. More specifically, since the head  15  is attached to the body  10  by a flexible support member  20 , and since the head  15  and steering bar are attached in flexible relation to the body  10 , the head  15  and steering bar  51  will turn to the right in a yawing motion when the left propulsion unit  52  produces greater thrust than the right propulsion unit  52 . Likewise, the head  15  and steering bar  51  will turn to the left in a yawing motion when the thrust of the right propulsion unit  52  is greater than that of the left propulsion unit  52 . Thus, the head  15  acts as a rudder positioned at the front of the  figure 99 , providing a forward steering mechanism that enables sharper turning of the  figure 99  and more precise control by the operator. The head  15  and steering bar  51  move as a rigid unit in a yawing motion in relation to the body  10 . Depending on the configuration of the body  10 , it may be desirable to install steering slots  54  in the body  10  to accommodate free motion by the steering bar  51 , ensuring that the yawing motion of the steering bar  51  remains unobstructed by the close proximity of the body  10 . 
     The steering sensitivity of the rudder head  15  can be manipulated by the shape of the head  15 . For example, a relatively blunt head in the shape of a nose cone will produce a soft rudder effect and a correspondingly soft steering response. By contrast, a thin, flat rudder head  15  oriented vertically with respect to the body  10  will produce a sharper rudder effect and a correspondingly sharper steering response. Consequently, the shape of the rudder head  15  affects the overall maneuverability and agility of the flying toy  figure 99 . Prior art flying toys are prone to many types of control and maneuverability deficiencies. 
     To reduce these undesirable effects caused by these deficiencies, one embodiment of the present  figure 99  places the location of all or part of the control system  53  on the head  15 . The portion of the control system  53  attached to the head  15  adds additional weight to the head  15 . During the steering operation, the yawing, or turning, capability of the head  15  and steering bar  51  unit causes the center of gravity of the head  15  to move off-center with respect to the body&#39;s  10  center of gravity, which corresponds approximately with the longitudinal axis  28  of the flying toy  figure 99 . When the center of gravity of the head  15  moves off-center, the  figure 99  will bank in the direction of the turn. For example, when the left propulsion unit  52  provides increased thrust, the head  15  and its center of gravity are moved to the right of the figure&#39;s  99  longitudinal axis  28  (approximate center of gravity), thus causing the  figure 99  to bank to the right as the  figure 99  turns to the right. The reverse motions occur for turns to the left. This banking motion provides greater aerodynamic control over the  figure 99  during its flight. The weight-shifting rudder head  15  can be further streamlined by enclosing the mounted control system  53  components inside a nacelle on the head  15 . 
     In another embodiment of the weight-shifting rudder head  15 , all or part of the control system  53  is attached to the steering bar  51 . In this embodiment, the weight-shifting effect of the rudder head  15  is less pronounced, but remains in effect. Specifically, placing all or part of the control system  53  on the steering bar  51  moves those components of the control system  53  closer to the point where the flexible support member  20  anchors to the body  10 . As a result, the yawing motion of the head  15  relative to the body  10  moves the center of gravity a small distance away from the center of gravity of the flying toy  figure 99 , thus reducing the banking effect caused by the weight-shifting action. 
     To further adjust the aerodynamic properties, appearance, and control of the  figure 99 , the bottom and top wings  11 ,  12  and the side panels  13 ,  14  can be adjusted in relation to each other. In one embodiment, for example, each side panel  13 ,  14  comprises a set of slots  21  such that the insertion tabs  22  of the bottom wing  11  can be attached to the side panels  13 ,  14  at various orientations. An example of this configuration is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 , wherein the feet  19  of the side panels  13 ,  14  have various slots  21  for receiving the insertion tabs  22 . The aerodynamic properties of the toy  figure 99  change depending on which slots  21  the tabs  22  are inserted into. When the tabs  22  are inserted into the bottom slots  21 , the  figure 99  is oriented in a substantially horizontal position during flight. When the tabs  21  are inserted into the top slots  21 , the  figure 99  will appear more upright during flight. In this manner, the user can adjust the pitch of the body  10  during flight, and therefore the appearance portrayed by the  figure 99  by selecting a certain set of slots  21  in which to insert the tabs  22  in the feet  19  or in other places along the side panels  13 ,  14 . 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the arms  16 , or lateral wings  23 , are fitted with ailerons, tabs, flaps, or other devices to adjust the aerodynamic properties of the arm  16  during flight. In embodiments where the  figure 99  takes the form of a human or other two-legged figure, each leg portion  23  of the bottom wing  11  forms a flap or elevator  37  that serve to provide additional in-flight controlling mechanism. These elevators  37  are located at an aft portion of the body  10 . In these embodiments, the body  10  comprises one or more servo motors  54  that are configured for controlling the movement and maneuvering the legs  23  in an up or down motion to assist in controlling the flight of the  figure 99 . The servos  54  can also be used to control the movement of the lateral wings  23  to produce an additional aerodynamic controlling effect for the flying toy  figure 99 . The servos  54  can be configured to control only the elevators  37 , only the lateral wings  23 , or both. The servos  54  are connected to the elevators  37  by actuating members  57 , which are rods for pushing or pulling the elevators  37 , or strings for pulling the elevators  37 . The operation of the servos  54  is controlled by the control system  53 . 
     In another embodiment, the head  15  or body  10  comprises lights positioned at various locations to portray a certain decorative design or a desired visual effect during flight. For example, the feet  19  can comprise lights that depict fire emitting from the feet of a flying superhero. The lights are powered and controlled by the control system  53 . 
     The foregoing embodiments are merely representative of the flying toy figure and not meant for limitation of the invention. For example, one having ordinary skill in the art would understand that there are several embodiments and configurations of wing members  8 , connection members, or support members that will not substantially alter the nature of the flying toy figure. Consequently, it is understood that equivalents and substitutions for certain elements and components set forth above are part of the invention described herein, and the true scope of the invention is set forth in the claims below.