Patent Application
20070093168
(1) Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a toy hang glider, and more particularly to a toy hang glider that can be flown while tethered to a flight string or be launched to float freely to the ground.
(2) Description of Related Art
Toy kites have long been known in the art. Typically, kites consist of some sort of air catch or wing device that is flown in the air while tethered to a string. Recently, toy kites have been formed to emulate hang gliders. Existing toy hang gliders simulate the appearance of a hang glider yet are tethered to a flight string like traditional toy kites. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to launch a toy hang glider so that it floats freely like its real counterpart.
Thus, a continuing need exists for a toy hang glider that can be flown like a kite or launched to float freely to the ground.
The present invention relates to a toy hang glider. The toy hang glider comprises a frame portion with a wing portion connected with the frame portion. The wing portion operates as a wind catch. A kite string attachment is attached with the frame portion. A launcher catch is also attached with the frame portion. Using the kite string attachment, a user may fly the toy hang glider. Alternatively, using the launcher catch and a launcher, the user may launch the toy hang glider to float freely to the ground.
The present invention further comprises a launcher. The launcher is operable for attaching with the launcher catch and detaching with the launcher catch to launch the toy hang glider.
In another aspect, the toy hang glider has a rear portion and the launcher catch further comprises an open-ended catch having an open end. The open end faces the rear portion.
In another aspect, a ring is attached with the elastic member for connecting with the launcher catch.
In another aspect, the launcher includes a handle member and an elastic member. The handle member is operable for being held in place by a user while the launcher catch is connected with the elastic member, thereby allowing a user to pull the toy hang glider away from the handle member and stretch the elastic member. Upon release, the elastic member contracts to launch the toy hang glider.
The handle member includes two handle portions with the elastic member connecting the two handle portions. In this aspect, two users can hold each of the handle portions while a third user connects the launcher catch with the elastic member to stretch and release the elastic member, thereby launching the toy hang glider.
The present invention further comprises a sling attached with the frame portion. The sling is formed to hold a simulated hang glider user. A simulated hang glider user is attached with the sling.
In yet another aspect, the simulated hang glider user has hands. Additionally, the simulated hang glider user has hands and a portion of the frame portion is formed as a simulated steering bar that is connected with the simulated hang glider user's hands.
In another aspect, a stake is attached with the rear portion. As such, a user can stake the toy hang glider with a ground surface and then attach the elastic member with the launcher catch to stretch the elastic member and create a stretching force, such that when the stretching force exceeds a force holding the stake in the ground surface, the stake will be pulled from the ground surface with the toy hang glider being launched.
Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the toy hang glider described herein.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:
The present invention relates to a toy hang glider, and more particularly to a toy hang glider that can be flown while tethered to a flight string or be launched to float freely to the ground. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C.
Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.
Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction.
Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.
(1) Description
The present invention relates to a toy hang glider that can be flown while tethered to a flight string or be launched to float freely to the ground. As shown in
A kite string attachment 106 is attached with the frame portion 102 to allow a user to attach kite string to the toy hang glider 100 fly the hang glider 100. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the kite string attachment 106 can be either directly or indirectly attached with the frame portion 102, so long as it is securedly attached with the toy hang glider 100.
A launcher catch 108 is attached with the frame portion 102. The launcher catch 108 is formed to be attached/detached with a launcher. As shown in
The elastic member is formed of any suitably elastic material, a non-limiting example of which includes rubber. Additionally, the handle member 202 is formed of any suitably rigid material, a non-limiting example of which includes plastic (or metal).
As shown in
In another aspect and as shown in
As shown in
For further illustration,
The present application is a non-provisional patent application, claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/730,082, filed on Oct. 24, 2005, entitled, “Kite and Release Mechanism.”
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60730082 | Oct 2005 | US |
