Modular and adjustable autorotative flyer

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for a modular and adjustable autorotative flying toy comprising: a planar, quasi tear-drop shaped wing having a substantially linear leading edge; an elongated cylindrical spine adapted to receive the wing; and a root constructed from elastomeric material, adapted to receive the spine, one end of the spine is inserted into an aperture in the root and fixed there by the root's elastomeric properties. The spine's cylindrical surface has a slit running parallel to its elongated axis from its distal end towards the root. The slit receives the linear leading edge of the wing, securing it relative to the spine and the root. The flight and rotational characteristics of the flyer may be adjusted by interchanging its components for alternative components that have different size, shape or weight; and by slidably adjusting the wing's position within the slit in the spine.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for an autorotating flying toy, comprising a wing, said wing being positionally adjustable in a manner operative to alter flight and rotational characteristics of the toy.  
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said wing is slidably adjustable relative to other components of the toy.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , which further comprises: 
 (a) an elongated spine adapted to receive said wing and operative to secure said wing during normal operation of the toy; and    (b) a root adapted to receive said spine and operative to secure said spine during normal operation of the toy.    
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said wing is slidably adjustable relative to said spine and said root.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said wing is fabricated from a substantially planar sheet of lightweight, semi-rigid material of uniform thickness.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said wing is substantially planar and further comprises: 
 (a) a substantially straight leading edge; and    (b) a curved trailing edge having a convex portion and a concave portion.    
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the toy further comprises: 
 (a) an elongated spine adapted to receive the substantially straight leading edge of said wing and operative to secure said wing to said spine during normal operation of the toy; and    (b) a root adapted to receive said spine and to secure said spine to said root during normal operation of the toy.    
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said wing has a substantially planar surface, which further comprises at least one of: a deviation, an indentation, and a protrusion that is operative to assist in securing said wing.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said root is relatively massive in comparison to said spine and said wing, so as to locate a center of gravity of the toy relatively close to a center of said root.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said root is fabricated from an elastomeric, shock-absorbent material.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said spine further comprises a slit disposed over a portion of said spine and oriented parallel to an elongated axis of said spine, said slit operative to receive said wing and to secure said wing to said spine during normal operation of the toy.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for an autorotating flying toy, comprising: 
 (a) a substantially planar wing;    (b) an elongated spine adapted to receive said wing and to secure said wing during normal operation of the toy; and    (c) a root adapted to receive said spine and to secure said spine during normal operation of the toy, said wing being positionally adjustable relative to said root and said spine in a manner operative to alter flight and rotational characteristics of the toy.    
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said wing is slidably adjustable relative to said spine and said root.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said wing further comprises: 
 (a) a substantially straight leading edge;    (b) a curved trailing edge having a convex portion and a concave portion.    
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said wing's substantially planar surface further comprises at least one of: a deviation, an indentation, and a protrusion, which is operative to assist in securing said wing to said spine.  
     
     
         16 . A kit for assembling an autorotative flying toy, said kit comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of substantially planar wings, each of which is different in at least one of: size, shape and weight;    (b) a plurality of elongated spines, each of which is different in at least one of: size, shape and weight, and each of which is adapted to receive and secure any one of said plurality of wings during normal operation of the toy; and    (c) a plurality of roots, each of which is different in at least one of: size, shape and weight, and each of which is adapted to receive and secure any one of said plurality of spines during normal operation of the toy, each combination of one of said wings, one of said spines and one of said roots being compatible, so as to fit together to form a unique autorotative flying toy having distinct flight and rotational characteristics.    
     
     
         17 . A kit according to  claim 16 , wherein the flight and rotational characteristics of each unique autorotative toy formed from a combination of one of said wings, one of said spines and one of said roots are further adjustable by slidably adjusting a position of said one wing relative to said one root and said one spine.  
     
     
         18 . A kit for assembling an autorotative flying toy, said kit comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of substantially planar wings, each of which is different in at least one of: size, shape and weight;    (b) a plurality of elongated spines, each of which is different in at least one of: size, shape and weight, and each of which is adapted to receive and secure any one of said plurality of wings during normal operation of the toy; and    (c) a plurality of roots, each of which is different in at least one of: size, shape and weight, and each of which is adapted to receive and secure any one of said plurality of spines during normal operation of the toy, each combination of one of said wings, one of said spines and one of said roots being compatible, so as to fit together to form a unique autorotative flying toy having distinct flight and rotational characteristics, and the flight and rotational characteristics of each unique autorotative flying toy being further adjustable by slidably adjusting a position of said one wing relative to said one root and said one spine.    
     
     
         19 . A kit for assembling an autorotative flying toy, said kit comprising: 
 (a) at least one substantially planar wing, at least one elongated spine and at least one root; and    (b) at least one of: 
 (i) a plurality of substantially planar wings, each of which is different in at least one of: size, shape and weight;  
 (ii) a plurality of elongated spines, each of which is different in at least one of: size, shape and weight; and  
 (iii) a plurality of roots, each of which is different in at least one of: size, shape and weight; each elongated spine being adapted to receive and secure any one of said wings during normal operation of the toy and each root being adapted to receive and secure any one of said spines during normal operation of the toy, and each combination of any one of said wings, any one of said spines and any one of said roots being compatible, so as to fit together to form a unique autorotative flying toy having distinct flight and rotational characteristics.  
   
     
     
         20 . A kit according to  claim 19 , wherein the flight and rotational characteristics of each unique autorotative toy formed from a combination of one of said wings, one of said spines and one of said roots are further adjustable by slidably adjusting a position of said one wing relative to said one root and said one spine.  
     
     
         21 . A method of adjusting flight and rotational characteristics of an autorotative flying toy, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a wing that is secured to the autorotative flying toy during normal operation and supplies lift for the toy; and    (b) adjusting a position of said wing relative to other components of the autorotative flying toy, said adjusting step changing aerodynamics of the toy in a manner that alters its flight and rotational characteristics.    
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for an autorotative flying toy, comprising a single wing, said wing having an adjustable position, which adjustable position influences flight and rotational characteristics of said toy.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for an autorotative flying toy, comprising: 
 (a) a substantially planar wing, having: (i) a substantially straight leading edge; and (ii) a curved trailing edge with a convex portion and a concave portion;    (b) an elongated spine, having a slit disposed over a portion of said spine and oriented parallel to an elongated axis of said spine, the slit being operative to receive the substantially straight leading edge of said wing and operative to secure said wing to said spine during normal operation of the toy; and    (c) a root adapted to receive an end of said spine and to secure said spine to said root during normal operation of the toy, in a manner such that said root is separated from said wing.