Flying toy system

Abstract

A flying toy system is provided. The flying toy system typically includes a flying toy apparatus having a body, and a deployable accessory releasably coupled to the body of the flying toy apparatus by a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is typically configured to hold the deployable accessory for an initial period of flight of the flying toy apparatus, and to release the accessory during a latter period of flight of the flying toy apparatus. The deployable accessory may be configured to travel independently of the flying toy apparatus following release.

1 . A flying toy system, comprising: 
 a flying toy apparatus having a body; and    a deployable accessory releasably coupled to the body of the flying toy apparatus by a coupling mechanism that is configured to hold the deployable accessory for an initial period of flight of the flying toy apparatus, and to release the accessory during a latter period of flight of the flying toy apparatus;    wherein the deployable accessory is configured to travel independently of the flying toy apparatus following release.    
     
     
         2 . The flying toy system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to be released by action of air upon the deployable accessory during flight.  
     
     
         3 . The flying toy system of  claim 2 , wherein the release occurs substantially at the apogee of flight of the flying toy apparatus.  
     
     
         4 . The flying toy system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism includes a protrusion and an opening configured for releasable engagement.  
     
     
         5 . The flying toy system of  claim 4 , wherein the protrusion of the coupling mechanism includes a rear edge configured to be held against a rear edge of the opening by rearward force on the accessory during the initial period of flight, thereby preventing disengagement of the coupling mechanism during the initial period of flight.  
     
     
         6 . The flying toy system of  claim 5 , wherein the rear edge of the protrusion and the rear edge of the opening are configured to disengage during the latter period of flight, thereby enabling the protrusion to partially disengage from the opening.  
     
     
         7 . The flying toy system of  claim 5 , wherein the protrusion further includes a notch configured to engage a front lip of the opening, and wherein partial disengagement is caused by rotational movement of the notch relative to the lip.  
     
     
         8 . The flying toy system of  claim 7 , wherein the protrusion is configured to release from the lip following partial disengagement, under action of air on the deployable accessory.  
     
     
         9 . The flying toy system of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic launch member coupled to the body of the flying toy apparatus and configured to be stretched forward in the longitudinal direction by a user.  
     
     
         10 . The flying toy system of  claim 9 , further comprising a grip attached to at least one of the flying toy apparatus and the deployable accessory.  
     
     
         11 . The flying toy system of  claim 10 , wherein the grip is a first grip attached to the flying toy accessory and wherein the flying toy system further comprises a second grip attached to the deployable accessory.  
     
     
         12 . The flying toy system of  claim 9 , wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to be engaged by a user prior to launch via the elastic launch member.  
     
     
         13 . The flying toy system of  claim 12 , wherein the flying toy apparatus includes at least two tail fins, and wherein the tail fins form a guiding structure for mounting the deployable accessory.  
     
     
         14 . The flying toy system of  claim 1 , wherein the deployable accessory is configured to glide after said release from the flying toy apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The flying toy system of  claim 1 , wherein the deployable accessory is configured to auto-rotate after said separation from the flying toy apparatus.  
     
     
         16 . The flying toy system of  claim 1 , wherein the deployable accessory includes at least a body and a protrusion disposed on the body and configured to releasably engage an opening on the body of the flying toy apparatus, and wherein the body further includes a wing structure.  
     
     
         17 . The flying toy system of  claim 1 , wherein the flying toy apparatus further includes a launch system configured to launch the body.  
     
     
         18 . The flying toy system of  claim 17 , wherein the launch system includes an elastic member.  
     
     
         19 . A deployable accessory for use with a flying toy apparatus, comprising: 
 an accessory body; and    a coupling mechanism disposed at least partially on the accessory body and configured to releasably couple the accessory body to the flying toy apparatus;    wherein the coupling mechanism is configured to release the deployable accessory from the flying toy apparatus during flight.    
     
     
         20 . The deployable accessory of  claim 19 , further comprising a grip coupled to a rear portion of the accessory body.  
     
     
         21 . The deployable accessory of  claim 19 , wherein the accessory body includes a wing structure that is configured to glide after being released during flight.  
     
     
         22 . The deployable accessory of  claim 19 , wherein the accessory body is configured to auto-rotate after being released during flight.  
     
     
         23 . The deployable accessory of  claim 19 , wherein the coupling mechanism includes a protrusion projecting downward from the bottom of the accessory body, wherein the protrusion has a notched front edge and a flat rear edge.  
     
     
         24 . A toy flying toy system, comprising: 
 a flying toy apparatus including a body;    an elastic launch member coupled to the body and configured to be stretched forward in a longitudinal direction along the body; and    a deployable accessory releasably coupled to the body of the flying toy apparatus, wherein the deployable accessory is configured to be released from the body during flight.    
     
     
         25 . The flying toy system of  claim 24 , wherein the body includes an elongate channel formed therein, the channel extending in a longitudinal direction along the body, wherein the channel is substantially barrier free along an entire length of the channel to accommodate passage of the digit therein during launch of the body over the digit.