Rotary projectile toys

Abstract

A toy throwing object including a plurality of fins of sufficient flexibility to permit the device to travel in two distinct modes of operation. In a first mode, the device travels ballistically without significant rotation. In a second mode, the device rotates in a helicopter-like fashion.

1 . A toy projectile having tail fins, comprising:
 a projectile body having a longitudinal axis; and   a plurality of tail fins extending outward from a rear of the projectile body, each of the tail fins configured to be movable between first and second positions via aerodynamic drag.   
     
     
         2 . A toy projectile as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of the tail fins is configured in the first position to extend at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the projectile body creating sufficient aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins causing the projectile body to rotate substantially around the axis defined by a path of flight of travel relative to the toy projectile and each of the tail fins is configured in the second position to extend at a second angle smaller than the first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the projectile body sufficient to lessen aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins enabling the projectile relative to the first position. 
     
     
         3 . A toy projectile as recited in  claim 2  wherein the first angle is approximately between 30° to 60°. 
     
     
         4 . A toy projectile as recited in  claim 2  wherein each of the fins has a generally arcuate shape body defined by proximal and distal ends and spaced apart leading and trailing edges extending between the proximal and distal ends wherein a portion of each fin body proximal a distal end and trailing edge portion resides in a plane below a plane defined by the leading edge extending between the proximal and distal ends of the fin body. 
     
     
         5 . A toy projectile as recited in  claim 4 , wherein a portion of each fin body proximal a proximal end and trailing edge portion resides in a plane below the plane defined by a portion of each fin body proximal a distal end and trailing edge portion. 
     
     
         6 . A toy projectile as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of fins is formed with a curved cutaway portion at a proximal end portion thereof proximal to the rear of the projectile body. 
     
     
         7 . A toy projectile as recited in  claim 1  wherein the projectile body has a spherical configuration. 
     
     
         8 . A toy projectile as recited in  claim 1  wherein the projectile body includes a plurality of elongate channel portions. 
     
     
         9 . A toy projectile as recited in  claim 1  further including a plurality of neck members, each having a first end coupled to the projectile body and a second end coupled to one of the plurality of tail fins. 
     
     
         10 . A toy projectile as recited in  claim 2  wherein a front perimeter of each of the fins has a concave curvature and a rear perimeter thereof having a convex curvature. 
     
     
         11 . A throwing object comprising:
 a projectile body portion defining a longitudinal axis; and   a plurality of tail fins extending outward from a rear of the projectile body, each of the tail fins configured to be movable between first and second positions via aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins while the throwing object is in flight, each of the tail fins defined by proximal and distal ends and spaced apart leading and trailing edges extending between the proximal and distal ends, each of the tail fins including:
 a first portion proximal a distal end and trailing edge portion residing in a plane below a plane defined by the leading edge extending between the proximal and distal ends of the fin body; and 
 a second portion proximal a proximal end and trailing edge portion residing in a plane below the plane defined by the first portion of the fin. 
   
     
     
         12 . A throwing object as recited in  claim 11  wherein each of the tail fins is configured in the first position to extend at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the projectile body creating sufficient aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins causing the projectile body to rotate substantially around the axis defined by a path of flight of travel relative to the throwing object and each of the tail fins is configured in the second position to extend at a second angle smaller than the first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the projectile body sufficient to lessen aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins relative to the first position. 
     
     
         13 . A throwing object as recited in  claim 12  wherein the first angle is approximately between 30° to 60°. 
     
     
         14 . A throwing object as recited in  claim 11  wherein a front perimeter of each of the fins has a concave curvature and a rear perimeter thereof having a convex curvature. 
     
     
         15 . A throwing object as recited in  claim 11  wherein each of the plurality of fins is formed with a curved cutaway portion at its proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A throwing object as recited in  claim 11  wherein the projectile body has a spherical configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A throwing object as recited in  claim 11  wherein the projectile body includes a plurality of elongate channel portions. 
     
     
         18 . A dart styled throwing object comprising:
 a projectile head portion;   an elongate body portion defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal and distal end wherein the proximal end is coupled to the projectile head portion extending longitudinally from a rear of the projectile head portion, the elongate body including:
 a plurality of tail fins extending from the proximal end of the elongate body portion, each of the tail fins extending outwardly from elongate body portion and longitudinally from the rear of the projectile head wherein each of the tail fins is configured to be movable between first and second positions via aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins. 
   
     
     
         19 . A dart styled throwing object as recited in  claim 18  wherein each of the tail fins is configured in the first position to extend at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body portion creating sufficient aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins causing the dart styled throwing object to rotate substantially around the axis defined by a path of flight of travel relative to the dart styled throwing object and each of the tail fins is configured in the second position to extend at a second angle smaller than the first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body portion sufficient to lessen aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins relative to the first position. 
     
     
         20 . A dart styled throwing object as recited in  claim 19  wherein each of the tail fins includes a proximal and distal end and spaced apart leading and trailing edges extending between the proximal and distal ends, each of the tail fins further includes:
 a first portion proximal a distal end and trailing edge portion residing in a plane disposed below a plane defined by the leading edge extending between the proximal and distal ends of the fin body; and   a second portion proximal a proximal end and trailing edge portion residing in a plane below the plane defined by the first portion of each fin.   
     
     
         21 . A throwing object having a body portion defining a longitudinal axis with three tail fins extending outward from a rear of the body portion with each of the tail fins configured to be movable between first and second positions via aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins, wherein each of the tail fins is configured in the first position to extend at a first angle approximately between 30° and 60° relative to the longitudinal axis of the body portion creating sufficient aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins causing the throwing object to rotate substantially around the axis defined by a path of flight of travel relative to the throwing object and each of the tail fins is configured in the second position to extend at a second angle smaller than the first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body portion sufficient to lessen aerodynamic drag on each of the tail fins enabling the body portion relative to the first position, each of the tail fins including:
 a proximal and distal end and spaced apart leading and trailing edges extending between the proximal and distal ends;   a first portion proximal the distal end and trailing edge portion residing in a plane below a plane defined by the leading edge extending between the proximal and distal ends;   a second portion proximal the proximal end and trailing edge portion residing in a plane below the plane defined by the first portion of the fin;   a front perimeter having a concave curvature;   a rear perimeter thereof having a convex curvature; and   a curved cutaway portion proximal the proximal end and trailing edge portion.