US3113396A - Floating saucer - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 10, 1963 H. c. COLLINS 3,113,396

FLOATING SAUCER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 27, 1961 INVENTOR.

HARVEY C. COLLINS ATTORNEY Dec. 10, 1963 H. c. COLLINS 3,11

FLOATING SAUCER Filed March 27. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

HARVEY C. COLLINS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,113,396 FLOATING SAUCER Harvey C. Collins, 62% Detroit St, Mount Morris, Mich assignor of thirtydhree and one-third percent to Ross W. (Iampbell, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Filed Mar. 27, 196i, dew. No. 93,514 16 Claims. (Cl. 46-74) This invention relates to toy rotary aircraft and more particularly to a disc-like toy rotary aircraft which is adapted to obtain gyrosoopic stability by rotation about its vertical axis while propelled forwardly in flight and which forms while in flight a parachute-like configuration to slow its rate of descent.

In one embodiment of this invention, the toy aircraft is composed of a pair of thin, circular, concave, mutually opposed, shells releasably engaged in mutual contact to form a hollow and separable airfoil w lch may be manually thrown upwardly and outwardly with a rotary motion applied thereto so as to achieve gyroscopic stability and aerodynamic lift during flight. A collapsible continuous sidewall joins the inner surfaces of both members near the perimeters thereof and is retained in collapsed condition within the hollow interior of the airfoil while the upper and lower members are maintained in contact with each other during the initial portion of flight. As the airfoil descends, air moving upward with respect thereto passes through a plurality of apertures in the lower member, forcing separation of the upper and lower members and expansion of the sidewall, disposing the parts in a parachute-like configuration which reduces the rate of descent of the toy.

it is an object of the invention to provide a hollow airfoil capable of gyroscopically stabilized flight when propelled by forwardly applied thrust and rotated and which may be transformed into a descent-retarding configuration while aloft.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hollow rotary aircraft arranged to maintain a good aerodynamic configuration during the initial period of flight and to separate and expand, while aloft, into a parchute-like configuration to slow the rate of aerial descent.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hollow rotary aircraft arranged to assume a descent-retarding configuration when acted upon by upward flow of air relative thereto during descent.

A further object is to provide novel means for expand ing a rotary airfoil into a descent-retarding configuration.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hollow rotary airfoil which may be separated while in flight into a lower member having an aperture therein and an upper member, said members being joined by a flexible canopy-like sidewall to form therewith when separated a vertically stacked descent-retarding configuration.

A further ob lect is to provide novel means for separating a rotary airfoil arranged to form when expanded a parachute-like assembly.

Still a further object is to provide novel means acting at the rim of a rotary airfoil for separating said airfoil.

These, together with other and further objects of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the present invention, preferred embodiments of which have been selected for purposes of illustration only and shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which like characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a floating saucer.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of a floating saucer.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a floating saucer talten along the line 33 of FIGURE 1.

3,ll3,39i Patented Dec. 16, 1963 FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of a floating saucer in expanded arrangement during aerial descent.

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of a first modified form of a floating saucer.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a second modified form of a floating saucer.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, an upper member generally indicated by the figure lil is formed from a thin, circular disc of light weight, slightly flexible material such as plastic and has a centrally elevated portion 12 surrounded by downwardly sloping circular walls 14 and 6 to form a shallow, disc-like surface generally concave downward. If desired, the border of member 16 may be thinner than the rest of the member so as to provide additional flexibility of the border while the rest of the member retains more rigidity.

A lower member generally indicated by 18 is composed of similar material and includes a centrally elevated circular floorplate 26 connected about its periphery to a downwardly sloping wall 22.. Wall 22 is connected along its lower periphery to the inner surface of an upwardly directed, outwardly sloping sidewall 24. Sidewall 24 bears a peripheral flange 25 and an inwardly directed annular lip 26 connected to the outer edge thereof and forming therewith an inwardly directed continuous recess 27.

A portion of sidewall 24 extends below the juncture of said sidewall and wall 22 to form an outwardly flared annular flange A plurality of apertures 39 are formed in floorplate 2i? and wall 22. l have found it convenient to form door 2% wall 22, and apertures 30 by constructing said floor and wall in reticular form by the use of a latticelilte assembly of plastic strips, as best illustrated in FiG- URES 2 and 3.

A collapsible continuous side :all 32, formed preferably of sill; or a lightweight, flexible plastic such as polyethylene, is connected along its upper edge to the inner surface of wall 16 near the border thereof at 34 and connected along its lower edge to the inner surface of side wall 24 near the border thereof at 36. A plurality of small apertures 38 are provided in sidewall 32 to permit the slow escape of air therefrom.

The outside diameter of upper member it) is slightly less than the least diameter of lip 26, as best illustrated in FIGURES l and 3, so that the border of upper member it) may be freely introduced into the upper portion of lower member 18 through the opening surrounded by lip as to rest against the upper surface of flange 25. However, upper member ltl is of suflicient diameter so that when introduced into lower member 18 and slid sidewa s into recess 27 it will be retained in such position by lip around a substantial portion of its perimeter. When precisely centered within the opening surrounded by lip 26, or when subjected to a slight upward force sufflcient to cause wall 15 to flex near its border, upper member will be upwardly separable from lower member l8 through the circular aperture surrounded by lip 26. if desired, upper member 16 may be formed to have a slightly greater diameter than the least diameter of lip so that the border of the upper member must be slightly flexed to be engaged by the lip.

To utilize the invention, sidewall 32 is first collapsed and stowed within lower member 18 as best shown in FrGURE 3. Upper member llt'l is then inserted downwardly through lip 26 to rest against the upper surface of flange 25. Upper member it) is then slid sideways into recess 27 at one side of lower member 18, where it will be retained by lip 2-6 until the border of wall is is flexed by an upwardly directed force. The device then presents a saucerliloe configuration which has gyroscopic stability when rotated about its vertical central axis and has aerodynamic lift when propelled in flight through the air. The device may be propelled by manually grasping it at one edge, throwing it outward, and simultaneously imparting to it a rotary motion, thereby causing it to sail outward through the air and rotate about its vertical central axis. The rotary motion imparts gyroscopic stability to the saucer causing it to maintain an approximately horizontal attitude while in flight. Flange 2,8 and the horizontal attitude of the saucer prevent the flow of air through which the saucer passes from entering apertures 30 prior to descent of the saucer.

The rotary motion also causes upper member 19 to continually shift its position horizontally within recess 27 so as to be continually overlapped by that portion of lip 26 which from instant to instant leads the saucer in its outward line of flight. The leading edge of lip 26 hence causes the air through which the device is moving to flow over the top of upper member 19, preventing such flow of air from impinging on the inner surface of said member. Member is thus retained in contact within recess 27 by lip 26 so as to maintain the floating saucer unseparated during the initial portion of flight.

When sufficient aerodynamic lift has been lost during flight, the saucer commences to descend under the influence of gravity. Air flowing upward relative to the saucer during descent passes through the opening of flange 28, enters the airfoil through apertures 39, and impinges upwardly upon sidewall 32 which, in turn, presses upwardly against member 10. The border of wall 16 has sufficient flexibility so that such upward pressure transmitted by sidewall 32 causes flexure and disengagement of wall 16 upwardly from lip 26. Member 10 is thus caused to separate from member 18. The air thus flowing upwardly through apertures 30 expands sidewall 32- to form, in combination with member 19 and member 18, a parachute-like configuration, best illustnated in FIGURE 4, which slows the rate of descent of the toy. 1

Excess pressure within the parachute is prevented by apertures 38 in sidewall 32 through which may escape a small portion of the air entrapped therein. Since member 18 is of heavier weight than member 10, the device maintains a vertical attitude and will not invert or collapse during descent. The device thus floats slowly to the ground where it may be retrieved for reuse.

In one modification of my invention, best shown in FIGURE 5, I form a plurality of flexible extensions 4% at the border of wall 116. The outer portion of each of these extensions extends beneath lip 26 and into recess 27 of member 13, thus retaining member 10 in separable engagement with member 18. During descent, the upward pressure against sidewall 32 and the lower surface of member 10 by air flowing upward through apertures 30 causes flexure of extensions 40 and separation upwardly of member 10 from member 18.

In a second modification of my invention, best shown in FIGURE 6, I provide a plastic rod 42 threadably engaged at its lower end within a threaded aperture 44 in floorplate 2%. A plurality of uniformly curved plastic vanes 46 are rigidly connected to the upper end of rod 42. Rod 42. extends downward through an aperture 48 in, and a boss 50 on, upper member 1-9. Lip 26 may be omitted in this modification of my invention since rod 42 serves to (releasably join member 10 and member 18. Flange 25 is retained, however, to serve its aerodynamic function.

The flow of air past this second modified form of my floating saucer when in flight causes rotation of vanes 46 and rod 42 relative and opposite to the direction of rotation of the airfoil, thus unscrewing rod 42 from threaded aperture 44. When rod 42 has become disconnected from threaded aperture 44, member 19 is free to separate from member 18. Air flowing horizontally past the device will cause separation of members It) and 13, reducing aerodynamic lift, and causing the device to descend. The flow of air upward through apertures 30 during descent then expands sidewall 32 as hereinbefore described. By varying the number of threads on rod 42 adjustment may be made in the time of flight which will elapse prior to separation of members 1% and 18. Rod 42 is maintained in association with member 10 after separation of member 10 from member 18 by a collar 52 which surrounds the shank of the rod. Spring means (not shown) may be employed, if desired, to hasten separation of member '14 from member 18 when rod 42 has become disengaged from threaded aperture 44.

While the forms of apparatus and the methods of operation herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

'1. In combination, an upper circular member and a lower circular member of greater weight than said upper member and having an aperture therein, said members being mutually contacta-b-le to form a hollow disk-like airfoil capable of being rotated about its vertical central axis and simultaneously being propelled in linear flight, means near the outer edges of said members releasably retaining said members in mutual contact near their perimeters and permitting separation thereof when upwardly directed force is applied to said upper member, and a continuous collapsible sidewall surrounding said aperture, joining said members, and releasably disposed in collapsed condition within said airfoil when said members are in mutual contact to effect separation of said members by transmitting upwardly to said upper member the force of air flowing through said aperture and impinging thereon during descent, said sidewall being arranged to be expanded by said flow of air when said members are separated to form together therewith a parachute-like assembly to slow the rate of descent thereof.

2. In combination, an upper circular member having a flexible border, a lower circular member of greater weight than said upper member and having a lip thereon arranged to releasably engage said border and to permit said border to be disengaged therefrom when said border is flexed by upwardly directed force applied to said upper member, said upper and lower members forming when said border is engaged by said lip a hollow, separable, disk-like airfoil capable of being rotated about its vertical axis and being propelled in linear flight, said lower member having an aperture therein through which may pass upwardly the relative flow of air through which said airfoil passes during descent, a continuous collapsible sidewall joining said upper and lower members, surrounding said aperture, releasably disposed in collapsed condition within said airfoil to be impinged upon by said flow of air and to transmit the force thereof upwardly to said upper member to efiect separation of said members, and to be thereby expanded to form together with said members a parachute-like assembly to slow the rate of descent.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said collapsible sidewall has a vent therein.

4. The device of claim 2 including means supporting said sidewall within the interior of said airfoil above said aperture in said lower member when said sidewall is in collapsed disposition.

5. The device of claim 2 including a downwardly extending annular flange surrounding said aperture in said lower member.

6. The device of claim 2 including means supporting said sidewall within the interior of said airfoil above said aperture in said lower member while said sidewall is in collapsed disposition, a downwardly extending annular flange surrounding said aperture in said lower member, and vent means in said collapsible sidewall.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein said border comprises a plurality of flexible extensions.

8. A toy floating saucer comprising, in combination, a centrally elevated circular floorplate having a plurality of apertures therein and connected along its periphery to the lower end of an upwardly directed, outwardly sloping continuous sidewall having an inwardly directed continuous lip surrounding the upper edge thereof, and a downwardly directed annular flange surrounding said apertures, to form a lower member, a centrally elevated circular disc having a flexible border, forming an upper member lighter in weight than said lower member and releasably engaged about a substantial portion of said border by said lip, a collapsible, continuous, vented sidewall connected along its upper continuous edge to the inner surface of said upper member, connected along its lower continuous edge to the inner surface of said lower member surrounding said apertures, and cooperating with said upper and lower members to form in combination therewith a collapsible parachute-like assembly, said upper and lower members forming, when said border is engaged by said lip, a hollow disk-like airfoil containing said sidewall in collapsed condition and being capable of maintaining a substantially stable attitude when rotating about its vertical central axis while simultaneously propelled in flight, said apertures in said floorplate permitting entrance within said airfoil of a sufficient relative flow of upwardly directed air during descent of said airfoil to impinge upon said sidewall, to flex and separate said border from said lip to effect separation of said members, and to expand said assembly to slow the rate of descent.

9. A toy floating saucer comprising, in combination, a centrally elevated circular floorplate having a plurality of apertures therein and connected along its periphery to the lower end of an upwardly directed, outwardly sloping continuous sidewall having an inwardly directed continuous lip surrounding the upper edge thereof, and a downwardly directed annular flange surrounding said apertures, to form a lower member, a centrally elevated circular disc, having a plurality of flexible extensions on the periphery thereof, forming an upper member lighter in weight than said lower member and releasably retained in contact therewith by engagement of said flexible extensions beneath said lip, a collapsible, continuous, vented sidewall connected along its lower continuous edge to the inner surface of said lower member surrounding said apertures, and cooperating with said upper and lower members to form in combination therewith a collapsible parachute-like assembly, said upper and lower members forming, when said flexible extensions are engaged by said lip, a hollow disk-like airfoil containing said sidewall in collapsed condition and being capable of maintaining a substantially stable attitude when rotating about its vertical central axis while simultaneously propelled in flight, said apertures in said fioorplate permitting entrance within said airfoil of a suflicient relative flow of upwardly directed air during descent of said airfoil to impinge upon said sidewall, to flex and separate said extensions from said lip to effect separation of said members, and to expand said assembly to slow the rate of descent.

10. in combination, a pair of separable members forming when in mutual contact a hollow airfoil, a continuous collapsible sidewall connected at one end to the inner side of one of said members and surrounding a substantial area thereof, said sidewall being adapted to be releasably retained within said airfoil when collapsed and to form together with said connected member a parachutelike assembly when expanded, threaded means, having a plurality of vanes projecting therefrom, extending through one of said members and threadably engaged with the other of said members to releasably retain said members in mutual contact and to release said members from mutual contact when said threaded means is rotated with respect to said other member by impingement upon said vanes of air through which said airfoil passes during flight, said members when released being disposed to be separated, and said assembly to be expanded, by said air to slow the rate of such passage.

ll. In combination, an upper member and a lower member having an aperture therein, said members forming when in mutual contact a hollow and separable airfoil, means, having a vane thereon, releasably retaining said members in mutual contact and arranged to release said members from mutual contact when said vane is substantially moved with respect to said airfoil by impingement of air through which said airfoil passes while in flight, and a continuous collapsible sidewall joining said members, surrounding said aperture, disposed to receive and be expanded by air flowing upward through said aperture during descent to separate said members and to form together therewith a parachute-like assembly to slow the rate of descent.

12. In combination, an upper circular member and a lower circular member of greater weight than said upper member and having an aperture therein, said members being mutually contactable near their peripheries to form a hollow disk-like airfoil capable of being rotated about its vertical axis and being propelled in linear flight, a rod threadably engaged at one end with said lower member, extending through an aperture in said upper member, and having vanes on the other end of said rod, to releasably retain said members in mutual contact and to release said members from mutual contact when said rod is rotated by rotation of said vanes relative to said lower member by impingement of air through which said airfoil passes during flight, and a continuous collapsible sidewall joining said members, surrounding said aperture in said lower member, disposed when stowed in collapsed condition within said airfoil to transmit upwardly to said upper member the force of air impinging thereon through said aperture in said lower member during descent and to be thereby expanded to form together with said members a parachute-like assembly to slow the rate of descent.

13. A toy floating saucer comprising, in combination, a centrally elevated circular floorplate having a plurality of apertures therein and connected along its periphery to the lower end of an upwardly directed, outwardly slopin continuous sidewall, and a downwardly directed annular flange surrounding said apertures, to form a lower member, a centrally elevated circular disk forming an upper member lighter in weight than said lower member, said upper and lower members being mutually contactable near their peripheries to form a hollow disklike airfoil capable of maintaining a substantially stable attitude wl en rotating about its vertical central axis while propelled in flight, a collapsible, continuous, vented sidewall connected along its upper continuous edge to the inner surface of said upper member, connected along its lower continuous edge to the inner surface of said lower member surrounding said apertures, disposed when stowed in collapsed condition within said. airfoil to transmit upwardly to said upper member the force of air impinging thereon through said aperture during descent of said airfoil and to be thereby expanded to form together with said members a parachute-like assembly to slow the rate of descent, and a rod, having vanes attached to the upper end thereof and a collar on the shank thereof, extending downwardly through an annular boss and a central aperture in said upper member and threadably engaged at its lower end with said lower member at the center thereof, to releasably retain said upper and lower members in mutual contact and to release said members, from mutual contact when said rod is substantially rotated by rotation of said vanes: relative to said lower member by impingement of air through which said airfoil passes during flight.

14. In combination, a pair of separable members forming when in mutual contact a hollow airfoil, one of said members having a concave central portion, a continuous collapsible sidewall connected at one end to said member near the perimeter thereof and surrounding said central portion, said central portion and said sidewall being adapted to form the canopy and sidewall, respectively, of a parachute-like assembly when said members are separated and disposed in a spaced, parallel, vertically-stacked arrangement, the other end of said sidewall being connected to said other member to support said other member in a spaced, parallel, vertically-stacked relation with and depending below said first member when said members are separated, means releasably retaining said members in mutual contact, means for separating said members, and means permitting air through which said device passes to enter and fill said parachutelike assembly when said member are separated, to slow the rate of such passage.

15. In combination, a pair of separable members forming when in mutual contact a hollow airfoil, one of said members having a concave central portion, a continuous collapsible sidewall connected at one end to said member near the perimeter thereof and surrounding said central portion, said central portion and said sidewall being adapted to form the canopy and sidewall, respectively, of a parachute-like assembly when said members are separated and disposed in a spaced, parallel, vertically-stacked arrangement, the other end of said sidewall being connected to said other members to interengage said members throughout the operation of the device and to support said other member in a spaced, parallel,vertically-stacked relation with and depending below said first member when said members are separated, means releasably interengaging the outer edges of said members about a substantial portion of their perimeters to releasably retain said members in mutual contact, means for disengaging the outer edges of said members, and means permitting air through which said airfoil passes toseparate said members, to slow the rate of such passage.

16. In combination, a pair of separable members forming when in mutual contact a hollow airfoil, one of said members having a concave central portion, a continuous collapsible sidewall connected at one end to said member near the perimeter thereof and surrounding said central portion, said central portion and said sidewall being adapted to form the canopy and sidewall, respectively, of a parachute-like assembly when said members are separated and disposed in a spaced, parallel, vertically-stacked arrangement, the other end of said sidewall being connected to said other member to support said other member in a spaced, parallel, vertically-stacked relation with and depending below said first member when said members are separated, connecting means releasably engaging the outer edges of said members about a substantial portion of their perimeters, said members being retained in mutual contact when their outer edges are engaged by said connecting means and being separated and assuming a spaced, parallel, vertically-stacked arrangement by air impinging upwardly upon said upper member when said members are released from engagement, said lower member having an aperture therein arranged to permit upward passage therethrough of air through which said airfoil passes during descent to eifect separation of said members and to enter and expand said sidewall, to slow the rate of descent.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,803,506 McDonough May 5, 1931 1,835,717 Moore Dec. 8, 1931 1,867,714 Shippee et al. July 19, 1932 2,051,151 Northrop Aug. 18, 1936

Claims (1)

1. IN COMBINATION, AN UPPER CIRCULAR MEMBER AND A LOWER CIRCULAR MEMBER OF GREATER WEIGHT THAN SAID UPPER MEMBER AND HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN, SAID MEMBERS BEING MUTUALLY CONTACTABLE TO FORM A HOLLOW DISK-LIKE AIRFOIL CAPABLE OF BEING ROTATED ABOUT ITS VERTICAL CENTRAL AXIS AND SIMULTANEOUSLY BEING PROPELLED IN LINEAR FLIGHT, MEANS NEAR THE OUTER EDGES OF SAID MEMBERS RELEASABLY RETAINING SAID MEMBERS IN MUTUAL CONTACT NEAR THEIR PERIMETERS AND PERMITTING SEPARATION THEREOF WHEN UPWARDLY DIRECTED FORCE IS APPLIED TO SAID UPPER MEMBER, AND A CONTINUOUS COLLAPSIBLE SIDEWALL SURROUNDING SAID APERTURE, JOINING SAID MEMBERS, AND RELEASABLY DISPOSED IN COLLAPSED CONDITION WITHIN SAID AIRFOIL WHEN SAID MEMBERS ARE IN MUTUAL CONTACT TO EFFECT SEPARATION OF SAID MEMBERS BY TRANSMITTING UPWARDLY TO SAID UPPER MEMBER THE FORCE OF AIR FLOWING THROUGH SAID APERTURE AND IMPINGING THEREON DURING DESCENT, SAID SIDEWALL BEING ARRANGED TO BE EXPANDED BY SAID FLOW OF AIR WHEN SAID MEMBERS ARE SEPARATED TO FORM TOGETHER THEREWITH A PARACHUTE-LIKE ASSEMBLY TO SLOW THE RATE OF DESCENT THEREOF.

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