US4844304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toy capable of flight
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-12-03
•
Granted: 1989-07-04
•
Expires: 2007-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A toy, designed for throwing, has an elongated, flexible tubular body with a weight at its forward end encased in an impact-absorbing jacket and a conical, flared tail element providing both a grip for the user and an air-foil type direction stabilizer during flight.
Inventors
- 👤 Trent A. Lenderink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:35
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A toy having an elongated flexible tubular body of elastic material, a weight inserted in and secured to the forward end of said body said weight constituting a substantial portion of the weight of the toy; said body having a tail end, insert means mounted in said tail end, said insert means being conical and imparting a conical shape to the exterior surface of said tail end whereby said tail end is of progressively increasing diameter toward the toy's rear end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A toy having an elongated flexible tubular body of elastic material, a weight inserted in and secured to the forward end of said body said weight constituting a substantial portion of the weight of the toy; said body having a tail end, insert means mounted in said tail end, said insert means being conical and imparting a conical shape to the exterior surface of said tail end whereby said tail end is of progressively increasing diameter toward the toy's rear end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A toy as described in claim 1 wherein said forward end is encased in a resilient jacket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A toy as described in claim 2 wherein said insert means for the tail end is a rigid molded plastic shell bonded to said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A toy as described in claim 3 wherein said body is sufficiently flexible to be bent through an arc of approximately 180° during the acceleration period initiating its flight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A toy as described in claim 2 wherein a space is provided between the forward end of said weight and the inner face of said jacket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A toy as described in claim 1 wherein said weight is a wooden plug.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A toy as described in claim 6 wherein said forward end is encased in a resilient jacket, a space being provided between the end of said plug and the inner face of said jacket to provide increased cushioning when the toy impacts against an object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A toy as described in claim 1 wherein the weight is a metal plug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A toy as described in claim 1 wherein said weight constitutes a major and dominant portion of the energy of the toy after it has been accelerated to flight speed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A toy as described in claim 1 wherein said body is encased in a flexible outer skin having a bright coloring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A toy as described in claim 10 wherein said coloring includes a material which fluoresces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method of causing the toy described in claim 1 to traverse a flight trajectory including the steps of grasping the conical tail end of the body between the thumb and forefinger, and simultaneously grasping the forward end of the toy stretching the toy's body by increasing the distance between the ends thereof to provide tension between its ends, releasing the forward end of the toy and allowing the forward end to double back on itself and as the doubled back loop formed thereby approaches said tail end thereof releasing said tail end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-03 | 1993-01-02 | 1993-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-03 | 1997-01-02 | 1997-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-03 | 2001-01-02 | 2001-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |