Elongated Launch Post With Helical Flute for Multiple Toy Spinners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing launchers for flying toy spinners with a double post design interfere with flight and cause tangling, especially when launching multiple spinners, and modifying the central hub to accommodate rotational energy results in reduced lift and flight time.
Innovation Solution
A launcher system with a launch post that passes through the central hub of the toy spinner, featuring a helical flute for engaging and driving multiple spinners, allowing simultaneous launch without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a double post design is used to transfer rotational energy to the toy spinner, then rotational energy transfer is achieved, but the second post interferes with flight and causes tangling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the second post from the launcher design, retaining only the first post that passes through the central hub. This extraction eliminates the flight interference and tangling problems caused by the second post while preserving the essential rotational energy transfer function through the remaining post and helical flute mechanism.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the central hub is made larger to accommodate rotational energy transfer, then rotational energy transfer is improved, but the propeller blades become smaller reducing lift and flight time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rotational energy transfer function from the central hub structure by introducing a separate helical flute mechanism on the post. This allows the central hub to remain small and preserve propeller blade size for optimal lift, while the helical flute independently provides the necessary rotational energy transfer through its screw-thread-like engagement with the hub.
3Device complexity
If a single post design is used to simplify the launcher, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to launch multiple spinners simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the single post's functionality by adding a helical flute that engages with the central hub's depression. This allows the same post structure to simultaneously accommodate multiple spinners stacked on the post and transfer rotational energy to all of them at once when the post is rotated, achieving multi-spinner launch capability without increasing structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simultaneous launch of multiple disc-shaped toy spinners without tangling, maintaining lift and flight time, and allowing for varied play options with colored spinners.
Implementation Method 1
The launch post contains at least one helical flute that drives the toy spinner off the free end of launch post when the launch post is spun by the spinning mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A toy assembly having a launcher that can launch more than one flying toy spinner. The flying toy spinner has a central hub and propeller blades. A post opening is formed through said central hub. The launcher has a launch post and a spinning mechanism for selectively causing launch post to spin. The launch post is sized to pass through the post opening in the flying toy spinner. The launch post contains at least one helical flute that drives the toy spinner off the free end of launch post when the launch post is spun by the spinning mechanism. The launch post has a post length that is at least three times the thickness of the flying toy spinner. As such, multiple flying toy spinner can be loaded onto the launch post at the same time, wherein all can be launched at once.