Self-returning aerial glider

Abstract

A self-returning aerial glider is disclosed, which can be launched to travel outwardly away from the point of launching and subsequently reverse its flight and return to the location of launching. The object is comprised of a generally ring-shape planar body conforming to specific dimensional proportions and mass-to-projected-area ratios optimized to producing favorable return glide behaviors.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An aerial device, comprising: 
 a planar body, including 
 an upper and a lower surface,  
 a central opening,  
   an inner perimeter encompassing said central opening, said inner perimeter having a center,    an outer perimeter encompassing said inner perimeter, said outer perimeter having a center,    said outer and inner perimeters are approximately determined by the application of the following formula:                                                r < 12 cm   s = 0.833 r to 0.900 r         r >= 12 cm and r < 24 cm   s = 0.750 r to 0.892 r         r >= 24 cm and r < 48 cm   s = 0.667 r to 0.884 r         r > 48 cm   s = 0.634 r to 0.875 r                   where         r is computed by taking the average of the distances taken along         said outer perimeter from said center of said outer perimeter,         s is computed by taking the average of the distances taken along         said inner perimeter from said center of said inner perimeter.                                                          
     
     
         2 . An aerial device of  claim 1  wherein said planar body has a weight of less than 0.15 grams per square centimeter of projected area.  
     
     
         3 . An aerial device of  claim 2  wherein said planar body is made of foam materials.  
     
     
         4 . An aerial device of  claim 1  wherein said upper and lower surfaces are substantially flat.  
     
     
         5 . An aerial device of  claim 4  wherein said planar body has a weight of less than 0.15 grams per square centimeter of projected area.  
     
     
         6 . An aerial device of  claim 5  wherein said planar body is made of foam materials.  
     
     
         7 . An aerial device, comprising: 
 a planar body, including 
 an upper and a lower surface,  
 a central opening,  
   an inner perimeter encompassing said central opening,    an outer perimeter encompassing said inner perimeter,    said planar body has a weight of less than 0.15 grams per square centimeter of projected area.    
     
     
         8 . An aerial device of  claim 7  wherein said upper and lower surfaces are substantially flat.  
     
     
         9 . An aerial device of  claim 8  wherein said inner and outer perimeters are substantially circular.  
     
     
         10 . An aerial device of  claim 7  wherein said inner and outer perimeters are substantially circular.  
     
     
         11 . An aerial device, comprising: 
 a planar body, including 
 an upper and a lower surface,  
 a central opening,  
   a substantially circular inner perimeter encompassing said central opening, said inner perimeter having a center,    a substantially circular outer perimeter encompassing said inner perimeter, said outer perimeter having a center,    said outer and inner perimeters are approximately determined by the application of the following formula:                                                r < 12 cm   s = 0.833 r to 0.900 r         r >= 12 cm and r < 24 cm   s = 0.750 r to 0.892 r         r >= 24 cm and r < 48 cm   s = 0.667 r to 0.884 r         r >= 48 cm   s = 0.634 r to 0.875 r                   where         r radius of said outer perimeter         s radius of said inner perimeter.                                                        
     
     
         12 . An aerial device of  claim 11  wherein said planar body has a weight of less than 0.15 grams per square centimeter of projected area.  
     
     
         13 . An aerial device of  claim 12  wherein said planar body is made of foam materials.  
     
     
         14 . An aerial device of  claim 11  wherein said upper and lower surfaces are substantially flat.  
     
     
         15 . An aerial device of  claim 14  wherein said planar body has a weight of less than 0.15 grams per square centimeter of projected area.  
     
     
         16 . An aerial device of  claim 15  wherein said planar body is made of foam materials.