Flying toy configured to move by wing flapping

Abstract

A flying toy capable of moving by flapping of wings includes an actuation mechanism, for the wings, comprising a crank drive rotated by a means providing the driving force, two flexible wings arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical plane of symmetry of the toy and connected, at the wing bases, to the actuation mechanism. The wing bases are mounted oscillating about axes arranged on both sides of the vertical plane of symmetry of the toy. The toy includes a control means, that receives a control signal indicating a left turn, increases the tension on the right wing and reduces it on the left wing. For a right turn, the opposite action is performed.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A flying toy configured to move by flapping of wings, the flying toy comprising:
 a support structure,   an actuation mechanism arranged on the support structure and comprising a rotatable crank drive,   two flexible wings each comprising a wing base, the two flexible wings being arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry of the toy and connected, at the wing bases, to the actuation mechanism, the wing bases being mounted oscillating about axes arranged on both sides of the vertical plane of symmetry of the toy,   a controller that, responsive to receiving a control signal indicating a left turn, increases a tension on the right wing while reducing a tension on the left wing thereby effecting a left turn, and that, responsive to receiving a control signal indicating a right turn, increases the tension on the left wing while reducing the tension on the right left wing thereby effecting a right turn,   posterior edges of a main airfoil of the wings are attached on a rudder configured to pull laterally on the edges, in a plane of the wings, so as to change the tension of the wings:   a lateral traction on the posterior edge of the right wing increases the tension on the right wing and decreases the tension on the left wing,   a lateral traction on the posterior edge of the left wing increases the tension on the left wing and decreases the tension on the right wing,   wherein the movement of the rudder is controlled by a memory shapes wires that, responsive to receiving an electric current, constricts.   
     
     
         12 . A toy according to  claim 11 , wherein the memory shapes wires are copper-aluminium-nickel alloys. 
     
     
         13 . A toy according to  claim 11 , wherein the memory shapes wires are nickel-titanium alloys. 
     
     
         14 . A toy according to  claim 11 , wherein the switching power of memory shapes wires is controlled by a radio-control remote. 
     
     
         15 . A toy according to  claim 11 , wherein the rudder is mounted pivoting around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the wings, the pivoting of the rudder causing a lateral traction on the posterior edges of the main airfoil of the wings. 
     
     
         16 . A toy according to  claim 11 , wherein the rudder is mounted movable in translation in a direction parallel to the plane of the wings, a displacement of the rudder causing a lateral traction on the posterior edges of the main airfoil of the wings. 
     
     
         17 . A toy according to  claim 11 , wherein a return spring enables restoration of the rudder in a neutral position where no traction is exerted on the wings. 
     
     
         18 . A toy according to  claim 11 , wherein the wings comprise spanwise wing beams connected to the wing bases, the spanwise beams being formed from a first part inserted into the wing bases and at the end of which is attached a rod, the latter being pivotally mounted, about its longitudinal axis, in the first part. 
     
     
         19 . A toy according to  claim 12 , wherein the rods are tightly fitted and/or cemented in a sheath, the latter covering the rods so as to consolidate their base and decrease the fragility at this area. 
     
     
         20 . A method for controlling a flying toy configured to move by flapping of wings, the toy comprising:
 a support structure,   an actuation mechanism arranged on the support structure and comprising a rotatable crank drive,   two flexible wings each comprising a wing base, the two flexible wings being arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry of the toy and connected, at the wing bases, to the actuation mechanism, the wing bases being mounted oscillating about axes arranged on both sides of the vertical plane of symmetry of the toy,   each posterior edges of a main airfoil of the wings is coupled to a memory shape wire that, responsive to receiving an electric current, constricts,   the method comprising:
 receiving a control signal, 
 responsive to the control signal indicating a right turn, constricting the memory shape wire coupled to the right wing to reduce the tension on the right wing, 
   responsive to the control signal indicating a left turn, constricting memory shape wire coupled to the left wing to reduce the tension on the left wing.