Self-Flapping Bird Wing Device

Abstract

A flexible one-piece self-flapping wing which is capable of providing a lifting surface on a slow gliding aircraft for stable gilding flight. Embodiments include a bird-like glider which includes a fuselage, nose, horizontal stabilizer, and a set of the self-flapping wings affixed at a midsection of the fuselage, which oscillate between an upper and lower position in response to a received air flow, and which may be further adjusted to enhance lift, stability, and glider control during flight. When incorporated into a glider, the self-flapping wings exhibit a reliable, rapid flutter flapping motion and cause the glider to maintain a slow glide for an extended time aloft, making it ideal for use in a variety of settings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A throwable one-piece self-flapping glider device, throwable winged apparatus; the apparatus comprising:
 a set of swept self-flapping wings affixed to an elongated fuselage portion and comprised of a resilient and flexible material to enable a controlled bird-like oscillation at a common frequency during flight.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the self-flapping wings are configured to oscillate between an upper position and a lower position to generate lift from a passing air force. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprised of a variable density material. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprised of a light-weight molded material. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the set of self-flapping wings includes a forward swept mid portion and an aft swept outboard portion. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further configured to releasably secure a light-weight propulsion system. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the set of swept self-flapping wings includes a trailing edge configured to curved to a pre-determined position to provide enhanced lift during flight. 
     
     
         8 . A throwable self-flapping glider device; the device comprising:
 an elongated fuselage extending between a forward nose portion and a rear horizontal stabilizer; and   a set of swept self-flapping wings affixed a midpoint section of the elongated fuselage and configured to cause synchronized oscillation at a common frequency when an air force is received during flight.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the set of swept self-flapping wings includes a trailing edge having a downward curve defined between 25 and 30 degrees to provide an enhanced lift during flight. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated fuselage is further configured to releasably attach a light-weight and dimensioned autogiro. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the device is further comprised of a variable density material. 
     
     
         12 . A one-piece molded and throwable self-flapping glider device; the device comprising:
 an elongated fuselage extending between a forward nose portion and a rear horizontal stabilizer; and   a set of swept self-flapping wings comprised of a flexible and resilient material and further including a curled portion which provide a continuous oscillation at a defined frequency between an upper position and a lower position during flight.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the device is comprised of a flexible and molded material. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible and molded material include a variable density. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12  further including a trailing edge having a downward curve between at least 25 and 30 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the set of self-flapping wings includes an outboard wing region having an upward curl defined between 2 and 4 degrees.