Hang Gliding Parachute Monkey
Designed by Alex Malkin
This toy is a hang gliding monkey that parachutes off the hang glider if the glider begins to dive. The toy is based off the principles of lift and air drag. It teaches children about these properties and provide them with hours of fun. The Hang Gliding Parachute Monkey comes with a kite sized hang glider, a miniature parachute backpack, and a monkey action figure. The backpack is put onto the monkey. The parachute is held shut by a slip knot. The monkey is then loosely clipped onto the hang glider, and the rope with the slip knot is attached to the frame of the hang glider. The child then throws the glider from a high place and watches it soar. If the glider begins to dive at too steep an angle the monkey slips off the frame. The slip knot will loosen and parachute will deploy. If the monkey falls from above a eight feet there will be enough time for the parachute to open and slow its fall, so he lands undamaged. If the children tire of the monkey, they can attach the parachute to any of their other action figures and see who fares best at flight.
The Hang Gliding Parachute Monkey is marketed primarily to boys 13-16, but would also interest older enthusiasts. A certain amount of patience and practice is neccessary to get the glider effectively flying, and the user would have to repack the parachute after every use. The toy itself does not cost very much to manufacture. The glider can be made of nylon and aluminum dowels. Using aluminum instead of wood should make it much more durable, and capable of crashing unscathed. The monkey is a standard plastic action figure.
Alex's other toys: Hang Gliding Parachute Monkey | The Infernobile | Super Spinning Top