US Patent 6953033 Ring airfoil launcher toy with safety features

A ring airfoil launcher comprises a main support on which is movably mounted a ring airfoil accepting conical chuck and a retractor. A stop mounted on the main support for limiting forward movement of the chuck. A spring biases the chuck towards the stop. The retractor is mounted distal of the chuck and includes a latch for connecting it to the chuck. Rearward movement of the retractor causes rearward movement of the chuck, extending said spring. Twisting of the retractor rotates the chuck, winding the spring. A release disengages the latch from the chuck, allowing the spring to pull the chuck forward along the main support towards the stop, and rotating the chuck as it unwinds, causing the ring airfoil mounted on said chuck to be released from the launcher with forward velocity and stabilizing spin.