RUFFWEAR MONOCOPTER TOY
Inspired by a maple seed, the monocopter toy has a counterweight on one side that is made out of rubber and the other end that is like a single wing made out of durable, waterproof fabric, which is what Ruffwear is known for. The idea came from looking at hunting dogs, how they interacted and scanned the sky for prey when it fell to the ground. Instead of just throwing a ball that will just roll away this monocopter toy will give the dog anticipation of a toy slowly coming down.
Maple seeds generate a tornado-like vortex that sits atop the front leading edge of the seeds as they spin slowly to the ground. This leading-edge vortex lowers the air pressure over the upper surface of the maple seed, effectively sucking the wing upward to oppose gravity, giving it a boost. The vortex doubles the lift generated by the seeds compared to non swirling seeds.” (Caltech Media Relations 2009)
