US2743697A

US2743697A - Apparatus for beaching seaplanes

Info

Publication number: US2743697A
Application number: US162572A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cooper Henry Gibbons; Dickinson Merton Hough
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-05-17
Filing date: 1950-05-17
Publication date: 1956-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 1973-05-01

Description

May 1, 1956 H. ca. COOPER ETAL APPARATUS FOR BEACHING SEAPLANES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 17, 1950 HENRY 6. COOPER ME I? TON h. DICKINSON Filed May 17, 1950 H. G. COOPER ET AL APPARATUS FOR BEACHING SEAPLANES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1956 H. ca. COOPER ETAL 2,743,697

APPARATUS FOR BEACHING SEAPLANES Filed May 17, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 60 F G, 5 F 6. 7

64 as 7! a9 90 J 25 68 30 H 79 V .V 1 A 67 75 I I 4 I as 72 73 7e 74 7a 77 F IG. .9

gwuq/wtow HENRY GI COOPER ME RTON H. DICKINSON United States Patent APPARATUS FOR REACHING SEAPLANES Henry Gibbons Cooper, United States Navy, and Merton Hough Dickinson, Fairfield, Conn.

. Application May 17, 1950, Serial No. 162,572

Claims. (Cl. 114--230) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), see. 266) This invention relates to apparatus for beaching seaplanes, and more particularly to apparatus in which a buoyed cable is utilized to limit and prescribe the motion of the plane while its own propellers are urging it forward, in a manner to guide the plane to a desired position with respect to a cradle car.

Prior art devices are characterized by a number of limitations and disadvantages. When a boat is employed to take a line to a seaplane so that the plane may be swung into position for beaching, considerable time is required, as well as the services of a relatively large crew. The use of conventional beaching gear results in one highly stressed section of the airplane supporting or carrying the entire weight of the plane. Loading and unloading passengers and cargo is difficult and hazardous.

The apparatus described in the patent issued to Arthur Gouge for Flying Boat Base, No. 2,399,483, issued April 30, 1949, wherein a pickup cable extends between the dock and a breakwater, the cable having stops at spaced intervals to cooperate with a hook or like pickup device attached to the plane, for drawing the plane to the dock, does not provide a sufiiciently positive guiding motion to permit the use of a cradle car and the use of a cradle car is not contemplated. Furthermore, Gouges invention contemplates the use of an additional tail cable and winch for heading the plane in the desired direction.

The instant invention, however, provides for positive and precise positioning of the plane, under the joint con trol of the planes propellers and the winches on the docks, for setting the plane upon a cradle car.

According to a preferred embodiment of apparatus suitable for practicing the invention, a cable is stretched between two buoys which may be located a convenient distance apart, such for example, as 50 feet, and connected at the ends thereof to power winches located upon the dock. Floats may be attached to the cable to keep it near the surface of the water, and as the plane taxies between buoys, a hook attached to the bottom of the plane engages the cable, thereby slowing and ultimately stopping the motion of the plane. While the propellers are still turning the forward motion of the plane is controlled by means of the power winches attached to the ends of the cable, thereby steering the plane into finger piers, whereupon a beach cable is secured to the snubbing post of the plane, and the plane moved into position above a crade or pickup car.

Accordingly, an object is to provide new and improved apparatus for beaching a seaplane.

Another object is to provide new and improved apparatus for beaching a seaplane in a minimum of time and with a relatively small crew.

Still another object is to provide new and improved cradle and pickup car apparatus for use in beaching a seaplane.

A further object is to provide new and improved cable attaching or connecting apparatus for use in beaching a seaplane.

Still a further object is to provide a new and improved side mount bracket for use in conjunction with a cradle car for beaching a seaplane.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a suitable pier arrangement;

Fig. 2 is a general side elevational view in which is shown the seaplane, cradle and ramp cars, and track;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the cradle car, showing the position of the seaplane when supported therein;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the mounting bracket;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the seaplane supported in the cradle car;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a suitable railway layout;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a seaplane;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged end view of the cable hook; and

Fig. 9 is a detailed sectional view of the cable hook mechanism axially thereof, showing in particularity the releasing device for the cable.

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete understanding of the invention, in which like reference characters are used throughout to designate like parts, and in particular to Fig. 1 thereof, there is shown a seaplane which may be of any convenient or conventional design and generally designated by the reference numeral 10, but which preferably has a bottom or keel arrangement similar to that shown in Fig. 7, in which there is a small step of, for example, six inches at 63.

A pair of.

mooring buoys

15 and 16, Fig. 1, are positioned apart a convenient distance, such for example as 50 feet, and preferably substantially parallel to the shore line 35. The

buoys

15 and 16 have attached thereto by cables or

wires

17 and 18 respectively the pulleys 19 and 2 0 respectively. A cable 25 is extended between these pulleys, and thence the ends of the cable are attached to rotating or take up spool members 13 and 14 of winches 11 and 12 respectively, located upon the dock.

Substantially midway between the

buoys

15 and 16 and the lengths of cable shown may be located

finger piers

32 and 33 preferably having rows of pneumatic fenders 34 along the insides thereof.

It is understood that a marine railway is to be located between the finger piers, not shown in Fig. 1 for convenience and clarity of illustration, but shown in Figs. 2 and 6.

Rails 44 are mounted upon supports on ties 45 positioned upon the sloping trestle or framework generally designated at 46, and which preferably has a 10:1 slope i. e., for each ten units of horizontally measured length there is one unit of vertically measured length deviation from the horizontal plane whence measurement commenced.

A ramp car generally designated at 41, having small front wheels 42 and larger rear wheels 43, is mounted upon the track, and has the stop 38 secured to the rear thereof. A cradle car, generally designated by the reference numeral 36 and having wheels 37 adapted to fit the aforementioned track, may sit upon the ramp car. The sides of the cradle car may conveniently comprise upright post supports 49 and a horizontal bar or support member 60 upon which are mounted at spaced intervals, the pneumatic side fenders 50 for riding up the sides of the fuselage when the cradle is spotted under it and for cushioning the seaplane when it rests in the cradle car.

A pick-up cable hook mechanism, generally designated by the reference numeral 64, Fig. 7, is attached to the keel of the. seaplane, preferably a predetermined distance back of the aforementioned step 63, for example, 22 inches.

The hook mechanism is shown in greater detail in Fi gs. 8 and 9, and is presently to be more fully described. The position. offthe hook. may correspond substantially to that of point 21, Fig. 1, which is substantially the pivot point of the seaplane.

It; will be understood; that before the seaplane lands, the cable 25 is stretched between

pulleys

19 and 20, preferably in azsubstantially straight line. The seaplane after landinguponthewater taxies between the buoys l and 16, where. the hook.6.4 engages the cable 25, and may move it to the position shown in Fig. 1. Thereafter, by manipulatingthe winches. 11' and 12 with the propellers running-,the. plane may conveniently be moved into position betweenthe finger piers over the pick-up car, whereupon. the motors-may be cut and the towing cable or bridle 23 attached to the ship, one portion of the bridle being alreadyattached. to; the pick-up car.

Attached to the sides of the plane at spaced intervals are mounting brackets 47, Fig. 2, which, when the plane is cradled. in thecradle car, rest upon the horizontal bars 60. In Fig; 3is showndiagrammatically the body of the plane supported in the cradle car; the brackets 47 support the plane, while the pneumatic cushions 50 prevent undesired impacts between car'and plane.

In Fig. 4 is shown in detail amounting bracket. Preferably. the side walls:54 of the plane have a row of curved apertures 55therein. The mounting bracket 47 includes a curved extended end portion 56 adapted to be inserted securely in the aperture 55. Attached to the wall of the plane are brackets57 which, in cooperation with pin 58, hold the mounting brackets 47 securely in place.

When the seaplane has been securely positioned in the cradle car, it may be moved'by the operation of winch l2, spool 26, fixed pulley 24, andicradle 23 to any desired position upon the track, within the water or out, for loading or unloading and for maintenance.

A convenient railway layout for use with the instant invention is shown in Fig. 6, the ramp track 44 being extended intoi the fiat beach track 95, switch 88 providing for moving the plane by way of connecting rail section 62 and switch 87, from the beaching railway to launching railway 61.

Particular reference is made now to Figs. 8 and 9 in which are shown details of the hook mechanism 64. A reinforcing plate member 71' is preferably provided on the heel of the plane, upon which the hook mechanism is mounted by any suitable means, not shown. Extended support portions 69 and' 70'support or have formed integral therewith acylindrical portion 66 having a bore or cylindrical aperture 76 therein in which is disposed the hook holding and releasing member 67. A hook 68 is pivoted for rotation about pin 89, Fig. 9, and while member'67 is in'the position shown, hook 68 is maintained in the position whereat it engages and holds the afore mentioned cable 25'. When member 67 is withdrawn into bore or chamber 76, in a manner presently to be described, hook 68' is moved by the tension on cable 25 back until it occupies a position in aperture or chamber 90, in which position cable 25 slips off the hook, and thereafter does not restrain the forward motion of the seaplane.

Member 67 is normally maintained in the position shown,Fig; 9, by action ofspring 72, which may encircle the small arm or extended portion 73, and which abuts against shoulder 80, and also against the end 74 of locking member 75 which is threaded into the threaded end of bore 76. I Member 73 has attached thereto, as by pin 78, a connecting link 77, to which rope or cord is attached at 79. When cord 65 is pulled, member 67 is moved back, releasing cable 25. Rope 65 may conveniently extend into a port in the side of the seaplane, as shown in Fig. 7.

It is accordingly seen that anapparatus well suited for practicing the method of the invention is herein provided. In the practice of the method of the invention, the plane to be beached may taxi between

buoys

15 and 16, engaging cable 25 by hook 68. Thereafter, by selectively taking up or slackening up on the ends of cable 25 at winches 11 and 12, the plane 10, with its propellers running, may be guided into position between

finger piers

32 and 33. Thereafter, a towing bridle or cable 23 may be attached to the nose of the plane, and to the pick-up car, Fig. 2. The car 36 may be then moved to a position whereat its sides extend above the surface ofthe'watenand the plane precisely located above car 36 by proper adjustment of the lengths of the two portions of the bridle. Car 36 and plane 10 are then moved forward together until the rests or brackets 47 attached to the side of theplane rest upon bars 69. When the cars and plane have reached the top of the incline, car 36 may be run onto the fiat track 95, and plane 10 moved to any desired position upon the dock.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. scope of the appended claims theinvention maybe practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The invention described herein maybe manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United Statesof America for governmental purposes without thepay-- ment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. In apparatus for beaching a seaplane having a. cablehook attached to the underside'thereof, in combination,

a pair of adjustable winches spaced apart" a predeter-- mined distance, a pair of floating buoys located: a predetermined distance from said winches and spaced apart a predetermined distance, a pair of pulleys supported by said pair of buoys respectively, a cableextendingrbeztween said pulleys and having the two ends thereof attached to said pair of adjustable winches respectively: whereby the cable may be lengthened and shortened se:- lectively in accordance with. the adjustment of. said winches a cable hook adapted for dependent'positioning from the keel of said seaplane, said cable being adapted to be engaged automatically, andheld by said cable book, a pair of substantially parallel finger piers located in. predetermined position with respect to said cable and winches, said finger piers being spaced apart a predetermined distance to receive the body of said. seaplane, a sloping underwater track extending between saidfinger. piers, a ramp car movable upon said track, a cradle carv mounted upon said ramp car and having wheels adapted to move upon said track, and cable means for attachment to. said seaplane and ramp car, said winches, cable, and cable means for positioning said seaplane and cradle car in a manner such that said seaplane may. come, to rest in proper position upon said cradle car said. cable means including a winch, a first cable connectable. between said winch and seaplane, and a second cableconnectable between said car and a point on saidfirst cable, the length of said second cable exceeding that of the section of said first cable between the point of seaplane attachment and the point of connectionto saidsecond cable.

2. In seaplane beaching apparatus for use with a seaplane having a pickup. hook attached to the undersidethereof, in combination, beaching means including a.- track. and car movable upon said track, stopping means for guiding and stopping the forward motion of the seaplane and placing the seaplane in a predetermined manner on said car, and positioning means for moving the seaplane to a beached position after stoppage and placement. on said car, said stopping means including apair of adjustable winches, water buoyant means, cable guides mounted on said buoyant means, a cable attached. at its ends to said winches and extending through said cable It is therefore to be understood thatwithin the.

guides, and a pickup hook depending from said seaplane adapted to engage automatically said cable between said guides on movement of said seaplane toward said cradle means, and said positioning means including a winch and a divided cable connecting said winch, car and seaplane.

3. In seaplane beaching apparatus for use with a seaplane having a pickup hook attached to the underside thereof, in combination, beaching means including a pair of finger piers, a sloping submerged track extending between said finger piers, a ramp car movable upon said track, a cradle car mounted upon said ramp car, for guiding and stopping the forward motion of said seaplane and placing said plane in a predetermined manner on said cradle car, and positioning means for moving the seaplane to a beached position after stoppage and placement on said cradle car said stopping means including a pair of adjustable Winches, a plurality of water buoyant supports, cable guides mounted on said supports, a cable extending between said winches and passing through said guides, a pickup hook depending from said seaplane adapted to engage automatically said cable between said guides on movement of said seaplane toward said cradle car, and means for releasing said hook on positioning of said seaplane over said cradle, and said seaplane positioning means including a winch and an additional cable connecting said winch to each of said seaplane and ramp car.

4. In seaplane beaching apparatus for use with a seaplane having a pickup hook attached to the underside thereof, in combination, beaching means including a track and cradle car movable upon said track, a pair of adjustable winches, a cable having the ends thereof attached to said pair of winches respectively, buoy means for supporting said cable adjacent the sea surface, stopping means for said seaplane including a pickup hook depending from said seaplane adapted to engage automatically said cable on movement of said seaplane toward said cradle car and positioning means for said seaplane including a winch, and a cable connecting said winch to said car and seaplane whereby the forward motion of said seaplane is guided and halted and said seaplane is positioned with respect to said cradle car.

5. In seaplane beaching apparatus for use with a seaplane having a pickup hook attached to the underside thereof, in combination, beaching means including a pair of finger piers, a sloping track extending between said finger piers, a ramp car movable upon said track, a cradle car mounted upon said ramp car, means including a pair of adjustable winches, a cable having the ends, thereof attached to said pair of winches respectively, buoy means for supporting said cable, near the sea surface, a pickup hook depending from said seaplane adapted to engage automatically said cable on movement of said seaplane toward said cradle, means for releasing said pickup hook, and cable means including a winch and a second cable joining the winch to said ramp car and seaplane for positioning said seaplane for engagement with said cradle car whereby the forward motion of said seaplane is guided and stopped and the seaplane positioned with respect to said cradle car.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 4,121 Wheelock Sept. 13, 1870 353,121 Catrari Nov. 23, 1886 857,264 West June 18, 1907 1,281,336 Frazier, Jr. Oct. 15, 1918 2,108,747 Glover Feb. 15, 1938 2,190,358 Henrichsen et al. Feb. 13, 1940 2,217,879 Willey Oct. 15, 1940 2,227,725 Laddon Jan. 7, 1941 2,371,461 Newell Mar. 13, 1945 2,371,721 Walters Mar. 20, 1945 2,381,789 Turnbull Aug. 7, 1945 2,411,382 Martin Nov. 19, 1946 2,447,945 Knowler Aug. 24, 1948 2,478,217 Walters et al. Aug. 9, 1949 2,501,310 Burke Mar. 21, 1950 2,526,348 Gouge 0 Oct. 17, 1950 2,594,773 Harris Apr. 29, 1952 2,658,354 Lee Nov. 10, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 83,760 France Nov. 12, 1868 316,397 Italy Apr. 5, 1934