GB107050A - - Google Patents

Abstract

107,050. Sloper, T. June 12, 1916. Pneumatic springs.-Relates to means for mounting air-cushions for aircraft of the kind described in Specification 105,977. According to the invention, the air cushion is rotatably mounted on a support, the axis of rotation being perpendicular to the side of the cushion whereby it is secured to the support. As shown in Fig. 1, the plate A<2> of the cushion A is provided with a hollow spindle B rotatably mounted in the hub C of a wire wheel provided with spokes C<2> and a rim C<1>. The rim C<1> is preferably L-shaped to provide a flange C<3> to which radial struts D and tangential ties, secured at the other ends to the aircraft, are attached. Ties D<2> may be provided to prevent the hub C from tilting. The cushion A may be provided with an external annular plate to prevent abrasion by the flange C<3>. The axis of rotation may be arranged at an angle to the aircraft, and more than one cushioning-device D may be provided on one frame E, as shown in Fig. 3. In a modification, the wheel is arranged to rotate with the air cushion, the rim serving as a support for the cushion when under load. According to the Provisional Specification, the rotatable mounting may be dispensed with, the wheel and the cushion being fixed with regard to the aircraft, the cushion may be secured to the periphery of the wheel, and the struts D may be hinged to the wheel.