GB348339A - Improvements in and relating to alighting gear for aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

348,339. Aircraft alighting gear. BOLAS, H. and CROUCH, R. J. G., Box 375, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, U.S.A. April 14, 1930, No. 11801. [Class 4.] An amphibian having a central buoyant hull is provided with landing wheels 18 which are sufficiently buoyant to serve as balancing floats for use on the water when turned into the position shown in Fig. 5. The wheels may be replaced by skis for use on snow and ice. Each wheel 18 comprises a large inflated tyre, so that no additional shockabsorbing means are required, and is mounted on an axle carried by a bent member 16 pivoted at 17 to a strut 12 pivoted beneath the front spar of the wing at 13. An inwardlydirected stay 21 is pivoted to the front spar at 22 and has a forked end 20 pivoted to the member 16 at 40, the forked end embracing the lower end of the strut 12 when the member 16 is turned into the position shown in Fig. 5. Inclined stays extend from the strut 12 and stay 21 to points on the rear spar of the wing directly behind the points 13, 22. A cylinder and plunger 26, 25 effect the movement of the member 16 under hydraulic pressure and form a rigid strut in the position shown in Fig. 1. A cable 30 connects the points 40 of each member 16 to an elastic cable 32 to counterbalance the weight on the moving parts. The wheels 18 may be replaced by skis 33, Fig. 7, having streamlined portions 34 which act as floats when turned into the position shown in dotted lines. Slots 38 are formed in the float portion between bulkheads to enable the axle 19 to move against springs 39 to absorb landing shocks. An elastic member 36 and a flexible stay 35 allow the skid to tilt and restore it to a normal position when not in contact with the ground.