GB412593A - Improvements relating to the under-carriages of aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

412,593. Retractable undercarriages. COMPER AIRCRAFT CO., Ltd., and COMPER, N., Heston Airport, Hounslow, Middlesex. Dec. 29, 1932, No. 36815. [Class 4.] A manually or power-operated retractable undercarriage for aircraft comprises a wheel carried by a frame which can be swung up or down in a substantially fore and aft direction so that it is wholly or substantially wholly retractable within the aircraft body or wing, means being provided for locking the undercarriage in its extended or retracted position. As shown and adapted for manual operation, each wheel is carried on an axle mounted between two rigid frames 2, 3, 4, the members 2 of which incorporate a shock-absorber, the frames being braced apart by members 5, 9, and 9x. The member 5 is telescoped over and secured to a tube 6 extending through the aircraft wing and is mounted for rotation by a hand lever 20, a link 19 and a lever 18 in brackets 7 so that the two wheels of the aircraft may be swung upwards or downwards together. The frames are locked in the extended or retracted position by spring- pressed bolts 10 housed in the members 9 and adapted to engage holes provided in plates 15, 17. The bolts are disengaged by actuation of a lever 21 connected by a Bowden wire to a lever on a sleeve 14 having helical slots cooperating with pins 12 on the bolts 10. The wheels may be actuated separately and the open end of each recess for the wheels may be closed by a fairing provided on the front members of the undercarriage units. The fairings may be formed by two flaps controlled manually or by air pressure and they may be mounted on the wing in which case they may hinge or slide. Springs may be provided to assist in retracting the undercarriage. A warning-lamp may be provided for indicating to the pilot the position of the landing-gear and the circuit for such a lamp may be closed when the throttle is shut off with the undercarriage in its retracted position.