GB481050A - New or improved means for folding monoplane wings - Google Patents

Abstract

481,050. Folding monoplane wings. SHORT BROS. (ROCHESTER & BEDFORD), Ltd., and McVIE, R. March 18, 1937, No. 7961. [Class 4] A monoplane wing comprises a main part c, Figs. 2, 3, hinged to a stub wing of which the trailing part b<1> is foldable forwardly to permit the part c to fold back about a substantially vertical axis, the hinge connection between the parts b, c being such that .the part c may thereafter be rotated about a substantially fore and aft axis to the position shown in Fig. 5 when it may, if desired, be secured by a jury strut to the fuselage. Wing c is mounted on a turntable d, Fig. 8, which is mounted by antifriction rollers d<2>, d<3> in a circular track mounted in fixed stub wing part b. Brackets d<4> , Figs. 3 and 8, extend at an angle from the rotary portion and carry bosses d<5> for hinge pins received in lugs c<2> formed on brackets c<1> extending rearwardly and inwardly from the rear spar of wing c. The hinge pins are near to the upper and lower surfaces of wing c and their axes are in line with the line of separation between wing and stub wing. When wing c has been swung into the position of Fig. 3 a sleeve extension c<3>, Fig. 11, on the trailing part of the wing engages between bolt housings e<3> on a bracket e, Fig. 8, and is secured therein by spring-pressed bolts el, e<2> which engage in slots c<4> formed in the sleeve. The wing c is thus secured to the turntable at three spaced points. Sleeve c<3> may be released by actuation of a cam expander shaft by handle c<6>. Rotation of wing c to the position of Fig. 5 is effected by gear means driving on to the turntable and including a worm shaft rotatable by handle d<6>, Fig. 5. The axes of the pivots or the mounting of the turntable in stub wing b may be such that when fully folded the wing tips are close against the after part of the fuselage. The wing locking means comprise apertured lugs c<7>, c<8>, Fig. 6, on front and rear spars which engage between pairs of similar lugs b<3>, b<4> fixed to the stub wing spars. Axially movable bolts f, f<1> are mounted as rams in hydraulic cylinders f<2>, f<3> and are outwardly urged to pass through the lugs by operation of a hand pump f<4>. The ends of the bolts may be made to show on the surfaces of the wing when they are home or may operate indicating means. Inspection openings f<6>, g are provided. According to a modification, bolts f, f<1>, may be operated by racks or by screw and nut gear.