GB546533A - Improvements in or relating to light buoys - Google Patents

Abstract

546,533. Visual landing aids for aircraft. FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER CO. Jan. 13, 1941, No. 460. Convention date, Jan. 13, 1940. [Class 118 (ii)] [Also in Groups XXI and XI] Relates to light buoys particularly for the use in showing landing areas for aeroplanes. In Fig. 1, an annular tube 11 of rubber, rubberized fabric, light metal &c., is of substantially diamond section ; the rubber is compounded to resist water and sunlight and a valve is provided to permit the tube to be placed under slight pneumatic pressure. Spaced sections of the tube are coloured yellow, or orange against a black base, &c. An internal integral shoulder 13 on the tube, and integral lugs 14 support between them a metal annulus 15 on which the light-producing means 12 is mounted by crossed downwardly-extending U-shaped metal straps 16. The means 12 comprises a flanged case 17 containing dry batteries 18, and a flanged cover 19, the flanges being secured together and to straps 16 by bolts 20, 23 ; the cover carries a pipe 25 supporting a lens 29 and an electric light 26 controlled remotely or by switch 35, a unit 31 converting the current from the batteries to alternating current. The buoy is held by chain 36 and swivel 38. In Fig. 4, the tube 40 has a puncture-proof lining 41, and carries T- shaped metallic inserts 42 the legs 43 of which have key-hole slots receiving pins on an annulus 47 locked by bolts 51 ; the annulus supports the lighting means by a ball and socket joint 57. In another form, right-angle inserts are provided and may form a continuous ring embedded in the rubber, and the annulus 47 has a vertical flange engaging the inner surface of the ring 40. In Fig. 7, non-metallic hooked arms 72 are supported by the tube 71 and have eyelets 73 for securing anchoring means, and inturned inner ends 74 for supporting the light; an annular strip 77 spaces the arms 72 and may be embedded in or vulcanized to the rubber. In another form, the inner surface of the tube 71 closely conforms to the shape of the battery case of the light. In Fig. 10, a ball-like rubber tube 95 supports the lamp assembly which is held by discs 98 threaded to a tube 97. In Fig. 11, the lamp assembly is held to the tube 100 by conical members 103 adjusted on a threaded tube 102 by nuts 104 and provided with ribs engaging recesses in the tube 100.