GB566201A - Improvements in or relating to aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

566,201. Coupling aircraft. HLADIL, F. March 27, 1943, No. 4984. [Class 44] [Also in Groups XIV and XXXIII] Means for coupling an auxiliary aircraft to the underside of a main aircraft comprise a cable which can be lowered from the main aircraft for attachment to a spigot member on the auxiliary aircraft, the spigot being then drawn into a socket on the main aircraft to permit the interengagement of seating surfaces provided on the two aircraft. When the aircraft are coupled, connections are established for the transference of passengers, goods and fuel, and for telephone or like communication. An auxiliary aeroplane 2 has pivoted thereto at 7, near its centre of gravity, a spigot 6 adapted to he raised from a housing 8 to a vertical operative position. The spigot has a ball-end 9 adapted to be engaged by spring- urged jaws 12, 13 in a casing 17 attached to a cable 3 and urged by a spring 20 against conical surfaces 15 on the casing so-that the engagement is increased by the pull of the cable. The cable is connected to lifting and lowering gear on the main aeroplane 1 and to effect the coupling operation it is lowered with the casing 17 through a tubular socket 4 on the main aeroplane. It is then caught by V-shaped collecting wires on the auxiliary aeroplane and the end 9 of the spigot 6 having been engaged with the jaws 12, 13, the cable is raised, drawing the spigot into the socket 4 in which it is then locked by catches 23 operated by members 27 pivoted at 26 to the socket. As the spigot is drawn into the socket seating surfaces 30, 31 on the two aircraft are engaged, hatches 32, 33 for the transference of passengers and goods are brought into register, pipes 34, 35 for fuel, oil, &c. are connected and a plug and socket 37, 38 for electrical connections are engaged. An additional spigot and socket 4, 6 may be provided at 49 near the rear of the aircraft. Struts 39 hinged at 40 to each wing of the main aircraft are adapted to be turned downwards laterally by linkage 41, 42 with their lower ends engage stops 48 on the wings of the auxiliary aircraft. In order that the ends of the struts may travel readily on the surface of the wings, they carry wheels 43 with pivots 47, the periphery of each wheel comprising a series of rollers 46, the pivots 45 of which lie in the central plane of the wheel. To permit the separation of the two aircraft, the catches 23 are disengaged and the casing 17 of the coupling device is then moved downwardly by the pilot to disengage the jaws 12, 13 from the part 9, by engaging the jaws with projections 28 on the members 27. The main aircraft may carry an auxiliary aircraft under each wing and a third under the fuselage. The auxiliary aircraft may be a transport or a fighter aircraft, or a glider.