US1109892A - Flying-machine. - Google Patents

Description

L. G. YOUNG. PLYINe MAGHINB. APPLIOATIONVFILEDJUNB 10, 1912.

Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

10 SHEETS-"SHEET 1.

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L. G. YOUNG.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 1o, 1912.

11,109,892. Patented sept. s, 1914.

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FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 10, 1912.

Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

L. G. YOUNG. f

FLYING MAGHINE. APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 1o, 1912.

Patented sept. s, 1914.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

. Zik/Uefa Z651' w Mig??? L. G. YOUNG.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10,1912. 1p U Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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L. G. YUNG.

FLYING MACHINE. APPLIQATION FILED JUNE '10, 1912.

Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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1 L. G. YOUNG.; FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10.1912.

Patnted Sept. 8, 1914;

f 10 SHEETS-.SHEET 7.

L. G. YGUNG.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1o, 1912.

Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

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L. G. YOUNG.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE Io, 1912.

Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

10 SHEETS*SHBET 9.

L. G. YOUNG.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNB10, 1912.

Patented sept.8,1914.

10 SHEETS-SHEET l0.

zrzda mural) STATES 'Parnu LEWIS GITER YOUNG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.-

FLYINGMACHINE- To all uliom it may concern Be it known that I, LEWIS GiNTER YOUNG, a citizen of the United States, and resident of N ew York city, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in F lying-Machines, of which the following is a. specification containing a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to improvements in flying machines, the principal object of which is to construct a flying machine wherein the center of the sum of' the sup-- ports of the machine is fixed relative to the center of the sum of' the weights (or center of gravity), regardless of any adjustment of the machine or its inclination to the horizontal.

Another object is the construction of the Supporting or sustaining planes, wherein the angle of ascendance is prolonged to the extremev end in a semi-circle, so that should the machine dip at an angle to the line of flight, the ends of the supporting planes oppose the same resistance to .the incoming air, and produce the same action as the front-cutting edge of the supporting planes.

Another object is to have vthe ends of thes supporting planes or wings independently flexible or adjustable. and also flexible orf adjustable independently ofthe adjustment of the supporting planes, so that practically the same results may be obtained .by the independent flexing or adjusting of the ends only as is obtained by the warping of the entire supporting or sustaining planes. Another object' is to construct a machine having a flexible body and tail portion, which can be gradually curved upwardly or downwardly, so that the chord of its curvature is the prolongation of the chord of the main supporting plantl and to mount the flexible body portion in a rigid framework removed from the flexible body portion, so that the wiringr from said rigid framework is led to the flexible body and tail portion at the proper angle for the easy flexing or ad` justment of the flexible body and tail portion.

Another object is to have the supporting planes so arranged that the angular relation thereof 'to the horizontal may be varied by the relative movement of the framework in which the planes are mounted to the body of the machine, and to provide for the support- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .T une 10, 1912. Serial No. 702,867,

mg planes for their protection a skid or shock absorber mounted beneath the planes. and also the employment of drags beneath the planes.

This application is an improvement on the application filed by me June 111, 1911, Serial No. 633,041, especially in the construction of the 'supporting planes, the mechanism for adjusting and supporting the' same, the spe.

cific construction of the flexible body and tail portion, and the framework for the ilexible body portion. fi- "1 With the above'purposes in View, my'in'' vention consists in certain novel featuresof construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more .fully de-z scribed, pointed out in the claims, andillustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

Figure 1 is a longitudinal central-.section rr ernten.

of the machine,in a position'ready-to 'as-* eend; Fig. .2 1s a front elevation;zFig. 3ds a top plan view, having apart of one .ofthe supporting planes' broken away; Fig. tlisA an enlarged sectional view of the front rigid body portion of the machine;- Fig. 5 is a front sectional elevation taken ,on the..line 5 -i-5 of Fig. 4; Fig.- -6 is a front elevation of the yterminal portion of .oneof thesupportvmg planes, disclosing the drag lunderneath the plane andthe yielding skid: for the plane; Fig-7 isa detailed sectional view of the lower end-of. a .tubecarried loythe-trans verse 'framework Viii-:which` thelplanes are mounted; Fig. 8 is a top plan view ofthe tip or terminal portionA of one of thesupporting or sustainingplanes; Fig. 9 '-is an endfview of the terminall portion ofone ofthefsupv; portingor sustaining planes; Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line 10-10'of- Fig. -8;` Fig. 11 is a rear View of the terminal pori tion of one of the supportingplanes looking;

in the direction ofthe arrow aof Fig.v 10; Fig. 12 is a horizontal section taken .on the line 12-12 of Fig. 4; Fig. 13 is a transverse section taken on the line 13--13 of Fig. 4; Fig. 14 is a detailed side elevation of a lever and ratchet wheel employed in the mecha-v nism which flexes, bends or adjusts the rear flexible body portion of the machine and.op= crates or changes the angle of the support? ing planes; Fig. 15 is a detailed side elevation of the upper end of the levers which operate the frame and the rear flexible body and tail portion of the machine, illustrating the means'for locking the leverstogethery...

` for Herring, bending or adjusting the same,

pulleys for drawing the wiring and the operating levers, and connections for operating the triangular framework; Fig. 19 is a side elevation of the differential pulleys for operating the wiring, having the wiring applied thereto; and 2O is a top plan view of the differential pulleys which operate the wiring for flexing, adjusting or bending the rear flexible body and tail portion of the machine.

Referring by numerals to theaccompanying drawings: 1 indicates a casing of any suitable material which forms part of and y incloses the front rigid body portion of the machine, which rigid body portion is constructed in any suitable mechanical man-l ner, and generally according to the construction shown, comprising longitudinally eX- tending metallic channels 2, suitably connected by means of members 3, all of said parts being secured to hoops or bands 4.

5 indicates a motor of any suitable type or construction, and 6 a propeller of any suitable type or construction.

7 indicates the fuel tank and 8 the aviator`s seat. The motor, fuel tank and aviators seat are inclosed in the casing 1, a suitable opening 9 being formed for the entrance and exit of the aviator to and fi'om the machine.

1G indicates the main supporting or sustaining planes, which are identical in construction and method of operation, andare pivoted at their inner ends to the rigid body portion of the machine by means of pivot pins'11. The main supporting or sustaining planes 10 haveaixed angle of incidence and are set on the machine at a dihedral angle, and this angle may be varied by moving them upwardly or downwardly, The framework of the supporting planes is constructed of longitudinal and transverse spars or ribs. and is covered with silk or any suitable fabric or material for wing or supporting plane construction. The tips or outward terminal portions of thev supporting or sustaining planes 10 are constructed as shown in Figs. 2, 3. 6, 8, 10 and 11, from vwhich it will be seen that the angle of ascendance is prolonged to the extreme end in a semi-circle, so that should the machine dip at an angle to the line of flight, the ends of the supporting planes opposite the same resistance to the in-coming air and produce the same action as the front cutting edge of lt vill be further :intl v 1,109,892

observed that thebottom surface is concaved, as at 12, and that the rear tips or terminal portions of the supporting planes are preferably flexible, and are capable of being flexed, bent or adjusted.

13 indicates a flexible rod or member carried by 0r secured to the supporting pla-nes or wings, the free end of which is mounted in a guide-way 14 of a bracket 15 carried by the planes. The free end of this rod 13 is capable of being moved up and down in this guide-way, as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, wherein the lower or normal and upper or `maximum adjustment of this rod is shown. By moving this rod upwardly and downwardly in the manner hereinafter described, the rear terminal portion of the plane and part of the end may be flexed, bent or adjusted, which obviates the necessity of flexing, adjusting or bending the entire supporting plane. When this rod is moved upwardly to its maximum adjustment, as

. shown in dotted lines in Figs. 10 and 11, the 4effective supporting force or power of the planes is lessened and the resistance is lessened. When the flexible member is down to its normal position, also illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, the plane has its maximum effective supporting force or power and resistance. Should the machine tend to dip .at an angle to the 'direction of line of flight, by the peculiar formation of the terminal portion of the planes, that is, by being concaved, as

i at 19., they will offer practically the sanieresistance as the front cutting edge.

The lle/Xing, adjusting or bending of the terminal portion of the supporting or sustaining planes is accomplished as follows: One end of a wire 16 is secured to the ilexible member 13 and a wire 17 is likewise secured tov the rod or member 13, and these wires 16 and 17 are fed through the tube 18 which is mounted in the planes, and through the tubular transversely disposed framework in which the planes are mount-ed, and are attached to foot levers 19 (see Fig. 4). There are two such foot levers for the entire machine, one for each plane. foot levers are mounted on a shaft 20. When the wire 17 is drawn by means of its connected foot lever, the flexible member 13 will be elevated as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, and assinuing that-the flexible member 13 is at its upper adjustment, as shown by dotted lines in Figs. 10 and 11, by pulling the wire 16 by operating its connected foot lever, the lleXible member. 13 is pulled downwardly. Secured to the upper end of the tube 18 and to the upper end ofthe bracket is a stay wire 21, and secured to the lower end of the bracket 15 and to the lower end of the tube 18 is a stay wire 22.

Q3 indicates a stay. wire which is secured to the terminal portion of the supporting or sustaining planes, and is passed through These I the tube 18 at its lower end over the pulley 9A and then passed through and over the pulley Q5 mounted in the supporting plane, and then through the upper end ofthe tube 18 over a similar pulley and then secured to the terminal portion of the plane. This stay wire, as stated, is mounted on pulleys so that it may movevor give and not interere with the adjustment of the planesf The supporting or sustaining planes l0 on each side of the machine are mounted in a triangular, tubular framework. This triangular transversely disposed tubular framework is constructed of tubing and extends an equal distance on each side of the rigid body of the machine, and is constructed of transversely disposed tubes :26 extending above and across the rigid body portion of the machine and transversely disposed tubes 2T passed across and beneath the machine. The tubes 26 are connected -together throughout their lengt-hs by horizontal tubes 28, and the tubes 2G and`27 are connected together by means of vertical tubes 29, which vertical tubes 29` pass thro-ugh elongated openings 30 in the supporting planes. Midway of the tubes 26 and 27 said tubes are connected together Vby means of four somewhat heavier tubes '31, which pass through the casing l and through the rigid body portion of the machine, and 'i are mounted in brackets 32 secured to fthe framework of the machine. These tubes constitute and form part of the triangular framework,- and consequently the triangular framework itself is capable of movement relative `to the body of the machine.

lVhen the machine is resting on the ground, the machine body is arrested by means of collars or shoulders secured to the tubes 3l. The upward movement of the body portion of the machine or the downward movement of the triangular frame wo1'k,^as the casemay be, is arrested by means of collars or shoulders 34. In other words, the relative movement of the triangular framework to the rigid body portion .is limited by the collars 33 and 34 secured to the tubes 3l. If we assume that the triangular framework is held fixed, if the body is moved upwardly on the tubes 31, the supporting planes lO would be moved; that is to say, they will be caused to assume more of a horizontal position. and by lowering the body in such an instance, the outward terminal portions of the planes would be elevated. In other words, the relative vmovement of the framework to the body of the machine varies the dihedral angle of the support-ing planes, or their angular relation to the horizontal. Each lsupporting plane 10, aside from being pivoted at its inner end to the rigid body portion of the machine, is also pivoted intermediate of its ends to the triangular framework heretofore described,

extending transversely of the body o-f the machine. This .pivotal connection is illustrated in Fig. 17, wherein it ,will be observed that one -of the longitudinal spurs of the planes, such as 35, has secured to it a metallic housing 36, which is provided with an` elongated opening 3T, in which elongated opening is a pin 38, which vpin is mounted in the tubes 18. In this connection it will be noted that the tubes 18 form part of the tril,75 I angular framework heretofore described, and project above and below the plane -as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9.

By the pivotal connection above described and illustrated in Fig. 17, fthe supporting 39 planes :may be moved upwardly and down' Wardly without binding. During said ope;`` ation, the pin 38 is free to shi-ft its position by means of andin 'the-.elongated slot 37.

From the foregoing it will i.be noted that each plane is pivoted at-two points.; that is to say, at its inner end to the rigid-body portion of the machine, and intermedia-te of its ends .to the triangular tubular framework disposed .transversely of the rigid .body portion of the machine.- By causing the frame- Work to move downwardly ,(assuming ,the body is held stationary or fixed), the planes are depressed. By causing the framework `to move upwardly, the planes are elevated.

Asheretofore stated, the triangular frame-A workextending transversely of the machine, constructed as described, is -movablerelative to the body of the machine. I-f the machine is Iresting on the ground, lthe body may be moved up anddownon the tubes 31 relative to this triangular framework. The movement of the body by assuming the framework to be stationary, that is, the machine being supported on the round, will vary i195 the angular relation o the supporting planes. The rigid body portion of the machine and the supporting planes are practically mounted `inthe triangular frame# Work, between which and the triangular lo framework there is a relative movement. The mechanism Afor effecting this vv'relative movement of'the framework to the rigid body portion will be more fully hereinafter described. A I v y Mounted on'the lower end of the tube 18 is a -resilient yielding skid 39, which is for the protection of the planes should the ma# chine tend to alight inclined at an angle'to the direction of the line of flight. In other ,12o words, each plane is providec forI its protection with a yielding skid or shock absorber carried by the framework in which it is mounted.

Having described the rigid front body l125 portion of the machine and VAthe supporting planes and the triangular framework in which they are mounted, I will now describe th-e machine from the casing i, orrigid body portion, rearwardly.

^ form. a rigid, framework.

Secured in any suitable and mechanical manner to the rigid framework inclosed by the casing 1 and extending rearwardly therefrom, are flexible or adjustable members 40. Theseflexible or adjustable members 40 are approximately two-thirds of the length of the machine from the propeller shaft to the extreme rear end. They may be made out of any suitable material, and, as heretofore stated, are secured in any suitable and mechanicalmanner to the framework of the rigid body portion of the machine incloscd by the casing 1. They are connected together throughout their length at suitable distances apart by vmeans of transverse members 41, 42, 43 and 44, and secured to each flexible member 40 at a point removed from the casing 1 are clips 45, to which are secured flexiblel members 46 and 47. These flexible members 46 and 47 are connected by the| transverse members 4l, 42 and 453. Secured also to the clips 45 are flexible members 48 and 49. Secured to the members 40 in the rear of the clips 45,

and to the flexible members 46, 47, 48 and.

4S), and to the transverse members. 41, 42, 43 and 44, is a covering or fabric 50 of any suitable material.

The entire machine from the casing 1 rearwardly may be regarded as comprising a flexible body portion, it being that portion of the machine between the clips 45 and the casing 1 and thetail portion rearwardly of the clips 45, and the entire machine from the casing 1 rearwardly may be gradually flexed, bent or adjusted upwardly or downwardly to lie on or describe arcs' of circles of different radii; or it may be given a compound curvature, as illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein is shown (in solid lines) the entire machine from the casing l rearwardly gradually curved upwardly, and the, 'extreme terminal portion bent downwardly (as shown in dotted lines).

Located above and below the flexible members 40 and projecting rearwardly at an angle, are tubular U-shaped rigid members 51 and 52. The forward ends of these tubular U-shaped rigid members project throughthe casing and are connected to the rigid framework of the machine in any suitablc and mechanical manner and extend rearwardly, the member 51 being upwardly inclined and the member 52 being downwardly inclined, as illustrated in Fig. 1. These members are connected together' and braced by means of vertical tubes 53 and 54, and horizontal tubes 55 and 56, so as to These members 51 and adjacent their ends and where they are bent, are provided with a series of small openings or perforations 57 for the passage of wiring.

Carried by the flexible members 40 to the rear of the members 5l and 52, is an angular framework composed of vertical members 58 and 59, connected by members 60 and 61.

As heretofore stated, considering the machine froin the front end of the propeller shaft to the extreme rear end, it is composed of a rigid body portion inclosed by the casing 1, a flexible body portion intermediate of the casi ng 1 and the clips 45, and a flexible tail in the rear of the clips 45.

Practically speaking, the longitudinal central axis of the machine from the propeller shaft to the extreme rear end may be adjusted to lie on or describe arcs of circles of different radii. lVhen the machine from the casing 1 rearwardly is adjusted, bent, flexed or curved upwardly, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the supporting planes 1() are 'iven their maximum elevation; or to state 1t in another way, when the supporting planes are given their maximum elevation by the relative movement of the trian lar framework to the rigid body of the mac ine, the machine from the casing 1 rearwardly is curved upwardly. When said planes are adjusted downwardlyby 'the relative movement of the triangular framework to the body to their lowermost position, the rear flexible body and tail portion of the machine is curved downwardly, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. l.

" The major part of the longitudinal central axis ofthe machine may be curved, flexed or adjusted.v This is important in maintaining and restoring the stability of the machine. Zhen the machine is traveling in whatjis regarded'as straight flight, in which case the/flexibley body and tail portion is straightened out, thenl should the machine become unstable by adjusting it. into its curved form and elevating the wings or sup porting planes, its stability may be restored.

In other words, the 'machine may be adjusted, you might say, to a basin-like formation, which restores its stability.

I will now proceed to describe the meehanism by means of which the relative movement of the triangular framework to the rigid body portion of the machine is edected, and also the mechanism and wiring by means of which the machine from the casing 1 rearwardly is bent, flexed, curved or adjusted. This mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 1, fl, 5, 12, 1a, 14, 15, 1c, 1s, 19 and 20. Mounted in the rigid body portion on the inside of the casing 1 is a rotating shaft 62, on which is mounted the segment of a gear wheel 63. This segment of a gear wheel 63 engages with a rack 64, which rack is connected to and carried by spiders 65 and 66, which spiders are rigidly s ecured to the tubes 31 passing through the casing 1 and the rigid body portion. By moving this rack 64, which is connected by means of the spiders 65 and 66 to the tubes 31, the

- which are triangularframework extending trans versely of the machine will be moved relaL tive the rigid bodyport'ionof' tlie machine, and consequently they supporting' planes pivoted 'to 'the machine, andintermediate of their' ends' to' the triangular framework, will be moved. Connected to the shaft'l 'at its opposite 'ends are sprocket Wheels 67 and 68; The sprocket wheel 67 carries a sprocket chain 69, which s rocket chain 69 p-aSSe'soVena' sprocket' wliee1f70 mounted' en astationary shaft 71. The sprodket wheelf'GS'earniesa sprocket chain 72, which sprocket chain 72 passes over a a sprocketWheelTSmOUHtedindireCt-ly on the stationary shaft 71'. Connected to the hub of the sprocket wheel 70 andformed integral therewith, is-a sprocket wheel 74, and keyed to the hub othe'sprocket Wheel 74 is a lever' 75. Keyedto the stationary-shaft 7l is a double ratchet Wheel 76, one portion of which has teeth" extending in one direction and the'other porti-on in the opposite direction. Adapted to engage in these 'teeth are spring held pan-ls v77 vand 78, which are controlled or releasedbythe -wire 7 9 passingto a'v small operating lever 80 pivot'ed to the operating lever 75. The operating`lever'7 5 is U-shaped, one 'end being mounted onthe hub of: the sprocket Wheel 74, as above described, and the 'other end mounted on the hub 81 of a sprocket Wheel 82. Also on the hub 81 of the sprocket Wheel 82 the sprocket wheel 73 is directly mounted. v'The lever 75 alone rotates the sprocket wheels 70, 74, 82

and 73. -Also mount-ed on the stationary shaft 7-1 are sprocket Wheels 83 and 84, and these sprocket Wheels 83 and 84 are operated by a U-shaped lever 85, the free ends of which are keyed to the hubs of the sprocket wheels 83 and 84.

The U-shaped lever 85 and thelever 75 may be locked together and moved together, or the lever 85 may be disengaged from the lever and operated independently, and when operated independently, that is to say when it is not connected'to the lever 75, it? rotates only the sprocket Wheels 83 and 84. (lf course when the two levers 75 and85 are locked together and moved, they operate'all the sprocket wheels mounted on the stationary shaft 71. The lever is locked to the lever 75, as per the construction illustrated in Figs. 15, 10 and 18, wherein the lever 85 carries a spring held button 86, the

stern of which button 86 vpasses through an openingot the lever 85, and when engaged its free end is seated in the opening 87 ofthe lever 75, it being held seated in .said opening by means of aspring 88 lying on the face of the lever 85 and thc shoulder 89 on the stem of the button. The stem of the button 86 is released trom the opening 87 by means of a' lever 90 carrying on its lower end a Wedgeshaped member 01. By pulling the lever 90 1 toward: the handle of the lever 85", the wedge-shaped member 91 will release the end of' 'the 'stem of the-button86'from theA opening 87, thusfdisengaging'tlle levers and permitting' the lever? 85 to be operated independently oftlie llever 75. By this connec-J tion the two levers .75'and185 may be oper'- at-ed together, or thelever 85`n1ay 'be' r'- a'ted independently'ofthelever 75. hen the two levers 75 and 85 are' locked' together by the connection as above described, by operating' thc'lever 7 5 'the sprocket wheels 7c; 714, se, se, se and r3 are rotetedtegefher; It'said'levers are disengaged by pressing on the lever 90, the lever 85, and'oonsequently the sprocket Wheels 83 and 84,' maybe open ated independently of tllelever 75 and the sprocket Wheels 70, 74, 82 and 7B, above enumerated, Which'it', the lever 75, operates.

In Fig. 181 have shown diagrarnm-atically the Wiringlfor the rear flexible portion 'of the'macliine from the' casing 1i rearwardly,

y and three banks of 'pulleys which control and operate 'said I Wirine, and 'the connection between saidbanks o? 'ulleys and the sprocket wheels 74, 83, 84 an 82. The banks of diffferentialpulleys are monnted'on a shaft' 92 and comprise driven'- pulleys 93, 94 and 95 anda -drivind pulley 96 mounted on' one end et' said shaft 92, and' on'the opposite end of sai-d shaft '92 lare driven pulleys'-97, 98 and 99 and a drivinv pulley 100, and intermediate Iof these pulleys, from '93 to 100 inclusive, are driven pulleys 101, 102, 103 and 104 and driving pulleys 105 and'106. It will be n'oted'that from 93 to '96 inclusive are separate pulleys fastened `or held together; llikewise the 'bank of pulleys from' 97'to 100` inclusive; anda-lso the ybank of pulleys from 101 to 106 inclusive; but, if desired, each bank' maybe formed integraland provided with sepa-rate grooves for the Wiring. Mounted jon the sprocket Wheel 82 is a sprocket chain 107, and secured to this sprocket chainv 107 is a Wire 108 which passes over the driving pulley 96. Mounted' on the sprocket Wheel 74 is a sprocket chain 109, and secured to the sprocket chain is a Wire or cable 110, which passes lover the driving pulley 100. Mounted on the sprocket wheel 84 is a sprocket chain 111, which has secured to it a wire or cable 112, which passes over the driving pulley 106, and mounted on the sprocket wheel 88 is a sprocket chain 113, which has securedto it a Wire or cable 114, Which passes over a driving pulley 105.

Thel sprocket Wheels 83 and 84 may be operated independently by the lever 85 when disengaged from the lever 7 by` means of which operation'the driving pulleys 105 and 106 may be operated, and which driving pulleys operate the driven pulleys 101, 102, 108 and 104. Vlllien the two levers 85 and 75 are locked together and moved, all the banks the bank of'pulleysA y of driving and driven pulleys mounted on the shafti92 are rotated. Mounted on the driven pulleys 101 and 102 are wires 115 and 11G, which wires pass around said pulleys and are secured to the pulleys by means of staples or any` suitable device, as illustrated in F ig. 19, and one of the ends thereof is passed back through one branch of the tubular U-shaped member 51 and secured to one of the flexible members 40 at the points and c. rlhe opposite ends of said wires 115 and 11G are fed back through one branch of the tubular member and connected to the same flexible member 10 at the same points, 7) and Located on the driven pulleys 10B and 104: are wires 117 and 118, one end of which passes back through one branch of the member lland are secured to one of the flexible members 40 at d and e, and the opposite ends are passed back through one branch of the member 52 and secured to the same member 40 at the same points. Mounted on the driven pulleys 98, 91 and 95 are wires or cables 1,19, 120 and 121, which are likewise secured to said driven pulleys. One of their ends pass back through one branch of the member 51 and the opposite ends pass back through one branch of the member and are secured rto one of the flexible members L10 at the points f, g and i. Mounted on the driven pulleys 97, 98 and 99 are wires 122, 123-and 'l2-1. One of their ends pass back through one branch of the member 51 and the oppof site ends pass back through one branch of the member 52 and are secured to one of the flexible members 0 at the points z', y' and it. It will be observed that all the wires located on the driven pulleys are secured intermediate of their ends to the respective pulleys, so that when the driven pulleys are rotated, one part of the wires becomes slack and the other taut.

By referring to Fig. 18, it will be observed that if the levers and 85 are locked together and pushed forwardly to the right, the triangular framework will be elevated and all the driving and driven pulleys,

mounted on the shaft 92 will be rotated toward the right. By this operation, the entire rear flexible body and tail portion of the machine rearwardly of the casing '1 -will be bent, exed or adjusted upwardly. The reverse of this operation will bend, flex or adjust the entire rear flexible body and tail portion downwardly. If itis desired to ad-4 just the rear terminal portion of the tail independently of the remaining portion of the tail and flexible body portion, the lever is unlocked from the lever 75, and the forward movement of the lever 85 disengaged from the lever 75 willbend, flex or adjust the rear terminal portion upwardly, and the reverse of this movement will bend, flex or adjust the rear terminal portion downwardly. If it is desired to give the rear flexible body and tail portion a compound curvature, the entire portion of the machine from the easing 1 rearwardly is first ad justed, bent or flexed in an upward curva ture, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and then by disengaging the lever 85 from the lever 75 and pulling it toward the left, as in Fig. 18, the rear terminal portion may be bent downwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

It will be observed that the wiring, which bends, fiexes or adjusts all that portion of the machine from the casing 1 rearwardly is attached to the flexible members 40 at different points throughout their lengths, so as to give said portion a gradual and uniform curvature.

' The machine is held in the desired adjustnient by means of the spring held pawls 77 and 78 engaging with the double ratchet wheel 76 (see Fig. 111).

Located underneath each supporting plane near the terminal portions thereof are pivoted drags 125 and 126, which drags are opened and closed by means of wires 127 and 128, which are fed through the triangular framework and are connected to a lever or handle located on the inside of the casing 1 of the rigid body portion of the machine (not shown). The triangular framework carries an axle 129, on which are mounted wheels 130, and mounted intermediate of these wheels is a yielding skid or shock absorber 131.

Secured to the rigid framework in the rear of the machine is a wheel 132. When the machine is fully resting on the ground and straightened out, it is supported by the wheels 130 and 182. However, in Figs. 1

vand 2, the machine is shown just ready to ascend.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the supporting or sustaining planes l0 are pivoted to the rigid body portion of the machine and disposed at a dihedral angle, which angle may be varied by the relative movement of the triangular framework extending transversely of the machine to the body, and that this relative movement may be effected by the operation of the lever 75. When the levers 75 and 85 are locked togetherby pushing forwardly on the same the rear flexible body portion of the machine from the casing 1 rearwardly is bent, flexed or adjusted upwardly, and simultaneously with this upward movement the triangular framework is moved upwardly, carrying with vit the supporting planes. ',lhe reverse of this op` eration will lower the triangular framework and the supporting planes, and curve, bend or adjust downwardly the rear flexible body portion of the machine. lVhen the rear flexible body portion has been curved upwardly, as illustrated in Fig. l, and conincassa I7 sequently the supporting planes elevated, the rear tip of the machine may be curved downwardly, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. l, by operating the lever 85 independently of the lever' 75. In other words, the entire rear flexible body portion of the machine from the casing l rearwardly may be curved, bent or adjusted upwardly or downwardly, which is effected when the lever 85 is locked to the lever 75, or the extreme tip may be bent, curved or adjusted upwardly or downwardly by operating the lever 85 independently of the lever 7 5. Then again, the rear flexible body portion may be held straight and, as above stated, curved upwardly or downwardly, or the terminal portion may be operated independently of the rest of the flexible body portion by the independent operation of the lever 85, or it may be given a compound curvature, as above described.

It will also be noted that the supporting planes 10 may be flexed at their terminal portions, which obviates' the necessity of flexing or adjusting the entire planes, and

-that the planes are concaved in their terminal portions, as at 12, and intermediate of the terminal portions and their points of attaelii'nent to the rigid body portion are also coneaved, as at 12, and between the eonoaved portions of each plane at about the position where the tube 18 passes through the plane, the planes are slightly depressed. This concaved portion is for the purpose of' offering an increased resistance should the machine dip at an angle to the line of flight. It will be further observed that each plane is mounted in the triangular framework extending transversely of the machine, which strengthens the plane. The capability of the major part of the longitudinal central axis of the machine to be bent, flexed, curved or adjusted, is advantageous in restoring the stability of the machine should 'it be displaced. It is also advantageous in gliding and descending, and it i's further advantageous in maintaining the center of the sum of the weights (center of gravity) in a xed relationl to the center of the sum of the supports.

The flexible body portion of the machine is-mounted in a rigid framework projecting rearwardly of the rigid body portion, the said rigid framework being spaced apart from the flexible body portion so that the flexible body portion may be given the proper upward and downward movement, and the flexible tail is mounted in a movable framework. The members l0, which constitute the essential part of the flexible body and tail portion` diverge and are formed of continuous flexible pieces of material.

The employment of the movable transversely disposed framework pivoted to the planes near their ends gives increased lever obviates the necessity of wiring for the supporting and adjustment of the planes. By

this arrangement the planes can be adjusted by the expenditure of very little energy onv the part of the aviator.

The capability of the rear flexible terminal portions of the supporting planes to be bent, flexed or adjusted independently of each other and the adjustment of the planes is advantageous in steering and varying the effective supporting force and power of each plane.

The terminal portion of each plane is concaved in all of its adjustments and removed from the eoncaved terminal portion each plane is provided with .mother concaved portion. These two concaved portions, aside froni the previous advantages mentioned, form air cushions beneath the planes, which tend to act as a propelling force. The pivoted drags located beneath each plane may be operated independently of each other, and are effective in steering and in maintaining and restoring the lateral stability of the machine.

I claim :l

l. A flying machine, comprising a rigid body portion, a flexible body and tail portion, movable supporting planes set on the rigid body portion at a dihedral angle, a member' disposed transversely to the rigid body portion and movable relative thereto, and means for adjusting said member for changing the dihedral angle of the supporting planes.

2. A flying machine, comprising a'rigid body portion, a flexible body portion and tail, a triangular framework disposed transversely of the rigid body portion and lmovable relative thereto, supporting planes set on the rigid body portion and mounted in saidtriangular framework, and means for causing relative movement of said triangular framework to said rigid body' portion and simultaneously flexing the flexible body portion .and tail.

3. In a flying machine, a supporting plane provided with a concave surface near its end and having its angle of ascendance prolonged to the extreme lend in a semi-circle, whereby the same resistance is offered to the incoming air, should the machine dip at -an 'angle to theline of flight, as to the front lcutting edge of the plane.

4. In a fl'in r machine. havinfr a rigid t body portion, a triangular framework disposed transversely of said rigid body por-A ltion `ari-d movable relative to .said rigid body portion, supporting planes mounted in said triangular framework, and a resilient skid carried by the terminal portions of the triangular framework for the protection of the planes when the machine aliglits.l

5. A flying machine, having a rigid body L portion, a flexible bodyportion andtail, a triangular' framework disposed transversely of said rigid bodyl portionand movable relative thereto, supporting planes pivoted to said rigid body portion andto said triangular framework, and meansvfor the si multaneous operation of said framework` and said flexible body and tail portion.- l

6. A flying machine, having a longitudiibody portion, a flexible body portion and tail, -a frameworkdisposed transversely of nal central laxis capable of being flexed, to

- lieon or describe arcs of circles of different radii,.supporting planes mounted on axes running with the body of the machine andI mounted at a dihedral angle, a triangular' frameworky pivoted to said supporting planes, and means for the simultaneous operation of said triangular framework and theadjustment of the longitudinal central axis of the machine.

7. 'A flying machine, -Vcomprising a body portion and-a .flexible body portion and tail, a transversely disposed triangular framework, supporting planes pivoted to the rigidbody portion and to said framework, meansfon moving said triangular framework relative to said body portion and tail portion, and a yielding skid carried by the supportingplanes..

. '8f-A flying machine,"comprising acasing and a. rigid body portioninclosed thereby, atransversely disposed triangular frameworkl carried by said rigidv body portion and niovf able relative thereto, supporting planes pivoted to said triangular framework andsaid.

rigid body portion, arigid framework rojecting rearwardly from said casing, a exible body portion mounted therein, and means for the simultaneous operation. of

said flexible body portion and said ytriangular framework.

9. In a flying machine, a supporting plane provided along its margin with a flexible member, a guide-way forthe free end of said member, foot levers', and connections between the free end ofsaid flexible member and said foot levers for adjusting said member upwardly and downwardly. i

10. In a flying machine, a supporting plane provided with two distinct concave surfaces, one of such concave surfaces being rigid and near the body of the machine while the other of such concave surfaces is flexible and in the outer terminal portion of the plane.

11. In a flying machine, including a rigid body portion, a transversely disposed framework within which said rigid body portion is mounted and on which it is movable, movable supporting planes operated by the frame, and a skid carried by said framework and mounted beneath the supporting planes.

v 12. In a flying machine, a rigid body portion, a rigid framework projecting rearwardly from said rigid body portion., a flexible body and tail portion projecting 1\ear- Qwardly from said rigid body portion and l within the rigid framework carried by said rigid body portion yand spaced apart therefrom, and supporting planes carried by the rigid body portion, the said supporting planes being provided in their terminal portions with concaved flexible surfaces.

1.3. In a flying machine having a rigid 5andy said framework whereby by the opera-- {tion offsaid lever said framework is rela.- tively adjusted vertically to the body and vlvthe supporting- -planes are adjusted vertically bythe operation of the framework.

15. Ina flying machine of the monoplane ftype, la rigid body portion, a flexible bodyl `fand tail portion, a transversely disposed- .framework on which said rigid body portion 'is' mounted, supporting planes mounted in said framework, a depending member carried by each end of said framework and projecting beneath the supporting planes, and a yielding skid or shock absorber carried by 'each depending member forthe protection of the planes when the machine alights.

16. In-a flying machine of the monoplane type, a rigid vbody portion, a flexible body and tail portion, a transversely disposed framework on which said rigid body portion is mounted, supporting planes mounted in said framework, a depending member carried by cach end of said framework and projecting beneath the supporting planes, a yielding skid' or shock absorber carried by each depending member for the protection of the planes when the machine alights, and

a drag beneath each plane.

17. In a-flying machine, having a rigidl body portion and a flexible body portion and tail,`a framework disposed transversely of said rigid body portion, a rigid framework disposed and projecting from the rear of `said rigid body portion, a pair of supporting planes mounted in said transversely disposed framework, a skid carried by said transversely disposed framework and mounted beneath the planes, and a drag mounted beneath each plane, the flexible rear body portion being mounted in the rigid frameline of flight as to the front cutting edge of the plane.

In testimony whereof, I have signed-my name to this specification, in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

LEWIS GINTER YOUNG.`

Witnesees:

LEONA A. YOUNG, HARRY Grass.

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