US1269645A - Aeroplane, hydroplane, and the like. - Google Patents

Description

G. M. ROBBINS. "I AEROPLANE, HYDROPLANE, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATIO N FILE-D AUG-3|. 19.17.

1,269,645. Patented June 18, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET l- ATTO RNEYS *G. MJ ROBBINS. 'AEROPLANE, HYDROPLANE, AND THE LIKE.

' APPLICATION-FILED AUG-31.1917.

" Pat'ented Jun 18, 1918.

S-SHEETS-SHEET 2.

e. M. ROBBINS. I AEROPLANE, HYDROPLANE, AND THE LIKE.' APPLICATION FILED AUG-31. 1911-.- 1,269,645. I Patented June 18, 1918.

3 $HEETSSHE1ET 3.

GEORGE M. ROBBINS, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

AEROPLANE, HYDROPLANE, AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 11116 18, 1918.-

Application filed August 31, 1917. Serial No. 189,052.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE M. Roenm s, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, Hydroplanes, and the like; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specifica tion. The present invention has reference, generally, to improvements in aeroplanes, hydroplanes, and the like; and the invention relates, more particularly, to an improved construction of body, sustaining planes and steering planes, said body being provided with a novel construction and arrangement of permanent parachute-like structure adapted to provide a. safety device in the event the aeroplane or the like becomes disabled during flight.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a novel construction of body for aeroplanes and the like, which is provided with a novel arrangement of parachute-like structure built into the body as a permanent part thereof, and so arranged as to provide a certain degree of buoyancy to said body in the event of accident, so as to resist the pull of gravity, and cause the aeroplane, or the like, to descend to th' ground with less danger of the destruction 'of the same and injury to its occupants.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide, in connection with a body of the kind above referred to, a novel arrangement and combination of sustaining planes and steering planes.

Other objects of the present invention, not flt'tllls time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

\Vith the various objects of my present invention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the novel construction of aeroplane and the like, hereinafter set forth; and the invention consists, furthermore, in the novel arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construct1on of said devices and parts, all of which will be more fully described in the following specification, and then finally embodied in the claims appended thereto.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a top or plan view of the novel construction of aeroplane, and the like, made according to and embodying the principles of my present invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the same; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 4: is a longitudinal central vertical section through the same; and Fig. 5 is a lateral cross section through the same, taken on line 55 in said F ig.-"3, looking in the direction of the arrow :0.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference character 1 indicates the complete aeroplane structure made according to and embodying the principles of my invention, the same comprising an elongatedsubstantially cigar-shaped body portion. This body-portion comprises, essentially, an upper hemisphere and an under hemisphere.

material, and in cases where the air-craft,

of which it forms a part, is to be constructed to serve as a hydroplane, the same is rendered water-tight. The upper hemisphere consists of a parachute-like structure or dome 7, having sides 8 which merge into the, nose 4 and sternp0int 5 of the complete structure. This -paracl1ute-like structure 7 comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending outwardly bowed ribs 9, which are fixed to the nose-block 10 and'stern-block 11, the latter portions being rigidly. con-' nected with the body-proper at the bow and stern thereof respectively.- Stretched over the frame-work thus provided by said ribs 9 is a covering of suitable fabric forming the body 7 and sides 8 of-said parachutelike structure. Set into (the frame-work formed by said ribs 9, so as .to-be centrally located with reference to said parachute like structure, is an annular frame-piece 12 which bounds an air-escape opening 13 at the top of said parachute-like structure, the fabric-covering being secured to said framepiece 12 so as to leave open the interior space boundedthereby. The sides 8 of said parachute-like structure are spaced apart laterally a greater distance amid-ships than. the sides 3 of thebody-proper 2 are distanced, consequently-the former overhang and are outwardly spaced from the latter" so as to provide at each side of the structure, in a horizontal plane, longitudinally extending openings 14: through which air may rush upward into the interior of said parachutelike structure. The sides 3 of. the bodyproper 2 are also given a slight downwardly owed longitudinal curve whereby longitudinally extending-openings 15, in a vertical plane, are provided through which the occupants of the air-craft may obtain outward vision. In orderto rigidly brace the.

- are secured in supporting relation to the ribs 9-by their upper portions, and are secured to the body-proper 2 by their lower-' portions.

When desired a platform 17 may be secured to the frame-work of said parachutelike structure beneath the air-escape opening 13, and upon which a suitable gun, and

operator-therefor, may be mounted to extend outwardly through said opening 13, when the air-craft is used for war purposes. I

A suitable propeller 18 is mounted at the nose 4 of the air-craft, so that the driving shaft 19 thereof extends rearwardly through the nose-block 10 into the interior of the body-proper 2, where itis operatively conedge 21 of said planes, the same then bowing downward to extend beneath and laterally across the sides 8 of said parachute-like structure, and in fixed relation thereto. The rearward ends of said planes 20 are secured to a transverse supportin brace 24, which ,cxtends beneath and latera ly across the sides 8 of said arachute-like structure, and in fixed relation thereto, but the free-ends of which are free and slightly flexible, whereby the lower outer. corners 25 of the planes 2O same.

are rendered slightly movable out'of normal plane in either an upward or downward direction, when desired.

Supported in connection with the stern wardly extending vertical post 32, from the extremities of which run the guy-wires 33 to extending vertical post 31 and a downsuitable points adjacent to theperipheries'.

of the planes, so that the same are not only rigidly braced, but so that the pull of control wires or tiller-wires 34, which are sea cured to said posts 31 and 32, may be operatively transmitted to the planes to effect a desired movement and positioning of the Preferably said control wires or tiller-wires 34 extend forwardly into the interior of the body-proper, and are there properly secured to suitable control levers 35, whereby the same may be properly manipulated by the pilot. v i

It will be clearly understood that the relation of the parachute-like structure to the body-proper of the aeroplane is such, that in'the event the aeroplane is disabled during flight, from any cause, and starts to drop, the air will rush upwardly through the openings 14 into the interior of said parachutelike structure, thus offering'a resistance to the downward pull of gravity, which will tend to steady the aeroplane and maintain the same in normal position upon an even keel; and furthermore, the air thus received within the interior of the parachute-likestructure is permitted to escape more slowly through-the air-escape opening 13, thus tending to prevent rocking or side-swaging of the aeroplane, and tending to permit the gradual descent of the same to the ground.

My invention, therefore, provides a novel structure of body for aeroplanes, which is qualified to increase the factor of safety, and to provide insurance against sudden and uncontrolled dropping ofthe same in .case of disablement. i

I am aware that some changes may be made in the arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, without departing from the scope of my present invention as set forth in the foregoing specification and as defined in the claims appended hereto. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exactarrangements and combinations of the various parts body-proper, an annular frame-piece pr0-- riding an air escape opening fixed in the top of said frame-work intermediate of its ends, t 'ansverse annular braces interconnecting said ribs with said body-proper, a covering supported by said frame-work, and the Sl( e marginal edge of said frame-work be ing spaced laterally outward from the side marginal edges of said body-proper to provide side openings through which air may rush upwardly into the interior of said parachute-like structure.

2. In an aeroplane structure the combination with an elongated boat-like bodyproper of a parachute-like structure comprising a frame-work composed of a plurality of outwardlv bowed ribs fixed to and extending between the bow and stern of said body-proper, an annular frame-plece providing an air escape opening fixed in the top of said framework intermediate of its ends, transverse annular bracesinterconnecting said ribs with said body-proper, a

covering supported by said frame-work, the side marginal edges of said frame-workbe ing spaced laterally outward from the side marginal edges of said body-proper to provide side openings through which air may rush upwardly into the interior of said parachutedike structure, laterally extending sustaining planes connected with said parachute-like structure, tail-planes at the stern end of said parachute plane and steering planes hinged to the rear-edge of said tailplane.

3. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigar-shaped body, the lower half of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and the upper half of which constitutes a parachute-like structure, the sides of said parachute-like structure flaring outwardly beyond the sides of said boat-like bodyproper to provide longitudinal side openings in horizontal plane through which air may rush upwardly into the interior of said parachute-like structure, and means providing an air escape opening in the 11pper wall of said parachute-like structures- 4. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigar-shaped body, the lower half of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and the. upper half of which constitutes a parachute-like structure. the sides of said parachute-like structure flaring outwardly intermediate of the bow and stern beyond the sides of said boat-like body-properto provide longitudinal side openings in horizontal plane through which airinay rush upwardly into the interior of said parachute-like structure, and the sides of said boat-like body proper curving downwardly intermediate of the bow and stern to provide longitudinal side openings in vertical plane through which outward vision from the interior of said body-proper may be had.

In an aero 'ilane structure a substan-' tially cigar-shaped body, the lower half-of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and the upper half of which constitutes 'a parachute-like structure, the sides of said parachute-like structure flaring outwardly intermediate of the bow and stern beyond the sides of said boat-like body-proper to provide longitudinal side openings in horizontal plane through which air may rush upwardly into the interior of said parachute-like structure, and the sides of said boat-like body-proper curving downward y intermediate of the bow and stern to provide longitudinal side openings in vertical lane through which outward vision from the interior of said body-proper may be had, and means providing an air escape opening in the upper -wall of said parachute-like structure.

6. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigarshaped body, the lower half of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and the upper half of which con-stitutes'a parachute-like structure, the sides of said parachute-like structure flaring outwardly intermediate of the bow and stern beyond the sides of said boat-like body proper to provide longitudinal side openings in hori zontal upwardy into the interior of said parachute-like structure, and the sides of said boat-like body-proper curving downwardly intermediate of the bow and stern to provide longitudinal side openings in vertical plane through which outward vision from the interior of said body-proper may be had, means providing an air escape opening in the upper wall of said parachute-like structure, laterally extending sustaining planes connected with said parachute-like struc ture, tail-planes at the stern end of said parachute-like structure, and a starboard and port steering-plane hinged to the rearedge. of said tail-plane.

7. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigar-shaped body, thelower half of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper,

and the upper half of which constitutes a parachute-like structure, the sides of said parachute-like structure flaring outwardly intermediate of the bow and stern beyond the sides of said boat-like body-propel to provide longitudinal side openings in horizontal lane through which air may rush 1 into the interior of said parachute-like structure, and the sides of said boat-like body: proper curving downwardly intermediate of the bow and stern to provide longitudinal side openings in vertical plane through which outward vision from the interior of said body-proper may be had, laterally extending sustaining planes connected with said parachute-like structure, tail-planes at the stern end of said parachute-like structure, and a starboard and port steering-plane hinged to the rear-edge of said tail-plane.

8. In an aeroplane structure-the combination with an elongated boat-like body-proper of a parachute-like structure joining the bow and stern portions of the body-proper so as to extend longitudinally above the latter, said parachute-like structure being wider in the beam than said body-proper to provide side openings through which airmay rush upwardly into the interior of said parachutelike structure, said parachute-like structure having an opening in its upper portion through which the air may escape upwardly and outwardly from the interior of said parachute-like structure, laterally extending sustaining planes connected with said parachute-like structure, the same inclining slightly downward from their forward edges rearward, cantaliver braces for stifl'ening and holding rigid the forward edges of said planes, braces for supporting the rear edges of said planes, said braces being free to flex verticallyat their outer ends whereby the outer rearward corners of said planes may be warped upwardly or downwardly out of normal plane, tail-planes extending out- .wardly from each side at the stern end of said parachute-like structure, and'an independently movable starboard and port steering plane hinged to the rear edges of said tail-planes.

9. In an aeroplane structure the combination with an elongated boat-like body-proper of a parachute-like structure comprising a frame-work composed of a plurality of outwardly bowed ribs fixed to and extending between the bow and stern of said bodyproper, an annular frame-piece providing an air escape opening fixed in the top of said.

frame-work intermediate of its ends, transverse annular braces interconnecting said ribs with said body-proper, a covering supported by said frame-work, the side marginal edges of said frame-work being spaced laterally outward from the side marginal edges of said body-proper to provide side openings through which air may rush upwardly into the interior of said parachutelike structure, laterally extending sustaining planes connected with said parachute-like structure, the same inclining slightly downward from their forward edges rearward, cantaliver braces for stiffening and holding rigid the forward edges of said planes,;braces for supporting the rear edges of said planes,

said braces being free to flex vertically at parachute-like structure, the sides of said parachutedike structure flaring outwardly I beyond the sides of said boat-like bodyproper to provide longitudinal side openings through which air may rush up'wardly into the interior of said parachute-like structure, laterally extending sustainin planes connected with said parachute-like structure, the same inclining slightly downward from their forward edges rearward, cantaliver braces for stifi'enin and holding rigid the forward edges of said planes, braces for supporting the rear edges of said planes, said braces being free to flex vertically at their outer ends whereby the outer rearward corners of said planes may be warped upward or downward out of normal plane, tailplanes extending outwardly from each side at the stern end of said parachute-like structure, and an independently movable starboard and port steering plane hinged to the rear-edges of said tail-planes.

11. In an aeroplane structure a substantially'cigar-shaped body. the lower half of which constitutes a boat-likebody-proper, and the upper half of which constitutes a parachute-like structure, the sides of said parachute-like structure flaring outwardly beyond the sides of said boat-like bodyproper to provide longitudinal side openings through which air may rush upwardly into the interior of said parachute-like structure,

means providing an air escape opening in the upper wall of said parachute-like structure, laterally extending sustaining planes connected with said parachute-like structure, the same inclining slightly downward from their forward edges rearward, cantatheir outer ends whereby the outer rearward corners of said planes may be warped upward or downward out of normal plane, tailplanes extending outwardly from each side at the stern end of said parachute-like structure, and an independently movable starboard and port steering plane hinged to the rear edges of said tail-planes.

12. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigar-shaped body, the lower half of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and'the upper half of which constitutes a parachute-like structure, the sides of said parachute-like structure flaring outwardly intermediate of the bow and stern beyond the sides of said boat-like body-proper to provide longitudinal side openings in ori zontal dplane through which air may rush upwar y into the interior of said parachute-like structure, and the sides of said boat-like body-proper curving downwardly intermediate of the bow and stern to provide longitudinal side openings in vertical plane through which outward vision from the interior of said body-proper may be had, laterally extending sustainin planes connected with said parachute-like structure, the same inclinin slightly downward from their forward e ges rearward, cantaliver braces for stifiening and holding ri id the forward edges of said planes, braces fin supporting the rear edges of said lanes, said braces being free to flex vertica ly at their outer ends whereby the outer rearward corners of said planes may be warped upward v or downward out of normal plane, tailplanes extending outwardly from each side at the stern end of said parachute-like structure, and an independently movable starboard and port steering plane hinged to the rear edges of said tail-planes.

13. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigar-shaped body, the lower half of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and the upper half of which constitutes a parachute-like structure, the sides of said parachute-like longitudinal side 4 the same inclinin structure flaring outwardly intermediate of the bow and stern beyond the sides of said boat-like body-proper to provide longitudinal side openings in horizontal plane through which air may rush upwardly into the interior of said parachute-like structure, and the sides of sai boat-like body-proper curving downwardly intermediate of the bow and stern to provide openings in vertical plane through which outward vision from the interior of said body-proper may be had, means providing an air escape opening in the upper wall of said parachute-like structure, laterally extending sustaining planes connected with said parachute-like structure, slightly downward from their forward e ges rearward, cantaliver braces for stiflening and holding rigid the forward edges of said planes, braces for supporting the rear edges of said planes, said braces being free to flex vertically at their outer ends whereby the outer rearward cor ners of said planes may be warped upward or downward out of normal plane, tailplanes extending outwardly from each side at the stern end of said parachute-like structure, and an independently movable starboard and port steering plane hinged to the rear-edges of said tail-planes.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of August, 1917 GEORGE M. ROBBINS.

Witnesses Fnnnx. C. Fmnn'rznn, Freon. H. W. FRAENTZEL.

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