US1541827A

US1541827A - Collapsible form

Info

Publication number: US1541827A
Application number: US462805A
Authority: US
Inventors: Oscar J Laisy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1921-04-20
Filing date: 1921-04-20
Publication date: 1925-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 1942-06-16

Description

June 16, 1925. 1,541,827

I o. J. LA'ISY COLLAPS IBLE FORM Original Filed April 20. 1921 Patented June 16, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR J. LAI$Y, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO,

; w I 1 i I COLLAPSIBLE FORM.

Application. filed April 20, 1921, Serial No. 462,805. Renewed December 26, 1924.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR J. LAISY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland,in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and 'lilscful Improvement in Collapsible Forms, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to collapsible forms and has particular reference to that class of forms such as are used in connection with lighter than air craft commonly known as dirigibles, although in its broadest sense my invention is capable of other uses wherein a collapsible form is advantageous and desirable.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide a supporting structure for the gas bag ofa dirigible which may be easily and conveniently collapsed to facilitate storage or shipment thereof; to provide a form or structure for the gas bag of a dirigible which shall have the advan tages of a rigid type of dirigible but which may be collapsedto secure the advantages of a non-rigid type of dirigible; to provide a structure of the aforesaid character which shall be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and easy to operate, while further objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings wherein I have shown one embodiment of my invention but without intent to limit myself thereto, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of a, gas bag of a dirigible supported by a structure constructed in accordance with, my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the structure collapsed: Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3 3of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustratinga method of sealing the gas bag at the end where thestructure is operated; and Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are detail views illustrating the manner of securing the longitudinal and transverse members together.

Broadly considered, the invention consists of two series of longitudinal ribs, one series being adapted to move in unison with respect to the other to erect or collapse the structure. Suitable means are employed for spacing the ribs and means are also provided for retaining the structure in erected condition.

In the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this application, 1 indicates a series of longitudinal ribs which are movable with respect to a second longitudinal series indicated at 2, said ribs being shown 1n the present instance arranged alternately to describe a cylinder tapering at each end, although it will be understood that other shapes can be constructed to operate in a manner similar to that to be described hereinafter. The ribs 1 are pivotally fastened at their respective ends to a plate 3 and a ring 7 while ribs 2 are fastened at one end to a plate 5 secured to a longitudinally disposed rod 6 and at the other end said ribs are secured to a plate 4. The ring 7 is adapted to fit within a groove 8 formed in plate 4, when the structure is erected. In order that the ribs 1 and 2 may be spaced correctly when erected I provide a series of transverse segmental ribs 10 therebetween. By referring to Figs. 5, 6 and 7 it will be seen that each of the ribs 1 and 2 is fitted with a sleeve 11 which is provided with a depending project-ion 12, said sleeves being positioned on said ribs at points where the transverse ribs 10 abut. Each transverse segmental rib 10 is cut away at its diagonal end as indicated at 14 and each end is fitted with a metal binding piece 15.

It will be noted in this connection that the cuts 14 are made in such manner that a pair of segments 10 positioned, one on each side ofa longitudinal rib will have said cuts arranged in the same relative position, so that a wire 16 or othersuitable tying material may be passed through one cut-away portion and around the projection 12 and up through the cut-away portion on the other segment to secure the ends and a hinge joint on each side of saidlongitudinal rib.

In order that the longitudinal ribs may be expanded to the desired diameter, I provide a series of radial supporting

rods

17 and 18, rods 17 being pivotally fastened at their inner ends to a series of ring plates 19 which are slidably mounted on the rod 6 and at their outer ends, said rods are each provided with an eye 20 through which the wire 16 is passed to secure said rods to the ribs 1. Rods 18 are pivotally secured at their inner ends to a similar series of ring plates 21 whiclrare securely fastened to the rod 6 and at their outer ends, said rods are pivotally secured by the tie wires 16 to the ribs 2 in a manner previously described in connection with rods 17.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that movement of the rod 6 to the right will carry plates 21 with it and collapse the radial supporting

rods

17 and 18 as shown inFignQ. This movement also causes the segmental ribs 10 to turn about their diagonally disposed pivot points and assume longitudinal positions parallel with the ribs 1 and 2;

Therod 6 isprovidedwith a bore 6 to receive a guide rod 25 which projects from the plate'3 and at its-rear end said rod is provided with a plate 26 which has a series of apertures 27 arranged circumferentially tlJQYQOf. The plate s lis provided -with a series of studs28'which' are adaptedto engage with the-apertures 27 when theframe is erected and nuts 29- threaded thereon to serve to retain the structure in erected condition.

The striicture is erected by pushing forw'ardl-y-on rod (3 which carries the plates Ql forwardly andcauses rods 17 and" 18 to assume radialsupporting positions similar to that shown in' Fig. 1. The segmental ribs 10' will also be-rotated by virtue of the movement of the longitudinal ribs and will assume transverse spacing positions as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

In the case of'a dirigible such aslhave illustrated in the drawing, the frame may be covered with a gas bag fabric in anyapproved manner, such covering being indicated generally at 30 and in order to provide a gastight joint where the rod 6 projects through the'rear end during-erecting and collapsing of the frame, I provide a circular flange m'onthe rod 6 and secure a small gas tight bag 32 the-reabout which extends rearwardly and fastens to the innerside of plate l. lVhen the frame is erected said bag assumesa position as shown in Figs. 1 and l, and whencollapse'd the bag-is foldedbetween thefla'nge- 31 and plate 4 as indicated lVhile I'haveshown and described a collapsible fiame for dirigiblesit will be understood that a frame of the same general characteristics could be applied to-many uses, suchas concrete formsand others.

Having thus described my invention,- what I claim is l; Acollapsible frame comprisinga plurality of longitudinal ribs, certain of said ribs being movablc'in an opposite direction withrespectto the other of said: ribs, means connected toand adapted to space said longitudinal ribs, and means for moving: said longitudinal ribs to cause said spacing means to assume a longitudinal position and collapsesaid frame.

2. A collapsible frame comprising-a plurality of longitudinal ribs arranged to enclose a transverse area of 360, certain of said ribs being movable longitudinally with respect to the other of said ribs, transverse ribs hingedly connected to said longitudinai -ribs, and meansformovingrsaid longitudinal ribs to cause said transverse ribs to assume a longitudinal position and: collapse said frame" 3. A collapsibleframe comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs arranged to enclose a'transverse area of 360, certain of said ribs being'movable longitudinally with respect to the'othenof said ribs, transverse ribs hingedly connected tovsaidlongitudinal ribs radial members hingedly connected to and adapted to supportsaidlongitudinal ribs, and means associated with said radial members for erecting; and collapsingv said frame.

4. A collapsible frame comprisingtwo:series of. longitudinal supporting; ribs, one seriesof ribs beingimovable and arranged alternately with respect to the other series to enclose a transverse area 0f 360", plurality oftransverse segmental ribshingedly connected tosaid longitudinal ribs, radial members hingedly connected to and adapted tosupport said longitudinal ribs,:and means connected to said iradialvmembers for erectingand collapsing said frame.

5.: Acollap'sibleiframe comprising a plurality: oflongitudinal ribs arranged to enclosea transverse area of 3609, certain of said ribs being movablelongitudinally with respect to the other 'ofisaid' ribs,- transverse ribs comprising .a plurality of segments interspaeed between said longitudinal ribs and hingedly connectedtherewith, radial sup-- ports hingcdly connected to said movable ribs'and-toa movable member, and means for moving said member thereby to move said supports in unison to erect and collapse said frame.

6. A- collapsible frame comprising. a'plurality of longitudinal ribs arranged to enclose a transversevarea of 860,certain of said 5 ribs being. movable. longitudinally with respect to the otherwofsaid ribs, transverse ribs :comprising a plurality of segments,"- each segment being interspaced .between ,a pair of longitudinal ribs and? hingedlyi connected therewith, a group ofaradialsupports hingedly connected to said =movable ribs a dj acent each of said transverse ribs,aisecondrgroup of radial. I supports hingedly connected I to the other of; said longitudinal?ribs and means for moving: said first mentioned; groups of raidal supports inunison thereby to erect and collapse: said frame.

7; A. collapsible framecomprising; a. plurality of longitudinal ribs arranged to enclose a transverse area of 360" transverse ribs hingedly connected to said longitudinal ribs, and means for collapsing said frame to cause said transverse ribs to assume a longitudinal position.

8. A collapsible frame comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs arranged to enclose a transverse area of 360, transverse ribs hingedly connected to said longitudinal ribs, radial members hingedly connected to lapsing said frame.

10. A collapsible frame comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs arranged to e11- close a transverse area of 360, certain of said ribs being movable longitudinally with respect to the other of said ribs, transverse ribs comprising a plurality of segments interposed between said longitudinal ribs and hingedly connected therewith, radial sup ports hingedly connected to said movable ribs to a movable member, and means for retaining said member in a fixed position thereby to hold said parts in erected po sition.-

11. A collapsible frame comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs arranged to enclose a transverse area of 360, certain of said ribs being movable longitudinally with respect to the other of said ribs, transverse ribs comprising a plurality of segments, each segment being interspaced between a pair of longitudinal ribs and hingedly connected therewith, a group of radial supports Mug edly connected to said movable ribs adjacent each of said transverse ribs, a second group of radial supports hingedly connected to the other of said longitudinal ribs, and a longitudinally disposed member connected to and adapted to move said first mentioned groups of radial supports in unison thereby to erect and collapse said frame.

12. A collapsible frame comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs, certain of said ribs being movable in an opposite direction with respect to the other of said ribs, rigid members connected to and adapted to space said longitudinal ribs, and means for mov ing said longitudinal ribs to cause said rigid members to assume a longitudinal position and collapse said frame.

13. A collapsible frame for airships, balloons and the like comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs, connected at each end to a head, a rigid member extending longitudinally through the frame and through one of saidheads, a hub carried by said rigid member, a plurality of radial sup porting members hingedly connected at their inner ends to said hub and at their other ends to said longitudinal ribs, said rigid member being movable longitudinally with respect to said ribs thereby to erect or collapse said frame.

14. A collapsible frame for airships, balloons and the like comprising a plurality of longitudinal ribs connected at each end to a head, a rigid member extendingvlongitudinally through the frame, means connected to one of said heads for supporting and guiding said member, a hub carried by said rigid member, a plurality of radial supporting members hingedly connected at their inner ends to said hub and at their outer ends to said longitudinal ribs, said rigid member being movable longitudinally with respect to said ribs thereby to erect or collapse said frame.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

OSCAR J. LAISY.