US1833142A - Flying machine - Google Patents

Description

New 24,1931.

C. W. WALLER FLYING MACHINE Filed J uly '7, 1928 4 Sheets- Sheet 1 ,182 13% W 86 f 3. H 1- 33 31 .418 g. 5 m 0 9 :19 C i1? 1% m 5 1 ii 1g M IN VEN TOR. .5 5 t w NOV. 24, 1931. c w WALLER I 1,833,142

FLYING MACHINE Filed July 7. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IX V15 1V TOR Nov. 24, 11931.. c, WALLER 1,833,142

FLYING MACHINE Filed July 7. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 c fia 107 121 y W 10 j10\" I INVENTOR.

- Patented Nov. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES CHARLES W. 'wAIvLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FLYING MACHINE Application filed July 7, 1928.

My invention relates to improvements in flying machines of the type adapted to rise and descend vertically and more particularly to such machines of the type adapted to be raised, sustained and propelled through the air by one and the same element or elements and has for its primary object to provide and improve the construction, arrangement and relative disposition of the respective lifting,

sustainin and propelling element or elements an load, by which said element or elements are disposed at the upper-most portion or end of said machine, the weight of its frame or body, including the power plant, operator, passengers and freight, if any, be ing disposed at the lower-most portion or end of the machine, the said lifting, sustaining and propelling element or elements being further disposed above said frame or body, etc., and both said element or elements and frame or body, etc. being further disposed in the vertical line of the center of gravity or vertical axis of the machine while in flight, thus acting as a gravity balancing means, possessing inherently, and thereby maintaining, both longitudinal and lateral stability, tending constantly to keep the machine in a state of poise regardless of winds, etc., and thus makmg it eas to handle in the air by any one win is not a s illed pilot and who is, at all times free from the act of balancing the machine and which machine thus not being susceptibl to the prevention of flying on account of cer tain weather conditions, and also avoiding the casualties attributable to the machine los ing its balance, etc., as well as to simplify the iczlonltlrolling of the longitudinal direction of another object is to provide a machine of this character which will more efficiently utilize and take advantage of natural laws governing and controlling the lifting, sustaining and propelling capacities of aerial craft, and in which the lifting element or elements are given as far as possible a form constructed and adapted to present a more effective sustaining surface on their underside as well as being adapted to more effectively lessen and maintain the least possible airresistance or pressure on their upper side and to give max- Serial No. 290,929.

imum support on their under side in proportion to their weight and size, whereby a greater load sustaining area, and a higher degree of flying is secured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which will be safe in case of accident in the air and the lifting, sustaining' and propelling element or elements so constructed that it will act as a parachute by interposing suflicient air resistance to secure a rapid parachutic action and reduce the falling speed While maintaining the machine upright, and further, to provide a machine capable of havin one or more large common parachutes store away therein, normally out of the way, and in case of accident in the air, adapted to be instantly ejected into the free a1r to support the entire machine, thereby making it unnecessary for the operator and passengers, if any, to make a dangerous parachute jump and thereby insuring a safe and easy descent.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine having a new form of combined shock absorbers and landing devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine having as far as possible a form of lifting element or elements constructed to form a hollow chamber filled with air or some gas lighter than air to give maximum air displacement and support in proportion to its weight, thereby obtaining both itrength and lightness combined.

A still further object of the invention is to grovide a flying machine which will not take u much ground area, relative to its weightli ting ca acity.

A still urther object is to provide a flying machine capable of rising and descending either vertically or diagonally, thus being adapted to rise from and land on a small area of ground or the flat roof of a small building, if desired or necessary, and eliminating the necessity of going to and from flying fields or air ports in order to take to the air and land when making an aerial fli ht.

Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, which I attain and which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts, hereinafter described, illustrated in some of its embodiments in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiments of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, the preferred form of the invention has been shown, in which Figure 1 isa vertical section of the entire machine, on line 11 of Fig. 8, and looking in the direction of the arrow;

Figs. 2 to 4, vertical sections of modified forms of reciprocating propellers;

Fig. 5, a top plan view of the steering mechanism;

Fig. 6, a side vertical sectional view thru its longitudinal center line, of an electrically powered modified form of the invention employing only one reciprocating propeller, the lateral brace bars on one side not shown;

Fig. 7, a similar view of a similar electrically powered modified form of the invention employing a plurality of lifting and propelling devices, the lateral brace bars on one side not shown;

Fig. 8, a front elevation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9, a side elevation, partly in sectlon thru its longitudinal center line, f a modified form of reciprocating prope ler which resembles an airplane wing section and operating mechanism therefor, the lateral brace bars on one side not shown;

Fig. 10, a side elevation, partly in section near its longitudinal center line, of a modified form of the invention employing a plurality of reciprocating propellers, and means for shifting a load or weight backward or forward in order to change its center of gravity or forward tilt of the machine as a whole for upward and forward flying, the lateral brace bars on one side not shown;

Fig. 11, a side vertical section of a modified form of motive power employing independent plural motors adapted to independently operate at will, the reciprocating propellers shown in Fig. 10, either one alone, or both independently and simultaneously;

Fig. 12, a side elevation of means for reducing the relative speed of the reciprocating propeller or propellers;

Fig. 13, a vertical section of the entire machine, on line 1313 of Fig. 14, looking in the direction of the arrow, of another modification of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, and in this instance employing another modified form of reciprocating propeller, and showing a protective guard for said device;

Fig. 14, a top plan view of Fig. 13, with the protective guard and some of the parts of the steering mechanism removed;

Fig. 15, a side vertical section, substantially at its longitudinal center line, of still another modification of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1 and which, in this instance, employs two other modified forms of reciprocating propellers, the lateral brace bars on one side not shown;

Fig. 16, a top plan view of a still further modified form of the invention in which a plurality or series of the reciprocating propellers are employed; and

Fig. 17, a vertical section of a modified form of one of the reciprocating propellers, shown in Fig. 15.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

Referring to the drawings, the improved machine comprises a suitable frame or frame structure 1, made up and suitably braced in the present instance, of a plurality of longitudinally extending bars 2, suitably connected by means of a plurality of connecting transverse rings or circular members 3.

The frame may also, if desired, be provided with any suitable covering 4, such as, for instance, aluminum or fabric, to form a streamline bod or shell 5, which serves as a car or carrier or the operator, power plant, steering mechanism, and passengers, if any, or other load, and also as a main pontoon for supporting the machine in a body of water, and said frame or body being slightly inwardly turned to a suitable point or angle at its forward end, thus eifecting a minimum degree of head resistance.

Secured to and carried by this frame is the lower portion or end of an upright member 6 of any suitable form thru its horizontal cross section, such as, for instance, L, H, T or U shaped, but in the present instance, it is circular or O shaped in form, which member may be either vertical or forwardly tilted or inclined, and in the present instance, being slightly forwardly leaning and dis osed in the medial fore and aft line of the rame at any suitable transverse point, preferably near its transverse center.

If said member is vertically disposed instead of forwardly inclined, a reciprocating propeller 7 is so superposed or disposed at the upper portion or end of said member 6 as to permanently retain its present forward tilt or angle, thus permitting the wei ht of the operator, motor and other load to e disposed forwardly of and closer to said member 6 and thus also disposing the vertical axis of said machine closer to, as well as forwardly of, said member.

In order to rovide a wide landing and resting base or oundation for the machine to retain its upright position when making a landing and when at rest on the ground, there till is also secured to the frame or body at the front center thereof and preferably extending forwardly, laterally, and slightly downwardly from said frame front center, front lower'braces 8, and similar rear lower braces 9 extend similarly from the rear center of said frame, and suitableiupwardly and inwardly inclined brace bars 10 extend from each free or lateral end of the braces 8 and 9 to the upper or intermediate portion of the upright member 6, the upper end of each of said brace bars being suitably secured to a horizontal and preferably transverse bolt or pin 10, such as, for instance, by means of suitable lock nuts 12, and if desired, said upright member, braces and brace bars, may be given, as far as possible, a stream-line form fore and aft, effecting a minimum degree of head resistance.

At the upper portion or end of the uprightmember 6 is superposed and slidably mounted a reciprocating propeller 7, which device may be formed of any suitable material, such, as, for instance, solid or sheet metal or solid, sheet or plastic wood, presenting a concaved underside, or so formed as to utilize its entire underside or lifting surface for lifting and sustaining the machine in the air, thereby getting the most ossible amount of lifting and sustaining e ciency therefrom, such as, for-instance, having any suitable concaveconvex shape or form, but preferably being substantially funnel shaped or having its wall disposed at substantially a 45 degree angle, the upper or convex side extending forwardly or longitudinally in the direction of flight, asillustrated by Figs. 1, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14 and 15 of the drawings.

However, I do not wish to limit myself to any specific form of concavo-convex reciprocating propeller, and may, if desired, employ one or more of such propellers of the same or different forms or construction interchangeably, such as, for instance, any one or more of those shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, Figs. 6 and 7, 9 and 10, 13, 15 and 17, or otherwise, so long as the form or shape of their main wall or side is concavo-convex.

If desired, both the convexand concave surfaces 14 and 145 and 14 and 146, respectively, of the device 7 (see Figs. 1 and 10) may be formed or disposed at an angle greater or lesser than 45 degrees, such as, for instance, the convex surface disposed at approximately 20 or 60 degrees, or the convex surface formed at a greater angle than 45 degrees while the concave surface may be forme to be disposed at a lesser angle than 45 degrees, such as, for instance, a proximately 10 or 20 degrees, and provide with a hollow interior 13 for containing either air or a gas lighter than air.

The concavo-convex form of the propeller or propellers 7 would also function as one or more'parachutes, as the case may be, in case of any trouble in the air and a fall of the machine to the ground takes place.

In the present instance in order to more efficiently create a high partial vacuum above, the propeller 7, the lower-edge or portion of the outer surface of the wall 14 is disposed inwardly, the said wall being thinnest at its lowest point 15 and thickest at its highest point 16, thus giving it great strength to withstand the rapid or high speed reciprocal motion in the operation of the machine, but may, if desired, be thinnest at its highest point and thickest at its lowest point, the upper end of said propeller being connected to a substantially vertical slidable member 16*, which may be of any suitable form and mounted slidably to the upright member 6 in any suitable manner, but in the present instance it is fitted over or embraces said member 6,. and in order to prevent saidslidable member from turning on its substantially vertical axis, substantially vertical lateral slots or openings 18 are provided thru the sides of said member 16 thru which slots the bolt 10 passes and past which bolt the member 16* rapidly reciprocates substantially vertically in operation.

The lower end of said member 16 is provided with a short horizontal projection 19 which connects preferably movably with the upper end or bearing 20 of a substantially vertical driving rod 21, and secured by suitable lock nuts 22, a'siinilar lower end or bearing 23 of said rod 21 movably connecting with a crank or eccentric 24 which is. driven or actuated in. the present instance by any suitable form of conventional type of power, such as, for instance, a motor or engine 25, but may be also, if desired, adapted to be operated by manual power, such as by the arms or legs of a person, and inasmuch as the specific power plant in itself forms no part of the present invention, it is not shown in detail and I may, if desired, even employ electric motive power of any suitable conventional form, such as, for instance, an electric solenoid 26, as shown in Fig. 6 and which will hereinafter be more fully described, the upper portion of said frame 1 being pro vided with an opening 21 thru which the driving rod 21 reciprocates substantially vertically.

If desired to operate or reciprocate the propeller or propellers 7 at the same speed as the motor, said propeller or propellers may be connected direct to said crank or eccentric,

or the speed of said crank and said propeller be operated rapidly by short strokes by any suitable manner of connecting said motor to said crank, the free end of shaft of said crank supported in a bearing 153 secured to the top of said motor, shown in Fig. 12.

The propeller or propellers 7 are preferably disposed at the highest possible point of the machine, that is, at the uppermost portion or end of the upright member 6, said member extending upwardly from the frame or body and tilted forward at any desired degree, sllch as, for instance, at approximately or 80 degrees, said forward tilting of said member 6 and propeller or propellers 7 being permanently fixed, as shown in Figs. 1, 8, 13, 1 1 and 15, but being caused by the weight of the useful load (comprising the operator, motor, and passengers, if any, etc.) being carried atsubstantially the lowest portion of said machine and directly beneath the center of lift of said propeller or propellers 7, which center of lift of said propeller or propellers and the center of weight or gravity of said frame 1 constituting or comprising the substantial vertical axis of said machine, as shown by the broken line 95) of Figs. 6, 7 and 10.

In the present instance, the free end portion or crank shaft 30 of the crank 24 passes thru the lower portion of the member 6, which lower portion functions as a bearing or mounting for said free end portion of sald crank, and while I have shown only one crank and driving rod 21, the end portion or crank shaft 30 may be extended to connect with a second crank and driving rod, disposed on the opposite side of said member 6, not shOWn, but similar to said first mentioned crank and driving rod.

As a means of protecting the machine when it descends to the ground, suitable landing and resting devices 31 are provided, which devices may be either in the form of wheels similar to the wheels 107 and 107 in Fig. 10, or 140, 142, and 144 in Fig. 13, or as in the present instance, in the form of suitable cushion or shock-absorber members and being preferably air inflated flexible balls disposed beneath the connecting points of the lower braces 8 and 9, and the brace bars 10 and beneath the approximate longitudinal and transverse center of the machine or beneath the lower end of the upright member (3, horizontal plates 32 of light material being disposed between said braces and brace bars, and landin and resting devices, sald cushion or shoc c-absorber members while resting on the ground, assuming a flattened out or horizontally disposed form or osition, the form shown by the dotted line circle 33 in Fig. 8 being its normal shape while the machine is in the air or off the ground, while the horizontally disposed form shown in Figs. 1 and 8 being the shape assumed when compressed between said plates 32 and the fge'eaiaa ground by the weight of the machine resting upon them, the sad plates assisting to flatten them out and making non-revolving frictional contact with the ground.

In order to reduce friction to a minimum between the slidable member 16 and the upright member 6, when said slidable member is given a rapidly reciprocating motion, suitable ball or roller bearings 34 are spaced at suitable distances and move in races or raceways desi ated by the dotted lines 35.

Since t e propeller or propellers 7 are sealed as against the vertical passage of any air thru the same from the underside or concave surface to the upper or convex surface, and vice-versa, in the practical operation of the present invention, the machine is lifted and propelled forwardly by successive and rapidly repeated impulses, by said propeller or propellers being rapidly reciprocated substantially vertically by the operation of the crank or eccentric 24 by any conventional form of power, such as, for instance, by the hands or feet of a person, or, in the present instance, by the motor or engine 25 actuating said crank, vertical driving rod 21 and slidable member 16, it is believed that a vacuum is formed or produced, such as, for instance,

a partial vacuum, in the space approximately between the upper or convex surface of said propeller or propellers 7 and the broken and dotted lines 36 just above said upper or convex surface, and owing to the said concave form or shape of the underside of said propeller or propellers, the air is caused to be concentrated or compressed within said concaved space or underside of said pro eller simultaneously with the forming of sai vacuum and repeated at each and every downward stroke of said propeller or ropellers, the said propeller or propellers 7 eing thus constantly lifted or raised upwardly into said vacuum space by each of said speedy and successive upward and downward movements of said propeller or propellers 7 by said concentrated air or pressure on the under or concave surface and the formation of the vacuum above the convex side of said propeller or propellers, thus overcomin the force of gravity and dragging or pul mg the lower portion or frame of the machine below it thru the air and utilizing the said upward and downward forces to always maintain the machine in its upright position in the air.

Thus it will be seen that at the same time that the vacuum forms above the upper or convex surface of the propeller or propellers 7 to remove the air pressure from above the same, which air pressure would otherwise bear downwardly against said upper or convex surface to retard its rising, the compression of the air taking place within the concave or under side of said propeller, and being prevented from escaping therefrom by the concave underside of said propeller or ple of the wing of a common airplane being sustained in the air, except that said propeller or propellers 7 are reciprocated vertically thru the air, and the propeller or propellers 7 ofvthe present invention being tilted forwardly more or less also serving to function as the forward propelling force instead of a common airplane propeller, as will be most clearly seen, Fig. 13 showing the propeller 7 as having moved upward in its reciprocating motion and ready to again move downward to create the said vacuum space, it being believed that the propeller 7, in proportion to surface area, has a greater lifting power than the common airplane wing, for the reason that the form or shape of the underside of the propeller 7 compresses and retains the air in a compressed state to a much greater degree, because this compressed air is held in a compressed state in its downward movement, instead of being permitted to flow on and escape, as is the case when a common airplane wing moves forwardlyjand horizontally thru the air.

As previously stated, while it is intended that the wall of the propeller 7 be permanently closed against the passage of air therethru vertically, in order to cause a vacuum to form above it and a compression of air to form below it. the propeller 7 may. if desired, be provided with a relatively small opening 37, disposed preferably thru the upper rear portion of the Wall of said propeller, which opening would function to permit the escape of a relatively small amount of air and thereby assist in drawing air into the concave or underside of said propeller from below, similar to the efi'ect of a small opening in the top of common parachutes, but I wish to have it understood, that this opening. may also, if desired. be entirely eliminated. it being understood that,'if desired. the said propeller 7, being so adapted, may be employed on any other suitable type of flying machine giving a vertical rotary motion on a horizontal shaft, instead of a vertical reciprocating motion.

The difierent degrees of speedof the motor is controlled and regulated to determine the varied speeds of flight forwardly, upwardly, and. or, descend. in the present instance of this invention. by any conventional controlling or regulating means, not shown. and as a means for controlling the horizontal direction of flight, a vertical rudder 38 is disposed at one end of the machine, preferably at the rear, by means of the lower end of a vertical pole or stem member 39 being revolubly mounted to the frame 1 and the upper end of said pole member being similarly mounted-to the free or rear end of a longitudinally extending rod or bar 40, the forward or other end of said rod being suitably secured to the upright member 6, the free ends of a horizontal transverse rod or bar 41 connected to controlling cables or wires 42 and 43 and connected to a transverse steering foot lever 44 mounted in close proximity to the operators seat 45.

In the present instance, as a means to economize in space, apart of the lower portion of the interior of the upright member 6 may be utilized as a=liquid fuel storage tank or compartment 46, the fuel 47 having an outlet by means of a suitable outlet or supply pipe 48 connected to the motor or engine 25, the lower part of the said lower portion of the member 6 being utilized as a similar liquid oil storage tank or compartment 49 for the lubricating oil' 50, which at all times keeps the free end portion or shaft 30 of the crank 24 properly lubricated, said fuel and oil tanks being provided with inlets 51 and 52 respec' tively, for replenishing the supply.

In order to further prevent any possibility of the propeller 7 slipping oif the member 6 entirely in case the same should for any reason break away from the driving rod 21 or the latter should break away from the crank or the latter break away from its inotor and bearing, the extreme upper end of the member 6 is provided with any form of suitable projection. such as, for instance, being flared outwardly or outwardly and downwardly to form a projection or flange, against which, in case of such an accident, the top end or apex 54 wbuld' abut and cause said propeller 7 toact or function asaparachute in the descent or fall of the machine to the ground. I

As a further safeguard in case of an accident in the air, the upper portion of the interior of the member 6 may be utilized as a convenient storage space to inclose or houseone or more large common parachutes 55 disposed above theconventional cables or ropes 56 which are preferably-coiled and firmly secured to an upper eyelet 57 on the movable plug or plunger 58, a secondor lower cable or rope 59 being coiled below and firmly secured to a similar'lower eyelet 60, the free end 61 of said lower cable or rope passing around and firmly secured to the bolt or pin 10, the interior portion below said bolt being hermetically closed by an upper partition or plate 62 and a similar lower partition 63. forming a compressed-air-compartment or tank 64. or if desired. may be in the form of a separate tank, an outlet valve or cook 56 being disposed preferably above said upper plate or partition 62 or tank 64 and adapted to communicate with the interior of said compartment or tank.

If desired, the compressed-air tank may be of such large size that it will fill up the entire lower or almost the entire lower portion of the interior of the member 6, or said tank may be located within the body 1 instead of within the member 6, and a pipe, not shown may lead the compressed air to the space 72 above the partition 62 within said member 6.

Or if desired, the entire interior of the member 6 may be utilized for storing or containing a very large parachute or one or more smaller parachutes and the means for ejecting them from the interior of said member 6.

In case of accident in the air, the said valve 56 being adapted to be operated or opened at the will of the operator by any suitable means, such as, for instance, by said operator pulling on the free end or ring 66 of the cable or rope 67 in close proximity to the operators seat 45, said cable or rope passing over a lower guide pulley or member 68 on the frame 1 and an upper guidepulley or member 69 on one of the brace bars 10, the free end thereof being secured to the end of a lever 70, the other end of said lever being secured to a transverse lever arm or bar 71 passing thru the substantially vertical slot 18 and secured to and connecting with the outlet valve or cook 56*, which opens said valve to permit the compressed air (stored in the compartment 64) to rush out and fill the space 72 and thus instantly forcing said plug or plunger 58 upwardly and out of the mouth of the member 6 and pushing or forcing the parachute or parachutes 55 and cables or ropes 56 out into the free air, the rush of the compressed air upwardly from the mouth or interior of said member 6 assisting to fill the undersides of the parachutes 55 to assist in quickly opening them out for action against the lower air while falling to the ground, the machine being suspended to the cable or rope 59 by means of the bolt or pin 10", and in addition to the parachutes 55 the parachutic form or shape of the device or devices 7 also acting to assist said parachutes in breaking the fall to the ground, the said propeller 7 in the present instance, if desired, being, thru its center section, shaped similar to an airplane wing, as shown by the dotted line 73, or similar to the propeller 7 shown in Fig. 9.

The numerals 74 and 75 indicate windows and a door, respectively.

Referring to the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the propeller 7 is secured to an upright member 76 which is supported in its upright position by means of the upper ends of the brace bars 10 being, in this case, each secured to a collar 77 thru which said member 76 vertically reciprocates, the portion of said member 76 below said collar 77 having movably fastened thereto, one above the other, substantially horizontal arms 78 and 79 and movably secured at 80 and 81, respectively, the movable central portion ofeach arm provided with a horizontal elon ated opening 82 and 83, respectivel whic ermits easy movement of the sai member 76 and arms 78 and 79, when they are vertically reciprocated by an electric solenoid 26, when an electric current of any source is passed thru said solenoid, such as, for instance, from one or more electric batteries or storage cells 84, and its polarity rapidly and alternately changed automatically by the pole changer formed by one end of the arm 78 being connected to the positive electric wire-85 and one end of the arm 79 being connected to the negative electric wire 86, and when the other, or either positive and ne tive ends of said arms are alternatel rapidly reciprocated vertically over the eiectrlc contacts 87, 88 and 89, when the electric switch 90 is closed, thus causing the positive electric current to flow, first into the wire 91 and thru the solenoid in one direction and then caused to flow into the wire 92 and thru the said solenoid in the opposite direction, to cause the upright member 76 to vertically reciprocate rapid the portion 93 of the member 76 being of magnetic material, such as, for instance, iron, and the remaining portion above and below said ortion 93 being of any suitable light-weight non-magnetic material, such as, for instance, an aluminum rod or brass tubing, it being understood that I ma if desired, substitute an electric rheostat instead of the electric switch 90, as shown by 94 in Fig. 7, the extreme lower end of said member 76 being provided with a horizontal projection 95, to prevent the said member 76 from sliding out of the machine entirely, the propeller 7 in the present instance, being, if desired, en tirely closed near its lower portion or mouth by a horizontal partition 96, the interior of said hollow device being adapted to contain air or any suitable gas lighter than air.

The principle of operation of the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 7 is the same as or similar to that shown in Fig. 6, except that in this instance, plural ropellers, such as, for instance, two prope lers 7 are reciprocated simultaneously, preferably in opposite directions, and in this case the slidable member 16 is extended downwardly longer than shown in Figs. 1, 10, 13 and 15, the extreme lower portion or end being rovided with a magnetic or iron ortion 9 which is vertically reciprocate by means of an upper electric solenoid 98 in the same manner as the modified form shown in Fig. 6, except that the electric current flows first into the upper solenoid to first move the member 16 upwardly while the same electric current flows out of the said upper solenoid and into the lower solenoid 26, moving the member'7 6 downwardly, simultaneously, the electric current and speed of the reciprocating motion of the members 16 and 76, and thereby the upper and lower propellers llOU 7 being regulated and controlled by ,means of an electric rheostat 94. However, I wish it understood that, if desired, I may substitute the electric switch 90 in Fig. 6 instead of said rheostat 94, or vice-versa, the lower end of'the propeller 7 in this instance, being provided with a vertical rim 99 extending downwardly from the horizontal partition 96.

Referring to the .modification shown in Fig. 9, the center longitudinal section of the propeller 7 is formed substantially similar to a section of a common airplane wing and is, in this case, fastened to the extreme upper end or portion of the driving rod 21, which rod moves or reciprocates the propeller 7 in a vertical and longitudinal oscillating motion or orbit, or back and forth rocking motion, as will noted by the different positions indicated by the dotted lines .in Fig. 9, its vertical motion fore and aft being indicated by the arrows 101 and 102, respectively, it being seen in the present instance, that the driving rod 21 and crank 24 are disposed at right angels to the relative fore and aft position of the propeller 7,

- whereby the motion of the crank 24 as indi- --cated by the arrows 103 tend to slightly draw the front end of the propeller 7 downwardly and backwardly to propel it forward and in the next instant to change the angle of incidence of the rear portion downwardly to expose more of the underside or supporting area or surface to the flow of air currents to derive a lifting efi'ect therefrom and thus be sustained in the air while also being propelled forward at the next instant or movement repeatedly, as long as it is kept in motion by the longitudinal rotation of the crank 24 to reciprocate and oscillate the propeller 7, but in this case the slidable member 16 is entirely eliminated.

The fore and aft edges of the propeller 7 are braced and kept in proper position laterally and supported fore and aft by diagonal brace rods 104, the brace bars 10 and the double guide wheels, pulleys or pulley wheels 105 being secured together by means of a plate 106 disposed on each side of said guide wheels and each pair of brace bars 10, the crank 24 passing or disposed thru the extreme lower ends of the rods 104, as shown, the driving rod 21 reciprocating vertically thru and held in proper position by, theguide wheels 105.

Referring to the modified form of the in vention shown in Fig. 10, 107 is a low hanging frame, preferably made up, in the present instance, of upper and lower longitudinal angle members 108 and upper and lower fore and aft transverse angle or tube mem bers 109, held together by means of vertical corner angle members 110 and oblique or lattice pieces 111, forming in efiect, an open compartment, extending preferably longitudinally and adapted to carry a suitable weight 112, which, in the present instance, is a truck or carriage which is provided with wheels or rollers 113 adapted to travel back and forth on the horizontally and inwardly disposed angle or flange of each lower lateral angle member 108 which function as guideways on which the truck is movable preferably in a fore and aft direction so that the said weight of said truck or carriage and its contents or load may be arranged at the will of the operator to compensate for variations' between centers of weight or gravity and upward pull of the reciprocating propeller or propellers 7 under different conditions of service to maintain such centers in coincidence and speeds upward and forward, or both, and to longitudinally trim the craft.

The lifting and propelling devices in the modified form shown in Fig. 10 reciprocate vertically, either both in the same direction at the same time, or preferably in opposite directions at the same time, thus in the latter case, one of said propellers 7 moving downward and sustaining the machine in the air while the other propeller is on its way upward to get into position for its next downward movement.

In order to enable the weight 112 to be adjusted in a fore and aft direction, as previously mentioned, an operating lever or arm 114 is supported by a support 115, said lever being arranged in proximity to the operators seat 45, a vertical brace 116 being provided for the support 115, a cable or belt 117 passing around or over a drum 118 and downwardly and around a left-hand guide pulley 119 and over a rear guide pulley 120 and forwardly to an eye 121 at the rear end of said weight, the other end portion of said cable passing downwardly from said drum and around a right-hand guide pulley 122 and over upper and lower front guide pulleys 123 and 124, and the free end connecting with an eye 125 atthe front end of said weight, so that by turning the hand-wheel 126 to the right or left the weight or truck and its load .weight may be shifted forwardly or rearwardly, thus changing the tilt of the upright member 6 and the propeller or propellers 7, as the case may be, to determine the forward speed of the craft, it being understood that if desired, a suitable sprocket chain passing over suitable sprocket wheels may be substituted for said cable 117, drum 118, and. pulleys, 119, 120, 122, 123 and 124.

The frame 107 may, if desired, be four cornered, in which case the lower ends of each of the brace bars 10 connect with each of said corners, respectively, or, if desired. the frame 107 may be narrower in design and the lower the braces Sand 9, shown in'Figs. 1 and 8. In either case, said frame is provided with front wheels 107 and rear swivel wheels 107*, but may, if desired, be provided with the shock-absorber or cushion members 31 instead of said wheels.

In the present instance, the horizontal steering is controlled by the handwheel 126 and operating lever 114 and has attached to the latter, above and below its pivotal point, cables 42 and 43 which are guided by pulleys 127, the steering being affected by the forwardly and rearwardly shifting of said handwheel.

In the present instance, the pole or'stem member 39, instead of being vertical, as shown in Fig. 1, is tilted slightly rearwardly and the rod or bar is tilted downwardly at its front end and joins a vertical crank support 128 and an outwardly and rearwardly extending brace member 129, the upper ends of said stem member 39 and rod 40 being secured to laterally, downwardly and rearwardly extending brace members 130, the lower. ends of which connect with the top of the frame 107, or lower end of the brace rods 10 and rear braces 9, as the case may be.

In the present instance, more than two or only one propeller 7 may, if desired, be employed, but in this modification I have shown superposed two propellers 7, a second vertical slidable member 131 being disposed next to and adapted to vertically slide or reciprocate over the upright member 6, and the member 16 disposed upon said member 131, which latter member is actuated or reciprocated by a second driving rod 132, the upper end or bearing 133 connecting with a horizontal projection 134 preferably secured by lock nuts 135, the lower end or bearing 136 connecting with a second crank or eccentric 137, the free end of which connects with or mounted in a bearing in the vertical crank support 128, the forward end 138 of the crank shaft being, if desired, extended to the forward end of the machine to form an auxiliary shaft adapted to be connected with any conventional form of an auxiliary or airplane propeller, not shown.

In the operation of the machine in the present instance, the propellers 7 are superposed or disposed one above the other in such a manner as to be reciprocated in opposite di rections simultaneously, and while any form of ccncavo-cbnvex propellers 7 may be employed, I have shown, in the present instance, an upper propeller 7 provided with an upper and a lower concavo-convex formed members 139 and 140, respectively, separated any suit able distance apart by means of a vertical wall or cylinder 141, and a plurality of downwardly extending ring members 142, forming outer inverted channel members or rings, said members or rings being suitably s aced apart, the whole device being braced by diagonal cross members 143 within said device and one of said cross members extending outwardly and downwardly to brace said ring members 142, the said cross members also being secured to the said vertical wall or cylinder and second vertical slidable member 131, and the un derside of the lower member 140 being braced by a frame or diagonal members 144 which extend from the said slidable member 131.

If desired, the wall 141 may be disposed at any suitable angle instead of vertical, as shown, and the upper member 139 and upper downwardly extending ring member 142 may each be of a larger diameter than the lower member 140 and lower downwardly extending ring member 142, the central hollow portion being larger at the top than at the bottom thereof.

In the present instance, the lower propeller 7 may also be provided with an upper and a lower concavo- convex member 145 and 146, respectively, the same being braced by means of common brace members 147 disposed between said members 145 and 146, to strengthen the same-and to present outer surfaces of different angles, it being understood, that if desired, the interior of said propellers 7 may contain air or any suitable gas lighter than air, it being also understood that the angle of any one of the upper and lower members 139 and 140, may also be changed, if desired, so as to present outer surfaces of different angles.

If desired to operate or reciprocate the plural propellers 7 independently of one another or to employ plural or independent motors or engines 148 and 149, which may, if desired, be of a different conventional type than the motor 25, such as, for instance, upright motors, the free end portion or shaft 30 of the crank 24, extends clear thru and outwardly from the member 6 and enters a bearing 150 in the free end 151 of the crank 137, each of the motors being supported by the vertical supports 128 and 152, respectively.

Referring to the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 13 and 14, it will be noted that the base or lower end of the member 6 and motor 25 are disposed at the rear end of the machine, while the operators seat is disposed at the transverse center of the machine, lateral brace bars 154 extending downwardly from the bolt or pin 10 and connects to the lateral end of a horizontal transverse member 155, each end of said transverse member supporting a side wheel 140 as shown, a front brace bar 157 likewise extending downwardly but forwardly to the front end of the frame 1 and to a front swivel wheel 142, the upper end of said bar 157 being provided with a fork member 159, each prong of said fork being secured to opposite lateral ends of the bolt 10*, the rear end of said frame also being provided with a swivel wheel 144, only one of said wheels 142 and 144 being adapted to touch the ground at the same time, it being understood that, if desired, the shock absorbers 31 may be substituted for said wheels.

As will be noted, the propeller 7 in the present instance, is made up of plural concave-convex forms 161, each succeeding lower form being smaller than the one immediately above it, as shown, said forms bein secured together and braced by suitable iagonal brace members162.

its a means of protecting the propeller 7 against damage if it should by accident come in contact with some other machine or foreign obj ect while in motion or otherwise, a guard 168 is disposed immediately above said device, said guard comprising fore and aft downwardly extending members 164 an'd165, respectively, the lower end of the former member connecting with the lower end of the front brace bar 157 and the lower end of the member 165 connecting with the upper end of a rear diagonal guard brace 166, the lower end of which is secured to a collar 167 secured to the member 6, as shown.

"lhe said members 164 and 165 are connected and support a plurality of circular or ring members 168 of difl'erent sizes or diameters, as illustrated.

If desired, the vertical rudder 38 may be entirely eliminated and a similar rudder 169 may be disposed forward of the machines vertical axis or center of gravity, in which case, said rudder 169 is fastened to a diagonal steering rod 17 0, held to the front brace bar 157 by means of upper and lower collar bandsv or holders 171, the lower end of said steering rod being secured to a front transverse steering rod 17 2.

However, if desired to make the machine steer more easily or quickly to the right or left, both the fore and aft ends of the machine may be provided with a vertical rudder 38 and 169 to act in conjunction with each other, illustrated in Figs. 5, 13 and 15, or if it is desired to eliminate the rear vertical rudder 38 entirely, which moves on either a vertical axis, as shown in Fig. 1, or a slightly diagonal or substantially horizontal axis, as shown by Fig. 13, a second vertical rudder 173 may also be substituted therefor, which is secured to a slightly diagonal or a substantially horizontal and longitudinally extending pole or stem member 174, which.

swings or moves on a substantially longitudinal axis, the forward end of said membar 174 being movably secured to the upright member 6 by means of a transverse bracket member 175 secured to or passing around said member 6 and held by frictional contactby means of a bolt 176 passing thru a collar or bushing 177, a transverse rod or "bar 178 being secured to the member 174, to

the lateral ends of which are attached right and left-hand cables or wires 179 and 180, which pass downwardly over suitable guide pulleys or elements 181 and 182 and 183 and 184, respectively, the right-hand cable 179 passing across to and connected to theleft end of the foot lever 44, and the left-hand cable 180 crossing the cable 179 and passing across to and connecting with the opposite or right-hand end of said foot lever, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 13.

A cable or wire 185 extends from the right end of the foot lever 44 to the left end of the steering rod 172 and a similar cable or Wire 186 extending from the left end of said foot lever and crossing the cable 185 and connecting with the right end of the steering rod 172, all as shown in Figs. 5 and 13, so that, in practice, when the operator wishes to steer to the right he pushes or movesthe right end of the foot lever forward, which pulls on the cable 186, causing the rudder 169 to swing to the left and exposing the left side thereof to the passing air, forcing it and the front end of the machine to the right, or if both the fore and aft vertically disposed rudders are desired to be employed, which are suitably mounted at the fore and aft ends of the machine, respectively, and at the same time the cables 42 and 180 are pulled, which in turn swing or move the rear rudder 38 to'the right, exposing its right side to the passing horizontal and longitudinal air, or air currents, and the rudder 17 3 being swung or moved to the right on its longitudinal axis, as shown in Figs. 5 and 13, utilizing and causingthe wind currents thrown downwardly by the action and speed of *the downward strokes of the propeller 7 while the machine is in operation, to impinge on the side of the rudder 173, thus forcing both of said rudders 38 and 169 and thereby the rear end of the machine to the left and causing the machine to turn to the right on its vertical axis or center of gravity, or if desired, all three of the rudders 38, 169 and 173 may be used in conjunction simultaneously to more easily and quickly steer the machine to the right or left, as explained above.

While I have shown the preferred forms of the frame or body of the present invention, the same may be of any suitable form, such as, for instance, circular, as shown b the dotted line 187, or four cornered, as s own by the dotted line 188.

- The advantage of the form of body shown by the dotted lines 187 and 188 in Fig. 14 bein that it gives more horizontal space for t e useful load and that numerous passengers can be seated transversely, side by side. in one or more rows, whereby they can be disposed or placed as far back or as far forward as desired to produce the desired or required tilt of the member 6 and proin Fig. 15 comprises plural or fore and aft propellers 7, which are suitably spaced apart and kept in their proper positions, relative to each other, by means of a substantially longitudinal connecting member 189, which may or may not be extensions of one or both of the members 6, as desired, the rear propeller 7 being disposed vertically, while the forward propeller 7 is disposed in a forwardly tilted position, so that the rear propeller 7 lifts directly vertically as a whole and the forward propeller 7 both lifting and propelling the machine forwardly as a whole, it being noted in Fig. 15 of the drawings that the propellers 7 have moved up into a portion of the partial vacuum space, and ready to again move downward to again create the partial vacuum space.

It will also be noted that the motor 25 in this instance, is disposed between said plural members 6, and the crank shaft being provided with a universal joint 191 connecting with the crank 24 of the forward propeller 7 both the fore and aft driving rods 21 being oppositely disposed.

In the present instance, I show on the vertical member 6 the propeller 7 formed by its wall section 192 being shaped similar to the section of an airplane wing and being disposed vertically instead of horizontally, the air reaction or aerodynamical effect thru. the air being similar to that in the horizontal movement thru the air of the common airplane wing, namely, the formation or creation of a vacuum space, such as a partial vacuum, approximately between the dotted line 193 and the upper or convex side of said device, similar to the vacuum produced by the previously described propellers 7, and upward air pressure, indicated by the dotted line arrow 194, below its under or concaved side to give lift or to raise or support the machine in the air. However, this-form may also be provided with a vertical inner wall 195 forming a hollow portion 196, as shown in Figs. 10 and 17, the said inner wall assisting to eliminate air resistance on the lower inner wall 197 when the propeller moves rapidly upward in its reciprocating motion, while the forward or front propellers 7 are provided with substantially vertical walls or cylinders 198 of difierent heights and diameters forming, in effect, a plurality of inverted circular troughs.

In order to economize in space and to concentrate the weight of the motor and operator more at one point, it will be noted that in the present instance, the operators seat 15, as well as the steering wires, rods and foot lever being carried higher, by being disposed above the motor 25.

Referring to the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 16, in order to reduce vibration to a minimum, while in operation, the frame or body 1 is disposed below a plu- Leeaiaa rality or series of horizontally arranged plural propellers 7, all of which may be reciprocated by one or more motors, as desired, connected in any conventional manner to operate according to the principle of the present invention, either in series or independently, as desired, the direction of flight being in the direction indicated by any one of the arrows 199, 200 or 201. as desired, the general construction and, mode or principle of operation of each individual propeller 7, in nnison with one another is preferably the same or similar to the forms shown and described in this specification.

The modified reciprocating propeller shown in Fig. 2 is constructed of a pluralii of concavo-convex forms 202, preferably oi a substantially 45 degree wall and of li o diameters. superposed one above the otlr and provided with intcrnwdiate open spar-cs between the same and being braced by sHii able diagonal brace rods 203 and horizontal brace rods 20%.

The modified form of the propeller 7 shown in Fig. 3 is constructed substantial of a semi-circular form 205 and is also braved by similar diagonal brace rods 206 and horizontal face rods 207. or said device may. f desired. be extended downwardly beyond 1 center line. in which case it may also. ii sired. be provided with a vertical r side wall similar to the .Elll in indicated by the dotted line 208 in ii.

The modified form of propeller 7 b Fig. i: is made up of one concave-con 209 and a plurality of circular walls tending diagonally and lrW-FU'WHl'lllfr ll the underside of said device. said circular walls being of dili erent diameters and lmiwd by diagonal brace rod. :311 and lioriiioniwl brace rods 212.

I wish to have it understood. that if sired. I am free to cniplor any shape. '1? "n: or type of concavo-convcx recipr-rmrilig propeller. singly, plurall v. or interchan e ably, or dill'ercnt plural forms at the same time, within the scope of the allowed claims of the present application.

' The arrow 21?! in Figs. 1, 5. 6, 7. 9. W. 13. 14: and 15 indicates the direction of iii while the numeral 214 in Figs. 1, 9. 1 15 indicate the approximate vertical or center of gravity or weight of tho chine. However. I also wish to be free Cr change the tilt or angle of the propell or propellers 7 downwardly at the forward end to any suitable degree in the modified forms of the invention shown in Figs. (1. 7. 9. l0 and the forward propeller 7 and member 6 of Fig. 15, thus changing the \es tical axis and center of gavity or weigh of the forms of the invention shown in said Figs. 6, 7, 9, 10 and 15 to correspeinl more with the vertical position of the l'ilti'l'llKl 6 in said figures, such as, :i'or instance, as indicated' by the dotted line 214 in Fig. 6, in

which case the movable upright member 76 comprises the vertical axis of said machine instead of the broken line 99 in Figs. 6, 7 and 10.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will also be noted that the degree of the normal forward tilt of the machine is shown to be permanently fixed in Figs. 1, 8, 13, 14 and 15, while Fig. shows the degree of the machines forward tilt to be adapted to be changed or adjusted at will.

It will be further noted that the common airplane propeller and the common horizontal rudder are eliminated as being unnecessary in the present invention.

I claim:

1. propeller having the lower edge or portion of its outer or convexed surface disposed inwardly.

2. A propeller provided with a lower inwardly disposed outer or convexed surface closed against the passage of air therethru.

3. A propeller having its wall closed against the passage of air therethru, and the lower edge or portion of the outer or convexed surface of said wall disposed inwardly.

4. A propeller having its wall closed against the passage of air therethru, said propeller having the lower edge or portion of its outer or convexed surface dis osed inwardly, and said propeller provid d with a relatively small opening thru its upper portion.

5. A propeller closed against the uppercavo-convex wall, a substantially vertical wall within the concaved side of said wall, and said walls closed against the passage of air therethru.

8. A propeller having upper and lower non-foldable concavo-convex formed members closed against the passage of air therethru, a substantially vertical wall between said upper and lower members, the outer side of said wall providedwith one or more inverted channel members, and said channel members disposed between said concavo-convex members.

9. In a flying machine, a propeller provided with a lower inwardly disposed outer or convexed surface closed against the pas sage of air therethru, and said propeller placed on the center of gravity'of said ma- "chine and actuated by suitable power.

10. In a flying machine, a propeller. closed against the passage of air therethru, said propeller having the lower edge or portion of its outer or convexed surface disposed inwardly, and said propeller placed on the center of gravity of said machine and actuated by suitable power.

11. In a flying machine, a propeller closed against the passage of air therethru, said propeller having the lower edge or portion of its outer or convexed surface disposed inwardly, said propeller movably mounted on an upright member, suitable power for actuating said propeller, and a weight adapted to be moved at will.

12- In a flying machine, a propeller closed against the passage of air therethru. said propeller having the lower edge or portion of its outer or convexed surface disposed inwardly, said propeller movably mounted on an upright member, suitable power' for actuating said propeller, and said machine provided with a plurality of cushion or shockabsorber members.

13. In a flying machine, a plurality of propellers closed against the passage of air therethru, said propeller having the lower edge or portion of its outer or convexed surface disposed inwardly, said propellers movably mounted on one or more upright members, suitable power for actuating said propellers simultaneously, and the center of lift of said propellers placed on the center of gravity of said machine.

14. In a flying machine. a propeller closed against the passage of air therethru, said propeller having the lower edge or portlon of its outer or convexed surface disposed inwardly, said propeller movably mounted on an upright member, a frame disposed below said propeller, and said propeller placed on the center of gravity of said machine and actuated by suitable power.

15. In a flying machine, a propellenolosed against the passage of air therethru, sa1d propeller having the lower edge or portion of its outeror convexed surface disposed inwardly, said propeller movably mounted on an upright member, suitable power for actuating said propeller, a frame disposed at the lower end or portion of said member, said frame carrying a weight adapted to be moved at will by a hand-wheel revolving a drum, a cable passing over or around said drum, and

each end of said cable connected to said power.

propeller having the lower edge or portion of its outer or convexed surface disposed inwardly, said propeller movably mounted on an upright member, said propeller placed on the center of gravity of said machine and actuated by suitable power, and a crankshaft extending from said power and adapted to actuate an auxiliary propeller.

18. In a flying machine, a propeller closed against the passage of air therethru, said propeller having the lower edge or portion of its outer or convexed surface disposed inwardly, said propeller movably mounted on a hollow upright member, said member containing a liquid storage compartment, and said propeller placed on the center of gravity of said machine and actuated by suitable power.

19. In a flying machine, a propeller closed against the passage of air therethru, said propeller having the lower edge or portion of its outer or convexed surface disposed inwardly, said propeller movably mounted on an upright member, the upper end of said member provided with a projection. and said propeller placed on the center of gravity of said machine and actuated by suitable power.

20. In a flying machine, a propeller closed against the passage of air therethru, said propeller having the lower ed e or portion of its outer or convexed sur ace disposed inwardly, said propeller slidably mounted on an upright member, and suitable power for actuating said propeller on said member.

CHARLES W. WALLER.

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