US1857694A - Aeroplane - Google Patents

Description

244-48 mpaa-ol DR 1,857,694-

May 10, 1932. RIGHTQN 1,857,694

AEROPLANE Filed Jan. 9, 1931 I'M/vani y):

20 14 1 flunijjk/Zfdw/ 244. AttiUNAU l lL-D Patented May 10, 1932 NT TATE AEROIPLANE Application filed January 9, 1931, Serial No. 507,660, and in New Zealand October 23, 1930.

This invention relates to the usual type of aeroplane and it has been designed with the object of providing improvements in the features of construction thereof whereby provision is made for the control of the machines flight and more particularly its vertical movements.

In this invention provision is made for the plane, or planes, being mounted upon a horizontal axis, or axes, so that it, or they, may be tipped up or down and for such tipping being effected by the pilot from the cockpit of the body. The ability to tip the planes in this manner will therefore give the pilot more effective control of his machine in gaining and in losing altitude, and will enable quick rises to be obtained and sudden drops to be checked, and other advantages gained that will be obvious to those engaged in piloting these machines.

The invention consists more particularly in the manner of mounting each plane so that it may be tipped to cause it to incline from front to rear at any angle within the range of movement provided for, and in the means whereby such tipping movements may be obtained and the plane held firmly in any adj usted position.

The manner of giving effect to the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be hereinafter described in relation thereto.

In the drawings Figure l is a side elevation of a biplane constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of one half thereof, the other half being of similar construction.

The drawings are in diagrammatic form showing generally the fundamental principles of the features of construction forming the invention. The details of construction, sizes, and materials employed in giving effect to the invention will naturally vary to suit different types of machines and the special circumstances of each case.

In this invention each plane A is supported by a number of pivotal attachments B, disposed in a longitudinal row at a suitable distance back from its forward edges,

to strut frame members C extending vertically from outrigger frames D which project laterally and-rigidly from the fuselage E of the machine. These frame members are made of approved materials and of suitable strength, and the pivotal attachment of each plane to the frame structure thus provided will permit the planes being turned on the pivots to incline at any desired angle laterally with the planes length within the a limits of movement provided for by the control. The plane is thus adaptable for having its forward edge dipped, or raised, to control direction and speed in flying, and by this facility, to either dispense with the tail control or to act in conjunction therewith, in a manner that will be readily appreciated by the expert airman.

For controlling and adjusting the planes disposition, a spindle F is provided to extend transversely through the fuselage E and to project from both sides thereof for approximately the length of the plane. This spindle is carried in suitable bearings so that it may be rotated, and such bearings are supported upon frame members G, attached to the members D, to keep it in its proper position relative to the plane, or planes, throughout its length. Mounted on the spindle, at suitable distances apart along it, are the eccentric discs H, all disposed in the same relative positions with respect to the spindle. Each eccentric is surrounded by a strap J and such strap is connected by connecting rods K with the plane, near its forward edge. In the case of a biplane both planes may be connected to the same eccentric straps, the connecting rods being arranged to extend in the same line with the major axis of the eccentric disc.

The turning of the spindle therefore will impart a longitudinal movement to the connecting rods which will cause the planes to tip up or down upon their pivots B in exact correspondence with each other. These connecting rods will also act as stays to maintain the planes rigidly at any angle to which they may be moved and more especially to hold them in the normal flying positions.

If desired, with a biplane, the movements of the spindle may be imparted through the eccentrics and connecting rods direct to one plane, the other plane then being correspondingly moved by stay rods connecting the forward edges of the two.

The spindle F is controlled by a handle lever M fixed thereon, and disposed within the cockpit of the fuselage in such a position that the occupant may reach and operate such lever. This will work in conjunction with any of the known means for locking it in any position, and thus also to lock the spindle from turning and to maintain the plane, or planes, at the desired position.

The eccentric discs and straps may be displaced by their mechanical equivalents, as for instance crank arms or discs.

I claim An aeroplane, comprising two substantially parallel and superposed planes, each plane being pivoted on a horizontal pivot rigidly supported by the fuselage, the two pivots being parallel and superposed, a plurality of straps each connecting both planes, an eccentric attached to each strap, a spindle for rotating all the eccentrics, and means in the cockpit operable by the pilot to rotate the spindle to incline the planes.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

DOUGLAS HUNTLY RIGHTON.

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