US1910655A - Training apparatus for flying machine pilots - Google Patents

Description

May 23, 1933. -H. G. TRAVER TRAINING APPARATUS FOR FLYING MACHINE PILOTS Fiied Feb. 9, 1931 s sheets-sheet 1 May 23, 1933. H. Q TRAVER 1,910,655

TRAINING APPARATUS FOR FLYING' MACHINE PILOTS Filed Feb. 9, 1931 'sweets-sheep 2 May 23, 1933. H. G. TRAVER TRAINING APPARATUS FoR FLYING MACHINE PILOTS Filed Feb. 9, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 filer/l Patented May 23, 1933 UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY G. TRAVER, F BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA TRAINING APPARATUS FOR FLYING MACHINE PILOTS Application filed February 9, 1931. Serial No. 514,419.

'i0 the means is mounted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a training device for glider pilots and aviators whereby the flying machine is subjected to al1 flying'conditions without the l possibility of the machine fallingl to the ground with consequent damage thereto and possible injury tothe operator caused by the inexperienced handling of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to arrange the device with means to limit the upward movement of the flying machine to prevent possible interference with the travel of the movable support and damage thereto.

A still further object of the invention is to '25 provide means to control the downward movement of the flying machine and prevent breakage of the same.

Another further object of the invention is to provide mounting means whereby the flying machine will assume an even keel position in the normal position thereof.

In carrying out the invention there is provided a frame member pivotally supported upon a movable support, such as a motor driven ground vehicle7 to have movement toward and away from the vehicle in a vertical plane and adapted to releasably and universally carry a flying machine whereby the frame will be lifted away from the vehicle under the influence of the lifting power of the flying machine and during the travel of the vehicle. Means vare connected between the pivoted frame and vehicle tov prevent the frame rising beyond a predetermined distance above the vehicle, and resilient means are mounted on the vehicle to engage and support the'pivoted frame and flying machine and limit the downward movement thereof relative to the vehicle.

i In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device showing the flying machine in normal or landing position. y

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the flying machine in operative or flying position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the pivoted frame in raised position with the flying machine detached therefrom and also showing the upward and downward movement limiting means therefor.

Figure l is a perspective view of the flying machine supporting portion of the pivoted frame and showing the universal connection between the frame and flying machine. f

Figure 5 is an end elevation looking at the left of Figure lshowing a section of the flying machine supporting portion'of the pivoted frame in disconnected position.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of the L'universal connection means for the flying machine on the support and showing the parts in disassembled relation.

Figure 7 is a detail viewof a connection between the main portion of the pivoted frame and the flying machine `supporting portion thereof. y

Figure 8 is a side view of the pivoted frame in the normal inoperative position and supported by resilient means of the vehicle frame.

Figure 9 isa cross sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing a pair of resilient supports for the engagement of the pivoted frame in the sub-normal position thereof.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing flexible means to support the flying machine Y in the normal inoperative position thereof.

Figure 1l is a cross sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing resilient means to support the pivoted frame in the normal position thereof.

Figure 12 is a` fragmentary perspective view of the mounting end of the pivoted frame to show the mounting thereof on the vehicle frame.

Figure 13 is a view in perspective of means for limiting the lateral or banking movements of the flying machine and showing particularly yieldingly movable mounting means therefor.

Figure 14: is a View partly in section of the universal mounting and connection between the flying machine and the pivoted frame, as shown in Figure 4l; and

Figure 15 is a perspective view, on.l an enlarged scale, of the means to connect the flying machine to its pivoted supporting frame.

In the embodiment of the invention the type of flying machine illustrated in the drawings is a glider G of the usual construction, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, but it is to be understood that the object of the invention of this application is to train individuals in the operation and control of all similar types of flying machines, such as a motor driven aeroplane, and does not relate to any one particular type of machine. The glider G is elevated and maintained in flying position through the forward travel of a movable support, in the present instance, a motor vehicle V having a frame portion of parallel sills 1G of channel iron supported by and extended rearwardly from the chassis of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, in elusive.

The glider is supported on the vehicle sills 1G to have movement in a vertical plane toward and away from the sills under the influence of air pressure created by the forward movement of the vehicle, by a frame comprising parallel members of tubular structure having main chord members 17 extending in straight parallel planes and reenforced by truss members 18 secured at the ends to the ends of the main members and extended to form triangles with the main members and struts 19 fixed to and arranged between the chord and truss members to further re-enforce the structure of the frame members. The frame members are spaced apart a distance to extend outside the vehicle sills 16 by a cross member 2O of angle iron fixed to the main member 17 by U members 21 embracing the main frame members and fastened at the ends to the cross-member by rivets, as shown in Figure 13. The frame is pivotally mounted on the vehicle sills to have movement toward and away therefrom in a vertical plane by a shaft 22 fixed t0 the frame members 17 by brackets 28 in the form of a pair of sleeve portions extending transversely of each other, one sleeve encircling the frame members 17 and the other sleeve engaged on the shaft 22, as shown in Figure 12, or the frame members 17 may be electrically welded directly to the shaft with the ends of the shaft extended beyond the frame and rotatably engaged in bearing sleeves 211 fixed to the forward ends of the vehicle sills 16, as shown in Figures 3 and 8.

The pivotally mounted frame is adapted to support the glider G so that the same will extend partly` above and between said frame to have free movement relative to the vehicle sills by providing a pair of standards 25, 26 pivotally mounted on each frame member at the ends opposite to the mounting ends of said members on the vehicle sills by bifureated brackets 27, 28 pivotally connected to the ends of the standards and fixed to the frame members by arranging the base of said brackets in the form of yokes with the yokes engaged above the frame trussmembers 18 and clamped thereto by U members 29 engaging the undersurface of the frame members 17 by bolts passed through perforations in ear portions of said yoke portions and U members, as indicated at 30 in Figures l and 5. The rear ends of the trusses 18 are thus connected to the members 17 by the members 27 and 29. To prevent undue stress on the frame truss members 18 they are supported adjacent the brackets 28 and U members 29 by brace blocks 81 interposed between the frame and truss members 17 and 18 in alinement with the clamping bolts 30. The ends of the standards 25, 2G supported by the frame are arranged as perforated bosses to pivotally engage the bifurcations of the brackets 27, 28 and are retained therein by pins engaged in perforations in said bifurcations and the boss perforations, as at 32. rlhe opposite upper ends of the standards converge toward each other and each pair 25, 26 of said standards are releasably connected to each other by an angular plate 33` of pyramidal shape secured at the base portion thereof to the pair of standards carried by the left hand frame members, as viewed in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, with the free lateral edges of the leg portions adapted to extend in register with the outer sides of the right hand pair of standards and are releasably secured in such position by bolts 34 engaged in perforations in the plate and said pair of standards to extend transversely of 'the standards. The right hand pair of standards are connected in spaced relation to each other and the legs of the angle plate 33 by a plate 85 having the lateral sides tapering in an upward direction and fastened to the standards, as shown in Figure 6. The base of the angular plate 33 is extended beyond the leg portions thereof with the lateral edges thereof curved to embrace the standards to reenforce the same, as shown at 36.

To mount and support the glider from the converging free `ends ofthe standards se that the operator or pilot may practice the Imanipulation of the controls for the ailerons ill.

Citi

A to laterally balance the glider and the elevators E to effect ascending and descending movements of the glider, a universal mounting is provided comprising a bracket having bifurcations 37 and 38 on opposite sides thereof and extending transversely of each other, the legs of the bifurcation 37 being spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the angular plate to engage over the legs of said angular plate and pivotally connected thereto by a bolt 39 engaged in alined perforations in the` legs of said bifurcation 37 and perforations adjacent the top of leg portions of the angular plate 33.

The glider is adapted to be releasably and pivotally mounted in the bracket bifurcation 38 by a pair of clamping members shown as comprising two parallel strips 40 of wood or other suitable material pivotally mounted midway of their ends between the legs of said bracket bifurcation 38 by a pin or bolt 41 engaged in alined perforations in said bifurcation legs and clamping members, and to provide a long bearing` and to absorb any undue stress on said pivotal connection bowed members 42 con'iprising metallic strips are extended over the exterior walls of the bifurcation legs 38 and secured at the ends to the clamping members at opposite sides of said bifurcation legs by bolts 43 en*- gaged in the bowed and clamping members, as shown in Figure The clamping members i are connected to the glider by clamping frame members 44 of the glider extending in a vertical plane between said strips at the opposite ends thereof, as shown in Figure 15, by bolts 45 engaged in the clamp members at opposite sides of the frame members 44 and spacing blocks 46 which also prevent forward or backward movement of said frame members of the glider between the clamp members 40.

rihe glider is also supported from the standards of blocks 47 of cross shape having one of the vertically extending legs inter'- posed and clamped between the clamping members 40 with the laterally extending legs abutting against vthe upper longitudinal edges of the clamping members. The upper legs of the blocks 47 extend between the wings or planes 48 of the glider with the ends abutting against a horizontal frame member 49 extended between the wings of the glider, as shown in Figure 14.-

To further support the glider from the clamping members 40, straps 50 are extended about the frame member 49 of the glider and fastened at the ends to the opposite clamping members 4() adjacent the supporting blocks 47. To prevent the buckling of the glider' frame member 49 a block 51 is clamped between the clamping members 4() relative to the pin 41 with the upper end abutting the glider frame member 49.

The glider is readily mounted on or removed from the standards by removing the bolts 34 to release the plate 35 and the right hand pair of standards 25, 26 from plate 83 to permit the swinging of said right hand pair of standards away from the vehicle and allow the removal of the underframe and carriage portions of the glider in a lateral direction after disconnecting the glider from the bracket 38 by the removal of the pivot supporting pin 41.

To facilitate trie glider to attain an elevated flying position the supporting frame 17 is counterweighed by weights 52 having posts 53 fixed in and extended therefrom for the engagement of additional weights 54 retained on the posts by nuts threaded thereon, as shown in Figures 8 and 8, to variably counterweigh the frame. The weight 52 is mounted on the frame members 17 by shaft members 55 engaged in bores through the weights 52 and of a diameter to be engaged within the tubular frame members 17 as shown in dotted lines in Figures 8 and 12. The frame members 17 are pivotally mounted in proximity to the vehicle frame members 16 so that the weights 52 and 54 Viave free swinging movement in parallel relation to the vehicle frame, as shown in Figure 3.

To limit the elevating movement of the glider supporting frame members 17 under the influence of the glider to a position relative to the vehicle, in which position the glider will interfere with the forward travel of the vehicle with resulting damage to the glider and vehicle, and also possible injury to the glider pilot and driver of the vehicle, flexible means in the ferm of chains 56 are fastened at one end to the cross member 20 adjacent the frame members 17, as shown in ligure 13, with the opposite ends attached to coiled springs 57 connected to the vehicle frame members 16, which springs will absorb any sudden jerks or pull exerted on the chains by the inexperienced handling of the glider by a novice glider pilot. The lengths of the chains are suliicient'to permit the rising of the frame member 17 to a height which will permitthe free handling of the glider. Should the chains break under the strain of the upward force created by the air currents on the glider the frame members 17 are prevented from assuming the undesirable vertical position by fixed stops in the form of arms 58 fixed to the sides of the vehicle frame members 16 adjacent the drivers seat 82 of the vehicle and extended in an up'- ward oblique direction with the free ends bent at right angles in an outwardly direction and to an extent to engage the frame members 17, as shown in Figure 3. The length of the arms 58 is such that the members 17 will not be engaged thereby in the ful extended position of the chains.

To limit the downward movement of the frame members due to the slowing down or stopping of the vehicle and prevent damage to the vehicle, pivoted frame 17 and the glider, resilient or cushioning means are provided comprising a pair of supporting resilient strips 59 of S shape mounted on a cross member 60 of the vehicle frame members 16 positioned adjacent the anchorage for the springs 57 with the lett hand member, looking at liigure 11, extended as an inverted letter S, and the free ends of the strips secured to and carrying a horizontally extending member 6l arranged with pads G2 of shock absorbing material, such as rubber or cork, for the engagement of the frame members 17, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 11. To further cushion the downward movement of the pivoted frame and prevent breakage of the supporting means 59 due to a forceful impact of the piveted trame against the pads 62, a pair et' resilient strips 63 are fixed on a cross member 64C of the vehicle frame members 1G adjacent the rear ends, said strips 63 being extended from the cross member and the tree ends bent reversely to til-shape and having pads G5 secured thereto, similar to the pads 62, to be engaged by the glider supporting iframe members 17 should the members 59 be flexed beyond their normal supporting position.

To prevent the tail portion. of the glider forcedly hitting the ground during the descent thereot and to yieldingly support said tail portion in the normal inactive position of the glider, a pair of' leaf springs GG are provided having one end bent at an angle and fixed to the frame members 16 by yoke members 67 embracing said spring ends and frame members, the opposite free ends of the springs extending in an upward direction and fixedly connected to each other by a bow shaped member 63, with the bowed portion extending in a downward direction, as shown in Figure 10. To absorb the impact of the glider frame against the bowed member G8 a strip of flexible material 69, such as leather, is stretched between the 'free ends of the springs 66 above the bowed member G3 and secured thereto at the ends by clamping members having curved lateral extensions 70 bolted to said bowed members. The curved extensions 7 O also limit the lateral movements of the tail portion of the glider.

Due to the inexperience of the pilot or sudden. air currents the glider may be violently banked upon the pivot 39 whereby the tips of the glider wings would come into contact with the ground causing damage to the wings and possibly turning over the vehicle with considerable damage to the glider and vehicle. 'To overcome this disadvantage the lateral movement of the glider is yieldingly limited by a pair of rods 71 pivotally carried at the upper ends of the standards 25, 26 by angle brackets fastened to the connecting portion of the angle plate of. the left hand pair of standards and to the connecting plate 35 of the right hand pair of standards and pins passed transversely through the brackets and rods, as at 72 with the free lower ends of said rods slidably engaging and guided in restricted channels formed by elongated U members 73 having laterally extending end portions 74; fastened to the vertical angle portion of the cross member 20, the lateral movements of the rods 71 being limited by the horizontally extending angle portion of' the cross member 20, as shown in Figure 13. As the glider tilts on the pivot 39 in banking the lower frame members carrying the skid of the glider will abut against either rod 71, depending in which direction the glider is banked, after it has been banked beyond a predetermined angle, and further banking movement of the glider is yieldingly retarded by a pair of springs 75, 7 6 of different length and power, both springs of each` pair of springs being secured at one end to posts 77 fixed to the cross member 20, the short springs 76 by flexible means, as chains 7 9, and the opposite ends having hook portions 73 for releasable connection to the rods 71. Due to the difl'erent tension spring arrangement the resistance to the banking movement increases in proportion to the increase in the lateral inclination of the glider. The banking movement of the glider is limited by the 'free ends of the rods abutting the outer leg portions of the U members 73, he .force of the impact being absorbed by blocks 30 of suitable material, such as rubber or cork, mounted at said outer portions between the members 73 and the cross member 20, as shown in Figure 13.

The tilting movement of the glider upon its transverse axis on its pivot support 4:1 is limited by engagement ofthe clamping members el() with the bottom portion of the bracket bifurcation 38.

lt will be obvious that the flying machine, either a glider or motor driven aeroplane will be actuated into flying position by the forward travel of the ground vehicle, it having been found that a speed of approximately twenty-ve miles per hour `is necessary to create enough air pressure to lift an ordinary glider, in. which fiying position it may be operated as in actual flight due to the universal mounting 37, 38, which permits the glider to hang or be suspended freely with the center of gravity below the universal mounting thereby maintaining the flying machine in proper position without actuating the controls or taking into consideration the effect of air currents. The universal mounting of the glider also permits the pilot to Jfreely actuate the ailerons and elevators with a limited movement of the vertical rudder due to the greater width of the bifurcated bracket 38 relative to the clamping` members d0.

To assist a student pilot in the manipulation ot the various controls he may be coached by an experienced pilot or instructor carried by the ground vehicle by providing a seat 8l mounted adjacent the seat 82 ot the driver and facing toward the pilot seated in the flying machine.

Having thus ydescribed my invention, I claim.

l. ln a training device for flying machines, a carrier adapted to be propelled, a flying machine, and a support for the flying machine on the carrier to permit the iiying machine to have ascending movements under the influence ot the lifting forces ot the air on the flying machine induced by the travel thereof with the carrier.

2. In a training device for ilying machines, a motor propelled vehicle, a ilying machine, and a frame pivotally mounted on the vehicle and arranged to universally support the fiying machine whereby the flying machine is moved away from the vehicle under the influence of the lifting forces of the air on the ying machine during the travel thereof' with the vehicle.

3. n a training device for iiying machines, a motor propelled ground vehicle, a flying machine, a frame pivotally mounted on the vehicle and arranged to universally support the flying machine whereby the iiying machine may move away from the vehicle under the influence of the lifting forces of the air on the flying machine during the travel thereof with the vehicle, and means carried by the vehicle to limit the movement ot the frame away from the vehicle.

Ll. A training device for flying machines as claimed in claim l, wherein the support for the flying machine in the lowermost position thereof is adapted to extend. parallelly to the carrier and the fiying machine is supported by the carrier in the lowermost position of the support.

5. ln a training device for glider pilots, a motor propelled vehicle, a glider, a frame pivotally mounted on the vehicle and arranged to support the glider, the frame extending in a plane substantially parallel to the vehicle in the inoperative position thereof and adapted to move in a direction away from the vehicle under the influence of the lifting torce of the air on the glider during the travel of the vehicle, and means carried by the vehicle for engagement and support of the frame and glider in the inoperative position of the frame.

6. In al training device for glider pilots, a motor propelled vehicle, a glider, a frame pivotally mounted on the vehicle and arranged to support the glider, and means carried by the vehicle to engage and support the frame in the inoperative position thereof, and the frame being adapted to move in an upward direction away trom the vehicle under the influence of the glider during the travel of the vehicle.

7. In a training device for glider pilots, a motor driven' vehicle, a glider, a trame comprising parallel members pivotally mounted at one end on the vehicle, and standards carried by the frame members and adapted to support the glider and permit of control of the movements of the glider, and the p0rtions of the frame members carrying the standards adapted to be moved with the glider away from the vehicle under the influence of the glider during the travel of the vehicle.

8. A training device for glider pilots as claimed in claim 7, wherein the standards are pivotally connected to the frame members on axes extending parallelly of the frame members.

9. A training device for glider pilots as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stand: yds are arranged in pairs and one pair carried by each frame member to converge toward the free ends, and means to releasably connect the standards at tne free ends.

10. A training device for glider pilots as claimed in claim 7, wherein the standards are carried at the ends of the trame mem.- bers opposite to the pivotal support thereof on the vehicle.

ll. In a training device for glider pilots, a motor driven vehicle, a pair of parallel frame members pivotally mounted on the vehicle to have movement on an axis extending transversely of the vehicle, standards carried by and extended in an upward direction from the frame members, and a bracket pivotally connected to .the free ends of lthe standards on an axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle and adapted to pivotaily support the glider to have movement with said bracket and on an axis extending transversely of the pivotal connection between the bracket and standards to permit of free control of the movements of the glider, and the frame members being adapted to be actuated in an upward direction away from the vehicle under the influence of the glider during the travel of the vehicle.

12. In a training device for glider pilots, a motor driven vehicle.v a glider, a frame having a pair of parallel connected members pivotally mounted on the vehicle, standards carried by and extended in an upward direction from the frame members, a bracket pivotally connected to the tree ends oi the standards to have movement on an axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle, and a glider support pivotally mounted on the bracket on an axis extending transversely of the pivotal connection between the bracket and standards and connected to the glider, and the frame members being adapted to be actuated in an upward direction away irom the vehicle under the inlluence ol the glider.' during the travel or the vehicle.

13. A training` device 'for glider pilots as claimed in claim 12, wherein the glider support comprises a pair of members clamped to and suspended `from the glider' frame and pivotally supported by the bracket.

14. A. training device for glider pilots as claimed in claim 12, wherein the glider support comprises a pair ot members clamped` to the glider i'rame and suspended by straps encircling a part of the glider frame and blocks interposed between the clamp members in abutting relation to a part of the glider frame.

15. ln a training device lor glider pilots, a motor driven vehicle, a glider, a Yl'rame embodying a pair 0l parallel members pivotally mounted on thc vehicle, standards carried by the trame members to extend in an upward direction therc'jrom, means supported by the 'free ends of the standards to support the glider to have universal movcment, and means carried by the standards adapted to be engaged by the glider to limit the banking movements thereof.

16. A training device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the means to limit the banking movements of the glider' comprises rods pivotally suspended at one end from the glider support and the opposite ends movable transversely and relative to abutments carried by the frame members.

17. ln a training device for glider pilots, a motor driven vehicle, a glider, a trame embodying a pair of parallel members extending longitudinally of and pivotally supported adjacent one end of the vehicle and arranged with counterweights at one side of and adjacent the pivot supports, standards carried by the frame members at the opposite side of the pivot support of said members and arranged at the free ends to support the glider to have universal movement, and resilient abutments liXed to the vehicle to engage and support the lrame members 'adjacent the standards when the vehicle is not moving.

18. ln a training device for glider pilots, a motor driven vehicle, a glider, a frame embodying a pair' of parallel members pivotally mounted on the vehicle, standards pivotally carried by the frame members to extend in an upward direction therefrom, means releasably connecting the free upper ends of' the standards and adapted to universally support the glider', a cross member secured to the frame members relative to the standards and having recessed portions therein, and rods pivotally carried at one end by the standard connecting means and the Opposite ends slidably engaging the recessed portions of the cross member, and each rod arranged at opposite sides oi the glider to be engaged thereby during and limiting the banking movements thereof..

19. A training device for glider pilots as claimed in claim 18, wherein the rods are yieldingly urged toward each other to stabiliZe the banking .movements of the glider'.

20. A. training device for glider pilots as claimed in claim 5, wherein the glider engaging means on the vehicle comprises a pair oiE flexible members carried by the :trame of the vehicle, and a rigid cross member iixed to the flexible members for engagement of the frame of the glider in the inoperative position thereof.

1. A training device for glider pilots as claimed in claim 5, wherein the glider engaging means on the vehicle comprises a pair of flexible members carried by the irame el the vehicle, a res"ient member snspended between the 'flexible members for engagement and control the descent ot the glider to its inoperative position, and rigid cross member fixed to the flexible niiembers and extended below the resilient member to support the glider in its inoperative position.

22. A training device for glider pilots as claimed in claim 11, wherein the brac {etis arranged with bifurcations extending in opposite directions and transversely of each other, one of said bifurcations embracing and pivotally connected to the upper ends oit the standards, and the other bifurcation pivot-ally connected to the glider to permit of Jr'ree ascending, descending and banking movements ot the glider.

23. A training device for flying machines as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flying machine is carried by the support whereby in the inoperative position thereof the machine extends at an angle inclined to the horizontal from the rear to the 'front and in the flying position extends in a substantially horizontal plane.

Signed at Beaver Falls, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, this 26th day of January, 1931.

HARRY Gr. TRVER.

Images