US2067423A

US2067423A - Glider

Info

Publication number: US2067423A
Application number: US48634A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clement J Sohn; Arthur J Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-11-07
Filing date: 1935-11-07
Publication date: 1937-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1954-01-12

Description

Jan. 12, 1937. Q 1, SOHN 1- AL 2,067,423

GLIDER Filed Nov. 7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inca/Wou and Arthur d. 7001's ag? @4am/QW @Hozncq Janl12571937., J. s-oHN ET AL 2,067,423

GLIDER Filed Nov. 7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Clement cl. 5o/m and /lru/j c/. Zay/5 @gna Mau @MW h .h HConmqS Patented Jan. 12, 1937 GLIDER Clement J. Sohn, Lansing, and Arthur J. Davis, East Lansing, Mich.

Application November 7, 1935, Serial No. 43,634

12 Claims. (C1. 24A- 16) Our invention relates to improvements in gliders and particularly to a glider which is adapted to be detachably secured to the body of a person and to be readily manipulated by the person from a closed position of non-use to an outspread position of use.

With our improved glider a person is able to descend from great elevations and to control and guide the direction of descent. The wings are so 1o constructed as to be adjustable with respect to the wearers body to change the angle of incidence of each wing or to raise or lower the wings.

Our improved glider is simple, inexpensive, easily secured in place, and normally held folded 'l5 against the wearers body. It is adapted to be quickly outspread to the position of use and to be folded into a position of non-use. It comprises a pair of wings, the leading edges of which are disposed underneath thehorizontally outstretched 20 arms of the wearer with the arms serving to form theleading edges of said wings but being at all times free for release therefrom.

A feature of importance is that each wing is quadrant shaped and has a leading edge which 25 for the majority of its length has a thickness commensurate with the arm of the wearer and the Wing tapers therefrom in thickness to an arcuate trailing edge. The axis of each wing is supported within an axialla of the wearer and a 30 harness is provided to secure the wings in place.

The complete glider mechanism includes a web section secured between the legs of the wearer and adapted to be outspread by the spreading apart of the wearers legs. Each wing is subject 125 to the control of the adjacent arm of the wearer and is adapted to be held in the outstretched position thereby and is provided with means operable to automatically fold the wing upon its release by the arm' of the wearer. The wings are 40 ca'rried by a frame or harness whereby they are secured to the body of the wearer. This harness includes a saddle or breast support upon which the weight of the wearers body is taken when in flight. The wings are pivoted toy opposite sides of this support.

An important object is the provision of a wing and harness structure so arranged that the load on the wings in use is taken by the harness and 50 this load does not have to be taken by the arm of the wearer in iiight.

Various other objects,l advantages and meritorious features of our invention will more fully appear frornthev following description, appended 55 `claims, and accompanyingidrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing an operator equipped with our improved glider,

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the frame Work and harness of the glider showing the frame work of one wing unfolded, 5

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through one of the wings,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section of one of the Wing supports,

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a wing frame folded, 10

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional View through the lower end of one of the wing supports,

Fig. '7 is a perspective of a wing folded showing securement of the cover thereupon,

Fig. 8 is a perspective of a breast pad for the 15 breast support,

Fig. 9 is a perspective of a modied form of the wing rib which constitutes the leading edge of the wing, and

Fig. 10 is an end view of a wing partly broken away to show the interior structure.

The invention comprises a pair of Wings which are adapted to' be secured to the body of a person by a suitable harness so that the wings can be readily controlled and so that the wings are normally disposed when in use underneath the horizontally stretched arms of the wearer and form web-like wing members extending outwardly from the wearers trunk underneath the arms and subject to the control of the arms. The arms are at all times free for release of either wing so that each arm may be used for any other purpose for which it may be desired.

In use our improved glider is adapted to be employed to permit a person to descend fromV a great height as from an aeroplane and to glide as desired and to control the direction of travel. The wearer glides downwardly head foremost with his body at a slight angle to the horizontal. As now used the glider is employed in conjunction with a parachute and is employed for the initial portion of the descent. The parachute is used for the nal portion of the descent being opened at such point above the surface of the earth as is decided upon to make a safe landing.

Ihe glider comprises a supporting frame or harness which is secured to the body of the wearer and which carries the wings and a tail section or web. This frame includes a breast support or saddle I0 which carries a pair of wings I 2. A tail or web section I4 is arranged between the legs of a coverall garment I6 and forms a part of the glider mechanism. This breast support is adapted to receive the breast of the wearer forming a saddle which carries 55 the weight of the wearer in flight. t is generally of a U-shape and extends across the breast of the wearer with the ends thereof disposed within the axillae of the wearer. The ends of this breast support are connected across the back of the wearer by a strap I'I. This strap is secured to the ends of the breast member by clevises I8 and cap screws 20. The strap may be tightened or loosened by a buckle lilre me mberl 22. The breast member I is supported by shoulder straps 24 which extend over the shoulders' 'of the wearer. f

A tubular T-shape wing supporting member 26 has a head 28 mounted upon the end of the breast member I0. The tubularwhead isreceived over the end of thebreast 'member as illustrated particularly in Fig. 4. The cap screw 20 is threaded into the endof. thebrast member to hold the wing supporting' member and clevis I8 thereupon. By adjustment Aof the cap Screw in its `v:threaded Aengagement with lthe breast member the position of the wingsupportfing member thereupon may be changed and the wing supporting member moved in or out with respect thereto to vary the position of the wing carriedthereby. .The wing supporting member is provided with end flanges 3U which are quadrantshaped andv each isprovided along its arcuate margin with a series of apertures. Each aperture yis adapted to'receive an end of a wing rib 32.'y i

A plurality of. such ribs are provided. fourbein'gxshere'shown'. AsA here illustrated in Figs. Z, 3, and 4 eachrib is of a generally triangular or V-.shapel L'Thetwo sides ofthe V have their opposite ends turned inwardlyas illustrated in Figs. 2`and 3 to be received within the apertures in .tli'elflanges Washers andcotter pins or other suitable means may be provided to hold the ribs in'place lasillustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Each of these ribsi'sprovided' with a pair of cross Varms or braces 3,4. The upper rib is provided at its'outerv endwith a handle orhand grippertion 36 which may, as shown in Fig. 7, be detachable for convenience in assemblingvthe cover upon the wing frame. The other ribs Vtapfer to a single outer end portion as shown.

The ribs are adapted to fold together as shown in Fig. o5 against the wing supportingV member yto 26 orto be 'unfolded as shown .in Fig. 2 to support vthe outspread wing. vA ribbon 38 or the flike -is secured'at one end to the uppermost rib as illustrated vin Fig 2 and at the opposite end to a clevis at thelower end of the wing supporting member 26 'to' limit the spread ofthe wing and to position the several ribs'iny spaced apart relationship whenthe wing is outspread as shown in Fig. v2. A` suitablewing retracting element 40 is likewise secured tothe outer rib at one endend atthe opposite end to the clevis uabove described. This retracting element may jbe formed of rubber or other resilient .spring material and extends over a loop spaced midway ofthe wing supportingmember. -It is adapted to vnormally hold the wing structure folded againstv the wing supporting member as shown Fig. 5. This wingstructure may be. moved to its unfolded relationship as shown in Fig. 2 .by kthe Awearer exerting a lift on the handle 36 .,-so 'as to stretch the wing o ut.

The wing frame structure is' provided with a cover 42 formed of `suitablefabric orgother material which is adapted to be Astretchedthereover and whichkforms Aa completely y.closed .iaclset .edges the arm strength ofsthewearer.

ets 45 adapted to receive the ends of the ribs 32 illustrated particularly in Fig. 3.

f -The lower end of each wing supporting mem- Mber ,26 is vheld ,to the. body of the wearer at the waist by "an adjustable back strap 46 and an adjustable girth 48. The back band and girth varesecured attheir ends to suitable clevises for/medbn the lower ends `of the wing supportinginembers 26 and each is provided with an ad- Ajustifient in- .the-form of a buckle like meinberlin .whereby thewing supporting members may be heldsnugly to .the bodyofpthewearer and may be moved fore and aft. with respect thereto by adjustmentof Y,thegirth or back band respectively. 'Ihrough adjustment of thesestraps 146 :andAS andadjustmentof the `cap screws here- ;toforedescribed it is possible to adjust .theposition of thefwings or to change .their angle of lncidence. as desired.

,When the wings areutSpread and held in the ,unfolded position .by the horizontally outstretched arms of thewearergas `shown in Fig. 1,

the wearersarms extend along the leading edges of thewingand virtually. constitute `the leading Due to thetriangularshape of the rib structures each wing hasa thickness at itsaxis substantiallyequal to vthe.diameter `of .the wearersarm at the shoulder and it tapers therefrom to its trailing edgef52. folded by theY wearer. grasping the wingihandle. the arms of the wearer. are at all .times free to release .thewings so that eitherarmmay. be used to.re

folded back against thewearers body bythe retraction members 40.

" I'herharness orfframe structure .is of such a character that the loadon the wings isLtakenby the frame and does-.not have tobe takenfby As shown, the ends of the U-barcarry the wings and take. the

`load thereof ingflight. 'z The arms of the v.wearer lserve only to hold the -Wingsexpanded but donot take the liftloadthereof.

In Fig. 8 there is illustrated a breast pad yI6 .which Vis secured to-the breast supporting mem.- .ber I6 to take the ,weight of the, wearer and the What we clairn': A

1. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be'secuid't 'the'bo'dyofvape'rsony apair lof quadrant Vsl'iaped j wing's pivotally 'supporteduponl'the harness within `the axilla of the ...wearen t. each Ywing vsecuie'cl adj ac'nt `t its As thewingis heldmunarrngofV the .wearer ltm-nung edge by the harness to the body of the wearer at the waist, said wings adapted to fold against the body of the wearer or to be unfolded underneath the horizontally outstretched arms of Vthe wearer, and yieldable means normally tending to hold said wings in their folded position.

2. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be secured to the body of a person, a pair of quadrant shaped wings pivotally supported upon the harness within the axillae of the wearer, each wing secured adjacent to its trailing'edge by the harness to the body of the wearer at the waist, said wings adapted to fold against the body of the wearer or to be unfolded underneath the horizontally outstretched arms of the wearer, and each wing gradually increasing in thickness from its trailing edge to its axis.

3. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be secured about the body of a wearer and provided with wing pivot supports arranged within the axillae of the wearer, a wing mounted upon each pivot support and provided with a plurality of V-shaped ribs each pivoted at the open end of the V to the pivot support.

4. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be secured about the body of a wearer and provided with a pair of T-shape wing supports arranged one on each side of the wearer with the head of the T disposed within the axilla of the wearer, a wing mounted upon each support, each wing provided with a plurality of generally triangular ribs individually pivoted to the head of the wing support, a wing cover over said ribs, said ribs adapted to be swung together against said wing support or to be outstretched in spaced apart relationship with the uppermost rib extending substantially parallel to the horizontally outstretched arm of the wearer.

5. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be secured to the body of a person and provided with a U-shaped breast element having end portions adapted to seat within the axillae of the wearer, T-shaped wing supports mounted upon the ends of the breast element and adjustable fore and aft with respect to the wearers body upon said element, a wing pivoted to the upper end of each wing support and secured to the lower end thereof and adapted to fold against the support or to be spread outwardly underneath the horizontally outstretched arm of the wearer.

6. Glider mechanism comprising a pair of parallel spaced apart T-shaped wing supports connected together through the heads of the T supports by a curved breast member and a wing pivoted to the head of each T support to fold flat against the upright portion of the T support or to be outstretched into a quadrant shaped web.

7. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be secured to the body of a person and provided with a rigid U-shaped breast element having end portions adapted to seat within the axillae of the wearer, means connecting said end portions together across the back of the wearer, means extending over the shoulders of the wearer supporting said breast element, a pair of li-shaped wing' supports, one wing support mounted upon one end of the breast element, the other wing support mounted upon the other end of the breast element, means extending around the wearers body at the waist connecting said T supports, said T supports being adjustable fore and aft with respect to the wearers body upon the breast element, a quadrant shaped wing pivoted to the head of each T support and secured at its trailing edge to the lower end of the T support.

8. Glider mechanism comprising a U-shaped saddle element adapted to receive the breast of a wearer and having its ends disposed Within the axillae of the wearer, wing supports extending along opposite sides of the wearers body and pivoted at their upper ends upon the ends of the breast element, a wing pivoted to the upper end of each Wing support within the axillae of the wearer and adapted to fold against the body of the wearer underneath the wearers arm or to be outstretched underneath the horizontally outstretched arm of the wearer.

9. Glider mechanism comprising a pair of wings: provided with means adapted to be secured to the body of a person to fasten said wings to opposite sides of the wearers body underneath the horizontally outstretched arms of the wearer with the leading edge of each wing adapted to extend underneath the horizontally outstretched arm of the wearer, each wing having a trough shaped leading edge adapted to partially embrace and receive said arm with the arm forming the leading edge portion of the wing when in use.

l0. Glider mechanism comprising a rigid U- shaped brace element adapted to extend across the breast of a wearer with its ends disposed within the axillae of the wearer, T-shaped wing supports having tubular heads journalled on the ends of the breast element, and a wing structure pivoted to the head of each wing support to fold flat thereagainst or to be unfolded against the outstretched arm of the wearer.

11. Glider mechanism comprising a rigid U- shaped brace element adapted to extend across the breast of a 'wearer with its ends disposed within the axillae of the wearer, and a wing structure pivotally supported upon each end of the brace element within the axillae of the wearer adapted to fold flat against the side of the wearer 'r or to be unfolded underneath the outstretched arm of the wearer.

12. Glider mechanism comprising a rigid U- shaped brace element adapted to extend across the breast of a wearer with its ends disposed CLEMENT J. SOHN. ARTHUR J. DAVIS.