US2825179A - Model airplane - Google Patents

Description

R. P. FERLEN MODEL AIRPLANE March 4, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 30, 1955 1741552 F Fer/en BY W m INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 4, 1958 R. P. FERLEN 2,825,179 I MODEL I AIRPLANE Filed Sept. 30, 1955 v s Sheets-SheebZ INVENTOR fiuss e/l P Fer/en -3 WmQg ATTORNEY March 4, 1958 R. P. FERLEN MODEL AIRPLANE Filed Sept. 30, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ILNVEN'IYIOR; Russel/ E Fer/en 5y Q1Q (ATTORNEY United States Pate MODEL AIRPLANE Russell P. Ferlen, Northfield, Minn.

Application September 30, 1955, Serial No. 537,755

7 Claims. (11. 46-79) invention resides in a similar structure which is normally made in a single piece with the exception of the ballast weight for holding the plane in a flying position. These airplanes, when properly folded, simulate in appearance airplanes which are actually constructed and thus form a means of entertainment as well as education.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of model airplanes including a pair of center sections extending longitudinally of the plane and hingedly connected along a line of fold so that these sections are foldable into substantial surface contact and a ballast piece may be inserted and secured between the sections at a proper location to balance the finished structure.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of model airplanes made of foldable sheet material and having portions foldably connected to the two center sections which fold between these center sections and extend through slots extending longitudinally of the line of fold. These connected parts are then folded to provide a landing gear, a pair of wings, or other such structures. By this arrangement the entire body of the plane is reinforced and the center part of the airplane is increased in Weight and strength.

A further feature of the invention lies in the fact that with my structure it is possible to have foldably connected parts attached to the central body to extend from both the upper and lower edges thereof. Where the airplane body is formed by foldably connecting two sections along a common line of fold, it is difficult to design parts such as wings or landing gear which extend from the foldably connected edges of the body. As a result,

where such an arrangement has been employed, the two body sections must be connected along one edge such as the bottom edge and the-wings must, as'aresult, extend- These and other objects and novel features of my in following specification and claims.

ventionwill be more clearly and fully set forth in-the -flnfltl'ie drawings forming a part of the specifi c ation: Figure l.is a plan view of one form of airplane show ing diagrammaticallythe blank from which the plane is lam As a result the actual dev Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a detail portion of the blank shown in Figure l;

, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the airplane in partially folded condition;

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the partially folded construction, the position of the section being indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the model airplane in a further state of completion;

1Figure 6-is a perspective view of the completed model p 2 Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line 7--7 of Figure 6 showing the various layers of material slightly spaced so as to-illustrate the construction thereof;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a modified form of model airplane construction;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 8 in partially foldedcondition;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the completed airplane; t

Figure 11 is a'sectional' view through the completed construction, the position of the section being indicated by the line '11--11 of Figure 10, but showing the parts slightly separated for simplicity of illustration; and

Figure 12 is asectional view through the line 12-12 of Figure 10 also showing the layers of material slightly separated.

The model airplane Aindicated in Figures 1 through 7 of the drawings is formed by a blank of sheet material best illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. The blank is symmetrical on opposite sides of a central 'fold line and includes two fuselage sections 10 and 11 which are toldably connected along the center line 12. The fuselage sections 10 and 11 are identical in shape so that when folded into parallel relation are contigu'ously related. Each section is shaped to simulate as nearlyas ispractical the outline of an airplane of predetermined form that shown in Figure 1 simulating the outline of a jet plane when viewed in elevation. tends along the lower edge of the fuselage and cockpit of the plane as shown as indicated at 13 and 14. These areas are printed to indicate transparent windows of thetype" used in such planes. .The forward ends of the fuselage sections are separated so as to terminate in rounded forward ends 15 and 16 spaced above the level of the fold line 12 when the plane is assembled. i

The upper edge of each of the cockpit representatives" 13 and 14 are connected along substantiallyparallel fold lines 17 and 19 to wing supporting sections 20 and 21, respectively. These wing supporting sections 20 and 21 are substantially equal in width'or are slightly wider than the portions of the fuselage sections 10 and 11 which are located between the fold lines 17 and 19. These wing supporting sections 20 and 21 are connected along sub-' stantially parallel fold lines 22 and 23 to the wings 24 and 25.

The wing supporting sections 20 and 21are attached along foldlines 26 and 27 to landing gear sections 29 and 30, respectively. The fold lines 26 and 27' are'an-= gularly related with respect to the fold lines 22 and 23' and in the form illustrated are substantially at right angles to the foldlines 22 and 23.

The fuselage sections 10'and 11 areprovided 'at 'th'eir rear ends with vertical tail fins 31 and 32 which remain in the plane ofthe fuselage sections to which they'..'are': attached. Just forwardly of the vertical tail fins 31"and2 32 I provide horizontal tailsurfaces 33 .and 34 which? t e. f s e alo g e ri al folds are connected lines 35 and 36. e

The. blank-is also provided along:thecenterpfold is;

12 with an elongated slot 37. This slot is of sutiiciei t length to accommodate the ends of the wing supporting l' ateiitd Mar. 4, 1958 The fold line 12 ex? sections 20 and 21 adjoining the wings and is of sufficient length to accommodate the wings passing therethrough. Themodel plane is assembled in the manner d sclosed in the drawings. The 'blarikds foldedaloiigithe, center line 12 so that the fuselage sections 10 and: llare in substantial surface contact. As shown in Figure3 of the draw ings, the landing gear sections 29 and 30 are folded along the foldlines 26 and 27 to lie in surface contact with the outer surfaces of thewing supporting sections. 20 and 21 to which they are'hinged. As a next step in the assembly operation, the fuselage sections 10 and 11 are folded apart to some extent and the wings24 and 25 are bent downwardly through the center slot 37, the wings being folded along the fold lines. 17, and 19. When this has beentdone the wing supporting sections 20 and 21 lie inwardly of the fuselage sections 10 andll and the landing gear sections 29 andf30 lie inwardly of the wing supporting sections 20 and 21. The model airplane A then appears in the general form illustrated in Figure of the drawings.

A ballast weight 39 which is cut to the general shape of the forward end portions of the plane is then inserted between these rounded forward ends 15 and 16. In actual practice the ballast weight member 39 is formed of relatively thick sheet material so as to add substantially to the weight of the plane at the forward end thereof. The ballast weight 39 is provided on each side with a gummed'surface which becomes sticky when moistened. When the plane is in the position shown in Figure 5. the surf ces of the ball st weight 39 are moistened and this weight is placed between the forward ends 15 and 16 of the fuselage sections and 11 and these fuselage sections are ressed together. The ballast weight then tends to secure the fuselage sections in generally parallel relation. To complete the assembly it is only necessary to fold the wings 24 and 25 outwardly from the lower edge ofthe fuselage where these wings projectfrom the slot 37. The lower ends of the landing gear sections 29 and 30 which also extend through the slot 37 are folded into diverging relation. This is indicated in Figure 7 of the drawings where the wings 24 and 25 are shown inclining upwardly slightly from their point of junction with 'the wing supporting sections 20 and 21 and where the downwardly proiecting ends 40 and 41 of the landing gear sections 29 and 30 are shown in downwardly diverging relation.

When the horizontal tail fins 33 and 34 are folded into a substantially common plane, these tail fins or stabilizers act with the vertical tail fins. or stabilizers 31 and 32 to guide the model airplane in its flight. The airplane may be entirely assembled .without requiring additional glue or other such material, the attachment of the fuselage sections by the ballast weight member 39 serving to hold the structureassembled.

The fold lines which have been described are preferably of the cut crease type to minimizethe tendency of the folded partstoreturn to the plane of the part from which they are folded. In other words, once the wings and horizontal stabilizers have been folded into the desired relation, or slightly beyond this position, they tend to remain in an approximate proper location. By bending the individual wings and stabilizers the model airplane may be guided in a straight path or in a curved path as is desired. In Figures 8 through 12 of the drawings, ;I disclose a modified form of airplane which is indicated in general by the letter B. The airplane B has certain features in common with the previously described construction and this additional form is described in order to show the versatility .of the structure. The plane B simulates a biplane, and; accordingly, is provided with laterally extending =wings foldably connected to extend fromboth the upper and lower surfaces of the fuselage, an arrangement which is normally difficult to produce wherethetwo sides of the fuselage are hingedlyconnected.

The -plane -B includes two fuselage sections 42 and 43 which are foldably connected along a center line of fold 44. The fuselage is shaped to simulate in appearance the side elevational outline of a biplane of a well known type. The forward end of the fuselage sections are shaped to simulate engine nacelles 45 and 46, while the rear end of each fuselage includes a vertical tail fin or vertical stabilizer portion such as 47 and 49, respectivel Tli e fuselage is provided along the fold line 44 with a pair of longitudinally spaced slots 50 and 51. The fold line 44 is designed to simulate the relatively flat under surface of the fuselage and the fuselage sections are properly decorated to simulate in appearance an airplane having a cockpit. The outer or upper edges of the fuselage at a point spaced from the forward ends of the fuselage sections are hingedly connected along generally parallel fold lines 52 and 53, to wings 54 and 55. These wings are designed to fold outwardly from the body to form the upper wings of the biplane in a manner later described.

At a point between the fold lines 52 and 53 and the enginenacelles 45 and 46 I provide a pair of landing gear sections 56 and 57 connected to the fuselage sections alongforwardly converging fold lines 59 and 60. Adjoining the rear ends of the fold lines 52 and 53 I provide lower wing supporting sections 61 and 62 which are connected to the fuselage along rearwardly converging fold lines 63 and 64. The lower wing supporting sections Gland 62 are foldably connected along rearwardly conver ing fold lines 65 and 66 to lower wings 67 and 69. Adj ining the vertical fin or stabilizer members 47 and 49 I provide horizontal tail fins or stabilizer sections 70 and 71 connected to the fuselage along generally parallel fold lines 72 and 73, respectively.

The model plane B is assembled in the manner shown in the drawings. The fuselage sections 42 and 43 are folded along the center fold line 44. While in a partially folded state, as indicated in Figure 9 of the drawings, the landing gear sections 56 and 57 are folded along their fold lines 59 and 60 and inserted through the slot 51 to project through the fuselage sections at this point. The wing supporting sections 61 and 62 are also folded along the fold lines 63 and 64 and the wings 67 and 69 connected thereto are inserted through the slot 50. When in this position the supporting sections 61 and 62 are in surface contact with the inner surface of the fuselage sections and the wings project beneath the body. The fuselage sections are then folded into surface contact with portions of the landing gear sections 56 and 57 and the wing supporting sections 61 and 62 interposed therebetween.

A ballast weight member 74 is next inserted between the forward portions 45 and 46 of the fuselage sections. Preferably the ballast weight section is provided with opposed gumrned surfaces so that by moistening this element and inserting it between the fuselage sections it will be firmly adhered in place and will hold the fuselagesections in side by side relation. The lower wings 66 and 67 are folded into substantially a common plane or inclining upwardly to some extent from a common plane. This arrangement is indicated in Figure 12 of the drawings. The top wings 54 and 55 are also foldeddown into their proper position. The lower projecting ends 75 and 76 of the landing gear forming sections 56 and 57 are also spread apart slightly as is indicated in Figure 11 of the drawings. The horizontal stabilizers or tailffins 70and 71 are also bent down into proper position andthe model airplane is fully assembled. H

I have found thatby following the principles described various types of model airplanes can be produced which simulateinappearance airplanes of actual construction. T e ssssm a li ex reme sim as, with martian of the ballast weight piece, the entire structure is usually in one part. As the two similar fuselage sectionsare hingedly connected their edges are almost in proper relationship when folded, thus eliminating the necessity of adhering two layers of material together in contiguous relation. By slotting one or more portions of the hinge line and connecting certain of 'the elements by supporting sections, the attached parts may extend both from the upper and lower edges of the fuselage. As a result wings, stabilizers and the like may project from a plurality of levels and the wings may fold from the upper edge of the structure while the landing gear projects from the lower edge thereof. These added sections are also of importance in increasing the weight of the center part of the structure which tends to keep the plane on a proper level as it moves through the air. The added thickness provided by the inwardly folded parts also makes the center part of the body stiffer and easier to hold. As is indicated in Figures 1, 2 and 8 of the drawings, parts of the body which are concealed in the assembled form of the plane may be printed with instructions to simplify the assembly operation. While the structure is simple in form, it is instructive to produce not only from a standpoint of teaching a child to follow directions and to use his hands, but also from a standpoint of teaching the fundamentals of flight.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my model airplane, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A model airplane including a body of sheet material cut to form, a pair of similar fuselage sections hingedly connected together and folded to extend in contiguous relation, a pair of wings, and a pair of wing supporting sections extending between said wings and said fuselage sections and connecting the same, said wing supporting sections being foldably connected to said fuselage sections along the edges thereof opposite the hingedly connected edges of said fuselage sections, said line of fold between said fuselage sections including a slot through which said wing supporting sections extend.

2. A model airplane comprising a body of sheet material cut to provide a pair of fuselage sections hingedly connected together and foldably into contiguous relation, a pair of stabilizer sections hingedly connected to the edges of said fuselage section opposite the line of fold, a pair of wings hingedly connected to the edges of said fuselage sections opposite the line of fold, and landing gear sections foldably connected to said fuselage sections to extend between the same when they are folded into contiguous relation, the fuselage sections having a slot therebetween through which said landing gear sections may project.

3. The construction described in claim 2 and including means for holding the fuselage sections in substantially contiguous relation.

4. The construction described in claim 2 and including wing supporting sections hingedly connected to said fuselage sections on the edge thereof opposite the line of fold, second wings hingedly connected to said wing supporting sections, said fuselage sections having a second slot therebetween through which said wing supporting sections may extend.

5. A model airplane including a sheet of foldable material cut to provide a pair of similar fuselage sections, a fold line connecting said fuselage sections, a pair of wing supporting sections foldably connected to said fuselage sections along the edges thereof which are opposite the line of fold and folded between said fuselage sections, a pair of wings hingedly connected to said wing supporting sections, said fuselage sections having a slot therebetween through which said wing supporting sections extend, and stabilizer sections foldably connected to said fuselage sections along the edge thereof opposite the line of fold.

6. The construction described in claim 5 and including ballast weight means between said fuselage sections.

7. The construction described in claim 5 and including landing gear sections hingedly secured to said wing supporting sections and folded between said wing supporting sections and through said slot.

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