US926159A

US926159A - Flying-machine.

Info

Publication number: US926159A
Application number: US42042608A
Authority: US
Inventors: John Holmes Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1908-03-11
Filing date: 1908-03-11
Publication date: 1909-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1926-06-29

Description

FPSBL BR 92693.59

J. H. WILSON.

FLYING MACHINE.-

APPIKIIQATION FILED MAB. 11, 1908.

Patented June 29, 1909.

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FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIQATION FILED MAR. 11, 1908.

Pa-teted June 29, 1909.

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' 244. AERONAUTICS J. H. WILSON. FLYING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 1908.

Patented June 29. 1909.

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FLYING-IVIACHINE To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HOLMES WIL- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing in Middlesex township, in the county of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying-machines and more particularly that kind known in the art as heavier than air apparatus.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved and practical apparatus of this kind which will carry its own motive power, an operator or aeronaut, and also some extra weight if desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for the purposes set forth, which can be readily taken apart and packed for shipment, and readily assembled and set up ready for operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which can be cheaply constructed, and readily operated, so that any one who is skill-ed in the art to which it appertains can make and use the same.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a front elevation. Fig. 4 is a rear end view. Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective showing how the rear aeroplanes 'may be folded when disconnected from the supporting-frame of the machine. Figs. 6 and 7 are front and rear end views respectively showing a modied form of aeroplanes. Fig. 8 is a sectional detail showing the manner in which the front aeroplanes are mounted on the supportingframe of the machine.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the supporting-frame of the machine comprises a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal bars 1 which are mounted at their front ends on a wheel 2 and at their rear ends on a pair of wheels 3. From the bars rise upright posts 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, respectively. These posts extend at their lower ends between the bars 1 and are secured thereto in any suitable manner, and at their upper ends they are connected by a longitudinal bar 9. The post 8, which is at the rear end of the machine, is connected at its upper end by a diagonal brace-bar 10 to the front end of the bars 1.

The frame-work herein described is strengthened and stiened by a suitable Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 11, 1908.

Patented June 29, 1909.

Serial No. 420,426.

system of trusses and braces as shown in the drawings.

At the front end of the machine are adjustable aeroplanes 11, and at its rear end are stationary aeroplanes 12. These aeroplanes extend outwardly from both sides of the supporting-frame and they are curved in the direction of travel of the machine, and also diverge toward the rear end of the machine as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as well as inclined upwardly toward their outer ends as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. There are two aeroplanes at the front end of the machine projecting respectively from Opposite sides thereof, and at the rear end of the machine there are four aeroplanes arranged in pairs projecting respectively from opposite sides of the machine. The front aeroplanes are pivotally mounted on the supportingframe in such a manner that they may be swung independently on an axis which is at right angles to the direction of travel of the machine. They have at their inner ends trunnions 13 which extend through bearing holes in longitudinal bars 14 connected at their ends to the posts 4 and 5 on opposite sides thereof. Transverse keys 15 passing through the trunnions serve to prevent their withdrawal from the bearings. Each trunnion is mounted in this manner on one of the longitudinal bars 14, and abuts against the opposite longitudinal bar 14 which therefore serves as a thrust-bearing. To the inner end of each aeroplane is connected a longitudinal bar 16 which is connected at its rear end by a link 17 to a hand-lever 18 pivoted at 19 to the post 6 close to the operators seat so as to be within convenient reach. Each handlever is provided with a latch 19a engageable with a segment-rack 19b secured to the post 6 whereby the lever may be locked in adjusted position.

The operators seat 2O is slidably mounted on the bars 1 so that he may shift his position and keep the machine properly balanced. The seat has a depending piece 21 which fits between the bars 1.

At the front end of the machine are two

propellers

22 and 23 respectively one of which is right-handed and the other left-handed so that upon being driven in Opposite directions they tend to drive the machine more steadily.

On the bars 1 near the operators seat 2O is mounted a motor, preferably of the internal-combustion type. On the main driving-shaft 25 of the motor is a sprocket-wheel 26 which is connected by a sprocket-chain 27 with a sprocket-wheel 28 on the shaft 29 of the propeller 22. Said shaft 29 is mounted in suitable bearings on the posts t and 5. On the driving-shaft 25 is also a pulley 30 which is connected by a crossed belt 31 with a pulley 32 on the shaft 33 of the propeller 23. The shaft 83 is also mounted in suitable bearings on the posts t and 5. Through the gearing herein described the propellers are driven in opposite directions to each other.

At the rear end of the machine is a rudder 34 which is hinged as indicated at 35 to the rear post 8. The rudder is connected by cables 36 to a steering-bar 37 mounted on the post 6. The steering-bar is provided with a latch 38 engageable with a segmentrack 39 for locking the bar in adjusted position.

In the construction of the aeroplanes and the rudder a skeleton-frame of some light, strong material is employed over which is stretched and securely fastened a light, strong and smooth covering such as silk, muslin, etc. The supporting-frame is made of light, strong material such as spruce, white pine, bass wood, vanadium-steel or aluminum-alloy tubing, and it is securelyk trussed or braced as shown.

In operating the machine the operator takes his place astride the seat 20 and starts the motor 24. The machine is supported on the wheels 2 and 3 and the propellers pull it over the ground, the operator walking on the ground until the machine gets sufficiently under Way. When a certain speed is attained, the operator tilts the front aeroplanes 11 so that they incline upwardly toward their front ends, whereupon the machine rises in the air. When a suflicient altitude has been reached, the aeroplanes are adjusted to a substantially horizontal position, the force of the propellers then carrying the machine forwardly in a substantially horizontal direction. IVhen it is desired to descend the aeroplanes are adjusted so that their forward ends incline downwardly. By operating the aeroplanes as stated the machine can be guided up and down, and by means of the rudder it is guided sidewise. By making the front aeroplanes independently adjustable as herein described the machine can be more readily balanced.

The machine is simple in construction and has no complicated parts, it can be cheaply constructed, and easily operated, the controlling mechanism being all within reach of the operator. Its equilibrium is easily maintained and the frame construction is such that it offers a minimum amount of rcsistance to the air, thus making high speed possible with a minimum expenditure of power-an important factor in aerial machines. The angle of the machine with the horizontal can be readily adjusted and the machine maintained in a horizontal position or at any angle thereto by means of the front aeroplanes.

The rear stationary aeroplanes 12 are connected to the posts 7 and 8 in such a manner that they can be readily removed therefrom, and each set of said aeroplanes is connected by bars 40 which are hinged to the aeroplanes so that they may be folded up when removed from the supporting-frame of the machine. The front aeroplanes can also be readily removed from the supporting-frame upon taking out the keys 15. The various brace-wires are also connected to the machine in such a manner that they may be removed, in view of which the entire machine can be arranged in a very compact form for convenience in transportation, and it can be quickly set up ready for flight.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a modification of the aeroplanes, they being curved outwardly from the supporting-frame instead of being straight as in the first described construction. I also employ in this construction two sets of aeroplanes at the front end of the machine, the members of each set being connected by rods 41. This arrangement is clearly shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 shows the rear aeroplane. With the exceptions herein noted the machine is constructed and operates as before.

It is to be understood that various changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit of, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

The apparatus may be employed for carrying passengers, mail, parcels, and other material, as explosives to be dropped at any desired point in military operations, and for any other purpose that it is desired to use a machine of this kind.

The invention is not limited to the described means for transmitting power to the propellers, as any other suitable kind of motor may be employed for that purpose.

I claim:

1. In a flying machine, a supporting frame having longitudinal bars formed with bearings, front aeroplanes having at their inner ends trunnions each of which is journa-led in one of the aforesaid bearings and abuts against the opposite longitudinal bar, and operating means connected to the trunnions.

2. In a flying machine, the combination of a skeleton frame standing edgewise in vertical position, a pair of aeroplanes located respectively on opposite sides of the frame at the front thereof and having trunnions at their inner ends held in bearings in the frame, and braces connected to their outer ends, l. said aeroplanes being inclined upwardly and rearwardly from the frame, means to turn the aeroplanes on said trunnions, to vary their angle of presentation, upper and lower pairs of fixed aeroplanes projecting respectively from opposite sides of the rear part of the frame, and a vertical rudder at the rear of the frame.

3. In a flying machine, a supporting frame, and detachable aeroplanes arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the supporting frame, the members of said pairs being conframe.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature,

in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN HOLMES WILSON.

Witnesses:

W. A. LEPPERD, W. H. PEFFER.