US928524A

US928524A - Air-ship.

Info

Publication number: US928524A
Application number: US46685108A
Authority: US
Inventors: Simon Lake
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1908-12-10
Filing date: 1908-12-10
Publication date: 1909-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 1926-07-20

Description

S. LAKE. I

AIR SHIP.

API'LlUATION FILED DEG. 10 1908 T SHEETS-SHEET 1 S. LAKE.

AIR SHIP APPLICATION FILED 13110.10, 1908.

Patented July 20, 1909.

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AIR SHIP.

APPLIOATION IILBD DIH]. 10, 1908. 928,524. Patented July 20, 1909. v I SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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S. LAKE.

AIR SHIP.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG. 10, 1908.

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AIR SHIP.

APPLICATION IILED nnc,1o,19os.

Patented July 20, 1909.

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AIR SHIP.

APPLICATION FILED 13110.10, 1908,

928,524, Patented July 20, 1909.

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I ders.

.IINIIED STATES PATENT OEFICE...

SIMON LAKE, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

AIR-SHIP.

' Specification Letters Patent.

Patented July so, 1909.

Appiication flled December 10, 1908. Serial No. 466,861.

center of falling resistance as 'to insure the ship retaininga true horizontal osition under all conditions of flight, an not tilting; should any of its operating'parts be temporarily or permanentl thrown out ofopera tion, and whereby t e entire air-resistance surfaces of theiaeroplane or aeroplanes may be held both during flight and when making. a descent, so that the occupants of the shi may retain complete control of the shi di rect its course, and effect a gradual g 1ding descent, without fear or the ship.

Having thus stated the object and nature of the invention, I will proceed to describe its structural details, the arrangement of parts and the mode of operation, and then articu-f larly point out and distinctly claim t 1e art, improvement or combination which I c aim, as my invention.

In the accompanying drawings illustratin the invention, in the several figures of whichi like parts are similarly designated, Figure 1 is} a perspective view of my air-ship. 1 1g. 2 is a; top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side view. Fig. 4 is a verticalcross section drawn on the line 44 of Fig.v 3, on a larger scale; Fig. 5 is a vertical section drawn through one of the wheels carried by the car section of the: ship. Fig. 6 is a detail ers ective view of one of the bearin s in which t e outer ends of the elevating 'and trimming'rudder shafts are journaled. Fig. 7 is a to plafi view of the upper section of the air-s 'p illustrating the frame work of the aeroplanesi I i 8 is a de-Z tailside view of the central port on of the hollow body section of the air-ship illustrat' ing the loops formed in the longitudinal brace rods extending along the sides of the said section. Fig. 9 is a erspective view of the frame Work of one 0 the elevating rud- Fi 10 is a vertical cross section on a larger sea e, .drawn on the line I0l0 of Fig.

of injury to themselves 3. drawn on the line 1l-11 of Fig. 10, Fig. 12

Fig. 13 is a central vertical longitudinal se'c-, tion drawn through the centra section of the ship, illustratin the arrangement of the brace wires an bulk heads and showing two of the longitudinal brace rods detached. Fig. 14 is a vertical cross section on a larger scale, drawn on the line 1414 of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the hollow body section. Fig. 16 is a erspective View of a orhollow body Fig. 11 isha detail horizontal section is a detail longitudinal section on a'larger tion of one of the c amping rings. Fig. '7 is r a side elevation illustrating the construction of the ship with a superposed aeroplane.

A designates the u per section and ,B the lower or car section 0 my improved air-ship.

The u per section A is constructed with a centre. rigid, hollow body sectionGpreferably of double-conoidal shape in longitudinal section and is constructed of aplurality of light weight circular-shape ribs A over w minium or any other strong light weightinipervious material. The ribs A are so spaced apart and s0 diminish in size from the center toward the extreme endsof the bod "'secich is arranged a skin or cover C ofalu tion, that a symmetrical structure' .1s.'ob-

tained, and these ribs are also arranged 'at such points as to faciliate the connections of i the various supportingrods and braces for the lower section Blof' the shi as will be described later on. Eaohrib fi has a rooved rim (1, a centrally disposed aperture disk 0" and Wire spokes or braces a which latter ce1i nect the rim with the said disk. A light weight metal tube, or bamboo red A is arranged within the body member'and is exten ed throu h the apertures in the several disks a and] as its ends rejected beyond the ends of the cover C 'li'uss wires a connect the ribsthroughout theleiigihbfthe body section C and the ends of are connected to the central tube er bamboo red A adjacent to the outer ends of the said rod, thus not only holding the ribs in an up right position but also rovidin'gsa fthoroufihldy rigid structure throughout;

, esignates divided clamping rin one of which is positioned over the groovefi rim of each rib and each divided ring has its ends bent outwardl' asat cl and erforated toreceive a bolt upon whi is threaded a clamping nut cl by whichtlie' ends of the ring .of partitions or bulkheads are drawn together and the said ring securely clamped in position upon the rib which also forces the cover C ,down into the groove of the rim a thereby holdin the said cover tightly in position. The c amping rin s D are provided with perforated ears d W ich are arranged at diametrically op osite points in the vertical and horizontal p anes of the center of the section 0 and throu h which are extended light weight brace ro s D which extend throughout the length of the body section C and have their ends securely clamped to the pro'ected ends of the central tube or bamboo rod A.

The hollow body section C is preferably constructed air and gas-ti ht so that it may be filled with a gas that is llghter than the atmosphere to make the said.section buoyant if it should be desired to do so. The section 0 is divided throughout its len th by a series i which are joined air and gas-tight to the cover C and to the rods A, and valved inlet tubes a are arran ed in the cover by which the gas is led into t e several compartments formed by the said bulkheads.

Upon each side of the central body section A is arraliged an aeroplane E which extends horizonta y from the said section in the horizontal plane of the center thereof. The aerolanes are constructed of outer light weight ames E each of which comprises a short central portion 0 that is arranged arallel with the axis of said central section from the forward end e of which the frame is extended forwardly and inwardly to a point e from which it is continued at a sharper angle as at 6 toward the extreme forward end of the central body section 0' and has its end connected to the forward end of the tube or bamboo rod A that projects through the cover C. From the rear end of the central portion e the frame is extended rearwardly and inwardly to a point e from which it 18 continued inwardly at a sharper angle as shown at e and has its extreme end connected to the rear end of the tube or rod A. Suitable brackets e are arranged at the angles of the frame and connect the sections thereof. Brace rods e" extend from the brackets e at the points a of the frames and theirinner ends are securely fastened to the clamping ring D next or near to the forward clamping ring, and similar rods e extend from the points e and have their inner ends fastened to a sleeve e arranged upon the tube or rod A adjacent to the rear end of the cover C of the central section C. Other brace rods 0* and wires e are arranged throughout the length of the aeroplanes to thoroughly brace the said aeroplanes to the section C and truss wires e connect the frames E to the upper and lower portions of the clamping rings D, thereby holding the aeroplanes m a true horizontal position.

The bod portions of the aeroplanes are constructe of canvas or any other suitable material E and their outer longitudinal edges are'connected to the frames E and their inner ed es to'the horizontal brace rods D and e and the brace wires e as shown most clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The aeroplanes are provided wit central openin s F in each of which is held a cylindrical s eeve F both of which are carried by and securely held to a common shaft F that extends entirel across the u per section of the ship and t rough the hollow bod portion thereof. The ends of the shaft '1 are journaled in bearings f secured to the central ortionse of the frames E and at its center I in a bearing)" interposed in the central tube or rod A. At the points where the shaft passes through the cover'C the longitudinal race rods D are bowed or provided with a loop (1 (Fi 8) which encircle the shaft F to permit of t e shaft being passed through the ody section in the horizontal lane of its center. Arranged u on the s aft F and centrally within eac cylindrical sleeve F is a short sleeve f. These sleeves f form bearings for the inner ends of pro ller shafts G, and the outer ends of these s afts have bearings in brackets sleeves F. A propeller G is mounted upon each shaft G and each has its hub 9' provided with, or keyed to a bevel inion g which is meshed by a bevel gear t carried by and at the outer end of a hollow shaft 1 surrounding the intermediate section of the shaft F. The inner end of each hollow shaft H extends into the hollow body secg parried by the loosely mounted ther over which operates a chain It that pa ses around a drive sprocket 11 carried by the shaft of a suitable motor I which is mounted in the lower or our section B of the shi ends of the hollow s afts H are keyed ratchet wheels it that are engaged by awls h carried by the adjacent sprocket w eels.

Surrounding each ropeller shaft G is a conical sleeve J the aseofeach beingarran ed ad'acent to and of the same diameter as t e'hu d9 of the pro eller and u n the opposite si e of each ha is a conica sleeve J which incases the gears and is supported at its outer end upon a short shaft or rod j. The forward ends of the shafts j "are held in brackets y" and their inner ends are held in the sleeves j. The inner ends of the sleeves J are provided with a ertures through which the shafts F and pass and which form the supports for the inner ends of the sleeves. These cone-aha sleeves form To the extreme inner practically elongations o the hubs y alfront side of the hubs of the propellers and of reventi a vacuum at the rear sides of the ubs wliic is caused by the rotation'of the propeller blades. As is well known, the rapid rotation of the propeller of a marine vessel causes a vacuum at the rear side of the hub, the suction of which retards the speed of the shi and prevents the full force of the propeller being exerted. The percentage of oss of power of the propeller in a marine vessel from this cause is so slight, however, that changesin their construction have been thought unwarranted, but in the use of the propeller in flying machines, such a loss would be manifol for the reason that, unlike the marine vessel which is supported upon a denser fluid than the air, the flying machine is elevated and navigated entirely by the force derived from the ropeller, and therefore it is essential that t e flying ma chine propeller be constructed to exert its fullest force to successfully operate the machine. By arranging the extensions upon the hubs of the pro ellers, as described, the vacuum or back pu l incidental to the ordinary construction of propellers is entirely avoided and the currents of air are driven back and away from the pro ellers in an unobstructed path and the ful power therefrom obtained.-

Brace wires or rods f connect the central parts of the brackets with the edges of the rims of the sleeves F to firmly hold the brackets and likewise the shafts steady when the pro ellers are in motion.

he hollow body section is provided with a well A whichsurrounds the sprocket wheels h and the shafts ad'acent thereto and is closed at its upper on but is left open at its lower end through which the sprocket chains h pass and also for the urpose of permitting access to the said whee s and parts adjacent thereto to lubricate them. Access to the well may be had bya rope ladder (not shown). Keyed to the shaft F 18 a s rocket wheel F over which operates a sproc et chain F that extends down into the lower or car section of the ship and which 0 crates around-a sprocket F carried by a shaft F mounted in a frame F located in the boat within easy reach of the operator. The shaft E is provided with a crank handle F by which the s rocket F is revolved to turn the shaft 1 and the sleeves F so as-to direct the thrust of the pro iellers in any desired direction. The shalt F is provided with a ratchet wheel F which is engaged by a pawl 'F to hold the parts in their adjusted position.

The aeroplanes are provided with openings K adjacent to the central openings F and in each opening K is a multi-plane elevating rudder K each of which is mounted upon a shaft K and each shaft has its outer end mounted in a bearing is (Fig. 6) secured to the f ame E and its inner end is mounted for holding the p in a bearing 7: (Fig. 4) secured to the side of one of the rings D. The rudders are preferably constructed of three

planes

1, 2 and 3, the central planes 1 lie in the same plane as the body portions E of the aeroplanes when adjusted to a horizontal position, and the upper and

lower planes

2 and 3 are arranged equidistant from the central planes 1 and parallel therewith. Each plane is construced of a rectangular shape frame It" and a bod ortion of canvas or other suitable material? he upper and lower frames of each plane are connected .to the central frame by corner posts is and diagonally arranged brace wires k connect the frames of the

planes

2 and 3 with the frame of the central plane 1 as shown most clearly in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

Cables K connect the forward and. rear ends of each elevating plane and extend down into the lower section. By meansof these cables the said planes may be adjusted to the proper angle for elevating the ship and anes in the position to which ghey may be adjusted when the ship is in ight.

O enings L and L are arranged respec tive y in the forward and rear ends of the aeroplanes, and in which are mounted fore and aft trimming rudders M and M respectivel Each rudder is constructed of a rectan u ar-shape frame m and a body ortion 0 canvas or'other suitable. materia m and each'rudder M is mounted upon a shaft m which shafts are journaled at their outer ends in the brackets e arranged at the an lcs e of the frames E and at their inner on s in bearings m secured. to the sides of the forward clamping rin D. The rudders M are mounted u on she ts m whose outer ends are journals in brackets m secured to the frames E, and their inner ends in brackets m secured to the rearmost clamping ring D. Tiller lines M are connected to the trimming rudders M and M. The lines controlling the rudders M extend through eyelets m secured to the foremost clamping ring D and the lines controlling the rudders M extendthrough guides formed in brackets n hereinafter described and all the lines extend to the lower or car section of the ship where they are secured to suitable cleats (not shown).

Vertical rudders N are arranged at the rear end of the central section C in the vertical plane of the'center of the said section for steering the ship. These rudders are constructed of an outer light weight frame 11. and a body portion of canvas or other suitable material n. Shafts n are connected to the frame and have their inner ends journaled in bearings secured to the rearmost clam ing ring D and their outer ends in the brac also a carried by the central section C. Tiller lines a are connected to the forward ends of the vertical rudders N and are extended over pulleys or through e elets a? connected to the frames E from w ich they are extended down into the lower or car section B of the ship and have their ends secured to cleats (not shown).

Depending from the central art of the central section C is a rigid ske eton frame consisting of-four vertical light weight or bamboo rods 0 and a lower rectan ular frame 0 also of light wei ht metal or amboo. The u per ends of t e rods 0 are connected toT-s ape brackets 0 de ending from the central clamping rin s D. race rods 0 connect the sides of the rame O and the central portion e of the aero lane frames E and brace wires 0 connect t 0 forward and rear members of the frame 0 and the clamping rings at the forward and rear'ends of the central portion of the section C.

Suspended below the frame 0 is the lower or car section B of the ship which is preferably of boat shape and of a size to sup ort the crew and machinery in the event 0 the shipdescendin upon a body of water. The car is preferab y suspende from the frame by rope or wire cables 0 and is braced laterally by cables 0 which extend from the sides of the car to the aeroplane frame E and its center of gravity is arranged directly below the center of ravity of the upper section A and at such distance as to insure the upper section retaining its equilibrium and thereb resentin the full supporting surface 0 t e aerop anes to the an to insure safety of flight and a safe and gradual descent when making a landing, especially in the event of the propellers or machinery becoming disabled during the course of navigation.

Projecting from the forward and rear ends of the car sections are brackets P in each of which is journaled a su porting wheel P which are preferably in the she e of hollow air-tight drums. Each wheel comprises a tubular hub portion p, and side portions p which conver toward the rim p upon which latter is held a pneumatic tire p. The forward wheel P has its rim or tire provided with spurs p and its hub is provided with a ratchet wheel i that is engaged by a pawl p carried 1) t e front frame P and which permits of tlie rotation of the wheel in one direction only so that the ship will be anchored and its head turned around and held to the wind in the event of the ship making a landing with its broadside to the wind. The purpose of makingthe wheels P hollow and air tight is to increase the buoyancy of the car section should-it alight upon a body of water.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I rovide an air-shi or a heavier-than-air g-machine of t oroughly rigid construction and by havin the center of gravity of the ship as a who e, arranged considerably of heavier-than-air below the center of resistance of the aerolanes, the ship will always remain in a liorizontal position thereby insuring safety when making a descent, and especially in the event of the machinery or the propellers etting out of order. It may be deslrable, owever, to arrange the car section slightly forward of the center of gravity of the u per section and forward of the center of fa lln resistance to slightly lower the forward en of the ship which would thereby permit of a gradual descent in a forward and downward gliding motion which can be regulated by the elevating and trimming rudders, and at the same time the shipcan be steered through any course b the vertical rudders so as to make a lan ing at any particular point! The upper ,section C forms, as it were, the keel or backbone of the entire structure and while I have shown and described the said section as air and as-tight and rovided with inlet tubes so t at it can be fi led with a gas that is lighter than the atlnos here to buoyant and self-sustaining, I do not consider it essential to make the said section buoyant when making short flights, but for extended trips I do consider it an advantage as it will be readily appreciated that the conditio'ns under which the shi would be operected would be entirely di erent. Therefore, when making short flights the said upper section is not intended to be made buoyant which thus brinfgs the ship into the class ying-machines.

I may find it desirable to construct the ship with a superposed aeroplane Q, (Fig. 17) which is arranged at a suitable distance above the section 0 with its outer edges preferably of the same outline as the outer edges of the aeroplanes E, and which is supported above the section C by u right standards Q which extend vertica ly from the corners of the frames E and from such other points as may be found necessary to rovide a rigid construction. Brace wires 5 connect the super osed aeroplane and the aeroplanes E and a so the section C as shown.

When the ship is constructed with a superposed aero lane the surface of the upper vertical ru der N may be increased by making it of a height to snugly fit between the sald section C and the said superposed aeroplane Q. With this construction, it will be seen that I retain the central hollow body section which forms the support for the entire structure and from which the lower or car section is suspended thereby retaining the low center of gravity as in the construction of the ship with only the aeroplanes extending from the sides of the said section 0.

In practice I may find it desirable to employ propellers instead of the multi-plane cease:

elevatin rudders, in which case the propellers wou d be of substantial] the same constructicn and operation as t e dpropellers G.

While I have shown and escribed the cover IX of the section 0 asheld in lace by the clampin rings 'D and the said section strengthene b the externally arranged brace rods D, do not wish to be un' erstood as limiting myself to this exact arrangement as the said cover may be held in place by means of cord or fine wire wrapped around the cover over the rims of the ribs A. In this construction the Inn itudin'al brace rods D may be arranged insi e of the cover and connected to therims of the said ribsand the inner edges of the body portions of aero lanes E and the brace wires therefor'wou be connected to sides of the bod section in any suitable manner.

at'I claim is 1. In an air-ship, a hollow-body section, aeroplanes supported thereb ropellers arranged upon each side of the liollbw body section, elevatin rudders arranged forwardly and rearwardFy tical rudders arranged adjacent to the rear end of the hollow body section, a carsection,

'means for operatin the propellers, and independent means or controlling tions of all of the said rudders.

2'. In an air-ship, a hollow body section, aeroplanes su ported thereby pro ellers arside of the hollow ody secthe posisaid section, elevatin rudders arranged forwardly and rearwar ly of said propellers,

trimming rudders arranged adjacent to the ends of the aeroplanes, steeri rudders ar ranged adjacent to the rear en s of the aeroplanes, a car section suspended below the said ollow body section, means for operating the pro ellers, and independent means for contro ing the positions of all of the said rudders. 3. In an air-ship, a hollow body section, aeroplanes supported thereb. propellers arrangedupon each side of the gel ow body section, elevatin rudders arranged forwardly and rearward y of the said propellers, trimming rudders arranged adjacent to the ends of the said hollow bodysection, steeri rudders arranged adjacent to the rear end of the said hollow bod section, a car section means for operating t 0 pro ellers, and independent means for control mg the positions of all of the said rudders. v

4. In-an air-ship, a hollow body section, aeroplanes suplported'thereby pro llers arranged at see side of the ho ow ody sectionand opposite'thccenter of gravit of said section, multilane elevating rud ers arranged forwar y and rearwardly of said propellers, tri nnu rudders arranged ads jacent to the ends 0 the aeroplanes, stee rudders arranged adjacent to the rear ends 0 the aeroplanes, a car section suspended b'esaid boll of the said'propellers, yer-- 'prisin aeroplanes, extending means for controlling the positions of all of the said rudders.

5. In an air-ship, a central hollow body section, aeroplanes extending laterally therefrom a pro eller arranged at each side of ow ody section, elevatin rudders arra ed forwardly and rearward y of the pro e ers, a car section sus ended below the sai central body, means or o crating the propellers,-and means for contro ling the positions of the rudders.-

6. In an air-ship, a central hollow body section, aeroplanesv at the sides thereof and connected thereto, a propeller arranged at each side of the centra body section, multiplane elevating rudders arranged forwardly and rearwardl of the ropellers, acar section suspende below t c said central body section, means for o crating the propellers, means for changing t e angles of their thrdst, and independent means or controlling the positions of the rudders.

i 7. In an air-ship, a central hollow boldy section, aeroplanes extendin from the sides thereof, a ropeller arrange at each side of the centre body section and opposite the center of gravity of said section, multi-plane elevati rudders arranged forwardly and learwar 1y of the said propellers trimming rudders adjacent .to theends oi the aeroplanes, steering rudders at the rear end of the saidcentral body section, means for operating th propellers, and independent means for con trolling the positions of all of the said rudders. r

8. In an air-ship, a central hollow body section, aeroplanes extending laterally therefrom, pro el ers ad'ustably supported at the sides of t e contra body section, elevating rudders arranged forwardly and rearwardly of the propellers, a car section suspended below the said central body section, trimming "rudders adjacent to the ends of the aeroplanes, vertical steeri rudders arranged at the rear end of the eel central bod section, means for operati the propel ers, and means for operating a l of the said rudders.

9. In an air-ship, an upper structure com a central body section, aeroplanes carriethereby, pro cllers arranged at the sides ofthe central ody section, elevating rudders arranged adjacent to the propellers, trimming rud ers. arranged adjacent to the ends of the aeroplaneasteering rudders at the and of the said central section, a fear sec-v tion suspended below said centralsection and below the center'of falling resistance of the entire upper structure, means for operatfor operating all of the said rudders.

laterallytherefrom, a propeller arrangedat each side of said can'- 1 25 ing the propellers, and -independent means an air-ship, a central body section, a

tral section, elevating rudders arranged e forwa y and rearwardly of the propellers,

trim rudders arranged adjacent to the ends of t e aeroplanes,-steering rudders carried by thesaid central section, a frame rigidly suspended below the saidcentral section, a boat shapedcar suspended from'the frame and below the center of gravityof the said central. section, meanscarried by the car section for o crating the propellers, and means operab e from the car section for controlling the positions of all of the said rud- 'ders. 7

, 11. In an airshi an upqir structure, comprising a centra hollow y section, aeroplanes extending laterally therefrom, ashaft journaled at its ends to the frames of said aeroplanes and extending throu h the said hollow body section, cylindrica'l s eeves carried by said shaft, a-pro eller mounted in each sleeve, elevating rud are arranged forwardly'and rearward (y of the said propellers, a car section arrange below the central hollow body section and below the center of falling resistance of the said upper structure, means I r adjusting the sleeve to direct the thrust o the propel are for the purpose s ecified, means for operating the saichprope lore, and means for operating all of the said rudso ders.

12. .In an air-shi an up or structure comprising a centra hollow ody section, aeroplanes extending laterally therefrom, a shaft joyrnaled at its ends to the frames of said aeroplanes and extending through the said central hollowbod section, cylindrical sleeves carried by sai shaft, a propeller mounted in each sleeve, elevatin rudders a car section arranged below the central ho the center of falling resistance of the upper structure, means for adjusting the sleeves to direct the thrust of the propellersfor the ose specified, means for oper'atingthe sa propellers, and independent means for operating the said rudders.

, 13. In an air-shi an upqgr structure comprising a centr hollow dy section constructed with a plurality of gas-tight compartments throughout its length and having a well at its center of gravity which is open at its lower end, aero lanes arranged u on each side ofs'aid centra body section, a

s aft jpurnaled at its ends 'in' the frames of said aeroplanes and extendingthrough the hollow body section-and through the said well, oiylindrical sleeves secured to the shaft,

tl16ll hubs hollow sha ere mounted in the sleeves and having fprovided with beveled pinions, ts surrounding the first mentioned shaft and having their outer ends extend into the sleeves and'provided with bevele gears which m'eshwith the said bevel prope pinions and their inner ends projecting into arranged forwardly and rearward y of the. 40 said propellers ow body section and below ceases -the said well of the central section, sprocket wheels mounted upon the inner ends of the shafts, multi-plane rudders arranged forwardly and rearwardly of said propellers, trimming rudders arranged adjacent to the ends of said aeroplanes, a car section. suspended below the center of falling resistance of the upper structure, a motor earned by the car section and having a shaft provided with sprocket wheels, sprocket chains operating around the said s rockets and over the sprockets of the said he ow shafts, means for rotating the first mentioned shaft to change the angle of thrust of the propellers;i

and means for-controlling the positions of a of the said rudders.

14. In an air-ship, an upper structure,

comprising a central hollow body section, aeroplanes extending laterally therefrom, a main shaft extending transversely through the said upper structure and having its ends journaled in bearings secured to the frames of the said aeroplanes, cylindrical sleeves secured to the shaft, a propeller mounted in each sleeve, conical sleeves extending from 'the hubs of the pro ellers, a bevel pinion fixed to each hub, ho ow shafts surrounding the intermediate sections of the first men tioned shaft, each hollow shaft having one end extending through the side of one of the c lindrical sleeves and provided with a beve ed gear which meshes the said pinion and ha its opposite end extending into the centra hollow body section, a sprocket wheel loosely mounted upon the inner end of each hollow shaft, a ratchet wheel keyed to each. of said inner ends, a pawl carried by eachsprocket wheel to enga e its ratchet wheel, a car section suspended elow the upper structure, a motor carried by said car section and having its shaft provided with drive sprocket wheels, sprocket chains operating around the said drive. sprocket wheels and over the sprocket wheels carried.

by the said hollow shafts, and means for r0- tating the main shaft to change the angle of thrust of the said propellers.

, 15. In an air-ship, an n or structure,

com rising a hollow contra ody; section, who is constructed of a plurality of ribs having (grooved rims an impervious c'over arran e over the ri s, clamping rings arrange over the cover and registering with the said ribs and having perforated ears proqectmg therefrom, a. re extending centrally thro ugh the said-body section and projecting beyond the ends thereof, longitu inal rods extending thrcu out the length of the said body section an through the perforated ears of said clamping and having their ends connected to theends of the and centrally arranged rod, aeroplanes extending laterall from the sides of the central section, eacli aeroplane comprising an outer frame whose ends are connected to the forward and rearward ends of the said central rod and a body portion of cloth that forms the supporting surfaces of the aeroplanes, brace rods an brace wires arranged between the frame and the sides of the central body section, propellers arranged at the sides of the said central hollow body section, elevating rudders arranged adjacent .to said propellers, trimmingrudders arranged adjacent to the ends of the aeroplanes, steering rudders arran ed at the rear end of the said central hol ow body section,

gravit thereof, means for operating the said prope ers, and independent means for operatin all of the said rudders.

16. n an air-ship, a central hollow body section, aeroplanes extending laterally therefrom, a superposed aerop ane, ipropellers arranged adjacent to the sides 0 the said central hollow body section, vertical steering rudders arranged at the end of the said hollow body section, a car section arranged below the said central hollow body section, and meansfor operating the propellers.

17. In an air-ship, a central hollow body a car section suspended below the upper structure and below the center of section, aeroplanes extending laterally therefrom,.a super osed aero lane arranged over said central ollow bo y section and over said first mentioned aeroplanes, propellers arranged at the sides of and opposlte to the center of gravity of the said central hollow body section, multi-plane elevating rudders arranged adjacent to and forwardly and rearwardly of said propellers, one of the planes of each of said multi-plane rudders eing ada ted to lie in the same lane as the body of the said first mentione aeroplanes when in a horizontal position, vertical steering rudders arranged at one end of said central hollow body section, a car section arranged below the center of gravity of said central hollow body section, means for operating the propellers, and inde endent means for operating all of the said ru' ders.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of December A. D.

SIMON LAKE. Witnesses:

WM. H. SCHOLZ, FRED B. WHITNEY.