GB577783A - Improvements relating to aircraft with folding wings - Google Patents

Abstract

577,783. Aircraft folding-wings. GENERAL AIRCRAFT, Ltd., and LEATHER, G. B. May 19, 1938, No. 14965. [Class 4] An aircraft wing which for folding is raised or lowered and subsequently turned, is connected to a part which carries it by at least two fittings, one of which provides a hinge axis for folding whilst at least one other fitting serves at least to assist in locating the parts in the spread condition of the wing, but in raising or lowering the wing leaves the wing free for folding. In one form, a stub-wing 10 carries at its front spar a bracket 17 having parts 18, 19 which engage an axially displaceable pin 14. A sleeve 15 is rotatable on the pin 14 and is connected to the front-spar of a folding-wing by a rib 16. The part 18 is slotted to receive the rib 16. The pin is provided with a sleeve 21, a nut 22 at the lower end of which engages with a screw-threaded shaft 23 mounted'against axial movement in a bracket 25, carrying a sprocket-wheel 26 and provided with a square end to receive an operating handle 28. The rear spar of the stub wing carries a bracket 33 having parts 34, 35 which engage a trapezoidal pin 29B displaceable by screw 38 and nut 39 on rotation of a sprocket 42. A pin 29s is connected by a rib 32 to the rear spar of the folding wing and is adapted to overlap and engage by means of a pin 31 the pin 29B. Thus, on rotation of the sprockets, the folding portion of the wing is raised clear of the stub wing and may then be folded by pivoting about the pin 14. A chain 43 connects the sprockets. In a modification, the nuts are fixed axially, are rotatable by worm or skew gearing and engage displaceable screws which are held against rotation by a flat surface which engages a corresponding surface on the bracket on the stub wing. The mechanism may be disposed within the depth of the wing or may be enclosed in fairings.