US1501299A - Flying machine - Google Patents

Description

q ufiy 15 1924. 1,501,299

W. ARMSTRONG FLYING MACHINE Filed March 23, 1923 4 Sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR WILLIJYMHEMSTHUNE ATTORNEY W. ARMSTRONG FLYING MACHINE Filed March 23. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 44 6'3 59 60 k p 6.9

15% I 6165 g Y 6o INVENTOR WILLIHMMSYFUAZG' wailwam ATTORNEY july 15 1924. 1,501,299

' W. ARMSTRONG FLYING MACHINE Filed March 23, 1923' 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 F INVENTOR WILLIHMAHMEI'HDNG ATTORNEY uiy l5 1924. 1,501,299

W. ARMSTRONG FLYING MACHINE Filed March 23. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR E15- MLLLZMHHMSZHUJVG' AT ToRNEY mama My 15; m4. v

FFALFEF 1,5FLZ99 oseies.

.WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, 0F DBINKWA'I'EB, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA.

FLYING -MACHINE.

Apblication filed March as, 1928. Serial No. 627,241

new and useful Improvements in Flying, Machines, of which the following is specification.

This inventlon hasrelation tocertam new and useful improvements in flying machines of the character stated including rotary side planes of the helicopter type. j

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a flying machine of the character stated which will be constructed in such a manner as to be operated in varlous directions with all of the parts properly balanced by simple adjustment of the framein which the planes, are mounted.

. Another object of the invention resides in 4 the provision of a flying machine of the character stated constructed in such a manner that the planes will operate outwardly of the sides of the body and above the same to properly balance the machine at all times.

The invention has for a further object the provision of a flying machine of the character set forth in which a common supporting rod is provided for the body, the plane supporting frame and the lower frame structure of the machine.

A further object resides in the provision of a flying machine of the character set forth including an especially constructed typeof rotary plane which will be durable and highly efficient in use as well as light in structure and composed of the minimum number of parts securely connected and arranged so as to provide a wide surface to be presented to the air currents during operation of the machine.

A still further object resides in the provision of a flying machine of the characterset forth including a vertical rudder at the back of the body for steering the machine downward travel of the machine,

and a horizontal rudder at the forward end of the body to control the upward apld t e straight or level course of the machine being gox erned by friction clutches on the ends of the driving shaft-provided for the planes. 9

With the foregoing and other objects in view as will appear as the description pro ceeds' the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of cooperatingelements ashereinafter more the accompanying drawings forming a part of the present application, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the complete machine.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation with parts broken away for the sake of clearness.

. stantlally onthe plane of line 6 6 of Fig.

4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. 1

Fig. 7 is a detail section of a portion of the main supporting rod and parts mounted thereon, substantially on, the plane of line 77 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fi 8 is an enlarged detail section substantlally'on the plane of line 88 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 9 is-an enlarged detail fragmentary elevation of one of the planes, showing the construction of the same. a

Fig. 10 is a'detail section-substantiall on the plane of line 10.10 ofFig. 9, 100 ing in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 11 is a detail section, substantially on the plane of line-1111 of Fig. 9, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 121i's an enlarged vertical section substantially on the plane of line 1212 of Fig. 2, looking in the'dire'ction indicated by the arrows.

of the plane specificallyset' forth, claimed and'shown in Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail section Fig. 12,'looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring more in detail to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several: views, 15 designates the main supporting rod which has its opposite ends flattened and provided with central openings so as'to. form eyes-16 through which are rotatably mounted the lower ends of the shafts 17 for the rotary planes, as shown in Figs. land 2. Nuts 18 or other suitable members may be carried on the lower ex 1 substantially'on the plane of line 13 13 of V tremities of the :plane shafts 17, below the I eyes 16 to prevent upward movement of the plane shafts 17 and disengagement of the latter from the eyes 16. Bevel gears 19 are carried on the lower portions of the plane shafts 17 prefera-bl above the eyes 16, as shown in Fig. 2 an mesh with driving 'bevel gears 20 carried on outer ends of sleeves 21 which are rotatably mounted on the extended portions of the main supporting rod 15. The bevel gears 19 are preferably larger than the driving bevel gears 20, so as to reduce the speed of rotation imparted to the plane shafts 17. Sprocket wheels 22 are carried on the inner ends of the sleeves 21 and sprocket chains 23 are engaged around the respective sprocket wheels 22 for imparting independent rotation to the sleeves 21. The respective sprocket chains 23 are also engaged around driving sprocket wheels 24 carried on opposite end portions of the engine shaft 25. This engine shaft 25 is rotatably mounted in opposite sides of the body 26 and extends through said sides. Suitable clutch members, not shown, are provided on opposite end portions of the engine shaft 25 to control rotation of the driving sprocket wheels 24 with the engine shaft 25. The engine 27 is suitably located within the body 26, so that the engine shaft 25 may extend through the sides of the body 26, as stated. It will also be seen from the drawings that the body 26 has a rounded bottom which is centrally mounted on the transverse opposed supporting channels 28 which are in turn mounted centrally on the lower longitudinal members 29 of the base structure. These lower longitudinal members 29 are curved downwardly between the ends and connected at their ends with the lower extremities of the inwardly inclined corner members 30 of the base structure, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thereby forming the lower corners 31 of the base structure. The base structure also includes lower transverse members 32 connecting the forward lower corners 31 and the rear lower corners 31, respectively, to prevent side spreading of the base. Forward and rear axles 33 are mounted beneath the base and connected therewith by shock absorbing springs 34 located beneath the lower corners 31 of the base, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. The landing wheels are mounted on the opposite extended ends of the forward and rear axles 33.

The upper ends of the inwardly inclined corner members 30 are connected with the corners of an upper rectangular frame 36, which is slightly above the main supporting rod 15, as shown clearly iniFig. 5. The body 26 connects with the corners of the upper rectangular frame 36 by the inclined corner suspending frame members 37. Central side frame members 38 also extend upwardly from the sides of the body 26 and have bearing members 35,) at their upper ends for co-operation with the corresponding bearing members 40 opposed thereto and connected by the clamping bolts 41 or the like, to form complete bearings for the main supporting rod 15. The bearing members 40 are carried on the lower ends of upstanding frame members 42 which connect with the central portions of arched longitudinal frame members 43 which extend above the longitudinal members of the upper rectangular frame 36 and connect with the corners of the upper rectangular frame 36 to brace and reinforce the latter. A transverse up-per frame member 44 connects the upper or central portions of the arched longitudinal frame members 43. This may be readily seen by referring to Fig. 2. It may be stated at this time that the main supporting rod '15 is free to turn within the bearing members 39 and 40.

In order to reduce friction to the minimum, the ends of the sleeves 21 have antifriction bearings 49 located between their end portions and the main supporting rod 15.

.-The special frame for supporting the tended. The converging upper and lower frame extension members 51 and 52 project from the corners of the main rectangular frames 50. The frame structure also includes an upper supporting rod 53 parallel with and above the main supporting rod 15. This upper supporting rod 53 extends transversely through the upper portion of the main rectangular frames 50 and the free ends of the upper supporting rod 53 are flattened and provided with central openings so as to form eyes 54 above the eyes 16 to accommodate the upper ends of the plane shafts 17 as will be readily understood by referring to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. The converging upper frame extension members 51 extend downwardly and connect with the upper supporting rod 53 near the ends of the latter. The converging lower frame extension members 52 extend upwardly and connect with the main supporting rod 15 near the ends of the latter. It will, therefore, be seen that converging upper frame extension members 51 and converging lower frame extension members 52 serve to securely connect the main rectangular frames 50 with the rods 53 and 15.

The main rectangular frames 50 are parallel and connected at their corner portions by transverse frame connecting members 55. The main rectangular frames 50 are slightly narrower at their upper ends than at their tangular frames 50. The upper ends of the When the parts are properly 'assembled, .the bearings 58 are located between the pairs of 1,501.,eee

are mounted in the main rectan ular framesv 50 with their lower ends connecting wlth the same near the lower corners of the main recupwardly converging bracing members 56 connect with the upper supporting rod 53 and at this-point in each main rectangular frame 50 is provided a depending member 57 which has its lower end provided with a bearing 58 for the main supporting rod 15.

bearings 39 and 40 and the inner ends of the sleeves 21. The bearings 58 shouldbe rigid on the main supporting rod 15 to hold the main rectangular frames and the'jparts carried thereby in proper position with re-' spect to the main supporting'rod 15 and the other parts suspended on said main supporting rod 15. In the structure of each main rectangular frame 50 is also included a pair of reinforcing cross bars 56' connecting the lower portion of the depending member 57 of the main rectangular frame 50 with the upwardly converging bracing members 56, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The planes include radially extended blades 59 which increase in width gradually towards their outer ends and are of substantially triangular form. These radially extended blades 59 are also tilted on one edge so as to overlap one another throughout their length. Each radially extended blade 59 is also secured at its narrow inner end to the upper portion of the plane shaft 1'] before being turned or tilted. The radially extended blades 59 also slant downwardly from the plane shaft 17, as shown in the drawings, particularly Figs. 2 and 3. A reinforcing and strengthening ring 60 is extended through the outer end portions of the radially extended blades 59, as shown in Fig. 3. The spokes 61 are employed for strengthening the radially extended blades 59. Each pair of spokes 61 are arranged in converging relation with the converged upper ends extended through the radially extended blade 59 for whichthey are employed and through a stirrup 62 carried on the reinforcing and strengthening ring 60 at the transverse centre of the outer end -portion of the radially extended blade 59, as shown clearly in Figs. 9 and 10. The lower diverging ends of the pairs of spokes 61 are secured to the collar 63 carried on the lowerportion of the plane shaft 17, immediately above the bevel gear 19, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Each radially extended blade 59 includes a central longitudinal rib 64 on which the stirrup 62 is mounted, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Longitudinal side ribs 65 are also carried by each radially extended blade 59 and upstanding supporting and bracing rods &

' 66 are provided for connecting the radially I extended blades 59. Each upstanding supporting andbracing rod 66 has its lower end mounted on the longitudinal side rib 65 at the lower side of one radially extended blade 59, while its upper end is connected with the under side of the longitudinal side rib 65at the upper longitudinal edge of an adjacent and overlapping extended blade 59.

The otls'etcentral portions 67 of the upstanding supporting and bracing rods 66 are engaged around the reinforcing and strengthening ring-60 to brace the upstanding supporting and bracing rods 66, and radially extended blades 59. Fhis structure assures propersupporting of the radially extended blades-59 without danger of injury to the latter during operation of the machine.

A horizontalelevation rudder 68 is pivotally mounted on the forward horizontal bar .30 connecting the upper ends of the forward inwardly inclined corner members 30 of the base structure, 'as shown in Fig. 1. Any suitable operating or controlling means,

not shown, may be provided for the horizontal elevation rudder 68. A vertical steering rudder 69 is pivotally mounted in; the rear side of the base structure, as also shown clearly in Fig. 1. It is further to be .understood that suitable operating or controlling means, not shown, may be provided for the vertical steering rudder 69, as desired.-

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for tilting the planes by turning the main supporting rod 15 in the bearing members 39 and 40. A preferred type of mechanism for this purpose, however, is disclosed clearlly in Fig. 12and includes for each side of the machine, a pair of parallel rods 71 pivotally connected at their upper ends to the collar 72 clamped upon the reinforcing cross bars 56, while the lower ends of the parallel rods 71 are pivotally connected with the oppositely directed arms 73 of a bell crank member 74. This bell crank member 74 is pivotally mounted on a stud shaft 7 5 projecting inwardly from one side wall of the body 26, slightly above the engine shaft'25.

through the elongated slots 79. The operating screw 81 for the bell crank member 74 extends through the nut 7 8 and has oneend journaled-in a suitable support 82 carried for this purpose on the body side, while an actuating wheel 83 is carried on the other end of the screw 81 and provided with a suitable handle 84. This structure may be readily seen in both Figs- 12 and13 and it will be apparent that rotation of the screw 81 will cause the nut 78 to travel longitudinally thereof and thereby operate the bell crank member 74 to tilt the planes in the direction desired, according tothe direction of rotation of the screw 81. WVhen movement of the bell crank member 74 and parts connected therewith as a result of operation of the screw 81 in either direction is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 12. The operating screws 81 on the two sides of the machine should be operated together, in order to impart the same tilting movement to the two planes on the opposite sides of the machine.

It is believed the complete construction and operation of the machine may now be,

clearly understood from the foregoing paragraphs taken in connection with the accompanying drawings without further detailed description. It may be briefly stated, that the rotary planes may be operated at the desired speeds of rotation and may at all times be under the control of the operator. These rotary planes may be employed to cause a straight rising or descending of the machine or to force a forward or rearward movement of the machine when tilted. Furthermore, the course of travel of the machine may be properly governed by proper operation of the horizontal elevation rudder 68 at the front of the machine and the vertical steering rudder 69 at the rear of the machine. Operation of the screws 81 will cause tilting of the rotary planes and all of the frame work Within which they are mounted at the sides of the body 26. This will permit the body 26 to be retained in horizontal position regardless of the forward or rearward tilting of the rotary; planes andthe supporting frame work for the latter. The mounting of the landing wheels 35 beneath the corners of the lowermost frame structure or base will permit the machine to land or leave the ground without danger of injury to the parts of the machine and the occupant or occupants thereof and without subjecting the machine structure to unnecessary strains and shocks. Furthermore, the machine may travel for some distance along the surface on the landing wheels 35 without danger of any other parts of the machine striking the surface. Attention may also be directed to the fact that the rotary planes are located as close to the sides of the main rectangular frames 50 as practicable without interference with the same and all of the parts of the machine are constructed and arranged so as to produce a compact, light and strong structure.

Vhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of co-operating elements may be resorted to within the scope of What is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new is:

1. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; sleeves rotatably mounted on said main supporting rod to either side of the parallel mam rectangular frames; driving connections between said sleeves and said lanes; means within said body for operating said sleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means and said sleeves; means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames and parts carried thereby; operating means for the last mentioned means carried in said body.

2. A main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said main sup-porting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; sleeves rotatably mounted on said main supporting rod to either. side of the parallel main rectangular frames; driving connections between the said sleeves and said planes; means within said body for operating said sleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means and said sleeves; a forward horizontal elevating rudder mounted in the lower frame structure for controlling the ascending and descending movement of the machine; and a rear vertical steering rudder mounted in said depending frame structure for steering the machine.

3. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extending outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame flying machine including parallel the parallel main rectangular frames; driving connections between said sleeves and said planes; means Within said body for operating said sleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means and said sleeves; means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames and parts carried thereby; operating means for the last mentioned means carried in said body; a forward horizontal elevating rudder mounted in the lower frame structure for controlling the ascending and descending movements of the machine; and a rear vertical steering rudder mounted in said depending frame structure for steering the machine.

4. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame members, a main supporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-o-perating with said side frame members .to support said planes; abody suspended on said main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; said body having a longitudinally curved bottom to prevent interference with the swinging movement of the main rectangular frames and parts connected therewith over the body; and transverse bracing members extended beneath said body and mounted on the lower frame structure to support and brace said body.

5. A flying machine including parallel main rectangulan'frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side members; a main supporting rodextended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with said side frame members to support said planes;a body suspended on said main sup-porting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means forsaid body;land'-' ing wheels resiliently mounted beneathithe last mentioned frame; sleeves rotatably mounted on saidmain supporting rod to either side of the parallel main rectangular frames; drivin connections between said sleeves and sai planes; means within said body for operating saidsleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means and said sleeves; said body having a longitudinally curved bottom to prevent 1nterference with the swinging movement of the main rectangular frames and parts connected therewith over the bodyand transverse bracing members exten ed beneath said body and mounted on the lower frame structure tosupport and brace said body.

6. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mounted beneath the lastmentioned frame; means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames and parts carried thereby; operating means for the last mentioned means carried in said body; a

said body having a longitudinally curved bottom to prevent interference with the swinging movement of the main rectangular frames and parts connected therewith over the body; and transverse bracing members extended beneath said body and mounted on the lower frame structure to support and brace said body.

7. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supportin rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-o'perating with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mountedbeneath the last mentioned frame; sleeves rotatably mounted on said main supporting rod to either side of the parallel main rectangular frames; driving connections between said sleeves and said planes; means withinsaidbody for operating said sleeves driving connections between the last mentioned means andsaid sleeves;means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames and partscarried theref by; operatin means for the last mentionedframes; planes mounted in said side frame members; and a main supporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; a forward horizontal elevating rudder mounted in the lower frame structure for controlling the ascending and descending movements of the machine; a rear vertical steering rudder mounted in said depending frame structure for steering the machine; said body having a longitudinal curved bottom to prevent interference with the swinging movement of the main rectangular frames and parts connected therewith over the body; and transverse bracing members extended, beneath said body and mounted on the lower-frame structure to support and brace said body.

9. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;

planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and eo-operating with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; sleeves rotatably mounted on said main supporting rod to either side of the parallel main rectangular frames; driving connections between said sleeves and said planes; means within said body for op erating said sleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means and said sleeves; a forward horizontal elevating rudder mounted in the lower frame structure for controlling the ascending and descending movements of the machine; a rear vertical steering rudder mounted in said depending frame structure for steering the machine; said body having a longitudinally curved bottom to prevent interference with the swinging movement of the main rectangular frames and parts connected therewith over the body; and transverse bracing members extended to support and brace said body.

10. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame members a main supporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; means for tilting the parallel main rectair gular frames and parts carried thereby; operating means for the last mentioned means carried in said body; a forward horizontal elevating rudder mounted in the lower frame structure for controlling the ascending and descending movements of the machine; a rear vertical steering rudder mounted in said depending frame structure for steering the machine; said body having a longitudinally curved bottom to prevent interference with the swinging movement of the main rectangular frames and parts connected therewith over the body; and transverse bracing members extended beneath said body and mounted on the lower frame structure to support and brace said body.

11. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangularframes; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; sleeves rotatably mounted on said main supporting rod to either side of the parallel main rectangular frames; driving connections between said sleeves and said planes; means within said body for operating said sleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means and said sleeves; means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames and parts carried thereby; operating means for the last mentioned means carried nally curved bottom to prevent interference with the swinging movement of the main rectangular frames and parts connected therewith over the body; and transverse bracing members extended beneath said body and mounted on the lower frame structure to support and brace said body.

12. A flyingmachine includingvparallel main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame members; a mainsupporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said mam supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mountedbeneath the last mentioned frame; said planes including radial downwardly inclined blades having their main portions turned on one edge to cause overlapping of said blades in spaced relation; said blades being of substantially triangular. form and having longitudinal side ribs and central ribs; a ring for each 1 plane; said ring being extended through the outer portions of said blades; central shafts for said planes;said central shafts being vertically positioned in the extended side frame members at the outer. ends of said main supporting rod; said central shaftsserving to support the blades of said planes; connections between said vring of each plane and the central ribs of the blades of said plane; means for connecting the overlapping longitudinal edges of said blades; said last mentioned means being mounted on said ring; and spokes for supporting said blades; said. spokes being arranged in pairs for each blade and connected at their converging upper ends with said ring at its connection with the blade.

. 13. A flying machine includingparallel main rectangular frames; connections be- .tween said parallel main rectangular frames; f said frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operatmg with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending .portions turned on one edge to cause overlapping of said blades in spaced relation; said blades being of substantially triangular form and having longitudinal side ribs and central ribs; a ring for each plane; said ring being extended through the outer portions of said blades; central shafts for said planes; said central shafts being vertically positioned in the extended side frame members at the .outer ends of said (main supporting rod; said central shafts serving to support the blades of said planes; connections between said ring of each plane and the central ribs of the blades of said planes; means for connecting the overlapping longitudinal edges of said blades; said last mentioned means-being mounted on said rin and spokes for supporting said blades; said spokes being arranged in pairs for each blade and connected at their converging upper ends with said ring at its connection with the blade.

14. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rod extended through said parallel main rectangular frames and cooperating with said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said main supporting rod between said parallelmain rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing'wheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames and parts carried thereby; operating means for the last mentioned means carried in said body; said plane including radial downwardlyinclined blades having their mainportions turned on one edge to cause overlapping of said blades in spaced relation; said blades being of substantially triangular form and having longitudinal side ribs and central ribs; a ring for each plane; said ring being extended through the outer portions of said blades; central shafts for said planes; said central shafts being verticallypositioned in the extended side frame members at'the outer ends of said main supporting rod; said central shafts serving to support the blades of said planes; connections between said ring of each plane and the central ribs of the blades of said lane; means for connecting the overlapping Ongitudinal edges of said blades; said last mentioned means being mounted on said rin and spokes for supporting said blades; said spokes being arranged in pairs for each blade and connected at their converging upper ends with said ring at its connection withmain rectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; sleeves rotatably mounted on said main supporting rod to either side of the parallel main rectangular frames; driving connections be tween said sleeves and said planes;'means within said body for operating said sleeves;

driving connections between the last mentioned means and said sleeves; means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames and parts carried thereby; operating means for the last mentioned means carried in said body; said planes including radial downwardly inclined blades having their main portions turned on one edge to cause overlapping of said blades in spaced relation; said blades being of substantiall triangular form and having longitudina side ribs and central ribs; a ring for each plane; said ring being extended through the outer portions of said blades; central shafts for said planes; said central shafts being vertically positioned in the extended side frame memers at the outer ends of said main supporting rod; said central shafts serving to support the blades of said planes; connections etween said ring of each plane and the central ribs of the blades of said plane; means for connecting the overlapping longitudinal edges of said blades; said last mentioned means being mounted on said ring; and spokes for supporting said blades; said spokes being arranged in pairs for each blade and connected at their converging upper ends with said ring at its connection with the blade.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

' WILLIAM ARMSTRONG.

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