US3567160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft weathervaning device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-04-03
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1989-04-03
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft weathervaning device having a supporting framework rotatably journaled with respect to a fixed cylinder and movable axially between a first position against the ground, whereat the aircraft is moved into place and secured, and a second position a few inches above the ground whereat the supporting framework, together with the aircraft, is free to turn in weathervane fashion always to face into the wind. The supporting framework is in the form of a T-bar having adjustable arms terminating in wheel pads adapted to receive and have lashed thereto the wheels of a tricycle landing gear. The T-bar supporting framework can readily be modified into an H-bar configuration for supporting a circular deck to accommodate movable wing aircraft.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl G Adams
- 👤 Edmund L Eveleth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:50
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64F; B64F1/00; B64F1/12; B64F1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
An aircraft weathervaning device comprising an aircraft supporting framework, mechanism for raising and lowering said supporting framework between a first position at ground level and a second position a few inches above ground level, said raising and lowering mechanism comprising antifriction journal means journaling said framework for rotation in a horizontal plane, said framework comprising a crossmember and a base member, said crossmember being fixed at one end perpendicularly to said base member at a central position therealong to present a T-bar frame configuration, manually operated remote control means for actuating said raising and lowering mechanism at a position beyond the extend of the wings or other distal end portions of an aircraft supported by said framework, said cross member and said base member both being of tubular form, the other ends of said crosstube and the outer end of said base tube each having telescopingly received therein individual pad tubes each having affixed thereto a pad plate for the seating thereon of tricycle landing gear wheels, and means for adjustably receiving said pad tubes as to their in and out positions in their respective base and crosstubes to provide for accommodation to a wide range of variation in breadth and length of spacing between aircraft tricycle landing gear wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
An aircraft weathervaning device comprising an aircraft supporting framework, mechanism for raising and lowering said supporting framework between a first position at ground level and a second position a few inches above ground level, said raising and lowering mechanism comprising antifriction journal means journaling said framework for rotation in a horizontal plane, said framework comprising a crossmember and a base member, said crossmember being fixed at one end perpendicularly to said base member at a central position therealong to present a T-bar frame configuration, manually operated remote control means for actuating said raising and lowering mechanism at a position beyond the extend of the wings or other distal end portions of an aircraft supported by said framework, said cross member and said base member both being of tubular form, the other ends of said crosstube and the outer end of said base tube each having telescopingly received therein individual pad tubes each having affixed thereto a pad plate for the seating thereon of tricycle landing gear wheels, and means for adjustably receiving said pad tubes as to their in and out positions in their respective base and crosstubes to provide for accommodation to a wide range of variation in breadth and length of spacing between aircraft tricycle landing gear wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
An aircraft weathervaning device as defined in claim 1 wherein said raising and lowering mechanism comprises a hydraulic piston and wherein said remote control actuating means comprises a hydraulic pump, a relatively fixed cylinder, said piston being slidably arranged in said relatively fixed cylinder, and a hydraulic line communicating between said hydraulic pump and said cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An aircraft weathervaning device as defined in claim 2 wherein said antifriction journal means comprises a pivot rod axially rotatable in said cylinder, and means for adjustably securing the upper end of said pivot rod along said base tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An aircraft weathervaning device as defined in claim 3 wherein said pivot rod securing means comprises a saddle member fixed to said pivot rod and having a semicylindrical recess for seatiNg said base tube, a cap member, and means for bolting said cap member to said saddle member for clamping said base tube in adjusted position therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An aircraft weathervaning device as defined in claim 3 including lock means for mechanically locking said piston in raised position to relieve back pressure on said hydraulic pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
An aircraft weathervaning device as defined in claim 5 wherein said lock means comprises a lock bar pivotally linked at one end to said piston and operative to fall into hooking engagement with said cylinder, and a flexible cable connected to the free end of said lock bar for its remote actuation in unlocking.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |