US3567161A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Weathervaning tie-down device for aircraft
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-06-17
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1989-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A weathervaning tiedown device for tricycle landing gear light aircraft is described, comprising an aircraft supporting framework and mechanism for elevating and lowering the supporting framework between a position at ground level, whereat an aircraft can be moved into place for tie down, and an elevated position, whereat it is free to rotate with the weathervaning aircraft. The supporting framework comprises a flat T-shaped deck for placement for tie down of the aircraft. The elevating mechanism comprises a foundation in the form of a below-level trough receivable within which is the understructure of the framework in such a manner as to permit underside portions of the flat framework deck to rest flush against the ground when in lowered or ground level position.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl G Adams
- 👤 Edmund L Eveleth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:41
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64F; B64F1/00; B64F1/12; B64F1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A weathervaning tiedown device for aircraft, 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 a vertically disposed cylindrical housing member and a cylindrical elevating member telescopingly slidingly interfitted with respect to said cylindrical housing member, said raising and lowering mechanism further comprising antifriction bearing mechanism journaling said framework with respect to said elevating member for rotation in a horizontal plane, said framework comprising a cross frame member and a base frame member extending perpendicularly outwardly of said cross frame member at a central position therealong to present a T-shaped configuration, flat crosspanel deck means removably secured along and upon said crossframe member and having side portions extending outwardly of each side of said crossframe member, flat base panel deck means removably secured along and upon said base frame member and having side portions extending outwardly of each side of said base frame member, and manually operated remote control means for actuating said raising and lowering mechanism at a position beyond the radial extent with respect to said axis of rotation of said framework of the wings or other distal end portions of an aircraft supported by said framework.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A weathervaning tiedown device for aircraft, 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 a vertically disposed cylindrical housing member and a cylindrical elevating member telescopingly slidingly interfitted with respect to said cylindrical housing member, said raising and lowering mechanism further comprising antifriction bearing mechanism journaling said framework with respect to said elevating member for rotation in a horizontal plane, said framework comprising a cross frame member and a base frame member extending perpendicularly outwardly of said cross frame member at a central position therealong to present a T-shaped configuration, flat crosspanel deck means removably secured along and upon said crossframe member and having side portions extending outwardly of each side of said crossframe member, flat base panel deck means removably secured along and upon said base frame member and having side portions extending outwardly of each side of said base frame member, and manually operated remote control means for actuating said raising and lowering mechanism at a position beyond the radial extent with respect to said axis of rotation of said framework of the wings or other distal end portions of an aircraft supported by said framework.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
A weathervaning tiedown device for aircraft as defined in claim 1, including a foundation having a T-shaped trough upper surface portions of which are substantially flush with ground level in the area in which the device is installed, an opening provided in said foundation for the reception of said raising and lowering mechanism, said mechanism and its associated aircraft supporting framework being so positioned with respect to said foundation and said T-shaped trough being of such size and configuration as to fully receive said cross frame member and said base frame member when said supporting framework is in ground level position with said side portions of said crosspanel deck means and said base panel deck means in overlying disposition with respect to upper surface portions of said foundation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A weathervaning tiedown device for aircraft as defined in claim 2, including means for removably attaching said base frame member with respect to said crossframe member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A weathervaning tiedown device for aircraft as defined in claim 3, wherein said crossmember and said base frame member are of tubular form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A weathervaning aircraft tiedown device as defined in claim 4 wherein said attaching means comprises a tubular socket member secured to said cross frame member, a dowel member fixed within and extending outwardly of the inner end of said base frame member and receivable in said socket member, and cross pin lock means extending through aligned openings in said socket and dowel members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A weathervaning aircraft tiedown device as defined in claim 4, wherein said crosspanel deck comprises a plurality of rectangular flat metal panel members substantially coextensive with said cross frame member, and a plurality of rectangular flat metal panel members substantially coextensive with said base frame member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A weathervaning aircraft tiedown device as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for removably securing said metal panel members to said cross and base frame members comprises pairs of angle-iron members secuRed to and along said cross frame and base frame tubular members and stud bolt members secured to and extending downwardly of the undersides of said metal panel members and receivable in openings in outwardly-extending flange portions of said angle-iron members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An aircraft weathervaning tiedown device as defined in claim 6, including mechanism for chocking aircraft wheels with respect to an outer end panel of said cross and base panels, said chocking mechanism comprising means constraining it to axial movement along its end panel to permit adjustment to wheel placement therealong.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
An aircraft weathervaning tiedown device as defined in claim 8, wherein said chocking mechanism comprises a transverse member seated upon the upper surface of an coextensive with the width of its panel, retainer members secured to the ends of said transverse member and having web wall portions underlying marginal edge portions of its associated panel, a pair of front and rear wheel chocks extending perpendicularly outwardly of one side of said transverse member and resting upon said associated panel, and means constraining said wheel chocks to adjustable end-to-end positional movement along said transverse member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An aircraft weathervaning tiedown device as defined in claim 9, wherein said chocking mechanism transverse member and said wheel chocks are fabricated of lengths of angle-iron stock.
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 |