US3604660A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Helicopter sensor platform assembly
Assignee: ROTORCRAFT GYRO SUPPORT SYSTEM
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Filing: 1969-12-04
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of load platforms which may carry sensing devices or counterbalance weight are carried externally of the cabin of a helicopter on a rigid frame which extends inside the helicopter fuselage and is carried on a gyrostabilized gimballed suspension with the gimbal axes near the helicopter center of gravity.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene I Marley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:50
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C27/00; B64C27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An external load-carrying assembly for use with a turbinepowered helicopter, comprising, in combination: gimbal suspension means located within the cabin of said helicopter, said gimbal suspension means including a first member nonrotatably affixed to the fuselage of said helicopter, a second member rotatable relative to said first member about a pair of axes, and gyrocontrolled motive means for stabilizing said second member; rigid arm means attached to said second member and extending laterally outwArdly from inside said cabin through openings in the sides of said fuselage; support means extending beneath said fuselage laterally inwardly from said sides of said fuselage; rigid members connecting the outer ends of each of said rigid arm means to said support means; and a load platform affixed to said support means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An external load-carrying assembly for use with a turbinepowered helicopter, comprising, in combination: gimbal suspension means located within the cabin of said helicopter, said gimbal suspension means including a first member nonrotatably affixed to the fuselage of said helicopter, a second member rotatable relative to said first member about a pair of axes, and gyrocontrolled motive means for stabilizing said second member; rigid arm means attached to said second member and extending laterally outwArdly from inside said cabin through openings in the sides of said fuselage; support means extending beneath said fuselage laterally inwardly from said sides of said fuselage; rigid members connecting the outer ends of each of said rigid arm means to said support means; and a load platform affixed to said support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 1 in which said support means extend longitudinally beneath said fuselage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly according to claim 1 in which said support means extend laterally beneath said fuselage between the outer ends of said rigid arm means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly according to claim 1 in which the intersection of said axes of said gimbal suspension means is located substantially at the center of gravity of said helicopter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly according to claim 1 in which said load platform includes a rotatable member and further motive means for rotating said rotatable member relative to said load platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly according to claim 1 in which said second member of said gimbal suspension means is rotatable relative to said first member of said suspension means about a third axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly according to claim 1 having a camera mounted on said load platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly according to claim 1 having spring means connected between structure affixed to said fuselage and said second member of said gimbal suspension means to transfer a portion of the weight of said assembly to said structure affixed to said fuselage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly according to claim 2 having a rigid generally ring-shaped member affixed to said longitudinally extending support means and encircling a nose portion of said fuselage, said load platform being carried on said ring-shaped member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly according to claim 2 having at least one rigid further arm extending rearwardly and upwardly from said longitudinally extending support means to a position rearwardly and laterally outwardly from said cabin, said load platform being carried at said position on said rigid further arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
An assembly according to claim 2 having a pair of rigid further arm members extending laterally in opposite directions from said longitudinally extending support means and extending rearwardly and upwardly from said longitudinally extending support means to positions which are both rearward and laterally outward from said cabin; said load platform being carried on one of said further arm members, and a second load platform carried on the other of said further arm members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
An assembly according to claim 2 having first means extending forwardly from one end of said longitudinally extending support means to support said load platform forwardly of the windscreen of said helicopter and second means extending rearwardly from the other end of said longitudinally extending support means to support a second load platform rearwardly of the cabin of said helicopter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly according to claim 2 in which said helicopter includes landing gear extending below said fuselage, said longitudinally extending support means being situated above the lower extremities of said landing gear.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
An assembly according to claim 2 in which said helicopter includes landing gear means extending below said fuselage with two portions on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of said fuselage, said longitudinally extending support means being situated laterally in between said two portions of said landing-gear means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 8 having means for adjusting the force of said spring means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly according to claim 10 in which said load platform is located forwardly of the windscreen of said fuselage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly according to claim 11 in which the portion of said assembly outside said fuselage is symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal centerline of said fuselage, and in which said load platforms include means for carrying weights to balance said assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly according to claim 12 in which said second load platfOrm is positioned at a lower level than the other load platform.
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) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |