US3690599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft docking guide
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-11
•
Granted: 1972-09-12
•
Expires: 1991-03-11
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft guide means for use by a pilot in docking an aircraft of the type having a nose wheel. It includes a mirror mounted on the docking line, the mirror being within the line of sight of the pilot and reflecting an image of the docking line at the stopping release so that the pilot can tell when his wheel is at the predetermined stopping point on the docking line. The aircraft includes a light means arranged to be viewed in the mirror which tells the pilot if the plane is askew relative to the docking line. Signal means are provided to be actuated by the nose wheel of the aircraft when it is at the stopping point so that the pilot will stop the aircraft at the proper location.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira Vincent Hager
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:17
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64F; B64F1/00; B64F1/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
Aircraft guide means for use by a pilot in docking an aircraft having a nose wheel at a predetermined stopping point and attitude on a docking line extending from a dock without the aid of additional personnel, said aircraft including an orientation light means spaced from the nose wheel, said means comprising: mirror means having a reflective surface transverse of the line, a switch on the line and operable by the aircraft nose wheel, said switch being located at about the stopping point of the nose wheel on the line, a signal means electrically connected to the switch and operable to signal the pilot when the nose wheel is at the stopping point, means supporting the mirror with the attitude of the reflector surface being such that it is in the line of sight from the cockpit of the aircraft when the nose wheel is on the line at the switch and the surface is also on a reflective line from the mirror to the stopping point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
Aircraft guide means for use by a pilot in docking an aircraft having a nose wheel at a predetermined stopping point and attitude on a docking line extending from a dock without the aid of additional personnel, said aircraft including an orientation light means spaced from the nose wheel, said means comprising: mirror means having a reflective surface transverse of the line, a switch on the line and operable by the aircraft nose wheel, said switch being located at about the stopping point of the nose wheel on the line, a signal means electrically connected to the switch and operable to signal the pilot when the nose wheel is at the stopping point, means supporting the mirror with the attitude of the reflector surface being such that it is in the line of sight from the cockpit of the aircraft when the nose wheel is on the line at the switch and the surface is also on a reflective line from the mirror to the stopping point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The aircraft guide means as set forth in claim 1 wherein the signal means comprises a visual signal in the range of vision of the aircraft cockpit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The guide as set forth in claim 1 wherein a plurality of signal means in alignment with one another are provided along the line and provide a visual indication of the line toward the stopping point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The aircraft guide means as set forth in claim 3 wherein the said plurality of signal means are spaced from one another at predetermined location to provide a visual indication of progress along the line forward the stopping point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said signal means comprise reflector means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said signal means comprise reflector means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The guide as set forth in claim 1 wherein taxi line means are provided to guide the aircraft to the docking line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein a signal means is provided on the taxi line to indicate the point to turn on the docking line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The guide as set forth in claim 1 wherein the signal means comprises a pair of lights.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3003451A
Cited
US3599143A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |