US3710311A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Helicopter lighting system and light units useful therein
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-23
•
Granted: 1973-01-09
•
Expires: 1990-11-23
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to helicopter lighting systems particularly for night formation flying. The system includes a first light unit attached to the main helicopter rotor in the vicinity of its tip and a second light unit attached to the main helicopter rotor at a location thereon spaced inwardly from the tip. Upon rotation of the helicopter rotor, the light units provide a light pattern providing a quickly discernible indication to an observer of the attitude of the helicopter and of any change in heading thereof relative to the observer.
Inventors
- 👤 Ron Avital
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:54
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D47/00; B64D47/02; B64D47/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A helicopter lighting system to aid in night formation flying, comprising, a first light unit attached to the main helicopter rotor at its tip such as to be viewable to an observer in another helicopter in the formation for only a part of each revolution of the rotor, and a second light unit attached to the main helicopter rotor inboard of its tip such as to be viewable to such observer for the complete revolution of the rotor, whereby the rotation of the helicopter rotor produces a light pattern to such observer, when laterally above or below the helicopter observed, comprising an arc light-streak by said first light unit and an elliptical light-streak by said second light unit, which light pattern provides a quickly discernible indication to such observer of the attitude of the helicopter being observed and of any change in heading thereof relative to the observer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A helicopter lighting system to aid in night formation flying, comprising, a first light unit attached to the main helicopter rotor at its tip such as to be viewable to an observer in another helicopter in the formation for only a part of each revolution of the rotor, and a second light unit attached to the main helicopter rotor inboard of its tip such as to be viewable to such observer for the complete revolution of the rotor, whereby the rotation of the helicopter rotor produces a light pattern to such observer, when laterally above or below the helicopter observed, comprising an arc light-streak by said first light unit and an elliptical light-streak by said second light unit, which light pattern provides a quickly discernible indication to such observer of the attitude of the helicopter being observed and of any change in heading thereof relative to the observer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said first light unit includes a linear light source attached to the rotor tip with its long axis extending transversely of and coplanar with the rotor tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said second light unit is a circular light source attached to the root of the rotor blade and producing light in all directions laterally of the vertical axis of the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said first light unit includes balancing weights for balancing the helicopter rotor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said first light unit includes a housing attached to the rotor tip, a linear light source disposed within the housing, and a metal nose block in alignment with the leading edge of the rotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said second light unit includes a circular housing, a mounting bolt extending through the central vertical axis of said circular housing, a plurality of light devices disposed within said housing in circular array around the mounting bolt and at an oblique angle with respect thereto, and a transparent cover attached to said housing by said mounting bolt and enclosing said light devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein said second light unit further includes a dish-shaped reflector attached at its center to said housing by said mounting bolt with the sides of the reflector overlying the light devices and reflecting the light laterally thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
A light unit for use in a helicopter lighting system, comprising, a housing attachable to the helicopter rotor blade tip, a linear light source disposed within the housing so that its long axis extends transversely of the helicopter rotor blade when the light unit is attached, a plurality of balanced weights for balancing the helicopter rotor, and a metal nose block carried by the housing to be in alignment with the leading edge of the helicopter rotor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
A light unit for use in a helicopter lighting system, comprising, a housing attachable to the helicopter rotor blade tip, a linear light source disposed within the housing so that its long axis extends transversely of the helicopter rotor blade when the light unit is attached, a plurality of balanced weights for balancing the helicopter rotor, and a metal nose block carried by the housing to be in alignment with the leading edge of the helicopter rotor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |