US3744741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foldable aircraft
Assignee: CELESEC IND Inc
•
Filing: 1971-06-08
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A glider or self-propelled aircraft comprising a fuselage, and a pair of flexible and resilient wings secured to the fuselage and normally extending laterally outwardly therefrom. The wings are foldable around the fuselage for storage. A flexible and resilient tail assembly is secured to the fuselage and normally extends rearwardly therefrom. The tail assembly is foldable onto the fuselage and over the folded wings for storage. In operation, the wings and tail assembly are releasably held in folded condition around the fuselage by any suitable means which is released upon deployment of the glider or aircraft to enable the wings and tail assembly to unfold owing to their own resiliency.
Inventors
- 👤 R Christian
- 👤 M Steele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:19
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H27/00; A63H27/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
An aircraft, comprising: a fuselage, a pair of noninflatable, flexible and resilient wings secured to said fuselage and normally extending laterally outwardly therefrom, said wings being foldable around said fuselage for storage, each of said wingS being curved in transverse cross section with a concave surface facing downwardly, and a noninflatable, flexible and resilient tail assembly secured to said fuselage and normally extending rearwardly therefrom, said tail assembly being foldable onto said fuselage for storage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
An aircraft, comprising: a fuselage, a pair of noninflatable, flexible and resilient wings secured to said fuselage and normally extending laterally outwardly therefrom, said wings being foldable around said fuselage for storage, each of said wingS being curved in transverse cross section with a concave surface facing downwardly, and a noninflatable, flexible and resilient tail assembly secured to said fuselage and normally extending rearwardly therefrom, said tail assembly being foldable onto said fuselage for storage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The aircraft of claim 1, wherein said tail assembly is curved in transverse cross-section with a concave surface facing upwardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The aircraft of claim 2, wherein said tail assembly comprises a narrow body section extending rearwardly from said fuselage, and a tail section that is substantially wider than said body section, said tail section being of a width sufficient to fit over said fuselage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The aircraft of claim 3, wherein each of said wings is secured at its inner end to the upper surface of said fuselage and is foldable around the upper and lower surfaces of said fuselage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The aircraft of claim 4, wherein said tail assembly is secured at its forward end to the lower surface of said fuselage, and is foldable over the upper surface of said fuselage and over said wings when they are folded around said fuselage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The aircraft of claim 5, further comprising means for releasably holding said wings and said tail assembly in a folded condition relative to said fuselage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
An aircraft decoy, comprising: a fuselage supporting a payload, a pair of noninflatable, flexible and resilient wings secured at their inner ends to the upper surface of said fuselage and normally extending laterally outwardly therefrom, said wings being foldable around the lower surface of said fuselage for storage, each of said wings being curved in transverse cross section with a concave surface facing downwardly, and a noninflatable, flexible and resilient tail assembly secured at its forward end to the lower surface of said fuselage and normally extending rearwardly therefrom, said tail assembly being foldable over the upper surface of said fuselage and over said wings when they are folded around said fuselage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
An aircraft decoy, comprising: a fuselage supporting a payload, a pair of noninflatable, flexible and resilient wings secured at their inner ends to the upper surface of said fuselage and normally extending laterally outwardly therefrom, said wings being foldable around the lower surface of said fuselage for storage, each of said wings being curved in transverse cross section with a concave surface facing downwardly, and a noninflatable, flexible and resilient tail assembly secured at its forward end to the lower surface of said fuselage and normally extending rearwardly therefrom, said tail assembly being foldable over the upper surface of said fuselage and over said wings when they are folded around said fuselage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The aircraft decoy of claim 7, wherein said tail assembly is curved in transverse cross-section with a concave surface facing upwardly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The aircraft decoy of claim 8, wherein a radiating payload is maintained on said fuselage, and said wings serve as antennas for said radiating payload.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The aircraft of claim 8 wherein said wings are metallic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The aircraft of claim 5 wherein said wings are metallic.
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) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |