US3774865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flying saucer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-03
•
Granted: 1973-11-27
•
Expires: 1992-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A flying saucer type of aircraft or water vehicle is provided, which may take the form of a toy, or of an actual full-sized passenger and cargo carrying vehicle. The vehicle of the invention includes a circular-shaped body comprising an outer rim portion and an inner hub portion, and upper and lower groups of rotor helicopter-like blades, each formed into a disc-shaped configuration, and rotatable about the central vertical axis of the hub in the annular space between the hub and rim. The helicopter blades are mounted on fluid bearings in the body, and are rotatably driven by turbine action. The two groups of helicopter blades define a pressurized chamber therebetween. Exhaust ports are provided on the rim which may be selectively opened to control the attitude of the vehicle, as well as to maneuver and control the direction of movement of the vehicle, once it is airborne. The pitch of the rotor helicopter blades is controllable, so that the pressurized fluid in the aforesaid chamber may be directed through the top or bottom of the assembly to control the lift or descent of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 O Pinto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:10
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C29/00; B64C29/0008; B64C29/0016; B64C29/0025; B64C39/00; B64C39/001; H; H02; H02K; H02K7/00; H02K7/18; H02K7/1807; H02K7/1823
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
A vehicle comprising: a disc-shaped body having a hub portion aNd a rim portion; means supporting said hub portion and said rim portion in spaced concentric relationship; upper and lower groups of helicopter blades; fluid bearing means supporting said helicopter blades on said hub portion and on said rim portion of said body for rotation in opposite directions about said hub portion and around the central vertical axis thereof, so as to create a gyroscopic effect and maintain the vehicle in a stable position, said fluid bearing means including a ring member supporting said helicopter blades and rotatable about said central vertical axis, said ring member having turbine blades therein; means for introducing pressurized fluid into said ring member and against said turbine blades to cause said ring member to be supported on films of the fluid and to produce rotation of said ring member about said central vertical axis; said upper and lower groups of helicopter blades being spaced axially from one another along the axis of rotation thereof to define a pressurized annular chamber between said hub portion and said rim portion, said rim portion having a series of vents disposed around the periphery thereof in communication with said pressurized annular chamber; means for selectively opening said vents to cause fluid from said pressurized chamber to issue therefrom as jets to control the vehicle; and means coupled to the blades of said upper group and of said lower group to vary the pitch thereof, so as to control the flow of pressurized fluid through said chamber and thereby to control the lift of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
A vehicle comprising: a disc-shaped body having a hub portion aNd a rim portion; means supporting said hub portion and said rim portion in spaced concentric relationship; upper and lower groups of helicopter blades; fluid bearing means supporting said helicopter blades on said hub portion and on said rim portion of said body for rotation in opposite directions about said hub portion and around the central vertical axis thereof, so as to create a gyroscopic effect and maintain the vehicle in a stable position, said fluid bearing means including a ring member supporting said helicopter blades and rotatable about said central vertical axis, said ring member having turbine blades therein; means for introducing pressurized fluid into said ring member and against said turbine blades to cause said ring member to be supported on films of the fluid and to produce rotation of said ring member about said central vertical axis; said upper and lower groups of helicopter blades being spaced axially from one another along the axis of rotation thereof to define a pressurized annular chamber between said hub portion and said rim portion, said rim portion having a series of vents disposed around the periphery thereof in communication with said pressurized annular chamber; means for selectively opening said vents to cause fluid from said pressurized chamber to issue therefrom as jets to control the vehicle; and means coupled to the blades of said upper group and of said lower group to vary the pitch thereof, so as to control the flow of pressurized fluid through said chamber and thereby to control the lift of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vehicle defined in claim 1, and which includes solar cells mounted on the top side of the blades of said upper group to provide electrical energy for the aircraft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle defined in claim 1, in which the blades of said groups are formed of electrically insulated material and of electrically conductive material, respectively, to constitute a static electricity generator for generating electricity for the aircraft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle defined in claim 2, and which includes means for introducing electricity from said static electricity generator to said rim to create static electricity charges on said rim.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle defined in claim 1, and which includes a retractable skirt mounted on said rim to extend down from the periphery thereof to permit the vehicle to hover over a particular location.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |