US3830452A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monorail traverse system
Assignee: Kaman Aerospace Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-22
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1993-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A system, apparatus and method for traversing a helicopter from a landing area to a hangar area and vice versa with a box beam which is secured between the front wheels of a helicopter, a track extending from the hangar area to the landing area so that a hauled down and secured helicopter straddles the track, a shuttle engaging the track for movement along the track and engaging the box beam for pulling the helicopter along the track, a pawl on the shuttle for engaging a number of the teeth extending along the front of the box beam, and side winches for providing cables for attachment to opposite sides of the rear helicopter wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 S Seay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:28
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64F; B64F1/00; B64F1/12; B64F1/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for traversing a helicopter on a ship comprising: a box beam member having means at each end for securing said beam member to a front wheel of a helicopter and a plurality of teeth extending along one side from one end to the other, a track for extending from a hangar area to a deck area on a ship and a shuttle including means for engaging said track for movement along said track, means coupling said engaging means to said beam member for permitting movement of said beam member along the length thereof and for exerting a force on said beam member to urge said beam member along said track and latching means for engaging said teeth and permitting relative movement of said beam member along the length thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for traversing a helicopter on a ship comprising: a box beam member having means at each end for securing said beam member to a front wheel of a helicopter and a plurality of teeth extending along one side from one end to the other, a track for extending from a hangar area to a deck area on a ship and a shuttle including means for engaging said track for movement along said track, means coupling said engaging means to said beam member for permitting movement of said beam member along the length thereof and for exerting a force on said beam member to urge said beam member along said track and latching means for engaging said teeth and permitting relative movement of said beam member along the length thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said engaging means includes a car having a plurality of wheels with a vertical axis and a plurality of wheels with a horizontal axis extending transverse to the direction of extension of said truck for permitting movement of said car along said track and means at one end of said car for attaching said car to a winch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes means for receiving said box beam member so as to permit movement of said box beam member along its length when said latching means is not engaging said teeth and means for permitting said box beam member to pivot about a vertical axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said securing means includes an extension bar mounted in an end of said beam member, a spring mounted in said end for urging said bar outwards, a pin handle connected to said bar, and movable in a groove extending along the length of said beam member at said end, for manually pushing said bar inwards against said spring and an eye at the end of said bar extending from said beam member for attaching said extension bar to a lug on a helicopter front wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said beam member is hollow and square in cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said latching means includes a pawl for engaging a plurality of teeth of said beam member and solenoid means for operating said pawl.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further including a pair of side winches for each providing a cable for attachment to either side of the helicopter tail wheel.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for traversing a helicopter on a ship comprising: means defining a landing area, adjacent means defining a hangar area, a track extending from said hangar area into said landing area, means associated with said landing area for hauling down and securing a helicopter with the front wheels thereof straddling said track, winch means on either sides of said landing area, for providing a cable to be attached to respective sides of a rear helicopter wheel, a box beam member having means for securing said beam member between the front wheels of a helicopter and shuttle means engaging said track and said beam member for pulling said helicopter along said track from landing to said hangar area.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for traversing a helicopter on a ship comprising: means defining a landing area, adjacent means defining a hangar area, a track extending from said hangar area into said landing area, means associated with said landing area for hauling down and securing a helicopter with the front wheels thereof straddling said track, winch means on either sides of said landing area, for providing a cable to be attached to respective sides of a rear helicopter wheel, a box beam member having means for securing said beam member between the front wheels of a helicopter and shuttle means engaging said track and said beam member for pulling said helicopter along said track from landing to said hangar area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A system as in claim 8 wherein said shuttle means includes means for engaging said track for movement along said track, means coupling said engaging means to said beam member for permitting movement of said beam member along the length thereof and for exerting a force on said beam member to urge said beam member along said track and latching means for engaging said beam member and permitting relative movement of said beam member along the length thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as in claim 9 wherein said box beam member has a plurality of teeth extending along one side from one end to the other and said latching meaNs engages a plurality of said teeth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as in claim 10 wherein said engaging means includes a car having a plurality of wheels with a vertical axis and a plurality of wheels with a horizontal axis extending transverse to the direction of extension of said track for permitting movement of said car along said track and means at one end of said car for attaching said car to a winch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said coupling means includes means for receiving said box beam member so as to permit movement of said box beam member along its length when said latching means is not engaging said teeth and means for permitting said box beam member to pivot about a vertical axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said securing means includes an extension bar mounted in an end of said beam member, a spring mounted on said end for urging said bar outwards, a pin handle connected to said bar, and movable in a groove extending along the length of said beam member at said end, for manually pushing said bar inwards against said spring and an eye at the end of said bar extending from said beam member for attaching said extension bar to a lug on a helicopter front wheel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said beam member is hollow and square in cross section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said latching means includes a pawl for engaging a plurality of teeth of said beam member and solenoid means for operating said pawl.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for traversing a helicopter from a landing to a hangar area comprising the steps of: hauling down and securing said helicopter onto said deck area so that the front wheels straddle a track extending from the hangar area, attaching a box beam member having a plurality of teeth extending along one side thereof between said front wheels, attaching cables from side winches to opposing sides of said helicopter at the rear, pivoting the helicopter with the side winches until the helicopter center line converges with the direction of extent of the track, applying a force to a shuttle having a bar catch connected to said box beam member to permit movement along the length thereof so as to pull said helicopter toward said hangar area and permit said box beam member to slide along said bar catch, engaging the teeth of said box beam member with a pawl, to prevent further relative movement between said box beam member and said bar catch, when said center line is over said track, removing said cables from said side winches and pulling said helicopter to said hangar area with said shuttle.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for traversing a helicopter from a landing to a hangar area comprising the steps of: hauling down and securing said helicopter onto said deck area so that the front wheels straddle a track extending from the hangar area, attaching a box beam member having a plurality of teeth extending along one side thereof between said front wheels, attaching cables from side winches to opposing sides of said helicopter at the rear, pivoting the helicopter with the side winches until the helicopter center line converges with the direction of extent of the track, applying a force to a shuttle having a bar catch connected to said box beam member to permit movement along the length thereof so as to pull said helicopter toward said hangar area and permit said box beam member to slide along said bar catch, engaging the teeth of said box beam member with a pawl, to prevent further relative movement between said box beam member and said bar catch, when said center line is over said track, removing said cables from said side winches and pulling said helicopter to said hangar area with said shuttle.
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) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |