Patent US3908305A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3908305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Model aircraft propulsion
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-07
•
Granted: 1975-09-30
•
Expires: 1993-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A power pod is releasably coupled with a model aircraft, such as a model glider plane, to initially power the aircraft into flight and to thereafter separate from the aircraft under the influence of gravity. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, an adaptor element is affixed to the underside of the model aircraft fuselage, and the power pod itself is releasably coupled with the adaptor. The releasable coupling of the power pod with the adaptor is structured such that the power pod remains coupled with the adaptor to thereby power the model aircraft into flight as long as the power pod is providing a forward thrust. In one embodiment, the power pod separates from the adaptor when operation of the power pod ceases; in another embodiment, the power pod remains coupled with the adaptor after operation of the power pod ceases with the pod separating from the adaptor upon command of a remote control radio signal. Upon separation of the power pod from the adaptor, a parachute stored within the pod is deployed by means of a rip cord connected at one end to the model aircraft. The rip cord includes a replaceable, breakable link which breaks as the pod and the deployed parachute fall away from the model aircraft. The power pod includes an adjustable engine mounting plate for permitting the angle of thrust to be established at optimum inclination. The adaptor includes a layer of deformable, resilient material which permits the adaptor to mount without modification to different fuselage configurations. The parachute is attached to the power pod in such a way that the power pod lands in an orientation which minimizes any risk of damage to the pod upon impact with the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd A Schroeder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:47
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H27/00; A63H27/14; A63H27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft having a fuselage into flight comprising: propulsion means for providing forward thrust; and coupling means for releasably coupling said propulsion means with the model aircraft, said coupling means comprising means for causing said propulsion means to power the model aircraft into flight when said propulsion means is developing forward thrust and means responsive to a predetermined change in the forward thrust developed by said propulsion means for permitting said propulsion means to separate from the model aircraft by force of gravity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft having a fuselage into flight comprising: propulsion means for providing forward thrust; and coupling means for releasably coupling said propulsion means with the model aircraft, said coupling means comprising means for causing said propulsion means to power the model aircraft into flight when said propulsion means is developing forward thrust and means responsive to a predetermined change in the forward thrust developed by said propulsion means for permitting said propulsion means to separate from the model aircraft by force of gravity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling means is structured to releasably couple said propulsion means with the model aircraft at longitudinally spaced locations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 1 wherein said propulsion means is disposed beneath the fuselage of the model aircraft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 1 further including an adaptor means affixed to the model aircraft, said coupling means being structured to releasably couple said propulsion means with said adaptor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 4 further including deformable, resilient means disposed between said adaptor means and the model aircraft, said deformable, resilient means being deformably contained therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 5 wherein said coupling means is structured to releasably couple said propulsion means with said adaptor means at longitudinally spaced locations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 6 wherein said coupling means is structured to permit said propulsion means to move rearwardly and downwardly relative to said adaptor means when separating therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling means is structured to cause said propulsion means to separate from the model aircraft immediately upon termination of the forward thrust provided by said propulsion means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling means is structured to cause said propulsion means to separate from the model aircraft in response to a command signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 1 further including a pod element, said propulsion means being mounted on said pod element, said coupling means being structured to releasably couple said pod element with the model aircraft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 10 wherein said propulsion means comprises an engine and a propeller powered by said engine, said engine being mounted on said pod element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 11 wherein said pod element is disposed beneath the fuselage of the model aircraft and said engine and propeller are also disposed beneath the fuselage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 12 further including means for setting the direction of thrust developed by the engine and propeller to a desired angle over a range of angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the model aircraft fuselage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 12 wherein the direction of thrust of the engine and propeller is arranged to incline downwardly and forwardly at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft fuselage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 11 wherein said pod element has a hollow interior witH an opening therein and further including a parachute contained within the interior of said pod element for deployment via said opening upon separation of said pod element from the model aircraft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 15 further including deployment means for positively effecting deployment of said parachute upon separation of said pod element from the model aircraft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 16 wherein said deployment means comprises a rip cord having one end thereof connected with the parachute and the other end thereof connected with the model aircraft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 17 wherein said rip cord includes a replaceable, breakable link.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 10 including an opening at the rear of said pod element, a parachute contained within said pod element, retention means at least partially obstructing said opening to prevent deployment of said parachute, and release means for releasing said retention means so as to permit deployment of said parachute.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 19 wherein said release means includes a rip cord extending from the parachute through said opening to connect with the model aircraft, said rip cord being arranged to remove said retention means from obstructing said opening as said pod separates from the model aircraft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 20 wherein said retention means comprises a rubber band disposed around said pod element and at least partially obstructing said opening at the rear of said pod element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 21 wherein said rip cord includes a replaceable, breakable link.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
78 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 1 further including an adaptor element fixedly mounted beneath the fuselage of the model aircraft, a pod element, said coupling means being arranged to releasably couple said pod element with said adaptor element, said propulsion means being fixedly mounted on said pod element, and retention means for preventing said pod and the adaptor elements from separating irrespective of said predetermined change in forward thrust.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 23 further including release means for releasing said retention means at a desired time in the flight of the aircraft.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal center of gravity of said propulsion means is disposed longitudinally forwardly of the longitudinal center of gravity of the model aircraft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 25 including means for varying the angle between the direction of thrust of the propulsion means and the longitudinal axis of the model aircraft fuselage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 1 further including an adaptor mounted on the model aircraft fuselage and a pod on which said propulsion means mounts, said coupling means releasably coupling said pod with said adaptor, said pod having a snug fit with said adaptor when coupled therewith.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 1 further including a parachute deployable upon separation of said propulsion means from the model aircraft to carry said propulsion means to ground, said parachute connecting at approximately the center of gravity of said propulsion means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight comprising: propulsion means; adaptor means structured to conform at least approximately to the shape of a portion of the fuselage of the model aircraft and mounted securely thEreon; and releasable coupling means for releasably coupling said propulsion means with said adaptor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight comprising: propulsion means; adaptor means structured to conform at least approximately to the shape of a portion of the fuselage of the model aircraft and mounted securely thEreon; and releasable coupling means for releasably coupling said propulsion means with said adaptor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 29 including a deformable material disposed between said adaptor means and the fuselage of the model aircraft to permit the adaptor to conform to the shape of the fuselage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
A power pod for powering a model aircraft into flight as claimed in claim 29 wherein the fuselage of the model aircraft includes a tow hook thereon, said adaptor means including an opening therein within which said tow hook lodges.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
60 words
A propulsion source for a model aircraft comprising: a power pod releasably coupled with the model aircraft; a parachute contained within said pod for deployment upon separation of the pod from the model aircraft; and means for deploying the parachute comprising a rip cord connected between the parachute and the model aircraft, said rip cord including a replaceable, breakable link.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
60 words
A propulsion source for a model aircraft comprising: a power pod releasably coupled with the model aircraft; a parachute contained within said pod for deployment upon separation of the pod from the model aircraft; and means for deploying the parachute comprising a rip cord connected between the parachute and the model aircraft, said rip cord including a replaceable, breakable link.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1836319A
Cited
US2568475A
Cited
US3067973A
Cited
US3204368A
Cited
US3292302A
Cited
US3699420A
Cited
US3777420A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |