Patent US3987984A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3987984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Semi-rigid aircraft wing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-09
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Granted: 1976-10-26
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Expires: 1993-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A semi-rigid aircraft wing is provided of the type having a rigid spar forming the leading edge, a flexible cable forming the trailing edge, and a fabric covering forming upper and lower surfaces. An inflatable air bag is placed within the wing extending from end to end of the wing adjacent the rigid spar to engage at least one of the wing surfaces when inflated to control the airfoil configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert George Fischer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:58
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C3/00; B64C3/38; B64C3/44; B64C3/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In an aircraft having a fuselage and wings attached thereto, each of said wings comprising a rigid spar forming the leading edge of the wing, a flexible cable forming the trailing edge of the wing, flexible covering means extending between said spar and said cable and forming upper and lower wing surfaces, and an inflatable air bag disposed within the wing between said surfaces, said air bag extending longitudinally of the wing from end to end thereof and being adapted to engage at least one of the surfaces when inflated to cause the wing to assume a desired airfoil configuration, the air bag being disposed adjacent said rigid spar and extending across the wing not more than half the chordwise width of the wing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In an aircraft having a fuselage and wings attached thereto, each of said wings comprising a rigid spar forming the leading edge of the wing, a flexible cable forming the trailing edge of the wing, flexible covering means extending between said spar and said cable and forming upper and lower wing surfaces, and an inflatable air bag disposed within the wing between said surfaces, said air bag extending longitudinally of the wing from end to end thereof and being adapted to engage at least one of the surfaces when inflated to cause the wing to assume a desired airfoil configuration, the air bag being disposed adjacent said rigid spar and extending across the wing not more than half the chordwise width of the wing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination defined in claim 1 in which the air bag encloses said spar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination defined in claim 1 in which the air bag is attached to the upper surface of said spar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination defined in claim 3 in which the air bag is also attached to the lower wing surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 3 in which the air bags of the separate wings are adapted to be inflated to different pressures to control movement of the aircraft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination of claim 3 in which the wing has a stall-preventing slat mounted thereon, said slat having a retracted position when the air bag is less than fully inflated and being movable away from the wing to an extended position when the air bag is fully inflated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 6 including spring means biasing said slat to the retracted position, and means for limiting movement of the slat to the extended position.
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) | 1979-10-26 | 1980-04-26 | 1980-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-26 | 1984-04-26 | 1984-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-04-26 | 1988-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |