Device to support rudders and trailing edge flaps of aircraft and watercraft

Claim 1

A supporting device for first and second articulated elements having external surfaces thereon, between which elements a gap is formed and between the external surfaces of which a cover for the gap tangentially extends, the first and second elements being movable between an undeflected zero position relative to each other and deflected positions relative to each other, the supporting device comprising a multi-bar arc extending between the first and second elements, said multi-bar arc being disposed entirely internally of the cover and the external surfaces of the first and second elements, said multi-bar arc including: (a) first, second, third and fourth levers; (b) first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh bearing points on said levers, said first bearing point providing a connection between said first lever and the first element, said second bearing point providing a connection between said first and third levers, said third bearing point providing a connection between said second lever and said first element, said fourth bearing point providing a connection between said second lever and said fourth lever, said fifth bearing point providing a connection between said second and third levers, said sixth bearing point providing a connection between said fourth lever and the second element and said seventh bearing point providing a connection between said third lever and the second element; (c) said first and second bearing points defining a straight line, said third and fifth bearing points defining another straight line and said seventh bearing point and a point at the center of the cover defining yet another straight line; and (d) said straight lines, when the first and second elements are in the undeflected zero position, each intersect at a common point whereby, as the elements move relatively into deflected positions, the cover maintains a constant length and approximately a constant curvature over such length.