US4248394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote control hang glider towing aircraft
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-03-05
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Granted: 1981-02-03
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Expires: 1999-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A remotely controlled powered aircraft equipped with engine, propeller and landing gear, radio-controlled from the ground and capable of towing a manned hang glider to an appropriate altitude. On reaching altitude, the pilot of the hang glider releases the tow, and the pilotless towing aircraft is returned to the launching site under radio control from the ground. During towing of the hang glider, two-way communication is maintained between the hang glider pilot and the towing aircraft remote pilot.
Inventors
- 👤 Marlin K. Klumpp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:13
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A pilotless powered aircraft for towing a piloted motorless aircraft by means of a towline, said pilotless powered aircraft comprising a lifting surface, a yaw control surface and a pitch control surface, a thrust-providing power unit attached to said lifting surface, and a radio control receiver for operating said thrust-providing power unit, said yaw control surface and said pitch control surface as a function of command signals remotely transmitted from the ground by means of a radio transmitter, and means under the control of the pilot of said piloted motorless aircraft for releasing said towline, wherein the range of minimum to maximum flying speed of one of said aircraft overlaps substantially the range of minimum to maximum flying speed of the other of said aircraft, wherein said towline is stressed to break as a result of a pulling force exerted thereon in the range of about 1.5 to 3 times the maximum thrust exerted by said thrust-providing power unit, and wherein said piloted motorless aircraft is a hang glider and the lifting surface of said pilotless powered aircraft is a hang glider.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A pilotless powered aircraft for towing a piloted motorless aircraft by means of a towline, said pilotless powered aircraft comprising a lifting surface, a yaw control surface and a pitch control surface, a thrust-providing power unit attached to said lifting surface, and a radio control receiver for operating said thrust-providing power unit, said yaw control surface and said pitch control surface as a function of command signals remotely transmitted from the ground by means of a radio transmitter, and means under the control of the pilot of said piloted motorless aircraft for releasing said towline, wherein the range of minimum to maximum flying speed of one of said aircraft overlaps substantially the range of minimum to maximum flying speed of the other of said aircraft, wherein said towline is stressed to break as a result of a pulling force exerted thereon in the range of about 1.5 to 3 times the maximum thrust exerted by said thrust-providing power unit, and wherein said piloted motorless aircraft is a hang glider and the lifting surface of said pilotless powered aircraft is a hang glider.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said pilotless powered aircraft is provided with a tricycle landing gear undercarriage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said thrust-providing power unit is a gasoline engine driving a pair of contra-rotating pusher propellers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 1 further comprising power winch means mounted on said pilotless powered aircraft for winding up said towline after release of said motorless aircraft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 4 further comprising servo control means controllable by said radio receiver upon receiving an appropriate command signal for starting the operation of said power winch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said winch means is powered by a spring windup motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the minimum flying speed of both said aircraft is comprised between about 15 and 25 mph.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said towline is attached to said pilotless powered aircraft at the center of gravity of said pilotless powered aircraft.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of towing a piloted motorless aircraft by means of a powered aircraft provided with a thrust-providing power unit, said method comprising connecting said powered aircraft to said piloted motorless aircraft by means of a releasable towline, towing said piloted motorless aircraft to altitude by said powered aircraft, controlling said powered aircraft from the ground by means of a remote radio-controlled link, and releasing said towline from said piloted motorless aircraft when reaching an appropriate altitude, said releasing of said towline being effected by the pilot of said piloted motorless aircraft, wherein the range of minimum to maximum flying speed of one of said aircraft overlaps the range of minimum to maximum flying speed of the other of said aircraft and said towline is arranged to break upon a pull exerted thereon which is about 1.5 to 3 times the pull exerted by said powered aircraft power unit and wherein said piloted motorless aircraft is a hang glider and said powered aircraft has a hang glider lifting surface equipped with said thrust-providing power unit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of towing a piloted motorless aircraft by means of a powered aircraft provided with a thrust-providing power unit, said method comprising connecting said powered aircraft to said piloted motorless aircraft by means of a releasable towline, towing said piloted motorless aircraft to altitude by said powered aircraft, controlling said powered aircraft from the ground by means of a remote radio-controlled link, and releasing said towline from said piloted motorless aircraft when reaching an appropriate altitude, said releasing of said towline being effected by the pilot of said piloted motorless aircraft, wherein the range of minimum to maximum flying speed of one of said aircraft overlaps the range of minimum to maximum flying speed of the other of said aircraft and said towline is arranged to break upon a pull exerted thereon which is about 1.5 to 3 times the pull exerted by said powered aircraft power unit and wherein said piloted motorless aircraft is a hang glider and said powered aircraft has a hang glider lifting surface equipped with said thrust-providing power unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the minimum flying speed of both said aircraft is comprised between about 15 and 25 mph.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising retracting said towline after release of said towline.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said thrust-providing power unit is a gasoline engine driving a pair of contra-rotating pusher propellers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said towline is attached to said pilotless powered aircraft at the center of gravity of said pilotless powered aircraft.
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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) | 1984-02-03 | 1984-08-04 | 1985-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-03 | 1988-08-04 | 1989-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-03 | 1992-08-04 | 1993-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |