Recreational flying vehicle

Claim 2

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; further including fishpole suspension means for reducing the apparent wing loading on the flying vehicle at low speeds comprising a resilient glass and carbon fiber pole having a base attached to a bow of the surface vehicle and a tip attached to the flying vehicle so that when the flying vehicle is close to the surface vehicle the bending forces in the flexible pole produces a lifting force on the flying vehicle, thereby reducing the apparent wing loading.

Claim 3

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps.

Claim 4

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps.

Claim 5

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom end pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; wherein the first, second, and third horizontal axes are parallel.

Claim 6

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom end pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; wherein the first, second, and third horizontal axes are parallel.

Claim 7

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; further including a mounting platform attached to the surface vehicle through a pivot and a suspension assembly, the first and second front support arms being attached to the platform.

Claim 8

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; further including a mounting platform attached to the surface vehicle through a pivot and a suspension assembly, the first and second front support arms being attached to the platform.

Claim 9

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; wherein the first and second front support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position, and wherein the first and second rear support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position.

Claim 10

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; wherein the first and second front support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position, and wherein the first and second rear support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position.

Claim 11

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; wherein the arms and the first, second and third horizontal axes satisfy one of the following relationships: (a) H(R)>H(F), D(F to R)=D(Fi to Ri), and L(R)<L(F); (b) H(R)=H(F), D(F to R)<D(Fi to Ri), and L(R)>L(F); (c) H(R)>H(F); D(F to R)<D(Fi to R), and L(R)=L(F); wherein H(F) and H(R) are respective distances of the first and third horizontal axes above a horizontal reference plane through the surface vehicle, D(F to R) and D(Fi to Ri) are respective distances between the first and third horizontal axes and between the second and fourth horizontal axes, and L(F) is the length of the first and second front arms and L(R) is the length of the first and second rear arms measured between axes, such that an angle, with respect to the surface vehicle, of the flying vehicle about the pitch axis only varies with an altitude of the flying vehicle with respect to the surface vehicle, and the angle decreases as the altitude increases.

Claim 12

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having drive means for propulsion along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the surface vehicle for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the surface vehicle aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; wherein the arms and the first, second and third horizontal axes satisfy one of the following relationships: (a) H(R)>H(F), D(F to R)=D(Fi to Ri), and L(R)<L(F); (b) H(R)=H(F), D(F to R)<D(Fi to Ri), and L(R)>L(F); (c) H(R)>H(F); D(F to R)<D(Fi to R), and L(R)=L(F); wherein H(F) and H(R) are respective distances of the first and third horizontal axes above a horizontal reference plane through the surface vehicle, D(F to R) and D(Fi to Ri) are respective distances between the first and third horizontal axes and between the second and fourth horizontal axes, and L(F) is the length of the first and second front arms and L(R) is the length of the first and second rear arms measured between axes, such that an angle, with respect to the surface vehicle, of the flying vehicle about the pitch axis only varies with an altitude of the flying vehicle with respect to the surface vehicle, and the angle decreases as the altitude increases.

Claim 13

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having a bow and having drive means for propelling the surface vehicle along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attach of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising a mounting platform pivotally mounted to a suspension assembly attached to the bow of the surface vehicle; first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the platform for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the platform aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; an elongated lever arm attached to the platform extending aft of the platform; and an airfoil stabilizer attached to the lever arm aft of the platform.

Claim 14

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having a bow and having drive means for propelling the surface vehicle along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for automatically and simultaneously adjustably limiting an angle of attach of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising a mounting platform pivotally mounted to a suspension assembly attached to the bow of the surface vehicle; first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the platform for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the platform aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; an elongated lever arm attached to the platform extending aft of the platform; and an airfoil stabilizer attached to the lever arm aft of the platform.

Claim 15

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having a bow and having drive means for propelling the surface vehicle along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for automatically and simultaneously coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising a mounting platform pivotally mounted to a suspension assembly attached to the bow of the surface vehicle; first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the platform for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the platform aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; an elongated lever arm attached to the platform extending aft of the platform; and an airfoil stabilizer attached to the lever arm aft of the platform; wherein the first, second, and third horizontal axes are parallel.

Claim 16

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having a bow and having drive means for propelling the surface vehicle along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for automatically and simultaneously coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising a mounting platform pivotally mounted to a suspension assembly attached to the bow of the surface vehicle; first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the platform for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the platform aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; an elongated lever arm attached to the platform extending aft of the platform; and an airfoil stabilizer attached to the lever arm aft of the platform; wherein the first, second, and third horizontal axes are parallel.

Claim 17

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having a bow and having drive means for propelling the surface vehicle along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for automatically and simultaneously coupling the flying vehicle to the surface of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising a mounting platform pivotally mounted to a suspension assembly attached to the bow of the surface vehicle; first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the platform for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the platform aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; an elongated lever arm attached to the platform extending aft of the platform; and an airfoil stabilizer attached to the lever arm aft of the platform; wherein the first and second front support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position, and wherein the first and second rear support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position.

Claim 18

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having a bow and having drive means for propelling the surface vehicle along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for automatically and simultaneously coupling the flying vehicle to the surface of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising a mounting platform pivotally mounted to a suspension assembly attached to the bow of the surface vehicle; first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the platform for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the platform aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; an elongated lever arm attached to the platform extending aft of the platform; and an airfoil stabilizer attached to the lever arm aft of the platform; wherein the first and second front support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position, and wherein the first and second rear support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position.

Claim 19

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having a bow and having drive means for propelling the surface vehicle along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for automatically and simultaneously coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising a mounting platform pivotally mounted to a suspension assembly attached to the bow of the surface vehicle; first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the platform for pivoting on a front horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the platform aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; an elongated lever arm attached to the platform extending aft of the platform; and an airfoil stabilizer attached to the lever arm aft of the platform; wherein the first, second, and third horizontal axes are parallel; and wherein the first and second front support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position, and wherein the first and second rear support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position.

Claim 20

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having a bow and having drive means for propelling the surface vehicle along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for automatically and simultaneously coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising a mounting platform pivotally mounted to a suspension assembly attached to the bow of the surface vehicle; first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the platform for pivoting on a front horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the platform aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; an elongated lever arm attached to the platform extending aft of the platform; and an airfoil stabilizer attached to the lever arm aft of the platform; wherein the first, second, and third horizontal axes are parallel; and wherein the first and second front support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position, and wherein the first and second rear support arms are nonparallel to each other when in a vertical position.

Claim 21

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having a bow and having drive means for propelling the surface vehicle along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for automatically and simultaneously coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising a mounting platform pivotally mounted to a suspension assembly attached to the bow of the surface vehicle; first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the platform for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the platform aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; an elongated lever arm attached to the platform extending aft of the platform; and an airfoil stabilizer attached to the lever arm aft of the platform; and wherein the arms and the first, second and third horizontal axes satisfy one of the following relationships: (a) H(R)<H(F), D(F to R)=D(Fi to Ri), and L(R)<L(F); (b) H(R)=H(F), D(F to R)<D(Fi to Ri), and L(R)>L(F); (c) H(R)>H(F), D(F to R)<D(Fi to Ri), and L(R)=L(F); wherein H(F) and H(R) are respective distances of the first and third horizontal axes above a horizontal reference plane through the surface vehicle, D(F to R) and D(Fi to Ri) are respective distances between the first and third horizontal axes and between the second and fourth horizontal axes, and L(F) is the length of the first and second front arms and L(R) is the length of the first and second rear arms measured between axes, such that an angle, with respect to the surface vehicle, of the flying vehicle about the pitch axis only varies with an altitude of the flying vehicle with respect to the surface vehicle, and the angle decreases as the altitude increases.

Claim 22

A recreational vehicle comprising: a surface vehicle having a bow and having drive means for propelling the surface vehicle along a generally flat surface; a flying vehicle including a wing having plural flaps; and linkage means for automatically and simultaneously coupling the flying vehicle to the surface vehicle and for adjustably limiting an angle of attack of the wing and an angle of flap deflection, the linkage means comprising a mounting platform pivotally mounted to a suspension assembly attached to the bow of the surface vehicle; first and second front support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted on the platform for pivoting on a first horizontal axis, each front support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a second horizontal axis; first and second rear support arms each having bottom ends pivotally mounted to the platform aft of the first and second front support arms for pivoting on a third horizontal axis, each rear support arm having a top end pivotally mounted on the flying vehicle for pivoting on a fourth horizontal axis; first and second linkage arms each having a bottom linkage arm end affixed to one of the first and second rear support arms at a point below the flying vehicle, the linkage arms and the support arms intersecting at a fixed acute angle, each linkage arm further having a top linkage arm end pivotally mounted to one of the flaps; an elongated lever arm attached to the platform extending aft of the platform; and an airfoil stabilizer attached to the lever arm aft of the platform; and wherein the arms and the first, second and third horizontal axes satisfy one of the following relationships: (a) H(R)<H(F), D(F to R)=D(Fi to Ri), and L(R)<L(F); (b) H(R)=H(F), D(F to R)<D(Fi to Ri), and L(R)>L(F); (c) H(R)>H(F), D(F to R)<D(Fi to Ri), and L(R)=L(F); wherein H(F) and H(R) are respective distances of the first and third horizontal axes above a horizontal reference plane through the surface vehicle, D(F to R) and D(Fi to Ri) are respective distances between the first and third horizontal axes and between the second and fourth horizontal axes, and L(F) is the length of the first and second front arms and L(R) is the length of the first and second rear arms measured between axes, such that an angle, with respect to the surface vehicle, of the flying vehicle about the pitch axis only varies with an altitude of the flying vehicle with respect to the surface vehicle, and the angle decreases as the altitude increases.