Apparatus for visualizing and determining holding pattern and entry

• US 20070040011A1
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jana Martincikova, Jan Martincik
• Original Assignee: Jana Martincikova, Jan Martincik
• Inventors: Martincikova, Jana, Martincik, Jan
• Granted Patent: US 7,370,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/61.NV
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

A holding pattern aid apparatus to enable a pilot in instrument conditions to instantly visualize a holding pattern and determine an appropriate entry procedure, is disclosed. The aid is configured to attach to a kneeboard while permitting the pilot to flip the display from right to left holding pattern with one hand or even the flick of a finger. The apparatus also indicates the appropriate teardrop outbound course and parallel intercept course, as well as providing instant reciprocal headings and a DME Arc aid. A lanyard attach point enables the pilot to quickly find the holding pattern aid when loose and prevents the aid from becoming lost in the cockpit should it become detached form the kneeboard.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining and visualizing a holding pattern and a holding entry, the apparatus comprising:

a base having top edge and adapted to be secured to a kneeboard;

a disk having an first surface and a second surface distal the first surface, the disk imprinted on the disk first and second surfaces with degree indicia relative a center and including an indicia representing North;

a first disk overlay,

the first disk overlay being substantially transparent and imprinted with indicia including a right holding pattern, a holding fix, a holding radial, a teardrop initial heading, a teardrop entry path, a parallel entry path, a parallel final intercept course, a teardrop entry region, a parallel entry region, and a direct entry region,

the disk overlay rotatably affixed to the disk first surface at about the center of the disk,

the disk overlay adapted for easy rotation by one hand, about the holding fix indicia, wherein the disk overlay may be rotated to align the holding radial with a predetermined degree on the disk;

a second disk overlay,

the second disk overlay being substantially transparent and imprinted with indicia including a left holding pattern, a holding fix, a holding radial, a teardrop initial heading, a teardrop entry path, a parallel entry path, a parallel final intercept course, a teardrop entry region, a parallel entry region, and a direct entry region,

the second disk overlay rotatably affixed to the disk second surface at about the center of the disk, and distal the first disk overlay,

the disk overlay being rotatable about the holding fix, wherein the disk overlay may be rotated to align the holding radial with a predetermined degree on the disk second surface; and

two connecting brackets, the connecting brackets pivotally attached at one end to the base, and pivotally attached at another end to the disk, the axis of pivot of the disk about the connecting bracket being offset from the center of the disk,

wherein the disk may be easily pivoted by one hand, to dispose the disk first surface distal the base and wherein the disk may be easily pivoted by one hand to dispose the disk second surface distal the base, wherein the degree indicia is disposed on the disk first surface with North proximate the top edge of the base when the disk first surface is distal the base and the degree indicia is disposed on the disk second surface with North proximate the top edge of the base when the disk second surface is distal the base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the base includes a right indicia, the right indicia disposed to be visible when the disk is pivoted to dispose the disk first surface distal the base and covered by the disk when the disk is pivoted to dispose the disk second surface distal the base.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the base includes a left indicia, the left indicia disposed to be visible when the disk is pivoted to dispose the disk second surface distal the base and covered by the disk when the disk is pivoted to dispose the disk first surface distal the base.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the parallel entry region of the first and second disk overlay is tinted with a unique color whereby the parallel entry region is quickly and easily recognized.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the direct entry region of the first and second disk overlay is tinted with a unique color whereby the direct entry region is quickly and easily recognized.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the teardrop entry region of the first and second disk overlay is tinted with a unique color whereby the teardrop entry region is quickly and easily recognized.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

indicia representing the right holding pattern, the holding fix, the holding radial, the teardrop initial heading, the teardrop entry path, the parallel entry path, and the parallel final intercept course are color coded for quickly and easy recognition.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the indicia representing the left holding pattern, the holding fix, the holding radial, the teardrop initial heading, the teardrop entry path, the parallel entry path, and the parallel final intercept course are color coded for quickly and easy recognition.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the connecting brackets are pivotally attached to the base by fastening means.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the connecting brackets are pivotally attached to the disk by fastening means.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the base includes an aperture adapted to accept a lanyard for securing the apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the connecting brackets are pivotally attached to the base and the disk by fastening means.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the connecting brackets are pivotally attached to the base and the disk by fastening means.

14. An apparatus for determining and visualizing a holding pattern, the apparatus comprising:

a base adapted to be secured to a surface, permitting operation of the apparatus by one hand;

a disk having a first surface and a second surface distal the first surface, a compass rose imprinted on the disk first and disk second surface;

one or more disk overlays,

the one or more disk overlays overlay being substantially transparent and imprinted with indicia representing a holding pattern including a holding fix,

the one or more disk overlays rotatably affixed to the disk surface at about the center of the compass rose,

the one or more disk overlays adapted for easy rotation by one hand, about the holding fix indicia; and

one or more connecting brackets, the one or more connecting brackets pivotally attached at one end to the base, and pivotally attached at another end to the disk, the axis of pivot of the disk about the connecting bracket being offset from the center of the disk,

wherein the disk may be easily pivoted by one hand.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

the connecting brackets are pivotally attached to the base and the disk by fastening means.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, further including an aperture adapted to accept a lanyard for securing the apparatus.

17. An apparatus for determining and visualizing a holding pattern, the apparatus comprising:

a base adapted to be secured to a surface, permitting operation of the apparatus by one hand;

a disk having a first surface and a second surface distal the first surface, a compass rose imprinted on the disk first surface and a compass rose imprinted on the disk second surface;

one or more disk overlays,

the one or more disk overlays overlay being substantially transparent and imprinted with indicia representing a holding pattern including a holding fix,

the one or more disk overlays rotatably affixed to the disk surface at about the center of the compass rose,

the one or more disk overlays adapted for easy rotation by one hand; and

one or more connecting brackets, the one or more connecting brackets pivotally attached at one end to the base, and pivotally attached at another end to the disk,

wherein the disk may be easily pivoted by one hand.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further including indicia representing a holding radial, a teardrop initial heading, a teardrop entry path, a parallel entry path, a parallel final intercept course, a teardrop entry region, a parallel entry region, and a direct entry region.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

the indicia representing the left holding pattern, the holding fix, the holding radial, the teardrop initial heading, the teardrop entry path, the parallel entry path, and the parallel final intercept course are color coded for quickly and easy recognition.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

the connecting brackets are pivotally attached to the base and the disk by fastening means.