A FLYING MACHINE COMPRISING TWIN CONTRA-ROTATING VERTICAL AXIS PROPELLERS
First Claim
1. A flying machine comprising at least one motor above two vertical axis contra-rotating propellers the blades of which are arranged to generate lift on rotation of the propellers by the motor, the propellers sharing a common rotational axis, the machine being provided with a seat and handlebars both mounted on the machine above the propellers at positions radially inward of the outer periphery of the propellers and spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the machine, the handlebars being movably mounted on the chassis, footrests being provided adjacent the seat, the seat, handlebars and footrests being arranged such that a user of the machine sits substantially centrally on top of the propellers with their legs straddling the motor and the seat.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flying machine comprises a chassis on the underside of which is mounted two vertical axis contra-rotating propellers, which share a common rotational axis. The propellers are driven by two motors through a common drive mechanism, the motors being mounted on the chassis above the propellers and being longitudinally spaced apart along the chassis. Handlebars are movably mounted on the chassis between a seat and a nose piece. A user of the machine thus sits substantially centrally on top of the propellers with their legs straddling the motors and drive mechanism, the riding position thus being closely similar to that of a motorbike. Various collective and cyclic blade pitch control mechanisms are also disclosed. The handlebars and seat in some embodiments are replaced by a load carrying region.
32 Citations
86 Claims
- 1. A flying machine comprising at least one motor above two vertical axis contra-rotating propellers the blades of which are arranged to generate lift on rotation of the propellers by the motor, the propellers sharing a common rotational axis, the machine being provided with a seat and handlebars both mounted on the machine above the propellers at positions radially inward of the outer periphery of the propellers and spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the machine, the handlebars being movably mounted on the chassis, footrests being provided adjacent the seat, the seat, handlebars and footrests being arranged such that a user of the machine sits substantially centrally on top of the propellers with their legs straddling the motor and the seat.
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5-61. -61. (canceled)
- 62. A flying machine comprising at least one motor above two vertical axis contra-rotating propellers the blades of which are arranged to generate lift on rotation of the propellers by the motor, the propellers sharing a common rotational axis., a load carrying region being provided above the propellers, the propellers each being provided with a respective blade pitch control mechanism, the machine further comprising a controller, the blade pitch control mechanisms and controller being arranged such that the pitch of each of the blades of the propellers are independently controllable to determine the speed, altitude, attitude and roll of the machine.
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63. (canceled)
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67. (canceled)
- 68. A flying machine comprising at least one motor above two vertical axis contra-rotating propellers the blades of which are arranged to generate lift on rotation of the propellers by the motor, the propellers sharing a common rotational axis, a load carrying container being mounted above the propellers.
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71-75. -75. (canceled)
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76. A flying machine comprising at least one motor above two vertical axis contra-rotating propellers the blades of which are arranged to generate lift on rotation of the propellers by the motor, the propellers sharing a common rotational axis, a load carrying region being provided above the propellers, a controller being provided comprising a plurality of gyros arranged to generate signals indicative of the attitude of the machine, the controller being operative to process the signals and to subsequently control the machine to maintain the machine in a predetermined attitude.
- 79. A flying machine comprising at least one motor above two vertical axis contra-rotating propellers the blades of which are arranged to generate lift on rotation of the propellers by the motor, the propellers sharing a common rotational axis, a load carrying region being provided above the propellers, a circular skirt surrounding the periphery of the propellers, the circular skirt comprising a plurality of vertical spaced rings held in spaced apart position by a plurality of vertical spacer struts so as to define at least one air inlet between the rings operative to provide air to the propellers in use.
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85. A flying machine comprising at least one motor above two vertical axis contra-rotating propellers the blades of which are arranged to generate lift on rotation of the propellers by the motor, the propellers sharing a common rotational axis, the machine being provided with a seat mounted on the machine above the propellers at a position radially inward of the outer periphery of the propellers, the machine further comprising a parachute mechanism stowed on the machine.
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86. A flying machine comprising at least one motor above two vertical axis contra-rotating propellers the blades of which are arranged to generate lift on rotation of the propellers by the motor, the propellers sharing a common rotational axis, the machine being provided with a seat mounted on the machine above the propellers at a position radially inward of the outer periphery of the propellers such that the seat is positioned substantially centrally on top of the rotational axis of the propellers.
Specification