Convertible aircraft

• US 3,083,935 A
• Filed: 01/15/1962
• Issued: 04/02/1963
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1962
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frank N. Piasecki
• Original Assignee: Frank N. Piasecki
• Inventors: Piasecki, Frank N.
• Application Number:
  US04/166,290
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• US Class Current: 244/12.3
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 29/0025 the propellers being fixed relative to the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/38 Adjustment of complete wings or parts thereof

Claims

1. A CONVERTIBLE AIRCRAFT ADAPTED FOR HIGH SPEED FORWARD FLIGHT AND FOR VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING INCLUDING A FUSELAGE, MEANS FOR FORWARD PROPULSION OF THE AIRCRAFT, WING ASSEMBLIES EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FUSELAGE, EACH WING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MOVABLE AIRFOIL WING DESIGNED TO PROVIDE LIFT FOR THE AIRCRAFT DURING HIGH SPEED FORWARD FLIGHT AND A STATIONARY ROOT MEMBER FIXED TO THE FUSELAGE AND EXTENDING LATERALLY THEREFROM FOR SUPPORTING SAID AIRFOIL WING, SAID ROOT MEMBER HOUSING A HELICOPTER ROTOR UNIT THEREIN INCLUDING A ROTOR DUCT AND A HELICOPTER ROTOR ROTATABLE WITHIN SAID DUCT ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, MEANS SLIDABLY SUPPORTING SAID AIRFOIL WING IN SPANWISE RECIPROCATIVE MOVEMENT ON SAID ROOT MEMBER FROM A RETRACTED POSITION WHEREIN THE AIRFOIL WING ABUTS THE FUSELAGE TO AN EXTENDED POSITION WHEREIN SAID HELICOPTER ROTOR UNIT IS EXPOSED, SAID AIRFOIL WING HAVING MEANS COMPLETELY ENCASING SAID ROOT MEMBER WHEN SAID AIRFOIL WING IS IN RETRACTED POSITION, AND POWER MEANS FOR DRIVING THE ROTORS OF SAID HELICOPTER ROTOR UNITS TO PROVIDE THE LIFT FOR SUSTAINING THE AIRCRAFT WHEN SAID AIRFOIL WINGS OCCUPY SAID OUTWARD EXTENDED POSITIONS.