Pilotless glider construction

• US 3,920,201 A
• Filed: 09/09/1974
• Issued: 11/18/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Willis R. Battles
• Original Assignee: Willis R. Battles
• Inventors: Battles, Willis R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kelmachter, Barry L.
• Application Number:
  US05/504,330
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 244/153R,155R,155A,16,DIG.1 46/79 285/423
• US Class Current: 244/16
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 31/032 having delta shaped wing

Abstract

A delta wing type of pilotless glider wherein a weight is supported a spaced distance below the delta wing and is mounted so as to be movable transversely and longitudinally with respect to the wing in order to vary the flight of the glider according to the type of conditions encountered. The wing structure of the glider also includes a longitudinal center keel spar which is to be bowed in a upward direction which aerodynamically substantially improves the flight of the glider.

Claims

1. A pilotless glider comprising:

a wing structure;

a control bar attached to the underside of said wing structure;

a weight connected to a supporting wire, said supporting wire being attached to said wing structure and connected by connecting means to said control bar, said connecting means permitting transverse adjustment of said weight in respect to said control bar, said weight located a spaced distance beneath said wing structure, said weight movably mounted upon said supporting wire;

said control bar being trianqularly shaped with the base of the trianqularly shaped control bar being positioned substantially crossways to the line of flight of the glider; and

said base of said triangularly shaped control bar including a bowed section, said connecting means being movable along said bowed section, whereby said weight is movable both transversely and longitudinally with respect to said wing as said connecting means is moved upon said bowed section.

2. The pilotless glider as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said control bar located substantially at the center of gravity of said wing, said weight being positioned substantially through a vertical line passing through the center of gravity of said wing.

3. The pilotless glider as defined in claim 2 wherein:

the adjustment of said weight upon said supporting wire being substantially longitudinally with respect to said wing.

4. The pilotless glider as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said connecting means comprises a section of rubber tubing, said rubber tubing frictionally engaging said control bar.

5. The pilotless glider as defined in claim 4 wherein:

the plane of the adjustment of said weight being substantially parallel to the plane of said wing.

6. The pilotless glider as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said wing structure includes a keel spar extending longitudinally through the center of said wing, said keel spar being constructed as a substantially rigid rod, a center post connected to said keel spar and extending substantially perpendicular therefrom above said wing;

a longitudinal guy wire assembly connected to said center post, said longitudinal guy wire assembly connected through attaching means to the fore and aft end of said keel spar, said attaching means including structure to vary the tension of said longitudinal guy wire assembly, whereby said keel spar may be caused to assume a slightly upward bow by adjusting of the tension of said guy wire assembly to thereby facilitate of said glider through the air.

7. The pilotless glider as defined in claim 6 wherein:

said longitudinal guy wire assembly including guy wires extending beneath said wiNg and interconnecting the fore and aft end of said keel spar to said control bar.

8. The pilotless glider as defined in claim 7 including:

said wing structure including a cross boom, said cross boom located substantially transversely across said wing through the approximate center of gravity of said wing, an upper transverse guy wire assembly interconnecting said center post and the fore and aft ends of said cross boom, a lower transverse guy wire assembly interconnecting the fore and aft ends of said cross boom and said control bar, the connections between said upper and lower transverse guy wire assembly to said cross boom being established through rubber resilient expandible means.