l funn!- F. E. SKRBAGK. FLYING MAcHlNE.

APPLICATION FILED FEILZG. 192i. 1,434,922..

y INVENTOR.

MLw)

l244. AtHUNAU lua F. E. SKROBACK.

FLYING MAcmNs.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26. 192|.

Patented Nov. 7, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

R. m n m Zi/i4. AERONAUTlcs Patented Nov. 7, 1922.

Ui (1l LDI l E UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK E. SKROBACK, 0F SYRAGUSE, NEW YORK.

FLYING MACHINE.

Application led February 26, 1921. Serial To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. Srinonnoii, a citizen of the United States, residing at 118 Lincoln Ave., Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented a new Improved Flying Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to tandem multiplane {iying machines.

The objects are to provide the operator with a sensitive control of the angle of incidence of the supporting surfaces under all conditions of travel in a manner that will add greater comfort and efficiency to aerial transportation.

Figure l is a 'Iside elevation land dia.- grammatical view of the controlling'and equalizing system.

Figure 2 is a partial plan justing feature.

Figure 3 is a dynamic brake.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the machine and shows the flexible engine body or nacelle.

Figure 5 is a front view of the machine showing {iexible engine nacelle.

Similar numerals and letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views; letters and numerals with the letter A annexed refer to a similar construction toward the rear of the machine.

The front and rear groups are marked plainly on the drawing and dotted radius lines are so placed as to illustrate the hereinafter described movements and operations.

This flying machine comprises generally, a frame, fore and aft planes, each mounted to pivot about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof as the front edge, equalizing or differential means between the fore and aft plane for transmitting and reversing the pivotal movement of the fore to the aft plane, and vice versa, one member of the equalizing means between the fore and aft planes for members to shift the angle of the planes a like'amount in the same direction, and another member of the equalizing means being shiftable to vary the angles of the planes relatively to each other, that is, so that one set of planes will be shifted to a different angle than the other set. Each of the shiftable members is provided with a suitable operating member. One of these members is a lever and the other a crank.

view of the adfragmentary view of the In other words, each fore and aft plane (or group or planes) is connected to a tilting or leverage beam, each fore and aft tilting beam is so connecte-d together as to tilt one against the other forming an automatic equalizer of pressure. One member of the connecting means is manually adjustable to vary the angle of tilt of the fore and aft planes simultaneously in the same direction. Another member of the equalizer connecting the front tilting beam to the front planes, has a shiftable bearing connection to the tilting beam to differentiate the angle of tilt between the fore and aft planes, so that the front planes can be shifted to a greater angle of tilt than the rear planes and vice versa, in a manner that does not interfere with the function of the automatic equalizer means. The above described member may be termed a differentializer.

Each fore and aft group of planes is equipped with a land carriage, their centers of bearing on 'the planes being so placed that they will partake of the automatic equalizing means attached to the planes, also the manually adjustable and shiftable operations heretofore described, and may be arranged as an independently working unit on the frame or body.

The equalizing means comprises an equa izing lever or main leverage beam pivoted to the frame and as here shown, as connected to the fore planes, a second or rear leverage beam pivoted to the frame and connected to the rear or aft planes, and means for transferring the movement of the equalizing lever to the rear leverage beam as cables running over suitably located pulleys and connecting the ends of the leverage beams. The connection between the equalizing lever and the fore planes constitute the member operating to shift the fore and aft planes to change the angle thereof in the same direction, this member being a lever extending transversely of the equalizing lever and connected at its upper end to a wing post and fulcrumed between its ends by a sliding or shiftable pivot to the equalizing lever and connected at its lower end to an operating lever. By shifting this operating lever, the inclination of the fore and aft planes is changed and as its fulcrum point shifts the leverage thereof on the equalizing lever is also changed, thus varying the movement and the force required to eiect the movement to the rear leverage beam and rear plane. The member for changing the incline of the fore planes relatively to the aft planes, that is, giving one set of planes a greater incline from the starting point than the other as here shown, consists of a. lever as a pulley on which the ends of opposite lengths of cable wind in opposite directions. The other ends of the lengths or rims of cables is connected to the rear leverage beam.

The pulley7 is normally held from rotation and is operated by means of a crank as hereinafter described.

In operation, the pivotal movement of one set of planes is transferred to the other by the equalizing means, that is, if the front planes are moved upwardly on their pivots, the rear planes will be moved downwardly.

By shifting the lever pivoted to the equalizing beam by a shifting ulcrum, that is, the lever 3, the rear edges of the front planes will be elevated and the motion the-reof transferred to the rear planes to elevate the same in accordance with or in proportion to the position of the pivot 6 of the lever 3 lengthwise of the equalizing lever 8.

After the machine has been loaded, and it is found that the weight has not been properly distributed the machine can be balanced in accordance with the loa-d thereof by shifting the lever 3.

The land carriages are cari'ied by the tilting planes and partake of the pivotal movement thereof, hence, their position for proper landing is automatically determined by the shifting of the planes.

The front group Figure 1 referred to consists of Supporting planes 34 and 36 pivotally connected near their fore and aft edges at A and C to wing posts P and 5 of which P is rigidly fixed to the body B, and 5 is pivotally connected to the said planes at C in a manner that will allow a vertical movement of the rear edges of the planes attached thereto. The wing post 5 has a flexible or pivotal connection at 4 to connecting lever 3 which has connection intermediate its ends through sliding pivot 6 and slot 7 (described later) to leverage or equalizing beam 8 at a point intermediate its ends. One end of the equalizing beam 8 is connected to body B at 9 as an axis and the movable end to cable 26 which connects to everage beam 8A of the rear group in such a manner that will cause a reverse move` ment to that of beam 8. At 29 is a shoclr absorber connecting the ends of cable 26. Each group is provided with land wheels 1V and WA in such a manner that their vertical pressure bearing will be intermediate the points A and C of the front and AA and CA of the rear group. The operation and construction of the rear group is identical with that of the front with the exception that the connecting member 3A which con nects 5A to leverage beam 8A has fixed or non-adjustable pivotal connection at 4A and 6A.

The objects of the invention are as set forth in paragraphs designated (a), (7)), 0 ce, (e.

Object (a) is to neutralize automatically any shocks or excess pressure between the front and rear groups encountered during travel in a manner that will maintain the machine on a level keel.

For illustration: 1f the machine encounters a high spot in the road or a sudden upshot of air which naturally strikes the front group first, an excess pressure is brought to bear on the under side of planes 34 and 36 and as their rear edges are vertically mov` able on pivots A as an axis, the pivotal movement of the front group of planes will be transferred through aforedescribed connections and cause the movable end of leverage beam 8 to move upward. Said action is then transmitted through cable 26 and shock absorber 29 and counteracted by leverage beam 8A which is caused to move in an opposite direction, thus neutralizing the excess pressure between the groups.

Object is to provide means for maintaining the body of the machine on a level keel under all flying conditions, whether ascending or descending or while the machine is on the ground beingloaded. The center of gravity is intermediate the front and rear groups.

For illustration: Should the weight of passengers or cargo become shifted or unequally distributed in the body B, so as to cause a greater weight to be carried by the front planes, it will be necessary in order to level the machine to increase the angle of incidence of the planes on the front group 34 and 36 Fig. 1, in relation to those of the rear group, in proportion to lift the greater weight to level. This is done by moving lever l back toward the operators seat, 39. Said lever has its axis on pivot B and its lower end is connected pivotally at E to connecting member 2 through pivot S to connecting lever 3 which is pivotally con.-

iiected at its axis point 4 to wing post 5. The lever 3 is pivotally connected by sliding roller bearing 6 which engages in slot 7, to leverage beam 8 which by the aforesaid movement would cause the bearing point 6 to move in slot 7 toward axis 9 of the leverage beam thereby decreasing the leverage distance between points 9 and 6 in relation to that of 9A and 6A of the rear group which by its relatively increased leverage would cause the front group through cable 26 to move to a greater angle of incidence in pro.- portion to the movement of lever l, thereby causing the desired effect.

Millor Stability or leveling may be had by 244. Al- HUNAU Ico using the conventional tail or elevating plane.

It is proposed to have the weight of the machine well below the upper planes to insure automatic lateral stability.

Object (c) is to provide sensitive means for simultaneously changing the angle of incidence of the supporting planes in a manner that will cause the machine to either ascend or descend.

For illustration: In order to cause the machine to ascend, the length of cable 26 must be decreased between leverage beams 8 and 8A by way of pulleys 28 and 28A and increased by way of pulleys 27 and 27A, said pulleys being pivoted to the body and disposed in line with the circle of ac tion of the moving ends of the leverage beams 8 and 8A. The aforesaid increasing and decreasing the length of cable 26 is accomplished by pressing on foot pedal 19, Figure 1, releasing the holding means or brake band and at the same time turning the handle 18, which is connected by cable 20 over pulleys 31B and 31 to releasing cam 21 which is pulled forward on its axis 21B, Figure 3. The releasing cam 21 is con structed to release the tension of spring 24 on the brake band 22 and permit the brake drum 23 rigidly keyed toshaft 12 which is journaled in 8 to rotate freely. IVhile the brake band 22 is released, the handle 18 is turned in a counterclockwise direction. Handle 18 is rigidly fixed on sprocket 17 which revolves on shaft 32 and transmits the turning movement through chain 16 which operates sprockets 15 and 17 and then through sprockets 15 and 14 which are keyed to shaft 9, on through chain 13 which operates sprockets 14 and 11. Sprocket 11 is keyed to shaft 12, and cable drum 10 is also keyed to shaft 12. The aforesaid movement is thus transmitted to cable 26 which is wound around the drum in such a manner as to take up on one side and let out on the other as the drum is turned. 26B, Figure 2 indicates that kthe direction of that side passes over pulley 28, and 26A over pulley 27. The action is thus transmitted to the re-ar group by cable 26 which is securely clamped at 33 to leverage beam 8A. The leverage beam 8A then causes the angle of incidence of the planes in the rear group to move in the same direction as that of the front group. The cable 26 is prevented from slipping on drum 10 by clamp 30 which when in a neutral position secures the cable to the drum at a point intermediate the points where the cable leaves the drum in a manner that will allow a full range of movement required to operate the machine.

Object (d) is to provide a flexible land carriage that will adapt itself to uneven road conditions so as not to cause any excess lateral Strain on the body and wing structures and will also act in accordance with objects (a) and (b) heretofore described.

An illustration not before described is shown in Fig. 5 which provides dirigible wheels WV mounted on axle X which is flexibly pivoted on a longitudinal axis at AX to truss T securely attached on plane 36 which has pivotal bearings on wing posts P and 5, Fig. 1.y The rear wheels IVA and IVA2 are non-dirigible and are secured by their trusses TA and TA1 and plane 36A to wing posts PA and 5A, being so placed as to be under the engine weight.

Object (e) is to provide adjustable engine supporting bodies or nacelles separate from the main body and placed each side thereof and supported intermediate the planes Fig. 4, 34A and 36A on the wing posts PA and 5A in a manner that will not hinder the vertical movement of wing posts 5A.

The engine body, EB is suspended on pivots M, Figs. 4 and 5 which have journaled bearings in the divided wing post PA near the forward end and pivot M1 which has bearing on wing post 5A through plate M2. The plate forms the rear end of the nacelle and has holes drilled therein to fit pivot M1 in a manner that will allow the adjustment of the angle of said nacelle in relation tol the angle of the planes.

Inter-planes 35 and 35A, Figs. 4 and 5, illustrate the adaptability of the wing posts for mounting more supporting planes.

The machine may be steered with a. conventional automobile steering gear attached to the dirigible wheels W and the rudder 37, Figs. 4 and 5.

I-Iaving thus described my invention and made a careful search of the records, I claim as new and useful and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a flying machine` a frame, fore and aft planes each mounted totilt about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, equalizing means for automatically transferring and reversing the pivotal movement of one set of planes to the other including a manually operable member operable to shift the inclination of the fore and aft planes in the same direction and a manually operable member to differentiate the inclination of the fore and aft planes relatively to each other, and bperating means for said members, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a flying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes each mounted to pivot or tilt about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, and motion transmitting means between the fore and aft planes including an equalizer carried by the frame, independently operable connec* tions between the equalizer and the fore and aft planes respectively, each of said connections including a member carried by and shiftable relatively to the equalizer, and means for actuating said members, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a flying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes each mounted to pivot about an axis extending lengthwise of the planes near one edge thereof, motion transmitting means between the fore and aft planes comprising an equalizing lev-er pivotedto the frame, independently operable connections between the equalizing lever and the fore and aft planes, each of said connections including a member carried by and movable with the equalizing lever, means for operating said members relatively to the equa-lizing lever, and means for normally holding said connections from movement relatively to the equalizing lever', substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a flying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes, each mounted to pivot about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, automatic motion transmitting means between the fore and aft planes comprising an equalizing lever, and connections individual to the fore and aft planes for moving them on their pivots, one of said connections including a lever pivoted to the equalizing lever and extending crosswise thereof, substantially as and for the purpose specilied.

5. In a flying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes, each mounted to pivot about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, automatic motion transmitting means between the fore and aft planes comprising an equalizing lever, and connections individual to the fore and aft planes for moving them on their pivots, one of said connections including a lever pivoted to the equalizing lever and extending crosswise thereof, and having its pivot arranged to shift lengthwise of the equalizing lever, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a flying machin-e, a frame, fore and aft planes, each mounted to pivot about an axis extending lengthwise of the planes near one edge thereof, automaticI motion transmitting means between the fore and aft planes comprising an equalizing lever, connections individual to the fore and aft planes for moving them on their pivot, each of said connections including a member carried by the equalizing lever, one of said members being a lever having arms extending crosswise of the equalizing lever and the other of said members being a pulley, the connections which include the pulley also inV cluding cables winding on the pulley so that one run Winds thereon while the other pays oil', means for operating said members, and means for normally holding the second mentioned lever from movement and the pulley from rotation relatively to the equalizing lever, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a flying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes pivoted to the frame and each mountedrto pivot about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, fore and aft leverage beams pivoted to the frame, means connecting one leverage beam and the fore plane, means connecting the other leverage beam and the rear plane, motion transmitting connections between the beams, and means for operating the motion transmitting connections relatively to one beam whereby the other beam is operated relatively to the former beam, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In a flying machine a. frame, fore and aft planes pivoted to the frame and each mo-unted to pivot about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, fore and aft leverage beams pivoted to the frame, means connecting one leverage beam and the fore plane, means connecting the other leverage bea-m and the rear plane, motion transmitting connections between the beams, and means for changing the leverage of one beam relatiif'ely to the other, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

9. In a flying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes pivoted to the frame and each mounted to pivot about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, fore and aft leverage beams pivoted to the frame, means connecting one leverage beam and the fore plane. and means connecting the other leverage beam and th-e rear plane, motion transmitting connections between the beams, and means for operating the motion transmit-ting connections relatively to one beam whereby the other beam is operated relatively to the former beam` and means for operating the connections between one of the beams and the fore plane, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l0. In a flying machine. a. frame, fore and aft planes, each mounted to pivot about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, an equalizing lever pivoted to the frame, a lever extending crosswise of the equalizing lever and pivoted thereto on an axis shiftable lengthwise of the equalizing lever, the second mentioned lever being connected to one set of planes, an operating member for actuating the second mentioned lever, a leverage beam pivoted to the frame, connections between the leverage beam and the other set of pla-nes. a shiftable member carried by the equalizing member and connected to the leverage beam to operate the same in opposite directions, and means for operating said member relatively to the equalizing lever, substantially as and for the purpose set forth,

' 244. AERoNAuTlcs 1l. In a flying machine, the combination of a frame, fore and aft plane groups vertically movable, wing posts connected at their ends to the planes near like edges thereof, wing posts fixed to the frame and to which the opposite edges of the planes are pivoted, an equalizing lever pivoted to the frame, connections for operating the vertically movable wing posts of the fore and aft planes independently of each other, the connections including members carried by the equalizing lever and movable relatively thereto, means for normally holding said members from movement, and means for moving said members relatively to the equalizing lever, substantially as and for the purpose described.

12. In a flying machine, the combination of a frame, fore and aft plane groups, vertically movable wing posts pivoted at their ends to the planes near like edges thereof, Wing posts fixed ,to the frame and to which the opposite edges of the planes are pivoted, an equalizing lever pivoted to the frame, connections for operating the fore and aft planes independently of each other, the connections including levers carried by the equalizing lever and movable relatively thereto, means for normally holding said levers from movement, one of said levers being pivoted between its ends to the equalizing lever and connected at one end to one of the vertically movable wing posts of one of said group of planes, and operating means connected to the other end of the lever, and the other` of said levers being a pulley mounted on the equalizing lever and the connections which include the pulley also comprising cables connected to the wing posts of the other group and winding on the pulley so that one run winds on the pulley while the other pays off, and means for rotating the pulley relatively to the equalizing lever, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

13. In a iiying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes, each mounted to tilt about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, and automatic equalizing and dierential means for transferring the tilting movement from the fore to the aft planes and vice versa, and land carriages carried by the fore and aft planes to partake of the pivotal movements thereof, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In a flying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes, each mounted to tilt about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, and automatic equalizing and differential means for transferring the tilting movement from the fore to the aft planes and vice versa, and land carriages mounted to partake of the equalizing and differential movements of the planes, iubstantially as and for the purpose speci- 15. In a iying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes, each mounted to tilt about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, and automatic equalizing means for transferring the tilting movement from the fore to the aft planes and vice versa, including manually operable members operable to shift the planes to change the pivotal angle thereof, and land carriages carried by the fore and aft planes to partake of the pivotal movements thereof, substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. In a flying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes, each mounted to pivot or tilt about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, and means for changing the angle of the foTre and aift planes with respect to each other and land carriages carried by the fore and aft planes and partaking of the pivtol movement thereof, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

17. In a iying machine, a frame, fore and aft planes each mounted to tilt about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane near one edge thereof, equalizing means for automatically transferring and reversing the pivotal movement of one set of planes to the other including a manually operable member operable to shift the inclination of the fore and aft planes in the same direction and a manually operable member to vary the inclination of the fore and aft planes relatively to each other, and operating means for said members, and land carriages carried by the fore and aft planes to partake of the pivotal movement thereof, subst-antially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In a flying machine, the combination of a frame, a plane mounted to pivot about an axis extending lengthwise of the plane, and means for moving the plane on its pivot including a pulley, cables winding on the pulley so that one winds thereon while the other pays oft', and means for rotating the pulley, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

19. In a ying machine, the combination of a frame, wing posts fixed to the frame and vertically movable wing posts, planes being pivoted to the fixed and vertically movable wing posts, and an engine support pivotally connected to the fixed wing posts and to the verticall movable wing posts, substantially as an for the purpose described.

FRANK E. SKROBAGK. Witness:

JOHN I. MIsENnn.

s gf

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,434,922, granted November 7, 1922, upon the application of Frank E. Slrroback, of Syracuse, New York, for an. improvement in Flying Machines, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 46, after the Word means strike out the Worcls between the fore. and aft planes for members 5 and insert the Words being shwftable relatively to other members; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of December, A. D., 1922.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

Acting omm'issz'omr of Patents.