Patent ID: 6280280
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: A63H

Abstract:
A vehicle operable over a support surface which comprises:propulsion means interacting with said support surface, said propulsion means being empowered to impart upon said vehicle, a given surface velocity;means interactable with ambient air for lifting said vehicle at said given surface velocity and causing said vehicle to be temporarily airborne in the absence of any air propulsion means; andwherein said means for lifting comprises a variable geometry wing including a foldable and deployable airfoil, and means for remotely deploying said airfoil when said given surface velocity has been reached; andwherein said airfoil comprises:two leading edge booms each rotatively connected to a central pivot point;at least one membrane secured to said booms; andmeans for resiliently biasing said means for deploying toward an extended state.