Figure eight wing drive

A machine designed to move a pair of light weight graphite fiber composite covered wings in such a way that their tips will describe a horizontal figure eight through the air. Thereby sustaining an attack angle and creating lift throughout as much as 80% of their travel path. The mechanism retains 100% control over the wing movement and with a locking device in place the preferred embodiment should be capable of a good glide ratio.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to flying craft and specifically to those propelled 
by moving their wings in relation to their bodies. Prior art includes 
various ornithopter designs, however this invention is more insect like in 
its nature, with the wings being stiff and non flexible and moving in a 
single non varying path. 
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
In the prefferred embodiment the materials should be state of the art 
graphite composites, light weight high strength alloys, high carbon steel, 
and light weight 2 cycle engines. With these components ten full forward 
and backward beats per second can be achieved, with 30 square feet of wing 
surface. Using these materials this machine, with out a passenger will 
weigh under 100 lbs. 
The figure eight movement is achieved by the synchronized action of the 
crankshaft throw, moving the linear ball bearing and the intermittent 
motion cam track pivoting the pivoting shafting mount. 
The intermittent motion cam track is designed to make two separate rapid 
movements at approximately 180 degrees apart and otherwise hold a steady 
position. These rapid movements are synchronize to occur as the linear 
ball bearing reaches its maximum limit of travel in each direction. At 
that moment the intermittent motion cam track will cause the pivoting 
mount to pivot in such a way that the linear ball bearing will always 
travel down the shafting. As the pivoting mount pivots, raising slightly, 
the end of the shafting the linear ball bearing is on at that moment, this 
movement will cause the universal joints to twist the wing center shafts, 
in their oar locks, to keep the wing at an attack angle, for its 
subsequent travel down the shafting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF FIGURES 
Figure one is of the figure eight wing drive components. The wings center 
shafts 1, pass through a smooth fitting top tube of the oar lock device 2, 
on the main frame members 24. These wing shafts are attached to the linear 
ball bearing top plate 5, by means of universal joints 3. The linear ball 
bearing top plate 5, is attached to a linear ball bearing and housing 4, 
which rides upon the linear ball bearing shafting 6. This shafting is held 
by end brackets 7, to a pivoting mount 8, which in turn is held by 
supports 9, attached to the main frame members 24. 
Beyond one end of the above assembly, connected to the main frame members 
24, are two raised crankshaft bearing supports 10, which hold the 
crankshaft bearings 11, and the crankshaft 12. On the crankshaft throw 13, 
is a split bearing box 16, which holds the connecting rod 14, to the throw 
13. The opposite end of the connecting rod 14, is attached to the linear 
ball bearing top plate 5, by a hinge and pin connection 15. Also on the 
crank shaft, 12, synchronized with the throw 13,, is an intermittent 
motion cam track 17, with gear teeth along both sides of the track, and 
upon these gear teeth ride an idler gear, free spinning on the cam 
follower 18. This cam follower 18, is attached by means of a cam follower 
rocker 21, to the shafting end bracket 7, closes to the crankshaft 12. The 
cam follower 18, is held in place by the cam follower support bracket and 
tube 19, which is in turn held by the crankshaft bearing supports 10. The 
cam follower rocker rides on a mounting shaft 20. also held by the 
crankshaft bearing supports 10. Also on the crankshaft 12, is a drive 
chain sprocket 22, connected to the drive motor (not shown) by the drive 
chain 23. 
Figure two shows one possible configuration of the intermittent motion cam 
track.