AN AERIAL MACHINE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert Jolin Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Patent Agents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "AN AERIAL MACHINE." A communication
from abroad by Frederick Augustus Lehmann, of Washington, District of
Columbia, and Charles Ritchel, of Corry, State of Pennsylvania, all in the
United States of America.
Sealed the 24th May 1878, and dated the 4th April 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th April 1878.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Patent Agents,
of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "AN AERIAL MACHINE."
A communication from abroad by Frederick Augustus Lehmann, of Washington,
District of Columbia, and Charles Ritchel, of Corry, State of Pennsylvania, all in
the United States of America.
My Invention relates to an improvement in flying machines, and it consists in,-
1st. Pivoting or journaling a propeller wheel upon the front end of the machine,
whereby the machine can be made to move either backward or forward, or turn
to the right or left, thus enabling the operator to move the machine in any direction
desired.
2nd. In the combination of a balloon, an operating mechanism, a propeller wheel
to raise the machine, and a propeller wheel that is pivoted upon the front end of
the machine, so that it can be turned in any direction, and which moves the
machine in any desired direction, all of which will be more fully described herein-
after.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my Invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Figure 3 a side elevation of the devices for operating
C

page_text: Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of the devices for operating the guiding and pro-
pelling wheel upon the front end of the machine.
a represents a balloon of any shape, size, or construction, but should have a lifting
capacity sufficient to almost lift the machine, together with at least one person in it,
thus leaving very little for the lifting wheel to do. By thus giving the balloon such
a lifting power all the more force may be applied to driving the machine back and
forth and from side to side, and the descent will be more easy and gradual. Secured
to the under side of this balloon, by means of suitable light strong rods and braces b,
is a frame c of any desired construction or material, for the support of the operator
and the driving machinery. Supported upon two of the cross bars of this frame c is
the seat d, upon which the operator sits, and this seat is so located in respect to the
machinery as to enable him to apply his whole strength to the propulsion &
management of the machine.
To the main driving wheel e is secured a crank f, & by means of which the
machinery is operated; this beveled wheel e meshes with the beveled pinion g, which
is secured to the top of the vertical shaft h. To the lower end of this shaft is secured
a bevelled wheel i, which is always in gear with the two beveled wheels j on the
horizontal shaft . These two wheels are placed loosely on this shaft, and gear
at their lower edges with the beveled wheel'm on the top of the shaft n, to which
the lifting propeller wheel is secured. Feathered upon the shaft l, on the outer
side of each wheel j, is a clutch Q, which clutches may be thrown in gear alternately
with either wheel by means of the hand lever p, which extends up within easy
reach of the operator. By throwing one clutch in gear the wheel r will be made to
revolve in one direction, and lift the machine upward, & by throwing in the other
clutch the shaft will revolve in the opposite direction, & cause the machine to
move backward.
The shaft may be made in one continuous piece, or may be jointed, as here
shown, & have its forward end project through the front of the frame c to receive
the beveled wheel 8. This wheel & meshes with a similar wheel t, placed on the
vertical shaft u, journaled in suitable bearings, & this wheel communicates
motion to the wheel v, secured to the inner end of the shaft, to which the guiding
& propelling wheel is secured. The bearings of the wheel w are secured to
the shaft u, and hence the wheel 20 can be moved around, back & forth, as shown
in dotted lines in Fig. 4. Upon the top of the cross piece y is a treadle 1, to which
is connected a rod 2, the front of which rod has a rack 3 formed upon it for
the purpose of engaging with the wheel 4, secured to the top of the vertical
shaft u, to which the bearings a of the wheels ware secured. The operator, by
pressing with his fout upon the treadle, can turn the propelling wheel w to the front
or around to either side, as shown, or to any intermediate points between. The
operator having started the wheel e throws one of the clutches q in gear, & the
propeller wheel causes the machine to rise upward, at the same time that the
wheel w causes the machine to move forward.
By means of the treadle the operator causes the wheel w to turn in any direction,
& thereby makes the machine move straight ahead to either side, back, or turn
completely around, as upon a pivot. By reversing the wheel the machine will
descend at any desired rate of speed, and the front wheel w will stand still, if
desired.
Although the wheel w is here shown as having only a horizontal movement 1 may
in some instances use an universal joint, & thus use the wheel w for assisting the
machine to rise vertically upward & to descend, as well as to move the machine
backward or forward or around in a circle.
Having thus described my Invention, I claim,-
1st. The combination of the wheel w, jointed upon one end of the frame c with
the wheel 4, rack 3, & a connecting rod 2, whereby the wheel w may be turned in
any desired direction, substantially as described.
2nd. In a flying machine the combination of a balloon , an operating mechanism,

page_text: a propeller wheel r for raising & lowering the machine, & a jointed wheel w
upon one end of the machine for both steering it & moving it back & forth,
substantially as set forth.
3rd. A flying machine having a propeller wheel placed upon one end, the said
wheel being joined so that it can be turned in different directions, substantially as
shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of April, in the year of our Lord 1878.
LT T HANDANT