Improvements in Aerial Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Aerial Machines.
I, JOHN FREDERICK CREASE C.B. of Comberton Hall, Kidderminster, in the
County of Worcester, Major General in Her Majesty's Army (retired) do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object improvements in aerial machines. According
thereto I construct a machine with an aero-plane, a keel, light frame, propellers
adapted for raising and lowering the machine as required and keeping or aiding to
keep it on a practically even keel, a propeller or propellers for moving the machine
longitudinally through the air, suitable driving gear such that the relative speeds
of the propellers and the direction may be varied, a light gas motor or motors and
light strong receptacle or receptacles for storage under pressure of gas for working
the motor or motors. Below the frame there is or may be suspended a steadying
device such as a weight. The propellers for raising and lowering are arranged
to rotate if necessary in opposite directions. By means of one or more suitable
joints or gimbals the axis or axes of the propeller or propellers for moving the
machine longitudinally can be adapted to assume different angles for steering
purposes, or other means such as a rudder or rudders, may be employed for
steering.
Dated this 13th day of May 1892.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.Č., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Aerial Machines.
I, JOHN FREDERICK CREASE C.B. of Comberton Hall, Kidderminster, in the
County of Worcester, Major General in Her Majesty's Army (retired), do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention has for its object improvements in aerial machines. According
thereto I construct a machine with an aero-plane, a keel, light frame or platform,
propellers adapted for raising and lowering the machine as required and keeping
or aiding to keep it on a practically even keel, a propeller or propellers for moving
the machine longitudinally through the air, suitable driving gear such that the
relative speeds of the propellers and the direction may be varied, a light gas motor
or motors and light strong receptacle or receptacles for storage under pressure of
gas for working the motor or motors or there may be stored in such receptacle or
receptacles suitable liquid and hydrocarbon for the said purpose. Below the frame
there is or may be suspended a steadying device such as a weight. The propellers
for raising and lowering are arranged to rotate if necessary in opposite directions.
By means of one or more suitable joints or gimbals the axis or axes of the propeller
or propellers for moving the machine longitudinally can be adapted to assume
different angles for steering purposes, or other means such as a rudder or rudders,
may be employed for steering.
In the accompanying drawings :—

page_text: a pian or an aerial machine constructed according to this invention.
Fig. 3 is a plan of a light frame or platform forming part thereof and constituting
a receptacle or receptacles for gas or oil.
Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line (Fig. 1).
1 is a flat horizontal framework composed of light material such as bamboo,
wood, or aluminium tubing, strengthened and stayed in any convenient manner, and
covered with sheet. material 2 such as canvas, except at the parts 3, 3* where
openings are left, the whole forming an aero-plane of comparatively small weight
and of any desired area.
even keel.
'
Firmly secured to and depending from the under-side of this aero-plane is a
keel 4 formed of light material, as for example two thicknesses of wood stiffened
and strengthened by metal such as sheet or plate aluminium placed between them,
and stayed in any convenient manner, as by wire that connects it with the aero-
plane. 5 is a light frame arranged below the aero-plane and keel to which it is
connected by suitable connections 6 such as rods or stays. This frame which serves
as a platform or support for the aeronaut or aeronauts and for a light gas or other
motor or motors 7 may advantageously be made of light hollow material such as
aluminium tubing in order that it may also serve as a receptacle or receptacles for
motive fluid such as combustible or other gas under pressure, or liquid hydro
carbon, for working the motor or motors. 8, 8ª are propellers for raising and
lowering the machine as required, and for keeping, or aiding in keeping it on an
These propellers, which are arranged coaxially with and below the
circular openings 3 3ª in the aero-plane, are each arranged-to work in an opening 3*
in the keel 4. Each of these propellers is surrounded by a very light casing 3
resembling a short vertical tube, and the fore and..aft ends of the aero-plane are
turtle-backed at the upper parts thereof and closed in very tightly up to the
respective propeller tubes to prevent the retarding effect that might otherwise
result from the action of the air immediately .below the ends of the aero-plane.
Each propeller is fixed upon a vertical shaft 9 or 9 mounted to rotate in bearings
at 10 and 11 in the keel, and whereof the latter, namely 11, is a footstep bearing.
These propellers may be both right-handed or both .left-handed and be driven in
the same direction, or one may be right-handed and the other left-handed as in the
example shown, and be driven in opposite directions by any suitable or convenient
arrangement of driving gear. The driving gear in the example shown comprises a
vertical crank shaft 12 arranged in suitable bearings; this shaft being driven by
the motors 7 and having fixed thereto two driving pulleys 13 13 of different
diameters, and each formed with a V shaped rim or with an annular series of
V shaped projections to receive a driving rope. 14 14 are two driving ropes
. arranged to work around the pulleys 13 13 respectively and around pulleys 15.15ª
that are loosely mounted upon each shaft 9, 9 and are of different diameters: as
.shown. The portions of the ropes between the driving pulleys and the.driven
pulleys 15 15 at the right hand side of the. machine are crossed so that. the
propeller 8 is driven in an opposite direction to the propeller 8". Between the
pulleys constituting each pair of driven pulleys 15 15 is a clutch 16 arranged.to
rotate with the corresponding shaft 9 or 9 and capable of being moved into.
engagement with either of the driven pulleys according to requirement by a clutch
lever 17 capable of being operated from the frame or platform 5 by a handle 18.
.
By this arrangement the propellers can be driven simultaneously or independently
and at-two different speeds, the higher speed being suitable for causing the machine
to rise to the desired height and the lower speed for maintaining, or assisting in
maintaining the machine at the desired height whilst being driven forward. 19 is
a. propeller for moving the machine longitudinally through the air. This.propeller
is fixed upon a short length of shafting 20 connected by a universal joint.21 to the
main driving shaft 22 and mounted in a bearing 23 arranged to slide in a suitable
guide 24 forming part of the arc of a circle having the universal joint as, a centre,
the arrangement being such that by means of steering ropes 25 connected to

page_text: i
opposite ends of the bearing 23 and extending around suitable guide pulleys to the
frame or platform 5, the axis of the propeller 19 can be caused to assume different
angles relatively to the plane of the keel for the purpose of steering the machine in
any desired direction. The driving shaft 22 extends longitudinally through the
keel in which bearings are formed for it. Upon it are loosely mounted two bevel
pinions 26 26* arranged to engage at diametrically opposite points with bevel teeth
27 and 27 are clutches
carried by the rim of the adjacent driving pulley 13.
each connected by a feather. with the driving shaft and capable of being moved
into gear
with the corresponding bevel wheel 26 or 26* by a clutch lever 28 capable
of being operated from the frame or platform 5 the arrangement being such that
either of them can be readily connected with the driving shaft for the purpose of
rotating it and the propeller 19 in the desired direction, or for disconnecting the
shaft from both pinions when it is desired to stop the propeller.
30 is a steadying device such as a weight suspended by a rod 31, pivoted to the
bottom of the frame or support 5 the axis of the pivot being at right angles to
the plane of the keel. 32, 32, are ropes by which the aeronaut can move the
weight in a forward or backward direction as indicated in dotted lines for the
purpose of causing the forward end of the machine to rise or fall in order to direct
the machine upward or downward. The ends of these ropes as well as the ropes 25
I also provide lateral
may be fastened to belaying pins on the frame or platform 5.
stays to the rod 31. The blades of the several propellers may advantageously be
constructed in the form of frames built up of suitable light material such as bamboo
or aluminium tubing strengthened in any convenient manner and covered with
material such as canvas. Various modifications might be made. Thus a light
electric motor or motors might be used. There might be a propeller at each end
of the machine instead of at one end only, the two propellers being then arranged
to co-operate in directing the machine through the air.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. In an aerial machine the combination of an aero plane with a keel or
keels.
2. In an aerial machine an aero plane having propelling apparatus arranged
below it.
3. In an aerial machine an aero plane a motor or motors, propelling apparatus,
and a light storing receptacle or receptacles in which gas under pressure (or oil for
generating gas) for working the motor or motors can be stored.
4. In an aerial machine an aero plane, a motor or motors, propelling apparatus,
and a receptacle or receptacles in which gas under pressure (or oil for generating
gas) for working the motor or motors can be stored and the same forming also a
light storing frame or platform.
5. In an aerial machine an aero plane a keel (or keels) apparatus for raising the
machine and for propelling it longitudinally through the air.
6. In an aerial machine an aero plane a keel (or keels) and apparatus arranged
below the aero plane and adapted to raise the machine and to propel it longi-
tudinally through the air.
7. In an aerial machine an aero plane a keel (or keels) and a light frame or
platform arranged below the aero plane.
8. In an aerial machine an aero-plane with keel, a light frame or platform
arranged below the same propellers carried by the aero plane and keel and adapted
for raising and lowering the machine as required and keeping or aiding in keeping
it on a practically even keel, a propeller (or propellers) for moving the machine
longitudinally through the air, a motor or motors and driving mechanism whereby
the relative speeds of the several propellers can be varied substantially as herein-
before described for the purposes specified.

page_text: 9. My improved aerial machine constructed, arranged and operating substantially
as described and shown.
Dated this 13th day of February 1893.
W. Lloyd Wise,
TREU. READE
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.