IMPROVE- MENTS IN AND RELATING TO AEROSTATS OR FLYING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JAMES ARMOUR of 197 Upwell Street Grimethorpe in the County of York,
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO AEROSTATS OR FLYING MACHINES" to be as follows:-
:
This invention is designed to carry out as near as practicable the principle of the
wing for human flight but as it would be impracticable for a man to have one pair
of wings I have made my design with two, four, or more pairs of wings the number
being equally divided between the space in front of and the space behind the
operator or motive power.
Each pair of wings consists of a main wing and a supplementary one, both
approximately in the same line.
The machine is arranged with a light longitudinal frame work to which is
attached the saddle of the operator or the engine. As it is obvious that what can
be done by muscular force can be done by a motor also, I will describe the
invention as driven by muscular forco of a man's legs-merely stating that a
suitable motor can be used instead. The framework has axles with wheels carried
by the frame by suitable bearings for starting it on the ground. In front of the
saddle on the backbone are two sockets, and through these two vertical bars pass
so as to be free to slide and also to oscillate in their sockets in a fore and aft
direction within narrow limits. The lower ends of these bars carry the treadles
and long treadle bars rigidly secured to them At points at even distances from
the centre for and aft, I place on the back bone an arm, and on each of these arms
a main wing hereafter described is pivoted in the following manner by means of a
spring. A spring is fixed to the shank of this arm, and with a coil or bend to give
it elasticity and lateral play passes over a knife edge on the top of the arm.
spring is widest at this point. Two fore and aft rowlock pins pass through holes
in the spring, and are rigidly fixed to the top of the arm. The wing is secured to
the spring blade by hinges allowing a little lateral play. A second wing is hinged
to this main wing in a similar manner so as to allow of lateral play (the one wing
on the other) and projects out in the opposite direction: strings, cords or wires
attached to the ends of the springs or to the main wings, or to two or more pointe
in the spring or main wing connect with the treadle bar below, the duty of which
FD 077
The

page_text: is to actuate the spring or main wing thus connected with it. If from two or more
points the strings or wires are preferably united, after proceeding a short distance,
by a ring or other fastening and a single cord or wire leads from this point to the
treadle bar which will be formed with slightly flexible terminations. The arius
carrying the wings can be trussed together.
The mode of action is as follows-the rider with his face to the wind gets into
his saddle at the top of an incline so as to get the aid of the action of gravity on
the incline to give forward velocity on the wheels, works the treadles by his feet
the while the run is being made, to give beating motion to the wings, the beating
motion of the wings on the quickly extending air-path which they are made to
travel on by reason of the forward velocity, meets with air resistance within
convenient running distance to give buoyant support to the weight to be carried:
the distance needed to be run being according to the weight, the beating velocity
and that of the forward run, and to the aid that may be derived from any breeze
that may be blowing. The treadles may be worked simultaneously or alternately
in starting in this manner to get sustaining air pressure for flight. During the
starting run, the vertical bars herein before spoken of, which are fixed at their
lower ends to the long treadle bars may have mainly up and down motion in their
guiding sockets, but when buoyant support to the weight is got; the hands of the
rider on the handles at top end of the vertical bars may at his will, by pushing or
pulling the bandles with regulated action of his feet the while, cause the wings to
beat unequally to ensure balanced buoyancy, or may cause certain of them to beat
while the others are held from beating, thereby enabling a course to be steered up
or down or to right or left hand.
The springs may be slightly corrugated if desired The wings may be formed of
light holland cloth, or other suitable light fabric, stretched upon the frames, and
the ribs or stiffening members of the frames which may be of wood will be inclined
at angles suitable to the requirements of the wings in their variod duties as
propellers and as kites, the rib members being made with graduated flexibility
corresponding with the duty due to their respective positions in the wings.
The angles of face inclination next the centres of oscillation at the fixed frame
rod heads, where the beating motion is slow, will be made suitable for kite action :
whereas the angles next the extremities or tips will be mado suitable for forward
propulsion, the flexibility of the ribs or stiffening members of the wing giving
elasticity to the pressures communicated to the air through then by the motive
force in aid of the elasticity derived from the long treadle bars with their slightly
flexible terminations, and the action of the main springs that carry the wings.
When the motive power is derived from steam or other agent, the number of
pairs of wings (each pair composed of a main and a supplementary or secondary
part) may be greater in number than two in front of and two behind the seat of
the motive power, but for each two pairs composed of one pair in front and one
behind the seat for right and left hand action; there will be a long treadle bar with
vertical guide-bar of the same character and general description with that herein-
before described as being actuated by muscular effort of a man's legs, so that for
say six pairs in all there will be three long treadle bars each with its vertical
guide bar fixed to it.
It will be convenient however for only two of the vertical guide bars to be
actuated by the hands of the rider or similarly otherwise in the manner herein-
before described, to cause the coupled fore and rear pairs of wings connected with
them to beat unequally for balancing or steering or controlling purposes. The long
treadles or bars that work amidships or between the two right and left hand
outside ones may have mainly up and down motion.
When steam or other motive power agent is employed, the force will be
communicated to that part of the long treadle bars where the foot would press
were the muscular force of a rider's legs the motive force.

page_text: Among the more important points of my apparatus and invention, are—the flat
or partially flat faced springs, carrying the wings by linked hinge connection, or
simple flexible attachments, such as india rubber joints or thin steel slips fixed to
the points of attachment in springs and wings the long treadle bars with linked
wire connections, the combination of long treadle bars and rocking hand standards
in sockets on the frame, by which one wing can be worked at pleasure, more than
another, or solely, as desired, and lastly The main wings rocking on the springs,
and the secondary wings rocking on them again.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
1, JAMES ARMOUR, of 197 Upwell Street, Grimethorpe in the County of York,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for " IMPROVE-
" and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO AEROSTATS OR FLYING MACHINES
This invention is designed to carry out as nearly as practicable the principle of
the wing for human flight; but as it would be impracticable for a man to have one
pair of wings, I have made my design with two, four, or more pairs of wings,
the number being equally divided between the space in front of and the space
behind the operator or motive power.
Each pair of wings consists of a main wing and a supplementary one, both
approximately in the same line.
The machine is arranged with a light longitudinal frame-work to which is
attached the saddle of the operator or the engine.
As it is obvious that what can be done by muscular force can be done by a motor
also, I will describe the invention as driven by muscular force of a man's legs,
merely stating that a suitable motor can be used instead.
The invention is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation, Figure 2 a plan, and Figure 3 an end elevation of my
apparatus. Like numeral figures relate to like parts in all the drawings.
The framework has axles with wheels carried by the frame by suitable bearings
for starting it on the ground.
In front of the saddle 30 on the longitudinal framing or back bone, 1, 2, are two
guide sockets fitted with anti-friction rollers, and through these, two vertical
bars 28, 28 pass so as to be free to slide, and also to oscillate in their sockets in a
fore and aft direction within narrow limits, but in place of sockets there may be
simply one or more thin rollers 29, 29, acting as centres of the oscillations and
working in straight guides fixed to each of the vertical bars, and it is this mode
which is shown in the drawings. The lower ends of these vertical bars carry the
treadles 27 and long treadle bars 25, 26 shown rigidly secured to them.
At points at even distances from the centre fore and aft, I place on the back bone
an arm 3, 4x reaching out to near the centre of oscillation of each main wing.
The wing is pivoted to the arm in the following manner by means of a spring 5, 8,
11, 14. The arms may be joined together in pairs by the shoulders as it were in
the manner shown in the drawings, or they may be otherwise trussed.
To the outer end of each arm 3, 4, a T shaped piece of thin steel or other
suitable springy material 3x 4x is riveted so as to allow limited elastic play to each
of its three limbs.
To the lower end of the middle limb, the end of a spring 5, 8, 11, 14, is attached
with a coil or bend to give it elasticity and small lateral play. The other end of
this spring is thence bent round and carried so as by means of a cross bearer 18, 20
riveted to it, to have its centre of oscillation in row lock bearings 17, 19, formed al
the ends of the cross bead limbs of the T-piece 3x 4x, the spring being continued

page_text: beyond this point for hinged attachment to the main wing which has its plane of
oscillation in athwartships direction.
The main wing 12, 15, is secured to the spring blade by hinges 12x 15x allowing
a little lateral oscillation for adjustment to the air pressure, this lateral oscillation
to be controlled in part by light springs, the ends of which are respectively attached
to the wing and the main spring blade. The respective fore and aft areas of the
wing surface that is, in front of and to rearward of the wing centre line, being
proportioned so that the air action may leave little duty for the light controlling
springs to do.
A second wing of smaller area 13, 16 is hinged to this main wing in a similar
manner, so as to allow of lateral oscillation (the one wing on the other) and projects
out in the opposite direction and is similarly controlled in part by means of light
springs (and hinges 13x 16x) the ends of which are respectively attached to the
second wing and the main spring.
Strings, cords, or wires 23, 24 attached to the freely oscillating ends of the main
springs, or to two or more points in the spring or main wing; connect with the
treadle bar 25, 26, below, the duty of which is to actuate the main spring or wing
thus connected with it. If from two or more points, the strings or wires are
preferably united after proceeding a short distance by a ring or other fastening, and
a single cord or wire leads from this point to the treadle bar, which will be formed
with slightly flexible terminations.
The mode of action is as follows: the rider with his face to the wind gets into
his saddle at the top of an incline so as to get the aid of the action of gravity on
the incline to give forward velocity on the wheels, works the treadles by his feet
the while the run is being made to give beating motion to the wings, the beating
motion of the wings on the quickly extending air path which they are made to
travel on by reason of the forward velocity, meets with air resistance within con-
venient running distance to give buoyant support to the weight to be carried, the
distance needed to be run being according to the weight, the beating velocity and
that of the forward run, and to the aid that may be derived from any breeze that
may be blowing. The treadles may be worked simultaneously or alternately in
starting in this manner to get sustaining air pressure for flight.
During the starting run the vertical bars 28, 28, which are fixed at their lower
ends to the long treadle bars 25, 26 may have mainly up and down motion in their
guiding sockets, or roller guides, but when buoyant support to the weight is got,
the hands of the rider gripping the top end of the vertical bars may at his will by
pushing or pulling the bars with regulated action of his feet the while cause the
wings to beat unequally to ensure balanced buoyancy or may cause certain of them
to beat while the others are held from beating thereby enabling a course to be
steered up or down or to right or left hand.
The main springs may be slightly corrugated and may in parts have the face
perforated or formed with through openings, for the better regulation of the
springiness, and for lightness; and in varied width and thickness may be made so
as to distribute the bending stress along the length, and give desired form to the
5 bending curves in the oscillations.
The wings may be formed of light holland cloth or other suitable light fabric,
stretched upon the frames, and the ribs or stiffening members of the frames which
may be of wood, will be inclined at angles suitable to the requirements of the wings
in their varied duties as propellers and as kites, the rib members being made with
0 graduated flexibility corresponding with the duty due to their respective positions
in the wings according to their nearness to the centre of oscillation where the
beating action is small, or nearness to the tip end, where it is at a maximum.
When the motive power is derived from steam or other agent, the number of
pairs of wings (each pair composed of a main and a supplementary or secondary
5 part) may be greater in number than two in front of and two behind the seat of
the motive power; but for each two pairs composed of one pair in front and one.

page_text: behind the seat for right and left hand action, there will be a long treadle bar with
vertical guide bar of the same character and general description with that herein-
before described as being actuated by muscular effort of a man's legs, so that for
say six pairs in all there will be three long treadle bars each with its vertical guide
bar fixed to it.
It will be convenient however for only two of the vertical guide bars to be
actuated by the hands of the rider or similarly otherwise in the manner herein-
before described, to cause the coupled fore and rear pairs of wings connected with
them to beat unequally for balancing or steering or controlling purposes. The long
treadles or bars that work amidships or between the two right and left hand
outside ones may have mainly up and down motion.
Where more than six pairs of wings are used say eight, it may be found in some
respects convenient to give only one treadle bar to the four pairs next the motive
power seat, in which case there would be only three treadle bars, same as for the
six pairs but in naming one treadle bar to each two pairs placed one in front and
one behind the seat for right and left hand action, I have in view the greater
uniformity of the wing pulsation.
When steam or other motive power agent is employed, the force will be
communicated to that part of the long treadle bars where the foot would press
were the muscular force of a rider's lens the motisen fouen
The figures here given correspond with those given in the drawings in numbering
the various parts for identification.
1, 2. The longitudinal framework of the machine, or what in the foregoing
general description is termed the back bone shown firmly bound together in
the middle portion and with the respective ends of each of the two members
shown bending off in opposite directions for attachment to the arms or wing
bearers 3, 4.
3, 4. Main cross arms or wing bearers shown firmly attached to and stiffening
the respective ends of the back bone members 1, 2, and shown in drawings formed
of flat stuff with ends upturned, but they may be otherwise formed say by bent
extensions of the back bone members 1, 2, suitably bound and traced, and with
corresponding modificatious for attachment to the row-lock arms 17, 19, and
main springs.
5, 8, 11, 14. Main springs for service in the oscillation of the wings; one end
free to oscillate with the wings and the other with a downward bend attached at
foot conveniently to fittings on the end of the cross arms 3, 4.
6, 9, 12, 15. Main wings hinged to the main springs shown with one main rib
running from shoulder to tip, a stiffening strip along the fore edge, and cross slips
narrow and thin, keeping the covering membrane in form.
7, 10, 13, 16. Secondary wings hinged to the main wings shown formed in
fashion similar to the main wings, but of less area. Their purpose is partly for
partial counterbalance to the weight of the main wings, and partly for extension
of wing area in a way that will not require heavy ribbing and further partly to
ensure steadiness in flight.
17, 19. Rowlock arms with tail pieces, the middle area firmly riveted to the
main cross arms 3, 4, the fashion of the cross arms 3, 4, shown in the drawings
requires these tail pieces for the attachment of the foot end of the main springs; but
were the cross arms formed by bent extensions of the back bone members 1, 2, the
foot end of main spring might be attached directly to these extensions. The light
rowlock arms will act with limited elasticity as springs under the turning stress
brought upon them by the air pressure on the wings, and the rowlock bushed
seats will be made to afford the necessary play of the oscillating spindles resting
in them,

page_text: 18, 20. Light plates with spindle ends riveted in middle to the main springs and
with the collared ends seated in the rowlock bushes to form the centre of oscillation
to main springs and wings.
21, 22, 23, 24. Cords or strings or wires connecting the main springs or wings to
the treadle bar ends.
25, 26. The off and the near, or the right and left hand treadle bars, as seen at
same level in position for both to begin a main wing beat.
25a, 26a. The off and the near treadle bars as seen at same level in position as
at the end of a main wing beat.
266. The near side or left hand bar in position as at the end of a beat to wing 9
with the fellow wing 12 kept acting as a kite.
256. The offside or right hand bar in position as at end of beat to wing 15, with
its fellow wing 6 kept acting as a kite. Were the action of these wings reversed
so as to make 12 and 6 the beating wings, and 9 and 15 the kite ones, the treadle
bars would simply incline in reverse direction to that shown in drawing.
27. Foot rest, or point where or near to which the motive power may be applied.
This point as shown is about the middle of the bar length, but it may be convenient
in the disposition say of weights, in the case of other than muscular power being
employed to apply it not quite at the middle of the length.
28. Vertical standard bar one to each treadle bar firmly attached at lower end
to treadle bar, but free thus attached to oscillate in fore and aft direction, with
the centre of oscillation in a guiding socket fitted with small rollers to ease the
rubbing friction, or as shown otherwise on the drawings, there may simply be one
or more rollers to guide and to form the centre of oscillation with suitable runner
fittings attached to the standard bar and moving with it.
29. Guide roller on which the oscillations of the standard bar may centre, shown
single in drawing but to each standard bar there may be more than one when
rollers simply are used as centre guides.
30. Saddle or seat of the motive power, shown in drawing in position for
muscular power, and cushioned with small elasticity on the back bone 1, 2.
31. Back guard of the saddle.
32. Front guard of the saddle; attached to the top end is one end of the
stiffening or bracing bar 33.
33, 34. Stiffening or bracing bars to steady and hold in position the head of the
running wheel fork 35, during the starting run, or when alighting.
35. Running-wheel fork which is allowed limited up and down play under the
shocks met with in running on uneven ground; an elastic medium at point 41
preventing the whole shock from reaching 33.
36, 37. Inclined fixed wings to aid by simple kite action, and to put into useful
form the head air pressure that otherwise would come upon the cross arms 3, 4.
38, 39. Wing controlling springs which may be formed with simple bends as
shown, or as otherwise found convenient to keep the inclination of the wing planes
in fore and aft direction when at rest similar to that of bird wings when
outstretched. These springs for both main and secondary wings have one end
attached to the main oscillating springs at points near to or between the hinged
connections of the main spring and wing, where they will be unaffected by the
varying angle of separation between wing and spring when a beat is being made.
The air pressure on the tip area during the down beat, and the weaker pressure
during the rise form the active forces in the controlling action.
40. Wind fence.
41. Elastic medium which may be of india-rubber to ease the shock of the wheel
in running.
The drawings show the arrangement for two treadle bars, and four main springs
with their main and secondary wings. If a greater number say eight main springs
with their main and secondary wings be employed, then the members 1, 2, of the
longitudinal framing may be placed apart in parallel lines, one on the right hand
side and the other on the left of the machine, with fixed standard arms projecting
•

page_text: upward from them, and answering the same purpose as the arms 3, 4, of the
drawing hereinbefore described: the longitudinals and fixed standard or bearing
arms thus placed may be trussed together.
In the case of engine power being employed to actuate the treadle bars, the
vertical standards 28 of the drawings may be made to serve as piston rods to
cylinders free to oscillate at the pleasure of the operator.
The wheels for the run at starting (and for the run on coming back to earth)
are shown in the drawings as dependent on the action of gravity in motion down
hill aided by the propulsive action of the wings, but in the case of large machines
employing steam or other motive power, some of this power could be used directly
on the wheels in the starting run to give the required forward velocity for buoyancy
in shorter time and distance on level ground, and the power thus required to be
expended on the wheels would find its duty become easier as the machine in running
drew nearer the point of buoyancy.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st. The flat or partially flat faced springs carrying the wings by linked hinge
connections or simple flexible attachments such as india rubber joints or thin slips
of steel or other suitable springy material, fixed to the points of attachment in
springs and wings.
2nd. The long treadle bars with linked wire connections working several wings,
or pairs of wings at once.
3rd. The combination of long treadle bars and rocking hand standards in sockets
or otherwise acting with simple guide rollers or their equivalent on the frame by
which means one compound wing or set of wings can be worked at pleasure more
than another or solely as desired.
4th. The combination of the main wings rocking on the springs and the
secondary wings rocking on them again.
5th. The aerostat constructed, substantially as described.