Improvements in and relating to Flying machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 2nd Apr., 1898
Improvements in and relating to Flying machines.
I, OCTAVE CHANUTE, of 413, East Huron Street, Chicago, in the County of Cook,
State of Illinois, United States of America, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to flying machines and especially to those by means of
which the flight of soaring birds is to be imitated. In this class of flying machines
the wings are incapable of any flapping movements, being held rigidly to afford
an extended supporting surface by means of which the aviator can glide through the
air. In machines heretoforo invented, the supporting surfaces have been stationary
with reference to the frame work, and the aviator has been compelled to move
his body or his limbs to and fro in order to preserve the equilibrium which depends
upon the coincidence of the centre of gravity with the centre of wind pressure.
In my machino I adopt a method just the reverse. Instead of the man moving
about, I arrange the wings to move horizontally fore and aft. I also use a strong
spring or springs to exert a constant fore and aft pull on the wings, and thus render
the balancing action of the machine automatic."
I use any number of pairs of wings, the wings in each pair being symmetrically
arranged with reference to the central supporting frame work. I prefer to use
from three to five superposed pairs, with one or more pairs in the rear of these.
The rear pair is arranged to flex upward behind in flight, to preserve the fore and
aft balance. I may also use a stationary aoroplane or aerocurve over the tops of
the front wings, and a keel or rudder at the rear. Two or more wings on each
side are connected rigidly so as to move together, and are mounted on upright
pivots so as to be capable of movement fore and aft.
I also provide a seat for the aviator and cords for moving the wings forward and
backward, either by the hands or feet of the aviator.
Dated this 29th day of May 1897
Improvements in and relating to Flying Machines.
I, OCTAVE CHANUTE, of 413, East Huron Street, Chicago, in the County of Cook,
in the State of Illinois, United States of America, Civil Engineer, 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:-
This invention relates to flying machines and especially to those by means of
which the flight of soaring birds is to be imitated. In this class of flying machines
--

page_text: the wings are incapable of any flapping movements, being held rigidly to afford
extended supporting surface by means of which the aviator can glide through the
air. In machines heretofore invented, the supporting surfaces have been stationary
with reference to the frame work, and the aviator has been compelled to move
his body or his limbs to and fro in order to preserve the equilibrium which depends
upon the coincidence of the center of gravity with the center of wind pressure.
In my machine I adopt a method just the reverse. Instead of the man moving
about, I arrange the wings to move horizontally fore and aft. I also use a strong
spring or springs to exert a constant fore and aft pull on the wings, and thus render
the balancing action of the machine automatic."
I use any number of pairs of wings, the wings in each pair being symmetrically
arranged with reference to the central supporting frame work. I prefer to use
from three to five superposed pairs, with one or more other pairs in the rear of these.
The rear pair is arranged to Hex upward behind in flight, to preserve the fore and
aft balance. I may also use a stationary aeroplane or aerocurve over the tops of
the front wings, and a keel or rudder at the rear. Two or more wings on each
side are connected rigidly so as to move. together, and are mounted on upright
pivots so as to be capable of movement fore and aft.
I also provide a seat for the aviator and cords for moving the wings forward and
backward, either by the hands or feet of the aviator.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gliding machine embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is a top plan view.
Figure 3 is a side elevation.
Figure 4 is a front elevation.
Figure 5 shows the ball bearings on which the wings are mounted.
Figure 6 shows another form of machine.
My experiments were first mado with a machine like that shown in Fig. 6, in
which twelve wings, each about six feet long by three feet wide were arranged
along a rigid central framework, six wings on each side, in three consecutive sets
each containing two superposed wings. The wings were pivoted to the frame so
that each set could be moved fore and aft, the action being restrained by springs.
This form of machine was found to be reasonably steady in gliding flight, but
deficient in lifting power, and after a number of experiments and changes, I
arrived at the form shewn in Figures 1 to 5, which I consider the best.
:
In this form, all but one pair of wings are accumulated at the front, and the
operator is placed directly under and partially within them the remaining pair
forming a tail at the rear, being mounted so as to flex upward behind in flight.
Their operation was found steady, safe and manageable in winds blowing up to
twenty miles an hour. The principles governing the equilibrium of such a machine
were found to be that the supporting surfaces should be placed at the front, above
the operator that the lowest wings should be about thirty inches above the ground
when the operator stood thereon: that the space between the superposed wings
should be about three-quarters of their breadth: that the space between the support-
ing wings and the tail should not be less than the breadth of said wings: that they
should be set so as to present an angle of incidence of from three to seven degrees
above the horizon or the course when in flight, and that they should be pivoted sq
as to move very easily.
In order that the construction of this machine may be fully understood, a detailed
description will now be given:
The framework consists of three lengthwise arched rods A, one above and central,
the others running along each side, all three meeting in a point in front: the two
side rods also meet at the rear. Cross bars B are secured to the side rods, and cross
arms C to the upper or ridge rod, while uprights D extend from the side rods to the
ridge rod at intervals. Two pairs of stanchions E are fastened to the side rods and
the cross arms C, preferably raking aft, as shown in Figure 3. A stern post E
is fastened to the after ends of the rods A. The frame is suitably braced by
diagonal guy-wires F.

page_text: The sustaining wings G are proferably eight in number, four on each side. Each
wing is a rigid aerocurve preferably having its front edge curved in its longitu-
dinal plane. The wings shown have a longitudinal straight stretcher or spar 9,
a bowed front stretcher g' attached at each end to the stretcher g, and several trans-
verse arched ribs g³, the whole being covered with varnished fabric.
The superposed wings on cach side are united by upright struits H and diagonal
guys I, so as to form practically one rigid structure or multiple wing series, and
each multiple wing is pivotally mounted at one end on an upright stationary
shaft K, which has upper and lower journals & passing through eyes L secured to
the roofs of the lower and of the third wings, as shown. Ball bearings are pre-
ferred in order that each set of wings may move as easily as possible.
The front end or bow of the framework projects forward of the wings and from it
run cords M. to various points on the front edge of the wings. These cords are
made elastic in any suitable manner, as by interposing in them coiled springs m.
Similar elastic cords n' connect the sustaining wings with the rear of the framework.
A centrally arranged aerocurve N is attached to the upper ends of the
stanchions E. A pair of rear wings 0 is secured to the after end of the frame-
work, preferably somewhat above the plane of the lowest sustaining wing G, which
they preferably resemble in construction. These wings O serve as a tail, to govern
the undulating movements in flight. They are supported at their roots by the
lower end of the stern post E. Guys P and struts P prevent them from swing-
ing backward and forward, and struts P running up to the top of the stern post
resist the upward pressure. The rear portion of each wing O, back of the longi-
tudinal stretcher, is left free to flex upward by reason of the elasticity of the trans-.
verse ribs. This action compensates for abnormal changes in wind pressure when
the machine undulates in flight, and the same effect can be produced by mounting
the tail wings on a flexible rod.
A vertical rudder R is hinged to the stern post E' between the tail wings O, and
may be governed by tiller ropes.
It is found, however in practice, that the rudder is more useful as a vertical tail
or keel, since the steering can be most easily accomplished by shoving forward
the set of multiple wings on the side opposite that to which it is desired to go.
Suspended below the framework, between the multiple wings, is a seat S for
the operator. Pivoted to the frame on each side and in front of the seat, are
depending levers T, each carrying a pedal at its lower end. A cord t runs from each
lever back to and around a pulley on the frame and thence forward to the front
edge of the set of multiple wings on that side of the machine. A spring is inter-
posed in that cord. Another cord U with interposed springs u runs from the
lever to the front of the frame.
By shoving on both pedals, the wings will be pulled back, and the machine will
tilt over slightly to the front and glide at a flatter angle. On letting both the
levers swing back, the springs m pull the wings forward, increasing the angle of
incidence, tilting the machine up in front, and slowing its headway. This latter
effect will be produced automatically in case the operator accidentally loses his
hold on the pedals. By operating on one pedal alone, the machine may be steered
to the right or left.
In place of arranging the tail in the manner above shown and described, I may
mount the two wings O on a flexible stick projecting in the rear of the framework,
so that the entire tail can flex up or down when the wind pressure varies.
I have, thus far, only tested this machine in gliding or soaring flight, believing
it to be necessary to work out the adjustments and to produce automatic equili-
brium under all circumstances of wind and of flight before proceeding to apply a
motor and a propellor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
11
L
mark and two ants of multinle wines

page_text: hinged thereto on upright axes, substantially as set forth, and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
2. In a gliding flying machine, a rigid framework and two sets of superposed
wings hinged thereto on upright axes, substantially as set forth and as illustrated
by the accompanying drawings.
3. In a gliding flying machine, a rigid framework and two or more pairs of wings
hinged thereto on vertical axes, and a rear pair adapted to flex upward in flight,
substantially as set forth, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
4. In a gliding flying machine, a rigid framework, two or more pairs of wings
hinged on vertical axes, and a stationary aerocurve above said wings, substantially
as set forth, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
5. In a gliding flying machine, a rigid framework, two upright stationary shafts
secured thereto, a multiple wing pivotally mounted on each shaft, and means for
controlling said wings, substantially as set forth, and as illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings.
6. In a gliding flying machine, a rigid framework, a seat supported therefrom,
two or more superposed wings hinged on upright axes on each side of said frame,
and foot levers connected with said wings, substantially as specified and as illus-
trated by the accompanying drawings.
7. A gliding flying machine, composed of a rigid framework, two multiple wings
hinged on upright axes, a stationary aerocurve above said wings, two rear wings
adapted to flex in a vertical direction, and an upright rudder or keel between said
rear wings, substantially as set forth, and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
8. A gliding flying machine, constructed and arranged substantially as set forth
and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated thin Ofth day of Wahmiam AT 1800