An Improved Flying Machine.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 23rd Oct.,
1897
An Improved Flying Machine.
I, GEORGE HARDACRE of Lower Bucca, in the Colony of New South Wales,
Miner, 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:-
The object of my invention is the construction of a flying machine to be operated
by any motive power.
In order that my invention may be better understood reference will be made to
accompanying sheets of drawings;---
Figure 1, (sheet 1) is a side elevation without the wings.
Figure 2, (sheet 1) is a part of a front elevation.
Figure 3, (sheet 1) is a plan without the wings.
Figures 4 and 5, (sheet 1) are two details of Arms of Wings.
Figure 6, (sheet 1) is an alternate arrangement for securing the wings in a fixed
position.
Figure 1 (sheet 2) is a plan shewing the wings and Parachute with netting
detached from them and the gas bag removed.
Figure 2 (sheet 2) is one wing with netting attached.
Figure 3 (sheet 2) is a portion of the netting covering the wings and Parachute
with leaves attached,
Figure 4, (sheet 2) shows a section of Figure 3 with leaves open.
Figure 5, (sheet 2) showns another section of Figure 3 with leaves folded.
E represents the central column or standard of the flying machine, D is another
column which slides up and down in suitable guides H attached to E.
B is a Parachute attached to the top of D and may be stayed to D in suitable
any
manner.
A. is a gas bag attached to the top of E. M is a connecting rod with its lower end
attached to D. and its upper end attached to a crank N which drives suitable
gearing O connected to a propeller C. this propeller and its gearing may be fitted
with any suitable appliances, which will permit of its being placed at any desired
angle, a second propeller may be fitted horizontally on the machine with similar
appliances but this is not shown on the drawings, however either or both of these
propellers may be dispensed with if desirable. A rudder of similar type to that
used on ships may be fitted to column E for steering the machine if desired, but
this is not shown on the drawings.
L, is the approximate position of the motive power, but this power which may
be of any suitable kind is not claimed as part of this patent.
I I represents a set of springs of any suitable number and design fitted on castors
on which the machine will rest when on the ground a net for carrying stores &c,
is fitted between these springs, K is a platform for the occupant, F is a crossbar
attached to the column E with a stud fitted near each end, G. G. are the arms of

page_text: the wings with slots which work on the studs in F. the wings are shown on sheet 2.
S is a pin in the knuckle joint of the arms G, G, with suitable lever or other
attachment which may be operated by the occupant so that the wings may be
held stationary if desired.
When the wings are required to work, the pin S will engage with the arms G. G,
and the column D, if they are required to be stationary the pin S will engage with
the arms G, G, and the column E.
The gas bag A is connected to the column E with a turntable, and lines are
connected to it so that it may be used for steering the machine if desired.
It has a longitudinal bulkhead fitted and when about to ascend (the bag being
filled with gas) this bulkhead is pressed close to one side, if the gas is to be used
as fuel the exhaust from the engine will be conveyed to the bags on the opposite
side of the bulkhead, a safety valve being fitted to release any extra pressure,
On sheet 2, Figure 1, P. P. show the wings and B the parachute with the
netting &c removed the frames may be made as shown or of any other suitable
shape or arrangement.
Figure 2 sheet 2, shows one wing with netting fitted. Figure 3, sheet 2, is
a portion of the netting with leaves (in elevation) covering the wings and
parachute. Figure 4, sheet 2, is a section of netting showing leaves Q open which
position they will be in when the wings and parachute are on the up stroke,
Figure 5, sheet 2, is another section of the netting with the leaves R folded in
which position they will be when the wings and parachute are on the down stroke
The motive power will be connected to the lower end of the rod D, and will
cause it to slide up and down in the guides H, H, it in turn causing the propeller C
to revolve through the connecting rod M and the gearing O, and also putting the
wings and parachute in motion on the upstrokes of these latter the leaves attached
to the netting will hang down (as shown at Q, Figure 4, sheet 2,) allowing the air
to pass through the netting, on the down stroke they will take the position shown
at R in Figure 5 sheet 2, thus closing all the spaces in the netting and presenting
an unbroken surface to the atmosphere, to ensure these leaves acting they inay
be connected together and a light spring or other contrivance fitted.
The leaves may be fitted to the wings and parachute either longitudinally,
transversely or diagonally as desired.
Figure 4, sheet 1, shows a portion of column E, with crossbar F, and position of
arms G, G, the wings being in their uppermost position and the column D being
removed.
Figure 5, sheet 1, shows the same position of column E, and portion of column D
with arms of wings G, G, the wings being in their lowest position.
Figure 6, sheet 1, shows an alternative arrangement for securing the wings and
parachute in a fixed position, the lower end of column D is set back and has a notch 4
cut in it, a loose piece T connected at its upper end to the connecting rod M, and at
its lower end to the motive power is provided with a projection which catches in the
notch in D carrying D up and down with it.
When the wings and Parachute are required to be stationary the column D is
pulled out until the notch is clear of the projection on T by means of a catch U
running in suitable guides V and operated by levers or other contrivances by the
occupant. If this arrangement is used the pin S will permanently engage the
arms of wings and the column D.
The Parachute as drawn on the plans is shown circular with curved ribs similar
to an ordinary umbrella, but it may be made any shape with any desired curve, or
may be perfectly flat.
It may also be rigidly fixed to the top of column D, as shown or may have a
joint fitted on the top of column D. so that the occupant can set it at any required
angle.
S
It is to be understood that this machine may be constructed of any suitable 5
materials. also can be fitted with any suitable motive power, but the power is
not claimed as a part of this invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;-
-
First. In a flying machine and its attachments a Parachute such as B, a pro-
peller such as C columns such as D and E, arms such as G, G, a platform such as K,
a connecting rod such as M a crank such as N. wings such as P. a catch such as U.
for the purposes and of the nature herein described, and as illustrated in the
drawings
Second. In a flying Machine and its attachments, the combination and arrange-
ments with the various parts, consisting of gas bag, Parachute, Netting, Propeller,
Columns, Crossbar, Arms, Guides, Springs, Platform, connecting rod, crank, Wings,
pin, catch, substantially as shown and described in the Specification, and illustrated
in the drawings.
Dated this 16 day of August 1997.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.