AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PRODUCING PROPULSION AND SUPPORT OF APPARATUS IN THE AIR
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick William Brearey, of Maidenstone Hill, Black-
heath, in the County of Kent, Gentleman, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
METHOD OF PRODUCING PROPULSION AND SUPPORT OF APPARATUS IN THE
AIR.”
Sealed the 12th December 1879, and dated the 16th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick William Brearey
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th June 1879.
FREDERICK WILLIAM BREAREY, of Maidenstone Hill, Blackheath, in the County
of Kent, Gentleman. "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PRODUCING PROPULSION AND
SUPPORT OF APPARATUS IN THE AIR."
The apparatus consists of one or more rigid shafts of any suitable material
extending from front to back and formning the longitudinal portion of the frame.
Two or more lever arms are attached and jointed to the longitudinal shaft or shafts
at or near the front end thereof, the said lever arms being free to vibrate in ares
from the joints. This framework supports and extends a fabric of silk or any other
suitable material, the lever arms forming the front edge of such fabric, and the
longitudinal shaft supports and extends the centre and back thereof. By causing
the lever arms to vibrate in arcs the fabric is caused to partake of a wave-like
motion throughout its whole length to its point of attachment behind, and (in a
smaller degree) also laterally. The effect of this wave motion is such that the
whole apparatus is supported and propelled in the air, and a very large area of
surface can be conveniently used for the purpose of effecting a gentle descent to the
ground at will. An after plane or tail is fitted to control the direction of the
motion. The whole apparatus may be mounted on wheels. I prefer to make the
lever arms of a number of canes or rattans, firmly bound together by whipping from
end to end with cord or wire (or otherwise bound together), and tapered by
occasionally cutting short one of such canes or rattans. The lever arms are thereby
made flexible throughout their whole length, thus effecting a slight interferenco
with the wave action, which I believe to be beneficial.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick William Brearey in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th December 1879.
FREDERICK WILLIAM BREAREY, of Maidenstone Hill, Blackheath, in the County
of Kent, Gentleman. "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PRODUCING PROPULSION AND
SUPPORT OF APPARATUS IN THE AIR."
The apparatus consists of a longitudinal body extending from front to back or
from head to tail, such body being of a greater sectional area at or near the centre
of gravity in order to furnish suitable space for containing the motive power and
other requisite machinery, and also accommodation for passengers. Two or more
lever arins are attached and jointed to the longitudinal body at or near the front
end thereof, the said lever arms being caused to vibrate in arcs by means of any
suitable motive power.
In Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings a is the body and b, b, are the lever
arms; c is a flexible spar attached to the hinder part of the body, or it may be
made a compotent part thereof in continuation of the structure of the body. A
flexible fabric d, d, of silk, cloth, canvas, or any other suitable material is attached
to and expanded upon the structure, as also shown in Figure 1; the front edges of
d, d, therefore vibrate with the lever arms, and, by such vibration, the whole of the
fabric d, d, is thrown into a state of wave-like motion, both lengthwise, and, in a
smaller degree, also laterally. The effect of the said wave motions, when actuated
with sufficient power, is such that the whole apparatus is self supported and pro-
pelled in the air, and the form and arrangement are such that a large area of surface
can be conveniently applied. The large area thus obtained is advantageous, not
only for support in the air when travelling but also for effecting an easy and
gradual descent to the ground when desired. The front part of the fabric d, d, is
stiffened by means of short stays attached to the wing arms at intervals throughout
their whole length, or by other suitable means, so that the flexible portion amenable
to the longitudinal wave motion may commence at or near the termination of such
stiffening. An after plane or tail e, Fig. 1, is fitted to the spar c, as shewn, for the
purpose of controlling the direction of flight by means of suitable cords or ropes.
The whole of the apparatus may be mounted on wheels, or it may be made
water tight in order to float on water.
I prefer to make the lever arms of a number of canes or rattans firmly bound
together by whipping from end to end with cord, wire, or otherwise. The lever
arms are tapered or made smaller at and towards their outer ends by reducing the
total sectional area thereof, either in the number or size of the canes made use of;
or I make the lever arms of hollow metal, sufficiently thin to allow of the necessary
elasticity, or of tapered metallic tubes and canes combined.
Figure 2 represents a side elevation of the apparatus and Figure 3 a front view.
I would have it understood that what I claim as my Invention is the attainment
of support and propulsion in the air by means of imparting wave like motions to a
flexible fabric in the manner herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick William Brearcy, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.