Combined Wing-sails and Body Frame for use in the Propulsion of Cycles, Canoes, and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Combined Wing-sails and Body Frame for use in the Propulsion of
Cycles, Canoes, and the like.
I, JOHN TURNER-TURNER, of Avon Castle Hotel, near Ringwood, Hants, Gentle-
man, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the construction and method of fixing and operating
wing-sails for use in the propulsion of cycles, canoes, and the like in addition
to, and in some cases independently of, the physical power exerted by the rider
or occupant. According to my invention I combine with specially constructed
collapsible wing-sails, a light frame or jacket adapted to be easily fitted and fixed
to the body of the rider or user, and I provide means by which the use or disuse
of the wing-sails is effected in a very simple and rapid manner.
In constructing the wing-sails I employ a main rib of steel or other material
of requisite strength and lightness, it is made in two or more parts pivotted together
at a convenient point or points, so that the outer part or parts will fold and lie
snugly upon the inner, and a spring or springs of sufficient strength to maintain
the rib lineable when released and open is or are provided. Any required number
of transverse projecting ribs are fixed to such main rib in convenient positions
and the whole wing is covered with silk, canvas or any substance suitable
for a sail.
In combination with a pair of such wing-sails and for the purpose of fixing
same to the back of the wearer I construct from thin ribbon steel or equivalent
light tough and more or less flexible material of suitable breadth a frame adapted
to fit well and comfortably the upper part of the body. The bands are preferably
crossed with a pivotted joint upon the back of the user's body though they may
be otherwise conveniently arranged and the two upper ends are curved over each
shoulder for a sufficient distance down the chest to secure them. The lower ends
are curved round the waist from behind and secured in front with a strap and
buckle or other fastening. Short cross connections are or may be provided
where required to secure the necessary strength. A flexible cord is fixed to a point
or points on the outer parts of each hinged main rib and such cords are led through
guide pulleys or eyes to convenient position in front of the wearer, so as to be
easily worked. To close the wings the cords are drawn down, and tied together
or otherwise fixed. When released, the wings will be at once fully opened by the
action of the said rib springs. Wing-sails and a body frame constructed as above
indicated are very light and do not in any way impede the movements of the
wearer, and when the wind blows in the direction of travel or approximately so,
the propulsion of the machine or craft is facilitated.

page_text: Combined Wing-sails and Body Frame for use in the Propulsion of
Cycles, Canoes, and the like.
I, JOHN TURNER-TURNER, of Avon Castle Hotel, near Ringwood, Hants, Gentle-
man, 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 relates to the construction and method of fixing and operating
wing-sails for use in the propulsion of cycles, canoes, and the like, in addition
to, and in some cases independently of the physical power exerted by the rider
or occupant. According to my invention I combine with specially constructed
collapsible wing-sails, a light frame or jacket adapted to be easily fitted and fixed
to the body of the rider or user, and I provide means by which the use or disuse
of the wing-sails is effected in a very simple and rapid manner.
I will now fully describe the preferred way of carrying out my invention in
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. and 2 are rear views
showing the body frame or jacket and the wing-sails respectively in closed and
open position.
In constructing the wing-sails I employ for each a main rib of steel, whalebone,
cane, or other material of requisite strength and lightness; it is made in two or
more parts such as R¹ R2 pivotted together at a convenient point or points such
as R, so that the outer part or parts R2 will fold and lie snugly upon the inner R¹;
a spring or springs of sufficient strength to maintain the rib lineable when released
and open is, are, or may be provided at the junction points R. In the drawing
such springs are not shown, not being required with the design illustrated. Any
required number of transverse projecting ribs rrr are fixed to such main
rib R R2 in convenient positions as shown, and the whole wing is covered with
silk, canvas or any substance, as at S, suitable for forming a light, strong, and
pliant sail.
The shape of sail I prefer is that of a bat or bird's wing, more or less, as may
be convenient and efficient.
In combination with a pair of such wing-sails and for the purpose of fixing
same to the back of the wearer I construct from thin ribbon-steel or equivalent
light, tough, and more or less flexible material of suitable breadth, a frame adapted
to fit well and comfortably the upper part of the body. The bands F1 F2 con-
stituting the frame are preferably crossed as illustrated in Fig. 1 with a pivotted
joint at F upon the back of the user's body, though they may be otherwise con-
veniently arranged as illustrated; the two upper ends are curved as shown at CC
over each shoulder of the rider for a sufficient distance down the chest to hold
them secure.
The lower ends C Care or may be curved round the waist from
behind, or they may terminate abruptly, in either case they are secured in front
with a strap and buckle B such as shown, or other fastening may be substituted.
Short cross connections f f are or may be provided where required to secure the
necessary strength. For operating the wing-sails in a simple way, flexible cording
may be fixed to a point or points on the outer parts R2 of each hinged main rib
and such cords are led through guide pulleys or eyes to convenient position in
front of the wearer, so as to be easily worked. To close the wings the cords are
drawn down, and tied together or otherwise fixed. When' released, the wings
will be at once fully opened by the action of the said rib springs if used.
The mode of operating the sails and the arrangement of parts which I prefer
for the purpose is shown in the figures. The inner ends of the outer ribs R² are
pivotted to the upper ends of the inner ribs R¹ which are united at the base R³

page_text: g
and mounted to slide in guides A A fixed to the body frame F. A spring A' is
applied in convenient position and normally holds down both ribs R R in the
lowest position. The lifting cords G G are led from the base 3 over guides
fixed on the shoulder parts of the frame or otherwise conveniently, to the front
of the user. By pulling these cords the ribs RR' are first raised up against the
force of the spring A' and the further elevating will by the flexible connections T T
between the frame l' and extensions r r from the outer ribs R2 R serve to elevate
the latter and expand the wing-sails S to the full extent. The sails when hoisted
may be kept in position either by tying or otherwise fixing the free ends of the
lifting cords G G, or the cords may be wound on a reel fixed to the turned over
part of the frame or an extension thereof and provided with a stop or trigger
motion whereby not only can the wing-sails be hoisted and set at any required
degree of expansion, but when desired to close them it is only necessary to release
the trigger and they will be instantly collapsed by the force of the spring A¹. I
have not illustrated the reel and trigger as such devices exist, and any appropriate
kind may readily be adapted to the purpose. Auxiliary strips of elastic (which
it is not necessary to show on the drawings) are, or may be arranged in convenient
positions extending between the ribs R R2 and the frame F for the purpose of
causing the material of the wing-sails when collapsed to fit and lie snugly to
the ribs and frame and the body of the wearer. Wing-sails and a body frame
constructed as above indicated are very light, and do not in any way impede the
movements of the wearer, and when the wing blows in the direction of travel or
approximately so, the propulsion of the machine or craft is facilitated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
The combination of collapsible wing-sails constructed in a manner such as is
above specified with a light frame adapted to fit the user's body, and means for
operating the said wing-sails, all arranged or adapted to operate substantially as
and for the purposes herein set forth.
Dated this Twenty-second day of June 1898.
For the Applicant,
•
J. C. CHAPMAN,
Chartered Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.