Patents by Inventor Franklin H. Butler

Franklin H. Butler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4412665
    Abstract: A three wheeled, generally in line, articulated landing gear with the lever trailing the lever hinge axis, applied in a pair. Each shock strut, axle, and rolling assembly counter twist 90.degree. upon retraction about a laterally offset post to present the smallest frontal area or pod size. The twisting mechanism, the door links and the over center down lock are all tied mechanically to the gear so that no other sequencing is required during gear retraction or extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Louis T. Kramer, Franklin H. Butler, Donald C. Callas
  • Patent number: 4359199
    Abstract: A bogie type landing gear especially suitable for providing soft landing capabilities for short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft wherein fore and aft wheels are mounted on opposite ends of a bogie which is pivotally attached to the lower end of a vertical shock strut. In one embodiment, a torque link pivotally connects the aft end of the bogie to the shock strut such that, under normal landing conditions, the front wheel will touch down first thereby reducing and directing the landing forces to minimize shock to the aircraft. The aft mounted torque links also act as a tension member during the initial landing stroke. In another embodiment, a damper acts as a tension stop for a soft landing arrangement as well as to dampen bogie motion over bumps with the torque links being separate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Louis T. Kramer, Franklin H. Butler, Anthony V. Camino