Manual Patents (Class 244/64)
  • Patent number: 11690420
    Abstract: A wing costume article of manufacture has a semi-rigid support structure formed in a symmetrical shape emulating a shape of a set of wings, a fabric liner formed over the semi-rigid support structure, a plurality of synthetic feathers cut from synthetic foam sheet material, the synthetic feathers cut in a variety of lengths and widths, each with a first end and a second end, the second ends fastened to the fabric liner in a manner to present the plurality of feathers outward simulating a set of natural wings, and a harness interface configured to engage the wing costume by the semi-rigid support structure to the upper back of a wearer, presenting the wing costume as the set of wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventor: Payman Shaffa
  • Patent number: 9586689
    Abstract: A parachute device is provided with a bag containing a main parachute and a reserve parachute and with a propulsion assembly having a frame to which two arms are coupled; the two arms can be opened laterally by operating a control and support respective power units, which can be started by operating a further control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Enrico Cattani
  • Patent number: 9561850
    Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing aircraft includes a propulsion mechanism having a fan for generating lift and thrust, an engine for supplying motive power to the propulsion mechanism, a frame coupling the propulsion mechanism and the engine, seating connected to and suspended from the frame so as to be swingable back and forth relative to the frame, a control stick connected to the frame, and a landing undercarriage connected to the seating, wherein the propulsion mechanism is connected to the frame such that the drive shaft of the fan is directed vertically during landing, and the frame is moved relative to the seating by manipulating the control stick, to change the orientation of the propulsion mechanism. The thrust can be controlled with simple configuration, and take-off and landing can be performed safely even in a small space surrounded by obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi Tsunekawa, Tetsuya Tamura
  • Patent number: 8540187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a muscle-powered ornithopter comprising a fuselage, a pair of flapping wings which have an alterable profile or a rudder in an outer wing region located at a distance from the fuselage, said alterable profile or rudder allowing the uplift to be modified in a predefined flow, and an elevator unit in which the deflection of the elevator can be modified. The pair of flapping wings and the fuselage are made of an elastic material, the elasticity of which allows the pair of flapping wings to be flapped. The flapping wings are curved downward in a resting position. The elasticity is calculated such that the flapping wings are urged into a neutral position during a flight because of the pilot's weight. The fuselage is designed to accommodate the pilot in an upright position relative to a longitudinal axis of the fuselage such that the pilot can apply stress to and relieve stress from the aircraft in phases by stretching and bending his or her legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Nikolaus Pietrek
  • Patent number: 8196684
    Abstract: A wearable folding wing apparatus includes a top central support ring having a pair of connected shoulder straps and a pair of selectively horizontally and vertically orientable wing support beams connected to the top central support ring with slidable connections. A pair of collapsible and extendable wing members are connected to the selectively horizontally and vertically orientable wing support beams. A user may employ provided arm connectors to lift and lower the selectively horizontally and vertically orientable wing support beams in order to deploy and collapse the wing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph C. Caiozza
  • Patent number: 8087609
    Abstract: A completely dynamic human powered flying suit comprising of a pair of bat wings and an interconnecting flexible main sheet with the body of the pilot-operator lying on top of and in the center of the non-rigid section of the apparatus when in flight. Each wing has a front section or a wing paddle with supporting spar network and a similar but smaller rear section with the pilot-operator's arms and legs respectively operating the front and rear sections in a swimming motion in order to make lift and thrust. A rear air dam extends along the trailing underside edge of the central part of the apparatus to slow passing air. Large straps extend from wing tip to wing tip at radial intervals down the underside of the aircraft to prevent hyper-extension of the large wing paddle outer ends from bypassing behind the pilot-operator to ensure capturing lift and for the making of thrust. A body harness is provided with quick disconnect clips to hold the pilot-operator onto the suit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: David A. Moore
  • Publication number: 20110226895
    Abstract: A completely dynamic human powered flying suit comprising of a pair of bat wings and an interconnecting flexible main sheet with the body of the pilot-operator lying on top of and in the center of the non-rigid section of the apparatus when in flight. Each wing has a front section or a wing paddle with supporting spar network and a similar but smaller rear section with the pilot-operator's arms and legs respectively operating the front and rear sections in a swimming motion in order to make lift and thrust. A rear air dam extends along the trailing underside edge of the central part of the apparatus to slow passing air. Large straps extend from wing tip to wing tip at radial intervals down the underside of the aircraft to prevent hyper-extension of the large wing paddle outer ends from bypassing behind the pilot-operator to ensure capturing lift and for the making of thrust. A body harness is provided with quick disconnect clips to hold the pilot-operator onto the suit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: David A. Moore
  • Patent number: 5170965
    Abstract: A human powered hang glider has a right main wing and a left main wing, both of which are swingably attached to a post by a universal joint. A rope is stretched in a loop shape between a pedal provided at a lower part of the post and the main wing, and is fixed to the pedal and the main wing. By operation of the pedals, the main wings are flapped like a bird flaps its wing. By this flapping action of the main wings, the hand glider can take wing, whether or not an upcurrent is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 4773619
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft structure to make possible take-off and landing on a pilot's feet. The aircraft structure according to the invention can be regarded as a category between kite-shaped aircraft structures and light structures. The gist of the aircraft structure of the invention consists in providing freely supported or outerly reinforced wings (12) adapted to be moved by a pilot (15) actuated mechanism, in their own plane during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventor: Erno Rubik
  • Patent number: 4417707
    Abstract: A human powered hang glider (10) has a fixed wing portion (12) and a pair of movable wing portions (14, 16). Flexible sheet material (26, 28) is connected to trailing edges (30, 32) of the movable wing portions (14, 16). A support structure (34, 36) for the flexible sheet material (26, 28) overlies each flexible sheet material (26, 28). Elastic bands (52) and wires (74, 76) are connected in opposing relationship to the movable wing portions (14, 16) to allow reciprocation of the movable wing portions (14, 16). When the flexible bands (52) cause upward movement of the movable wing portions (14, 16) the flexible sheet members (26, 28) move away from their associated support structures (34, 36), allowing air to pass through the support structures (34, 36). When pilot (70 pulls on wires (74, 76) to move the movable wing portions (14, 16) downward, the flexible sheet portions (26, 28) move against their associated support structures (34, 36) to provide increased lift from the movable wing portions (14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Inventor: Ken Leong
  • Patent number: 4261534
    Abstract: An aircraft is constructed of an airfoil shaped inflated involucrum of lightweight gas-impervious plastic film. The airfoil is maneuverable to attain forward self-propulsion upon ascent as well as descent. The gases contained in the involucrum are heated by solar radiation to reduce craft density with the upper surface of the airfoil being translucent and the lower surface of the airfoil interior mirrored for concentration of the radiant energy upon an interior cylindrical black spar. A honeycomb reradiation barrier is provided beneath the translucent surface. In one embodiment a large volume involucrum is changeable in camber to maximize forward propulsion. The craft may be utilized to suspend a large fog broom for the purpose of condensation of water vapor. In a further embodiment a manpowered inflatable craft is formed with a flexible longitudinal medial fold which separates the airfoil into wing segments. Each segment includes a passive trailing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Inventor: Auro Roselli
  • Patent number: 4206892
    Abstract: An efficient aircraft utilizes a stabilizer spaced from a fixed wing, and supported for controlled rolling about an axis extending generally in a forward direction, to control aircraft yaw. The stabilizer extends generally horizontally in straight forward flight. Pitch of the stabilizer is also controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: Paul B. MacCready, Jr.
    Inventors: Paul B. MacCready, Jr., Peter B. S. Lissaman, James D. Burke
  • Patent number: 4081155
    Abstract: A heavier-than-air structure has a delta-shaped wing and a plurality of rearwardly-directed flat fans mounted upon the rear thereof. The fans are driven in up and down arcuate oscillations by a rotating shaft carrying flap board assemblies, one board for each fan. The shaft is rotated by a bicycle-type pedal crank driven by the operator of the machine and connected to rotate the shaft by a chain and sprocket. Each flap board engages its corresponding fan forwardly of a pivot axis of the fan, driving the fan downwardly against an opposing force of an elastic band affixed to the fan aft of its pivot point. When the fan is released by continued rotation of the shaft and flap board the fan is returned upwardly by the elastic band. Fanning of ambient air at a rate of two oscillations per second gives sufficient propulsive thrust to drive the machine forwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Inventor: Shang-Ming Kuan
  • Patent number: 4061293
    Abstract: A balloon filled with buoyant gas provides the major part of the required lift. A pair of spaced rings are supported by a rigging having a plurality of lines supported by the upper half of the balloon at approximately the vertical center of the balloon. Each of a pair of helicopter blade units is rotatably mounted on a corresponding one of the rings. A frame is supported by the rigging beneath the balloon and has a passenger's bicycle type seat mounted thereon, a pedal-operated sprocket wheel rotatably mounted thereon and a plurality of landing wheels rotatably mounted thereon. The sprocket wheel is coupled to the helicopter blade units in a manner whereby a passenger seated in the seat and pedalling the sprocket wheel in any position between central and forward positions contrarotates the torque-balancing blade units for providing additional lift and forward propulsion force. A rudder is movably mounted on the frame and is controlled in direction by the passenger for directing the aircraft in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1977
    Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Lo
  • Patent number: 4053122
    Abstract: A flapping wire aircraft capable of being operated by manpower comprising double wings acting in a countermovement is provided with a toggle lever system on each side for separate actuating the right-hand and left-hand wings respectively to improve steering possibilities; said toggle lever systems permitting increased wing flapping speeds. The wings are at least partially elastic and of a compact shape; according to a preferred embodiment circular-ellipticaly, rearward-outwardly extending wing spars are in an approximately parallel arrangement, the first of which following the front/side edge of the wing; these on substantially in flight direction arranged bearing spars attached wing spars guide sharing air portions to the rear, resulting in enhanced propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Inventor: Konrad Gar
  • Patent number: 4007893
    Abstract: The Homocopter is a small helicopter which can fly due to the human power only, i.e. the pilot who is "riding" this vehicle is realizing the rotation of the rotary wing of the helicopter using a pair of pedals and a gear system, through which the rotary wing rotates with sufficient revolutions per minute to create the lift, necessary for the motion of this vehicle through the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1977
    Inventor: Hariton Khachikian
  • Patent number: 3964697
    Abstract: A pair of sector-shaped wings stored in a pair of spaced apart elongated housings strapped vertically to the back of the user and adapted to be deployed from the housings utilizing rotatably mounted handles secured to the wings. Each housing has a longitudinal opening through which a wing is packed into a housing and deployed therefrom. Each wing comprises a pliable sheet of material which is secured to its respective housing along one side margin and secured to a rigid strip at another side margin. The strips are pivotly mounted and carry the handles which allow the wings to be manipulated by the arms of the user for accomplishing sky diving maneuvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1976
    Assignee: Lawrence Peska Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Kittrell W. Mays