Ornithopter (Patent No: 527716)

Inventor: Caldwell, Jonathan E.

Location: Medicine Hat

Comments: see photo MHM&AG;, PC425-18

Description: Issued July 17, 1956
Jonathan E. Caldwell Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Application June 12, 1952, Serial No. 632,330.
9 Claims.

1. A heavier than air machine including elevator and rudder controls and comprising in combination with a source of power, a supporting framework, at least one transversely situated aerofoil mounted centrally for pivotal movement to said supporting framework and extending completely across said framework, means connected to said source of power adapted to rock said aerofoil about said pivotal connection thereof, from side to side relative to the longitudinal axis of said framework, said aerofoil including a centre section, and outboard sections upon each side of said centre section, a plurality of freely pivoted lift valves spanning each of said outboard sections, said lift valves being pivoted substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said framework, said lift valve being adapted to open on the upstroke of said aerofoil and close on the downstroke thereof.

3. A combination road and air vehicle comprising a supporting framework, a chassis and wheels therefor, rudder and elevator controls, a source of power in said chassis selectively connectable to said wheels, said supporting framework being detachably mounted upon said chassis, at least one transversely situated aerofoil mounted centrally for pivotal movement to said supporting framework and extending completely across said framework, means connected to said source of power adapted to rock said aerofoil about the pivotal connection thereof, from side to side relative to the longitudinal axis of said framework, said aerofoil including a centre section, and outboard sections upon each side of said centre section, a plurality of freely pivoted lift valves spanning being pivoted substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said supporting framework, said lift valves being adapted to open on the upstroke of said aerofoil and close on the downstroke thereof.

4. A heavier than air machine including elevator and rudder controls and comprising in combination with a source of power, a supporting framework, a front and rear transversely situated aerofoil, each aerofoil being mounted centrally for pivotal movement to said supporting framework and extending completely across said framework, means connected to said source of power to rock said aerofoils oppositely about the pivotal connections thereof from side to side relative to the longitudinal axis of said framework, said aerofoil including a centre section and port and starboard outboard sections upon each side of said centre sections, and means on said aerofoil adapted to transmit downward movement thereof through the air to upward thrust to said supporting framework.

6. The device according to claim 4, in which said supporting structure includes a centrally located, longitudinally extending beam, said aerofoils being pivotally supported upon said beam one behind the other, said means to rock said aerofoils oppositely about the centres thereof including a pair of rocker arms lying parallel with said beam, each of said rocker arms being pivotally supported, medially along the length thereof, one upon each side of said beam, drive rods extending between the ends of said rocker arms and the frame of said centre section, and crankshaft means selectively connectable between said source of power and one end of said rocker arms.