Collapsible wing for aircraft
OwnerDwight Funkinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A collapsible wing includes a plurality of ribs, a connector, a plurality of pivot arms, and a cover panel. Each of the pivot arms is pivotably coupled to a trailing rib end portion of a respective one of the ribs in a scissor orientation. Each of the pivot arms is selectively movable between an unlocked position out of alignment with its respective trailing rib portion and a locked position in alignment with its respective trailing rib portion. The cover panel includes a first panel edge and a second panel edge. The first panel edge is coupled to the trailing rib end portion of each of the ribs. The second panel edge is coupled to each of the pivot arms, such that, upon movement of the pivot arms from the unlocked position to the locked position, the cover panel is stretched taut around the ribs and the connector.
Claims16
A collapsible wing comprising:
- a plurality of ribs, each of the ribs including a leading rib end portion, a central rib portion, and a trailing rib end portion;
- a connector, the connector being connected to the leading rib end portion of each of the ribs, the connector being elongated;
- a plurality of pivot arms, each of the pivot arms being positioned parallel and pivotably coupled to a trailing rib end portion of a respective one of the ribs in a scissor orientation, each of the pivot arms being selectively movable between an unlocked position in which each of the pivot arms is out of alignment with its respective trailing rib portion and a locked position in which each of the pivot arms is in alignment with its respective trailing rib portion;
- and
- a cover panel, the cover panel being positioned to surround the connector, the ribs, and the pivot arms, the cover panel comprising flexible material, the cover panel including:
- a first panel edge, the first panel edge being coupled to the trailing rib end portion of each of the ribs;
- and
- a second panel edge, the second panel edge being coupled to each of the pivot arms, such that, upon movement of the pivot arms from the unlocked position to the locked position, the second panel edge is moved immediately adjacent the first panel edge and the cover panel is stretched taut around the ribs and the connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.