GB2463519A - Pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft - Google Patents

Pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2463519A
GB2463519A GB0816900A GB0816900A GB2463519A GB 2463519 A GB2463519 A GB 2463519A GB 0816900 A GB0816900 A GB 0816900A GB 0816900 A GB0816900 A GB 0816900A GB 2463519 A GB2463519 A GB 2463519A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
unit
pilot
aircraft
wing
propulsion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0816900A
Other versions
GB0816900D0 (en
Inventor
Rupert John Bickham Sweet-Escott
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0816900A priority Critical patent/GB2463519A/en
Publication of GB0816900D0 publication Critical patent/GB0816900D0/en
Publication of GB2463519A publication Critical patent/GB2463519A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64C—AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
    • B64C31/00—Aircraft intended to be sustained without power plant; Powered hang-glider-type aircraft; Microlight-type aircraft
    • B64C31/04—Man-powered aircraft
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64C—AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
    • B64C31/00—Aircraft intended to be sustained without power plant; Powered hang-glider-type aircraft; Microlight-type aircraft
    • B64C31/028—Hang-glider-type aircraft; Microlight-type aircraft
    • B64C31/036—Hang-glider-type aircraft; Microlight-type aircraft having parachute-type wing

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A pedal powered propulsion unit 10 include attachment means 23 for attaching the unit to a wing, a pedal powered drive mechanism 13 for providing propulsion and a means of pivoting the unit at pivot point 19 to allow the pilot to run for take off and landings and assume a generally supine position for flying and pedaling.

Description

Pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft This invention relates to a pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft and in particular, but not exclusively, to aircraft having paragliding or hang glider wings which are normally foot launched.
Powered paragliders and powered hang gliders are very popular, but have (5) several disadvantages, these include noise and pollution.
It is the object of the present invention to produce a virtually silent and pollution free propulsion unit for an aircraft.
From one aspect the invention consists of a pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft comprising a frame, a support for a pedal powered (10) propulsion unit and the pilot in a generally supine position.
The frame support may pivot to allow the pilot into and out of the generally supine position, which allows the pilot to run for take offs and landings, yet still support the pedal powered propulsion unit. The frame may be incorporated into a pod or harness to support the pilot and the (15) pedal powered propulsion unit.
The pedal powered propulsion unit is mounted within the frame work.
From another aspect the invention consists of a pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft having means of supporting a pilot in a generally supine position and a pedal powered propulsion unit disposed (20) to lie at the pilots feet for pedalling and linked via a flexible propeller shaft to a propeller rearward of the pilot.
From a further aspect the invention consists of a pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft having means for allowing the pilot to run for take offs and landings and support the pedal powered propulsion unit.
(25) From a still further aspect the invention consists in a support or harness comprising a pod and means for pivotally mounting the pedal powered propulsion unit to enable the pilot to run for take off and landing. The invention also includes an aircraft comprising a wing and a pedal powered propulsion unit as defmed above. Preferably the wing is a (30) foot launched paraglider or hang glider and the aircraft is controlled by movement of ropes or hang glider control bar.
The invention may be performed in various ways and a specific embodiment will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: (35) Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view cross section view of the pedal powered propulsion unit according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the pivoting of the pedal powered propulsion unit allowing the pilot to run for take off and landing.
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view from the rear of the invention showing the propeller and propeller guard.
(5) Figure 4 is a diagrammatic cross section view from below showing the pedal mechanism within the pod.
The frame 11 supports the pedalling mechanism 13 which comprises of a right angle gear box 14 onto which is connected 2 cranks and 2 pedals used by the pilot to turn the drive mechanism.
(10) The right angle gear box 14 is connected to the flexible propeller shaft 16 which turns the propeller 17.
The unit 10 is connected to the wing 2 suspension points 18.
The unit 10 pivots at or near the point marked 19 allowing the pilot to run for take off and landing.
(15) Best shown in figure 2 the unit 10 can be seen folded at pivot point 19 to allow the pilot to run for take off and landing. The pivoting mechanism is activated by ropes or cables (not shown).
As can be best seen in figure 3 the optional propeller guard 20 is required when the unit 10 is to be used with a paraglider to avoid the propeller (20) 17 snagging on the lines.
As can be best seen in figure 4 the frame 10 supports the pedalling mechanism 13 comprising of a right angle gear box 14 pedals and cranks and a flexible drive shaft 16 which connects to the propeller 17.
As can be seen in figure 1 and figure 2, the flexible drive 16 shaft allows (25) the unit 10 to fold back which gives the pilot unimpeded forward movement for take off and landings.
The unit 10 pivots at pivot point 19, shown in figures 1,2 and 4 by means of ropes and pulleys (not shown).
The extra weight is mainly supported by the pilot by means of the (30) harness 18 which is fixed onto the frame 11.
The unit 10 opens and closes at point 21 shown in figure 1 and figure 2 which allows the pilot to enter and exit his/her legs from the unit 10.
This afore mentioned opening and closing at point 21 happens in conjunction with the pivoting at point 19 best shown in figure 2.
(35) The unit 10 comprises internal strapping comprising leg straps (not shown) and shoulder straps 22.
Unit 10 is connected to the wing (not shown) at point 23 which consists of two carabineers or shackles.

Claims (9)

  1. Claims 1. A pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft comprising attachment means for attaching the unit to a foot launched paraglider or hang glider or rigid wing, which allows the pilot to run for take off and landing and to fly and pedal the unit in a generally supine position.
  2. 2. A unit according to claim 1, which is virtually silent and pollution free.
  3. 3. A unit according to claim 1, which provides a means for supporting the weight of the drive mechanism during both ground and flight operations.
  4. 4, A unit according to claim 1, in which the right angle gear box and pedals are forward of the pilot for flight operations and rearward of the pilot for ground operations.
  5. 5. A unit according to claim 1, in which a means of supporting the pilot for the purpose of operating the pedals to provide propulsion.
  6. 6. A unit according to claim 1, wherein the attached wing may be foot launched and landed.
  7. 7. An aircraft as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wing is a para glider, hang glider or rigid wing that is operated as originally intended except that pedal powered propeller produces propulsion.
  8. 8. An aircraft comprising a wing and a propulsion unit as claimed in claim 1
  9. 9. A propulsion unit for an aircraft having means for supporting a pilot in a generally supine position and a pedal powered drive unit comprising pedals, a right angle gear mechanism, a flexible drive shaft and a propeller disposed to create forward thrust and allowing freedom of movement for ground operations.
GB0816900A 2008-09-16 2008-09-16 Pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft Withdrawn GB2463519A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0816900A GB2463519A (en) 2008-09-16 2008-09-16 Pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0816900A GB2463519A (en) 2008-09-16 2008-09-16 Pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0816900D0 GB0816900D0 (en) 2008-10-22
GB2463519A true GB2463519A (en) 2010-03-24

Family

ID=39930216

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0816900A Withdrawn GB2463519A (en) 2008-09-16 2008-09-16 Pedal powered propulsion unit for an aircraft

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2463519A (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2278575A1 (en) * 1974-03-01 1976-02-13 Oliveau Maurice Flying machine driven by muscular power alone - has airscrew driven by legs of pilot lying on his back
US4676755A (en) * 1985-11-13 1987-06-30 Erse Yagan Pedal driven device
FR2746764A1 (en) * 1996-04-02 1997-10-03 Delvigne Philippe Muscular propelled para-glider
WO2002032754A1 (en) * 2000-10-19 2002-04-25 Jeong Koo Kwan Improved manpower propulsion device of buoyancy for leisure

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2278575A1 (en) * 1974-03-01 1976-02-13 Oliveau Maurice Flying machine driven by muscular power alone - has airscrew driven by legs of pilot lying on his back
US4676755A (en) * 1985-11-13 1987-06-30 Erse Yagan Pedal driven device
FR2746764A1 (en) * 1996-04-02 1997-10-03 Delvigne Philippe Muscular propelled para-glider
WO2002032754A1 (en) * 2000-10-19 2002-04-25 Jeong Koo Kwan Improved manpower propulsion device of buoyancy for leisure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0816900D0 (en) 2008-10-22

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)