초록 ▼

Apparatus for transporting a load between source and destination locations, comprising an aircraft having a body, power plant carried by the body to drive the aircraft both generally vertically and also generally horizontally, the aircraft also having a wing structure that has a leading edge remaini

Apparatus for transporting a load between source and destination locations, comprising an aircraft having a body, power plant carried by the body to drive the aircraft both generally vertically and also generally horizontally, the aircraft also having a wing structure that has a leading edge remaining presented in the direction of flight; and load pick-up, carry and set-down means connected to the aircraft to elevate the load from the source location, transport the elevated and air-borne load generally horizontally, and set the load down at the destination location, the body and power plant configured for vertical flight mode to elevate and set down the load, and for generally horizontal flight mode to transport the elevated load generally horizontally below the level of the aircraft body.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] Apparatus for transporting a load through the air between source and destination locations, comprisinga) an aircraft having a body, power plant carried by the body to drive the aircraft both generally vertically and also generally horizontally, and transition therebetween, the aircr

[ I claim:] [1.] Apparatus for transporting a load through the air between source and destination locations, comprisinga) an aircraft having a body, power plant carried by the body to drive the aircraft both generally vertically and also generally horizontally, and transition therebetween, the aircraft body also having a wing structure that has a leading edge remaining presented in the direction of flight, said power plant displacing gases in a stream directed relatively rearwardly of the power plant, and including flight control surfaces in the path of said stream, said wing structure including two generally oppositely directed and protruding wings that remain stationary relative to the body, each wing having an inner section projecting in the path of said stream and an outer section projecting out of the path of said stream, the outer sections spaced apart by a length greater than the body width proximate the wings,b) and load pick-up, carry and set down means including a line connected to the aircraft proximate the aircraft center of gravity and elongated below said body to elevate the load from the source location with the line extending substantially vertically proximate the underside of the body, to transport the elevated air-borne load generally horizontally; and to set the load down at the destination location while the aircraft is air-borne,c) said body and power plant configured for vertical flight mode to elevate and set down the load, at said source and destination locations, and for generally horizontal flight mode to transport the elevated load generally horizontally below the level of the aircraft body, whereby substantially all of the lift transmitted to the aircraft and load is supplied by the wing structure in horizontal flight mode, at cruise speed, and all loading exerted by said load is transmitted to the bod proximate the aircraft center of gravity during both vertical and horizontal flight of the aircraft, the body elongated vertically during vertical flight, and elongated horizontally during horizontal flight,d) said line extending alongside the body along the body length during vertical flight, and the line extending below a mid-portion of the body during horizontal flight.