US1773999A - Launching or landing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 26, 1930. R. s. HAIGHT LAUNCHING OR LANDING APPARATUS Filed July 31, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l /)v VENTOR R9 w 3. M

A TTORN-E Y5.

Patented Aug. 26, 1930 UNITED STATES ROBERT B. HAIGHT, OF WES'J. ISLIP, NEW YORK tnuncnrne on LANDING- APPARATUS Application filed July 31,

. This invention is a novel launching or landing apparatus, comprising particularly the main element or float and one or more ramps extending from submerged points at an upward incline to the landing surface or deck of the float, to facilitate the launching or landing of hydroaeroplanes or other vessels. A general object of the present invention is to afford such an apparatus, for seaplanes or L her landing and launching purposes, of improved eiflciency and convenience, and one which can be constructed at moderate cost and will be durable and require minimum maintenance. A particular object is to so combine the main float or vessel and-the ramp or ramps that the latter will be maintained in a predetermined inclined position without substantial change therefrom under the influence of water surging or currents ondue to the weight of the aircraft or other object to be landed. Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be made to appear in thehereinafter following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof or will be understood to those conversant with the subject.

To the attainment of such objects and advantages the present invention consists in the novel launching or landing apparatus, and

the novel features of construction, combination, arrangement and detail herein illustrated or described.

The invention may be generally described as a combination including a main float with its landing surface or deck above water, and one or moreconnected ramps, preferably oppositely positioned, each extending from a submerged point at an upward incline to the landing surface, where it may .be swingingly connected, each ramp having one or more captive buoyancy chambers mountedadjacent or below the outer portionof the ramp and submerged to such an extent that the ramp is continuously subjected to a strong lifting pressure, preferably suflicient to support the seaplane or vessel to he landed, and means applying a downward force or resistance to the ramp whereby-its outer portion and the buoyancy chamber are maintained in'their position of forced submergence, this means 1929. Serial No. 382,475.

preferably'consisting of submerged stays or tension members extending from a submerged part of the ramp to a submerged part of the main float so as to exert a continuous lowering pull resisting the lifting force.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is what may be considered aside elevation of a launching and landing apparatus embodying the present-invention.

Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale, shows one end of the apparatus in more complete detail, in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a detail viewof a modified arrangement of stay or tension member adapted to use in the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial top plan view, showing one side of the main float and one side of 'the' ramp extending therefrom.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation view ofthe apparatus seen in Fig. 4. a

The drawings indicate the water line at W and the float or vessel 10, which may be free floating, but is preferably moored or anchored in'a desirable location in adequate depth of water. For example, the float may be moored in tide water adjacent to awharf,with a gangplank, not shown, for access. For use as a seaplane landing the float 10 my be in the nature of a barge, for example 250 feet in length, 33 feet beam, and 9.5 feet dee and its deck 11 may be smoothly. planked or the reception of seaplanes or other vessels or ob jects to he landed or launched. The float contains water ballast 'w.

The ramps 12 are shown as inclined from a submerged point up to the landing deck of the float. Two such ramps are indicated} one at each side of the .float, preferably near one end thereof, leaving the balance'of the deck clear for other purposes. By having the ramps substantially opposite, any mechanical reactions thereof aresubstantially balanced, and the arrangement facilitates the-landing of the seaplane from one side and its prompt launching at the opposite side.

The structure and details of the ramps maybe indefinitely varied. Eachis shownashaving a running surface or top planking 13 resting on longitudinal beams or stringers 14,w1th similarstringers 15 spaced the float, but are capable of swinging, each ramp being attached at one outer edge of the float by means ofa pivot 18, which may consist of arounded timber 18 attached along the float and engaged at intervals by chain slings, each passing doubled around the timber, with its outer ends engaging chocks on the ramp frame, and tightened by turnbuckle, the ramp having a concave timber 19 thus held movably to the rounder timber on the float. A covering plate 20 is shown brid ing across the pivot from the ramp to the float.

This pivoted or non-rigid connection between ramp and float not merely afl'ords yield or play due'to water movements, but readily permits the ramp to be unshipped for removal, repair orreplacement or to permit the float to be towed or placed in dry dock. While the main ramp 12 is shown at a substantially straight slant from its submerged point to the landing surface of the float it is preferred to have a substantially horizontal submerged extension ramp 21 attached to the extremity of the main ramp. It is shown slightly narrower than the main ramp, and of short length and secured in position by diagonal braces or struts 22.

As already indicated the outer end of each ramp is intended to be held submerged to a predetermined extent or with the ramp at a predetermined rising slant from the sea to the landing deck. The means will next be described by which each ramp is prevented from riding up to float at the surface, like a pontoon, or from sinking under the weight of the load intended to pass along the ramp.

Each ramp is continuously subjected to a strong lifting pressure by .m'eans of captive buoyancy chambers 23 shown in the form of steel air tanks or drums, two in number for each ramp, each of which may be 4 feet diameter by 15 feet long. By captive buoyancy is meant that the tanks can not float free, as with a pontoon, but are held down to such depth of submergence that equilibrium is overcome and upward pressure prevails. Each chamber or tank is mounted and secured within the framework of the ramp adjacent to its outer portion so that it is preferably completely submerged. Thetank thus does not extend above the running surface of the forced submergence by the means next described.

A system of submerged stays or tension members 24 is shown, arranged as a tie means extending from the submerged part of the ramp to a submerged part of the float, for the purpose of resisting the buoyancy of the air chambers and affording continuous forced submergence of the outer portions of the ramp. These stays or ties 24 are preferably in the form of iron chains, and four of them are shown for each ramp, extending from the outer ends of the stringers 14 to the lower submerged edge of the float. At the float end each chain is shown as secured by means of a steel strap 25 attached tothebottom ofthe float and terminating in a shackle 26 to which the chain is connected. At its outer end each chain is similarly connected by a shackle 27 to a turnbuckle or other take-up device 28 by which the tautness or tension can be adjusted.

An important feature of the resent invention is that the stay members 4 aresuch as to admit an appreciable cushioning or buffer action so as to prevent shock from abrupt relative movements of the float or ramp.

This result is secured in the case of the chain.

due to its substantial weight and its tendency to hang ina catenary curve, as best seen in Fig.2, so that there is always leeway for further drawing up of the chain, its resistance or pullincreasi'ng progressively with its yield. In lieu of this arrangement any cushioning substitute may be employed. For example if light cables 24 are employed for stays, as shown in Fig. 3, spring bufl'er devices 24 may be used to admit the desired yield.

In addition to the have diagonal members as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Thus diagonal chains 29 are indicated, one at each side of each ramp, connected to float and ramp similarly to chains 24. These chains exert pull or resistance tending to minimize horizontal swing of the ramp and consequent wear and tear. In ad- 'dition to the submerged diagonal chains 29 may be guys 30 extending diagonally from the outer corners of the ramp to suitable attachments 31 on the deck of the float. These diagonal wire ropes further stiffen the ramps against side swing.

In the case of the stay chains 24, which hold down the ramp, with possibility of cushioning yield, it is preferable to avoid undue sag ing of the chains from their own weight, an consequent depression of the ramp, es-

stays 24 it is desirable to pecially when the ramp is additionally loaded with a seaplane. For this purpose a system of light suspension members 32 is indicated connecting each chain 24, at points along its length, with the frame of the ramp, so as to hold the chain in position with a moderate sag as indicated in Fig. 2. By this arrangement each chain is permitted to yield upwardly as described for cushioning purposes, but is prevented from sagging unduly.

The operation has been indicated. Each ramp will retain a substantially uniform incline and submergence notwithstanding changes of load or tidal movements. It is always available for launching or landing. It is proof against breakage from ordinary conditions. Any rolling of the float or hull that might occur would be unable to snap the submerged chains, on account of their give, and the open or slat construction of the running surface of the ram There has thus been described a launching or landing apparatus embodying the principles and attaining the objects of the present invention. Since many matters of construction, combination, arrangement and detail may be variously modified without departing from the principles hereof it is not intended to limit the invention to such matters except to the extent set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a launching or landing apparatus having a main float with a landing surface above water and one or more connected ramps each extending from a submerged point at an upward incline to the landing surface of the main float, the combination, with each ramp, of one or more captive buoyancy chambers mounted adjacent the outer portion of the ramp and submerged to such extent that the ramp is continuously subjected to a strong lifting pressure, and one or more submerged stay members extending from a submerged part of the ramp to a submerged part of the main float, whereby the outer portion of the ramp and the buoyancy chambers are maintained in their submerged position.

2. The combination as in claim 1 and wherein the stay members are flexible chains or cables hanging in catenaries and afford ing bufler action.

3. The combination as in claimland wherein the stay members are flexible chains or cables of metal with means suspending them at intermediate points to prevent excessive sag.

4. The combination as in claim 1 and wherein the stay members are arranged to be cushioned'against breakage from abrupt pull.

5. In a launching or landing apparatus having a main float with a landing deck above water and opposite ramps each extending from a submerged point at an upward incline to the landing deck and there swingingly connected, the combination with said opposite ramps, of a captive buoyancy chamber mounted below the outer portion of each ramp 1n position so fully submerged that the ramp is continuously subjected to a lifting f6rce suflicient to support the object to be landed, and submerged tension members extending from a submerged part of each ramp to a submerged part of the main float, sub'ecting the ramp to a continuous lowering pull resisting such lifting force, whereby the outer portions of the ramps and the buoyancy chambers are maintained in their predetermined submerged posit-ions, under the opposing influences of said lifting and lowering forces.

6. In a launching or landing apparatus having a main float with a landing surface above water and one or more connected ramps each extending from a submerged point at an upward incline to the landing surface of the main float, the combination, with each ramp, of one or more captive buoyancy chambers mounted adjacent the outer portion of the ramp and-submerged to such extent the ramp is continuously subjected to a strong lifting pressure, and means applying a downward force upon the ramp, whereby the outer portions of the ramp and the buoyancy chambers are maintained in their submerged positi on.

7. In combination a float having a landing deck above water, and one or more ramps each extending slantingly from a submerged point to the landing deck, one or more air tanks mounted adjacent the outer portion of each ramp, and stay means holding downwardly each ramp, whereby its outer portion and the air tanks are maintained in forced s'ubmergence.

8. In a landing for seaplanes or other vessels, a float, a ramp flexibly connected to the float, submerged means tying the outer end of the ramp to the float to hold the ramp at a slant with its outer end submerged, and a buoyance chamber submerged below the outer part of the ramp.

In testimony whereof, this specification has been duly signed by: 1

ROBERT S. HAIGHT.

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