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US-12617520-B1 - Collapsible wing for aircraft

US12617520B1US 12617520 B1US12617520 B1US 12617520B1US-12617520-B1

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.

Inventors

  • Dwight Funk

Assignees

  • Dwight Funk

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20250728

Claims (16)

  1. 1 . 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.
  2. 2 . The collapsible wing of claim 1 , wherein the cover panel comprises synthetic fibers of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
  3. 3 . The collapsible wing of claim 2 , wherein: the cover panel includes a first cover rod and a second cover rod; the first cover rod is positioned at and extends along the first panel edge; each of the trailing rib end portions includes a rib end opening through which the first cover rod passes to couple the first cover rod to each of the ribs; the second cover rod is positioned at and extends along the second panel edge; and each of the pivot arms includes a pivot arm opening through which the second cover rod passes to couple the second cover rod to each of the pivot arms.
  4. 4 . The collapsible wing of claim 3 , wherein: each of the trailing rib end portions and each of the pivot arms have the same profile such that each of the pivot arms completely overlaps its respective trailing rib end portion when in the locked position; each of the pivot arms includes a pivot arm recess to receive the first cover rod when in the locked position; and each of the trailing rib end portions includes a rib end recess to receive the second cover rod when in the locked position.
  5. 5 . The collapsible wing of claim 4 , further comprising a lock rod, wherein each of the trailing rib end portions and each of the pivot arms includes a lock opening configured to be aligned for insertion of the lock rod to retain the pivot arms in the locked position and the cover panel taut.
  6. 6 . The collapsible wing of claim 5 , wherein the connector is an elongated foam structure having a cross-sectional profile matching a cross-sectional profile of each of the leading rib end portions that tapers from a flat rear surface to a rounded front surface.
  7. 7 . The collapsible wing of claim 6 , wherein the elongated foam structure includes a plurality of foam structure sections, each positioned between and attached to a respective pair of the ribs.
  8. 8 . The collapsible wing of claim 7 , wherein: each of the ribs is flat and elongated; each of the ribs includes a curved upper edge and a straight lower edge to shape the cover panel in a desired aerodynamic shape; and each of the ribs is oriented vertically on its straight lower edge.
  9. 9 . The collapsible wing of claim 8 , wherein each of the ribs comprises carbon fiber material.
  10. 10 . The collapsible wing of claim 1 , wherein: the cover panel includes a first cover rod and a second cover rod; the first cover rod is positioned at and extends along the first panel edge; each of the trailing rib end portions includes a rib end opening through which the first cover rod passes to couple the first cover rod to each of the ribs; the second cover rod is positioned at and extends along the second panel edge; and each of the pivot arms includes a pivot arm opening through which the second cover rod passes to couple the second cover rod to each of the pivot arms.
  11. 11 . The collapsible wing of claim 10 , wherein: each of the trailing rib end portions and each of the pivot arms have the same profile such that each of the pivot arms completely overlaps its respective trailing rib end portion when in the locked position; each of the pivot arms includes a pivot arm recess to receive the first cover rod when in the locked position; and each of the trailing rib end portions includes a rib end recess to receive the second cover rod when in the locked position.
  12. 12 . The collapsible wing of claim 1 , further comprising a lock rod, wherein each of the trailing rib end portions and each of the pivot arms includes a lock opening configured to be aligned for insertion of the lock rod to retain the pivot arms in the locked position and the cover panel taut.
  13. 13 . The collapsible wing of claim 1 , wherein the connector is an elongated foam structure having a cross-sectional profile matching a cross-sectional profile of each of the leading rib end portions that tapers from a flat rear surface to a rounded front surface.
  14. 14 . The collapsible wing of claim 13 , wherein the elongated foam structure includes a plurality of foam structure sections, each positioned between and attached to a respective pair of the ribs.
  15. 15 . The collapsible wing of claim 1 , wherein: each of the ribs is flat and elongated; each of the ribs includes a curved upper edge and a straight lower edge to shape the cover panel in a desired aerodynamic shape; and each of the ribs is oriented vertically on its straight lower edge.
  16. 16 . The collapsible wing of claim 1 , wherein each of the ribs comprises carbon fiber material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT Not Applicable INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention The disclosure relates to aircraft wings and more particularly pertains to a new collapsible wing that is lightweight and easy to transport and assemble. Aircraft wings are relatively large, even for small aircraft such as drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The new collapsible wing utilizes a lightweight frame and a flexible cover to allow for easy transport and assembly without sacrificing strength and durability. (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 The prior art relates to aircraft wings. The prior art, as best understood, does not disclose a collapsible wing includes a plurality of ribs, a connector to connect the ribs, a plurality of pivot arms, and a cover panel. Each of the pivot arms is 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 is 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. The cover panel is coupled to the ribs and 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. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above in a collapsible wing generally comprising a plurality of ribs, a connector, a plurality of pivot arms, and a cover panel. Each of the ribs includes a leading rib end portion, a central rib portion, and a trailing rib end portion. The connector is connected to the leading rib end portion of each of the ribs. The connector is elongated. Each of the pivot arms is 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 is 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. The cover panel is positioned to surround the connector, the ribs, and the pivot arms. The cover panel includes flexible material. 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 second panel edge is moved immediately adjacent the first panel edge and the cover panel is stretched taut around the ribs and the connector. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible wing according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 is a right side view of an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 is a close-up view of components of an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a close-up view of components of an embodiment of the disclosure in use. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new collapsible wing embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the collapsible w