Nov.

1, 1949
Filed July 25, 1945

R. E.,TAPP ET AL
PAYING OUT DEVICE FOR AIRCRAFT TOWING TARGETS , PICKING UP OBJECTS , ETC

2,486,999

2 SheetsSheet 1

Nov. 1, 1949
Filed July 25, 1945

R. E. TAPP ET AL
PAYING OUT DEVICE FOR AIRCRAFT TOWING TARGETS, PICKING UP OBJECTS , ETC

2,486,999
2 Sheets-Sheet 2

'
6 10 a
*wsuwfQg, '

29 Z1
h
.] .

29*
.'

20
l6
_

I
Z4

'|

1e a;
I

$7
" 7| 31 .92

'12

22
41

1219 'I

|,[

29,

30

Patented Nov. 1, 1949

2,486,999

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,486,999
PAYING OUT DEVICE FOR AIRCRAFT TOW

ING TARGETS, PICKING UP OBJECTS, ETC. Robert E. Tapp and William 0. Russ, Wilmington, N. 0., assignors, by direct and mesne assign ments, of one-half to North Carolina Navigation Company, Wilmington, N. 0., a limited partner ship, and one-half to William B. Mason, Wash ington, D. C.

Application July 25, 1945, Serial No. 607,020 12 Claims. (Cl. 2581.2)

or other device for picking up an object from the This invention relates to a device for assisting ground. The distance between these two plates in the paying out of a target from an aircraft, may be adjusted by means of a cam, such as is or for picking up objects from the ground such shown, or other means of adjustment may be as gliders, sacks of mail, or other objects. One purpose of the invention is to provide a 5 provided. The device itself is attached to the end of a rope or cable which is wound on a drum device which may be attached to the tow rope
or cable, which cable is wound on a drum mounted
within an aircraft.

in the wing, fuselage or. tail of an aircraft, the

said device being interposed betweenthe drum

ground. '

When the device with the tape wound between the plates and the target attached to the end and the object to be towed or picked up from the 10 of the tape is dropped through a hole in the wing,
Av further object ofthe invention is to provide

I indicates a plane having a fuselage 2. The device of this invention is indicated generally by the numeral 3. The numeral 4 indicates a thereto. drum mounted within the fuselage but this drum Figure 2 is an elevation of the device taken could be as readily mounted within the wing sur from the right hand side thereof. faces or tail surfaces of the plane. The drum Figure 3 is an elevation of the device taken is provided with a handle 5 and may be provided from the left hand side thereof. with the usual ratchet mechanism, not shown. Figure 4 is a top plan view of the invention 35 Wound upon the drum and extending rearwardly shown in Figures 2 and 3. of the same is a ?exible element or cableii. The Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the end of the cable is attached at 1 to thedevice invention shown in Figures 2 to 4. of this invention. This device consists of a pair Figure 6 is a perspective View of the friction of straps 8 and 9 fastened together at one of their regulating means of the device. This device consists generally of a pair of non 4.0 ends by the shouldered bolt Ill having on its oppo site ends threaded nuts II and I2 as shown in rotatable plates or discs, at least one of which is Figure 5. adjustable toward or from the other disc or plate The strap 9 has a substantially ?at portion l3 and held in its adjustable position by suitable provided with a series of apertures for the recep means such as the cam means illustrated, and tion of screws M which ?xedly hold a circular hereinafter to be described. Between these two plate l5 to the strap 9. . plates is wound a. tape, rope or. cable of variable The other end of the straps 8 and 9 are held length. One end. of. the tape. isattached tothe in spaced relation from each other by the center stud which passes through. the. center of shouldered bolts l6 whose opposite ends are, the plates. and the. other end of the tape is at Figure 1 is a perspective View of an aircraft with the means of this invention attached

fuselage or tail of the plane into space, the target, when caught by the wind, exerts an imme diate and sharp pull on the tape. This pull is a device which will absorbthe shock which takes resisted by the friction of the plates which bear place incident to the paying out of a target by means of a tow rope wound on a drum and 15 against the convolutions of the tape. However, as the tape progressively pays out or unwinds, mounted in an aircraft. As the aircraft travels friction on the tape becomes progressively less, along, the target which is attached to the rope and by the time all of the tape becomes fully payed or cable moves to the rear as the cable is payed out the target or other object being towed out from the drum located in the aircraft. A further object'of the invention is to provide 20 reaches substantially the same speed as the tow ing plane. In other words the speeds of the tow a means for absorbing the, shock which takes ing plane and the target gradually become the place when a plane in the air picks up an object same, i. e., the difference in speed between the from the ground. towing plane and the target becomes progressively Other objects will appear hereinafter through 25 less as the tape is payed out. out the speci?cation. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings numeral In the drawings:

tached to the object to be towed, or to a hook 50 threaded to retain the nuts l1 and I8 thereon.

2.486.999

3
The strap 8 is provided with a ?at portion I9.
Fixed in the ?at portion of the strap 8 are a plu rality of pins 20. There is a circular plate 2| pro

the tape pays out from between these plates,

and, second the line of pull becomes more nearly a straight line between the target or other object being towed and the plane. It will be also noted that the line between the end of the tape which is attached to the target and the shaft 22 becomes
nearer a straight line as the tape unwinds. It

vided with apertures into which the pins 20 ?t. Located centrally of the plates and freely rotat
able therein is the shaft 22 having a hexagonal end 23. A nut 25 threaded on shaft 22 may be located in

been positioned. When it is desired to release the target the de

provided. This means may take the form of a the circular plate 2| and when the cam member compression spring mounted on the shaft 22 be 21 is turned down to the position indicated in tween plate 2| and adjustable nut 25. Figures 2, 4 and 5 the cams 28 move the plate 2| Cable or rope may be substituted for tape 3|, to its proper position. In this position of adjust ment it frictionally engages the side edges of the 25 but we prefer to use thevtape shown in the draw ings and described herein. wound tape 3|. The free end of the tape may Other modi?cations may be adapted whichac be attached to a snap hook 32 which may be complish the purpose of this invention as it is to snapped onto the ring of the sleeve target 33. be understood that the drawings are for illustra The inner end of the tape may be attached by means of the screw threaded stud 34 to the shaft 30 tive purposes and not for restrictive purposes, and that we desire to be limited only to the extent 22. of the appended claims. The cam member 21 may be adjusted to in In the claims: crease or decrease the frictional force exerted by 1. In a paying out device for aircraft towing plates I5 and 2| against the side of the tape by means of the threaded nut 25. This nut is rotated 35 targets, picking up objects, etc., the combination of a drum mounted within said aircraft, ?exible on the shaft 22 to a proper position of adjust means attached to said drum, of snubbing means ment and locked in such position by the pin 26. connected to theend of said flexible means, said It will be understood that the nut adjusts the snubbing means including a pair of plates, means ring member 24 and with it the cams 28 axially of the shaft 22. After proper adjustment has 40 for adjusting one plate toward the other plate, a second ?exible means wound between said been made, the cam member is rotated to its plates, the end of said second ?exible means hav closed or locked position as shown in the draw ings. ing attaching means fastened thereto, and means for winding said drum and for winding in or pay The device operates as follows: Assuming it is desired to tow a target such as a 45 ing out said snubbing means. sleeve target by means of an aircraft, the air 2. In a paying out device for aircraft towing targets, picking up objects, etc., the combination craft takes off with the cable 6 wound entirely upon the drum 4. The tape 3| is also wound upon of a drum mounted within said aircraft, ?exible ' the shaft 22 and the tension device 3 and target means attached to said drum, of snubbing means 33 are all located within the fuselage, tail or wing 50 connected to the end of said ?exible means, said surfaces of the plane, i. e. wherever the drum has snubbing means including a pair of plates, means

adjustable position by the pin 26, as shown in 10 instead of providing a snap hook 32 any well Figure 5. known means may be provided as a hook for pick Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the cam locking ing up objects from the ground or from other member, indicated generally at 21, for adjustably aircraft. In each case the shock or pull incident locking the disk 2| in various adjusted positions to the taking hold of the object by the hook will axially of the shaft, consists of a ring member 24, which, as shown in Figure 6, has an unthread 15 be taken up by the device of the present inven tion, as will be readily understood. ed aperture, and is held between a pair of cams Instead of the cam locking member 21 other 28 by the screws 29, as indicated in Figures 2, 4 means for adjusting the axial distance between and 6. The cam member is provided with turned the plates l5 and 2|, and hence the amount of down ?anges 29 and a tail piece or handle 30. As will be appreciated, the cams 28 bear upon 20 friction applied to the sides of the tape, may be

is guided in this unwinding movement by a pair of shouldered bolts Hi. It will be appreciated that

for adjusting one plate toward the other plate, a

second ?exible means wound between said plates, the end of said second ?exible means having at- : taching means fastened thereto, and means for preventing rotatable movement of said plates, and

vice 3 and target 33 may be dropped through a hole in the fuselage, tail surface or Wing surface and the cable 5 payed off the drum 4. Immediately the target is dropped it is picked up by the air means for winding drum and for winding in or stream and a considerable jerk takes place. This paying out said snubbing means. jerk or pull is resisted to the maximum extent by 3. In a paying out device for aircraft towing the friction exerted by the circular plates I5 and 60 targets, picking up objects, etc., the combination 2| , However, the tape 3| gradually pays out be of a drum mounted within said aircraft, ?exible tween the plates I5 and 2| as the pull continues means attached to said drum, of snubbing means to be exerted on the target as the air pulls the connected to the end of said ?exible means, said target rearwardly. At this time the cable 6 may snubbing means including a pair of plates, means be locked from further movement by means of the 65 for adjusting one plate toward the other plate usual ratchet (not shown) which forms part of including cam means, a second ?exible means the drum 4. wound between said plates, the end of said sec The pull of the target is resisted by the pull ond ?exible means having attaching means fas of the plates against the sides of the tape. How tened thereto and means for winding said drum ever, as the target is towed by the aircraft the 70 and for winding in or paying out said snubbing pull of the target causes the tape to pay out. means. The friction becomes progressively less as the 4. In a paying out device for aircraft towing tape pays out between the plates. This is due targets, picking up objects, etc., the combination to two causes, ?rst, there is progressively less tape of a drum mounted within said aircraft, ?exible to be gripped between the plates l5 and 2| as 75 means attached to said drum, of snubbing means ,

2,486l999?

52
connected to the. end of. said ?exible means, said snubbing means including a pair of plates, means

61
targets,,picking up. objects-,etc, the combination
of a drum- mounted within. said aircraft, ?exible meansattached to said drum, of snubbing means connected-to the end of said, ?exible means, said
. snubbing means including a pair of spaced straps, a first plate ?xed to one of said straps, a second

for adjusting one: platetoward the other plate

including cam means, a second ?exible; means

wound between said, plates, the endv of. said sec ond ?exible means having attaching means fasu tenecb thereto, and means for preventing. rotat~ able movement of said. plates, and. means for winding saiddrum and'for winding in or paying
out said snubbingv means. .

plate, means: for non-rotatably mounting said

secondlplate on said second strap, means for ad

justing said second plate toward and away from

10, said ?rst plate including cam means, ?exible pay

targets,v picking up objects, etc., the combiner-

ing out means wound between said ?rst and sec ond plate, an object holding means attached to tion'of a drum mountedwithinsaid aircraft, ?ex the'end'of said paying out means, said cam means ible means attached to said drum, of snubbing including a rotatable shaft and a cam slidably means connected to the end of said ?exible means, 15 mounted on said shaft and adjustably engaging said snubbing means including a pair of spaced said second plate, and means for adjustably posi straps, a ?rst plate ?xed to one of said straps, a tioning said cam along said shaft. second plate, means for non-rotatably mounting 10. In a paying out device for aircraft towing
said second plate on said second strap, means for

5. In a paying out device for aircraft towing

adjusting said second plate toward and away from 20 of a drum mounted within said aircraft, ?exible said ?rst plate, and means for winding said drum means attached to said drum, of snubbing means and for winding in or paying out said snubbing connected to the end of said ?exible means, said means. snubbing means including a pair of straps, means 6. In a paying out device for aircraft towing spacing apart the ends of said straps, a ?rst cir
of a drum mounted within said aircraft, ?exible means attached to said drum, of snubbing means connected to the end of said ?exible means, said snubbing means including a pair of spaced straps, a ?rst plate ?xed to one of said straps, a second plate, means for non-rotatably mounting said sec ond plate on said second strap, means for ad

targets, picking up objects, etc., the combination

targets, picking up objects, etc., the combination 25 cular plate, means ?xedly attaching said plate
to one of said straps, a second circular plate, pins on said other strap, apertures in said second plate

engaged by said pins for preventing rotation thereof, a shaft extending from said straps and
plates, cam means mounted on said shaft and

justing said second plate toward and away from plate, a ?exible tape having one of its ends at said ?rst plate including cam means, ?exible tached to said shaft, and means on the opposite paying out means wound between said ?rst and second plates, and an object holding means at 35 end of said tape for attaching the same to an object. tached to the end of said paying out means, and 11. In a paying out device for aircraft towing means for winding said drum and for winding in

adapted to bear against said second plate where by to adjust said second plate toward said ?rst

targets, picking up objects, etc., the combination 40 means attached to said drum, of snubbing means
of a drum mounted within said aircraft, ?exible means attached to said drum, of snubbing means connected to the end of said ?exible means, said snubbing means including a pair of spaced straps, a ?rst plate ?xed to one of said straps, a second plate, means for non-rotatably mounting said second plate on said second strap, means for adjusting said second plate toward and away from said ?rst plate including cam means, ?ex ible paying out means wound between said ?rst and second plates, an object holding means at tached to the end of said paying out means, said
cam means including a shaft and a cam slidably

or paying out said snubbing means. '7. In a paying out device for aircraft towing

targets, picking up objects, etc., the combination

of a drum mounted within said aircraft, ?exible

connected to the end of said ?exible means, said snubbing means including a pair of straps, means spacing apart the ends of said straps, a ?rst cir

cular plate, means ?xedly attaching said plate to one of said straps, a second circular plate, pins on said other strap, apertures in said second plate engaged by said pins for preventing rotation thereof, a shaft extending from said straps and
plates, cam means mounted on said shaft and

adapted to bear against said second plate whereby to adjust said second plate toward said ?rst plate,
a ?exible tape having one of its ends attached to said shaft, means on the opposite end of said tape for attaching the same to an object, said

mounted on said shaft and adjustably engaging said second plate, and means for winding said 55 cam means including a ring member slidably drum and for winding in or paying out said mounted on said shaft, a pair of cams attached snubbing means. to said ring member and bearing against said 8. In a paying out device for aircraft towing second plate, and a handle on said plate for actu
ating said cams. of a drum mounted within said aircraft, ?exible 60 12. In a paying out device for aircraft towing means attached to said drum, of snubbing means targets, picking up objects, etc., the combination connected to the end of said ?exible means, said of a drum mounted within said aircraft, ?exible snubbing means including a pair of spaced straps, means attached to said drum, of snubbing means a ?rst plate ?xed to one of said straps, a second plate, means for non-rotatably mounting said 65 connected to the end of said ?exible means, said snubbing means including a pair of straps, means second plate on said second strap, means for ad spacing apart the ends of said straps, a ?rst cir justing said second plate toward and away from cular plate, means ?xedly attaching said plate said ?rst plate including cam means, ?exible to one of said straps, a second circular plate, pins paying out means wound between said ?rst and second plate, an object holding means attached 70 on said other straps, apertures in said second plate engaged by said pins for preventing rota to the end of said paying out means, said cam tion thereof, a shaft extending from said straps means including a rotatable shaft and a cam and plates, cam means mounted on said shaft slidably mounted on said shaft and adjustably

targets, picking up objects, etc., the combination

and adapted to bear against said second plate engaging said second plate. 9. In a paying out device for aircraft towing 75 whereby to adjust said second plate toward said

2,486,999

7
?rst plate, a ?exible tape having one of its ends

8
' >

attached to said shaft, means on the opposite end

of said tape for attaching the same to an object,

REFERENCES CITED
The following references are of record in the

said cam means including a ring member slidably

?le 013' this. Patent!

mounted on said shaft, a pair of cams attaohed to 5

said ring member and bearing agamst sa1d sec ond plate, a handle on said plate for actuating
for adjusting said ring member and said cams

UNITED STATES PATENTS

Number
1458710

Name

Date

said cams, and adjustable means on said shaft

Kolczewski - June 12: 1923

1:755:235-

Ashley at a] APr- 22 1930

along said shaft.

ROBERT E_ TAPP.
WILLIAM Q RUSS_

10
Number
614,264

FOREIGN PATENTS
Country Date
France __________ -_ Sept. 13, 1926