The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 29, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 23, 1996
Robert E Head, Gilbert, AZ (US);
McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company, Mesa, AZ (US);
Abstract
A roadable helicopter according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a vehicle that drives like a conventional car in its road configuration, and converts to fly like a helicopter in its flight configuration. The operator of the helicopter only needs to press a button to initiate the conversion from one configuration to the other. To facilitate the flight configuration, the helicopter is preferably equipped with a dual, coaxial counterrotating rotor system to provide lift, propulsion, and control in the flight configuration. In the road configuration, however, the rotor system automatically folds into a rotor bay formed in the rear of the helicopter. The roadable helicopter may also include an automatic control/stability/navigation system that permits fully automatic flight.