Month in the Patent Office

In an aircraft in which the wings 10 can be moved from a spread position, tig. 1, to a swept‐back position, fig. 2, the spars 11 extend into the fuselage and are hinged together at 12, movement of the wings being effected by a hydraulic jack 14, 15 connected to links 13 whose ends are respectively connected to the spars and a fixed pivot 131.The fore‐and‐aft movement of the wings consequent upon their angular adjustment ensures that the longitudinal trim of the machine remains substantially constant. To prevent fouling of the leading edge root portions of the wings when the latter are spread, these portions are formed as separate members 16 pivoted to the main wing sections at 17, their displacement being effected by links 18 whose rear ends are connected to fixed pivots 19 or, alternatively, against the action of springs 20 when they engage fixed abutments 21. The wing loads are transmitted to the fuselage by vertical rods 23 secured to the fuselage, their upper and lower ends engaging curved slots 22 in the wings, or by the reverse arrangement in which vertical rods 37 are secured to the wings and engage slots 36 in the fuselage.