Model aeroplane holding device

Abstract

A pedal-operated holding device for a model aeroplane, comprising a holding means ( 3; 103 ) having a holding state in which it is arranged to engage part of a model aeroplane ( 20 ), and a release state in which it is arranged to release the part of the model aeroplane ( 20 ); a pedal ( 2; 102 ), the operation of which causes the holding means ( 3; 103 ) to switch between states; and a base ( 1; 101 ), on which are mounted the pedal ( 2; 102 ) and the holding means ( 3; 103 ); in which the holding means ( 3; 103 ) is arranged so as to prevent movement of the model aeroplane ( 20 ) in a first horizontal direction ( 17; 117 ) when in the holding state, and to permit such movement in the release state; and the holding device ( 3; 103 ) further comprises auxiliary stop means ( 156 ) arranged to prevent movement of the model aeroplane ( 20 ) in a second horizontal direction opposite to the first horizontal direction ( 17; 117 ), in which the holding means ( 3; 103 ) is sized and shaped so that the part of the model aeroplane ( 20 ) which it engages is a rearmost pair of horizontal surfaces on the model aeroplane ( 20 ), such as a tailplane.

1 . A pedal-operated holding device for a model aeroplane, comprising a holding apparatus having a holding state in which it is arranged to engage part of a model aeroplane, and a release state in which it is arranged to release the part of the model aeroplane; a pedal, the operation of which causes the holding apparatus to switch between states; and a base, on which are mounted the pedal and the holding apparatus;
 in which the holding apparatus is arranged so as to prevent movement of the model aeroplane in a first horizontal direction when in the holding state, and to permit such movement in the release state; and the holding device further comprises auxiliary stop apparatus arranged to prevent movement of the model aeroplane in a second horizontal direction opposite to the first horizontal direction,   in which the holding apparatus is sized and shaped so that the part of the model aeroplane which it engages is a rearmost pair of horizontal surfaces on the model aeroplane.   
     
     
         2 . The holding device of  claim 1 , in which the auxiliary stop apparatus allows passage of the model aeroplane in the first horizontal direction. 
     
     
         3 . The holding device of  claim 1 , in which the holding apparatus comprises a pair of holding members, spaced apart so as to each engage one horizontal surface of the pair of horizontal surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The holding device of  claim 3 , in which the holding members each comprise an elongate member having a pivoting end at which they are pivotally mounted on the base. 
     
     
         5 . The holding device of  claim 1 , in which the pedal is linked to the holding apparatus by a linkage which, in the holding state, allows operation of the pedal to move the device into the release state, but will not allow movement of the holding apparatus to move the device into the release state. 
     
     
         6 . The holding device of  claim 5 , in which the linkage comprises a mechanical linkage, comprising a set of links connected together such that, in the holding state, application of a force on the mechanical linkage from the holding apparatus will not cause the mechanical linkage to move the pedal, but application of force on the pedal will cause the mechanical linkage to move the holding apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The holding device of  claim 6 , in which the mechanical linkage comprises at least one transmission member, each transmission member being connected to at least one of the holding members adjacent to the pivoting end of the holding member, but spaced therefrom, so that movement of the transmission member along its length causes the pivoting member to pivot about their pivoting ends. 
     
     
         8 . The holding device of  claim 7 , in which the mechanical linkage comprises at least one locking link, which is pivotally mounted on the base at a first position along its length and to a transmission member at a second position along its length. 
     
     
         9 . The holding device of  claim 8  in which the or each locking link is mounted on the base such that, in the holding state, the locking link is parallel with the length of the transmission to which it is linked. 
     
     
         10 . The holding device of  claim 8 , in which the or each locking link is arranged such that forces applied to it in the holding state by the transmission member by a model aeroplane engaging the holding apparatus tend to pivot the locking link in the opposite direction to that required to move the locking link into the release state. 
     
     
         11 . The holding device of  claim 8 , in which the pedal is operatively pivotally coupled to the or each locking link at a third position along the length of the locking link. 
     
     
         12 . The holding device of  claim 1 , in which the base is shaped to comprise a cross member, on which the pedal is mounted, from which extend two spaced apart arms, on the end of each of which is mounted a holding member. 
     
     
         13 . The holding device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cradle for supporting a model aeroplane off the ground. 
     
     
         14 . The holding device of  claim 13 , in which the cradle comprises at least one flexible elongate member such as a strap or cable which can be attached between any two of the holding members and the auxiliary stop apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . A method of holding and releasing a model aeroplane, comprising positioning the model aeroplane adjacent to a pedal-operated holding device for a model aeroplane in order to hold the model aeroplane, the holding device comprising:
 a holding apparatus having a holding state in which it is arranged to engage part of a model aeroplane, and a release state in which it is arranged to release the part of the model aeroplane; a pedal, the operation of which causes the holding apparatus to switch between states; and a base, on which are mounted the pedal and the holding apparatus;   in which the holding apparatus is arranged so as to prevent movement of the model aeroplane in a first horizontal direction when in the holding state, and to permit such movement in the release state; and the holding device further comprises auxiliary stop apparatus arranged to prevent movement of the model aeroplane in a second horizontal direction opposite to the first horizontal direction,   in which the holding apparatus is sized and shaped so that the part of the model aeroplane which it engages is a rearmost pair of horizontal surfaces on the model aeroplane;   the method also comprising subsequently operating the pedal of the holding device so as to release the model aeroplane.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , in which the model aeroplane has a fuselage having a front end and a back end and a pair of horizontal surfaces, such as a tailplane, mounted towards the back of the fuselage, wherein the step of positioning the model aeroplane comprise positioning the pair of horizontal surfaces behind the holding members with the holding device in the holding state, so that the model aeroplane is restricted against forwards movement by the holding members until the pedal is operated. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising the step of starting an engine of the model aeroplane after the model aeroplane is held by the holding device but before it is released. 
     
     
         18 . A pedal-operated holding device for a model aeroplane, comprising a holding apparatus having a holding state in which it is arranged to engage part of a model aeroplane, and a release state in which it is arranged to release the part of the model aeroplane; a pedal, the operation of which causes the holding apparatus to switch between states; and a base, on which are mounted the pedal and the holding apparatus;
 in which the holding apparatus is arranged so as to prevent movement of the model aeroplane in a first horizontal direction when in the holding state, and to permit such movement in the release state; and the holding device further comprises auxiliary stop apparatus arranged to prevent movement of the model aeroplane in a second horizontal direction opposite to the first horizontal direction,   in which the holding apparatus is sized and shaped so that the part of the model aeroplane which it engages is a rearmost pair of horizontal surfaces on the model aeroplane;   in which the holding apparatus comprises a pair of holding members, spaced apart so as to each engage one horizontal surface of the pair of horizontal surfaces; and   in which the base is shaped to comprise a cross member, on which the pedal is mounted, from which extend two spaced apart arms, on the end of each of which is mounted a holding member.   
     
     
         19 . The holding device of  claim 18 , in which the pedal is linked to the holding apparatus by a linkage which, in the holding state, allows operation of the pedal to move the device into the release state, but will not allow movement of the holding apparatus to move the device into the release state. 
     
     
         20 . The holding device of  claim 18 , further comprising a cradle for supporting a model aeroplane off the ground.