Helicopter rotor

1. A rotor ( 4 ) for a helicopter ( 1 ), the rotor comprising

a drive shaft ( 10 ) rotating about a first axis (B);

a hub ( 11 ) connected functionally to said drive shaft ( 10 ) in angularly fixed manner with respect to said first axis (B) and in rotary manner with respect to a second axis (C) crosswise to said first axis (B);

at least two blades ( 12 ) connected functionally to said hub ( 11 ) in angularly fixed manner with respect to said first and second axis (B, C) and in rotary manner with respect to respective third axes (D); and

supporting means ( 50 ) for supporting said blades ( 12 ) with respect to said hub ( 11 ) in rotary manner about the respective third axes (D);

the rotor being characterized in that said supporting means ( 50 ) comprise at least one supporting member ( 60 ) made at least partly of elastomeric material and interposed between a first surface ( 44 ), and a second surface ( 24 ) integral with a respective said blade ( 12 ) and with said hub ( 11 ) respectively; said supporting member ( 60 ) deforming, in use, to permit rotation of said respective blade ( 12 ), with respect to said hub ( 11 ), about said respective third axis (D).

2. A rotor as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said supporting member ( 60 ) comprises a third surface ( 62 ) cooperating with said first surface ( 44 ), and a fourth surface ( 61 ) cooperating with said second surface ( 24 ); said rotor ( 4 ) comprising a first member ( 40 ) integral with said respective blade ( 12 ) and defining said first surface ( 44 ), and a second member ( 21 ) integral with said hub ( 11 ) and defining said second surface ( 24 ); said first member ( 40 ) being located, at least partly, radially inwards of said third surface ( 62 ) with respect to said first axis (B), and said second member ( 21 ) being located, at least partly, radially outwards of said fourth surface ( 61 ) with respect to said first axis (B).

3. A rotor as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that said third and fourth surface ( 62 , 61 ) are held contacting said first and second surface ( 44 , 24 ) respectively by an adhesive substance.

4. A rotor as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that at least one of said third and fourth surface ( 62 , 61 ) extends at varying radial distances from said first axis (B).

5. A rotor as claimed in claim 3 , characterized in that said third and fourth surface ( 62 , 61 ) are curved.

6. A rotor as claimed in claim 5 , characterized in that said fourth surface ( 61 ) is concave, and said third surface ( 62 ) is convex.

7. A rotor as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that said supporting member ( 60 ) comprises a fifth and a sixth surface ( 64 , 63 ) which are in the shape of lateral surfaces of respective truncated cones coaxial with said respective third axis (D), and are interposed between said third and fourth surface ( 62 , 61 ); said fifth surface ( 64 ) defining said supporting member ( 60 ) radially inwards with respect to said respective third axis (D), and said sixth surface ( 63 ) defining said supporting member ( 60 ) radially outwards with respect to said respective third axis (D).

8. A rotor as claimed in claim 7 , characterized in that said fifth and sixth surface ( 64 , 63 ) converge from said first surface ( 44 ) to said second surface ( 24 ).

9. A rotor as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said supporting member ( 60 ) is annular with respect to said respective third axis (D).

10. A rotor as claimed in claim 7 , characterized in that said fifth and sixth surface ( 64 , 63 ) taper from said first surface ( 44 ) to said second surface ( 24 ).

11. A rotor as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said supporting means ( 50 ) comprise a first body ( 52 ) and a second body ( 51 ) integral with said hub ( 11 ) and said respective blade ( 12 ) respectively, and connected with respect to each other to rotate about said respective third axis (D).

12. A rotor as claimed in claim 11 , characterized in that said supporting member ( 60 ) is located radially inwards of said first and second body ( 51 , 52 ) with respect to said first axis (B).

13. A rotor as claimed in claim 12 , characterized in that said second body ( 52 ) is fitted to said second member ( 21 ).

14. A rotor as claimed in claim 2 , characterized in that said hub ( 11 ) comprises a beam ( 15 ); and by comprising a first constraint device ( 28 ) connecting said beam ( 15 ) to said second member ( 21 ) and elongated crosswise to said respective third axis (D) and said first axis (B).

15. A rotor as claimed in claim 14 , characterized by comprising a second constraint device ( 17 ) fitted to said beam ( 15 ) and cooperating with a radially outer end, with respect to said first axis (B), of said second member ( 21 ).

16. A rotor as claimed in claim 1 , characterized by comprising a further supporting member ( 85 ) made at least partly of elastomeric material and interposed between said hub ( 11 ) and said drive shaft ( 10 ); said further supporting member ( 85 ) deforming, in use, to permit rotation of said hub ( 11 ), with respect to said drive shaft ( 10 ), about said second axis (C).

17. A helicopter comprising a main rotor ( 2 ); and an antitorque tail rotor ( 4 ) as claimed in claim 1 .