Rotary aircraft tie-down fixture
A tie-down fixture for securing a rotary aircraft for transport. The tie-down fixture includes a central hub configured to couple with a main rotor hub of the rotary aircraft and having a keyhole formed therein, a plurality of arms extending from the central hub, and an eyelet extending from each of the plurality of arms.
1 . A tie-down fixture for securing a rotary aircraft for transport, the tie-down fixture comprising:
a rigid central hub configured to couple with a main rotor hub of the rotary aircraft and having a keyhole formed therein;
a plurality of arms extending from the central hub; and
an eyelet extending from each of the plurality of arms;
wherein each of the plurality of arms provides structure to support loads applied to the tie-down fixture to secure the rotary aircraft during transport.
2 . The tie-down fixture of claim 1 , comprising a shackle extending from each of the eyelets.
3 . The tie-down fixture of claim 1 , wherein the eyelets each have a strap, chain, or cable attached thereto for securing the rotary aircraft in transport.
4 . The tie-down fixture of claim 2 , wherein the shackles each have a strap, chain, or cable attached thereto for securing the rotary aircraft in transport.
5 . The tie-down fixture of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of arms comprises a rib that provides structure to support the loads applied to the tie-down fixture during transport.
6 . The tie-down fixture of claim 5 , wherein the rigid central hub comprises a reinforced ring that provides structural support to support the loads applied to the tie-down fixture during transport.
7 . The tie-down fixture of claim 1 , wherein the rigid central hub comprises a reinforced ring that provides structural support to support the loads applied to the tie-down fixture during transport.
8 . The tie-down fixture of claim 1 , wherein the rigid central hub has formed therein a plurality of recesses positioned circumferentially about the keyhole.
9 . The tie-down fixture of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of recesses has a hole formed therein through which a fastener may pass to mount the tie-down fixture to the main rotor hub.
10 . The tie-down fixture of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of arms is the same length.
11 . The tie-down fixture of claim 1 , wherein a number of the plurality of arms is the same as a number of rotor-blade grips of the rotary aircraft.
12 . A tie-down fixture system comprising:
a rotary aircraft comprising a main rotor hub;
a tie-down fixture positioned above the center of gravity of the rotary aircraft and configured to secure the rotary aircraft during transport via the main rotor hub, the tie-down fixture comprising:
a rigid central hub configured to couple with the main rotor hub; and
a plurality of arms extending radially from the central hub; and
a plurality of tension-bearing elements attached to the tie-down fixture, the tension-bearing elements selected from the group consisting of straps, cables, and chains;
wherein each of the plurality of arms provides structure to support loads applied to the tie-down fixture to secure the rotary aircraft during transport.
13 . The tie-down fixture system of claim 12 , wherein none of the tension-bearing elements contacts the rotary aircraft during use of the tie-down fixture system.
14 . The tie-down fixture system of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of arms comprises a rib that provides structure to support the loads applied to the tie-down fixture during transport.
15 . The tie-down fixture system of claim 14 , wherein the rigid central hub comprises a reinforced ring that provides structural support to support the loads applied to the tie-down fixture during transport.
16 . The tie-down fixture system of claim 12 , wherein the rigid central hub comprises a reinforced ring that provides structural support to support the loads applied to the tie-down fixture during transport.
17 . The tie-down fixture system of claim 12 , wherein:
the rigid central hub has a keyhole formed therein formed therein; and
the keyhole has formed therein a plurality of recesses positioned circumferentially about the keyhole.
18 . The tie-down fixture system of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of recesses has a hole formed therein through which a fastener may pass to mount the tie-down fixture to the main rotor hub.
19 . The tie-down fixture system of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of arms is the same length.
20 . The tie-down fixture system of claim 12 , wherein a number of the plurality of arms is the same as a number of rotor-blade grips of the rotary aircraft.