[CW] The Flex-Flyer (Patent Pending)

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

The Flex-Flyer (Patent Pending)

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73

David N1EA
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ronald A. Loneker Sr. KA2BZS" <ka2bzs at nac.net>
To: <n1ea at arrl.net>
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 9:31 PM
Subject: Re: The Flex-Flyer (Patent Pending)


Dear Gentlemen.. Thank you all for your interest / discussion of my 
Flex-Flyer Keyer ( Iambic paddles)  .. About 18 years ago I started 
working at E.F. Britten in Cranford NJ which is a manufacturing company 
primarily engaged in making de-icing equipment for small aircraft like 
Beech,
Cessna and such.. At this time we were making these  for Bendix and 
subsequently Lucas Aerospace and finally B.F. Goodrich who took over the 
line.  Lucas had approached us with their flexural pivots in the hope we 
could make and supply them in the future.  These little guys had great 
potential for my first homebrew key (paddles).   I noticed that they 
were used in precise measuring
devices used in machine shops, balance scales, telescopes and wherever 
old style shaft and needle
bearings were used.. They provide no friction and in use in the Flyer 
will have indefinite life.
http://www.c-flex.com/work.html#self  is a animation of the pivot in 
actual use vertically mounted.
Although they have been around for years, they are definitely 
"cutting-edge" in Morse key application to the best of my knowledge.  
The US Patent office has confirmed this to me through my
Patent attorney recently.  I am spending over 40+ hours machining and 
finishing one of them and I take great pride in each one.  The initial 
torque setting is .23 inch pounds and it is a very light touch
which wil return the paddle to its original position each time.. 
Additional tensioning ( if desired) can
be accomplished using the two button magnets mounted at the rear which 
are mounted on 8-40 thread stainless steel screws with knurled 
thumbnuts.  All hardware is 316L Stainless steel.
I am presently working on a single-lever model which should be a bit 
less expensive.. Flex Pivots
are now $62 dollars each. They are the heart of the Flex-Flyer and make 
it so great to use.
The little guy weighs a tad under 4 pounds and is built to last out of 
360 3-1/2" bar stock ..
W7TK's cat knocked his off the table and he sent it to me and got it 
back the next day UPS with
no adverse problems according to his email to me. The cat is QRT though ;-)
The price is $475 and UPS to CONUS is $6 Insured.  Delivery is 
approximately 4-6 months ARO.
Hopefully some of your questions will be cleared up.  If not, please 
feel free to email me. N6TT,
I think we can make it work non-iambic.  Saw a N2DAN with the set screw 
in it..


                                                         Thanks and 
CWforever!.... Ron

-- 
      Ronald A. Loneker Sr. KA2BZS
#1DXCC * 160M DXCC * A1-OP * NJDXA * 9BDXCC * 
          Honor Roll CW - Mixed - SSB

  See my New Flex-flyer Key (Pat. pending) at: 
          http://www.cwforever.com
        
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