Attachment sub-systems for vertically-stacked multicopters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12522353-B2
Application number	US-202519047320-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 6, 2025
Priority date	Oct 29, 2020
Publication date	Jan 13, 2026
Grant date	Jan 13, 2026

Abstract

A plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters detachably couples to a vertical connector to transport a load that is detachably coupled to the vertical connector. In the event an indication signal of a beam break sensor indicates the vertical connector has broken the beam, the movable gate is configured to close so that the vertical connector is enclosed at least in part by the movable gate. An opening in a frame provides access for the vertical connector to access the beam of the beam break sensor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system, comprising:
a plurality of propellers; a beam break sensor having a beam and an indication signal; a movable gate, wherein:
a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters detachably couples to a vertical connector to transport a load that is detachably coupled to the vertical connector; and
in the event the indication signal of the beam break sensor indicates the vertical connector has broken the beam, the movable gate is configured to close so that the vertical connector is enclosed at least in part by the movable gate; and
a frame that includes an opening that provides access for the vertical connector to access the beam of the beam break sensor.

2 . The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the movable gate includes a linear gate.

3 . The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the vertical connector includes a tether.

4 . The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of propellers generates vertical thrust at least some of the time.

5 . The system recited in claim 1 , further including a first spring-loaded device and a second spring-loaded device that are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector, wherein:
in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a first direction, the first spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place; and in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the second spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place.

6 . The system recited in claim 1 , further including a first spring-loaded device and a second spring-loaded device that are configured to detachably couple to the vertical connector, wherein:
in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a first direction, the first spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place; in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the second spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place; and at least one of the first spring-loaded device or the second spring-loaded device includes a cam cleat.

7 . The system recited in claim 1 , wherein:
the system further includes a propeller blade guard; the propeller blade guard is coupled at one side to a motor housing associated with at least one of the plurality of propellers; and the propeller blade guard is coupled at another side to the opening of the frame.

8 . The system recited in claim 1 , wherein:
the vertical connector includes a mechanical stopper; the closure of the movable gate creates an enclosure that includes the movable gate; and the mechanical stopper is larger than the enclosure, such that the vertical connector cannot move, at least in one direction and at least past a certain point, when the movable gate is closed.

9 . A method, comprising:
receiving an indication signal from a beam break sensor that has a beam, wherein a plurality of vertically-stacked multicopters detachably couples to a vertical connector to transport a load that is detachably coupled to the vertical connector; and in the event the indication signal of the beam break sensor indicates the vertical connector has broken the beam, closing a movable gate so that the vertical connector is enclosed at least in part by the movable gate, wherein the beam break sensor and the movable gate are included in a system that further includes:
a plurality of propellers; and
a frame that includes an opening that provides access for the vertical connector to access the beam of the beam break sensor.

10 . The method recited in claim 9 , wherein the movable gate includes a linear gate.

11 . The method recited in claim 9 , wherein the vertical connector includes a tether.

12 . The method recited in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of propellers generates vertical thrust at least some of the time.

13 . The method recited in claim 9 , further including: detachably coupling a first spring-loaded device and a second spring-loaded device to the vertical connector, wherein:
in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a first direction, the first spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place; and in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the second spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place.

14 . The method recited in claim 9 , further including: detachably coupling a first spring-loaded device and a second spring-loaded device to the vertical connector, wherein:
in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a first direction, the first spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place; in the event the vertical connector is pulled in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, the second spring-loaded device holds the vertical connector in place; and at least one of the first spring-loaded device or the second spring-loaded device includes a cam cleat.

15 . The method recited in claim 9 , wherein:
the method further includes providing a propeller blade guard; the propeller blade guard is coupled at one side to a motor housing associated with at least one of the plurality of propellers; and the propeller blade guard is coupled at another side to the opening of the frame.

16 . The method recited in claim 9 , wherein:
the vertical connector includes a mechanical stopper; the closure of the movable gate creates an enclosure that includes the movable gate; and the mechanical stopper is larger than the enclosure, such that the vertical connector cannot move, at least in one direction and at least past a certain point, when the movable gate is closed.

Assignees

• Kitty Hawk Corp

Inventors

• Berry Benjamin Otto
• Bowen-Davies Graham
• Parker Madeline Elliott
• Robertson Cameron
• Saunders Christopher Scott

Classifications

• B64C39/024 Primary

  of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV · CPC title

• B64C27/08

  with two or more rotors · CPC title

• B64U80/70

  in containers (B64U80/60 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B64U30/20

  Rotors; Rotor supports · CPC title

• B64U10/13

  Flying platforms · CPC title