Disconnect assembly
OwnerMark Hywel Lavender, Richard Anthony Lawsinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A disconnect assembly for disconnecting a payload from a delivery platform includes a disconnect device for providing a releasable connection between the payload and the delivery platform. The disconnect assembly also includes an actuation mechanism for actuating release of the releasable connection, and a trigger mechanism for triggering the actuation mechanism to release the releasable connection. The trigger mechanism is automated such that the trigger mechanism can trigger the actuation mechanism without requiring operator intervention at the trigger mechanism. Also provided is a kit of parts, a delivery apparatus and a method of disconnecting a payload from a delivery platform.
Claims14
An aerial delivery apparatus, comprising:
- an aerial delivery platform;
- a payload attachable to the aerial delivery platform;
- and
- a disconnect assembly for disconnecting the payload from the delivery platform, the disconnect assembly comprising:
- a disconnect device for providing a releasable connection between the payload and the aerial delivery platform,
- an actuation mechanism for actuating release of the releasable connection, and
- a trigger mechanism for triggering the actuation mechanism to release the releasable connection,
- wherein the trigger mechanism is automated such that the trigger mechanism can trigger the actuation mechanism without requiring a operator intervention at the trigger mechanism.
A method comprising
- disconnecting a payload from an aerial delivery platform using a disconnect assembly, wherein the disconnect assembly comprises a disconnect device providing a releasable connection between the payload and the aerial delivery platform, wherein the method includes the following steps:
- establishing that the aerial delivery platform is at a delivery location, then
- using an automatic trigger mechanism to trigger an actuation mechanism without a operator intervention at the trigger mechanism, and then
- using the actuation mechanism to actuate release of the releasable connection between the payload and the aerial delivery platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.