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US 7,464,775 B2Granted
Payload module for mobility assist
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsDavid A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Michael S. Beck, Wendell H. Chun, Jon T. Stinchcomb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ground vehicle and a method for articulating a payload module for mobility assist are disclosed. The ground vehicle comprises a chassis; and a payload module capable of articulating relative to the chassis to assist the mobility of the ground vehicle. The method comprises articulating a payload module relative to a chassis.
Claims22
A ground vehicle, comprising:
- a chassis, the chassis defining a payload bay;
- a payload module capable of articulating into and out of the payload bay and relative to the chassis to assist mobility of the ground vehicle:
- and
- an articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including:
- a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis;
- an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint;
- and
- a position lock.
5 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a payload module;
- a chassis;
- and
- a vertically articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including:
- a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis, the rotating joint comprising a centered shoulder joint;
- an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint;
- and
- a position lock.
5 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a payload module;
- a chassis;
- and
- a vertically articulable coupling capable of articulating through 180° between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including:
- a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis;
- an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint;
- and
- a position lock.
5 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a payload module;
- a chassis;
- and
- a vertically articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including:
- a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis;
- an enclosure pivot comprising a sliding dog clutch coupled to the rotating joint;
- and
- a position lock.
5 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a payload module;
- a chassis;
- and
- a vertically articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including:
- a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis, including:
- a housing to which the enclosure pivot may be attached for in-plane rotation;
- a drive;
- and
- a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of a drive motor of the drive as the drive motor drives the housing;
- an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint;
- and
- a position lock.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.