US-12623780-B2 - Drone adapter for dropping spoon-based devices

US12623780B2US 12623780 B2US12623780 B2US 12623780B2US-12623780-B2

Abstract

A system and method allowing spoon-based devices to be carried and dropped by a drone. The preferred embodiments are adapted for use with a drone having a retracting drop shaft release mechanism. First and second adapter portions are provided. These clamp around the body of a spoon-based device and hold the spoon-based device. The lower regions of the first and second adapter portions are joined by a pivot joint. The upper regions each include an engagement feature such as an upstanding tang portion. These first and second tang portions are engaged to the drone's release unit.

Inventors

John Carff
Matthew Johnson

Assignees

FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN AND MACHINE COGNITION INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230823

Claims (20)

1 . A method for releasably securing a spoon-based device to a drone, where said drone includes a release unit with a sliding drop shaft, comprising: (a) providing a spoon-based device, including, (i) a body, (ii) a fuse assembly attached to said body, (iii) a spoon pivotally attached to said fuse assembly, (iv) a pin passing through a first pin bore in said spoon and a second pin bore in said fuse assembly, (v) wherein said fuse assembly is activated by said spoon pivoting from a safe position adjacent to said body to a firing position away from said body; (b) providing a device adapter, including, (i) a first adapter portion including a first clamping surface, a first tang portion, and a first transverse bore in said first tang portion, (ii) a second adapter portion including a second clamping surface, a second tang portion, and a second transverse bore in said second tang portion, (iii) a pivot joint between said first and second adapter portions, with said pivot joint being opposite said first and second tang portions, (iv) a spoon receiver on an inward facing surface of said device adapter; (c) placing said device adapter around said body of said spoon based device with said first and second clamping surfaces clamping inward on said body and said spoon lying within said spoon receiver; and (d) placing said drop shaft of said release unit through said first transverse bore in said first tang portion and said second transverse bore in said second tang portion, thereby connecting said spoon-based device to said drone.
2 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 1 , further comprising pulling said pin free of said spoon-based device.
3 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 2 , further comprising sliding said drop shaft to an open position, whereby said device adapter and said spoon-based device are released from said drone.
4 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 3 , wherein said drop shaft moves to said open position in response to a command sent to said drone.
5 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 3 , further comprising said drone carrying said attached device adapter and spoon-based device to a desired drop position before sliding said drop shaft to said open position.
6 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: (a) providing a releasing pivot joint for said pivot joint between said first and second adapter portions; (b) whereby said first and second adapter portions are configured to separate from said spoon-device and from each other after said sliding drop shaft releases said first and second adapter portions.
7 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 6 , further comprising: (a) providing said first adapter portion with a hook receiver; (b) providing said second adapter portion with a hook configured to fit within said hook receiver; and (c) said hook and said hook receiver together defining said releasing pivot joint.
8 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 5 , wherein following said release of said device adapter and said spoon-based device from said drone, said spoon pivoting outward away from said body, thereby urging said first tang portion away from said second tang portion and opening said pivot joint between said first and second adapter portions.
9 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 6 , wherein: (a) following said release of said device adapter and said spoon-based device from said drone, said spoon pivoting outward away from said body, thereby urging said first tang portion away from said second tang portion and opening said pivot joint between said first and second adapter portions; and (b) as said first tang portion moves further away from said second tang portion said releasing pivot joint releases and said first and second adapter portions separate from each other.
10 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 7 , wherein: (a) following said release of said device adapter and said spoon-based device from said drone, said spoon pivoting outward away from said body, thereby urging said first tang portion away from said second tang portion and opening said pivot joint between said first and second adapter portions; and (b) as said first tang portion moves further away from said second tang portion said hook moves free of said hook receiver and first and second adapter portions separate from each other.
11 . A method for releasably securing a spoon-based device to a drone, where said drone includes a release unit with a movable drop shaft, comprising: (a) providing a spoon-based device, including, (i) a body, (ii) a fuse assembly attached to said body, (iii) a spoon pivotally attached and configured to rest in a safe position close to said body and move to an actuation position away from said body, (iv) a pin passing through a first pin passage in said spoon, said pin configured to retain said spoon in said safe position, (v) wherein said fuse assembly is activated by said spoon pivoting from a safe position adjacent to said body to a firing position away from said body; (b) providing a device adapter, including, (i) a first adapter portion including a first clamping surface, a first tang portion, and a first transverse opening through said first tang portion, (ii) a second adapter portion including a second clamping surface, a second tang portion, and a second transverse opening through said second tang portion, (iii) a pivot joint pivotally connecting said first and second adapter portions, with said pivot joint being remote from said first and second tang portions, (iv) a spoon receiver on an inward facing surface of said device adapter; (c) placing said device adapter around said body of said spoon-based device with said first and second clamping surfaces clamping inward on said body and said spoon being clamped against said body; and (d) placing said drop shaft of said release unit through said first transverse opening in said first tang portion and said second transverse opening in said second tang portion, thereby connecting said spoon-based device to said drone.
12 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 11 , further comprising pulling said pin free of said spoon-based device.
13 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 12 , further comprising sliding said drop shaft to an open position, whereby said device adapter and said spoon-based device are released from said drone.
14 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 13 , wherein said drop shaft moves to said open position in response to a command sent to said drone.
15 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 13 , further comprising said drone carrying said attached device adapter and spoon-based device to a desired drop position before sliding said drop shaft to said open position.
16 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 11 , further comprising: (a) providing a releasing pivot joint for said pivot joint between said first and second adapter portions; (b) whereby said first and second adapter portions are configured to separate from said spoon-device and from each other after said sliding drop shaft releases said first and second adapter portions.
17 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 16 , further comprising: (a) providing said first adapter portion with a hook receiver; (b) providing said second adapter portion with a hook configured to fit within said hook receiver; and (c) said hook and said hook receiver together defining said releasing pivot joint.
18 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 15 , wherein following said release of said device adapter and said spoon-based device from said drone, said spoon pivoting outward away from said body, thereby urging said first tang portion away from said second tang portion and opening said pivot joint between said first and second adapter portions.
19 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 16 , wherein: (a) following said release of said device adapter and said spoon-based device from said drone, said spoon pivoting outward away from said body, thereby urging said first tang portion away from said second tang portion and opening said pivot joint between said first and second adapter portions; and (b) as said first tang portion moves further away from said second tang portion said releasing pivot joint releases and said first and second adapter portions separate from each other.
20 . The method for releasably securing said spoon-based device to said drone as recited in claim 17 , wherein: (a) following said release of said device adapter and said spoon-based device from said drone, said spoon pivoting outward away from said body, thereby urging said first tang portion away from said second tang portion and opening said pivot joint between said first and second adapter portions; and (b) as said first tang portion moves further away from said second tang portion said hook moves free of said hook receiver and first and second adapter portions separate from each other.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable MICROFICHE APPENDIX Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to the field of drones. More specifically, the invention comprises an adapter allowing a spoon-based device to be carried and dropped by a drone. 2. Description of the Related Art The present invention provides the ability for a prior art drone to carry and drop a prior art spoon-based device. As those skilled in the art will know, a “drone” is a flying vehicle that can be maneuvered in a controlled fashion. Many drones are controlled by a remote operator, but some are completely autonomous. This invention applies to either class. The term “spoon-based device” will not be uniformly familiar to those skilled in the relevant arts and some explanation is therefore appropriate. Spoon-based devices are descended from hand grenade designs of the early to mid-twentieth century. FIG. 1 shows an example. This exemplary spoon-based device 10 includes a canister filled with CS gas (often referred to as “tear gas”). Fuse assembly 22 screws into the canister and serves to initiate the dispersal of the canister's contents. Such devices are generally thrown or otherwise projected away from the user before dispersal begins. A time delay is therefore included. It is also important to ensure that the device is not actuated accidentally. A pin and safety lever are provided to prevent unwanted actuation. In the nomenclature used by United States military and police personnel, the safety lever is called a “spoon”—likely because its free end resembles the handle of a common dining spoon. The term “spoon” will be used in this disclosure. Devices in which the motion of a spoon are part of the actuation process are therefore called “spoon-based devices.” Looking at FIG. 1, the reader will note that spoon 14—typically a rigid metal stamping—is pivotally connected to fuse assembly 22 by pivot 16. A spring internal to the fuse assembly is configured to pivot the spoon about pivot 16 and urge the portion of spoon 14 lying proximate canister 12 out and away from canister 12. As is well known in the field, when the spoon pivots away from the canister the firing mechanism is actuated and a delay fuse is initiated. The actuated position is shown in FIG. 2. After a fixed interval—usually 2 to 4 seconds—the main igniter fires and the CS gas begins pouring from canister 12. It is obviously important to securely retain spoon 14 in the “safe” position shown in FIG. 1. To that end, a pin 18 is passed through aligned bores in spoon 14 and fuse assembly 22. The pin is typically provided with one or more circumferential grooves that serve to retain it in the safe position. Ring 20 is attached to one exposed end of pin 18. The ring allows the user to easily grip the pin. In order to activate the spoon-based device of FIG. 1 the user first wraps his or her hand around the spoon and canister and squeezes the spoon against the canister. The user next grasps ring 20 and pulls pin 18 free of the bores through the spoon and the fuse assembly. Then the user throws the device. The throwing motion releases the spoon—which pops outward as shown in FIG. 2. This action actuates the firing mechanism within fuse assembly 22. The firing mechanism initiates a delay fuse. Following the proscribed delay time, the CS gas is ejected from the canister. As those skilled in the art will know, there are many different types of spoon-based devices. These include CS gas canisters, smoke canisters, dye-deploying canisters, flash/bang devices, and fragmentation grenades. Not all these devices have a cylindrical canister 12 as shown in the example of FIG. 1. Some are spherical and some are oblong. For this reason the largest portion of the spoon-based device will be called a “body.” Canister 12 is an example of a body. Those skilled in the art will also know that many different fuse assembly types, spoon types, and spoon connections are used. In some examples the fuse assembly is integrated within the body and the spoon is pivotally connected to the body itself. In still other examples the pin is secured in different ways—such as a receiving channel in the spoon or body. The present invention can be adapted for use with all these types. All these spoon-based devices are propelled toward a target area. They are often thrown by a human user. Some lobbing devices are also employed, but these just extend the range available to a human thrower. The deployment range is thus limited. It would be advantageous to provide a system for remotely deploying spoon-based devices, particularly in light of the recent advances in drone technology. FIG. 3 shows a prior art drone 28 as typically used by law enforcement agencies. Chassis 30 contains a control system. This control system receives attitude and acceleration information from an instrume