Patent ID: 7556219
Filing Date: 2009-07-07
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. A launch system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the system comprising: a container body having an opening and a removable lid configured to cover the opening, the container body having a length and a width; alignment supports disposed in the container body, the supports configured to secure a plurality of UAVs within the container in a prescribed orientation such that each UAV is disposed substantially perpendicular to the length of the container body; and a deployment mechanism configured to eject the UAVs through the opening of the container, the deployment mechanism comprising: a mass configured to be accelerated independent of the UAV; and an elastic tether configured to connect the UAV to the mass; wherein the mass is sufficiently sized relative to the UAV, and a force is imparted to the mass such that the elastic tether is stretched and sufficient force is imparted to the UAV to accelerate the UAV to flight speed; wherein the mass is configured to be accelerated via a spring assembly; and wherein the spring assembly serves as the mass, the spring assembly including a helical spring sufficiently sized to accelerate the UAV to flight speed; a first and second side walls disposed on opposing ends of the spring, the second side wall having an opening; and a central rod attached to the first side wall and releasably attached to second side wall through the opening thereof, rod configured to release spring tension upon release from the second side wall.