Patent Publication Number: US-11027839-B2

Title: Tactical rapid access small unmanned aerial system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Provisional patent: 
     Application Ser. No.: 62/561,671 
     Filing Date: Sep. 21, 2017 
     Title: Small UAV Technologies for Low Profile Containerized Storage 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The utility of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) has recently grown due to the capabilities of modern day electronic technologies. The new technologies often involve smaller, more effective, and more accessible sensors, communications systems, and power systems all enabling sUAS to disrupt traditional systems. 
     sUAS impact the individual person because fully operational systems can be included in their personal gear and can enhance their individual capabilites with an airborne platform. To utilize this capability for an individual, the system is carried, deployed and operated by that single individual. sUAS has major advantages for tactical applications due to the advanced sensor and communication system technologies which are becoming accessible. 
     In tactical situations, though, the access to the benefits of sUAS are limited due to a need to focus a significant amount of personal resources to the deployment of the sUAS. This potential distraction becomes a compromise which may outweigh the use of the sUAS. For this reason, improved sUAS design must minimize the operational workload to minimize the impact to the operator who is involved in the tactical situation. 
     Protective storage is required for sensitive and fragile equipment ensuring system readiness when deployed. sUAS typically have minimal structural margin for damage, requiring protective storage when stored. This technical cost is traded with the benefit of increased mission endurance. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION 
     The invention specifies key small Unmanned Arial System (sUAS) features which include the (A) tactical mounting of the sUAS to a firearm for rapid access in tactical situations, and (B) rapid deployment technology of a sUAS. The Purpose of the invention is to minimize the operational workload of deploying a sUAS. 
     The (A) tactical mounting of a small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) to a firearm for easy access is in such form that an operator does not have to significantly deviate from a “ready position” (or similar) to deploy the sUAS. A significant deviation includes moving the firearm to positions required to deploy the vehicle or utilization of more than 1 hand to perform the vehicle deployment. This feature includes the novelty of mounting the stored sUAS on the side of a firearm positioning the sUAS for immediate access for single handed deployment. 
     The (B) rapid deployment technology is a sUAS rapid deployment methodology and technologies enabling rapid air vehicle deployment from a stored configuration with one hand. This has three key features, including (a) a methodology for Air Vehicle removal from the storage component, (b) the technology of an air vehicle grip with integrated switch, and (c) the technology of a forward insertion electrical interconnect for monolithic storage and electrical connectivity. With this technology, an operator can grip and withdraw the air vehicle, command the air vehicle to start a mission and release the air vehicle with only 1 hand. In this process, the electrical connection to the storage system will be disconnected and any air vehicle deployable system (such as motor mounts and rotors) will automatically deploy enabling the system to be readied for an airborne mission to be started. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplified embodiment of a small Unmanned Aerial System in a stored configuration fixtured to the firearm&#39;s forestock by its storage container. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplified embodiment of a small Unmanned Aerial System in a stored configuration fixtured to the firearm&#39;s forestock by its storage container. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplified embodiment of a small Unmanned Aerial System in a stored configuration. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplified embodiment of a small Unmanned Aerial System in a stored configuration. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplified embodiment of a methodology to remove a lid from a storage container. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplified embodiment of a pair of electrical connectors positioned to interconnect when the air vehicle is stored in the storage container. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplified embodiment of a methodology to remove the air vehicle from a storage container. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplified embodiment of an operator gripping the exposed grip of an air vehicle while the air vehicle is in an uncovered storage container. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplified embodiment of an operator gripping the exposed grip of an air vehicle while the air vehicle is not in a storage container. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplified embodiment of a methodology to actuate a switch located in the grip of an air vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The Tactical Rapid Access small Unmanned Aerial System (TRAsUAS) is a system which enables a tactical operator to have improved access to the utility of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS). This includes two unique characteristics: Fixtured storage for sUAS on the firearm and Rapid sUAS deployment technologies. 
     The characteristic of fixtured storage for sUAS on the firearm includes a configuration in which the stored sUAS mounted to the firearm only requires an operator to use of their “support hand” from a “ready position” to deploy the sUAS. The “ready position” is a handling position of the firearm where the operator is positioned to use the firearm if needed. The ready position considers one hand of the operator as the “firing hand”. This hand is used to hold the trigger grip for primary operational control of the firearm and actuate the trigger if required. The second hand of the operator is considered the “support hand” and is used to support and manipulate the firearm. The support hand can be used for other tasks such as operate equipment, interact with surroundings, or reload the firearm. The mounting of the sUAS in such a way that the operator only requires use of there “support hand” to deploy the sUAS and allowing the “firing hand” to maintain continuous grip on the firearm ensures the operator always has the option of maintaining operational control the weapon. The mounting of the sUAS is provided by fixturing the storage component to the firearm where the air vehicle can be stored and stowed. The forces exerted to withdraw the air vehicle from the fixtured storage component may require a reaction force by the storage component to be transferred the firearm. 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  are an embodiment of this feature is in the form of mounting the sUAS  6  by the storage component  10  to the exterior of the forestock  3  of the firearm. The forestock  3  is located between the muzzle  1  and receiver  4  of the firearm, often in line with barrel  2 , and often used for handling with the “support hand”. The orientation of the sUAS is such that the “support hand” alone can deploy the Air Vehicle from the stored configuration without requiring the firearm to be moved from the ready position. The operator controls the firearm utilizing the grip  8 , stock  5  and butt  9  of the gun, while having the option to access the trigger  7  with the firing hand as required. 
     The characteristic of rapid sUAS deployment technologies focuses on the Air vehicle, storage component and operator interfaces and methodologies which uniquely enable rapid deployment of the Air Vehicle from the storage component. The air vehicle removal methodology is to have the operator grasp with their fingers an exposed grip to the air vehicle. The operator then withdraws the air vehicle from the storage container. The action of withdrawing the air vehicle will (a) activate an automatic actuation of any deployable systems required for flight and (b) disconnect the air vehicle to storage component electrical connection. Following this action to withdraw the air vehicle, the operator activates the flight phase of the air vehicle by a grip switch. This grip switch is pressure activated and does not require the operator to manipulate their grasp. The air vehicle is then positioned by the operator for launch and released for flight. 
     Due to the harsh exposer which may exist in a tactical environment, the storage component fully contains the air vehicle. In preparation for air vehicle removal, the storage component must be actuated to expose the air vehicle grip. The methodology of storage component actuation is to articulate a quick-release lid to expose the air vehicle. The air vehicle grip is positioned on the air vehicle to be revealed by the lid&#39;s actuation. Following the air vehicle deployment, the lid of the storage system is articulated by into its stored position. Quick-release implies a design optimized for time to perform the action. 
     The storage component and air vehicle share a mating electrical connection. The electrical connection may be of different forms, but uniquely is disconnected by the action of withdrawing the air vehicle from the storage component. 
     An embodiment of this characteristic is illustrated in  FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 . The primary structure of the storage component  10  is in the form of a tube-like  21  storage component which can be opened to access the stored air vehicle  11 . The tube has fixture points externally  13 . The tube has a forward ridged closure  19  with an electrical connector  20  mounted on its interior aligned such that the connector&#39;s actuation is in-line with the axis of the tube. The storage component  11  has a removable lid  12  on the opposing end of the tube which is accessed. The lid has a recessed pocket  18  allowing for the air vehicle  11 , while stored, to extend into the recessed pocket  18  allowing for a grip to be positioned to be exposed if the lid is removed  17 . The removable lid employs a twist-lock  16  quick release formed with a guided slot  14  in the storage container  10  used to capture a pin  15  like feature on the removable lid  12 . 
     The deployment of the air vehicle from the storage component in this embodiment uses the methodology of removing the lid as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , gripping the air vehicle  FIG. 8  with their hand  28 , withdrawing the air vehicle  24  in a linear motion in axis with the tube  FIG. 7 , allowing any required deployable systems to actuate  25 , handling the deployed air vehicle  26  through its grip  27   FIG. 9 , commanding the air vehicle through its grip switch  29   FIG. 10 , and releasing the air vehicle for flight. As the withdrawing of the air vehicle occurs, an electrical connection between the storage system electrical connector  20  and electrical connector  22  on the nose of the air frame  23  are disconnected passively  FIG. 6 .