US 12,312,085 B2
Mechanical release device for unmanned aerial vehicle drop-payload
Dylan Thomas Hamm, Boise, ID (US); Adam Daigler Wetzel, Huntsville, AL (US); Florent Arnoux, Huntsville, AL (US); Taylor Reed Schoonover, Cologne, MN (US); and Matthew A. Hernandez, Madison, AL (US)
Assigned to Performance Drone Works LLC, Huntsville, AL (US)
Filed by Performance Drone Works LLC, Huntsville, AL (US)
Filed on May 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/319,725.
Prior Publication US 2024/0383603 A1, Nov. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. B64D 1/02 (2006.01); B64U 10/14 (2023.01); B64U 101/32 (2023.01); B64U 101/60 (2023.01); G08C 19/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 1/02 (2013.01) [B64U 10/14 (2023.01); G08C 19/00 (2013.01); B64U 2101/32 (2023.01); B64U 2101/60 (2023.01); B64U 2201/20 (2023.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) mechanical release device, comprising:
a quick-release UAV-attachment mechanism to attach the UAV mechanical release device to a plurality of lugs of a UAV, the quick-release device includes one or more pins configured for insertion in corresponding holes in the plurality of lugs of the UAV;
a payload latch mechanism to secure and release a drop-payload from the UAV mechanical release device; and
a latch actuator connected to the payload latch mechanism, the latch actuator includes a motor to move the payload latch mechanism between a closed position and an open position to release the drop-payload and a manual switch located on a surface of the mechanical release device, the manual switch configured to manually actuate the motor to move the payload latch mechanism between the closed position and the open position.