US 12,338,006 B2
Movable platforms for vehicle capture assemblies and related devices, assemblies, systems, and methods
Emmanuel Simpri, Sterling, VA (US); Jack Purcell, Sterling, VA (US); Matthew Alan Michel, Oak Hill, VA (US); Michael J. Foster, Sterling, VA (US); and Quentin Williams, Sterling, VA (US)
Assigned to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed by Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed on Nov. 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/990,245.
Prior Publication US 2024/0166379 A1, May 23, 2024
Int. Cl. B64G 1/64 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/6464 (2023.08) 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A movable platform for use with a vehicle capture assembly of a capture vehicle, the movable platform comprising:
a first floor configured to be coupled with a portion of the vehicle capture assembly proximate the capture vehicle;
a second floor configured to be coupled with a probe assembly of the vehicle capture assembly;
at least one set of legs positioned between the first floor and the second floor, the at least one set of legs being rotationally coupled to at least one of the first floor or the second floor and configured to rotate relative to the at least one of the first floor or the second floor; and
a biasing mechanism configured to bias the movable platform in an initial position;
wherein rotation of the at least one set of legs relative to the at least one of the first floor or the second floor enables the movable platform to move from the initial position to a displaced position as the first floor translates laterally relative to the second floor in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the movable platform; and
wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a floating stop, the floating stop configured to rotate against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism when the at least one set of legs rotate in one rotational direction relative to the at least one of the first floor or the second floor.