System and method for reconnectably coupling an AFT vehicle to a forward vehicle in flight

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 11866192
APP PUB NO 20220348346A1
SERIAL NO

17725889

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

Disclosed are systems and methods for reconnectably coupling an aft vehicle to a forward vehicle in flight. A docking structure is affixed to the forward vehicle. A coupler has a line connection portion, a probe receiver port, and a plurality of aerodynamic controls. The probe receiving port receives and releasably retains a probe portion of the aft vehicle. A tow line has a proximal end, a distal end, and a line extension length. The proximal end may be attached to the tow actuation element. The distal end is connectable to the coupler. The tow actuation element is configured to adjust the line extension length. The aerodynamic control elements are configured to adjust lateral and vertical positioning of the coupler with respect to the probe portion when the system is in flight. Movement of the coupler is restrained with respect to the docking structure when docked thereto.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
SKY LAUNCH CORPORATION8844 MORA CT LANCASTER CA 93536-7733

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Budd, Gerald D Lancaster, US 5 18
McNicholas, Thomas Milton Laguna Niguel, US 4 4
Monheim, Angela Rapid City, US 1 0

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
3.5 Year Payment $1600.00 $800.00 $400.00 Jul 9, 2027
7.5 Year Payment $3600.00 $1800.00 $900.00 Jul 9, 2031
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Jul 9, 2035
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 3.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 7.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00