IP Library Granted Patent US 8,857,312
Granted Patent B2
US 8,857,312 · App. 13/664,195 · Granted Oct 14, 2014

Unmanned aerial vehicle weapon adapter

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,857,312
App. No.
13/664,195
Granted
Oct 14, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

In some embodiments, an adapter for attaching a handheld firearm to an unmanned air vehicle comprises a mounting assembly configured for attachment to said firearm and to the unmanned air vehicle, and an actuation assembly comprising an actuation device configured to actuate a trigger of the handheld firearm.

Claims (34)

1. An unmanned air vehicle comprising:

a structural framework;

a firearm designed to be fired by hand, the firearm comprising a trigger, a safety mechanism and a barrel;

a mounting assembly attaching said firearm to said structural framework; and

an actuation assembly comprising a first actuation device configured to actuate said trigger, a second actuation device configured to actuate said safety mechanism and a releasable link coupling between the second actuation device and the safety mechanism, said actuation assembly supported by said firearm;

said releasable link coupling comprising a detent mechanism.

2. The unmanned air vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said actuation assembly does not contact said structural framework.

3. The unmanned air vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said actuation assembly does not contact said mounting assembly.

4. The unmanned air vehicle of claim 1 , said actuation assembly further comprising a locking mechanism configured to prevent actuation of said safety mechanism.

5. The unmanned air vehicle of claim 4 , wherein said locking mechanism prevents said safety mechanism from leaving a ‘safe’ orientation, even upon actuation of said second actuation device.

6. The unmanned air vehicle of claim 4 , wherein said locking mechanism contacts said safety mechanism.

7. The unmanned air vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said mounting assembly contacts said barrel of said firearm.

8. An unmanned air vehicle comprising:

a structural framework;

a firearm designed to be fired by hand, the firearm comprising a trigger, a safety mechanism and a barrel;

a mounting assembly attaching said firearm to said structural framework; and

an actuation assembly comprising a first actuation device configured to actuate said trigger, a second actuation device configured to actuate said safety mechanism and a releasable link coupling between the second actuation device and the safety mechanism, said actuation assembly supported by said firearm;

said releasable link coupling comprising a first portion comprising a slot and a second portion comprising a spring member.

9. The unmanned air vehicle of claim 8 , wherein said second portion further comprises a ball arranged to engage said slot.

10. An adapter for operating a firearm designed to be fired by hand, said adapter comprising:

a mounting assembly arranged to attach said firearm to a supporting framework; and

an actuation assembly comprising a first actuation device configured to actuate a finger trigger of said firearm, a second actuation device configured to actuate a safety mechanism of said firearm and a releasable link coupling between the second actuation device and the safety mechanism, said actuation assembly attached to said firearm;

said releasable link coupling comprising a detent mechanism.

11. The adapter of claim 10 , said actuation assembly further comprising a locking mechanism arranged to contact said safety mechanism.

12. The adapter of claim 10 , said releasable link coupling comprising a plurality of detent mechanisms.

13. The adapter of claim 12 , wherein said plurality of detent mechanisms are arranged to engage simultaneously.

14. The adapter of claim 10 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to prevent actuation of a safety mechanism of said firearm.

15. The adapter of claim 14 , wherein said locking mechanism is moveable between first and second positions.

16. The adapter of claim 10 , wherein said actuation assembly comprises a roller configured to contact said trigger.

17. An adapter for operating a firearm designed to be fired by hand, said adapter comprising:

a mounting assembly arranged to attach said firearm to a supporting framework; and

an actuation assembly comprising a first actuation device configured to actuate a finger trigger of said firearm, a second actuation device configured to actuate a safety mechanism of said firearm and a releasable link coupling between the second actuation device and the safety mechanism, said actuation assembly attached to said firearm;

said releasable link coupling comprising a first portion comprising a slot and a second portion comprising a spring member.

18. The adapter of claim 17 , wherein said second portion further comprises a ball arranged to engage said slot.

Assignments (9)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2021
From: NORTHROP GRUMMAN INNOVATION SYSTEMS LLC
To: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055215/0559 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 1, 2021
From: NORTHROP GRUMMAN INNOVATION SYSTEMS, INC.
To: NORTHROP GRUMMAN INNOVATION SYSTEMS LLC
Reel/Frame 055191/0490 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 17, 2020
From: ORBITAL ATK, INC.
To: NORTHROP GRUMMAN INNOVATION SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 054799/0623 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 6, 2018
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ORBITAL ATK, INC.
Reel/Frame 046477/0874 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 14, 2017
From: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
To: ORBITAL ATK, INC.
Reel/Frame 043865/0372 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 8, 2015
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE CO.; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; AMMUNITION ACCESSORIES, INC.; ORBITAL ATK, INC. (F/K/A ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.)
Reel/Frame 036816/0624 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 30, 2015
From: ORBITAL ATK, INC.; ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 036732/0170 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 26, 2013
From: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.; CALIBER COMPANY; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 031731/0281 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2013
From: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 029732/0140 →