IP Library Granted Patent US 8,931,144
Granted Patent B2
US 8,931,144 · App. 13/804,984 · Granted Jan 13, 2015

Tethering system and method for remote device

Inventors: James M. Freeman (Normal, IL); Roger D. Schmidgall (Normal, IL); Brian N. Harvey (Bloomington, IL); Nathan Lee Tofte (Downs, IL)
Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
F16G11/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,931,144
App. No.
13/804,984
Granted
Jan 13, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tethering system for a remote-controlled device includes a tether line having a first end adapted to be connected to a ground support and a second end adapted to be connected to the remote-controlled device. The system further includes an anchor-point disposed between the first and second ends of the tether line, the anchor point having an eyelet for securing the tether line and allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet during use. The anchor-point and eyelet enable the tether line to flex or bend and the remote-controlled device to maneuver one or more of over or around the target area without interfering with any nearby obstructions.

Claims (15)

1. A tethering system for a remote-controlled device comprising:

a tether line having a first end adapted to be connected to a ground support and a second end adapted to be secured to a remote-controlled device;

an anchor-point disposed between the first and second ends of the tether line, the anchor-point having an eyelet for securing the tether line and allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet, wherein the anchor-point comprises a tripod comprising a stand having a top portion and a bottom portion for supporting the stand, and the eyelet is disposed on the top portion of the stand; and

a docking station disposed adjacent to the ground support;

wherein the anchor-point and the eyelet enable the tether line to flex or bend and the remote-controlled device to maneuver one or more of over or on a target area without interfering with any nearby objects.

2. The tethering system of claim 1 , wherein the target area is a portion of a roof.

3. The tethering system of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the tether line includes a sleeved boom or sheath for extending the tether line in a semi-rigid manner away from one or more of any of extensions, rotors or other interfering parts of the remote-controlled device or appurtenances, including chimneys, on the target area.

4. A tethering system for a remote-controlled device comprising:

a tether line having a first end adapted to be connected to a ground support and a second end adapted to be secured to a remote-controlled device;

an anchor-point disposed between the first and second ends of the tether line, the anchor-point having an eyelet for securing the tether line and allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet, wherein the anchor-point comprises a weighted disc that is locked to the tether line when the weighted disc is carried to a location adjacent to a target area by the remote-controlled device, and the weighted disc is in a vertical position when locked to the tether line and in a horizontal position upon contact with the location adjacent to the target area; and

a docking station disposed adjacent to the ground support;

wherein the anchor-point and the eyelet enable the tether line to flex or bend and the remote-controlled device to maneuver one or more of over or on the target area without interfering with any nearby objects.

5. The tethering system of claim 4 , wherein, upon contact with the location adjacent to the target area, the remote-controlled device releases the weighted disc to the location adjacent to the target area, allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet disposed on the weighted disc.

6. The tethering system of claim 4 , wherein the target area is a portion of a roof.

7. The tethering system of claim 4 , wherein the second end of the tether line includes a sleeved boom or sheath for extending the tether line in a semi-rigid manner away from one or more of any of extensions, rotors or other interfering parts of the remote-controlled device or appurtenances, including chimneys, on the target area.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2013
From: FREEMAN, JAMES M.; SCHMIDGALL, ROGER D.; HARVEY, BRIAN N.; TOFTE, NATHAN L.
To: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 030001/0424 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140259549A1 · Sep 18, 2014