IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,141,108
Granted Patent B2
US 9,141,108 · App. 14/062,753 · Granted Sep 22, 2015

Unmanned vehicle controller with interchangeable function bridge modules

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,141,108
App. No.
14/062,753
Granted
Sep 22, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Handheld, unmanned vehicle controllers including interchangeable function bridge modules attached to the grip handles of the controllers are described herein. Interchangeable function bridge modules can include, but are not limited to, a display screen module, a pushbutton module, and a keyboard module. An operator may quickly and easily swap modules, using different modules to perform various tasks.

Claims (16)

1. A vehicle control system for use with a remotely controlled vehicle, comprising:

a controller comprising:

a first grip handle, a second grip handle, and a control area adjacent to the first and second grip handle, wherein the first control area includes a plurality of controls operable to control at least a portion of the vehicle; and

a visor attached to the control area and positioned adjacent to a first control in an arrangement configured to block unintended control activation;

a plurality of switch guards coupled to the control area and positioned adjacent to at least second and third controls in an arrangement configured to block unintended control activation; and

a function bridge display module removably attached to the first and second grip handles by a releasable fastener member, and wherein the function bridge display module extends between the first and second grip handles and is positioned away from the control area whereby a center of mass of the controller is disposed between the first and second grip handles and between a user's hands while gripping the first and second grip handles, and wherein the function bridge display module is within a field of view of one or more control areas, wherein the function bridge display module comprises a display screen operably coupled to the control area; and

a function bridge keyboard module removably attachable to the first and second grip handles by the releasable fastener member, wherein the function bridge keyboard module is interchangeable with the function bridge display module, wherein the function bridge keyboard module comprises a plurality of keys positioned apart from the control area and between the first and second grip handles.

2. The vehicle control system of claim 1 , further comprising a function bridge pushbutton module removably attachable to the first and second grip handles by the releasable fastener member, wherein the function bridge pushbutton module is interchangeable with the function bridge display module and the function bridge keyboard module for controlling at least portions of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the function bridge display module or the function bridge keyboard module comprises a tray portion and a cover portion removably attached to the tray portion.

4. The vehicle control system of claim 3 wherein:

the tray portion is positioned between the first and second grip handles;

the tray portion is attached to the first and second grip handles; and

the cover portion is removably attached to the tray portion and supported between the first and second grip handles.

5. The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein the grip handles include a casing configured to slideably engage with the function bridge module.

6. The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein the function bridge module is configured to transmit data to at least one of the first and second grip handles or the control area via USB.

7. The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein the function bridge display module has a viewing angle of approximately 180 degrees.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED APRIL 3, 2019 AT REEL/FRAME 048788/0581 Recorded Jun 6, 2024
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
To: TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; AEROSONIC LLC; MOUNTAINTOP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; PURE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.; HARCO LABORATORIES, INC.; HARCO LLC; HARCO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; CORRPRO COMPANIES, INC.; HARCO CORPORATION; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL GMBH; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL AB; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS AS; TURNTIME TECHNOLOGIES AB; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; TRANSICOIL INC.; SOUTHCO, INC.; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ADVANCED INPUT DEVICES, INC.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; JOSLYN SUNBANK COMPANY LLC; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; SOURIAU USA, INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; TA AEROSPACE CO.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; ROLLS-ROYCE PLC; MEMTRON TECHNOLOGIES CO.; CHELTON, INC. (N/K/A CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.); SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; AERO-INSTRUMENTS CO., LLC; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA, INC.; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARCO, LLC (N/K/A HARCOSEMCO LLC); PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; CALSPAN AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.; CALSPAN SYSTEMS, LLC; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; SCHNELLER, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 067640/0237 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2023
From: TRANSDIGM INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CALSPAN AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.; CALSPAN SYSTEMS, LLC; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; HARCO LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED (N/K/A HARCOSEMCO LLC); HARCO, LLC (N/K/A HARCOSEMCO LLC); HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC (N/K/A NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS LLC); TELAIR US LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; NMC GROUP, INC.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; TA AEROSPACE CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA INC.; HARCOSEMCO LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065724/0903 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 064961 FRAME: 0671. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Oct 5, 2023
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS PREDECESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065132/0644 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2023
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS PREDECESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064961/0671 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 22, 2023
From: TRANSDIGM INC.; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC (N/K/A NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS LLC); TELAIR US LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; NMC GROUP, INC.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; TA AEROSPACE CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; MASON ELECTRIC, CO.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064661/0654 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 19, 2023
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
To: TA AEROSPACE CO.; TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECH TYEE, INC.; BEAM'S INDUSTRIES; BREEZE EASTERN CORPORATION; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; HARCO LABORATORIES, INC.; HARCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSCOIL LLC; WESTERN SKY INDUSTRIES, LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NMC GROUP INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; CHELTON, INC. (N/K/A CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.); SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 063363/0753 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2023
From: TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; 17111 WATERVIEW PKWY LLC; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC; AIRBORNE ACQUISITION, INC.; AIRBORNE GLOBAL, INC.; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF CA INC.; AMSAFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ANGUS ELECTRONICS CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES TNO CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; AUXITROL WESTON USA, INC.; AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BETA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY LLC; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRIDPORT HOLDINGS, INC.; BRIDPORT-AIR CARRIER, INC.; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CDA INTERCORP LLC; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CENTURY HELICOPTERS, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; CHELTON AVIONICS HOLDINGS, INC.; CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.; CHELTON DEFENSE PRODUCTS, INC.; CMC ELECTRONICS AURORA LLC; DART AEROSPACE USA, INC.; DART BUYER, INC.; DART HELICOPTER SERVICES, INC.; DART INTERMEDIATE, INC.; DART TOPCO, INC.; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ESTERLINE EUROPE COMPANY LLC; ESTERLINE INTERNATIONAL COMPANY; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES SGIP LLC; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; HELI TECH, INC.; HYTEK FINISHES CO.; ILC HOLDINGS, INC.; JANCO CORPORATION; JOHNSON LIVERPOOL LLC; KIRKHILL INC.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; LEACH HOLDING CORPORATION; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; LEACH MEXICO HOLDING LLC; LEACH TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE DE, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE HOLDINGS, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE US LLC; NAT SEATTLE INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS LLC; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING CORP.; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING OVERSEAS LLC; NORWICH AERO PRODUCTS, INC.; OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; PARAVION TECHNOLOGY, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; POWER DEVICE CORPORATION; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; SKANDIA, INC.; SKURKA AEROSPACE INC.; SYMETRICS INDUSTRIES, LLC; TA AEROSPACE CO.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TDG ESL HOLDINGS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; TEXAS ROTRONICS, INC.; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; BRIDPORT ERIE AVIATION, INC.; TRANSDIGM UK HOLDINGS PLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 063012/0788 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 9, 2020
From: AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION/LLC; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BEAM’S INDUSTRIES; BREEZE-EASTERN CORPORATION; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; HARCO LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED; HARCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSCOIL LLC; WESTERN SKY INDUSTRIES, LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NMC GROUP, INC.; TA AEROSPACE CO.; MASON ELECTRIC COMPANY; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052352/0704 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2019
From: SOURIAU USA, INC.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; TA AEROSPACE CO.; ADVANCED INPUT DEVICES, INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; NMC GROUP, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; MEMTRON TECHNOLOGIES CO.; JOSLYN SUNBANK COMPANY, LLC; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 048788/0581 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2019
From: SOURIAU USA, INC.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; TA AEROSPACE CO.; ADVANCED INPUT DEVICES, INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; NMC GROUP, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; MEMTRON TECHNOLOGIES CO.; JOSLYN SUNBANK COMPANY, LLC; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG
Reel/Frame 048788/0719 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2019
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: ADVANCED INPUT DEVICES, INC.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; KIRKHILL-TA CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; NMC GROUP,INC.; PACIFIC AEROSPACE & ELECTRONICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 048609/0901 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2015
From: ADVANCED INPUT DEVICES, INC.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; KIRKHILL-TA CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; NMC GROUP, INC.; PACIFIC AEROSPACE & ELECTRONICS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 035676/0001 →