IP Library Granted Patent US 11,358,705
Granted Patent B2
US 11,358,705 · App. 15/693,191 · Granted Jun 14, 2022

Nose cone

Inventor: Thomas Skyler Sartorius (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Skydio, Inc.
B64C11/14A63H27/001B64C11/04B64C11/28B64C39/024B64C2201/165B64C2203/00B64D27/26B64F5/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,358,705
App. No.
15/693,191
Granted
Jun 14, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed here are systems for detachable airframe components including detachable nose cones, propeller assemblies and motors. In some example embodiments, the assemblies include a nose cone with a connection receiver, a motor assembly with a rotatable section, where the rotatable section includes torque arms configured to secure with the nose cone connection receiver, and a propeller assembly, configured to connect to the nose cone.

Claims (32)

1. An assembly, comprising:

a nose cone unitary in construction;

a motor assembly with a rotatable section configured for rotation about an axis of rotation,

the rotatable section including torque arms configured for insertion into openings formed in a sidewall of the nose cone such that the openings extend transversely in relation to the axis of rotation; and

a propeller assembly configured for connection to the motor assembly, the propeller assembly including:

a propeller connector bar supported between the torque arms and extending through the nose cone such that rotation of the rotatable section causes corresponding rotation of the propeller connector bar; and

propellers directly connected to ends of the propeller connector bar such that rotation of the propeller connector bar causes corresponding rotation of the propellers.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the motor assembly is detachably coupled to an airframe.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the openings in the nose cone each include a snap ledge.

4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the torque arms each include a snap flange configured to mate with one of the snap ledges.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ends of the propeller connector bar are configured for pivotable connection to the propellers.

6. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the torque arms are deflectably resilient toward each other to allow the nose cone to snap on and off the torque arms of the motor assembly.

7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the propeller connector bar extends through slots in the nose cone.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the nose cone includes two openings and two slots.

9. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the propeller connector bar includes a center hole and the motor assembly includes a center post, the center hole being configured to receive the center post.

10. An assembly, comprising:

a nose cone with a first pair of openings defining a first axis extending in a first direction and a second pair of openings defining a second axis extending in a second direction transverse in relation to the first direction;

a motor assembly rotatable about an axis of rotation, the motor assembly including at least two rotatable torque arms each with a tab configured for receipt within the first pair of openings in the nose cone to thereby connect the motor assembly to the nose cone; and

a propeller assembly rotatably supported by the motor assembly, wherein the propeller assembly extends through the second pair of openings in the nose cone such that the propeller assembly extends transverse relation to the axis of rotation.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second pair of openings in the nose cone are configured as slots such that the propeller assembly is slidably insertable through the nose cone.

12. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the propeller assembly further includes at least two propeller blades hingedly supported adjacent to opposing ends thereof.

13. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the motor assembly further comprises a center post configured to fit in a center hole of the propeller assembly.

14. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the nose cone is filled with plastic foam.

15. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the at least two rotatable torque arms of the motor assembly each include a snap flange and are deflectable.

16. The assembly of claim 15 , wherein each snap flange is configured for receipt within the first pair of openings in the nose cone.

17. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the motor assembly is detachably coupled to an airframe.

18. An airplane nose assembly, comprising:

a nose cone unitary in construction and including radial openings extending into a sidewall of the nose cone;

a motor assembly including connection arms configured for engagement with the radial openings to thereby connect the motor assembly to the nose cone; and

a propeller assembly extending through the nose cone.

19. The airplane nose assembly of claim 18 , wherein the nose cone includes at least two radial openings.

20. The airplane nose assembly of claim 18 , wherein the connection arms on the motor assembly are deflectably resilient.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2025
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK, A DIVISION OF FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
To: SKYDIO, INC.
Reel/Frame 072107/0066 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2025
From: HERCULES CAPITAL, INC.
To: SKYDIO, INC.
Reel/Frame 072128/0698 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 9, 2021
From: SKYDIO, INC.
To: HERCULES CAPITAL, INC., AS COLLATERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 058081/0677 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 8, 2021
From: SKYDIO, INC.
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 058053/0768 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2021
From: SARTORIUS, THOMAS SKYLER
To: UNMANNED INNOVATION INC.
Reel/Frame 055928/0534 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE CONVEYING PARTY DATA WAS ERRONEOUSLY ENTER AS UNMMANED INNOVATIONS, INC. IT SHOULD READ UNMANNED INNOVATIONS, INC PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 053144 FRAME: 0591. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jul 15, 2020
From: UNMANNED INNOVATION, INC.
To: AIRWARE, LLC
Reel/Frame 053210/0586 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2020
From: AIRWARE, LLC
To: SKYDIO, INC.
Reel/Frame 053144/0633 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2020
From: UNMMANED INNOVATION, INC.
To: AIRWARE, LLC
Reel/Frame 053144/0591 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,637,201