IP Library Granted Patent US 11,584,527
Granted Patent B2
US 11,584,527 · App. 17/411,414 · Granted Feb 21, 2023

System and method of providing a projectile module having a net with a drawstring

Inventors: Robert Edmund Gooch (Orem, UT); Devin Donald Lebaron (Saratoga Springs, UT); Adam Eugene Robertson (Provo, UT)
Assignee: Fortem Technologies, Inc.
B64D7/06B64C39/024F41A19/59F41B11/62F41B11/723F41B11/80F41H13/0006F41H13/0012F41H13/0025B64C2201/121
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 11,584,527
App. No.
17/411,414
Granted
Feb 21, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A projectile cartridge that can be removably attached to a flying vehicle is disclosed. A system can include a first flying vehicle, a projectile attachment mechanism configured with the first flying vehicle, a projectile cartridge that contains a projectile, the projectile cartridge being removably attachable to the projectile attachment mechanism, a weight attached to the projectile, the weight being configured in a releasable configuration in the projectile cartridge and a drawstring configured with the projectile. After firing the projectile, when tension is applied to the drawstring as the projectile approaches or envelops a second flying vehicle, the tension can cause the drawstring to close the projectile down to secure the second flying vehicle.

Claims (38)

1. A system comprising:

a first flying vehicle;

a projectile attachment mechanism configured with the first flying vehicle;

a projectile cartridge that contains a projectile, the projectile cartridge being removably attachable to the projectile attachment mechanism;

a tether attached to the projectile; and

a parachute attached to the tether and configured within the first flying vehicle, wherein, after firing the projectile, as the projectile interacts with a second flying vehicle, the parachute is deployed from the first flying vehicle to inhibit the second flying vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a weight attached to the projectile, the weight being configured in a releasable configuration in the projectile cartridge.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising:

a drawstring configured with the projectile, wherein, after firing the projectile, when tension is applied to the drawstring as the projectile approaches or envelops the second flying vehicle, the tension causes the drawstring to close the projectile down to secure the second flying vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the projectile comprises a net having one of a circular shape, a hexagonal shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, a first shape having four corners, a second shape having six corners or a third shape having eight corners.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein, when the net comprises the first shape having four corners, and wherein the drawstring is attached to at least two of the four corners of the net.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the weight comprises a first weight and wherein a first string attaches the first weight to a first location of the net, a second string attaches a second weight to a second location of the net, a third string attaches a third weight to a third location of the net, and a fourth string attaches a fourth weight to a fourth location of the net.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein a first attachment guide member is configured at the first location of the net and a second attachment guide member is configured at the second location of the net.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein a first portion of the drawstring passes through the first attachment guide member and is attached at the second location of the net, a second portion of the drawstring passes through the first attachment guide member and is attached to the third location of the net, a third portion of the drawstring passes through the second attachment guide member and is attached to the second location of the net and a fourth portion of the drawstring passes through the second attachment guide member and is attached to the third location.

9. The system of claim 4 , wherein at least two of the four corners have configured thereon a respective attachment guide member through which a drawstring is pulled to close the projectile down to secure the second flying vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein a first portion of the drawstring passes through a first attachment guide member at a first location of the net, the first portion of the drawstring extending across a center portion of the net to a second location opposite the first location, and wherein a second portion of the drawstring passes through a second attachment guide member at a third location of the net, the second portion of the drawstring extending across the center portion of the net to a fourth location opposite the third location.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein a first portion of the drawstring passes through a first attachment guide member at a first location of the net, the first portion of the drawstring extending down a first side of the net attaching to a second location adjacent to the first location, and wherein a second portion of the drawstring passes through a second attachment guide member at a third location of the net, the second portion of the drawstring extending down a second side of the net attaching to a fourth location adjacent to the third location.

12. The system of claim 9 , the drawstring comprises a first loop that passes through a first attachment guide member at a first location of the net, the first loop attached to the tether, a second loop that passes through a second attachment guide member at a second location of the net, the second loop attached to the tether, a third loop that passes through a third attachment guide member at a third location of the net, the third loop attached to the tether and a fourth loop that passes through a fourth attachment guide member at a fourth location of the net, the fourth loop attached to the tether.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the drawstring further passes through at least a fifth attachment guide member configured at an edge of the net and between any two adjacent attachment guide members of the first attachment guide member, the second attachment guide member, the third attachment guide member and the fourth attachment guide member.

14. The system of claim 4 , the drawstring having a first branch attached to a first location of the net, a second branch attached to a second location of the net, a third branch attached to a third location of the net and a fourth branch attached to a fourth location of the net.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the first branch, the second branch, the third branch and the fourth branch each pass across the net and through a central location of the net and connect to the tether.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parachute comprises a tension-producing mechanism that provided a tension on the tether to cause the projectile to close around the second flying vehicle.

17. A method comprising:

deploying a first flying vehicle having a projectile attachment mechanism configured with the first flying vehicle, wherein a projectile cartridge that contains a projectile is configured in the projectile cartridge, the projectile cartridge being removably attachable to the projectile attachment mechanism;

projecting the projectile from the projectile cartridge to a second flying vehicle; and

deploying a parachute from the first flying vehicle to slow down the second flying vehicle, the parachute attached via a tether to the projectile and the parachute configured within the first flying vehicle until it is deployed based on an interaction of the projectile with the second flying vehicle.

18. A flying vehicle comprising:

a projectile attachment mechanism configured with the flying vehicle;

a projectile cartridge that contains a projectile, the projectile cartridge being removably attachable to the projectile attachment mechanism, wherein:

the projectile comprises a net having one of a circular shape, a hexagonal shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, a first shape having four corners, a second shape having six corners or a third shape having eight corners, wherein a first attachment guide member is configured at the first location of the net and a second attachment guide member is configured at the second location of the net; and

when the net comprises the first shape having four corners, the drawstring is attached to at least two of the four corners of the net;

a weight attached to the projectile, the weight being configured in a releasable configuration in the projectile cartridge, wherein the weight comprises a first weight and wherein a first string attaches the first weight to a first location of the net, a second string attaches a second weight to a second location of the net, a third string attaches a third weight to a third location of the net, and a fourth string attaches a fourth weight to a fourth location of the net;

a drawstring configured with the projectile, wherein:

after firing the projectile, when tension is applied to the drawstring as the projectile approaches or envelops the second flying vehicle, the tension causes the drawstring to close the projectile down to secure the second flying vehicle; and

a first portion of the drawstring passes through the first attachment guide member and is attached at the second location of the net, a second portion of the drawstring passes through the first attachment guide member and is attached to the third location of the net, a third portion of the drawstring passes through the second attachment guide member and is attached to the second location of the net and a fourth portion of the drawstring passes through the second attachment guide member and is attached to the third location

a tether attached to the projectile; and

a parachute attached to the tether, wherein, after firing the projectile, as the projectile interacts with a second flying vehicle, the parachute is deployed to inhibit the second flying vehicle.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2026
From: LAGO EVERGREEN CREDIT, LLC
To: LAGO EVERGREEN CREDIT, A DELAWARE STATUTORY TRUST
Reel/Frame 075244/0175 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2024
From: FORTEM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: LAGO EVERGREEN CREDIT, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 068984/0602 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2022
From: GOOCH, ROBERT E.; LEBARON, DEVIN DONALD; ROBERTSON, ADAM EUGENE
To: FORTEM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 059084/0558 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17316433 · May 10, 2021
Continuation In Part 16914640 · Jun 29, 2020
Continuation 16176688 · Oct 31, 2018
Related Publication 20220119115A1 · Apr 21, 2022