IP Library Granted Patent US 12,583,098
Granted Patent B2
US 12,583,098 · App. 17/660,180 · Granted Mar 24, 2026

Magnetic device emplacement tool

Inventors: Cameron P. Franklin (Chesapeake, VA); Kirk L. Traber (Virginia Beach, VA)
Assignee: NIGHTWING GROUP, LLC
B25J1/04A47F13/06B25J15/009B25J15/0608
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,583,098
App. No.
17/660,180
Granted
Mar 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system includes a magnetic device and an emplacement tool. The emplacement tool includes at least one magnetic rotating member rotatable about a first axis and configured to adhere to a ferrous surface. The emplacement tool also includes a friction fit head configured to hold the magnetic device between internal surfaces of the friction fit head on opposing sides. The emplacement tool further includes a coupler connected to the at least one magnetic rotating member. The coupler is configured to attach to the friction fit head such that the friction fit head extends along a second axis different than the first axis.

Claims (96)

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

at least one magnetic rotating member rotatable about a first axis and configured to adhere to a ferrous surface;

a friction fit head configured to hold a magnetic device between internal surfaces of the friction fit head on opposing sides; and

a coupler connected to the at least one magnetic rotating member, the coupler configured to attach to the friction fit head such that the friction fit head extends along a second axis different than the first axis,

wherein:

the friction fit head comprises a first arm configured to hold a front side of the magnetic device and a second arm configured to hold a back side of the magnetic device; and

the internal surfaces of the friction fit head comprise an internal surface of the first arm and an internal surface of the second arm.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the second arm of the friction fit head comprises a vertical-side wedge configured to slide along a substantially flat surface; and

the first arm comprises a vertical-side arm configured to squeeze the magnetic device against an internal surface of the vertical-side wedge.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the second arm of the friction fit head comprises an angled-side wedge configured to slide along an angled surface; and

the first arm comprises an angled-side arm configured to squeeze the magnetic device against an internal surface of the angled-side wedge.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the second arm of the friction fit head has a thickness that prevents placement of the magnetic device onto the ferrous surface prior to removing the second arm from a position between the ferrous surface and one or more magnets on the back side of the magnetic device; and

the thickness of the second arm has one of:

a first thickness that overcomes a magnetic force of one or more training or weaker magnets on the back side of the magnetic device used during training; or

a second thickness that overcomes a magnetic force of one or more operational or stronger magnets on the back side of the magnetic device used during operation.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the friction fit head comprises a two-piece friction fit head that includes:

the first arm having (i) a first adapter configured to connect to the coupler and (ii) a first connector; and

the second arm having (i) a second connector and (ii) a key;

the first connector is configured to attach the first arm to the second arm via mating with the second connector; and

the key is configured, when inserted into a keyhole of the magnetic device, to removably attach the friction fit head to the magnetic device and prevent lateral movement of the magnetic device relative to the friction fit head.

6 . An apparatus, comprising:

at least one magnetic rotating member rotatable about a first axis and configured to adhere to a ferrous surface;

a friction fit head configured to hold a magnetic device between internal surfaces of the friction fit head on opposing sides; and

a coupler connected to the at least one magnetic rotating member, the coupler configured to attach to the friction fit head such that the friction fit head extends along a second axis different than the first axis,

wherein the friction fit head comprises a protruding key that protrudes from at least one of the internal surfaces of the friction fit head and that is configured to:

slidably insert into a recessed keyhole in the magnetic device;

removably attach the friction fit head to the magnetic device; and

prevent lateral movement of the magnetic device relative to the friction fit head.

7 . An apparatus, comprising:

at least one magnetic rotating member rotatable about a first axis and configured to adhere to a ferrous surface;

a friction fit head configured to hold a magnetic device between internal surfaces of the friction fit head on opposing sides;

a coupler connected to the at least one magnetic rotating member, the coupler configured to attach to the friction fit head such that the friction fit head extends along a second axis different than the first axis; and

a detent pin that is insertable into a pinhole through each of a front side of the friction fit head, a back side of the friction fit head, and the magnetic device when the friction fit head is holding the magnetic device;

wherein the detent pin is configured to prevent the magnetic device from sliding out of the friction fit head when inserted through the pinhole; and

wherein the detent pin is configured to allow the magnetic device to be removed from the friction fit head and placed onto the ferrous surface when not inserted through the pinhole.

8 . An apparatus, comprising:

at least one magnetic rotating member rotatable about a first axis and configured to adhere to a ferrous surface;

a friction fit head configured to hold a magnetic device between internal surfaces of the friction fit head on opposing sides;

a coupler connected to the at least one magnetic rotating member, the coupler configured to attach to the friction fit head such that the friction fit head extends along a second axis different than the first axis; and

an adapter configured to attach to the coupler on a first side of the adapter and to attach to a lifting device on an opposing second side of the adapter.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the lifting device comprises at least one of a non-telescoping pole, a telescoping pole, a remotely operated vehicle, and an unmanned underwater vehicle.

10 . A system comprising:

a magnetic device; and

an emplacement tool comprising:

at least one magnetic rotating member rotatable about a first axis and configured to adhere to a ferrous surface;

a friction fit head configured to hold the magnetic device between internal surfaces of the friction fit head on opposing sides; and

a coupler connected to the at least one magnetic rotating member, the coupler configured to attach to the friction fit head such that the friction fit head extends along a second axis different than the first axis,

wherein the friction fit head comprises a first arm configured to hold a front side of the magnetic device and a second arm configured to hold a back side of the magnetic device; and

the internal surfaces of the friction fit head comprise an internal surface of the first arm and an internal surface of the second arm.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein:

the second arm of the friction fit head comprises a vertical-side wedge configured to slide along a substantially flat surface; and

the first arm comprises a vertical-side arm configured to squeeze the magnetic device against an internal surface of the vertical-side wedge.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein:

the second arm of the friction fit head comprises an angled-side wedge configured to slide along an angled surface; and

the first arm comprises an angled-side arm configured to squeeze the magnetic device against an internal surface of the angled-side wedge.

13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein:

the second arm of the friction fit head has a thickness that prevents placement of the magnetic device onto the ferrous surface prior to removing the second arm from a position between the ferrous surface and one or more magnets on the back side of the magnetic device; and

the thickness of the second arm has one of:

a first thickness that overcomes a magnetic force of one or more training or weaker magnets on the back side of the magnetic device used during training; or

a second thickness that overcomes a magnetic force of one or more operational or stronger magnets on the back side of the magnetic device used during operation.

14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein:

the friction fit head comprises a two-piece friction fit head that includes:

the first arm having (i) a first adapter configured to connect to the coupler and (ii) a first connector; and

the second arm having (i) a second connector and (ii) a key;

the first connector is configured to attach the first arm to the second arm via mating with the second connector; and

the key is configured, when inserted into a keyhole of the magnetic device, to removably attach the friction fit head to the magnetic device and prevent lateral movement of the magnetic device relative to the friction fit head.

15 . A system comprising:

a magnetic device; and

an emplacement tool comprising:

at least one magnetic rotating member rotatable about a first axis and configured to adhere to a ferrous surface;

a friction fit head configured to hold the magnetic device between internal surfaces of the friction fit head on opposing sides; and

a coupler connected to the at least one magnetic rotating member, the coupler configured to attach to the friction fit head such that the friction fit head extends along a second axis different than the first axis,

wherein the friction fit head comprises a protruding key that protrudes from at least one of the internal surfaces of the friction fit head and that is configured to:

slidably insert into a recessed keyhole in the magnetic device;

removably attach the friction fit head to the magnetic device; and

prevent lateral movement of the magnetic device relative to the friction fit head.

16 . A system comprising:

a magnetic device; and

an emplacement tool comprising:

at least one magnetic rotating member rotatable about a first axis and configured to adhere to a ferrous surface;

a friction fit head configured to hold the magnetic device between internal surfaces of the friction fit head on opposing sides; and

a coupler connected to the at least one magnetic rotating member, the coupler configured to attach to the friction fit head such that the friction fit head extends along a second axis different than the first axis,

wherein the emplacement tool further comprises a detent pin that is insertable into a pinhole through each of a front side of the friction fit head, a back side of the friction fit head, and the magnetic device when the friction fit head is holding the magnetic device;

the detent pin is configured to prevent the magnetic device from sliding out of the friction fit head when inserted through the pinhole; and

the detent pin is configured to allow the magnetic device to be removed from the friction fit head and placed onto the ferrous surface when not inserted through the pinhole.

17 . A system comprising:

a magnetic device; and

an emplacement tool comprising:

at least one magnetic rotating member rotatable about a first axis and configured to adhere to a ferrous surface;

a friction fit head configured to hold the magnetic device between internal surfaces of the friction fit head on opposing sides; and

a coupler connected to the at least one magnetic rotating member, the coupler configured to attach to the friction fit head such that the friction fit head extends along a second axis different than the first axis,

wherein the emplacement tool further comprises an adapter configured to attach to the coupler on a first side of the adapter and to attach to a lifting device on an opposing second side of the adapter.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 3, 2024
From: COLUMBUS BUYER LLC
To: NIGHTWING GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 068106/0251 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2024
From: RAYTHEON COMPANY
To: COLUMBUS BUYER LLC
Reel/Frame 068233/0420 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2024
From: COLUMBUS BUYER LLC; RAYTHEON BLACKBIRD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; RAYTHEON FOREGROUND SECURITY, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066960/0411 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2022
From: FRANKLIN, CAMERON P.; TRABER, KIRK L.
To: RAYTHEON COMPANY
Reel/Frame 059671/0427 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230339095A1 · Oct 26, 2023
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