IP Library Granted Patent US 12,296,739
Granted Patent B2
US 12,296,739 · App. 17/521,721 · Granted May 13, 2025

Modular container transport systems

Inventor: Elie Helou, Jr. (Santa Barbara, CA)
Assignee: Biosphere Aerospace, LLC
B60P3/42B60K7/0007B60P3/11B62D61/12B64C1/22B64D7/08B64D9/003B65D88/005B65D88/022B65D88/12B65D88/14B65D90/0006B65D90/0026B65D90/023B65D90/18B60K2007/0038B64C2211/00B65D90/0013
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,296,739
App. No.
17/521,721
Granted
May 13, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are apparatus, systems, and methods, including a ground transport drive container comprising an outer container having a cuboid shape and comprising a plurality of fittings for securing the outer container to another apparatus; and a drive wheel assembly. The drive wheel assembly comprises one or more wheels and a deployment mechanism secured to the one or more wheels. An actuating member actuates the drive wheel assembly between a stowed configuration and one or more deployed configurations. In the stowed configuration, the drive wheel assembly is housed entirely within the outer container. In the one or more deployed configurations, the drive wheel assembly extends from the outer container.

Claims (20)

1. A ground transport system comprising:

a container assembly to be transported;

a first drive container secured to a first end of the container assembly; and

a second drive container secured to a second end of the container assembly;

wherein each of the first drive container and the second drive container comprises:

an outer container having a cuboid shape and comprising a plurality of fittings, the outer container being secured to the container assembly using at least some of the plurality of fittings,

a drive wheel assembly comprising:

one or more wheels, and

a deployment mechanism secured to the one or more wheels, and

an actuating member for actuating the drive wheel assembly between a stowed configuration, in which the drive wheel assembly is housed entirely within the outer container, and one or more deployed configurations, in which the drive wheel assembly extends from the outer container.

2. The ground transport system of claim 1 , wherein the drive wheel assembly of the first drive container further comprises a propulsion system for powering the one or more wheels.

3. The ground transport system of claim 2 , wherein the propulsion system comprises one or more in-wheel electric motors.

4. The ground transport system of claim 1 , wherein the first drive container comprises

a secured portion secured to the container assembly, and

a rotatable portion rotatably secured to the secured portion.

5. The ground transport system of claim 1 , wherein the drive wheel assembly of each of the first drive container and the second drive container further comprises a propulsion system for powering the one or more wheels.

6. The ground transport system of claim 5 , wherein the propulsion system of each of the first drive container and the second drive container comprises one or more in-wheel electric motors.

7. The ground transport system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first drive container and the second drive container comprises:

a secured portion secured to the container assembly; and

a rotatable portion rotatably secured to the secured portion.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2022
From: HELOU, ELIE, JR.
To: BIOSPHERE AEROSPACE LLC
Reel/Frame 058846/0472 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 15877309 · Jan 22, 2018
Continuation In Part 15867557 · Jan 10, 2018
Provisional Application 62452139 · Jan 30, 2017
Provisional Application 62449434 · Jan 23, 2017
Provisional Application 62445193 · Jan 11, 2017
Related Publication 20220203880A1 · Jun 30, 2022
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