The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 29, 2022
Filed:
Apr. 06, 2020
Bell Textron Inc., Fort Worth, TX (US);
James Everett Kooiman, Fort Worth, TX (US);
Jeffrey Matthew Williams, Hudson Oaks, TX (US);
Clegg Benjamin Brian Smith, Fort Worth, TX (US);
Michael E. Rinehart, Euless, TX (US);
Franklin Foster Caldwell, North Richland Hills, TX (US);
Tjepke Heeringa, Dallas, TX (US);
Textron Innovations Inc., Fort Worth, TX (US);
Abstract
A system is described and includes a rack for carrying payload disposed in a payload bay; and a payload extension assembly for affecting linear translation of the rack between a first position in which the rack is fully retracted within the payload bay and a second position in which the payload extension assembly is fully extended and the rack is supported outside the payload bay. The payload extension assembly comprises forward and aft tracks respectively attached to forward and aft walls of the payload bay; a first stage for providing linear translation of the rack relative to the forward and aft tracks; and a second stage for providing linear translation of the rack relative to the first stage. The system further comprises a payload actuator system for selectively causing the rack extension assembly to move the rack between the first and second positions.