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:
Sep. 30, 1997
Filed:
Feb. 26, 1996
Paul H Nicholas, Burbank, CA (US);
Larry Lipera, Lancaster, CA (US);
Stephen G Justice, Santa Clarita, CA (US);
Joseph M Wurts, Valencia, CA (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
The invention is an airborne vehicle. In detail, the invention includes a main body having a longitudinal, lateral and vertical axis. A pair of wings are pivotally mounted to the main body that are movable about an axis of rotation from a retracted position to an extended position external of the main body along the lateral axis. A linkage assembly for controlling the position of the wings is mounted within the vehicle that includes a guide assembly having an open ended slot aligned with the longitudinal axis thereof. First and second links have their first ends pivotally connected to the wings at a position offset from the axis of rotation of the wings, and the second ends thereof pivotally coupled to each other. A pin is rotatably coupled to the second ends of the first and second links and is movable from a first position within the slot wherein the first and second links are at an acute angle to each other to a second position external of the open end of the slot wherein the first and second links are rotated to a greater angular relationship. A spring is incorporated for urging the first and second links to the greater angular relationship. A latch is incorporated for securing the first and second links in the greater angular relationship after the pin exits the open end of the slot. An actuator is used to move the pin from the first position to the second position and, additionally, along the lateral axis when the pin is in the second position.