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:
Nov. 15, 2011
Filed:
Aug. 20, 2010
Anthony Beckman Hays, Jackson, MI (US);
Greg Alan Ritter, Hamburg, MI (US);
Peter Tchoryk, Jr., Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Jane Camile Pavlich, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Gregory Joseph Wassick, Petersburg, MI (US);
Anthony Beckman Hays, Jackson, MI (US);
Greg Alan Ritter, Hamburg, MI (US);
Peter Tchoryk, Jr., Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Jane Camile Pavlich, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Gregory Joseph Wassick, Petersburg, MI (US);
Michigan Aerospace Corporation, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A convex forward surface of a forward-biased probe head of a first portion of a docking system engages a central concave conical surface of a second portion of the docking system. A first linear actuator moves a flexible docking cable assembly relative to a support structure through bores therein and through the probe head. An aftward retraction of the docking cable assembly causes a linearly-actuated cam element thereof to rotate a rotary cam follower pivoted from the support structure, which engages an aft edge portion of the probe head, forcing the probe head forward. A plurality of distal coupling elements operatively coupled to the support structure around a central axis thereof engage with and become releasably captured by a corresponding socket and associated capture mechanism of a mating second portion of the docking system, and rigidized when the probe head is forced against the central concave conical surface.