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:
Oct. 01, 2013
Filed:
May. 23, 2012
John Peter Zwaan, Simi Valley, CA (US);
Makoto Ueno, Canoga Park, CA (US);
Marc L. Schmalzel, Simi Valley, CA (US);
Christopher E. Fisher, Simi Valley, CA (US);
John Peter Zwaan, Simi Valley, CA (US);
Makoto Ueno, Canoga Park, CA (US);
Marc L. Schmalzel, Simi Valley, CA (US);
Christopher E. Fisher, Simi Valley, CA (US);
AeroVironment, Inc., Monrovia, CA (US);
Abstract
Embodiments include an assembly comprising: (a) a camera support structure comprising: a masthead disposed on the distal end of a mast wherein the masthead is configured to receive an imaging element; where a proximal end of the mast rotatably engaging an azimuth-elevation joint assembly wherein the azimuth-elevation joint assembly comprises a first angular actuator of a first rotational degree-of-freedom and a second angular actuator of a second rotational degree of freedom; and (b) a camera support structure housing comprising an aperture and a hatch wherein the hatch is resiliently biased to close the aperture; and wherein the camera support structure is configured to overcome the hatch resilient bias by at least one of: the release of a pin restraining a loaded spring and a rotational actuation of the mast via at least one of the first angular actuator and the second angular actuator.