Patents by Inventor Merrill Stuart Ross

Merrill Stuart Ross has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11891158
    Abstract: A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Moses, Merrill Stuart Ross
  • Publication number: 20230150625
    Abstract: A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Moses, Merrill Stuart Ross
  • Patent number: 11548600
    Abstract: A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Moses, Merrill Stuart Ross
  • Publication number: 20210354795
    Abstract: A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Moses, Merrill Stuart Ross
  • Patent number: 11136096
    Abstract: A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Moses, Merrill Stuart Ross
  • Publication number: 20200317302
    Abstract: A remotely controlled, self-propelled floating cooler includes a main body member that generally has an ovoid shape, as shown, for streamlined movement through the water. The main body member is generally hollow, which allows for ice, drinks, food, and the like to be placed inside of the main body member through an opening or hatch on top. A lid may be removably secured to the opening on top, and preferably includes securing means for maintaining the lid in a closed position, even in rough water. Remotely controlled propulsion means are attached to an underside of the cooler on one end thereof. Other features include an audio receiver with speakers, port and starboard running lights, GPS navigation, submerged spotlights, and video cameras mounted above and below the waterline, all of which may be operated via a remote control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Moses, Merrill Stuart Ross
  • Patent number: 10668997
    Abstract: A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. The search and rescue drone may be flown manually, or may have some autonomous flight and locator capabilities. For example, in one embodiment, the search and rescue drone may be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes a basket, harness, or other means for actually recovering a swimmer in distress, and flying that person back to safety on a ship or on shore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Moses, Merrill Stuart Ross
  • Publication number: 20200031437
    Abstract: A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. The search and rescue drone may be flown manually, or may have some autonomous flight and locator capabilities. For example, in one embodiment, the search and rescue drone may be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes a basket, harness, or other means for actually recovering a swimmer in distress, and flying that person back to safety on a ship or on shore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Moses, Merrill Stuart Ross
  • Publication number: 20200031438
    Abstract: A search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Moses, Merrill Stuart Ross