Fork Receiver Only Patents (Class 258/14)
Retaining feature (Class 258/15)
Receiver-engaging feature (Class 258/18)
  • Aerial transport of payloads with vertical pick up and delivery
    Patent number: 4416436
    Abstract: Two airplanes (A and B) combine in aerial maneuvers to accomplish pick up, transport and delivery of a payload (10) from and to designated surface locations (11). The payload (10) is connected to, carried in the open by and disconnected from the ends of cables (15) extending from each airplane during the aerial maneuvers. Such airplane maneuvers include orbiting 180.degree. apart while banking at prescribed angles to effect substantially vertical lifting and lowering of the payload (10) relative to the pick up and delivery surfaces (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Francis M. Wilson, Jr.