Patents by Inventor Adam J. Fitzgerald

Adam J. Fitzgerald 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).

  • Publication number: 20250206500
    Abstract: A mid-air release module uses one or more bias members to move a ram connected to one or more cables to release at least one releasable coupling connecting cargo to an air cargo platform. The ram is held in a cocked position by a release lever held in a first position by a trigger until the occurrence of a triggering event. When released, the release lever moves to a second position, allowing the ram to move and exert a simultaneous pulling force on the cables to open releasable couplings connecting the cargo to the platform at the same time. A release module using force generated by bias members such as springs does not need a power source and will function reliably in adverse conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: Mark H. Lavender, Adam J. Fitzgerald, John Derewianka, Peter Carlisi
  • Publication number: 20240262500
    Abstract: A universal maritime craft aerial delivery system (UMCADS) is an airdrop system that enables the delivery, by parachute from military transport aircraft, of a multitude of surface and subsurface marine craft. The UMCADS can be used to deploy marine craft that will be manned on splash down and unmanned autonomous marine craft that could be operational immediately on landing. The UMCADS allows air cargo crews to assemble an air cargo transport platform from standard, modular components, reposition sub-assemblies and swap them out to accommodate a wide range of marine craft without the need to redesign the platform or recourse to the manufacturer. Incorporating actuators that do not require manual positioning by personnel beneath the platform during loading improves safety. A proven single point release system triggered by the actuator releases the platform from the marine craft after the marine craft and platform have left the delivery aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Stephen Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 11565820
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a quick release assembly. The quick release assembly includes a main body, a cover member, a pin, and a lever. The main body has a first end, a second end, and an opening between the first and second ends. The first end includes a first receiving portion. The second end includes a second receiving portion. The cover member is between the first and second ends. The pin is disposed between the main body and the cover member. The pin includes a slot. The lever is mounted at the opening of the main body. A first end of the lever is at the slot, and a second end of the lever extends from a side of the main body. The pin is configured to move between the first and second ends in response to pivoting of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLC
    Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20220324368
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic single point release system including a platform, a plurality of securement modules mounted to said platform, each said module including, a first strap anchored to said platform, a second strap anchored to said platform, and a latch connected between the first strap and the second strap, wherein the latch includes a releasable latch arm, a rocker arm, and a control cable, wherein the control cable is configured to control a position of the rocker arm, and wherein the latch arm is configured to be attachable and releaseable to a payload on the platform in response to the position of the rocker arm. A control box mounted to the platform, wherein the control box is connected to each control cable, wherein the control box is configured to automatically and concurrently release each said latch in response to a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen T. Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20210078712
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a quick release assembly. The quick release assembly includes a main body, a cover member, a pin, and a lever. The main body has a first end, a second end, and an opening between the first and second ends. The first end includes a first receiving portion. The second end includes a second receiving portion. The cover member is between the first and second ends. The pin is disposed between the main body and the cover member. The pin includes a slot. The lever is mounted at the opening of the main body. A first end of the lever is at the slot, and a second end of the lever extends from a side of the main body. The pin is configured to move between the first and second ends in response to pivoting of the lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 10870492
    Abstract: A parachute separation device is employed to releasably secure a male link body attached to a parachute riser to a female base assembly attached to a harness. The link body has a pair of shoulders which are secured to rotatably biased lock pins. A slide assembly is displaced to rotate a pair of arms which cause the lock pins to rotate to eject the link body from the base assembly. The arms have a concave recess with an offset distal end. The arms are preferably identical but axially offset. The arms are configured to allow the force exerted on the slide assembly required to release the link body to approximately 15 lbs or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLC
    Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 10512799
    Abstract: A quick release restraint system comprising a restraint body that mates a harness fitting with a moveable lockpin. The lockpin is held in a closed position by a return member and can be moved to an open position when a sleeve and/or a ripcord is moved away from the lockpin. The sleeve surrounds the restraint body and mates with an internal lockpin body that may also be attached to the ripcord. The ripcord and/or sleeve engage the lockpin body in a single direction to generate a pulling force that counteracts a biasing force of the return member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLC
    Inventors: Adam J. Fitzgerald, Stephen T. Parkinson
  • Publication number: 20180148185
    Abstract: A parachute separation device is employed to releasably secure a male link body attached to a parachute riser to a female base assembly attached to a harness. The link body has a pair of shoulders which are secured to rotatably biased lock pins. A slide assembly is displaced to rotate a pair of arms which cause the lock pins to rotate to eject the link body from the base assembly. The arms have a concave recess with an offset distal end. The arms are preferably identical but axially offset. The arms are configured to allow the force exerted on the slide assembly required to release the link body to approximately 15 lbs or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20180126196
    Abstract: A quick release restraint system comprising a restraint body that mates a harness fitting with a moveable lockpin. The lockpin is held in a closed position by a return member and can be moved to an open position when a sleeve and/or a ripcord is moved away from the lockpin. The sleeve surrounds the restraint body and mates with an internal lockpin body that may also be attached to the ripcord. The ripcord and/or sleeve engage the lockpin body in a single direction to generate a pulling force that counteracts a biasing force of the return member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Adam J. Fitzgerald, Stephen T. Parkinson
  • Patent number: 9950905
    Abstract: A cargo hook assembly employing a connector strap and a frame attached to a lower kicker, a clamp, an upper kicker, and a shaft assembly. A transverse flange of the connector strap engages a ledge of the lower kicker and propels the lower kicker towards the frame. A clip of the lower kicker rotates the clamp towards a closed position. A tongue of the clamp engages the shaft assembly at a tongue groove. A remote electrical module, a remote mechanical module, and a local mechanical release rotate the shaft assembly to engage or disengage the shaft assembly from the upper kicker and tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLC
    Inventors: Stephen T. Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20170190549
    Abstract: A cargo hook assembly employing a connector strap and a frame attached to a lower kicker, a clamp, an upper kicker, and a shaft assembly. A transverse flange of the connector strap engages a ledge of the lower kicker and propels the lower kicker towards the frame. A clip of the lower kicker rotates the clamp towards a closed position. A tongue of the clamp engages the shaft assembly at a tongue groove. A remote electrical module, a remote mechanical module, and a local mechanical release rotate the shaft assembly to engage or disengage the shaft assembly from the upper kicker and tongue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen T. Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 9242736
    Abstract: A parachute canopy release comprising a harness strap and a parachute riser. The parachute riser has a terminal end connected to a riser ring. The harness strap has a connector assembly comprising a ring assembly and a latch assembly. The ring assembly has a middle ring and a small ring secured to the harness strap at middle and small ring securing straps, respectively. The latch assembly has a base and a latch slide engaging the base. The middle ring is inserted through an inner diameter of the riser ring, the small ring is inserted through an inner diameter of the middle ring, and the latch slide is manipulated such that the small ring is retained intermediate said base and an interior surface of said latch slide when said parachute riser is releasably connected to said harness strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLC
    Inventor: Adam J Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 9073642
    Abstract: A canopy release assembly comprising a riser, a webbing stopper attached to said riser, a harness, and a release body assembly attached to the harness. The release body comprises a body frame attached to the harness, a clamp pivotally attached to the body frame and having a clamp bar, a latch pivotally attached to the body frame and having a lanyard, and a safety cover pivotally attached relative to the body frame. A method for attaching the canopy release assembly to the riser comprises inserting a webbing stopper through a gap in the clamp having a dimension G1 pivoting the clamp such that G1 narrows to a dimension G2 narrower than the thickness T of the webbing stopper, retaining said webbing stopper in a cage cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLC
    Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8899893
    Abstract: A rail system for retaining cargo payload has a longitudinal inboard rail and an opposing longitudinal outboard rail. The inboard rail has a recess extending longitudinally for sliding receipt of a lip on a payload. A latch plate extends at least partially into the recess for engagement with the payload. The latch plate is pivotable from an engaged position retaining the payload in a fore-and-aft position to a disengaged position releasing the fore-and-aft retention optionally by a lever system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Capewell Components Company, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen T. Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20140271023
    Abstract: A rail system for retaining cargo payload has a longitudinal inboard rail and an opposing longitudinal outboard rail. The inboard rail has a recess extending longitudinally for sliding receipt of a lip on a payload. A latch plate extends at least partially into the recess for engagement with the payload. The latch plate is pivotable from an engaged position retaining the payload in a fore-and-aft position to a disengaged position releasing the fore-and-aft retention optionally by a lever system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Capewell Components Company LLC
    Inventors: Stephen T. Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20130175399
    Abstract: A parachute canopy release comprising a harness strap and a parachute riser. The parachute riser has a terminal end connected to a riser ring. The harness strap has a connector assembly comprising a ring assembly and a latch assembly. The ring assembly has a middle ring and a small ring secured to the harness strap at middle and small ring securing straps, respectively. The latch assembly has a base and a latch slide engaging the base. The middle ring is inserted through an inner diameter of the riser ring, the small ring is inserted through an inner diameter of the middle ring, and the latch slide is manipulated such that the small ring is retained intermediate said base and an interior surface of said latch slide when said parachute riser is releasably connected to said harness strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20130146713
    Abstract: canopy release assembly comprising a riser, a webbing stopper attached to said riser, a harness, and a release body assembly attached to the harness. The release body comprises a body frame attached to the harness, a clamp pivotally attached to the body frame and having a clamp bar, a latch pivotally attached to the body frame and having a lanyard, and a safety cover pivotally attached relative to the body frame. A method for attaching the canopy release assembly to the riser comprises inserting a webbing stopper through a gap in the clamp having a dimension G1 pivoting the clamp such that G1 narrows to a dimension G2 narrower than the thickness T of the webbing stopper, retaining said webbing stopper in a cage cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald