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).
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Publication number: 20250206500Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2023Publication date: June 26, 2025Inventors: Mark H. Lavender, Adam J. Fitzgerald, John Derewianka, Peter Carlisi
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Publication number: 20240262500Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2023Publication date: August 8, 2024Inventors: Stephen Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 11565820Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLCInventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Publication number: 20220324368Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Stephen T. Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Publication number: 20210078712Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 10870492Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLCInventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 10512799Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLCInventors: Adam J. Fitzgerald, Stephen T. Parkinson
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Publication number: 20180148185Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2017Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Publication number: 20180126196Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Adam J. Fitzgerald, Stephen T. Parkinson
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Patent number: 9950905Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLCInventors: Stephen T. Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Publication number: 20170190549Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Stephen T. Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 9242736Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLCInventor: Adam J Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 9073642Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Capewell Aerial Systems LLCInventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 8899893Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Capewell Components Company, LLCInventors: Stephen T. Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Publication number: 20140271023Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Capewell Components Company LLCInventors: Stephen T. Parkinson, Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Publication number: 20130175399Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2013Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald
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Publication number: 20130146713Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventor: Adam J. Fitzgerald