Unmanned underwater vehicle transport cart

US10232761B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force · US

Inventors

• Ralph David Hooper · Lemon Grove, US
• William A. Chambers · North Tonawanda, US
• Jeffery Towns Gilchrist · Irvine, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 3, 2018
• Grant date: Mar 19, 2019
• Expiry date: Jan 3, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B63G2008/002
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) transport cart comprising: a wheeled frame including vertical posts, a front end, and a rear end; a UUV cradle adjustably clamped to the vertical posts such that the UUV cradle is vertically adjustable with respect to the frame; a U-shaped handle pivotally attached to the front end of the frame such that the U-shaped handle pivots up and down around a first axis, wherein the U-shaped handle includes a handle spring that acts between the U-shaped handle and the frame so as to bias the U-shaped handle toward an upward orientation; side handles pivotally attached to the UUV cradle such that the side handles pivot up and down around side axes that are perpendicular to the first axis; and a hand brake affixed to the U-shaped handle and configured to provide active brake control of the wheeled frame.