Frangible fasteners with flexible connectors for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods
US10767682B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2017 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16B2200/63
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Frangible fasteners with flexible connectors for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative aircraft includes a fuselage portion, a wing portion, a winglet carried by the wing portion, and a frangible fastener coupling the winglet portion to the wing portion. The frangible fastener can include an outer body with a first portion in contact with the wing portion, a second portion in contact with the winglet portion, and a frangible portion between the first and second portions. A flexible member is positioned at least partially within the outer body and is connected to the first portion so as to extend through and out of the second portion. A stop element is carried by the flexible member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.