Retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles

• US 10,416,535 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2018
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kermit Mallette
• Original Assignee: Kermit Mallette
• Inventors: Mallette, Kermit
• Primary Examiner(s): LaBalle, Clayton E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fenwick, Warren K
• Application Number:
  US16/184,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20190137847A1
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• Field of Search: 396 25, 396 28
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/54 Floats
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings

Abstract

A retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles allows an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to traverse over a body of water while recording images and/or video of the underwater environment. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment includes a flotation device, a plurality of mounting brackets, an underwater scope, and at least one underwater illumination light. The flotation device attaches to the UAV via the plurality of mounting brackets. The plurality of mounting brackets is configured to align the center of gravity of the UAV with the center of buoyancy of the flotation device, thereby reducing the risk of capsizing. Once securely mounted, the camera of the UAV is positioned pointing into the underwater scope. The underwater scope allows the camera to record images and/or videos of the underwater environment. Finally, the at least one underwater illumination light is used to increase visibility.

Claims

1. A retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles comprises:

a flotation device;

a plurality of mounting brackets;

an underwater scope;

at least one underwater illumination light;

the flotation device comprises an outer shell, a submerged side, an exposed side, at least one hatch, at least one hatch cover, and a storage compartment;

the submerged side and the exposed side being positioned opposite each other about the outer shell;

the storage compartment being positioned within the outer shell;

the at least one hatch traversing through the outer shell delineating the storage compartment;

the at least one hatch cover being attached to the outer shell, wherein the at least one hatch cover selectively encloses the at least one hatch;

the plurality of mounting brackets being laterally attached onto the exposed side of the flotation device;

the plurality of mounting brackets being positioned along the perimeter of the flotation device;

the underwater scope traversing through the flotation device from the exposed side and out of the submerged side; and

the at least one underwater illumination light being mounted adjacent to the underwater scope.

2. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a control module;

a speaker;

an audio recorder;

a wireless communication module; and

the control module being electronically connected to the wireless communication module, the speaker, and the audio recorder.

3. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles as claimed in claim 2 comprises:

at least one power supply; and

the at least one power supply being electrically connected to the at least one underwater illumination light, wireless communication module, the control module, the speaker, and the audio recorder.

4. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the flotation device comprises a first parallel tube, a second parallel tube, and a curved tube;

the first parallel tube being connected adjacent to the curved tube; and

the second parallel tube being connected adjacent to the curved tube, opposite the first parallel tube.

5. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles as claimed in claim 4 comprises:

the underwater scope traversing through the curved tube; and

the underwater scope being positioned between the first parallel tube and the second parallel tube.

6. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles as claimed in claim 4 comprises:

the at least one hatch cover comprises a first hatch cover;

the at least one hatch comprises a first hatch;

the first hatch traversing terminally into the first parallel tube; and

the first hatch cover being attached to the first parallel tube, wherein the first hatch cover selectively encloses the first hatch.

7. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles as claimed in claim 4 comprises:

the at least one hatch cover comprises a second hatch cover;

the at least one hatch comprises a second hatch;

the second hatch traversing terminally into the second parallel tube; and

the second hatch cover being attached to the second parallel tube, wherein the second hatch cover selectively encloses the second hatch.

8. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the plurality of mounting brackets comprises a first front mounting bracket, a first rear mounting bracket, a second front mounting bracket, and a second rear mounting bracket;

the flotation device comprises a first parallel tube and a second parallel tube;

the first front mounting bracket and the first rear mounting bracket being positioned opposite each other about the first parallel tube; and

the second front mounting bracket and the second rear mounting bracket being positioned opposite each other about the second parallel tube.

9. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

each of the plurality of mounting brackets comprises a frame connector, a support arm, and a male snap;

the frame connecter being terminally connected onto the support arm; and

the male snap being terminally connected onto the support arm, opposite the frame connector.

10. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles as claimed in claim 9 comprises:

the flotation device comprises a plurality of female snaps;

the plurality of female snaps being laterally connected onto the exposed side; and

the male snap of each of the plurality of mounting brackets being attached to an adjoining female snap.

11. The retrofittable float with an underwater camera attachment for unmanned aerial vehicles as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

an eyepiece;

a lens;

the underwater scope comprises an exposed portion and a submerged portion;

the exposed portion being laterally positioned onto the exposed side of the flotation device;

the submerged portion being laterally positioned onto the submerged side;

the eyepiece being terminally connected onto the exposed portion, opposite the exposed side; and

the lens being terminally connected onto the submerged portion, opposite the submerged side.