Tethering system and method for remote device

• US 8,931,144 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Original Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm)
• Inventors: Freeman, James M., Schmidgall, Roger D., Harvey, Brian N., Tofte, Nathan Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): MERCADO, LOUIS A
• Application Number:
  US13/804,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20140259549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 242/98, 24/1, 182/45, 248/176.1, 248/187.1, 248/498, 248/680, 248/690
• US Class Current: 24/298
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/04 Captive toy aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/02 Electrical arrangements transformers H01F; converters H02M
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/022 Tethered aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/60 Tethered aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/104 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/202 using tethers for connecting to ground station
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 70/97 Means for guiding the UAV to a specific location on the platform, e.g. platform structures preventing landing off-centre
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 11/12 Connections or attachments, e.g. turnbuckles, adapted for straining of cables, ropes, or wire straining wire in general B21F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0033 by having the operator tracking the vehicle either by direct line of sight or via one or more cameras located remotely from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0866 specially adapted to captive aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/10 Miscellaneous
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/31 Plural fasteners having intermediate flaccid connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A tethering system for a remote-controlled device includes a tether line having a first end adapted to be connected to a ground support and a second end adapted to be connected to the remote-controlled device. The system further includes an anchor-point disposed between the first and second ends of the tether line, the anchor point having an eyelet for securing the tether line and allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet during use. The anchor-point and eyelet enable the tether line to flex or bend and the remote-controlled device to maneuver one or more of over or around the target area without interfering with any nearby obstructions.

Claims

1. A tethering system for a remote-controlled device comprising:

a tether line having a first end adapted to be connected to a ground support and a second end adapted to be secured to a remote-controlled device;

an anchor-point disposed between the first and second ends of the tether line, the anchor-point having an eyelet for securing the tether line and allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet, wherein the anchor-point comprises a tripod comprising a stand having a top portion and a bottom portion for supporting the stand, and the eyelet is disposed on the top portion of the stand; and

a docking station disposed adjacent to the ground support;

wherein the anchor-point and the eyelet enable the tether line to flex or bend and the remote-controlled device to maneuver one or more of over or on a target area without interfering with any nearby objects.

2. The tethering system of claim 1, wherein the target area is a portion of a roof.

3. The tethering system of claim 1, wherein the second end of the tether line includes a sleeved boom or sheath for extending the tether line in a semi-rigid manner away from one or more of any of extensions, rotors or other interfering parts of the remote-controlled device or appurtenances, including chimneys, on the target area.

4. A tethering system for a remote-controlled device comprising:

a tether line having a first end adapted to be connected to a ground support and a second end adapted to be secured to a remote-controlled device;

an anchor-point disposed between the first and second ends of the tether line, the anchor-point having an eyelet for securing the tether line and allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet, wherein the anchor-point comprises a weighted disc that is locked to the tether line when the weighted disc is carried to a location adjacent to a target area by the remote-controlled device, and the weighted disc is in a vertical position when locked to the tether line and in a horizontal position upon contact with the location adjacent to the target area; and

a docking station disposed adjacent to the ground support;

wherein the anchor-point and the eyelet enable the tether line to flex or bend and the remote-controlled device to maneuver one or more of over or on the target area without interfering with any nearby objects.

5. The tethering system of claim 4, wherein, upon contact with the location adjacent to the target area, the remote-controlled device releases the weighted disc to the location adjacent to the target area, allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet disposed on the weighted disc.

6. The tethering system of claim 4, wherein the target area is a portion of a roof.

7. The tethering system of claim 4, wherein the second end of the tether line includes a sleeved boom or sheath for extending the tether line in a semi-rigid manner away from one or more of any of extensions, rotors or other interfering parts of the remote-controlled device or appurtenances, including chimneys, on the target area.