A modular quadcopter is provided for vertical flight. The quadcopter includes a housing, a quadrilateral set of extensions, and a quadrilateral set of arms. The housing contains flight control and sensor equipment, and has a relative vertical orientation. The housing is configurable for either stowage or deployment. The extensions are disposed on each corner of the housing. Each extension has a hinge that pitches outward and upward. Each arm is disposed on the hinge and contains an electric motor and a speed controller. The configurable below the housing for the stowage and extends radially from respective the extension in relation to the orientation for the deployment.

A modular quadcopter is provided for vertical flight. The quadcopter includes a housing, a quadrilateral set of extensions, and a quadrilateral set of arms. The housing contains flight control and sensor equipment, and has a relative vertical orientation. The housing is configurable for either stowage or deployment. The extensions are disposed on each corner of the housing. Each extension has a hinge that pitches outward and upward. Each arm is disposed on the hinge and contains an electric motor and a speed controller. The configurable below the housing for the stowage and extends radially from respective the extension in relation to the orientation for the deployment.

A system, method and apparatus for unfolding and folding a multi-arm device that includes a support member and an actuator. A first arm is coupled to the actuator and extends from a folded position to an unfolded position upon actuation of the actuator. A second arm is coupled to the actuator and moves from a folded position to an unfolded position upon actuation of a linkage that causes the second arm to rotate. A third arm moves from a folded position to an unfolded position, via an elbow joint, upon release of a tether attached to the third arm.

A system, method and apparatus for unfolding and folding a multi-arm device that includes a support member and an actuator. A first arm is coupled to the actuator and extends from a folded position to an unfolded position upon actuation of the actuator. A second arm is coupled to the actuator and moves from a folded position to an unfolded position upon actuation of a linkage that causes the second arm to rotate. A third arm moves from a folded position to an unfolded position, via an elbow joint, upon release of a tether attached to the third arm.

A locking mechanism for a driveshaft disconnect coupling includes an input jaw member defining a rotation axis, an output jaw member connectable to the input jaw member for common rotation with the input jaw member, and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly is fixed to the input jaw member, includes a pin, and defines a pin movement axis. The pin is movable along the pin axis between a radially inner position and a radially outer position, the pin being disengaged from the output jaw member in the radially inner position and the pin being engaged to the output jaw member in the radially outer position.

A method of fire-fighting is provided based on unmanned aerial vehicles “UAV(s)” launched from transporter aircrafts to deliver water or fire-retardants or any other fire-fighting materials to a location selected by the fire-fighting personnel. A capability of putting-off high intensity forest fires is provided that stems from the precision and the quantity of material that can be delivered per unit surface per unit time. After releasing the fire-fighting material(s), the UAV reaches a safe altitude from which it flies on autopilot to intercept and then proceed on a pre-programmed route to land per pre-programmed instructions on an airfield from which fire-fighting transporter(s) operate, allowing a high efficiency along the line, from loading the transporter airplanes to maximizing the quantity of material that reach the target, to minimizing the remote-pilot time and up to the recovery system that minimizes the recovery cost and it maximizes UAVs' utilization by a quick turnaround.

A method of fire-fighting is provided based on unmanned aerial vehicles “UAV(s)” launched from transporter aircrafts to deliver water or fire-retardants or any other fire-fighting materials to a location selected by the fire-fighting personnel. A capability of putting-off high intensity forest fires is provided that stems from the precision and the quantity of material that can be delivered per unit surface per unit time. After releasing the fire-fighting material(s), the UAV reaches a safe altitude from which it flies on autopilot to intercept and then proceed on a pre-programmed route to land per pre-programmed instructions on an airfield from which fire-fighting transporter(s) operate, allowing a high efficiency along the line, from loading the transporter airplanes to maximizing the quantity of material that reach the target, to minimizing the remote-pilot time and up to the recovery system that minimizes the recovery cost and it maximizes UAVs' utilization by a quick turnaround.

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a fuselage body, a foldable wing assembly and a gear assembly. The foldable wing assembly, including a pair of opposing wing members, is coupled to the fuselage body and positionable in a stowed position and a deployed position. The gear assembly positions the wing members in a stowed position and a deployed position and include a support bracket assembly and a pair of opposing hinge members. The support bracket assembly is coupled to the fuselage body and including first and second support brackets forming a cavity therebetween and a pair of opposing hinge members. The pair of opposing hinge members are pivotably coupled to the support bracket assembly and positioned within the cavity. Each hinge member is coupled to a corresponding wing member and includes a set of gear teeth extending outwardly from an arcuate radially outer surface and coupled in a meshed arrangement.

An unmanned aerial vehicle includes a fuselage body, a foldable wing assembly and a gear assembly. The foldable wing assembly, including a pair of opposing wing members, is coupled to the fuselage body and positionable in a stowed position and a deployed position. The gear assembly positions the wing members in a stowed position and a deployed position and include a support bracket assembly and a pair of opposing hinge members. The support bracket assembly is coupled to the fuselage body and including first and second support brackets forming a cavity therebetween and a pair of opposing hinge members. The pair of opposing hinge members are pivotably coupled to the support bracket assembly and positioned within the cavity. Each hinge member is coupled to a corresponding wing member and includes a set of gear teeth extending outwardly from an arcuate radially outer surface and coupled in a meshed arrangement.

A patient transfer device. According to one embodiment, there is provided a patient transfer device: a support part including a patient seating surface on which a patient is supported; a plurality of propeller parts, connected to the support part, for moving the support part; a power supply unit to be transported while being borne by the user, the power supply unit serving to supply power to the plurality of propeller parts; and a connection member connecting the power supply unit and the support part, wherein the support part is configured to move to follow the power supply unit.