ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 31 -- United States Patent no. 12,589,894, issued on March 31, was assigned to United Launch Alliance LLC (Centennial, Colo.).
"Highly adaptable platform" was invented by Steven F. Duschl (Melbourne, Fla.), Daniel P. Norfolk (Rockledge, Fla.) and Mark J. Dornseif (Indialantic, Fla.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "Systems and methods are disclosed for servicing objects such as a launch vehicle or an aircraft with an elevated platform that conforms to differently sized and shaped objects. The platform can have telescoping planks that extend to conform to the outer surface of the object. Glide pads with low friction surfaces, rollers, etc. can reduce the friction between a ...