Package delivery mechanism in an unmanned aerial vehicle

US10618655B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Flirtey Holdings, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Joseph A. Rinaldi · Reno, US
• Matthew Sweeny · Reno, US
• Tom Bass · Sydney, AU
• Jess Hayden · Reno, US
• David Hobby · Reno, US
• Christopher Galassini · Reno, US
• John Andrew Johnson · Delafield, US
• Henri Spaile · Sydney, AU
• Seaton Mckeon · Fawn Drive, AU
• Justin Peter Wagemakers · Sydney, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 2, 2017
• Grant date: Apr 14, 2020
• Expiry date: Nov 21, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/08
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A package delivery mechanism (PDM) of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described. The PDM includes a gravity activated locking mechanism to lock and unlock a package attached to the UAV based on the weight of the package. When the package is attached to a suspension member of the UAV, the locking mechanism automatically engages with the package and keeps the package locked to the suspension member, due to the weight of the package. When the package is lowered and reaches the ground, the weight of the package is offloaded from the suspension member, which enables the locking mechanism to be disengaged, thereby releasing the package.