Patent · US Active

Drone delivery platform to facilitate delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles

US10993569B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
8References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 2019
Grant dateMay 4, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 5, 2039

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE05G7/001
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An elevated delivery platform having a delivery surface that can be placed at a location off the ground to better facilitate delivery of parcels by unmanned aerial vehicles, such as delivery drones, is provided. By placing the elevated delivery platform in an area above the ground, such as atop a home or a pole, a drone is more capable of making deliveries because it avoids obstacles nearer to the ground that typically make drone delivery challenging. The elevated delivery platform raises and lowers parcels to a position where they can easily be retrieved. Some systems also provide a deployable cover to protect parcels from adverse weather conditions while awaiting pickup or following delivery. The elevated delivery platform can be used as part of a drone delivery system that can also include a containment unit, a computer application, or any combination of these aspects.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.