Payload coupling apparatus for UAV and method of delivering a payload
US11104438B2 · kind B2 · utility
5Cited by
32References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2201/104
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A payload coupling apparatus is provided that includes a housing. The housing is adapted for attachment to a first end of a tether. The apparatus further includes a slot extending downwardly from an outer surface of the housing towards a center of the housing thereby forming a lower lip on the housing beneath the slot. The slot is adapted to receive a handle of a payload. The apparatus further includes a sensor configured to detect touchdown of the payload and a transmitter configured to send a touchdown confirmation signal to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based on a touchdown detection by the sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.