METHODS FOR LOADING A PARCEL CARRIER TO AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A method for loading/unloading a parcel carrier to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
- receiving a parcel to be delivered by a UAV;
engaging a parcel carrying mechanism of a parcel carrier with the parcel, the parcel carrying mechanism being configured to engage and secure the parcel to the parcel carrier;
moving the parcel carrier and parcel toward a UAV chassis of the UAV; and
securing an engagement housing of the parcel carrier to the UAV chassis of the UAV, wherein the engagement housing of the parcel carrier is coupled to and positioned above the parcel carrying mechanism of the parcel carrier.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.
24 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for loading/unloading a parcel carrier to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
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receiving a parcel to be delivered by a UAV; engaging a parcel carrying mechanism of a parcel carrier with the parcel, the parcel carrying mechanism being configured to engage and secure the parcel to the parcel carrier; moving the parcel carrier and parcel toward a UAV chassis of the UAV; and securing an engagement housing of the parcel carrier to the UAV chassis of the UAV, wherein the engagement housing of the parcel carrier is coupled to and positioned above the parcel carrying mechanism of the parcel carrier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for loading/unloading a parcel carrier to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the method comprising:
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engaging a parcel with a parcel carrier, the parcel carrier comprising an engagement housing and a parcel carrying mechanism coupled to and positioned below the engagement housing, wherein the parcel is engaged with the parcel carrying mechanism; moving the parcel carrier toward a UAV chassis positioned on a UAV support mechanism; moving an engagement member of the UAV chassis from an extended position into a retracted position; engaging the engagement housing of the parcel carrier with a UAV chassis; and moving the engagement member of the UAV chassis from the retracted position into the extended position, securing the engagement housing to the UAV chassis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification