A package handling system for delivery of a widget ordered and destined for a delivery stop on a delivery route, includes one or more delivery packages affixed in series to a package feed tape, a feed tape mechanism, said feed tape mechanism configured to engage said package feed tape to propel said package feed tape and said one or more delivery packages affixed thereto, a tape cutter to cut said package feed tape to separate at least one delivery package from said one or more delivery packages, a drone platform positioned proximate said tape cutter, and a drone having a drone feed tape capture system to receive said package feed tape and said at least one delivery package of said one or more delivery packages affixed to said package feed tape, and thus, provides non-person delivery of packages.

An apparatus, system, and/or method for carrying a power line device from an aircraft, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and for performing work on electrical power lines and/or splices on electrical power lines. The apparatus or system may include an attachment flange selectively and releasably coupled to the aircraft, a payload support frame selectively and releasably coupled to the attachment flange, an intermediary frame selectively and releasably coupled to the payload support frame, and a base frame selectively and releasably coupled to the power line device. The payload support frame may include at least three elongated rigid segments, each including a hollow elongated pole, at least three upper flexible segments, each at an upper end of a corresponding rigid segment, and at least three lower flexible segments, each at a lower end of a corresponding rigid segment.

An apparatus, system, and/or method for carrying a power line device from an aircraft, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and for performing work on electrical power lines and/or splices on electrical power lines. The apparatus or system may include an attachment flange selectively and releasably coupled to the aircraft, a payload support frame selectively and releasably coupled to the attachment flange, an intermediary frame selectively and releasably coupled to the payload support frame, and a base frame selectively and releasably coupled to the power line device. The payload support frame may include at least three elongated rigid segments, each including a hollow elongated pole, at least three upper flexible segments, each at an upper end of a corresponding rigid segment, and at least three lower flexible segments, each at a lower end of a corresponding rigid segment.

A door assembly for a fuselage of an aerial vehicle is described, including a pair of complementary door pieces, and an actuation mechanism that includes a first transmission member. The first transmission member actuates either one or both door pieces for portions thereof to be in a sliding action with respect to the fuselage while maintaining close conformity thereto as either one or both of them are actuated to either meet or separate. Further disclosed are various embodiments of the door assembly, and a related aerial vehicle and system for delivering goods.

A door assembly for a fuselage of an aerial vehicle is described, including a pair of complementary door pieces, and an actuation mechanism that includes a first transmission member. The first transmission member actuates either one or both door pieces for portions thereof to be in a sliding action with respect to the fuselage while maintaining close conformity thereto as either one or both of them are actuated to either meet or separate. Further disclosed are various embodiments of the door assembly, and a related aerial vehicle and system for delivering goods.

An aerial payload deployment system includes: an aerial vehicle including a flight controller operable to control a flight of the aerial vehicle; and a payload deployment system coupled to the aerial vehicle and configured to deploy a payload to an elevated lateral pole-like structure. The payload deployment system includes: a tethered payload system including: a tether having a first end portion and a second end portion; and a counterweight coupled to the first end portion of the tether, the second end portion of the tether being coupled to the payload to be deployed; and a payload release system configured to releasably secure the tethered payload system and is actuatable to release the tethered payload system in a manner such that when the tethered payload system descends towards the elevated lateral pole-like structure after being released, the counterweight is spaced laterally apart from the payload.

An aerial payload deployment system includes: an aerial vehicle including a flight controller operable to control a flight of the aerial vehicle; and a payload deployment system coupled to the aerial vehicle and configured to deploy a payload to an elevated lateral pole-like structure. The payload deployment system includes: a tethered payload system including: a tether having a first end portion and a second end portion; and a counterweight coupled to the first end portion of the tether, the second end portion of the tether being coupled to the payload to be deployed; and a payload release system configured to releasably secure the tethered payload system and is actuatable to release the tethered payload system in a manner such that when the tethered payload system descends towards the elevated lateral pole-like structure after being released, the counterweight is spaced laterally apart from the payload.

A control device 133 acquires distance information indicating a distance between an UAV 1 and an article B positioned under the UAV 1 and controls a winch 16 to unreel a linear member 15 on the basis of the distance indicated in the acquired distance information.

A control device 133 acquires distance information indicating a distance between an UAV 1 and an article B positioned under the UAV 1 and controls a winch 16 to unreel a linear member 15 on the basis of the distance indicated in the acquired distance information.

A package handling system for delivery of a widget ordered and destined for a delivery stop on a delivery route, includes one or more delivery packages affixed in series to a package feed tape, a feed tape mechanism, said feed tape mechanism configured to engage said package feed tape to propel said package feed tape and said one or more delivery packages affixed thereto, a tape cutter to cut said package feed tape to separate at least one delivery package from said one or more delivery packages, a drone platform positioned proximate said tape cutter, and a drone having a drone feed tape capture system to receive said package feed tape and said at least one delivery package of said one or more delivery packages affixed to said package feed tape, and thus, provides non-person delivery of packages.