The novel bladder systems and tie down systems set forth herein provide systems and apparatuses that mitigate or prevent damage, such as tipping over/capsizing, of a watercraft stored on shore or an aircraft secured to a ground surface during adverse wind, rising water, or storm events. Further, novel apparatuses and methods for storing a watercraft using the bladders as cushioning or holding devices when installed within a cavity, whether the cavity is created by digging a hole or building an enclosing berm, provides additional stability and security for the watercraft during adverse wind, rising water, or storm events.

A flying machine storage container is provided that comprises multiple charging stations and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is configured to secure flying machines in the charging stations and securely close charging circuits between the storage container and the flying machines. A system for launching flying machines is also provided. The system comprises two regions and a transition region between the two regions. The two regions each constrain the positioning of a flying machine and the transition region enables a flying machine to move from the first region to the second region to reach an exit. A flying machine having sufficient performance capabilities will be able to successfully launch. Centralized and decentralized communication architectures are also provided for communicating data between a central control system, multiple storage containers, and multiple stored flying machines stored at each of the storage containers.

A flying machine storage container is provided that comprises multiple charging stations and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is configured to secure flying machines in the charging stations and securely close charging circuits between the storage container and the flying machines. A system for launching flying machines is also provided. The system comprises two regions and a transition region between the two regions. The two regions each constrain the positioning of a flying machine and the transition region enables a flying machine to move from the first region to the second region to reach an exit. A flying machine having sufficient performance capabilities will be able to successfully launch. Centralized and decentralized communication architectures are also provided for communicating data between a central control system, multiple storage containers, and multiple stored flying machines stored at each of the storage containers.

A wheel locking device comprising a number of interlocking components that are adapted to receive a wheel (or a wheeled apparatus), and said components can be adjusted to accommodate a variety of wheels of different diameters. The wheel locking device further comprises a rotatable and adjustable bar that is utilized to secure the wheel in place. In further embodiments, the device comprises a lock receiving bore which is adapted to receive a lock.

A wheel chock has a body with a shell and filled core construction capable of supporting high chocking loads while being relatively lightweight and portable. The chock includes walls sized and shaped to support large-diameter wheels such as wheels of large haul vehicles and mining trucks. The chock can be sized proportional to the radius of the wheel to be retained or based on the radius of curvature of a wall configured to primarily support the outer surface of the wheel. The chock can have a cut off or flattened toe or front surface that reduces weight and helps to ensure that the entire chock is load-bearing when in a chocking position. The chock can also have a flattened top surface to support the outer surface of a tire that deforms around the chock while it is being retained by the chock.

An improved wheel chock for use with wheeled vehicles, such as aircraft, that is both adjustable in size and that is configured for relatively easy transport, deployment and maneuverability by a single user is disclosed. The wheel chock preferably comprises a lifting end, a rolling end, at least one segment positioned between the lifting end and the rolling end, and a unique and adjustable wheel assembly. The adjustable wheel assembly may be at least partially housed in a pocket formed in the rolling end of the improved wheel chock. The wheel chock may further comprise a tether and an opening for removably attaching said wheel chock to a second wheel chock to prevent unwanted movement of a vehicle wheel in both forward and reverse directions.

An improved wheel chock for use with wheeled vehicles, such as aircraft, that is both adjustable in size and that is configured for relatively easy transport, deployment and maneuverability by a single user is disclosed. The wheel chock preferably comprises a lifting end, a rolling end, at least one segment positioned between the lifting end and the rolling end, and a unique and adjustable wheel assembly. The adjustable wheel assembly may be at least partially housed in a pocket formed in the rolling end of the improved wheel chock. The wheel chock may further comprise a tether and an opening for removably attaching said wheel chock to a second wheel chock to prevent unwanted movement of a vehicle wheel in both forward and reverse directions.

A compression wheel chock system is disclosed. The system is comprised of two, triangular-shaped devices having longitudinal channels and a lanyard. An object of the apparatus is to enhance wheel chocking by preventing a wheel from moving both fore and aft while chocked. During installation, the lanyard is fed through a channel in each chock and is drawn tight by the user. As the lanyard is tightened it compresses the chocks around the wheel while at the same time compressing the channels and securing the lanyard therein.

A compression wheel chock system is disclosed. The system is comprised of two, triangular-shaped devices having longitudinal channels and a lanyard. An object of the apparatus is to enhance wheel chocking by preventing a wheel from moving both fore and aft while chocked. During installation, the lanyard is fed through a channel in each chock and is drawn tight by the user. As the lanyard is tightened it compresses the chocks around the wheel while at the same time compressing the channels and securing the lanyard therein.

A system for anchoring unmanned aerial vehicles to surfaces includes a landing pad configured to be installed on an agricultural machine, with the landing pad defining a landing surface. Furthermore, the system includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to land on the landing surface and a top surface of a field across which the agricultural machine is traveling. The UAV, in turn, includes an anchoring device configured to engage soil within the field to anchor the UAV to the field when the UAV has landed on the top surface of the field. Additionally, the anchoring device is further configured to engage the landing pad to anchor the UAV to the landing surface when the UAV has landed on the landing pad.