An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a line having one end coupled to the chassis and an opposite free end, wherein the free end is positioned below the chassis, and a severing mechanism operable to sever the line under control of the control system.

A combination hook assembly and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are adapted to tow a cable. The fuselage of the UAV includes a mounting surface. The hook assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first member has a distal end, and a proximate end mounted on and projecting transverse the mounting surface. The second member is mounted on the distal end and projects transverse thereto. The cable is engageable with the hook assembly.

Load lifting systems include a first flexible suspension member configured to attach to a load lifting structure at a first fixed connection at a first end of the first flexible suspension member and attach to the load lifting structure at a first adjustable connection at a second end of the first flexible suspension member and a second flexible suspension member configured to attach to the load lifting structure at a second fixed connection at a first end of the second flexible suspension member and attach to the load lifting structure at a second adjustable connection at a second end of the second flexible suspension member. An interconnect member extends between and connecting the first adjustable connection and the second adjustable connection. A carriage is movingly suspended on both the first flexible suspension member and the second flexible suspension member.

An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

An example charging station for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the charging station generally including a nest and a charging device. The nest includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion defines an upper opening sized and shaped to receive a landing apparatus of the UAV, and a diameter of the nest reduces from a first diameter at the upper opening to a second diameter at the lower portion. The charging device is mounted in the nest, and includes a first contact pad and a second contact pad. The charging device is configured to apply a voltage differential across the first contact pad and the second contact pad such that the charging station is operable to charge a power supply of the UAV via the landing apparatus.

A safety load hook with a lower part defining a curved hook mouth with a hook opening of a predefined nominal width. An upper part is attached to the lower part and is pivotable into an open position for insertion or removal of a load, and into a closed position blocking insertion of a load or removal of a load. A marking is on each of the end regions of the upper part and lower part which face one another in the closed state. When closed, and when a size of the hook opening corresponds to the nominal width, the lower part marking is offset from the upper part marking. The offset distance is chosen such that when there is a predefined maximum widening of the hook mouth in relation to the predefined nominal width thereof, both markings are located directly side by side in the closed state.

A safety load hook with a lower part defining a curved hook mouth with a hook opening of a predefined nominal width. An upper part is attached to the lower part and is pivotable into an open position for insertion or removal of a load, and into a closed position blocking insertion of a load or removal of a load. A marking is on each of the end regions of the upper part and lower part which face one another in the closed state. When closed, and when a size of the hook opening corresponds to the nominal width, the lower part marking is offset from the upper part marking. The offset distance is chosen such that when there is a predefined maximum widening of the hook mouth in relation to the predefined nominal width thereof, both markings are located directly side by side in the closed state.

The arm with two or more hooks 1 comprises: a supporting beam 1) designed to be connected to an operating arm 20 of a telehandler 2 or another self-propelled operating machine and a plurality of hooks 11, 12, 13, distributed along the beam 10, each designed for supporting a respective load. One or more hooks 11, 12, 13 are connected to a load sensor 31, 32, 33.

The arm with two or more hooks 1 comprises: a supporting beam 1) designed to be connected to an operating arm 20 of a telehandler 2 or another self-propelled operating machine and a plurality of hooks 11, 12, 13, distributed along the beam 10, each designed for supporting a respective load. One or more hooks 11, 12, 13 are connected to a load sensor 31, 32, 33.