A damping mechanism may comprise a housing, a shaft, a spring arm assembly including a first spring arm, wherein the spring arm assembly is coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the shaft, wherein the first spring arm extends relatively radially outward of the spring arm assembly toward the housing in response to the rotation of the shaft, and wherein the rotation of the shaft is damped in response to extending the first spring arm.

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.

A clutch for lifting a load with a lifting point includes a body with a cavity with an opening at a side of the body receiving the lifting point into the cavity, a first lever and a second lever. The second lever is movably coupled to the body to move between a close position and an open position to block and unlock the opening. The first lever is movably coupled to the body to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position, in the engaged position the first lever engages the second lever to maintain the second lever in the closed position, and in the disengaged position the second lever is disengaged from the second lever so that the second lever is free to move to the open position. The clutch is releasable from the lifting point by pulling the first lever to move it to the disengaged position.

A clutch for lifting a load with a lifting point includes a body with a cavity with an opening at a side of the body receiving the lifting point into the cavity, a first lever and a second lever. The second lever is movably coupled to the body to move between a close position and an open position to block and unlock the opening. The first lever is movably coupled to the body to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position, in the engaged position the first lever engages the second lever to maintain the second lever in the closed position, and in the disengaged position the second lever is disengaged from the second lever so that the second lever is free to move to the open position. The clutch is releasable from the lifting point by pulling the first lever to move it to the disengaged position.

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 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.

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.

Disclosed is an underwater hook comprising a jaw latch, which, in a secured condition of the underwater hook, is releasably secured in a position closing a hook jaw. The underwater hook additionally comprises an actuation button which, for opening the jaw latch, is connected to the jaw latch in a motion-transmitting manner and occupies a closed position in the secured condition of the underwater hook. Furthermore, the underwater hook is provided with a release button blocking a movement of the actuation button away from the closed position in the secured condition of the underwater hook. In order to allow the release button to be actuated without great effort, even in the case of great forces acting on the jaw latch, the present invention provides that the release button is in engagement with the actuation button in the secured condition of the underwater hook.

Disclosed is an underwater hook comprising a jaw latch, which, in a secured condition of the underwater hook, is releasably secured in a position closing a hook jaw. The underwater hook additionally comprises an actuation button which, for opening the jaw latch, is connected to the jaw latch in a motion-transmitting manner and occupies a closed position in the secured condition of the underwater hook. Furthermore, the underwater hook is provided with a release button blocking a movement of the actuation button away from the closed position in the secured condition of the underwater hook. In order to allow the release button to be actuated without great effort, even in the case of great forces acting on the jaw latch, the present invention provides that the release button is in engagement with the actuation button in the secured condition of the underwater hook.

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.