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.

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, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

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, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

A hook assembly including a spring-biased safety latch that provides for installation of the latch onto the hook without spring tension. A fastener is configured to slide along an elongate slot when the latch is moved in translatory motion relative to the fastener. The fastener is configured to be inserted into the assembly in a first position while the tension on a biasing member is released. The first position is configured to allow the latch to rotate inward past the tip of the hook. The fastener is configured to move into a second position where it engages with a nut 53 that when installed is positioned in the portion and blocked by at least one shoulder such that the fastener is no longer able to slide in the slot preventing translator motion of the latch relative to the fastener.

A hook assembly including a spring-biased safety latch that provides for installation of the latch onto the hook without spring tension. A fastener is configured to slide along an elongate slot when the latch is moved in translatory motion relative to the fastener. The fastener is configured to be inserted into the assembly in a first position while the tension on a biasing member is released. The first position is configured to allow the latch to rotate inward past the tip of the hook. The fastener is configured to move into a second position where it engages with a nut 53 that when installed is positioned in the portion and blocked by at least one shoulder such that the fastener is no longer able to slide in the slot preventing translator motion of the latch relative to the fastener.

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 load lifting hook assembly includes a body, a hook coupled to the body, a fluid connection on the body and connectable to a pressurized fluid source, a piston and a pressure relief valve. The piston is extendable from the body to engage the hook and lock the hook in a closed position relative to the body. The piston is configured to receive pressurized fluid from the fluid connection tending to urge the piston out of engagement with the hook. The pressure relief valve is positioned in the body in communication with the fluid connection and configured to prevent excess pressure in the pressurized fluid from acting on the piston.

A load lifting hook assembly includes a body, a hook coupled to the body, a fluid connection on the body and connectable to a pressurized fluid source, a piston and a pressure relief valve. The piston is extendable from the body to engage the hook and lock the hook in a closed position relative to the body. The piston is configured to receive pressurized fluid from the fluid connection tending to urge the piston out of engagement with the hook. The pressure relief valve is positioned in the body in communication with the fluid connection and configured to prevent excess pressure in the pressurized fluid from acting on the piston.

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.