A retractable cargo hook for aircraft is described. The cargo hook comprises a torsion spring allowing rotatable attachment to an aircraft body. An optional recessed portion of the aircraft body can house and receive the cargo hook. This can protect interior components from crashes which can push the cargo hook into the aircraft fuselage, damaging components.

A retractable cargo hook for aircraft is described. The cargo hook comprises a torsion spring allowing rotatable attachment to an aircraft body. An optional recessed portion of the aircraft body can house and receive the cargo hook. This can protect interior components from crashes which can push the cargo hook into the aircraft fuselage, damaging components.

An apparatus for air dropping equipment and supplies from an aircraft is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a canister having a rotor system configured to slow the descent at a predetermined altitude to a desired landing speed via auto-rotation and/or with motor assist. The rotor system is configured to prevent the container from spinning about its longitudinal axis during the descent.

An apparatus for air dropping equipment and supplies from an aircraft is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a canister having a rotor system configured to slow the descent at a predetermined altitude to a desired landing speed via auto-rotation and/or with motor assist. The rotor system is configured to prevent the container from spinning about its longitudinal axis during the descent.

The present invention relates to an aerially distributable communications device (ACCD) including one or more gyrochutes and communications module configured for wireless communication with external communication nodes. The communications module can be configured for mesh network type communication with similar aerially distributable communications device, or as a gateway type communications device to a wide area network such as a satellite network. The ACCD is for deployment in remote areas and/or areas where normal communications networks are down, such as disaster areas. The ACCD can be deployed from an aircraft or a spacecraft. The ACCD can further be configured with emergency equipment such as water purification equipment, power charging equipment, or the like.

An air delivery barrel system is described, the air delivery barrel system includes a strap system that provides line stretch of the strap system when a force is exerted on the strap system, the strap system including a continuous strap, a first barrel, the first barrel being formed out of a cylindrically shaped wall and the cylindrically shaped wall including a channel that the strap system passes through, an end cap, the end cap being detachably connectable to a bottom end of the first barrel, the end cap protecting a bottom portion of the strap system, a lid, the lid being detachably connectable to a top end of the first barrel, the lid including a recess through which the strap system passes through, and a second barrel that can be situated within the first barrel and the cylindrically shaped wall of the first barrel protects the second barrel.

An air delivery barrel system is described, the air delivery barrel system includes a strap system that provides line stretch of the strap system when a force is exerted on the strap system, the strap system including a continuous strap, a first barrel, the first barrel being formed out of a cylindrically shaped wall and the cylindrically shaped wall including a channel that the strap system passes through, an end cap, the end cap being detachably connectable to a bottom end of the first barrel, the end cap protecting a bottom portion of the strap system, a lid, the lid being detachably connectable to a top end of the first barrel, the lid including a recess through which the strap system passes through, and a second barrel that can be situated within the first barrel and the cylindrically shaped wall of the first barrel protects the second barrel.

An unmanned aerial vehicle, including: a propelling device configured to generate a downward airstream; a package carrier; and wheels arranged so as to allow the package carrier to stand alone. The package carrier includes: vertical members which surround a package in a horizontal direction to prevent falling of the package; support members configured to support a load of the package at positions; and a coupling device configured to hold vertical members so as to enable relative horizontal movement. The support members are each fixed to a corresponding one of the vertical members. The wheels are each mounted to the corresponding one of the vertical members, and enable the relative horizontal movement of the vertical members under a state in which the wheels are on the ground. Through the relative horizontal movement of the vertical members, the package is separable from the support members.

An unmanned aerial vehicle, including: a propelling device configured to generate a downward airstream; a package carrier; and wheels arranged so as to allow the package carrier to stand alone. The package carrier includes: vertical members which surround a package in a horizontal direction to prevent falling of the package; support members configured to support a load of the package at positions; and a coupling device configured to hold vertical members so as to enable relative horizontal movement. The support members are each fixed to a corresponding one of the vertical members. The wheels are each mounted to the corresponding one of the vertical members, and enable the relative horizontal movement of the vertical members under a state in which the wheels are on the ground. Through the relative horizontal movement of the vertical members, the package is separable from the support members.

An aerial distribution system and method for deploying items is disclosed. The system includes a bulk shipping container comprised of a single piece of corrugated plastic, cut and folded into a closable box, a plurality of deployment boxes within the bulk shipping container, each deployment box containing at least one item, a plurality of tethers, each tether coupling a deployment box to the bulk shipping container, and a freefall retarding device coupled to the bulk shipping container.