Package release system for use in delivery packages, and methods of delivering packages

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11059583-B2
Application number	US-201916390934-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 22, 2019
Priority date	Sep 23, 2015
Publication date	Jul 13, 2021
Grant date	Jul 13, 2021

Abstract

In some embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to enhance delivery of packages and/or cargo through the use of unmanned delivery vehicle. In some embodiments, a mechanical package release system is provided that comprises: a package release hanger configured to couple with and suspend from an unmanned delivery vehicle; and one or more tension supports each configured to secure with a package and to releasably couple with the package release hanger wherein a decrease of at least a threshold amount of a force being applied by the weight of the package on the one or more tension supports induces a mechanical release of the coupling between the one or more tension supports and the package release hanger resulting in a release of the package from the unmanned delivery vehicle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanical package release system, comprising:
a package release hanger configured to couple with an unmanned delivery vehicle;
one or more tension supports each configured to secure with a package and to releasably couple with the package release hanger, wherein a decrease of at least a threshold amount of a force being applied by the weight of the package on the one or more tension supports causes a mechanical release of the coupling between the one or more tension supports and the package release hanger resulting in a release of the package from the unmanned delivery vehicle;
the package release hanger comprising multiple receiving slots distributed about the package release hanger; and
each of the one or more tension supports comprises a slot coupler configured to mate with one of the receiving slots, wherein the force applied by the weight of the package on the one or more tension supports causes a slot coupler force asserted by the slot coupler on the corresponding receiving slot and maintains a positioning of the slot coupler within the receiving slot.

2. The package release system of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more tension supports is configured to push the corresponding slot coupler out of the corresponding receiving slot in response to the decrease of at least the threshold amount of the force to mechanically release the coupling between the package and package release hanger.

3. The package release system of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more tension supports comprises an elastic rod extending along at least a portion of a length of each of the one or more tension supports and configured elastically bend in response to the weight of the package, and further configured to push the corresponding slot coupler out of the corresponding receiving slot in response to the decrease of at least the threshold amount of the force.

4. The package release system of claim 1 , wherein each of the receiving slots comprise a coupler seat in which the slot coupler is positioned and upon which the slot coupler applies the slot coupler force, wherein the cooperation between the slot coupler and the coupler seat allows the slot coupler to swivel within the coupler seat.

5. The package release system of claim 1 , wherein the package release hanger further comprises multiple tension support channels, wherein each tension support channel cooperates with one of the multiple receiving slots and extends from the corresponding receiving slot at an angle relative to a central axis of the package release hanger and toward a peripheral edge of the package release hanger, wherein a portion of a respective one of the one or more tension supports is positioned within the tension support channel while the slot coupler is maintained within the corresponding receiving slot.

6. The package release system of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more tension supports comprises a package coupling separated from the slot coupler by a distance along the respective tension support, wherein the package coupling is configured to secure the respective tension support with the package.

7. The package release system of claim 1 , wherein the slot coupler force, applied by the respective tension support due to the weight of the package on the one or more tension supports, comprises a radial force directed away from a central axis of the package release hanger that is asserted by the slot coupler on the corresponding receiving slot and maintains a positioning of the slot coupler within the receiving slot.

8. The package release system of claim 1 , wherein the respective receiving slot is formed in a first surface of the package release hanger that is positioned, when in use to support the package, facing away from the package and the slot couplers are pushed up and out of the receiving slots in response to the decrease of at least the threshold amount of the force being applied by the weight of the package and the slot couplers elastically spring away from the package.

9. The package release system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more tension supports, when the one or more tension supports are cooperated with the package and the corresponding receiving slot, elastically bends in response to the force due to the weight of the package causing the slot coupler force to be asserted by the slot coupler on the corresponding receiving slot, wherein the slot coupler force comprises a radial outward force by the slot coupler on the receiving slot.

10. The package release system of claim 9 , wherein the respective receiving slot is formed in a first surface of the package release hanger that is positioned, when in use to support the package, facing away from the package such that the slot couplers are forced out of the receiving slots and elastically spring away from the package.

11. A method of delivering a package, comprising:
lowering a package from an unmanned delivery vehicle, wherein the package is secured through one or more tension supports that are each releasably cooperated with a package release hanger that is suspended from the unmanned delivery vehicle;
allowing the package to contact a delivery surface causing a decrease of at least a threshold amount of a force being applied by the weight of the package on the one or more tension supports, and causing a mechanical release of a coupling between the one or more tension supports and the package release hanger resulting in a release of the package from the unmanned delivery vehicle; and
mating a slot coupler of each of the one or more tension supports with one of multiple receiving slots distributed about the package release hanger, wherein the force applied by the weight of the package on the one or more tension supports causes a slot coupler force by the tension support that is asserted by the slot coupler on the corresponding receiving slot and maintains a positioning of the slot coupler within the receiving slot.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the allowing the package to contact the delivery surface causing the decrease of at least the threshold amount of the force further causes each of the one or more tension supports to push the corresponding slot coupler out of the corresponding receiving slot in response to the decrease of at least the threshold amount of the force to mechanically release the coupling between the package and package release hanger.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the allowing the package to contact the delivery surface causing the decrease of at least the threshold amount of the force further causes each of the one or more tension supports, each comprising an elastic rod extending along at least a portion of a length of each of the one or more tension supports and configured elastically bend in response to the weight of the package, to push the corresponding slot coupler out of the corresponding receiving slot in response to the decrease of at least the threshold amount of the force.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the mating the slot coupler of each of the one or more tension supports with one of multiple receiving slots further comprises mating each of the slot couplers of the one or more tension supports with a coupler seat of a respective one of the receiving slot such that the slot coupler applies the slot coupler force on the coupler seat, and allowing slot coupler to swivel within the coupler seat.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the mating the slot coupler of each of the one or more tension supports with one of multiple receiving slots further comprises positioning a portion of a respective one of the one or more tension suppo

Assignees

• Walmart Apollo Llc

Inventors

• Jones Nathan G
• Hicks Gregory A
• High Donald R

Classifications

• B64U2101/67

  the UAVs comprising tethers for lowering the goods · CPC title

• B64U2101/64

  for parcel delivery or retrieval · CPC title

• B64D1/02

  Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles (jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12) · CPC title

• B64D1/12

  Releasing · CPC title

• B64D47/00

  Equipment not otherwise provided for · CPC title