US 11,655,031 B2
Unmanned vehicle cargo handling and carrying system
Terik Weekes, San Francisco, CA (US); Isaiah Jones, San Francisco, CA (US); Sean Belardo, San Francisco, CA (US); Clint Cope, San Francisco, CA (US); Colin Owen, San Francisco, CA (US); and David Merrill, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to ELROY AIR, INC., South San Francisco, CA (US)
Filed by ELROY AIR, INC., South San Francisco, CA (US)
Filed on May 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/664,754.
Application 17/664,754 is a division of application No. 16/227,400, filed on Dec. 20, 2018, granted, now 11,447,248.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/610,659, filed on Dec. 27, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/609,107, filed on Dec. 21, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0281602 A1, Sep. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. B64D 1/22 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64C 17/02 (2006.01); B64C 29/00 (2006.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); B64U 101/60 (2023.01)
CPC B64D 1/22 (2013.01) [B64C 17/02 (2013.01); B64C 29/0008 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); B64U 2101/60 (2023.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for autonomous retrieval and delivery of cargo, the method comprising:
collecting information regarding an environment proximate to a vehicle wherein the environment includes a cargo container distinct from the vehicle and wherein the cargo container has a width and a length and includes a first cross bar and a second cross bar, each cross bar spanning the width of the cargo container and wherein each cross bar is associated with a guide;
determining a position and an orientation of the cargo container relative to the vehicle;
positioning the vehicle above and in proximity to the cargo container;
extending from the vehicle, a grasping mechanism thereby contacting the cargo container, wherein the grasping mechanism includes a longitudinal member having a profile length, a first end, a second end, and a profile width, and wherein responsive to the grasping mechanism contacting the cargo container, increasing the profile length of the grasping mechanism;
grasping the cargo container wherein, responsive to increasing the profile length of the grasping mechanism, grasping includes engaging by the first end of the grasping mechanism the first cross bar and engaging by the second end of the grasping mechanism the second cross bar;
raising the grasping mechanism, thereby raising the cargo container and substantially aligning the grasping mechanism and the cargo container with a centerline of the vehicle, to mate with an exterior surface of the vehicle; and
coupling the cargo container to the vehicle.