US 11,840,333 B2
Package delivery mechanism
Matthew Sweeny, Reno, NV (US); Jess Hayden, Reno, NV (US); and Joseph Rinaldi, Reno, NV (US)
Assigned to Flirtey Holdings, Inc., Reno, NV (US)
Filed by Flirtey Holdings, Inc., Reno, NV (US)
Filed on Nov. 18, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/687,427.
Application 16/687,427 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/035657, filed on Jun. 1, 2018.
Application PCT/US2018/035657 is a continuation of application No. 15/612,789, filed on Jun. 2, 2017, granted, now 10,618,655, issued on Apr. 14, 2020.
Application 15/612,789 is a continuation of application No. 15/612,989, filed on Jun. 2, 2017, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2020/0094962 A1, Mar. 26, 2020
Prior Publication US 2022/0089281 A9, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64D 1/10 (2006.01); B64D 1/12 (2006.01); B26D 5/00 (2006.01); B64D 1/02 (2006.01); B64D 17/38 (2006.01); B26F 3/12 (2006.01); F16B 21/02 (2006.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); B64U 101/60 (2023.01)
CPC B64C 39/024 (2013.01) [B26D 5/00 (2013.01); B64D 1/02 (2013.01); B64D 1/10 (2013.01); B64D 1/12 (2013.01); B26F 3/12 (2013.01); B64D 17/38 (2013.01); B64U 10/13 (2023.01); B64U 2101/60 (2023.01); B64U 2201/10 (2023.01); F16B 21/02 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drone comprising:
a retractable suspension member;
a coupling member attached to an end of the retractable suspension member, wherein the coupling member:
is configured to engage with a coupling counterpart of a container;
is gravity activated to hold or release the container from the retractable suspension member; and
is configured to hold the container locked to the retractable suspension member in an event the gravitational force exerted on the coupling member due to the weight of the container exceeds a first specified value and release the container from the retractable suspension member in an event the gravitational force exerted on the coupling member due to the weight of the container drops below a second specified value;
a package delivery module configured to control a movement of the retractable suspension member so as to lower and raise the coupling member;
a container housing affixed to the drone, wherein the container housing is adapted to receive the container; and
a brake;
wherein, in use:
the package delivery module fully retracts the container into the container housing such that the container is received flush within the container housing; and
the brake prevents the retractable suspension member from lowering.