Abstract: An apparatus directed to unmanned aerial vehicles including (i) a support structure, (ii) at least one shaft coupled to the support structure via at least one swing arm that allows upward movement, and restricts downward movement, of the at least one shaft from a resting position, (iii) a spool shaped so as to rest on the at least one shaft when the at least one shaft is in the resting position, and wherein the spool is operable to unwind a tether coupled to a payload, and (iv) at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, wherein rotation of the spool when unwinding the tether also causes rotation of the at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, thereby controlling a descent rate of the payload.

Abstract: An inflatable package enclosure for use on an aerial vehicle including an inflatable exterior chamber, a first inner cavity positioned within the inflatable exterior chamber, an inflation valve positioned on the inflatable exterior chamber, and a handle on the inflatable exterior chamber for securing the inflatable package enclosure to the aerial vehicle, wherein when the inflatable exterior chamber is inflated and when a package is positioned in the first inner cavity, inner surfaces of the inflatable exterior chamber conform to outer surfaces of the package to secure the package within the inflatable exterior chamber.

Abstract: A tote package including a middle section that forms a bottom portion, a first side section connecting the first side section and the middle section, wherein the first side section creates a first side portion of the tote package that tapers upwardly from the bottom portion to a top portion of the tote package, and a second side section that is opposite of the that connecting the second side section and the middle section, wherein the second side section creates a second side portion of the tote package that tapers upwardly from the bottom portion to the top portion of the top portion of the tote package, a handle positioned on the top portion of the tote package, wherein the middle section, first side section, and second side section intersect to create a tapered front portion of the tote package that extends beyond the bottom portion.

Abstract: A tote package including a middle section that forms a bottom portion, a first side section connecting the first side section and the middle section, wherein the first side section creates a first side portion of the tote package that tapers upwardly from the bottom portion to a top portion of the tote package, and a second side section that is opposite of the that connecting the second side section and the middle section, wherein the second side section creates a second side portion of the tote package that tapers upwardly from the bottom portion to the top portion of the top portion of the tote package, a handle positioned on the top portion of the tote package, wherein the middle section, first side section, and second side section intersect to create a tapered front portion of the tote package that extends beyond the bottom portion.

Abstract: A remotely navigated aerial vehicle may include a main body and a propulsion system operably coupled to the main body to propel the vehicle in response to an external command. The main body may include a frame and a cover plate coupled to the frame such that the frame and cover plate define an interior cavity in at least a portion of the main body. The frame may include a central body defining a longitudinal axis of the frame, a first arm at a first end portion of the central body, and a second arm at a second end portion of the central body.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles. An example apparatus may include, (i) a support structure, (ii) at least one shaft coupled to the support structure via at least one swing arm, wherein the swing arm allows upward movement, and restricts downward movement of, the at least one shaft from a resting position, (iii) a spool, wherein in the spool is shaped so as to rest on the at least one shaft when the at least one shaft is in the resting position, and wherein the spool is operable to unwind a tether coupled to a payload, and (iv) at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, wherein rotation of the spool when unwinding the tether also causes rotation of the at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, thereby controlling a descent rate of the payload.

Abstract: An example tote package is disclosed for carrying a load external to a UAV. The tote package may be generated by folding a sheet of material. The sheet may include a middle section, a first side section, and a second side section. When the sheet is folded, the middle section may create a bottom portion of the tote package. Additionally, the first side section may create a first side portion tapering up from the edge of the bottom portion to the middle of the top portion of the tote package. Furthermore, the second side section may create a second side portion tapering up from the opposite edge to the middle of the top portion. At the top portion, the first and second sections may connect to create a handle. The first side, second side, and middle sections may be folded to create front and back portions of the tote package.

Abstract: An example package is disclosed for carrying a load external to a UAV. The package may be generated by folding a sheet of material and include a cavity formed by a top surface section, a bottom surface section, a first side surface section, a second side surface section, a leading edge section, and a trailing edge section of the sheet. The top surface section may include an attachment feature for attaching the package to the UAV. The leading edge section may include leading edge surfaces formed from folds along creases of the sheet to define a front end of the cavity and deflect airflow over a top surface and under a bottom surface of the package. The trailing edge section may include upper and lower surfaces formed from folds along creases and extend from the top and bottom surfaces to intersect and define a back end of the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus may include (i) a support structure, (ii) at least one shaft coupled to the support structure via at least one swing arm, wherein the swing arm allows upward movement, and restricts downward movement, of the at least one shaft from a resting position, (iii) a spool, wherein in the spool is shaped so as to rest on the at least one shaft when the at least one shaft is in the resting position, and wherein the spool is operable to unwind a tether coupled to a payload, and (iv) at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, wherein rotation of the spool when unwinding the tether also causes rotation of the at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, thereby controlling a descent rate of the payload.

Abstract: An inflatable package enclosure for use on an aerial vehicle including an inflatable exterior chamber, a first inner cavity positioned within the inflatable exterior chamber, an inflation valve positioned on the inflatable exterior chamber, and a handle on the inflatable exterior chamber for securing the inflatable package enclosure to the aerial vehicle, wherein when the inflatable exterior chamber is inflated and when a package is positioned in the first inner cavity, inner surfaces of the inflatable exterior chamber conform to outer surfaces of the package to secure the package within the inflatable exterior chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable package enclosure for use on an aerial vehicle including an inflatable exterior chamber, a first inner cavity positioned within the inflatable exterior chamber, an inflation valve positioned on the inflatable exterior chamber, and a handle on the inflatable exterior chamber for securing the inflatable package enclosure to the aerial vehicle, wherein when the inflatable exterior chamber is inflated and when a package is positioned in the first inner cavity, inner surfaces of the inflatable exterior chamber conform to outer surfaces of the package to secure the package within the inflatable exterior chamber.

Abstract: A mobile telepresence system may include a frame, a propulsion system operably coupled to the frame to propel the frame through a designated space, a screen movably coupled to the frame, and an image output device coupled to the frame. The frame may include a central body defining a longitudinal axis of the frame, a first arm at a first end portion of the central body, and a second arm at a second end portion of the central body, opposite the first end portion of the central body. The propulsion system may include rotors at opposite end portions of the first and second arms which propel the frame in response to an external command. The image output device may project an image onto the screen in response to an external command.

Abstract: A package enclosure for use on an aerial vehicle including an outer skin having left and right side walls and a front end and a rear end, a base positioned within the outer skin exerting a force against inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the outer skin, and a handle upwardly extending from the base.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles. An example apparatus may include, (i) a support structure, (ii) at least one shaft coupled to the support structure via at least one swing arm, wherein the swing arm allows upward movement, and restricts downward movement of, the at least one shaft from a resting position, (iii) a spool, wherein in the spool is shaped so as to rest on the at least one shaft when the at least one shaft is in the resting position, and wherein the spool is operable to unwind a tether coupled to a payload, and (iv) at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, wherein rotation of the spool when unwinding the tether also causes rotation of the at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, thereby controlling a descent rate of the payload.

Abstract: A magnetic propeller device for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a propeller and a shaft mount that engage with a motor shaft of a UAV. The propeller and shaft mount each have a magnetic element. When both magnetic elements are aligned, the propeller engages the shaft mount by way of a magnetic holding force between the magnetic elements. When a propeller contacts an object and the propeller is displaced, the magnetic elements passively disengage the propeller from the shaft mount due to misalignment of the magnetic elements. Passive disengagement allows the propeller to rotate independently of the motor shaft. Once the UAV moves clear of the object, the magnetic elements can realign, such that the propeller re-engages the shaft mount and resumes rotation with the motor shaft.

Abstract: An example tote package is disclosed for carrying a load external to a UAV. The tote package may be generated by folding a sheet of material. The sheet may include a middle section, a first side section, and a second side section. When the sheet is folded, the middle section may create a bottom portion of the tote package. Additionally, the first side section may create a first side portion tapering up from the edge of the bottom portion to the middle of the top portion of the tote package. Furthermore, the second side section may create a second side portion tapering up from the opposite edge to the middle of the top portion. At the top portion, the first and second sections may connect to create a handle. The first side, second side, and middle sections may be folded to create front and back portions of the tote package.

Abstract: A mobile telepresence system may include a frame, a propulsion system operably coupled to the frame to propel the frame through a designated space, a screen movably coupled to the frame, and an image output device coupled to the frame. The frame may include a central body defining a longitudinal axis of the frame, a first arm at a first end portion of the central body, and a second arm at a second end portion of the central body, opposite the first end portion of the central body. The propulsion system may include rotors at opposite end portions of the first and second arms which propel the frame in response to an external command. The image output device may project an image onto the screen in response to an external command.

Abstract: A mobile telepresence system may include a frame, a propulsion system operably coupled to the frame to propel the frame through a designated space, a screen movably coupled to the frame, and an image output device coupled to the frame. The frame may include a central body defining a longitudinal axis of the frame, a first arm at a first end portion of the central body, and a second arm at a second end portion of the central body, opposite the first end portion of the central body. The propulsion system may include rotors at opposite end portions of the first and second arms which propel the frame in response to an external command. The image output device may project an image onto the screen in response to an external command.