Apparatuses for releasing a payload from an aerial tether

An apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a swing arm coupled to the housing proximate to a first end of the swing arm, wherein the swing arm is operable to toggle between an open position and a closed position, wherein the closed position locates a second end of the swing arm within the housing, wherein the open position exposes the second end of the swing arm outside the housing at an acute angle with respect to a sidewall of the housing such that the swing arm is positioned to secure a payload to the housing;
• a spring mechanism adapted to exert a force on the swing arm that biases the swing arm to move to the closed position;
• a receiving system adapted to receive the housing, wherein the receiving system contacts a cam of the swing arm when receiving the housing, thereby causing the swing arm to be arranged in the open position, and wherein the receiving system is further adapted to be coupled to an aerial vehicle;
• and
• a spool operable to unwind and wind a tether coupled to the housing, wherein unwinding the tether causes a descent of the housing from the receiving system, and wherein winding the tether causes an ascent of the housing to the receiving system.