# US 11,993,396 B2 · Autonomous package storage and retrieval system using a drone > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,993,396 B2 - Document ID: US11993396B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/040,632 - Filed: 2019-04-11 - Published: 2021-04-22 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-12 - Assignees: Laitram, L.L.C. - Applicants: Laitram, L.L.C. - Inventors: Bryant G. Ragan; Mark Costanzo; Matthew A. Lignieres - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993396B2 ## CPC - B64D 9/00: Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like - G06Q 10/08: Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management - B64D 1/22: Taking-up articles from earth's surface - B64F 1/32: for handling freight - B64U 10/14: with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters - B64U 80/25: for recharging batteries; for refuelling - B64D 2009/006: {Rollers or drives for pallets of freight containers, e.g. PDU} - B64U 30/20: Rotors; Rotor supports - B64U 50/37: Charging when not in flight - B64U 2101/64: for parcel delivery or retrieval - Y02T 50/40: Weight reduction - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A package delivery drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The package delivery drone interfaces with a docking station having a shelf for exchanging packages with the drone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for storing and retrieving packages, comprising: a drone having a frame, at least one propeller for generating aerodynamic lift, an article containment area having a bottom formed by a dynamic support surface, a first coupling element above the article containment area and docking cones extending from an end of the article containment area; and a docking station for the drone, comprising a shelf for a package, a second coupling element for mating with the first coupling element and allowing pivoting of the drone about the second coupling element, the docking station further including receptacles in the shelf for receiving the docking cones, such that the dynamic support surface of the article containment area aligns with the shelf. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first coupling element comprises one of a bar, a hook and a magnet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the docking cones include charging contacts and the receptacles include pins for supplying power to the drone. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic support surface comprises a conveyor belt trained about a conveyor frame and forming the bottom of the article containment area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the drone further comprises one or more gates that can be activated to open and close the article containment area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the docking station includes a driver for driving the conveyor belt. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the shelf comprises a conveyor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the docking station comprises a window in a building. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the frame and propeller are formed in a first module and the article containment area is formed in a second module coupled to the first module to form the drone. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first coupling element includes a docking bar and the second coupling element comprises hooks extending from a vertical member for receiving the docking bar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein each hook comprises an upper section comprising a planar portion extending at an angle relative to the vertical member and a lower section comprising a curved seat for pivotally receiving the docking bar. ### Claim 12 A method of docking a drone at a docking station having a shelf and receptacles formed in the shelf for package exchange, comprising the steps of: approaching a first coupling element at the docking station, wherein the first coupling element is above the shelf; guiding a second coupling element on the drone into the first coupling element at the docking station, wherein the drone includes an article containment area and docking cones, and the second coupling element is above the article containment area; and aligning an article containment area of the drone with a shelf at the docking station by first pivoting the drone down about the first coupling element and then inserting docking cones in the receptacles formed in the shelf. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of actuating a conveyor forming a dynamic support surface on the drone to move a package into or out of the article containment area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of actuating a conveyor in the shelf to move a package onto or from the drone. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of charging the drone while docked.