# US 12,214,904 B1 · Aerial vehicle autonomous anchoring and powering > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,904 B1 - Document ID: US12214904B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/523,486 - Filed: 2019-07-26 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-27 - Applicants: Over, LLC - Inventors: William O. Cecil - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214904B1 ## CPC - B64F 1/362: {Installations for supplying conditioned air to parked aircraft} - B64C 19/00: Aircraft control not otherwise provided for - B64C 29/00: Aircraft capable of landing or taking-off vertically, e.g. vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft (rotorcraft B64C27/00) - B64F 1/007: {Helicopter portable landing pads} - B64F 1/12: for anchoring aircraft - B64U 30/20: Rotors; Rotor supports - B64U 60/50: with landing legs - B64U 70/30: for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net - B64U 70/95: Means for guiding the landing UAV towards the platform, e.g. lighting means - B64U 70/99: Means for retaining the UAV on the platform, e.g. dogs or magnets - 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 - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS - B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR ## Abstract Apparatus and associated methodology contemplating AVAAP technology including (1) an “AV Assembly” which can be attached to the underside of a VTOL AV, and (2) the “Receiver Assembly” which can be attached to a Bollard Assembly installed in a Parking Pad. The two main assemblies, including their associated elements, components and parts, work together to automatically and autonomously anchor (secure) a VTOL AV to a Parking Pad just after landing, as well as automatically and autonomously un-anchor the AV from the Parking Pad just prior to take-off. Further, the two main assemblies of the claimed technology, to include their associated elements, components and parts, work together to automatically and autonomously connect electric grid power to a VTOL AV upon landing, and automatically and autonomously disconnect electric grid power from the AV upon take-off. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for automatically and autonomously anchoring Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing (VTOL) Aerial Vehicles (AVs) to a parking pad after landing, and automatically and autonomously un-anchoring VTOL AVs from the parking pad prior to take-off, comprising: a protuberant member connected to an underside of an AV—that comprises four wedges and an anchor hole, wherein a first cross-section of the four wedges forms a trapezoid, and a second cross-section orthogonal to the first cross-section forms another trapezoid, wherein the first cross-section is longer than the second cross-section, wherein the anchor hole has a cross-section that is a complete circle, and the anchor hole extends completely through the protuberant member; a receptacle member connected to an upper surface of the parking pad, defining an anchor receiver, sized to engage and receive the four wedges and the anchor hole of the protuberant member; and a locking member within the receptacle member, configured to selectively engage the anchor hole of the protuberant member to prevent separation of the protuberant member from the receptacle member; wherein the four wedges and the anchor hole of the protuberant member are surrounded by and fully enclosed within the receptacle member when the locking member is engaged with the protuberant member; wherein the protuberant member has a third cross-section that is orthogonal to both the first and second cross-sections, and the third cross-section forms an oblong rectangle; and wherein the locking member passes through one side of the protuberant member and out the opposite side of the protuberant member via the anchor hole. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking member is a moveable pin which moves from a retracted position during flight of the AV to an engaged position after landing of the AV by passing through a corresponding hole in the receptacle member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle member includes a plurality of sloped wedges which are operative to align the four wedges of the protuberant member with the receptacle member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protuberate member consists of fixed elements. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a bollard member that moves the receptacle member between a retracted position prior to takeoff of the AV and an extended position after landing of the AV. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus further comprises: at least one set of two High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pads, with one HDPE pad being fixed to a lower surface of the receptacle member and the other HDPE pad being fixed to an upper surface of the bollard member, wherein the two HDPE pads provide alignment of the protuberant member and the receptacle member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a second set of HDPE pads, wherein the second set of HDPE pads allow the receptacle member to move in a limited manner while preventing separation of the protuberant member from the receptacle member when one of the AV and the parking pad is exposed to a force. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle member comprises: a heating element to remove solid water from the receptacle member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle member comprises: at least one power coupling between the protuberant member and the receptacle member to provide power to the AV while the AV is anchored to the parking pad. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the protuberant member is comprised of at least one of: a tungsten alloy material, a titanium alloy, metal alloy, a carbon fiber, a carbon composite, and aluminum. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the protuberant member has a chromium exterior coating. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus operates to anchor the AV to a parking pad immediately after landing, and operates to un-anchor the AV from the parking pad immediately prior to take-off. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the AV is carrying at least one passenger. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the parking pad comprises a plurality of landing stripes to indicate proper positioning of the AV for the protuberant member to align with the receptacle member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protuberant member is aerodynamic to have a minimal effect on drag during flight of the AV. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protuberant member comprises at least one camera and at least one light source for landing the AV. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the parking pad is a helipad. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protuberant member is a solid member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the AV is carrying cargo. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the receptacle member is comprised of at least one of: steel, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, a carbon composite, and a metal alloy.