Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landing gear system for holding delivery canisters

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:

• a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) system;
• and
• a landing gear system comprising one or more landing gear coupled to the VTOL system, the one or more landing gear comprising:
• a first leg comprising a first leg landing end and a first leg connection end;
• a second leg comprising a second leg landing end and a second leg connection end, wherein the first leg connection end is directly coupled to the second leg connection end at an engagement location, and the first leg connection end is configured to rotationally engage the second leg connection end at the engagement location;
• and
• a tensioning member applying a rotational force about the engagement location such that the rotational force biases the first leg landing end in a direction of the second leg landing end, wherein:
• the VTOL system is configured to operate at least one rotor into a reverse thrust to generate a downward force that is applied to the engagement location, and
• the first leg and the second leg are configured to rotate against the rotational force when the downward force is applied to the engagement location.

A method of delivering a canister, the method comprising:

• positioning an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such that a gap formed from a first leg of a landing gear and a second leg of the landing gear is at a location proximate the canister, wherein:
• the first leg comprises a first leg landing end and a first leg connection end;
• the second leg comprises a second leg landing end and a second leg connection end, wherein the first leg connection end is configured to rotationally engage the second leg connection end of the second leg at an engagement location;
• and
• a tensioning member applies a rotational force about the engagement location such that the rotational force biases the first leg landing end in a direction of the second leg landing end when the first leg and the second leg are rotationally engaged;
• securing the canister between the first leg and the second leg by lowering the UAV such that contact of the canister rotates the first leg and the second leg against the bias;
• navigating the UAV away from the location;
• landing the UAV;
• and
• releasing the canister by placing a rotor into a reverse thrust to generate a downward force that rotates the first leg and the second leg against the bias.