Retention system and method for a wing

A cradle for supporting a wing, the cradle comprising:

• first and second clamping members pivotally coupled to one another and defining a pivot axis, the first clamping member defining a first surface and the second clamping member defining a second surface, the first and second surfaces each conforming to a portion of an airfoil contour of the wing and being formed of a cushioning material;
• a first trough member defining a channel substantially parallel to the pivot axis and defining a third surface conforming to one of a leading edge and a trailing edge portion of the wing, the first trough member positioned to engage the one of the leading edge and trailing edge portion when the wing is positioned between the first and second clamping members;
• a locking member engaging the first and second clamping members and configured to selectively lock the first and second clamping members having the first and second surfaces engaging the wing;
• and
• a second trough member, the first and second clamping members being positioned between the first and second trough members.

A cradle for supporting a wing, the cradle comprising:

• first and second clamping members pivotally coupled to one another and defining a pivot axis, the first clamping member defining a first surface and the second clamping member defining a second surface, the first and second surfaces each conforming to a portion of an airfoil contour of the wing and being formed of a cushioning material;
• a first trough member defining a channel substantially parallel to the pivot axis and defining a third surface conforming to one of a leading edge and a trailing edge portion of the wing, the first trough member positioned to engage the one of the leading edge and trailing edge portion when the wing is positioned between the first and second clamping members;
• and
• a locking member engaging the first and second clamping members and configured to selectively lock the first and second clamping members having the first and second surfaces engaging the wing;
• wherein the second clamping members is fixedly secured to a shipping container and the first trough is fixedly secured to the second clamping member.

A cradle for supporting a wing, the cradle comprising:

• first and second clamping members pivotally coupled to one another and defining a pivot axis, the first clamping member defining a first surface and the second clamping member defining a second surface, the first and second surfaces conforming to a portion of an airfoil contour of the wing and being formed of a cushioning material, the first and second clamping members each including:
• first and second end plates;
• one or more cushioning members positioned between the first and second end plates;
• and
• one or more rods secured to the first and second end plates and extending through the one or more cushioning members;
• and
• a locking member engaging the first and second clamping members and configured to selectively lock the first and second clamping members having the first and second surfaces engaging the wing.

A method for shipping an unmanned aerial vehicle having at least one wing, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of cradles each having first and second clamping members pivotally coupled to one another and defining a pivot axis, the first clamping member defining a first surface and the second clamping member defining a second surface, the first and second surfaces conforming to an airfoil contour of the wing and being formed of a cushioning material, a first trough member defining a channel substantially parallel to the pivot axis and defining a third surface conforming to one of a leading edge and a trailing edge portion of the wing, the first trough member positioned to engage the one of the leading edge and trailing edge portion when the wing is positioned between the first and second clamping members, and a locking member engaging the first and second clamping members and configured to selectively lock the first and second clamping members having the first and second surfaces engaging the wing;
• positioning the first and second clamping members of the plurality of cradles around the wing at a plurality of positions;
• locking the first and second clamping members of the plurality of cradles using the locking members thereof;
• and
• fastening the cradles to a shipping container
• wherein the first and second clamping members each comprise—
• a frame;
• and
• a layer of the cushioning material secured to the frame;
• wherein the frame includes first and second end plates and a plurality of rods secured between the first and second end plates and extending through the layer of cushioning material.