Unmanned Aerial Delivery System

Abstract

An unmanned aerial vehicle delivery system utilizes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver packages between an initiation point and delivery points at a raised elevation. One advantage of the system is that the UAV engages the delivery points at a raised elevation, rather than the ground level. The UAV docks through an elevated structure at the delivery point for delivering the package and replenishing a power source. The elevation of the delivery point is adjustable because the tower is comprised of identical sections that allow for stacking to a desired height for UAV landing at a docking end. The package is conveyed from a docking end and through a central shaft of the elevated structure by means of an elevator. The package then travels to a lower structure for pickup. After delivery, the UAV recharges a battery and continues on the delivery route.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for transporting at least one package at a raised elevation with an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
 stacking at least one central shaft section on top of a lower structure containing a door to adjust a height of an elevated structure;   stacking a docking end on top of a stack of central shaft sections;   linking a plurality of elevator track sections to form at least one elevator track within the elevated structure;   storing a package in a package storage section of an unmanned aerial vehicle at an initiation point;   sending the unmanned aerial vehicle to the elevated structure,   docking the unmanned aerial vehicle on the docking end;   placing the package on an elevator connected to the at least one elevator track through an opening at the top of the elevated structure;   lowering the package through a shaft of the elevated structure on an elevator to a lower structure;   removing the package through an opening in the lower structure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising stacking central shaft sections to adjust the height of the elevated structure to a maximum height allowable by United States Federal Aviation Administration rules. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising stacking central shaft sections to adjust the height of the elevated structure to comply with United States Federal Aviation Administration rules. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of central shaft sections are identical. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one central shaft section is square. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising closing a door at a top of the docking end to enclose the package. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising opening a door at a top of the docking end to provide the unmanned aerial vehicle with access to the package. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising conveying the package from the docking end to the lower structure using a gravity fed mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising conveying the package from the lower structure to the docking end. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the unmanned aerial vehicle transmitting a signal to a delivery point thereby triggering the elevator to automatically move to meet the unmanned aerial vehicle for receiving the package. 
     
     
         11 . A method for transporting at least one package at a raised elevation with an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:
 stacking a plurality of central shaft sections on top of a lower structure to adjust a height of an elevated structure;   stacking a docking end on top of a plurality of central shaft sections;   storing a package in a package storage section of an unmanned aerial vehicle at an initiation point;   sending the unmanned aerial vehicle to the elevated structure,   docking the unmanned aerial vehicle on the docking end;   lowering the package through a shaft of the elevated structure on an elevator to a lower structure;   removing the package through an opening in the lower structure.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising placing the package on an elevator connected to a plurality of elevator tracks through an opening at the top of the elevated structure; 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising linking a plurality of elevator track sections to form the plurality of elevator tracks within the elevated structure. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for receiving a package from a UAV, comprising:
 an elevated structure having a shaft for receiving a package from the UAV;   the shaft comprising a lower structure, a plurality of central shaft sections and a docking end;   wherein the lower structure is separable from the plurality of central shaft sections;   wherein the docking end is separable from the plurality of central shaft sections;   wherein the plurality of central shaft sections separates the lower structure from the docking end;   wherein the lower structure includes a door for a package.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of elevator tracks, wherein the plurality of elevator tracks are comprised of elevator track sections connected within the elevated structure. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of elevator tracks are positioned proximal and adjacent to at least two corners of the shaft, wherein the shaft is square. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein four elevator tracks are positioned proximal and adjacent to four corners of the shaft, wherein the shaft is square. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the central shaft sections are square. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of central shaft sections are identical.