A connection arrangement

Abstract

A connection arrangement 10 for an unmanned aerial vehicle has a female part 11, a male part 12 and a locking member, such as a pin 14 or a ball 14’. The locking member is moveable, by gravity, from a

Description

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection arrangement, unmanned aerial vehicles incorporating the connection arrangement, a method of delivering a load using 5 an unmanned aerial vehicle incorporating the connection arrangement, a female part of the connection arrangement, an unmanned aerial vehicle incorporating the female part of the connection arrangement as well as loads incorporating male and female parts of the connection arrangement. Background to the Invention 10 Many people experience cardiac arrests or other sudden medical emergencies in areas away from a hospital. For example, a person suffering from a heart attack may experience the heart attack at their home address or at their workplace, or a substance disorder sufferer may experience an overdose in a city centre. In such situations, the prospects of the person suffering the medical emergency surviving the emergency may 15 be significantly improved by rapidly supplying them (or other persons at their location) with a medical product. For example, in the case of a cardiac arrest, survival prospects may be improved by rapidly supplying a defibrillator for use on the person undergoing the cardiac arrest, or in the case of a drug overdose survival prospects may be significantly improved by rapidly supplying an antidote for use on the person 20 experiencing the overdose. In addition, a person suffering from a highly venomous bite in a remote area may have their survival prospects improved by being rapidly supplied with a suitable anti-venom. Unmanned aerial vehicles have been used to rapidly supply objects to locations which are hard to reach by more conventional means (such as a road vehicle). Some 25 unmanned aerial vehicles may feature a cable to which the object may be connected. One example of a suitable connection assembly for connecting the object with the cable is a folding gravity hook which features a pair of jaws that close when the gravity hook is raised above the ground and that are intended to open when the jaws make contact with the ground. Such gravity hooks can be difficult to release, as their primary function 30 is to grab objects. Further, human input is required to release the object from the jaws 08 01 26 when the jaws do not contact the ground. In other words, a user must actually open the jaws of the gravity hook to decouple the jaws from the object. This can potentially be very dangerous when an object is being delivered as tension could be applied to the cable, which could cause the unmanned aerial vehicle to move, which could lead to a 5 crash and / or injury to the user. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more problems with prior arrangements. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 10 connection arrangement for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle, the connection arrangement comprising: a female part; a male part receivable in the female part; and a locking member movable by gravity from a first position to a second position 15 when the male part is received by the female part, wherein in the first position the locking member prevents movement of the female part with respect to the male part, wherein in the second position the locking member is positioned such that the male part can be released from the female part, 20 wherein the female part comprises the locking member, and wherein the locking member is movable within the female part. The connection arrangement of the invention provides a simple and effective way of connecting a cable of an unmanned aerial vehicle to a load. As the locking member is movable by gravity, no user input is required to decouple the female and 25 male parts when the load (which is in practice connected to the male part) is lowered onto the ground. This means that there is no risk of the user pulling on (or becoming entangled with) the cable, meaning that there is a far lower risk of a crash or user injury during a delivery operation. Further, the connection arrangement of the present invention does not rely on electrical components, power draw or require a network 08 01 26 connection to operate, meaning there is no risk of the load becoming decoupled in flight due to a software or electrical error. Furthermore, only a vertical motion is required to decouple the first and male parts of the connection arrangement, meaning no additional lateral positioning of the unmanned aerial vehicle is required during the delivery 5 operation. Further, in practice, the locking member moves from the first position to the second position surprisingly quickly (i.e. within less than Is from first contact with the ground). Further, when the load is an enclosure, as the specific connection arrangement relies on gravity, the male part connected to the enclosure can be positioned away from sides of the enclosure meaning the connection arrangement does not interfere with the 10 user’s ability to gain access to the interior of the enclosure (when an opening is provided in a side of the enclosure). In the first position, the locking member may be located between respective contact portions of the female and male parts such that movement of the female part with respect to the male part is not permitted. In the first position, the locking member 15 may be in contact with the respective contact portions of the female and male parts. In the second position, the locking member may be positioned with respect to the respective contact portions of the female and male parts such that movement of the female part with respect to the male part is permitted. In the second position, the locking member may not be located between the respective contact portions of the 20 female and male parts such that movement of the female part with respect to the male part is permitted. In the second position, the locking member may not be in contact with the respective contact portions of the female and male parts. The movement may be in a first direction. Accordingly, in an embodiment, there is provided a connection arrangement for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle, the 25 connection arrangement comprising: a female part; a male part receivable in the female part; and a locking member movable by gravity from a first position to a second position when the male part is received by the female part, 08 01 26 wherein in the first position the locking member prevents movement of the female part with respect to the male part in a first direction, wherein in the second position the locking member is positioned such that the male part can be released from the female part, 5 wherein the female part comprises the locking member, and wherein the locking member is movable within the female part. In the second position, movement of the female part in the first direction may be permitted such that the male part can be released from the female part. In the second position, movement of the female part in the first direction may be permitted by the 10 locking member. The locking member may be movable by gravity from the first position to the second position when the female part moves with respect to the male part in a second direction opposite the first direction. When the male part is received in the female part, the locking member may be 15 arranged to roll from a first position to the second position. When the male part is received in the female part, the locking member may be arranged to slide from a first position to the second position. The male part may be received in the female part in an insertion direction. The insertion direction may be the same as the first direction. 20 The locking member may be a rollable and / or slidable locking member. The female part may comprise an internal space in which the male part may be received. The internal space may have an entrance. The internal space may have a closed end and the internal space may extend from the entrance to the closed end. The locking member may be operable to be advanced in the second direction in the second 25 position with respect to the first position. The locking member may be located closer to the entrance in the second position than in the first position. The internal space may be a hollow or bore. The entrance to the internal space may be centred on a central axis. A radial distance of the locking member from the central axis in the second position may be 08 01 26 greater than in the first position. The radial distance may be measured in a radial direction orthogonal to the central axis. The male part may be substantially hook-like. At least one of the respective contact portions may be curved. The contact 5 portion of the male part may be curved. The respective contact portion of the female part may be a first contact portion. The respective contact portion of the male part may be a second contact portion. The locking member may be retained within the female part. Optionally, the locking member may be permanently retained within the female part. The locking 10 member may be retained within the female part in the second position. The female part may comprise a guide located therein. The guide may be for guiding the locking member. The guide may be for guiding the locking member from the first position to the second position. The guide may be a passage extending through the female part. 15 The female part and / or male part may include(s) at least one slope. The at least one slope may be straight. When the female part comprises the slope, the guide may comprise the slope. The locking member may be arranged to move along the at least one slope when moving from the first position to the second position. The locking member may be arranged to slide or roll along the at least one slope when moving from 20 the first position to the second position. The locking member may comprise a curved surface. The curved surface may extend around an outer circumference of the locking member. The locking member may be at least part cylindrical. The locking member may be cylindrical. The locking member may comprise a shaft portion provided with heads. The heads may be located 25 at opposite ends of the shaft portion. The width of the locking member may be greater at the heads than at the shaft portion. The locking member may be a locking pin. The locking member may be at least part spherical. The locking member may be fully spherical. The locking member may be a ball. 08 01 26 The female part may comprise a first slope. The male part may comprise a second slope. The first slope may be movable with respect to the second slope. The first slope may be movable with respect to the second slope such that the locking member may move along at least one of the first and second slopes as the locking member moves 5 from the first position to the second position. The first slope may be straight. The second slope may be straight. The male part may comprise a recess formed therein. The locking member may be located within the recess in the first position. The locking member may be located outside the recess in the second position. The recess may define the at least one slope. 10 The recess may define the second slope. The recess may comprise a mouth. The locking member may pass through the mouth of the recess when the locking member moves from the first position to the second position. The mouth may allow access to the recess. The recess may define the respective contact portion of the male part. The 15 second slope may be located opposite the respective contact portion of the male part. The respective contact portion of the male part may be located above the second slope. The female part may comprise an attachment element. The attachment element may be for attaching the female part to a cable of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The attachment element of the female part may be engageable with a corresponding 20 attachment element secured to the cable. The attachment element may comprise a threaded portion. The threaded portion may have a thread axis. The thread axis may be co-directional with the central axis of the entrance to the internal space. The thread axis and central axis of the entrance to the internal space may be a common axis. The female part may comprise a transverse passage extending between side 25 openings and across the internal space. The transverse passage may define a first slope. The transverse passage may be angled so as to define the first slope. The respective contact portion of the female part may be defined by the transverse passage. The first slope may depend from the respective contact portion of the female part. The respective contact portion of the female part may be a substantially horizontal surface. The 30 transverse passage may comprise a curved part opposite the respective contact portion 08 01 26 of the female part. The locking member may be retained within the transverse passage of the female part. The locking member may be permanently retained within the transverse passage of the female part. When the locking member comprises the shaft portion provided with the heads, the shaft portion may be located within the transverse 5 passage and the heads may be located outside the transverse passage. A head width (the width of the heads) of the heads may be greater than a passage width (the width of the passage) of the transverse passage. The transverse passage may be the guide. The recess of the male part may define a second slope along which the locking member may move from the first position to the second position. The transverse 10 passage of the female part may be movable with respect to the recess of the male part. The first and second slopes may slope at substantially the same angle. The transverse passage of the female part may be arranged to align with the recess of the male part such that the locking member can move along the second slope of the male part as the locking member moves from the first position to the second 15 position. The second slope may be located opposite the respective contact portion of the male part. The second slope may slope from a first point to a second point. The first point may be located opposite the respective contact portion of the male part and the second point may be located at the mouth of the recess. 20 The first slope may be movable with respect to the second slope such that the first and second slopes form a combined slope arrangement along which the locking member may move from the first position to the second position. The female part may comprise a third slope. The first and third slopes may be parallel extending slopes. The parallel extending slopes may be movable with respect to the second slope such that the 25 parallel extending slopes and second slope form the combined slope arrangement along which the locking member may move from the first position to the second position. The male part may be partially received between the parallel slopes. The female part may comprise opposing inner walls, which are located within the female part. The male part may be at least partially receivable between the first and 30 second inner walls. Sloped edges of the inner walls may define the parallel extending 08 01 26 slopes. The female part may comprise multiple (first) contact portions of the female part. The parallel extending slopes may extend from the first contact portions. The first contact portions may be curved recesses formed in the inner walls. When the locking member is in the first position, the second slope may be located in its entirety between 5 the two inner walls. When the locking member is in the second position, the second slope may partially protrude from between the inner walls to form the combined slope arrangement with the parallel slopes. When the locking member is in the second position, the second slope may partially protrude from between the inner walls to form the combined slope arrangement with the parallel slopes. 10 The male part may be connected to a mounting plate. The male part may be a projection projecting from the mounting plate. The projection may be receivable within the female part. The projection may comprise the recess. The mounting plate may be mountable on an enclosure. The female part, male part and locking member may weigh less than 1 Kilogram 15 (KG). The female part, male part and locking member may weigh less than 500 grams (g). The female part, male part and locking member may weigh less than 250 grams. The female part, male part and locking member may weigh less than 150 grams. The female part, male part and locking member may weigh less than 100 grams. The female part, male part and locking member may weigh less than 75 grams. The female part, 20 male part and locking member may weigh less than 50 grams. The female part, male part and locking member may weigh less than 40 grams. The female part, male part and locking member may have a weight in the range of 40g to 8g. The female part, male part and locking member may have a weight in the range of 20g to 9g. Each of the female part, male part and locking member may be formed from 25 metal. Preferably, the female part, male part and locking member are formed from plastic or carbon fibre. The female part, male part and locking member may be formed from one or more of the following: polylactic acid (PLA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ASB), Polyethylene Terephthalate with added Glycol (PETG), Polyamide and Polycarbonate. The female part, male part and locking member may be 3D printed. 30 The female part may have a maximum length that is less than 100mm. The female part may have a maximum height that is less than 100mm. The female part may 08 01 26 have a maximum height that is less than 100mm. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the female part has: a maximum length that is less than 100 mm, a maximum height that is less than 100mm and a maximum length that is less than 100mm. The female part may have a maximum length that is less than 50mm. The female 5 part may have a maximum height that is less than 50mm. The female part may have a maximum height that is less than 50mm. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the female part has: a maximum length that is less than 50 mm, a maximum height that is less than 50mm and a maximum length that is less than 50mm. The male part and / or female part may comprise a cavity at least partially filled 10 with material. At least a majority of the cavity may be filled with the material. The material may be a solid material. The material may have a weight per unit volume that is greater than plastic. The material may have a weight per unit volume that is greater than 3D printable plastic. The material may have a weight per unit volume that is greater than polylactic acid (PLA) plastic. 15 The female part may comprise one or more at least partially filled cavities. There may be a plurality of at least partially filled cavities. At least two of the at least partially filled cavities may face each other. The internal space may be located between the at least partially filled cavities that face each other. The one or more at least partially filled cavities may be at least partially filled with a metal material. 20 Advantageously, this configuration provides extra weight to the female part, preventing bowing of a cable attached to the female part in use and increases the effects of gravity on the female part. The additional weight also helps the locking member move to the second position in high wind speed conditions. The male part may comprise an elongate element located therein. The elongate 25 element may be solid. The elongate element may be a rod. The elongate element may comprise metal. The elongate element may be located within an elongate cavity located within the male part. The male part may comprise first and second elongate elements located within respective elongate cavities located within the male part. Each of the first and second elongate elements may comprise metal. 08 01 26 Advantageously, this configuration provides extra weight to the male part and also increases the strength / robustness of the male part. When the male part is connected to a mounting plate, the elongate element may be an elongate fastener that connects the mounting plate to the male part. 5 This can provide further robustness over an arrangement where the mounting place and male part are integrally formed as one piece. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an unmanned aerial vehicle comprising: the connection arrangement of the first aspect; and 10 a cable secured to the female part of the connection arrangement. The male part of the connection arrangement may be secured to or integrally formed with a load. The male part may be connected to the enclosure such that the slope of the male part is located closer to the enclosure than the respective contact portion of the male part. 15 The load may comprise an enclosure. The load may comprise a medical product. The medical product may be located within the enclosure. The medical product may comprise an antidote. The medical product may comprise a defibrillator. The unmanned aerial vehicle may comprise a winch operable to dispense the cable. The winch may be operable to gather the cable. A proximal end of the cable may 20 be secured to the winch. When the female part of the connection arrangement comprises the attachment element, the corresponding attachment element may be provided at the distal end of the cable, wherein the attachment element is engaged with the corresponding attachment element. When the attachment element of the female part of the connection arrangement comprises a threaded portion, the threaded portion may be 25 for engaging a corresponding threaded portion of the corresponding attachment element. The corresponding attachment element may comprise a conical portion secured to the corresponding threaded portion. The conical portion may taper (or narrow) inwardly away from the threaded portion towards the distal end of the cable. 08 01 26 The unmanned aerial vehicle may comprise a rotor with rotor blades. The rotor blades may be elongate and extend to a distal end thereof. The rotor blades may be driven by an electrical engine. The unmanned aerial vehicle may be a copter. The unmanned aerial vehicle may be a quadcopter or helicopter. 5 The unmanned aerial vehicle of the third aspect of the present invention may incorporate any or all features of the connection arrangement of the first aspect of the present invention or female part of the second aspect of the present invention as desired or as appropriate. The load may weigh less than 10KG. Preferably, the load is less than 5KG. 10 When the male part comprises the mounting plate, the mounting plate may be secured to the enclosure. The mounting plate may be secured to the enclosure with fasteners. The fasteners may be threaded fasteners. The unmanned aerial vehicle of the second aspect of the present invention may incorporate any or all features of the connection arrangement of the first aspect of the 15 present invention as desired or as appropriate. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of delivering a load, comprising: providing the unmanned aerial vehicle of the second aspect, wherein the male part of the connection arrangement is connected to the load, 20 Aying the unmanned aerial vehicle to a location, and lowering the load onto a surface. The lowering of the load onto the surface may cause the locking member to move from the first position to the second position such that the female part can be released from the male part. 25 The unmanned aerial vehicle may comprise a winch operable to dispense and gather the cable. The lowering step may be performed using the winch. After the lowering step, the method may further comprise raising the female part upwards away from the load. 08 01 26 The load may comprise a medical product. In the providing step, the female part of the connection arrangement may be connected to the cable. In the providing step, the male part may be received by the female part. In the providing step, the locking member may be in the first position. 5 The method of the third aspect of the present invention may incorporate any or all features of the connection arrangement of the first aspect of the present invention, or the unmanned aerial vehicle of the second aspect of the present invention as desired or as appropriate. Optional features set out above with respect to each aspect of the invention may apply 10 to any other aspect of the invention Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 15 Figure 1 shows component parts of a connection arrangement according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a female part of the connection arrangement of Figure 1; Figures 3A and 3B show the connection arrangement of Figure 1 with a mounting plate and cable; 20 Figure 4 shows the connection arrangement according to Figure 1 attached to an enclosure; Figures 5A to 5C show sequential steps of a method of operating the connection arrangement of Figure 1; Figures 6A to 6D show further sequential steps of the method of operating the 25 connection arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows component parts of a connection arrangement according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 08 01 26 Figure 8 shows a female part of a connection arrangement of the connection arrangement of Figure 7; Figures 9A and 9B show an interior of the connection arrangement of Figure 7; Figure 10 shows parallel extending slopes of the connection arrangement of 5 Figure 7; Figures 11A to 11C show sequential steps of a method of operating the connection arrangement of Figure 7 Figures 12A to 12D show further sequential steps of the method of operating the connection arrangement of Figure 7; 10 Figures 13A and 13B show a female part of a connection arrangement according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 14 shows a male part of a connection arrangement according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a connection arrangement 10 according to 15 a first embodiment of the present invention. The connection arrangement 10 is shown in an unassembled state and is formed to connect a cable of an unmanned aerial vehicle to a load (such as an enclosure). The connection arrangement 10 is formed to allow decoupling of the load from the cable when the load is placed on a ground surface. The connection arrangement of the first embodiment is formed of three parts, 20 namely a female part 11, a male part 12 and a locking member 14. The male part 12 is receivable in the female part 11. In use, and as will be explained below, the male part 12 is connected to the load (such as an enclosure) and the female part is connected to the cable of the unmanned aerial vehicle. During flight the connection arrangement is therefore suspended from the cable attached to the female part 11. The male part 12 is 25 shown in Figure 1 projecting from a plate 13, which in practice is a mounting plate as will be explained below. When the male part 12 is received in the female part 11, the locking member 14 prevents movement of the female part 11 with respect to the male part 12 in a first direction when the locking member is located in a first position (which is best shown 08 01 26 in Figure 5C). Specifically, when the locking member 14 is in the first position it is located between and in contact with respective contact portions 16, 18 of the female and male parts 11, 12. The locking member 14 is formed to move under the influence of gravity from the first position to a second position (as best shown in Figure. 6C) 5 where the locking member 14 permits movement of the female part 11 with respect to the male part 12 in the first direction such that the female and male parts can be released from one another. In the second position, the locking member 14 is not located between and not in contact with the respective contact portions 16, 18 of the female and male parts (the respective contact portions 16, 18 are clearly visible in Figure 1). In this 10 embodiment, the locking member 14 is configured to move from the first position to the second position when the female part 11 moves in a second direction opposite the first direction. In practice, this happens when the load has made contact with the ground surface and the female part 11 (connected to the cable) continues to be lowered downwards. 15 In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the locking member 14 is a locking pin 14 and is arranged to roll from the first position to the second position. In particular, the locking pin of this embodiment comprises a curved surface 20 which extends around an outer circumference of the locking pin and the locking pin is arranged to roll on the curved surface 20 as the locking pin 14 moves from the first position to the second 20 position. The locking pin 14 has a shaft portion 22 which has heads 24 provided at opposite ends of the shaft portion 22. The female part 11 includes an internal space 23 into which the male part 12 may be received (as best shown in Fig. 5A). The internal space 23 of this embodiment is a bore with a non-circular (substantially square) cross-section. The internal space 23 25 has an entrance 26 and extends from the entrance to a closed end 28 of the internal space 23. With reference to Fig. 5C and Fig. 6C (which depict the first and second positions of the locking member, respectively), it can be seen that the locking member 14 is located closer to the entrance to the internal space 23 in the second position than in the first position. The entrance 26 is centred on a central axis, and with reference to 30 Fig. 5C and Fig. 6C, the radial distance (measured in a direction orthogonal to the 08 01 26 central axis) of the locking member 14 from the central axis in the second position may be greater than in the first position. The female part 11 of this embodiment comprises a transverse passage 27 extending between side openings 30 provided in the female part and across the internal 5 space (as shown in Fig. 2, for example). The locking member 14 of this embodiment is retained within the transverse passage 27 and the locking member is movable within the transverse passage. The transverse passage 27 may be thought of as a guide for the locking member 14. The shaft portion 22 of the locking pin 14 is located within the transverse passage 27 and the heads of the locking pin are located outside the transverse 10 passage. A head width (the width of the heads) of the heads 24 is greater than a passage width (the width of the passage) of the transverse passage, so that the locking pin is retained within the transverse passage 27. Referring to Fig. 2, the transverse passage 27 defines the respective contact portion 16 of the female part and is angled so as to define a first slope 31. The respective 15 contact portion 16 of the female part is a substantially horizontal surface, and the first slope 31 (which is substantially straight) depends from the substantially horizontal surface. The transverse passage further comprises a curved part 35 opposite the horizonal surface 16. The male part 12 is substantially hook-like and has a recess 34 formed therein 20 (as best shown in Fig. 1). The recess has a mouth 36 which allows access to the recess 34. With reference to Fig. 5C and Fig. 6C (which depict the first and second positions of the locking member 14, respectively), it can be seen that the locking member is located in the recess 34 in the first position and located outside the recess in the second position, and that the locking member passes through the mouth 36 of the recess as the 25 locking member 14 moves from the first to the second position. Referring back to Fig. 1, the recess 34 defines a second slope 38 and the respective contact portion 18 of the male part 12. The second slope 38 is substantially straight and depends from a point opposite the respective contact portion 18 of the male part 12 to the mouth 36 of the recess. As depicted the respective contact portion 18 of the male part 12 is curved. 30 As best shown in Fig. 5A, the first and second slopes 31, 38 are sloped at substantially the same angle. The female part 11 can be moved such that the transverse 08 01 26 passage 27 of the female part can align with the recess of the male part 12 such that the locking member 14 can move along the second slope 38 as the locking member moves from the first position to the second position. With reference to Figs. 3A and 3B, in practice the male part 12 is preferably 5 connected to a mounting plate 13. In particular, the male part 12 projects from the mounting plate 13. The mounting plate 13 is secured to the enclosure 57 using fasteners 43 (as shown in Figure 4). Returning back to Figs. 3A and 3B, in practice, the female part 11 comprises an attachment element 47. The attachment element is for engaging with a corresponding attachment element 49 provided on a distal end of the cable 55 10 secured to an unmanned aerial vehicle (not shown). The proximal end of the cable is connected to a winch (not shown) of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The attachment element 47 comprises a threaded portion 51 which is engageable with a corresponding threaded portion of the corresponding attachment element 49. The corresponding threaded portion is provided inside ribbed element 59. In the depicted example, annular 15 threads are employed. The threaded portion 51 of the attachment element 47 of the female part 11 has a thread axis which is co-directional with the central axis of the entrance of the bore. This ensures that the connection arrangement 10 can be easily lifted, and that the locking member can easily move under the influence of gravity when required. As shown, the corresponding attachment element 49 comprises a conical 20 portion 53 which tapers away from the corresponding threaded portion (inside ribbed element 59) to the distal end of the cable 55. With reference to Fig. 7, there is shown a connection arrangement 10’ according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The connection arrangement 10’ is shown in an unassembled state and is formed to connect a cable of an unmanned aerial 25 vehicle to a load (such as an enclosure). Like the first embodiment mentioned above, the connection arrangement 10 is formed to allow decoupling of the load from the cable when the load is placed on a ground surface. As shown in Fig. 9A the connection arrangement of the first embodiment, like the connection arrangement 10 of the second embodiment is formed of three parts, 30 namely a female part 11’, a male part 12’ and a locking member 14’. The male part 12’ is receivable in the female part 11’, and in use the male part 12’ is connected to a load 08 01 26 (such as an enclosure), whilst the female part is connected to an end of the cable of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The male part 12’ is received in the female part 11 ’ like in the first embodiment. Again, like the connection arrangement of the first embodiment, when the male 5 part 12’ of the second embodiment is received by the female part 11’ and the arrangement is lowered onto the ground, the locking member 14’ is arranged to move from a first position to a second position under the influence of gravity, so that the male part can be released from the female part 11’. Also, like the first embodiment, the male part 12’ includes a recess 34’ which defines a second slope 38’ that extends from a 10 position opposite the respective contact portion of the male part 12’ to a mouth 36’ of the recess. Further, like the first embodiment the female part 11 ’ includes an attachment element 47’ comprising a threaded portion 51’ for engagement of a corresponding attachment element attached to a cable. However, in this embodiment, the female part 11’ comprises first and third 15 slopes 29’, 45’, which are parallel extending slopes located inside the female part. The female part 11’ has opposing inner walls 50’ located inside the female part, and sloped edges 29, 45’ of the inner walls define the parallel extending slopes, as best shown in Figures 9A and 9B. The parallel extending slopes 29’, 45’ (which are shown in isolation in Figure 10) are movable with respect to the second slope 38’ of the male part such 20 that the parallel slopes and second slope form a combined slope arrangement 71’ (as best shown in Fig. 12C) along which the locking member 14’ may move from the first position to the second position. The male part 12’ may be partially received between the parallel slopes 29’, 45’. In this embodiment, (and as best shown in Figure 10) the female part 11’ has 25 multiple (first) contact portions 16’ for contacting the locking member 14’, which are curved recesses 16’ formed in the inner walls 50’ The sloped edges 29’, 45’ of the inner walls slope from the curved recesses 16’. The inner walls are separated by a gap 54’ into which the male part 12’ is received when the male part is received by the female part 11’. As best shown in Fig. 11C, when the locking member 14’ is in the first 30 position, the second slope 38’ is located in its entirety between the two inner walls 50’, and as best shown in Fig. 12C, when the locking member 14’ is in the second position 08 01 26 the second slope 38’ partially protrudes from beyond the inner walls to form the combined slope arrangement 71’. Another point of difference between the second and first embodiments is that the locking member 14’ is a ball, rather than a locking pin. The ball 14’ is a ball bearing. 5 Figures 13A, 13B and 14 show a third embodiment of a connection arrangement 10 according to the present invention. This embodiment functions in a very similar way to the first embodiment of the invention described above and has a female part 11” that receives a male part 12” and a locking member 14” that is movable by gravity. However, this embodiment includes a plurality of filled cavities 62’ ’ located within the 10 female part 11’. These filled cavities 62” are filled with a metal material 64”. The metal material 64’ ’ increases the weight of the female part 11”, meaning in use a cable attached to the female part 11” is less likely to bow, and the effect of gravity on the female part is increased. As shown, in the specific example there are three filled cavities 62”. Two of the cavities 62” face each other with the internal space 23” located 15 between them, whereas the remaining cavity is located above the internal space 23” As best shown in Figure 14, the male part 12” includes elongate elements 67A”, 67B” located within the male part 12”. These elongate elements 67A”, 67B” are located within elongate cavities within the male part 12”. The elongate elements 67A”, 67B” are formed from metal and add weight and robustness to the male part 20 12”. The elongate elements 67A”, 67B” may be elongate fasteners used to connect the mounting plate to the male part 12”. In the depicted example, the elongate element 67A” has a greater length than the elongate element 67B”. With reference to Figs. 5A to Fig. 6D, how the connection arrangement 10 of the first embodiment may be used in an operation to deliver a load (such as a medical 25 product) will now be described. Please note that the attachment element and cable shown in Figs. 3 and 4 have been omitted in these figures for ease of depiction. Please also note that the mounting plate 13 has been shown schematically and that only a portion of the enclosure 57 is depicted. As shown in Fig. 5A, firstly the male part 12 is inserted into the female part 11. 30 At this point the load is connected to the male part (if the male part and load are not 08 01 26 already integrally formed), and the cable is attached to the female part 11. The transverse passage 27 is aligned with the recess 34, and the locking member 14 is located outside the recess and internal space 23 of the female part, so that the locking member allows the male part to be received by the female part. 5 As shown in Fig. 5B, a user then moves the locking member 14 up the second slope 38 and positions the locking member between the respective contact portions 16, 18 of the female and male parts. As shown in Fig. 5C the female part is then raised by raising a cable of an unmanned aerial vehicle attached to the female part 11 and the connection arrangement 10 is suspended from the cable attached to the female part 11. Alternatively, the cable and enclosure are already above the ground in the preceding steps and the female part 11 and enclosure are then released by the user. This puts the locking member 14 in the first position where it is located between and in contact with the respective contact portions 16, 18 of the male and female parts. This effectively locks the male and female 15 parts 12, 11 together while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in flight above the ground. Figs. 6A to 6D depict how the male part 12 may be released from the locked state of Fig. 5C when the unmanned aerial vehicle has arrived at a delivery location. In Fig. 6A the female part is lowered towards the ground (this may be done using the winch of the unmanned aerial vehicle). The enclosure 57 then makes contact 20 with the ground and at this point the male part 12 and enclosure 57 are stationary. The female part 11 then continues to be lowered towards the ground until it reaches and makes contact with the mounting plate 13 connected to the male part 12 as shown in Fig. 6B. At this point the transverse passage 27 of the female part 11 is aligned with the recess 34 of the male part 12 and the locking member is no longer in contact with the 25 respective contact portions of the female and male parts 16, 18 as the lowering of the female part 11 causes the distance between the respective contact portions to increase. The locking member 14 is therefore able to roll / slide along the second slope 38 under the influence of gravity to the second position, which is depicted in Fig. 6C. In the second position, the locking member 14 is located outside the recess 34 and the internal 30 space 23, so that the female part can be released from the male part 12. Therefore, once the locking member 14 is in the second position the female part 11 is raised by the 08 01 26 unmanned aerial vehicle (preferably by using the winch to gather cable) and released from the female part 12 as shown in Fig. 6D. The unmanned aerial vehicle may therefore be flown back to base, leaving the load on the ground surface. With reference to Figs. 11A to Fig. 12D, how the connection arrangement 10 of 5 the second embodiment may be used in an operation to deliver a load (such as a medical product) will now be described. Please note that the corresponding attachment element secured to a cable of an unmanned aerial vehicle (which would be used in practice) have been omitted in these figures for ease of depiction. Please also note that the mounting plate 13’ has been shown schematically and that only a portion of the 10 enclosure 57’ is depicted. With reference to Fig. 11 A, firstly the male part 12’ is inserted into the female part 11’. At this point the load is connected to the male part (if the male part and load are not already integrally formed), and the cable is attached to the female part 11’. The male part 12’ is arranged inside the female part 11’ such that the second slope 38’ 15 protrudes beyond the inner walls 50’ to form the combined slope arrangement 71’. The arrangement is then tilted in the manner shown in Fig.llA so that the ball 14’ can roll along the combined slope arrangement 71 ’ towards the centre of the female part 11’ so that it is situated between the respective contact portions of the female and male parts 11’, 12’. The female part 11’ is then pushed upwards whilst the connection arrangement 20 is tilted, as shown in Fig. 11B. This means that the ball 14’ is in contact with the respective contact portions 16’, 18’ of the female and male parts 11’, 12’. Therefore, (as shown in Fig. 11C) when the connection arrangement is untilted and suspended from the cable of the unmanned aerial vehicle (which is secured to the female part 11’) the ball 14’ is in the first position where it is located between and in contact with the 25 respective contact portions 16’, 18’ of the male and female parts, which effectively locks the male and female parts 11’, 12’ together while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in flight above the ground. Figs. 12A to 12D depict how the male part 12’ may be released from the locked state of Fig. 1 IC when the unmanned aerial vehicle has arrived at a delivery location. 30 In Fig. 12A the female part is lowered towards the ground (this may be done using the winch of the unmanned aerial vehicle). The enclosure 57’ then makes contact 08 01 26 with the ground and at this point the male part 12’ and enclosure 57’ are stationary. The female part 11 ’ then continues to be lowered towards the ground until it reaches and makes contact with the mounting plate 13’ connected to the male part as shown in Fig. 12B. At this point the second slope of the male part 12’ is exposed by the inner walls, 5 meaning the second slope and parallel slopes form the combined slope arrangement 71’. The ball 14 is therefore able to roll / slide along the combined slope arrangement 71’ under the influence of gravity to the second position, which is depicted in Fig. 12C. In the second position, the locking ball 14’ is located outside the recess 34’ and does not inhibit upward motion of the female part 11’, so that the female part can be released 10 from the male part 12’. Therefore, once the locking member 14 is in the second position the female part 11’ is raised by the unmanned aerial vehicle (preferably by using the winch to gather cable) and released from the female part 11’ as shown in Fig. 12D. The unmanned aerial vehicle may therefore be flown back to base, leaving the load on the ground surface. 15 The connection arrangement of the third embodiment may be used in an operation to deliver a load in a similar way to the connection arrangement 10 of the first embodiment. The invention provides a simple and effective way of connecting a cable of an unmanned aerial vehicle to a load. As the locking member is movable by gravity, no 20 user input is required to decouple the female and male parts when the load (which is in practice connected to the male part) is lowered onto the ground. This means that there is no risk of the user pulling on (or becoming entangled with) the cable, meaning that there is a far lower risk of a crash or user injury during a delivery operation. This is particularly advantageous in situation where a person is undergoing a medical 25 emergency because the individual accessing a product in the enclosure will likely be incredibly stressed and more likely to cause an accident. Further, the connection arrangement of the present invention does not rely on electrical components, power draw or require a network connection to operate, meaning there is no risk of the load becoming decoupled in flight due to a software or electrical 30 error. Furthermore, only a vertical motion is required to decouple the first and male parts of the connection arrangement, meaning no additional lateral positioning of the CM 00 unmanned aerial vehicle is required during the delivery operation. Further, in practice, the locking member moves from the first position to the second position surprisingly quickly (i.e. within less than Is from first contact with the ground). Further, when the load is an enclosure, as the specific connection arrangement relies on gravity, the male 5 part connected to the enclosure can be positioned away from sides of the enclosure meaning the connection arrangement does not interfere with the user’s ability to gain access to the interior of the enclosure (when an opening is provided in a side of the enclosure). The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. 10 Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims. 08 01 26

Claims

1. A connection arrangement for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle, the connection arrangement comprising:a female part;5 a male part receivable in the female part; anda locking member movable by gravity from a first position to a second position when the male part is received by the female part,wherein in the first position the locking member prevents movement of the female part with respect to the male part,10 wherein in the second position the locking member is positioned suchthat the male part can be released from the female part,wherein the female part comprises the locking member, andwherein the locking member is movable within the female part.

2. The connection arrangement of claim 1, wherein in the first position the locking 15 member is located between and in contact with respective contact portions ofthe female and male parts such that movement of the female part with respect to the male part is not permitted, and wherein in the second position the locking member is not located between the respective contact portions of the female and male parts and the locking member is not in contact with the respective contact 20 portions of the female and male parts.

3. The connection arrangement of claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement is in a first direction.

4. The connection arrangement of claim 3, wherein the locking member is movable by gravity from the first position to the second position when the 25 female part moves with respect to the male part in a second direction oppositethe first direction.08 01 265. The connection arrangement of claim 3 or 4, wherein the male part is received in the female part in an insertion direction, wherein the insertion direction is the same as the first direction.

6. The connection arrangement of claim 4 or 5, wherein the locking member is 5 operable to be advanced in the second direction in the second position withrespect to the first position.

7. The connection arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein when the male part is received in the female part, the locking member is arranged to roll or slide from the first position to the second position.10 8. The connection arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the female partcomprises an internal space in which the male part is received, wherein the internal space has an entrance, wherein the entrance to the internal space is centred on a central axis.

9. The connection arrangement of claim 8, wherein the locking member is located 15 closer to the entrance in the second position than in the first position.

10. The connection arrangement of claim 8 or 9, wherein a radial distance of the locking member from the central axis in the second position may be greater than in the first position.

11. The connection arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the female part 20 comprises an attachment element for attaching the female part to a cable of theunmanned aerial vehicle.

12. The connection arrangement of claim 11 when claim 11 is dependent on claim 8, wherein the attachment element comprises a threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion has a thread axis, wherein the thread axis is co-directional with25 the central axis of the entrance to the internal space.

13. The connection arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is retained within the female part in the second position.

14. The connection arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the female part and / or male part include(s) at least one slope, wherein the locking member is08 01 26arranged to move along the at least one slope when moving from the first position to the second position.

15. The connection arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the female part comprises a first slope and the male part comprises a second slope, wherein the 5 first slope is movable with respect to the second slope such that the lockingmember may move along at least one of the first and second slopes as the locking member moves from the first position to the second position.

16. The connection arrangement of claim 15, wherein the first slope is movable with respect to the second slope such that the first and second slopes form a combined 10 slope arrangement along which the locking member may move from the firstposition to the second position17. The connection arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the male part comprises a recess formed therein, wherein the locking member is located within the recess in the first position, wherein the locking member is located 15 outside the recess in the second position.

18. The connection arrangement of claim 17, wherein the recess comprises a mouth, wherein the locking member passes through the mouth of the recess when the locking member moves from the first position to the second position.

19. An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising:20 the connection arrangement of any preceding claim; anda cable secured to the female part of the connection arrangement.

20. A method of delivering a load, the method comprising:providing the unmanned aerial vehicle of claim 19, wherein the male part of the connection arrangement is connected to the load;25 flying the unmanned aerial vehicle to a location; andlowering the load onto a surface.CXI21. The method of claim 20, wherein the lowering of the load onto the surface causes the locking member to move from the first position to the second position such that the female part can be released from the male part.

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