Aerial drone latching and charging apparatus

Abstract

An aerial drone latching and / or charging apparatus are provided. In another aspect, an apparatus for docking with an aerial drone or unmanned aerial vehicle includes a base, tapering drone-alignment surfaces, an actuator, and latches radially movable between drone latching and unlatching positions. A further aspect of an aerial drone charging assembly includes an upper electrical charging contact and a lower and laterally outboard electrical charging contact. Yet another aspect of the present apparatus includes electrical charging and latching for an aerial drone on a moving vehicle.

Description

AERIAL DRONE LATCHING AND CHARGING APPARATUSGOVERNMENT SUPPORT

[0001] This invention was made with government support under 80NSSC23K0951 awarded by NASA. The government has certain rights in the invention.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 63 / 632,805, filed on April 11 , 2024. This application is incorporated by reference herein.BACKGOUND AND SUMMARY

[0003] The present application generally pertains to a drone apparatus and more particularly to an aerial drone latching and charging apparatus.

[0004] Traditionally, unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”) or drones have rechargeable batteries which have a limited charge capacity, thereby requiring frequent charging. This significantly limits the travel range of the drones. Examples of conventional docking and charging stations are disclosed in M. Galimov, et aL, “UAV Positioning Mechanisms in Landing Stations: Classification and Engineering Design Review,” Sensors, vol. 20, p. 3648 (June 29, 2020).

[0005] Other conventional approaches are discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016 / 0039541 entitled “Robust and Autonomous Docking and Recharging of Quadrotors” which published to Beardsley, et aL, on February 11 , 2016; U.S. Patent No. 11 ,767,130 entitled “System and Method for Launching and Retrieving Unmanned Aerial Vehicle from Carrier in Motion” which issued to Kabakov, et aL, on September 26, 2023; and U.S. Patent No. 11 ,180,263 entitled “Flying Vehicle Systems and Methods” which issued to Ratajczak, et aL, on November 23, 2021 ; all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Many of these traditional attempts, however, suffer from UAV-to-docking station misalignment which prevents charging or can cause potential harm to the UAV. Furthermore, conventional configures either have no latches or overly complex latches between the UAV and docking station.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, an aerial drone latching and / or charging apparatus are provided. In another aspect, an apparatus for docking with an aerial drone or unmanned aerial vehicle includes a base, tapering drone-alignment surfaces, an actuator, and latches radially movable between drone latching and unlatching positions. A further aspect of an aerial drone charging assembly includes an upper electrical charging contact and a lower and laterally outboard electrical charging contact. Yet another aspect of the present apparatus includes electrical charging and latching for an aerial drone on a moving vehicle. A method of using an aerial drone or unmanned aerial vehicle charging station is also provided.

[0007] The present apparatus is advantageous over conventional devices. For example, the present apparatus beneficially allows for well-aligned docking, multidirectional orientation and easily secured latching of an aerial drone to a charging station. The present charging assembly can be mounted on moving land vehicles, such as delivery vans and public buses, or upon buildings, utility poles and towers, or powerlines.

[0008] In one operating condition, an optimal warehouse to end delivery location route is determined by software instructions run by a computer microprocessor, taking into account the local public bus land vehicle routes. Then, the drone is programmed to autonomously fly from a warehouse along a GPS or other mapped route, and when a land vehicle with a charging station is nearby, it docks with the land vehicle-mounted charging station for another section of the route, after which the drone takes off again to fly the final route to the package drop-off location. Thereafter, the drone can reverse the route and dock with a land vehicle-mounted charging station along the way, taking flight for the final route to the warehouse. The drone may hop between multiple land vehicles if only part of their routes coincide with that desired for the drone. This advantageously extends the travel range of the drone while simultaneously decreasing the required battery size and weight thereof, which provides additional battery charge life between recharges.

[0009] Remotely piloted control of the drone is alternately envisioned, with the land vehicle-mounted charging stations allowing gaps in time during which the pilot is able to better split his or her time between multiple drones. Another advantage is that the time the drone spends docked to the charging station, leads to reduced flying noise from the drone. Moreover, the tapered surfaces, the base size, the electrical contact configurations and / or the beacon arrangement of the present charging assemblybeneficially provide accurate and multidirectional landing and docking of the drone to the charging station, which also reducing the likelihood of the drone falling off of the charging station during landing and land vehicle movement.

[0010] The latching system of the present apparatus is also better than traditional approaches. The present latches are protected from dirt and debris by an optional frustoconical cover, when retracted. Furthermore, the preferred, generally radial and linear movement of the present latches provides for securing of a charging ring of the drone to mating contacts of the charging assembly, regardless of the landing orientation of the drone, thereby simplifying and speeding up the landing procedure. Additional advantages and features of the present application will become apparent from the following description, attached drawings and appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing control logic for an aerial drone latching and charging apparatus;

[0012] Figure 2 is a top perspective view showing the present apparatus during a drone landing operation;

[0013] Figures 3-5 are a series of side elevation view showing the drone securing a parcel therein;

[0014] Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view showing the drone;

[0015] Figure 7 is a top perspective view showing the apparatus, with a central electrical contact of the drone in a retracted orientation;

[0016] Figure 8 is a top perspective view showing the apparatus, with the central electrical contact of the drone in an extended orientation;

[0017] Figure 9 is a side elevation view showing the apparatus, with the electrical contacts of the landed drone mating with electrical contacts of the charging assembly;

[0018] Figure 10 is a partial top elevation view showing the central drone electrical contact mating with the upper charging assembly electrical contact;

[0019] Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the charging assembly of the present apparatus, with latches shown in a drone-latching position;

[0020] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the charging assembly of the present apparatus;

[0021] Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an optional frustoconical cover of the charging assembly of the present apparatus;

[0022] Figures 14 and 15 are exploded perspective views showing the charging and latching assembly of the present apparatus;

[0023] Figure 16 is a top perspective view of the upper electrical contact and a homing beacon of the charging assembly of the present apparatus;

[0024] Figure 17 is a top plan view showing the charging assembly of the present apparatus;

[0025] Figure 18 is a perspective view showing a lower electrical contact of the charging assembly of the present apparatus;

[0026] Figure 19 is an exploded elevation view showing a portion of the lower electrical contact of Figure 18;

[0027] Figure 20 is a perspective view showing the latches of the present apparatus, in an advanced drone-latching position;

[0028] Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the latches of the present apparatus, in a retracted drone-unlatching position;

[0029] Figure 22 is a perspective view showing the present apparatus with the drone latched to the charging assembly;

[0030] Figure 23 is a perspective view showing the present apparatus with the drone unlatched relative to the charging assembly;

[0031] Figure 24 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the present apparatus with the drone latched to the charging assembly;

[0032] Figure 25 is an electrical diagram of the present apparatus;

[0033] Figure 26 is a side elevation view of the present apparatus, showing a tipped landing scenario;

[0034] Figure 27 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment charging assembly of the present apparatus, with latches shown in a drone-latching position;

[0035] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 28-28 from Figure 27, showing the second embodiment charging assembly of the present apparatus;

[0036] Figure 29 is an enlarged partial view, taken within circle 29 from Figure 27, showing the dust covers employed in the second embodiment charging assembly of the present apparatus;

[0037] Figure 30 is a perspective view showing one of the dust covers employed in the second embodiment charging assembly of the present apparatus;

[0038] Figure 31 is an enlarged partial view showing another of the dust covers employed in the second embodiment charging assembly of the present apparatus;

[0039] Figure 32 is a perspective view showing a lower electrical contact employed in the second embodiment charging assembly of the present apparatus;

[0040] Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 33-33 from Figure 32, showing the lower electrical contact employed in the second embodiment charging assembly of the present apparatus; and

[0041] Figure 34 is an exploded perspective view showing the lower electrical contact employed in the second embodiment charging assembly of the present apparatus.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Referring to Figures 1 -5 and 25, a first exemplary embodiment of the present aerial drone latching and charging apparatus 31 includes an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone 33, a latching and charging docking station assembly 35, a land vehicle 37, and a remote base controller 39. Drone 33 may be piloted by a remotely located user controlling takeoff, flight movement and landing through controller 39, or all operations of the drone can be fully or partially autonomously controlled by the controller. If autonomous, drone operations are automatically determined and controlled based on programmed instructions and GPS-mapped coordinates stored in non-transient memory of the controller and run by a microprocessor of the controller.

[0043] Furthermore, land vehicle 37 is preferably a public bus, but may alternately be a box truck, delivery van or other such wheeled vehicle which follows a regularly scheduled route. Latching and charging assembly 35 is stationarily mounted to a generally horizontal upper surface, such as a roof, of the bus through fasteners such as threaded fasteners, rivets or the presently illustrated suction cups 41 . Latching and charging assembly 35 receives electrical power via wires 43 from a battery, alternator, photovoltaic panel or other electricity generating or storage power source 45 mounted to vehicle 37.

[0044] Drone 33 includes a centrally located body 51 from which radially extend multiple, laterally elongated spars 53, with circular nodes 55 being mounted to ends thereof. An electric motor 57 is disposed within each node, which rotates an upstanding output shaft and propeller 59 affixed thereto. At least one LiPo rechargeable battery 61 is attached to body 51 which is electrically connected to motors 57. A programmable microprocessor controller, a communication transceiver, an antenna, a GPS tracker and a location transponder, electronic assembly 63 is alsomounted to body 51 . On-board electronic assembly 63 controls motors 57, monitors an electricity charge remaining in battery 61 , and / or changes takeoff, landing and flight characteristics, based on signals sent to and received from remote base controller 39, and based on real-time location determinations through GPS satellite or cellular telephone triangulation signals.

[0045] Drone 33 additionally includes multiple legs 65 downwardly extending from body 51 . A laterally elongated foot 69 is located at a distal bottom end of each pair of legs 65 and an annular ring 71 spans between opposite pairs of legs 65 adjacent the distal ends, inboard of the feet. Furthermore, opposed articulated arms 67 are coupled to legs 65 (or alternately directly coupled to body 51 ) with a finger 73 movably coupled adjacent a distal end of each arm. Each arm assembly has a generally L- shaped when in the nominal orientation.

[0046] An electric motor 75 rotates at least one of the arms relative to the associated leg about a pivot joint, while another optional electric motor 77 rotates at least one of the fingers relative to the associated arm about a pivot joint. This automatic arm movement allows the arms to move from the unloaded nominal orientation of Figure 3, to a raised open orientation as shown in Figure 4, and to a closed payload-retaining orientation of Figure 5 for loading, then in an reverse order for unloading. The fingers may optionally rotate 90 degrees relative to the associated arms to facilitate payload loading and unloading. A payload 79, such as a 5 or even 20 pound package, can be manually or automatically loaded in a warehouse within a central pouch area 81 of the drone, firmly secured during drone flight, and subsequently manually or automatically unloaded at the end recipient delivery location.

[0047] Referring now to Figures 2 and 6-8, drone 33 further includes an optional boom 91 , having a triangularly arranged set of elongated and articulating links 93, which are coupled to a pair of legs 65 by sandwiching clamps 95, attached by threaded fasteners. In one exemplary configuration, a four-bar linkage is used for boom 91 which is cantilevered below central pouch area 81 and payload 79 therein. A housing 97 is mounted to a distal end of boom 91 . An electric motor 99, electrically connected to battery 61 and on-board controller 63, operably rotates links to extend and retract housing 97 relative to legs 65 and central pouch area 81 . The extended orientation is best observed in Figures 8 and 9, while the retracted orientation can be seen in Figure 7. Thus, housing 97 is typically in the extended orientation, aligned with a centerline of drone body 51 , during takeoff, flight and landing, but is automatically moved or itsfolded and retracted orientation during payload loading and unloading. Alternately, a telescopically extendable and retractable boom, or vertically folding boom, may be employed.

[0048] An infrared-lock sensor 101 , such as a camera, is mounted to and movable with housing 97. Moreover, a central electrical charging contact 103 is affixed below housing 97. A wire or conductive trace connects central contact 103 to battery 61.

[0049] Figures 2, 6-11 and 16 illustrate the details of latching and charging docking station assembly 35. The latching and charging assembly includes a carbon fiber and polymeric secondary base 121 mounted upon suction cup, magnetic or bolted fasteners 41 , an expanded polyurethane foam spacer 123 coaxially mounted to the secondary base, a polymeric primary base 125 coaxially mounted upon a top of the spacer, and a polymeric cap 127 concentrically mounted within an opening in the primary base and upon a center of the spacer. Bases 121 and 125, spacer 123 and cap 127 all have circular peripheral edges, are laterally elongated on generally parallel horizontal planes, have flat top surfaces and are coaxial with a generally vertically elongated centerline 129.

[0050] Latching and charging assembly 35 further includes at least three, and more preferably eight radially extending and equilaterally spaced apart ribs 131 with bottom ends thereof fastened to primary base 125. Each of ribs 131 has a tapered exterior surface 133, which is inwardly angled from a widest bottom to a narrowest top closest to centerline 129. In an optional embodiment, an exterior cover 135, made of an electrically insulating material such as a polymer, is mounted to taper surfaces 133 of ribs 131 to thereby create frustoconically tapered surfaces surrounding centerline 129. If cover 135 is employed then its outer surface acts as the drone-aligning tapered surfaces and it the cover is not used, then surfaces 133 of ribs 131 serve as the dronealigning tapered surfaces.

[0051] Additionally, latching and charging assembly 35 has an insulating top cap 151 fastened to a top section of ribs 131. An infrared lock or homing beacon 153, and an upper, annular and negative electric charging contact 155 are concentrically mounted to a center of cap 151 . Contact 155 is connected to power supply wires 43 via another conductive wire or lead. Homing beacon 153 emitting a locational signal that is received by sensor 101 centrally oriented on drone 33 to assist in aligning the drone with latching and charging assembly 35 during landing. The drone-aligning taperedsurfaces on the cover or ribs assist alignment of the drone during landing. Therefore, when landed, central electrical contact 103 of the drone will physically interface with and electrically contact against upper electrical contact 155 of assembly 35.

[0052] An outer and lower set of electrical contacts 171 of assembly 35 extend from central slots in laterally curved blocks 173. A backside of each block 173 is fastened against and upstanding arcuate surface of spacer 123 and an intersection horizontal surface of secondary base 121. A helically coiled compression spring 175 (see Figure 19), or other biasing member, outwardly urges lower contacts 171 away from a housing 177 and a mating wall 179, affixed within each block 173. When drone 33 has landed on assembly 35, a continuously circular and outer electrical contact 181 (see Figure 6), mounted internal to ring 71 of the drone, physically interfaces with and inwardly depresses outer contact 171 of charging and latching assembly 35.

[0053] This removable electrical connection between contacts 171 and 181 supplies positive current from the charging and latching assembly to the drone. Wires or conductive traces connect contacts 171 to power supply wires 43. Contacts 171 are equilaterally spaced apart around base 121 and the use of a continuously circular contact 181 of the drone connecting with contacts 171 , beneficially allow the drone to land on the charging assembly in a multidirectional manner; in other words, charging can occur from the charging station to the drone regardless of the rotational orientation of the drone.

[0054] Latching bars 201 are slidably mounted upon an upper horizontal surface of primary base 125 by generally inverted U-shaped brackets or straps 203 having lateral wings fastened upon the base. Each latching bar 201 is preferably linearly elongated and straight with a chamfered distal end. There are at least three latching bars and more preferably four, which are equilaterally spaced apart relative to base 125. A proximal and inner end of each latching bar 201 has a pivot connected to corners of a transmission plate 205.

[0055] Furthermore, an electric motor 207 has an output shaft coaxially aligned with centerline 129, which operably rotates transmission plate 205. Rotation of transmission plate 205, in turn, automatically moves latching bars 201 between their radially extended and laterally advanced latching positions, shown in Figures 20 and22, and their retracted and inboard unlatching positions, illustrated in Figures 21 and23. After drone 33 has landed on assembly 35, latching bars 201 are automaticallyextended so that the latches sandwich ring 71 of drone against lower contacts 171 and their associated blocks 173.

[0056] Another advantage of the present latching bars is that the expected loading forces and moments are out-of-axis with the motor rotation, and therefore, do not back-drive the motor even in extreme loading conditions. This radially latch extension from centerline 129 advantageously provides a synergistic drone securing and electrical connection with multifunctional components and with the same motion. It is also noteworthy that the centrally driven and radially outboard latching motion assists in aligning the landed drone relative to the charging assembly centerline and its charging contacts. Electric motor 207, transmission plate 205 and a majority of each latching bar 201 are also beneficially within a protected central area within the ribs, especially if the cover is used, thereby deterring dirt, debris and rain concerns for these moving components.

[0057] It is alternately envisioned that latching bars 121 may themselves act as electrical contacts instead of spring-biased button contacts 171 . This would require that the lower drone electrical contacts be on top of ring 71 instead of circularly inside of the ring. This configuration beneficially reduces parts.

[0058] Figure 25 illustrates an electrical circuits 251 for drone 33 and charging and latching assembly 35. Land vehicle battery 45 is preferably of a 12 V type, and is connected to exemplary 25.5 V LiPo rechargeable battery 61 mounted to the drone, via electrical contact pairs 103 / 153 and 171 / 181. A relay 253, 5-10 V switching source 255 are also provided. The drone further includes a capacitor 257, resistors 259 and 261 , and a voltmeter 263. The relay and capacitor are used to switch from powering the drone with its onboard batteries to the land vehicle batteries. The solid-state relay has ultrahigh current withstanding capabilities. This is preferably wired with wire splits and a BMS current controller.

[0059] An RF transceiver via a pair of NRF24L0I radio transmitters is utilized which sends modulated signals which allows bi-directional communication between the latch and the drone. The cross-communication provides integration of landing metrics that can optionally be relayed to the drone indicating successful / unsuccessful landing.

[0060] Optionally and / or alternately, a voltage and current sensor circuit can be used to open and shut the latch. A voltage sensor on the drone side indicates if landing is a success allowing the drone to power off its main power supply and be powered bythe land vehicle. On the latch side, if sufficient current flowing into the drone is sensed, its batteries (to recharge) are alerted and close the latch.

[0061] Finally, Figure 26 illustrates a worst-case landing scenario. If wind or other reasons cause misalignment when landing drone 33 onto charging and latching assembly 35, the relative dimensions of the laterally enlarged secondary base 121 and the opposite tapered surface 133 of the ribs or cover, with deter the drone from entirely tipping over and falling off of the latching and charging assembly. A periphery of secondary base has a lateral diameter D at least twice that of primary base and the outermost lateral distance between opposed rib bottoms. In most such situations, a foot 69 of the drone will contact against base 121 and the tapered surface 133 will urge the contacting ring to re-align the drone so that latching and electrical contacts can be made. But if such re-alignment is not possible, then the drone can be re-launched from a still upright position and subsequently re-landed in a better alignment. Also, the conical shape of the apparatus will correct a potential misalignment of the drone ring by up to the radius of the base of the frustoconical cover surfaces.

[0062] A second exemplary embodiment can be observed in Figures 27-34. A latching and charging docking station assembly 1135 of this configuration includes a secondary base 1121 , a spacer 1123, a polymeric primary base 1125, top cap 1151 , an infrared lock or homing beacon 1153, and an upper electric charging contact 1155, essentially the same as with the first embodiment. Furthermore, ribs 1131 have bottom ends thereof fastened to primary base 1125, and tapered exterior surfaces.

[0063] A first exterior dust cover 1135, made of an electrically insulating material such as a polymer, has a diagonally angling (in a side view) and upwardly projecting main wall 1002 with a somewhat triangular shaped periphery (in a true view), and a laterally pointing upper wall 1004 with a generally triangular shaped periphery. An inner surface of main wall 1002 is mounted to taper surfaces of ribs 1131 and upper wall 1004 is mounted upon a top surface of ribs 1131 , to thereby create frustoconically tapered exterior surfaces surrounding the centerline. Top cap 1151 is either mounted upon upper walls 1004 or upper walls 1004 take the place of top cap 1151 .

[0064] A second exterior dust cover 1135 is similar to the first dust cover, however, a cavity 1010 is formed with a bottom section of main wall 1002, defined by side and back walls, with a groove-like port or aperture 1012 in the back wall of the cavity. Flexible wiper seals 1014 are attached adjacent to inner edges of the walls to seal against latch 1201 as it advances and retracts through aperture 1012.

[0065] Furthermore, adhesive or calk beads 1020 are applied in grooves located at all of the dust cover edges to deter water and debris entry. The dust covers are preferably made from PETG or a similar environmentally durable polymeric material. It is also noteworthy that the beacon cone top cap 1151 is optimized to deter water and debris entry by integrating more components to reduce seams.

[0066] Figures 32-34 illustrate a double stacked charging ring. This construction employer an outer and lower set of positive electrical contacts 1171 a, and an outer and lower set of negative electrical contacts 1171 b, each being accessible from central slots in laterally curved blocks 1173. The interfacing drone electrical contact points are similarly located.

[0067] A backside of each block 1173 is fastened against and upstanding arcuate surface of spacer 1123 and an intersection horizontal surface of secondary base 1121. A helically coiled compression spring 1175 or other biasing member, outwardly urges lower contacts 1171 a and 1171 b away from housings 1177 affixed within each block 1173. Charging pads 1130 are located between springs 1175 and a backside of contacts 1171a and 1171 b. A hole is disposed through each charging pad 1130. Wires 1132 extend through the spring and charging pad hole such that a distal end of the wire is soldered or otherwise attached to the associated contact 1171 a and 1171 b.

[0068] Conductive contacts 1171 a and 1171 b are adhesively bonded or otherwise attached to insulating charging pads 1130. The contacts are preferably generally M-shaped in section with a intermediate valley (as seen in Figure 33). Charging pads are preferably PETG or similar materials also having a generally M- shape in section with a central leg below a opposite valley, that engages within housing 1177. Contacts are preferably made from nickel plated copper sheet metal or the like.

[0069] While various features of the present invention have been disclosed, it should be appreciated that other variations may be employed. For example, the drone size, shape, quantity and position of propellers, payload handling arm arrangement, and leg configurations, may differ from the exemplary construction shown, although certain benefits may not be realized. Also, the shape and quantity of latches and electrical contacts may differ, but all of the present advantages may not be achieved. Each and all of the above-disclosed components and functional steps can be combined or re-ordered in any combination. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, whereapplicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described; the dependent claims may also be multiply dependent on each other in any combination. Variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMSThe invention claimed is:1 . An aerial drone apparatus comprising a charging assembly, the charging assembly comprising:(a) a substantially horizontally enlarged base;(b) drone-alignment surfaces upstanding from the base, each of the surfaces having an angle inwardly tapering toward a centerline of the charging assembly, the surfaces being furthest away from the centerline adjacent the base, the surfaces collectively having a substantially frustoconical shape;(c) latches coupled to the base, the latches being configured to move in substantially linear directions between drone-latching and drone-unlatching positions, the substantially linear directions being substantially radial relative to the centerline; and(d) an automatic actuator being configured to drive the latches between the positions when energized.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising a lower electrical charging contact in an elongated lateral orientation substantially parallel to an upper plane of the base, the lower electrical charging contact being coupled to the base external to an adjacent portion of the drone-alignment surfaces.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein at least one of the latches projects above the lower electrical charging contact when the latch is in the drone-latching position, and the at least one of the latches is configured to sandwich and retain a lower electrical contact ring of an aerial drone between the at least one of the latches and the lower electrical charging contact of the charging assembly.

4. The apparatus of Claim 2, further comprising an upper electrical charging contact located adjacent to a upper portion of the drone-alignment surfaces, configured to mate with a drone electrical contact.

5. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising:(a) an upper electrical charging contact of the charging assembly, concentrically surrounding the centerline and being located adjacent to an upper portion of the drone-alignment surfaces;(b) a lower electrical charging contact of the charging assembly, being elongated in a lateral orientation substantially parallel to an upper plane of the base, the lower electrical charging contact being coupled to the base external to an adjacent portion of the drone-alignment surfaces(c) an aerial drone comprising: a drone body; propellers coupled to the drone body; electric motors configured to rotate the propellers; a rechargeable battery coupled to the drone body and being electrically connected to the electric motors; legs downwardly extending from the body; movable arms configured to hold and release a payload between the legs; a central drone electrical contact mating with the upper electrical charging contact of the charging assembly; and a lower drone electrical contact having an annular-shape mounted to the legs and electrically mating with the lower electrical charging contact of the charging assembly regardless of the orientation of the drone when positioned on the drone contacting surfaces.

6. The apparatus of Claim 5, further comprising: articulated links coupling the central drone electrical contact to at least one of the legs; the links being in an extended orientation to centrally position the central drone electrical contact during recharging when the drone is located on the charging assembly; the links being in a retracted orientation to position the central drone electrical contact away from a central area when the payload is being loaded or released from the arms; and a sensor movable with the central drone electrical contact, the sensor assisting with landing of the drone on the charging assembly.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising: an electrical charging contact concentrically surrounding the centerline and being located adjacent to an upper portion of the drone-alignment surfaces; and a homing beacon coaxially located within the electrical charging contact to assist an aerial drone autonomously landing on the charging assembly.

8. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising: a drive shaft being rotatable by the actuator, which is an electric motor, the drive shaft being coaxial with the centerline; a laterally enlarged transmission plate coupling proximal ends of the latches to the drive shaft, rotation of the transmission plate advancing and retracting the latches in response to rotation of the drive shaft; wherein there are at least three of the latches and each of the latches having a tapered distal end pointing away from the centerline.

9. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein each of the latches has a tapered distal end pointing away from the centerline and each of the latches is linearly elongated between proximal and the distal ends thereof.

10. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising: a moving vehicle comprising a driving motor or engine, steering wheel and electricity supply; fasteners mounting the base to a top of the moving vehicle; and the drone-alignment surfaces are on a frustoconical cover.11 . The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein the drone-alignment surfaces are on structural ribs radially spaced apart from each other.

12. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein the drone-alignment surfaces are on at least one first cover having a diagonally oriented main wall, and the drone-alignment surfaces are on a least one second cover having a cavity with an aperture through which one of the latches projects, further comprising a seal spanning between a wall of the cavity and the one of the latches.

13. The apparatus of Claim 1 , further comprising: a lower positive electrical charging contact; a lower negative electric charging contact; the lower electrical charging contact being coupled to the base external to an adjacent portion of the drone-alignment surfaces; springs biasing the lower electric charging contacts in laterally outward directions; and the lower positive electrical charging contact being at a different height than the lower negative electrical charging contact, which are spaced apart from each other.

14. An aerial drone apparatus comprising:(a) a charging assembly, the charging assembly comprising:(i) a substantially horizontally enlarged base;(ii) tapered surfaces upstanding from the base and inwardly tapering toward a top thereof;(iii) an electric motor located within space internal to the tapered surfaces;(iv) latches movable between drone-latching and drone-unlatching positions due to actuation by the electric motor;(v) a first electrical charging contact;(vi) a second electrical charging contact located adjacent to a lower portion of the charging assembly, the second electrical charging contact being laterally further away from a centerline of the charging assembly than the first electrical charging contact;(b) an aerial drone comprising: a drone body; propellers coupled to the drone body; a rechargeable battery coupled to the drone body; legs downwardly extending from the body; a ring attached to the legs, the ring being substantially coaxial with a centerline of the tapered surfaces when the ring is docking on the charging assembly; a first drone electrical contact mating with the first electrical charging contact of the charging assembly; anda second drone electrical contact having an annular shape mounted to the ring and electrically mating with the second electrical charging contact of the charging assembly.

15. The apparatus of Claim 14, wherein the base has a lateral peripheral diameter at least twice of a diameter of second drone electrical contact configured to deter the drone from falling off of the charging assembly when there is misalignment of the drone during landing on the charging assembly.

16. The apparatus of Claim 14, further comprising: movable links coupling the first drone electrical contact to at least one of the legs; the links being in an extended orientation to centrally position the first drone electrical contact during recharging when the drone is located on the charging assembly; the links being in a retracted orientation to outwardly position the first drone electrical contact when a payload is being loaded or released from movable arms coupled to the drone body.

17. The apparatus of Claim 14, further comprising: a land vehicle including a power supply; fasteners mounting the base to a top of the land vehicle; a homing beacon coaxially located adjacent to a raised top of the charging assembly; and a sensor mounted adjacent to the raised top, the sensor sensing the homing beacon to assist with autonomously landing of the drone on the charging assembly while the land vehicle is moving.

18. The apparatus of Claim 14, further comprising: a transmission rotatable by the electric motor, internal ends of the latches being coupled to the transmission; rotation of the transmission substantially radially advancing the latches outwardly past the tapered surfaces to engage with the ring of the drone in response to rotation of the transmission; andeach of the latches having a tapered distal end.

19. The apparatus of Claim 14, wherein: each of the latches has a tapered distal end pointing away from the centerline and each of the latches is linearly elongated between internal and external ends thereof; the tapered surfaces are part of a continuous frustoconical cover; and the second electrical contact of the charging assembly comprises at least three spring biased conductive fingers which are equilaterally spaced apart from each other along a circle, with housings of the fingers being mounted to the base laterally outboard of the frustoconical cover.

20. The apparatus of Claim 14, wherein the first and second electrical charging contacts are spaced apart from each other and are located adjacent to the base of the charging assembly, the first electrical charging contact is a positive electrical contact with multiples of the positive electrical contact being circumferentially spaced around a lower edge of the tapered surfaces, and the second electrical charging contact is a negative electrical contact with multiples of the negative electrical contact being circumferentially spaced around a lower edge of the tapered surfaces.21 . An aerial drone apparatus comprising a docking station comprising:(a) a substantially horizontally enlarged base;(b) tapered surfaces upstanding from the base and inwardly tapering toward a top thereof;(c) an actuator;(d) latches, coupled to the actuator, movable between drone-latching and drone-unlatching positions;(e) a first electrical charging contact;(f) a second electrical charging contact located adjacent to the base, the second electrical charging contact being laterally further away from a centerline of the charging assembly than the first electrical charging contact, a laterally elongated pad located behind the second electrical charging contact and a wire connected to the second electrical charging contact, the electrical contact having a valley in an exterior surface thereof;(g) a land vehicle including a power supply;(h) fasteners mounting the base to the land vehicle;(i) a homing beacon located centrally along the centerline of the charging assembly, the homing beacon configured to assist with autonomously landing of an aerial package-delivery drone on the docking station while the land vehicle is moving.

22. The apparatus of Claim 21 , wherein: the second electrical charging contact is a lower negative electrical contact which is laterally elongated and has a substantially M-cross-sectional shape; the second electrical charging contact is coupled to the base external to an adjacent portion of the tapered surfaces; the pad has a hole therein through which the wire extends; the first electrical charging contact is an upper positive electrical contact; at least one of the latches projects above the second electrical charging contact when the latch is in the drone-latching position; and the at least one of the latches is configured to sandwich and retain a lower electrical contact ring of the aerial drone between the at least one of the latches and the second electrical charging contact of the docking station.

23. The apparatus of Claim 21 , wherein the aerial drone comprises: a drone body; propellers coupled to the drone body; electric motors configured to rotate the propellers; a rechargeable battery coupled to the drone body and being electrically connected to the electric motors; legs downwardly extending from the body; a ring mounted adjacent bottom ends of the legs; movable arms configured to hold and release a package between the legs; a central drone electrical contact mating with the first electrical charging contact of the charging assembly; and a lower drone electrical contact having an annular-shape mounted to the ring and electrically mating with the second electrical charging contact of the docking station.

24. A method of docking and recharging an aerial drone to a charging and docking station attached to a moving vehicle, the method comprising:(a) using a homing beacon located centrally along a centerline of the docking station to assist with autonomously landing of the drone on the docking station while the land vehicle is moving;(b) aligning the drone with a substantially conical surface upstanding from the docking station;(c) automatically moving latches in substantially linear directions between drone-latching and drone-unlatching positions, the substantially linear directions being substantially radial relative to the centerline, the latches extending through cavity apertures in the substantially conical surface and seals deterring entry of water and debris from entering the cavity apertures;(d) engaging a positive electrical charging contact coupled to the docking station with a matching drone positive contact; (e) engaging a negative electrical charging contact coupled to the docking station with a matching drone negative contact, at least one of the drone contacts being part of a ring; and(f) the latches sandwiching and retaining the ring of the drone between the latches and at least one of the electrical charging contacts of the docking station.

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