The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Patent No.:

US 12388147 B1

Date of Patent:

Aug. 12, 2025

Filed:

Jul. 30, 2024

Locking mechanism and container for delivering items

Applicant:

United Parcel Service of America, Inc., Atlanta, GA (US);

Inventor:

Julian Bell, Decatur, GA (US);

Assignee:

United Parcel Service Of America, Inc., Atlanta, GA (US);

Attorney:

Shook, Hardy & L.L.P.

Primary Examiner:

Medhat Badawi

Int. Cl.

CPC ...

H01M 50/269 (2021.01); B60H 1/00 (2006.01); B60L 53/80 (2019.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64D 9/00 (2006.01); B64F 1/02 (2006.01); F25B 21/02 (2006.01); F25D 11/00 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2006.01); H01M 50/204 (2021.01); H01M 50/249 (2021.01); H01M 50/264 (2021.01); H01M 50/296 (2021.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01); B64U 70/00 (2023.01); B64U 80/86 (2023.01); B64U 101/60 (2023.01);

U.S. Cl.

CPC ...

H01M 50/269 (2021.01); B60H 1/00264 (2013.01); B60L 53/80 (2019.02); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64D 9/00 (2013.01); B64F 1/02 (2013.01); F25B 21/02 (2013.01); F25D 11/003 (2013.01); G05D 1/0202 (2013.01); G05D 1/0246 (2013.01); G05D 1/0684 (2013.01); G05D 1/101 (2013.01); H01M 50/204 (2021.01); H01M 50/249 (2021.01); H01M 50/264 (2021.01); H01M 50/296 (2021.01); B64U 50/19 (2023.01); B64U 70/00 (2023.01); B64U 80/86 (2023.01); B64U 2101/60 (2023.01); B64U 2201/10 (2023.01); F25D 2201/14 (2013.01); H01M 2220/20 (2013.01);

Abstract

A canister is coupled to a delivery vehicle using a rail bracket. The canister comprises a securing channel having a first securing channel volume and a second securing channel volume. A width of the first securing channel volume is less than a width of the second securing channel volume. The rail bracket comprises a rotational shaft having a finger at one end. The rail bracket is inserted into the securing channel, and the rotational shaft is rotated. When rotated, the finger inhibits removal of the rail bracket from the securing channel, thereby providing a mechanism by which the canister can be releasably coupled to the rail bracket. The rail bracket may be provided on a delivery vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to transport the canister and contents within it.

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