WO2019111251A1

WO2019111251A1 - Capture and storage unit and method for airborne drone

Info

Publication number: WO2019111251A1
Application number: PCT/IL2018/051328
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yefim Kereth
Original assignee: First Airborne Limited
Priority date: 2017-12-05
Filing date: 2018-12-04
Publication date: 2019-06-13
Also published as: IL256112A

Abstract

A device for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone includes a lid and a base having a proximal, substantially rigid portion and a distal, substantially flexible portion with a proximal end of the rigid portion of the base movably connected to the lid. The base has at least one completely-open configuration in which the drone is freely movable in at least three directions on a member of a group selected from the rigid portion, the flexible portion and any combination thereof; and at least one completely-closed configuration in which at least a portion of a perimeter of the lid is in contact with the rigid base portion, such that the drone is encapsulated by the lid and the rigid base portion. A method of use is also disclosed.

Description

CAPTURE AND STORAGE UNIT AND METHOD FOR AIRBORNE DRONE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally pertains to a system and method for a weather-tight storage unit for an airborne drone configured to allow automatic launching and retrieval of the drone. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Airborne drones which can automatically execute an airborne task are well known in the art, being used for, for example, observation of ground-based events from the air, tracking of objects, and carrying objects from one place to another.

However, such drones are typically stored indoors when not in use, are typically manually removed from storage and replaced into storage, and are typically manually provided with power, for example by refilling a gas tank on the drone, by replacing a battery, or by plugging a battery into a power source.

There exist outdoor storage units in the prior art.

A prior-art storage unit shown in Fig. 1 is the“Auto Launch System” by Palm Beach Drone (http://palmbeachdrone.eom/sales-service/security-robots.0. The “Auto- Launch System” incorporates a medium lift, 40 minute duration, Multi-Rotor aircraft with intelligent flight controls and a special Wi-Fi remote controlled outdoor docking station that automatically recharges the aircraft while it is in the“hangar”. Although launch and landing are automatic, as is recharging, initiating launch is by a manual command. Once deployed, the drone flies a pre-set flight path, collecting video images and transmitting the video images to a remote location, as long as radio contact is available. If radio communication is lost, the video images are stored onboard, to be transmitted when radio communication is reestablished. The storage unit comprises a base which has a substantially planar top with, preferably, a substantially circular, oval or elliptical perimeter. The base can have an integral recharging unit so that the airborne drone can be automatically recharged during periods when it is resting on the base. It has an impermeable accordion-pleated cover which is pivotally attached to the base at opposite sides thereof. In an open configuration, both edges of the cover are near the same edge of the base and the cover is pleated so that the base is substantially uncovered, allowing an airborne drone to launch from or land on the base. The storage unit can be closed by pivoting an edge of the cover across the base so that the cover forms a dome over the base and the drone, if present. When closed, the cover completely covers the airborne drone and the base and provides reasonable protection against sun, wind and weather for the base and a drone, if present.

However, the landing area is small, so that the drone must essentially land vertically and must be accurately guided, especially under windy conditions. This can be difficult enough with a manually-guided drone, but the difficulties are exacerbated with an autonomous drone, which must take off and last without human assistance. The recharging mechanism is wireless, so that the drone must be accurately positioned on the base for good recharging. The base and, therefore, the recharging mechanism, is exposed to dirt, wind and wet when the cover is open, reducing the effectiveness of the recharging mechanism. Since the cover is necessarily flexible, it can be lifted by wind so that the interior of the storage unit is not fully weatherproof. In addition, repeated flexion of the accordion pleats can cause cracks and pinholes in the cover, thereby reducing the weatherproofness of the storage unit. The device is clearly free-standing. Although attachable to a horizontal surface, it would not be practical to attach it to anything other than to a horizontal surface.

A second prior-art storage unit is the ScanCam 200 Perimeter Security Drone by Scandicraft drone-lauflches·

from-a- ai Ibox/ and https://www. youtube.com/wateh7v-r5-xKYGRSbO^'), described as an “Aerial Surveillance Drone Launched from a Mailbox” shown in Fig. 2. The storage unit comprises a base which forms a box with an open side. The open side is closable by a door, pivotally attached to the bottom of the box. Inside the box is a movable support, from which the airborne drone launches and on which it lands. For launching, the door is opened and the movable support translates the airborne drone through the box’s open side to a position from which the airborne drone can launch. Landing and storage reverse the process. With the door open, the airborne drone lands on the movable support. The support then translates the airborne drone through the open side of the box to the interior of the box. When the support is fully within the box, the door is closed, and the interior of the box is substantially weatherproof, protecting the contents therein. The movable support can be raised as well as translated, so that it can move the airborne drone is two directions (longitudinally and vertically), thus reducing the need for accuracy in positioning of the airborne drone during landing. The movable support comprises an integral wireless recharging unit, so that the airborne drone can be automatically recharged during periods when it is resting on the movable support.

However, although the drone has two landing directions, the landing area is small, so that the drone must be accurately guided, especially under windy conditions. This can be difficult enough with a manually-guided drone, but the difficulties are exacerbated with an autonomous drone, which must take off and last without human assistance. The recharging mechanism is wireless, so that the drone must be accurately positioned on the base for good recharging. The base and, therefore, the recharging mechanism, although less exposed than in the prior-art device above, is still exposed to dirt, wind and wet when the door is open, reducing the effectiveness of the recharging mechanism.

The device is clearly free-standing. Although attachable to a horizontal surface, it would not be practical to attach it to anything other than to a horizontal surface. Furthermore, the pedestal design makes it impractical to mount the device on a moving object such as a truck since the pedestal would amplify movement of the vehicle due to irregularities in the surface, increasing the probability of damage to the drone.

A third prior-art storage unit is the Skysense Droneport (http :// w w w . sky sen se .co/) shown in Fig. 3. The Skysense Droneport, which includes a charging pad, is a fully auto nomous drone hangar designed to recharge and protect drones in harsh environments and remote locations. The storage unit comprises a base and two covers, which can be slid apart to uncover a portion of the base and the airborne drone. During storage, the airborne drone rests on the base that comprises a wireless recharger for recharging the airborne drone. When closed, the covers provide a weather-tight protection for the interior and for anything, such as the recharging unit and the airborne drone within. When open, the covers have retracted sufficiently that the airborne drone is completely uncovered and can launch and land both vertically and laterally. However, although the drone has two landing directions, the landing area is narrow, so that the drone must be accurately guided, especially under windy conditions. This can be difficult enough with a manually-guided drone, but the difficulties are exacerbated with an autonomous drone, which must take off and last without human assistance. The recharging mechanism is wireless, so that the drone must be accurately positioned on the base for good recharging. The base and, therefore, the recharging mechanism is exposed to dirt, wind and wet when the door is open, reducing the effectiveness of the recharging mechanism. The storage unit is large and awkward; the only practical method of using it is on a flat outdoor surface. As it has wheels for easy movement, it is clearly not intended to be permanently mounted in position.

Another prior-art storage unit is the Riskmatrix YACOB drone docking station. YACOB provides an autonomous drone docking station in which the drone can be stationed in stand-by mode. The docking station provides communication facilities for the drone via the cloud and also provides the drone with recharging facilities. The docking station provides a stand-by storage location with an automatic take-off and landing station, protection against bad weather conditions which automatically open and shut during the takeoff and landing operations, a loading station for the drone, and an intelligent communication hub between the drone and the docking station and between the docking station and the cloud. Predefined flight paths can be defined and programmed into the drone via the docking station. The docking station can be substantially spherical when closed, with a lid pivoting around a central axis for opening and closing. The docking station can form substantially a rectangular hexahedral solid, with one side sliding outward to expose the launching pad, which rises above the hexahedral box for launching, or the docking station can form a large hexahedral box with at least a portion of one side pivoting downward to allow access to a movable launching pad.

However, although the drone has two landing directions, the landing area is small, so that the drone must be accurately guided, especially under windy conditions. This can be difficult enough with a manually-guided drone, but the difficulties are exacerbated with an autonomous drone, which must take off and last without human assistance. The recharging mechanism is wireless, so that the drone must be accurately positioned on the base for good recharging. The base and, therefore, the recharging mechanism is exposed to dirt, wind and wet when the door is open, reducing the effectiveness of the recharging mechanism. U.S. Patent No. 9,387,928 to Gentry et al. discloses systems and methods for providing a series of multiuse UAV docking stations. The docking stations can be networked with a central control and a plurality of UAVs. The docking stations can include a number of services to facilitate both UAV guidance and maintenance and community acceptance and benefits. The docking stations can include package handling facilities and can act as a final destination or as a delivery hub. The docking stations can extend the range of UAVs by providing recharging/refueling stations for the UAVs. The docking stations can also include navigational aid to guide the UAVs to the docking stations and to provide routing information from the central control. The docking stations can be incorporated into existing structures such as cell towers, light and power poles, and buildings. The docking stations can also comprise standalone structures to provide additional services to underserved areas. The docking station can include a shelter, which can be a small structure with a roof, a retractable tarp or awning, an inflatable shelter, or a mechanized top, similar to a convertible vehicle roof.

However, the landing area is fixed in position, with a recharging mechanism mounted on the landing area. The landing area and, therefore, the recharging mechanism is exposed to dirt, wind and wet if there is no shelter or if the shelter is in an open position, reducing the effectiveness of the recharging mechanism.

It is therefore a long felt need to provide a means of storage for an airborne drone that does not require indoor storage of the airborne drone, which does not require manual intervention in removal from or replacement to storage, which does not require human intervention during landing or takeoff, which does not require manual intervention in repowering the airborne drone which does not have a small or narrow landing area, and in which the recharging unit is not exposed to weather when the storage unit is open.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to disclose a system for a weather-tight storage unit for an airborne drone which is compact, storing at least one airborne drone in a substantially vertical configuration, which can be mobile, and which is configured to allow automatic launching and safe retrieval of at least one airborne drone, as well as accurate automatic recharging of the airborne drone. It is another object of the present invention to disclose a device for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone comprising:

a lid; and

a base having a proximal, substantially rigid portion and a distal, substantially flexible portion;

a proximal end of said substantially rigid portion of said base movably connected to said lid, said base having:

at least one completely-open configuration in which said at least one airborne drone is freely movable in at least three directions on a member of a group selected from said substantially rigid portion, said substantially flexible portion and any combination thereof; and,

at least one completely-closed configuration in which at least a portion of a perimeter of said lid is in contact with said substantially rigid portion of said base, such that said at least one airborne drone is encapsulated by said lid and said rigid portion of said base;

wherein, in said completely-closed configuration, a seal is provided between said lid and said substantially rigid portion of said base such that weatherproof conditions are maintainable therein.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said seal is configured to exclude a member selected from a group consisting of sun, wind, precipitation, dampness, dirt, airborne material and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said substantially flexible portion of said base is configured for autonomically launching therefrom and autonomically landing thereon of said at least one airborne drone.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, additionally comprising at least one landing sensor on said substantially flexible portion of said base, said at least one landing sensor configured to locate said drone during autonomic launching of said at least one airborne drone therefrom and autonomic landing of said at least one airborne drone thereon. It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said at least one landing sensor is selected from a group consisting of: an ultrasound sensor, a light sensor, an electromagnetic sensor and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, additionally comprising at least one angle sensor configured to determine an angle of at least one member selected from said substantially rigid portion of said base, said substantially flexible portion of said base and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said movable connection between said proximal end of said substantially rigid portion and said lid is selected from a group consisting of a slidable mechanism, a pivotal mechanism, an expandable mechanism and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said lid is impermeable.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, additionally comprising at least one transport unit configured to reversibly transfer said at least one airborne drone along at least a part of a path from said storage location to at least one location in said substantially flexible portion of said base.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said at least one transport unit comprises a mechanism selected from a group consisting of a roller, a conveyor belt, a sliding mechanism, a vibrating mechanism, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, additionally comprising a controller configured to control a launching process, said launching process comprising:

lowering said base to its fully-extended configuration;

transferring said at least one airborne drone from an encapsulatable area in said substantially rigid portion of said base to a launching position near a distal end of said substantially flexible portion of said base;

waiting until said at least one airborne drone is no longer adjacent to said base; and raising said base until said base is in contact with said lid.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said launching process further comprises: raising said base to a horizontal position after said at least one airborne drone has reached said launching position; and retaining said base in said horizontal position until said at least one airborne drone is no longer adjacent to said base.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, additionally comprising a step of transferring said at least one airborne drone from said encapsulatable area in said substantially rigid portion of said base to said launching position via said at least one transport unit.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, additionally comprising a controller configured to control a landing process, said landing process comprising:

lowering said base to a substantially horizontal position;

waiting until said at least one airborne drone is in a landed position, in contact with a portion of said base;

transferring said at least one airborne drone from said landed position to said encapsulatable area in said substantially rigid portion of said base; and

raising said base until said base is in contact with said lid.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said at least three directions are selected from a group consisting of upward, leftward, rightward, toward a distal end of said base, toward a proximal end of said base and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, additionally comprising a recharging unit integrated within said lid, said recharging unit configured to recharge said at least one airborne drone when the same is in said completely-closed configuration.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said recharging unit is configured to provide power to said at least one airborne drone in a manner selected from a group consisting of wiredly, wirelessly and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said recharging unit wiredly providing power to said at least one airborne drone comprises N conductive connectors, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2. It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said at least one airborne drone additionally comprises at least one conductive receptor configured to, when in electrical communication with at least one of said N conductive connectors, provide power for said at least one airborne drone.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, additionally comprising at least one electrical communication sensor configured to determine, for said N conductive connectors, a subset of contacting conductive connectors, said subset comprising conductive connectors in electrical communication with at least one of said at least one conductive receptor.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein the number of conductive connectors in said subset of contacting conductive connectors is in a range from 0 to N.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein power is deliverable to said at least one airborne drone via at least one of said subset of contacting conductive connectors.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said wireless recharging unit comprises an inductive recharging mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said wireless recharging unit comprises at least one wireless charging unit sensor, said at least one wireless charging unit sensor selected from a group consisting of: a sensor configured to determine presence of said at least one airborne drone in a vicinity of said wireless recharging unit, a sensor configured to identify a fully-charged state for a power supply unit of said at least one airborne drone and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said wireless recharging unit is configured to activate upon determination of said presence of said at least one airborne drone in a vicinity of said wireless recharging unit.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said wireless recharging unit is configured to deactivate upon determination of said fully-charged state of said power supply. It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, additionally comprising at least one device sensor.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said at least one device sensor is selected from a group consisting of: an electrical communication sensor, a wind speed sensor, a wind direction sensor, a temperature sensor, a rain sensor, a humidity sensor, a landing sensor, an interference sensor, a sensor configured to identify when said at least one airborne drone is present, a sensor to determine if a power supply unit in said at least one airborne drone is fully charged and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, additionally comprising at least two guide bars configured to restrain lateral movement of said at least one airborne drone, said at least two guide bars configured to reversibly guide said at least one airborne drone during at least a portion of said transfer of said at least one airborne drone from at least one location on said substantially rigid portion of said base coverable by said lid to at least one location in a distal half of said substantially flexible portion of said base.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said airborne drone additionally comprises at least one attachment ring configured to reversibly attach said airborne drone to said device for guidance of said drone along at least one of said at least two guide bars.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said at least one attachment ring is reversibly mechanically locatable between two guide bars in the encapsulated area of the lid.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said substantially flexible distal base portion comprises a flexible landing area.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said substantially flexible distal base portion comprises a material selected from a group consisting of: netting, flexible sheet, stretchable material and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said airborne drone is storable in a vertical configuration. io It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said device for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone is either free-standing or attachable to a mounting object.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said mounting object is either fixed in position or is mobile.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said mounting object is selected from a group consisting of: a building, a light pole, a power pole, a wind turbine, a stanchion, a roof support beam, a wall, a roof, a tank, a truck, an automobile, a bus, a train, a ship, an airplane, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the device as described above, wherein said attachment is permanent, reversible and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose a method for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone, comprising steps of:

providing a device for weatherproof storage of said at least one airborne drone comprising:

a lid; and

a base comprising a proximal, substantially rigid portion and a distal, substantially flexible portion; and

a proximal end of said substantially rigid portion of said base movably connected to said lid, said base having

at least one completely-open configuration; in which said at least one airborne drone is freely movable in at least three directions on a member of a group selected from said substantially rigid portion, said substantially flexible portion and any combination thereof; and,

positioning said at least one airborne drone on said substantially rigid portion of said base at a position such that said at least one airborne drone is encapsulatable by said lid; and placing said base in said completely-closed configuration;

thereby providing a seal between said lid and said substantially rigid portion of said base and maintaining weatherproof conditions therein.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of said seal excluding a member selected from a group consisting of sun, wind, precipitation, dampness, dirt, airborne material and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of configuring said substantially flexible portion of said base for autonomically launching therefrom and autonomically landing thereon of said airborne drone.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing at least one landing sensor on said substantially flexible portion of said base, said at least one landing sensor configured to guide said drone during autonomic launching of said airborne drone therefrom and autonomic landing of said airborne drone thereon.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of selecting said at least one landing sensor from a group consisting of: an ultrasound sensor, a light sensor, an electromagnetic sensor and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing at least one angle sensor to determine an angle of at least one member selected from said substantially rigid portion of said base, said substantially flexible portion of said base and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of selecting said movable connection between said proximal end of said substantially rigid portion and said lid from a group consisting of a slidable mechanism, a pivotal mechanism, an expandable mechanism and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing an impermeable lid. It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing at least one transport unit configured to reversibly transfer said at least one airborne drone along at least a part of a path from at least one location on said substantially rigid portion of said base to at least one location in said substantially flexible portion of said base.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing said at least one transport unit comprising a mechanism selected from a group consisting of a roller, a conveyor belt, a sliding mechanism, a laterally vibrating mechanism, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a launching process comprising steps of:

lowering said base to its fully-extended configuration;

raising said lid to a completely-open configuration;

transferring said at least one airborne drone from said substantially rigid portion of said base to a launching position near a distal end of said substantially flexible portion of said base;

waiting until said at least one airborne drone is no longer adjacent to said base;

raising said lid; and

raising said base until said base is in contact with said lid.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising steps of: raising said base to a horizontal position after said at least one airborne drone has reached said launching position; and retaining said base in said horizontal position until said at least one airborne drone is no longer adjacent to said base.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of transferring said at least one airborne drone from at least one position on said substantially rigid portion of said base to said launching position via said at least one transport unit.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a landing process comprising steps of:

lowering said base to a substantially horizontal position;

raising said lid to a completely-open configuration; waiting until said at least one airborne drone is in a landed position, in contact with a portion of said base;

transferring said at least one airborne drone from said landed position to said position on said substantially rigid portion of said base such that said at least one airborne drone is encapsulatable by said lid;

raising said lid; and

raising said base until said base is in contact with said lid.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of selecting said at least three directions from a group consisting of upward, leftward, rightward, toward a distal end of said base, toward a proximal end of said base and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing a recharging unit integrated within said lid, said recharging unit configured to recharge said airborne drone when the same is in said completely-closed configuration.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of selecting a manner of said recharging unit providing power to said at least one airborne drone from a group consisting of wiredly, wirelessly and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of said recharging unit wiredly providing power to said at least one airborne drone via N conductive connectors, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising steps of providing said at least one airborne drone with at least one conductive receptor, said at least one conductive receptor configured to, when in electrical communication with at least one of said N conductive connectors, provide power for said at least one airborne drone.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing at least one electrical communication sensor, said electrical communication sensor configured to determine, for said N conductive connectors, a subset of contacting conductive connectors, said subset comprising conductive connectors in contact with at least one of said at least one conductive receptor.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of selecting the number of conductive connectors in said subset of contacting conductive connectors to be in a range from 0 to N.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of delivering power to said at least one airborne drone via at least one of said subset of contacting conductive connectors.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of said wireless recharging unit comprises an inductive recharging mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing at least one wireless recharging unit sensor, said wireless recharging unit sensor selected from a group consisting of: a sensor configured to determine presence of said at least one airborne drone in a vicinity of said wireless recharging unit, a sensor configured to identify a fully-charged state for a power supply unit of said at least one airborne drone, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of activating said wireless recharging unit upon determination of said presence of said at least one airborne drone in a vicinity of said wireless recharging unit.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of deactivating said wireless recharging unit upon determination of said fully-charged state of said power supply.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing said device with at least one device sensor.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of selecting said at least one device sensor from a group consisting of: an electrical communication sensor, a wind speed sensor, a wind direction sensor, a temperature sensor, a rain sensor, a humidity sensor, a landing sensor, an interference sensor, a sensor configured to identify when said at least one airborne drone is present, a sensor to determine if a power supply unit in said at least one airborne drone is fully charged and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing said base with at least two guide bars configured to restrain lateral movement of said at least one airborne drone, said at least two guide bars configured to reversibly guide said at least one airborne drone during at least a portion of said transfer of said at least one airborne drone from at least one location on said substantially rigid portion of said base coverable by said lid to at least one location in a distal half of said substantially flexible portion of said base.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing said airborne drone with at least one attachment ring configured to reversibly attach said airborne drone to said device for guidance of said airborne drone along said at least two guide bars.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of reversibly mechanically connecting said at least one attachment ring to at least one mechanical connector.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of selecting a material for said substantially flexible distal base portion from a group consisting of: netting, flexible sheet, stretchable material and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of storing said airborne drone in a vertical configuration.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing said device for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone either free-standing or attachable to a mounting object.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing said mounting object either fixed in position or mobile.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of selecting said mounting object from a group consisting of: a building, a light pole, a power pole, a wind turbine, a stanchion, a roof support beam, a wall, a roof, a tank, a truck, an automobile, a bus, a train, a ship, an airplane, and any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose the method as described above, additionally comprising a step of providing said attachment as permanent, reversible and any combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to better understand the invention and its implementation in practice, a plurality of embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Figs. 1-2 depicts prior-art storage units for an airborne drone;

Fig 3A-B depicts a prior-art storage unit for an airborne drone;

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a storage unit for an airborne drone;

Fig. 5 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of a storage unit, showing part of the impermeable lid, the substantially rigid inner portion of the base of the storage unit, with an airborne drone resting on it as it would during storage;

Fig. 6A illustrates an embodiment of a storage unit, with the lid in a completely- closed configuration;

Fig. 6B illustrates an embodiment of a storage unit, with the lid in a completely- open configuration;

Fig. 7A-J schematically illustrates a method of launching a stored airborne drone from a storage unit; and

Fig. 8A-J schematically illustrates a method of landing an airborne drone and retrieving it to a storage unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide a means and method for a weather-tight storage unit for an airborne drone which is compact, storing at least one airborne drone in an angular configuration, where the angle is between about 45 degrees above the horizontal to about vertical, which can be mobile or fixed, and which is configured to allow automatic and autonomic launching and safe retrieval of at least one airborne drone and as well as accurate automatic repowering of at least one airborne drone during storage.

The term 'autonomically' hereinafter refers to a process or action executable without human intervention. For non-limiting example, in an autonomic launch of an airborne drone, the airborne drone controls all aspects of launch, including direction, timing and power expended.

The term 'encapsulatable area' hereinafter refers to an area of the base of a storage unit, the area being defined by the perimeter of the opening in the lid of a storage unit, when the lid is in its completely-closed configuration.

The term 'encapsulatable volume' hereinafter refers to the volume defined by the volume of the interior of the lid, when the lid and base are in the completely-closed configuration.

The term 'approximately' hereinafter refers to a range of + or - 10% around a nominal value.

The term 'about' hereinafter refers to a range of + or - 10% around a nominal value.

It is to be understood that any reference to launch, landing or retrieval of an airborne drone, as used herein, can refer to manually-controlled launch, landing or retrieval, semi-automatic launch, landing or retrieval, with portions of the action manually controlled and portions controlled by one or more processors, and to autonomic launch, landing or retrieval, with all of the action controlled one or more processors. Preferably, launch, landing and retrieval refer to autonomic launch, landing and retrieval. Typically, the one or more processors form part of the airborne drone, although a processor can be in the airborne drone, in a storage unit, in a manual controller, and any combination thereof.

It should be noted that the problem of safe and controlled launch and landing of an airborne drone is exacerbated when discussing unmanned drones, such as autonomous or autopilot drones, as are typically stored in the present invention, since there is no pilot to land the airborne drone and pick it up and charge it and launch it again.

Fig. 1 illustrates a prior art storage unit (100) for an airborne drone (1000). The storage unit (100) comprises a base (120) which has a substantially planar top with, preferably, a substantially circular, oval or elliptical perimeter. The base (120) preferably comprises a wireless recharging unit (125) so that the airborne drone (1000) can be automatically recharged during periods when it is resting on the base (120).

The storage unit (100) further comprises an impermeable flexible cover (110) pivotally attached (112) to the base (120). Upon rotation of the pivot, an edge of the substantially flexible cover (110) is rotated over the base (120) and any contents, such as an airborne drone (1000). In the completely-open configuration, both edges of the substantially flexible cover (110) are near the same edge of the base (120), leaving the base (120) substantially uncovered and allowing an airborne drone (1000) to launch from or land on the base (120),. When the storage unit (100) is in a completely-closed configuration, the substantially flexible cover (110) is in a fully-expanded configuration, forming a dome over the base (120). In the fully-expanded configuration, the substantially flexible cover (110) completely covers the base (120), protecting the volume between the substantially flexible cover (110) and the base (120) against sun, wind, precipitation, dampness, dirt, airborne material and any combination thereof.

Fig. 2 illustrates a second prior-art storage unit (200) for an airborne drone (1000). The storage unit (200) comprises a base (220) which has, at the top, a box with an open side. The open side is reversibly closable by a door (210), pivotally attached to the bottom of the open side of the box (220).

The second prior-art storage unit (200) comprises a movable support (230), from which the airborne drone (1000) launches and on which it lands. For launching, the door (210) is opened, the movable support (230) is translated through the open side of the base (220) to a position from which the airborne drone (1000) can launch. Landing and storage reverse the process. With the door (210) completely open, the airborne drone (1000) lands on the movable support (230). The movable support (230) then translates back through the open side of the base (220) to the interior of the base (220). When the movable support (230) is fully within the base (220), the door (210) is closed, thereby providing substantially weatherproof protection for the interior of the box and the contents thereof.

The movable support (230) can reversibly raise and reversibly translate, so that it can move the airborne drone (1000) is two directions (longitudinally and vertically), thus somewhat reducing the need for accuracy in positioning of the airborne drone (1000) during launching and landing. The movable support (230) comprises a wireless recharging unit (not shown), so that the airborne drone (1000) can be automatically recharged during periods when it is resting on the movable support (230).

Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate a third prior-art storage unit (300). Fig. 3A shows the prior-art storage unit (300) open, while Fig. 3B shows the prior-art storage unit (300) partly closed. The storage unit (300) comprises a base (320) and two covers (310), which can be slid apart to uncover a portion of the base and the airborne drone (1000). During storage, the airborne drone (1000) rests on the base (320); the base (320) comprises a wireless recharger for recharging the airborne drone (1000).

In a completely-closed configuration (not shown), the covers (310) provide weather-tight protection for the interior and for anything, such as the recharging unit and the airborne drone (1000) within.

In the open configuration (Fig. 3A), the covers (310) have retracted sufficiently that the airborne drone (1000) is completely uncovered and can launch and land both vertically and laterally.

Figs. 4 - 8 show an embodiment of a storage unit (400) of the present invention. It should be noted that, although Figs. 4-8 show a single airborne drone (1000) in conjunction with the storage unit (400), in some embodiments, the storage unit can store, launch and land more than one airborne drone (1000).

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the present invention comprises a base comprising a substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and a substantially flexible distal base portion (430) with an impermeable lid (410). The lid (410) and at least the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) are movable relative to each other.

In some embodiments, the lid (410) is attachable to the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420). In preferred embodiments, both the lid (410) and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) are attachable to an installation adaptor (428, Fig. 5). In such embodiments, at least one of the lid (410) and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) is movable relative to the installation adaptor (428, Fig. 5).

Typically, the device (400) is stably mounted to a support by means of the adaptor (428, Fig. 5).

Relative movement between the lid (410) and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) is preferably pivotal movement of the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), preferably pivotal motion about an axis (429, Fig. 5) fixed relative to the installation adaptor (428, Fig. 5), although the relative movement can be provided by a slidable mechanism, a pivotal mechanism, an expandable mechanism and any combination thereof and, as disclosed above, the relative motion can be by motion of the lid (410), the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and any combination thereof.

The at least one airborne drone (1000) can rest on the base and can move or be moved on the surface of the base. Preferably, the at least one airborne drone (1000) comprises at least one attachment ring (1010). The at least one attachment ring (1010) is mechanically connected, either permanently or removably, to the lower part of the at least one airborne drone (1000), preferably so that, when the at least one airborne drone (1000) rests on a surface, the at least one attachment ring (1010) is close enough to the surface to engage with at least one of the at least two guide bars (424), with at least one transport unit (422) and any combination thereof.

The at least one attachment ring (1010) is configured to perform at least one of the following: to mechanically assist guiding the at least one airborne drone (1000) along the guide bars to the encapsulation area; to accurately locate the at least one airborne drone (1000) in the encapsulation area; and, in some embodiments, to prevent unwanted movement of the at least one airborne drone (1000) during storage.

Non-limiting examples of unwanted movement include a shift in position of the stored airborne drone (1000) relative to the storage unit (400) during transport (e.g., when the storage unit (400) and airborne drone (1000) are being transported by moving vehicle), and when the base (420, 430) of the storage unit is in a vertical position with the at least one airborne drone (1000) within the storage volume.

In preferred embodiments, locating of the at least one airborne drone (1000) in the encapsulation area is by means of at least two of the guide bars (424) and the at least one attachment ring (1010); the at least one attachment ring (1010) sitting snugly between two of the guide bars (424) and being held in that position, when the lid (410) is in the completely-closed position, by the lid (410). In some embodiments, in addition to or in place of the guide bars, locating of the at least one airborne drone (1000) in the encapsulation area is by means of at least one mechanical connector connectable to the at least one attachment ring (1000), the at least one mechanical connector mechanically associated with a member of a group consisting of the base (420, 430), the lid (410) and any combination thereof. Any conventional means of reversible mechanical connection can be used, including, but not limited to, a latch, a buckle, a hook, a loop, a snap fit, a shackle and any combination thereof.

The locatability provided by the at least one attachment ring also can prevent unwanted disconnection of a wired recharging unit (425B) and can enhance the efficiency of a wireless recharging unit by ensuring optimum or near-optimum positioning of the at least one airborne drone (1000) relative to the magnetic field of the wireless recharging unit (425A).

The bottom of the impermeable lid (410) has an opening larger than the footprint of the at least one airborne drone (1000). The impermeable lid (410) has at least two configurations, a completely-open configuration and a completely-closed configuration which can encapsulate at least one airborne drone (1000) between the impermeable lid (410) and the substantially rigid portion of the base (420). The impermeable lid (410) is reversibly transferable between the completely-open configuration and the completely- closed configuration, preferably by movement of the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420). Reversible transfer can occur by movement of the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), by movement of the impermeable lid (410) and any combination thereof.

In the completely-closed configuration, the perimeter of the opening is in contact with the base (420, 430), preferably with the substantially rigid portion of the base (420) so that there exists a weatherproof seal between the impermeable lid (410) and the base (420, 430). The weatherproof seal can be provided by a tight fit between the lid (410) and the base (420, 430); by a resilient material at the perimeter of the lid (410) so that the contact between the lid (410) and the base (420, 430) deforms the resilient material and seals the gap between base (420, 430) and lid (410); by a resilient material on at least the portion of the base (420, 430) contactable by the lid (410) so that the closure of the lid (410) deforms the resilient material and seals the gap between base (420, 430) and lid (410); and any combination thereof.

The area defined by the perimeter of the opening is an encapsulatable area and the volume defined by the volume of the interior of the lid (410), when the lid and base are in the completely-closed configuration is the encapsulatable volume. The lid and base, when in the completely-closed configuration are configured to prevent sun, wind, precipitation, dirt and airborne detritus from entering the storage volume when the lid is in the completely-closed configuration. Typically, the lid (410) is in the completely-closed configuration except during launching and landing of the at least one airborne drone

(1000).

The at least one airborne drone (1000) is positionable in the storage volume when not in use.

In the completely-open configuration, the gap between the lid (410) and the base (420, 430) is large enough to allow unimpeded ingress and egress of the at least one airborne drone (1000).

Preferably, the lid (410) comprises a recharging unit (425A, 425B), wired, wireless and any combination thereof, so that the at least one airborne drone (1000) can be automatically recharged during periods when the lid (410) is in its completely-closed configuration. A recharging unit (425A, B) in the lid is, in an open configuration, at least partially protected against the effects of weather, e.g., wet, dirt and airborne material. In preferred embodiments, the lid (410) never rotates beyond the vertical so that the open side of the lid always faces at least slightly downward, thereby protecting the interior of the lid and, especially, the interior of the top of the lid, from rain and sun. Exposed portions of a recharging unit (425A, B) in the base (420, 430) are also within the storage volume when the lid (410) is in its completely-closed configuration.

Preferably, for a wired recharging unit (425B), the at least one airborne drone (1000) comprises at least one conductive receptor and the wired recharging unit (425B) comprises a plurality of conductive connectors. The at least one conductive receptor and the plurality of conductive connectors reversibly connectable and are configured such that, upon contact between a conductive connector and a conductive receptor, power can flow from the wired recharging unit (425B) to at least one power supply unit in the at least one airborne drone (1000). The conductive connectors can be pin electrodes, conductive patches or any other means known in the art of providing a reversible electrically conductive contactor. Preferably, the conductive connectors are on the underside of the top of the lid so that contact is made when the lid is in the completely-closed configuration. However, in some embodiments, conductive connectors are located on any part of the interior of the lid (410). With a plurality of conductive connectors, preferably covering a substantial portion of the interior of the lid (410), at least one airborne drone (1000) in substantially any part of encapsulation volume can be recharged. Preferably, a wired recharging unit (425B) comprise at least one sensor configured to determine which of the plurality of conductive connectors are in contact with at least one conductive receptor.

Preferably, for a wireless recharging unit, the recharging unit (425A) comprises at least one conductive coil and the at least one airborne drone (1000) comprises at least one conductive coil. The at least one recharging unit conductive coil is configured to generate a magnetic field when high frequency AC passes through it. The magnetic field can induce a current in the at least one airborne drone conductive coil, when the at least one airborne drone coil is within range of the recharging unit conductive coil. In preferred embodiments, the at least one airborne drone (1000) is enclosed by the lid and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) during recharging. In preferred embodiments, the wireless recharging unit (425A) comprises at least one sensor configured to identify when at least one airborne drone (1000) is present and the wireless recharging unit (425A) is configured to generate a magnetic field only at such times as at least one airborne drone (1000) is present and the power supply unit in the at least one airborne drone (1000) is not fully charged.

In some embodiments, a wired recharging unit (425B) comprises at least one sensor configured to identify when at least one airborne drone (1000) is present. In such embodiments, if at least one airborne drone (1000) is present and the lid (410) is in the completely-closed configuration but there is no electrical communication between the wired recharging unit (425B) and the at least one airborne drone (1000), a warning can be provided that the at least one airborne drone (1000) is not rechargeable due to lack of electrical connectivity.

In preferred embodiments, the recharging unit (425 A, B) further comprises a sensor to determine if the power supply unit in the at least one airborne drone (1000) is fully charged, the recharging unit (425A, B) being configured so that no power is supplied (no magnetic field is generated for a wireless recharging unit (425A)) if at least one airborne drone (1000) power supply unit is fully charged.

Preferably, at least one of the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) comprise at least one sensor. The sensor can be selected from a group consisting of a wind speed sensor, a wind direction sensor, a temperature sensor, a rain sensor, a humidity sensor, a landing sensor, an interference sensor, a pressure sensor, an angle sensor, a velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor and any combination thereof.

The landing sensor is configured to determine at least one of distance between the at least one airborne drone (1000) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) and direction from the at least one airborne drone (1000) to the substantially flexible distal base portion (430), so that the at least one airborne drone (1000) can be accurately landed on the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) and can accurately launch from at least one of the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) or the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420). In some embodiments, at least one landing sensor is on the at least one airborne drone (1000).

The landing sensor can guide the at least one airborne drone to a suitable landing position on the base (420, 430), preferably on the substantially flexible distal base portion

(430).

In preferred embodiments, the landing sensor is an ultrasound sensor, sensing at least one of an ultrasound signal from a source on the storage unit (400) which is (partially) reflected from the at least one airborne drone (1000) or an ultrasound signal from a source on the at least one airborne drone (1000). In other embodiments, the landing sensor can be a light sensor, sensing either light reflected from the at least one airborne drone (1000) or light emitted by a source on the at least one airborne drone (1000), or an electromagnetic sensor, sensing EM waves reflected from or emitted by the at least one airborne drone (1000). The light can be either incoherent light or laser light, but is preferably laser light.

The interference sensor can sense whether movement of a portion of the storage unit (400) will cause interference with or unwanted contact with a member of a group consisting of: another portion of the storage unit (400), the at least one airborne drone (1000), and any combination thereof. For non-limiting example, the interference sensor can indicate that contact is likely to occur between the lid (410) and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), so that the movement of the lid (410) can be adjusted so that contact occurs smoothly and that, thereafter, the lid (410) remains sealingly in contact with the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), without undue pressure between the two portions. The angle, velocity and acceleration sensor(s) can be used to control movement of the base (420, 430). Velocity and acceleration sensor(s) can be used to control the speed and acceleration of movement of the base (420, 430) and lid (410). The angle sensor(s) can be used to control the angle of at least a portion of the base (420, 430) so that an appropriate angle for launching and/or landing of the at least one airborne drone (1000) can be assured. In some embodiments, the angle of at least a portion of the base (420, 430) is adjustable depending on wind conditions, to ensure optimum launching and landing conditions.

The substantially flexible distal base portion (430) is configured to allow the at least one airborne drone (1000) to land thereon, so that, especially under unfavorable weather conditions, the at least one airborne drone (1000) can make a“soft” landing. The substantially flexible distal base portion (430) comprises a flexible landing area (436) comprised of a material such as netting, a flexible sheet, a stretchable material and any combination thereof. Typically, the flexible landing area (436) is held in position by a substantially rigid frame (433), although any conventional means of retaining perimeter shape of a flexible material can be used. The flexible landing area (436) of the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) allows the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) to“give” when the at least one airborne drone (1000) lands on it. Therefore, with the flexible landing area (436) deforming and absorbing at least a portion of the energy, an airborne drone (1000) can safely land even for a landing speed high enough to damage an airborne drone landing on a substantially rigid surface.

Fig. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) with an airborne drone (1000) in the encapsulatable area, showing the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), the lid (410), the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) and the installation adaptor (428). In this embodiment, the base (420, 430) is rotatable about an axis (429) passing through the installation adaptor (428); the installation adaptor (428) comprising mechanical means of rotating the base (420, 430) about the axis (429).

The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) comprises at least one transport unit (422) and at least two guide bars (424). In some embodiments, the at least one transport unit (422) is configured to move the at least one airborne drone (1000), typically by means of mechanical communication between the at least two guide bars (424), the at least one transport unit (422) and the at least one attachment ring (1010), after the at least one airborne drone (1000) has landed in the substantially flexible distal base portion (430), from the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) to an encapsulatable area on the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420). The at least two guide bars (424) ensure that (/) the at least one airborne drone (1000) can not move sideways off the at least one transport unit (422), so that the at least one airborne drone (1000) is reliably guided to an encapsulatable area where it will be protected against weather and can be recharged, (ii) the at least one airborne drone (1000) is accurately locatable in the encapsulation area, (iii) the at least one airborne drone (1000) is accurately locatable in the encapsulation area for storage (iv) the at least one airborne drone (1000) is accurately locatable in the encapsulation area during storage, (iv) the at least one airborne drone (1000) is restrainable in the encapsulation area during storage and any combination thereof.

The transport unit (422) can comprise any mechanism for moving an object from underneath an object. It can comprises any member of a group consisting of a roller, a conveyor belt, a sliding mechanism, a vibrating mechanism, and any combination thereof. In Figs. 5 and 6A - B, the transport unit (422) comprises rollers.

In some embodiments, the at least one airborne drone (1000) launches from the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), typically from an encapsulatable area in the substantially rigid portion of said base.

Preferably, the, the at least one airborne drone (1000) launches from the substantially flexible distal base portion (430).

In some embodiments, the at least one transport unit (422) is configured to reversibly move the at least one airborne drone (1000), preferably by means of contact with the attach ment ring (1010). In such embodiments, the at least one transport unit (422) is configured to move the at least one airborne drone (1000) from the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) to the substantially flexible distal base portion (430), with the at least one airborne drone (1000) taking off from the substantially flexible distal base portion (430).

Preferably, the transport unit (422) comprises at least one roller configured to move the at least one airborne drone (1000) from underneath. In some embodiments, it can alternatively or additionally comprise at least one reversible transport mechanical connector configured to automatically reversibly mechanically connect with the at least one airborne drone (1000) and to move the at least one airborne drone (1000) by means of the transport mechanical connector and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the transport mechanical connector is selected from a group consisting of: a latch, a buckle, a hook, a loop, a snap fit, a shackle and any combination thereof. The transport mechanical connector preferably connects to at least one fixed point on the at least one airborne drone (1000), with the at least one fixed point selected from a group consisting of a ring, a loop, a snap fit, a buckle and any combination thereof. The fixed point can be on the bottom of the at least one airborne drone (1000), on the top of the at least one airborne drone (1000), on a side of the at least one airborne drone (1000) and any combination thereof.

At least one attachment ring (1010) can be at least one fixed point; in some embodiments, none of the at least one attachment rings (1010) is at least one fixed point.

At least one mechanical connector can be at least one transport mechanical connector; in some embodiments, none of the at least one mechanical connectors is at least one transport mechanical connector.

In some embodiments, the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) comprises at least one transport unit (422). In some embodiments with at least one transport unit (422) in the substantially flexible distal base portion (430), at least one transport unit (422) can be reversibly raised, so that the at least one airborne drone (1000) can not contact the at least one transport unit (422) during landing.

In some embodiments, the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) comprises at least two guide bars (424). In some embodiments with at least two guide bars (424) in the substantially flexible distal base portion (430), at least two guide bars (424) can be reversibly raised, so that the at least one airborne drone (1000) can not contact the at least two guide bars (424) during landing.

Fig. 6A shows the storage unit (400) in a substantially closed configuration, with the lid (410) in contact with the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), while Fig. 6B shows the storage unit (400) in a substantially open configuration. In Fig. 6B, the lid (410) and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) have been separated so that the at least one airborne drone (1000) is free to move or be moved. The substantially flexible distal base portion (430), the guide bars (424), the transport units (422) and the installation adaptor (428) can be seen in both Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B.

Figs. 7A-J illustrate launching of an airborne drone (1000) from a storage unit (400) of the present invention. In Fig. 7A, the storage unit (400) is in its completely-closed configuration, with the lid (410) fitting snugly against the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420). The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) are vertical. An airborne drone (1000, not shown) is within the encapsulation volume. The at least one airborne drone (1000) can have its base in contact with the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and its top in contact with the interior of the lid (410), it can be held by at least one mechanical connector on the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), it can be held by at least one mechanical connector on the lid and any combination thereof. The at least one airborne drone (1000) is essentially at 90 degrees to its launching position.

In Fig. 7B, the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) are rotating downward toward the horizontal, clockwise in the figure. The lid (410) is still in its completely-closed configuration, fitting snugly against the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), and the at least one airborne drone (1000, not shown) is within the encapsulation volume. The at least one airborne drone (1000, not shown) can have its base in contact with the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), its top in contact with the interior of the lid (410), be restrained by connection to a wired recharging unit (425B), be restrained by at least one attachment ring, and any combination thereof.

In Fig. 7C, the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) are continuing to rotate downward (clockwise in the figure) toward the horizontal and are separating from the lid (410). The lid (410) can have been stopped from rotating or can be rotating toward a completely-open configuration; if rotating towards a completely-open configuration, the lid (410) rotates in an opposite sense to the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) (counterclockwise in the figure). The base of the at least one airborne drone (1000) remains in contact with the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420).

In Fig. 7D, the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) have reached their maximum downward position, at about 30 degrees below the horizontal. The maximum downward position will be in the range from about 5 degrees above the horizontal to about 45 degrees below the horizontal. The lid (410) is in its completely-open configuration. The completely-open configuration of the lid (410) can be in a range from about 30 degrees above the horizontal to about 60 degrees above the horizontal. , Preferably, in the completely open configuration, the lid (410) makes an angle of no more than about 45 degrees above the horizontal. The at least one airborne drone (1000) has begun to move on the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420). The at least one airborne drone (1000) can move by its own power, by at least one transport unit (424, not shown), by gravity and any combination thereof.

In Fig. 7E, the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) remain at their maximum downward position and the lid (410) remains in its completely-open configuration. The at least one airborne drone (1000) has been transported, by its own power, by at least one transport unit (424, not shown) or by gravity, off the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and onto the substantially flexible distal base portion (430).In Fig. 7F, the system is shown immediately before the launch of the at least one airborne drone (1000). The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) have rotated upward (counterclockwise in the figure) and are approximately horizontal. The at least one airborne drone (1000) is ready for launching.

In Fig. 7G, the system is shown immediately after the launch of the at least one airborne drone (1000). The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) have paused in their rotation and are approximately horizontal. The lid (410) is similarly stationary. The at least one airborne drone (1000) has launched and is starting to move away from the storage unit (400).

In Fig. 7H, the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) remain paused in their rotation and remain approximately horizontal. The lid (410) is similarly paused in its rotation while the at least one airborne drone (1000) continues to move away from the storage unit (400).

In Fig. 71, the at least one airborne drone (1000) is a sufficient distance from the storage unit (400) that movement of the parts of the storage unit (410, 420, 430) are unlikely to cause them to contact the at least one airborne drone (1000). The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) have resumed their upward (counterclockwise) rotation. In preferred embodiments, the lid has remained stationary, in other embodiments, the lid (410) has completed its downward rotation. In all embodiments, the lid (410) is resting snugly against the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420).

In Fig. 7J, the at least one airborne drone (1000) continues to move away from the storage unit (400) and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) have returned to their original, substantially vertical position, with the lid (410) resting snugly against the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420).

Figs. 8A-J illustrate landing and storage of an airborne drone (1000) with a storage unit (400) of the present invention.

In Fig. 8A, the at least one airborne drone (1000) is approaching the storage unit (400). The storage unit (400) is in its completely-closed configuration, with the lid (410) fitting snugly against the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420). The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) are vertical.

In Fig. 8B, the at least one airborne drone (1000) continues to approach the storage unit (400). The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) are rotating downward toward the horizontal, clockwise in the figure. The lid (410) is still in its completely-closed configuration, fitting snugly against the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420).

In Fig. 8C, the at least one airborne drone (1000) is continuing to approach the storage unit (400). The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) are approximately horizontal, in position for the at least one airborne drone (1000) to land. The lid (410) is in its completely-open configuration, having (/) rotated to its completely-open configuration, making an angle of no more than about 45 degrees above the vertical; (ii) ceased to rotate at an angle such that, when the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) reach a lowered position, approximately horizontal, the lid (410) would be in its completely-open configuration; and any combination thereof.

In Figs. 8D and E, the at least one airborne drone (1000) is continuing to approach the storage unit (400). The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) remain approximately horizontal, in position for the at least one airborne drone (1000) to land and the lid (410) remains in its completely-open configuration. The approach of the at least one airborne drone (1000) to the storage unit (400) is typically fairly slow, to ensure that the landing is carefully controlled, both as to speed and as to direction, in spite of wind or other weather conditions that would tend to destabilize the at least one airborne drone (1000) during the landing process.

In Fig. 8F, the at least one airborne drone (1000) has landed on the substantially flexible distal base portion (430). The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) remain approximately horizontal and the lid (410) remains in its completely-open configuration.

In Fig. 8G, the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) are rotating upward toward the vertical, counterclockwise in the figure. In this embodiment of the method, the lid (410) remains approximately stationary until the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) rotates upward and meets the lid (410). In some embodiments of the method, the lid (410) rotates downward (clockwise in the figure) to meet the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420). In some embodiments, the lid (410) rotates upward, although more slowly than the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) so that the lid (410) and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) meet. The at least one airborne drone (1000) is being transported, by its own power, by at least one transport unit (424, not shown) or by gravity, from the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) towards the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the encapsulation area, the area which will be covered by the lid (410) when the lid (410) is in the completely closed configuration.

In Fig. 8H, the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) continue to rotate upward toward the vertical, counterclockwise in the figure; the lid (410) is almost closed and the at least one airborne drone (1000) has reached the encapsulation area.

In Fig. 81, the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) continue to rotate upward toward the vertical, counterclockwise in the figure; the lid (410) is snugly closed and the at least one airborne drone (1000, not shown) is held in place between the lid (410) and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), by contact between the at least one airborne drone (1000, not shown) and at least one of the lid (410) and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), by means of at least one mechanical connection between the at least one airborne drone (1000, not shown) and at least one of the of the lid (410) and the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420), and any combination thereof.

In Fig. 8J, the storage unit (400) has returned its completely-closed configuration, with the lid (410) fitting snugly against the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420). The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) and the substantially flexible distal base portion (430) are vertical at least one airborne drone (1000, not shown) is within the encapsulation volume; the at least one airborne drone (1000, not shown) is essentially at 90 degrees to its launching position and, if a wired recharging unit is present (425B, not shown) at least one of the conductive receptors of the wired recharging unit (425B, not shown) is in electrical communication with at least one of the conductive connectors in the wired recharging unit (425B, not shown) in the lid (410).

In some embodiments, a proximal portion of the base (420, 430) can rotate relative to a distal portion of the base (420, 430), so as to fold the base (420, 430) and shorten the height of the storage unit at times when it is not in use. Non-limiting examples of folds include a proximal portion of the same length as the distal portion, so that the folded base is half the length of the unfolded base, and a proximal portion comprising the substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) with the distal portion comprising the substantially flexible distal base portion (430).

In such embodiments, when the storage unit (400) is not in use, the proximal portion is vertical, as described above (Figs. 7A, 7J, 8A and 8J), with its distal end higher than its proximal end. However, the distal portion has been rotated so that its distal end is lower than its proximal end. Preferably, when not in use, the distal portion will be at an angle in a range of greater than about 150 degrees and less than about 210 degrees relative to the proximal portion. In the launching process described in Fig. 7A-J and the landing process described in Fig. 8A-J, the direction of rotation of the distal portion would be clockwise during lowering of the base from the vertical (proximal portion rotates counterclockwise) and counterclockwise during raising of the base to the vertical (proximal portion rotates clockwise).

The storage unit (400) is typically attached, either permanently or reversibly, typically by means of an installation adaptor (428) to a mounting object. The mounting object can be fixed in position or can be mobile. Non-limiting examples of fixed-position mounting object include: a building, a light pole, a power pole, a wind turbine, a stanchion, a roof support beam, a wall, a roof, and any combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of a mobile mounting object include: a stand, a tank, a truck, an automobile, a bus, a train, a ship, an airplane, and any combination thereof. A non-limiting example of a stand is the pedestal support for the“drone in a mailbox” shown in Fig. 2.

The only limitation on the type of mounting is that the mounting object should remain substantially stable during movement of the at least one airborne drone (1000), base (420, 430) and lid (410) during the takeoff procedure and the landing procedure.

In some embodiments, the storage volume is defined by a hollow in a permanent structure such as, but not limited to, a hollow in the wall of a building. In such embodiments, the lid can comprise a shutter or other closure which blocks the opening of the hollow. The exposed parts of the recharging unit and, preferably, at least two guide bars (422) and a least one transport unit (424) can be within the storage volume. The substantially rigid proximal base portion (420) is substantially outside the permanent structure. The methods of launching and landing an airborne drone (1000) proceed in a manner very similar to that disclosed above.

The source of the energy transferrable from (and to) the storage unit (400) to (and from) the at least one airborne drone (1000) can be mains power, at least one solar panel, at least one battery and any combination thereof. The at least one battery can be a disposable battery, a rechargeable battery and any combination thereof. The solar panel can be mounted on any portion of the storage unit (400) such as, but not limited to, the lid (410), the base (420, 430) and any combination thereof.

The description of the above embodiments is not intended to be limiting, the scope of protection being provided only by the appended claims.

In particular it should be noted that features that are described with reference to one or more embodiments are described by way of example rather than by way of limitation to those embodiments. Thus, unless stated otherwise or unless particular combinations are clearly inadmissible, optional features that are described with reference to only some embodiments are assumed to be likewise applicable to ah other embodiments also.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone, said device comprising:

a lid; and

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said seal is configured to exclude a member selected from a group consisting of sun, wind, precipitation, dampness, dirt, airborne material and any combination thereof.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said substantially flexible portion of said base is configured for autonomically launching therefrom and autonomically landing thereon of said at least one airborne drone.

4. The device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising at least one landing sensor on said substantially flexible portion of said base, said at least one landing sensor configured to locate said drone during autonomic launching of said at least one airborne drone therefrom and autonomic landing of said at least one airborne drone thereon.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said at least one landing sensor is selected from a group consisting of: an ultrasound sensor, a light sensor, an electromagnetic sensor and any combination thereof.

6. The device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising at least one angle sensor configured to determine an angle of at least one member selected from said substantially rigid portion of said base, said substantially flexible portion of said base and any combination thereof.

7. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said movable connection between said proximal end of said substantially rigid portion and said lid is selected from a group consisting of a slidable mechanism, a pivotal mechanism, an expandable mechanism and any combination thereof.

8. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lid is impermeable.

9. The device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising at least one transport unit configured to reversibly transfer said at least one airborne drone along at least a part of a path from said storage location to at least one location in said substantially flexible portion of said base.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said at least one transport unit comprises a mechanism selected from a group consisting of a roller, a conveyor belt, a sliding mechanism, a vibrating mechanism, and any combination thereof.

11. The device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a controller configured to control a launching process, said launching process comprising:

lowering said base to its fully-extended configuration;

transferring said at least one airborne drone from an encapsulatable area in said substantially rigid portion of said base to a launching in said substantially flexible portion of said base;

12. The device of any one of the preceding claims 1, additionally comprising a controller configured to control a landing process, said landing process comprising:

lowering said base to a substantially horizontal position;

transferring said at least one airborne drone from said landed position to said encapsulatable area in said substantially rigid portion of said base; and raising said base until said base is in contact with said lid.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said landed position is in said substantially flexible portion of said base.

14. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least three directions are selected from a group consisting of upward, leftward, rightward, toward a distal end of said base, toward a proximal end of said base and any combination thereof.

15. The device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a recharging unit integrated within said lid, said recharging unit configured to recharge said at least one airborne drone when the same is in said completely-closed configuration.

16. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said recharging unit is configured to provide power to said at least one airborne drone in a manner selected from a group consisting of wiredly, wirelessly and any combination thereof.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said recharging unit wiredly providing power to said at least one airborne drone comprises N conductive connectors, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said at least one airborne drone additionally comprises at least one conductive receptor configured to, when in electrical communication with at least one of said N conductive connectors, provide power for said at least one airborne drone.

19. The device of claim 18, additionally comprising at least one electrical communication sensor configured to determine, for said N conductive connectors, a subset of contacting conductive connectors, said subset comprising conductive connectors in electrical communication with at least one of said at least one conductive receptor.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the number of conductive connectors in said subset of contacting conductive connectors is in a range from 0 to N.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein power is deliverable to said at least one airborne drone via at least one of said subset of contacting conductive connectors.

22. The device of claim 16, wherein said wireless recharging unit comprises an inductive recharging mechanism.

23. The device of claim 16, wherein said wireless recharging unit comprises at least one wireless charging unit sensor, said at least one wireless charging unit sensor selected from a group consisting of: a sensor configured to determine presence of said at least one airborne drone in a vicinity of said wireless recharging unit, a sensor configured to identify a fully-charged state for a power supply unit of said at least one airborne drone and any combination thereof.

24. The device of claim 16, wherein said wireless recharging unit is configured to activate upon determination of said presence of said at least one airborne drone in a vicinity of said wireless recharging unit.

25. The device of claim 16, wherein said wireless recharging unit is configured to deactivate upon determination of said fully-charged state of said power supply.

26. The device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising at least one device sensor.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein said at least one device sensor is selected from a group consisting of: an electrical communication sensor, a wind speed sensor, a wind direction sensor, a temperature sensor, a rain sensor, a humidity sensor, a landing sensor, an interference sensor, a sensor configured to identify when said at least one airborne drone is present, a sensor to determine if a power supply unit in said at least one airborne drone is fully charged and any combination thereof.

35

28. The device of any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising at least two guide bars configured to restrain lateral movement of said at least one airborne drone, said at least two guide bars configured to reversibly guide said at least one airborne drone during at least a portion of said transfer of said at least one airborne drone from at least one location on said substantially rigid portion of said base coverable by said lid to at least one location in a distal half of said substantially flexible portion of said base.

29. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said airborne drone additionally comprises at least one attachment ring configured to reversibly attach said airborne drone to said device for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein said attachment ring is reversibly mechanically connectable to at least one mechanical connector.

31. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said substantially flexible distal base portion comprises a flexible landing area.

32. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said substantially flexible distal base portion comprises a material selected from a group consisting of: netting, flexible sheet, stretchable material and any combination thereof.

33. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following is being held true (a) said airborne drone is storable in a vertical configuration; (b) said device for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone is either free standing or attachable to a mounting object; and any combination thereof.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein at least one of the following is true: (a) said mounting object is either fixed in position or is mobile; (b) said mounting object is selected from a group consisting of: a building, a light pole, a power pole, a wind turbine, a stanchion, a roof support beam, a wall, a roof, a tank, a truck, an automobile, a bus, a bain, a ship, an airplane, and any combination thereof; (c) said attachment is permanent, reversible and any combination thereof; and any combination thereof.

35. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said base is placeable in said completely closed configuration via movement of a member of a group consisting of: said substantially rigid portion of said base, said lid and any combination thereof.

36. A method for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone, comprising:

a lid; and

positioning said at least one airborne drone on said substantially rigid portion of said base at a position such that said at least one airborne drone is encapsulatable by said lid; and

placing said base in said completely-closed configuration via movement of a member of a group consisting of: said substantially rigid portion of said base, said lid and any combination thereof;

37. The method of claim 36, additionally comprising at least one of: (a) said seal excluding a member selected from a group consisting of sun, wind, precipitation, dampness, dirt, airborne material and any combination thereof; (b) configuring said substantially flexible portion of said base for autonomically launching therefrom and autonomically landing thereon of said airborne drone; (c) providing at least one landing sensor on said substantially flexible portion of said base, said at least one landing sensor configured to guide said drone during autonomic launching of said airborne drone therefrom and autonomic landing of said airborne drone thereon; (d) selecting said at least one landing sensor from a group consisting of: an ultrasound sensor, a light sensor, an electromagnetic sensor and any combination thereof; (e) providing at least one angle sensor to determine an angle of at least one member selected from said substantially rigid portion of said base, said substantially flexible portion of said base and any combination thereof; (f) selecting said movable connection between said proximal end of said substantially rigid portion and said lid from a group consisting of a slidable mechanism, a pivotal mechanism, an expandable mechanism and any combination thereof; (g) providing an impermeable lid; (h) providing at least one transport unit configured to reversibly transfer said at least one airborne drone along at least a part of a path from at least one location on said substantially rigid portion of said base to at least one location in said substantially flexible portion of said base; (i) providing said at least one transport unit comprising a mechanism selected from a group consisting of a roller, a conveyor belt, a sliding mechanism, a laterally vibrating mechanism, and any combination thereof; and any combination thereof.

38. The method of claim 36, additionally comprising a launching process including: lowering said base to its fully-extended configuration;

transferring said at least one airborne drone from said substantially rigid portion of said base to a launching position in said substantially flexible portion of said base;

39. The method of claim 38, wherein at least one of the following is being held true (a) said launching process additionally comprises a step of raising said lid to a completely-open configuration, said step of raising said lid to a completely-open configuration occurring before said step of transferring said at least one airborne drone from said encapsulatable area to said launching position; (b) said launching position in said substantially flexible portion of said base is near a distal end of said substantially flexible portion of said base; (c) said step of raising said base until said base is in contact with said lid comprises at least one of the following sets of steps: (i) a step of raising said base until said base contacts said lid followed by a step of raising said base and lid, said base and lid remaining in contact, until said base is substantially vertical; and (ii) starting raising of said lid before contact with said base and raising said base before, during or after movement with said lid, said raising of said of base and said raising of said lid continuing until said lid is in contact with said base and said base is substantially vertical; (d) said step of raising additionally comprising a step of raising said base to a horizontal position after said at least one airborne drone has reached said launching position; and retaining said base in said horizontal position until said at least one airborne drone is no longer adjacent to said base; (e) said step of raising additionally comprising a step of transferring said at least one airborne drone from at least one position on said substantially rigid portion of said base to said launching position via said at least one transport unit; and any combination thereof.

40. The method of claim 36, additionally comprising a landing process including:

lowering said base to a substantially horizontal position;

transferring said at least one airborne drone from said landed position to said position on said substantially rigid portion of said base such that said at least one airborne drone is encapsulatable by said lid; and

raising said base until said base is in contact with said lid.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein at least one of the following is being held true (s) said landed position is in said substantially flexible portion of said base; (b) said step of lowering said base to a substantially horizontal position comprises a step of raising said lid to a completely-open configuration; (c) said step of raising said base until said base is in contact with said lid comprises at least one of the following sets of steps: (i) a step of raising said base until said base contacts said lid followed by a step of raising said base and lid, said base and lid remaining in contact, until said base is substantially vertical; and (ii) starting raising of said lid before contact with said base and raising said base before, during or after movement with said lid, said raising of said of base and said raising of said lid continuing until said lid is in contact with said base and said base is substantially vertical; (d) any combination thereof.

42. The method of claim 36, additionally comprising at least one step selected from a group consisting of (a) selecting said at least three directions from a group consisting of upward, leftward, rightward, toward a distal end of said base, toward a proximal end of said base and any combination thereof; (b) providing a recharging unit integrated within said lid, said recharging unit configured to recharge said airborne drone when the same is in said completely-closed configuration; (c) selecting a manner of said recharging unit providing power to said at least one airborne drone from a group consisting of wiredly, wirelessly and any combination thereof; (d) recharging unit wiredly providing power to said at least one airborne drone via N conductive connectors, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2; (e) providing said at least one airborne drone with at least one conductive receptor, said at least one conductive receptor configured to, when in electrical communication with at least one of said N conductive connectors, provide power for said at least one airborne drone; (f) providing at least one electrical communication sensor, said electrical communication sensor configured to determine, for said N conductive connectors, a subset of contacting conductive connectors, said subset comprising conductive connectors in contact with at least one of said at least one conductive receptor; (g) selecting the number of conductive connectors in said subset of contacting conductive connectors to be in a range from 0 to N; (h) delivering power to said at least one airborne drone via at least one of said subset of contacting conductive connectors; (i) pro vising said wireless recharging unit with an inductive recharging mechanism; (j) providing at least one wireless recharging unit sensor, said wireless recharging unit sensor selected from a group consisting of: a sensor configured to determine presence of said at least one airborne drone in a vicinity of said wireless recharging unit, a sensor configured to identify a fully-charged state for a power supply unit of said at least one airborne drone, and any combination thereof; (k) activating said wireless recharging unit upon determination of said presence of said at least one airborne drone in a vicinity of said wireless recharging unit; (1) deactivating said wireless recharging unit upon determination of said fully-charged state of said power supply; and any combination thereof.

43. The method of claim 36, additionally comprising at least one step selected from a group consisting of (a) providing said device with at least one device sensor; (b) selecting said at least one device sensor from a group consisting of: an electrical communication sensor, a wind speed sensor, a wind direction sensor, a temperature sensor, a rain sensor, a humidity sensor, a landing sensor, an interference sensor, a sensor configured to identify when said at least one airborne drone is present, a sensor to determine if a power supply unit in said at least one airborne drone is fully charged and any combination thereof; (c) providing said base with at least two guide bars configured to restrain lateral movement of said at least one airborne drone, said at least two guide bars configured to reversibly guide said at least one airborne drone during at least a portion of said transfer of said at least one airborne drone from at least one location on said substantially rigid portion of said base coverable by said lid to at least one location in a distal half of said substantially flexible portion of said base; (d) providing said airborne drone with at least one attachment ring configured to reversibly attach said airborne drone to said device for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone; (e) reversibly mechanically connecting said at least one attachment ring to at least one mechanical connector; (f) providing said substantially flexible distal base portion with a flexible landing area; (g) selecting a material for said substantially flexible distal base portion from a group consisting of: netting, flexible sheet, stretchable material and any combination thereof; (h) storing said airborne drone in a vertical configuration; (i) providing said device for weatherproof storage of at least one airborne drone either free-standing or attachable to a mounting object; (j) providing said mounting object either fixed in position or mobile; (k) selecting said mounting object from a group consisting of: a building, a light pole, a power pole, a wind turbine, a stanchion, a roof support beam, a wall, a roof, a tank, a buck, an automobile, a bus, a train, a ship, an airplane, and any combination thereof;

(l) providing said attachment as permanent, reversible and any combination thereof;

(m) placing said base in said completely closed configuration via movement of a member of a group consisting of: said substantially rigid portion of said base, said lid and any combination thereof; and any combination thereof.