Payload support frame for unmanned aerial system

1. A payload support frame adapted to suspend a payload from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during flight, the frame comprising:

at least one elongated rigid segment;

at least one upper flexible segment at an upper end of the rigid segment; and

at least one lower flexible segment at a lower end of the rigid segment;

wherein one or more of (a) the at least one rigid segment, (b) the at least one upper flexible segment, or (c) the at least one lower flexible segment comprise a dielectric material;

wherein the at least one upper flexible segment is adapted to be selectively attachable, directly or indirectly, to the UAV; and

wherein the at least one lower flexible segment is adapted to be selectively attachable, directly or indirectly, to the payload.

2. The frame of claim 1 , wherein the at least one rigid segment comprises at least three rigid segments;

wherein the at least one upper flexible segment comprises at least three upper flexible segments, each at an upper end of a corresponding rigid segment; and

wherein the at least one lower flexible segment comprises at least three lower flexible segments, each at a lower end of a corresponding rigid segment.

3. The frame of claim 2 , wherein each of the at least three rigid segments comprise an elongated pole;

wherein each of the at least three upper flexible segments comprises a rope, cable, or wire; and

wherein each of the at least three lower flexible segments comprises a rope, cable, or wire.

4. The frame of claim 3 , wherein each of the elongated poles is hollow.

5. The frame of claim 4 , wherein each of the at least three upper flexible segments and corresponding ones of each of the at least three lower flexible segments each comprise a single rope, cable, or wire extending through a corresponding one of the elongated poles.

6. The frame of claim 4 , wherein the elongated poles each comprise two or more telescoping pole segments.

7. The frame of claim 3 , further comprising a rigid upper spacer frame configured to hold the at least three upper flexible segments, and thereby the upper ends of the corresponding rigid segments, in a spaced-apart arrangement.

8. The frame of claim 7 , further comprising a rigid lower spacer frame configured to hold the at least three lower flexible segments, and thereby the lower ends of the corresponding rigid segments, in a spaced-apart arrangement.

9. The frame of claim 8 , wherein the at least three upper flexible segments comprise at least three first upper flexible segments;

wherein the at least three lower flexible segments comprise at least three first lower flexible segments; and

wherein the frame further comprises:

at least three second upper flexible segments, each of the at least three second upper flexible segments on an opposite side of the upper spacer frame from a corresponding one of the at least three first upper flexible segments; and

at least three second lower flexible segments, each of the at least three second lower flexible segments on an opposite side of the lower spacer frame from a corresponding one of the at least three first lower flexible segments;

wherein each of the at least three second upper flexible segments and a corresponding one of the at least three first upper flexible segments comprise a single rope, cable, or wire extending through a corresponding channel in the rigid upper spacer frame; and

wherein each of the at least three second lower flexible segments and a corresponding one of the at least three first lower flexible segments comprise a single rope, cable, or wire extending through a corresponding channel in the rigid lower spacer frame.

10. A payload support frame adapted to suspend a payload from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during flight, the frame comprising:

at least three elongated rigid segments, each comprising a hollow elongated pole;

at least three upper flexible segments, each at an upper end of a corresponding rigid segment and each comprising a rope, cable, or wire;

at least three lower flexible segments, each at a lower end of a corresponding rigid segment and each comprising a rope, cable, or wire;

a rigid upper spacer frame configured to hold the at least three upper flexible segments, and thereby the upper ends of the corresponding rigid segments, in a spaced-apart arrangement, the rigid upper spacer frame being in a spaced-apart arrangement from the upper ends of the at least three rigid segments; and

a rigid lower spacer frame configured to hold the at least three lower flexible segments, and thereby the lower ends of the corresponding rigid segments, in a spaced-apart arrangement; the rigid lower spacer frame being in a spaced-apart arrangement from the lower ends of the at least three rigid segments;

wherein the at least three upper flexible segments and the at least three lower flexible segments all comprise a dielectric material;

wherein the at least three upper flexible segments are adapted to be selectively attachable, directly or indirectly, to the UAV; and

wherein the at least three lower flexible segments are adapted to be selectively attachable, directly or indirectly, to the payload.

11. The frame of claim 10 , wherein each of the at least three upper flexible segments and corresponding ones of each of the at least three lower flexible segments each comprise a single rope, cable, or wire extending through a corresponding one of the elongated poles.

12. The frame of claim 10 , wherein the elongated poles each comprise two or more telescoping pole segments.