US3644952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Canopy frame assembly for cab of airplane loading and unloading ramp
Assignee: Stanray Corp
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Filing: 1970-07-29
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1990-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A passenger loading and unloading ramp, bridge, tunnel, gangway or conveyance for airplanes provided at its outer end with a cab having a flexible canopy structure providing a weathertight seal between the cab and the fuselage of the airplane around a doorway with which the passageway through the cab registers. The canopy structure includes a canopy frame assembly which includes a series of canopy frames spaced-apart longitudinally of and enclosing the passageway through the cab, each frame having the general configuration of an inverted U and including laterally spaced, generally upright arms located on opposite sides of the passageway and connected at their lower ends to the supporting structure of the cab. The canopy frames are rigid transversely of the passageway through the cab, but the arms of the frames are flexible longitudinally of the passageway. With this construction, the canopy frame assembly may flex as required to permit the canopy structure to achieve weathertight seals with a wide variety of airplane fuselage configurations.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald S Hatch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:36
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64F; B64F1/00; B64F1/30; B64F1/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
In a canopy frame assembly for a cab which is provided with a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough and which is engageable with an airplane fuselage around a doorway therein with said passageway in register with the doorway, the combination of: a. a supporting structure; b. a series of canopy frames spaced apart longitudinally of and enclosing said passageway; c. each of said frames having the general configuration of an inverted U and including laterally spaced, generally upright arms located on opposite sides of said passageway and connected at their lower ends to said supporting structure; d. said frames including transverse members above said passageway and respectively interconnecting the upper ends of the arms thereof; e. said frames being rigid transversely of said passageway; f. said arms being flexible longitudinally of said passageway to enable said frames to move downwardly and forwardly relative to said passageway as the result of longitudinal flexing of said arms; g. the lower ends of the arms of certain of said frames being rigidly connected to said supporting structure so that such frames are cantilevered longitudinally of said passageway; and h. means for displacing said frames upwardly and rearwardly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a canopy frame assembly for a cab which is provided with a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough and which is engageable with an airplane fuselage around a doorway therein with said passageway in register with the doorway, the combination of: a. a supporting structure; b. a series of canopy frames spaced apart longitudinally of and enclosing said passageway; c. each of said frames having the general configuration of an inverted U and including laterally spaced, generally upright arms located on opposite sides of said passageway and connected at their lower ends to said supporting structure; d. said frames including transverse members above said passageway and respectively interconnecting the upper ends of the arms thereof; e. said frames being rigid transversely of said passageway; f. said arms being flexible longitudinally of said passageway to enable said frames to move downwardly and forwardly relative to said passageway as the result of longitudinal flexing of said arms; g. the lower ends of the arms of certain of said frames being rigidly connected to said supporting structure so that such frames are cantilevered longitudinally of said passageway; and h. means for displacing said frames upwardly and rearwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A canopy frame assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said arms of said frames have a width laterally of said passageway many times their thickness longitudinally thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A canopy frame assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said series terminates at its longitudinally forward end in a frame the lower ends of the arms of which are pivotally connected to said supporting structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A canopy frame assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said arms of said end frame in said series are provided with means for limiting longitudinally rearward flexure thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A canopy frame assembly according to claim 4 wherein said end frame in said series is mounted on portions of said supporting structure which are movable longitudinally of said passageway, and wherein means are provided for biasing such portions forwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A canopy frame assembly as defined in claim 1 including means interconnecting said frames for limiting the maximum longitudinal spacing thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A canopy frame assembly according to claim 1 including means interconnecting said frames for limiting the minimum longitudinal spacing thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A canopy frame assembly as defined in claim 1 including canopy tiedown members spaced apart longitudinally of and enclosing said passageway and alternating with said canopy frames, said tiedown members also having the general configuration of an inverted U and being connected at their lower ends to said supporting structure, and said tiedown members also being flexible longitudinally of said passageway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
In combination: a. a canopy frame assembly according to claim 8; b. a canopy overlying said canopy frames and underlying said tiedown members; and c. said tiedown members being vertically shorter than said canopy frames so as to pleat said canopy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |