Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
The method of loading or unloading air cargo comprising, positioning a cargo aircraft in position and providing an access opening to the cargo space thereof, positioning a mobile unit including lifting and lowering means adjacent the access opening in said aircraft, moving a road-worthy chassis including a moveable platform onto said mobile unit, lifting the platform with said lifting and lowering means off the chassis while the chassis remains in position to a level such that the upper surface of said platform is substantially flush with the upper surface of the cargo deck in the aircraft, transferring cargo from one of said surfaces to the other of said surfaces, lowering said platform back onto said chassis, and moving said chassis off of said mobile unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
The method of loading or unloading air cargo comprising, positioning a cargo aircraft in position and providing an access opening to the cargo space thereof, positioning a mobile unit including lifting and lowering means adjacent the access opening in said aircraft, moving a road-worthy chassis including a moveable platform onto said mobile unit, lifting the platform with said lifting and lowering means off the chassis while the chassis remains in position to a level such that the upper surface of said platform is substantially flush with the upper surface of the cargo deck in the aircraft, transferring cargo from one of said surfaces to the other of said surfaces, lowering said platform back onto said chassis, and moving said chassis off of said mobile unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including the subsequent step of moving said mobile unit away from said aircraft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of moving a road-worthy chassis onto said unit includes the step of guiding said road-worthy chassis into proper lateral position on said mobile unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of moving a road-worthy chassis onto said mobile unit includes the step of accurately positioning the chassis longitudinally of said mobile unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including the steps of connecting a plurality of road-worthy chassis in series with one another and moving said road-worthy chassis sequentially into position onto said mobile unit and repeating the steps of raising and lowering the platform and transferring the cargo with each of said road-worthy chassis and the associated platforms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
A cargo handling system comprising, in combination: a road-worthy chassis including a frame and supporting wheels therefor, and a load-receiving platform on said frame and having opposite side edge portions which project laterally beyond said supporting wheels; a mobile unit having a floor receiving and supporting said road-worthy chassis above the ground surface, said mobile unit including wheels movably supporting same, support means located along opposite sides of said floor and clearing said supporting wheels of the road-worthy chassis for engaging beneath said opposite side edge portions of said load-receiving platform to support said platform independently of the support normally provided therefor by said supporting wheels, and lift means for raising and lowering said support means vertically to position at least said load-receiving platform in alignment with the cargo deck of an aircraft while the platform is independently supported as aforesaid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A cargo handling system comprising, in combination: a road-worthy chassis including a frame and supporting wheels therefor, and a load-receiving platform on said frame and having opposite side edge portions which project laterally beyond said supporting wheels; a mobile unit having a floor receiving and supporting said road-worthy chassis above the ground surface, said mobile unit including wheels movably supporting same, support means located along opposite sides of said floor and clearing said supporting wheels of the road-worthy chassis for engaging beneath said opposite side edge portions of said load-receiving platform to support said platform independently of the support normally provided therefor by said supporting wheels, and lift means for raising and lowering said support means vertically to position at least said load-receiving platform in alignment with the cargo deck of an aircraft while the platform is independently supported as aforesaid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A cargo handling system as defined in claim 6 wherein said mobile unit includes a floor supporting said road-worthy chassis, said load-receiving platform being removably resting on said frame, and said lift means being disposed outboard of the wheels of said road-worthy chassis and having said support means fixed thereto and forming part thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cargo handling system as defined in claim 6 wherein said mobile unit includes a floor and means extending longitudinally thereon for laterally positioning said road-worthy chassis and said load-receiving platform with respect to said support means.