Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
Apparatus for loading, securing, and unloading a cargo container equipped with a plurality of securing pockets on opposite sides thereof, on a freight deck of an airplane comprising: cargo propulsive means which include a plurality of powered drive wheels located near an entrance door of said airplane, and a plurality of spaced apart powered drive wheels located along the center of each of two adjacent lanes on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of said freight deck; means for turning said plurality of drive wheels located near said entrance door about a vertical axis to a predetermined angle with the airplane centerline to thereby move an incoming container from said entrance door to a selected one of said two adjacent lanes; control means for driving and for stopping said powered drive wheels after said container has arrived at a predetermined securing location along one of said lanes; center guide restraint devices located between said lanes for guiding said container along said lane and for automatically engaging the securing pockets located on the inboard side of said container as it moves along said lane and for providing restraint against movement of said container after it has arrived at said predetermined position; and side-locking devices, located along the outboard sides of said lanes, which may be manually actuated to engage the securing pockets of said container after it arrives at said predetermined position; wherein after said side-locking devices have been manually disengaged, said center guide restraint devices will automatically disconnect from said securing pockets in response to reverse movement of said container, so that said container may be moved by said powered rollers back to said entrance door for unloading from said aircraft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
Apparatus for loading, securing, and unloading a cargo container equipped with a plurality of securing pockets on opposite sides thereof, on a freight deck of an airplane comprising: cargo propulsive means which include a plurality of powered drive wheels located near an entrance door of said airplane, and a plurality of spaced apart powered drive wheels located along the center of each of two adjacent lanes on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of said freight deck; means for turning said plurality of drive wheels located near said entrance door about a vertical axis to a predetermined angle with the airplane centerline to thereby move an incoming container from said entrance door to a selected one of said two adjacent lanes; control means for driving and for stopping said powered drive wheels after said container has arrived at a predetermined securing location along one of said lanes; center guide restraint devices located between said lanes for guiding said container along said lane and for automatically engaging the securing pockets located on the inboard side of said container as it moves along said lane and for providing restraint against movement of said container after it has arrived at said predetermined position; and side-locking devices, located along the outboard sides of said lanes, which may be manually actuated to engage the securing pockets of said container after it arrives at said predetermined position; wherein after said side-locking devices have been manually disengaged, said center guide restraint devices will automatically disconnect from said securing pockets in response to reverse movement of said container, so that said container may be moved by said powered rollers back to said entrance door for unloading from said aircraft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said center guide restraint devices automatically engage each securing pocket located on the inboard side of said container as it moves along said lane, by means of spring loaded restraint lips, mounted on a slidingly positioned body, which lips swing into said pockets and travel with the pockets for a given stroke length, and in the event the movement of the container causes the stroke length to be surpassed, the lip pivots out of the pocket and returns to its original position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said side-locking devices are adjustable in a fore and aft direction and may be manually aligned and engaged with one of said securing pockets located on the outboard side of said container, and said side-locking devices carry a slaved vertical restraint device which simultaneously engages into the next adjacent securing pocket of said container upon manual actuation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a main control panel near said entrance door and a plurality local control panels longitudinally spaced apart along each of said two adjacent lanes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said center guide restraint devices and said side-locking devices will allow a limited freedom of movement of said container when said container is secured on said freight deck, said limited freedom of movement allowing the freight deck structure to be independently flexible with respect to said container.