Abstract The freight transporter and loader of the disclosure is a vehicle having a power-driven, steerable wheeled chassis and having an elevator support bed. The bed is provided with multiple conveyors arranged to handle either three rows of LD-3 type cargo containers or two rows of LD-7 type containers. The bed is provided with a number of parallel conveyors extending along the length of the bed, conveyor elements to selectively drive the cargo containers transversely of the bed from one longitudinal conveyor to another, and is also provided with means enabling cargo containers to be reoriented through 180* turns. The support bed is provided with an interface or extension unit to enable an aircraft to be loaded or unloaded. The interface unit is selectively shiftable transversely of the forward end of the support bed so as to be used in conjunction with a selected one of the number of longitudinal conveyors on the support bed. The interface unit can be extended and brought into coupled relationship with the sill of the freight loading doorway of the aircraft. The interface unit may also be pivoted both horizontally and vertically relative to the support bed. The vertical pivotal movability of the interface unit is related through a sensing and control system to automatic vertical adjustment of the elevator support bed in accordance with the lowering of the aircraft body as it takes on the freight and raising of the aircraft body as freight is unloaded.
A freight unit transporter and loader vehicle for aircraft comprising a conveyor support bed, a pair of conveyor tracks mounted on the bed for movement lengthwise thereof, means for driving the tracks in the same direction, means for driving the tracks in opposite directions, and freight unit support means located between the tracks and operable when the tracks are driven in opposite directions to assist in pivotally reorienting a freight unit carried by the tracks, said support means comprising a pad member, having a freight unit contacting surface of substantial, horizontally disposed area means mounting said member for movement upwardly to an operative position in engagement with the underside of a freight unit and for movement downwardly to an inoperative position out of engagement therewith, and means to raise and lower said member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A freight unit transporter and loader vehicle for aircraft comprising a conveyor support bed, a pair of conveyor tracks mounted on the bed for movement lengthwise thereof, means for driving the tracks in the same direction, means for driving the tracks in opposite directions, and freight unit support means located between the tracks and operable when the tracks are driven in opposite directions to assist in pivotally reorienting a freight unit carried by the tracks, said support means comprising a pad member, having a freight unit contacting surface of substantial, horizontally disposed area means mounting said member for movement upwardly to an operative position in engagement with the underside of a freight unit and for movement downwardly to an inoperative position out of engagement therewith, and means to raise and lower said member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1, said means to raise and lower said member including means causing said member to yieldingly engage a freight unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1, said means mounting said member enabling turning movement of said member about a vertical axis.