WO2004096642A1

WO2004096642A1 - Aircraft loader

Info

Publication number: WO2004096642A1
Application number: PCT/CA2004/000621
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antoine Maguin
Original assignee: Tld (Canada) Inc.
Priority date: 2003-04-28
Filing date: 2004-04-27
Publication date: 2004-11-11
Also published as: CA2426365A1

Abstract

A loader for transferring containers to or from an aircraft cargo bay, comprising a mobile chassis (2), a bridge platform (8) adapted to extend over a front section (4) of the chassis in operative position at a level of the cargo bay (16), and an elevator platform (10) adjacent the bridge platform (8) and adapted to extend over a rear section (6) of the chassis. The elevator platform (10) is liftable between a lowered position for transfer of the containers near a ground level, and a raised position levelled with the bridge platform when in the operative position. Both platforms (8, 10) have a top surface provided with elements for facilitating displacement of the containers. A control unit (26) controls operation of a lifting device for lifting the elevator platform (10). Both platforms are separate and independent from each other and define together, when viewed from above, a non-rectangular container supporting surface.

Description

AIRCRAFT LOADER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a loader for transferring cargo and freight to and from an aircraft cargo bay. The loader has applications such as for transferring containers to and from lower, main and upper decks of an aircraft including new bigger airplanes. *

BACKGROUND

Loaders are used for aircraft servicing, and are designed to transfer containers and pallets to the aircraft. Many of the existing loaders have a bridge platform provided with a control station, and an elevator platform.

The course followed by the containers and pallets moving from the elevator platform to the bridge platform and finally to the aircraft cargo bay is straight, hence the loaders are said to be of an in-line configuration.

There are generally three (3) types of loaders: LDL (lower deck loader) ; MDL (main deck loader) ; and UDL (upper deck loader) .

Most of the aircraft currently in use (for example Boeing, Airbus, etc.) have lower and main decks and therefore only LDL and MDL are used. However, both of these loaders are not designed to reach the upper deck of new types of aircraft, such as the A380® from Airbus®. The A380® has a lower deck, a main deck and an- upper deck. rso n tne elevator platform and the bridge platform are controlled by scissor lift mechanisms. The length of the scissors determines the range (height) that can be reached by the loader. Accordingly, in order to reach the upper deck of an aircraft (located e.g. at 27 feet from ground for the A380F®) , the length of the scissor forks must be considerable. Consequently, the length of the loader must also be considerable, which has direct repercussions on the stability, ground clearance and manoeuvrability of the loader.

Companies such as UPS® and Federal Express® always seek ways to lower their servicing costs. One way to reduce the costs is to increase transfer efficiency (complete charging cycle) of the containers to and from the aircraft, thus requiring loaders having a high transfer capacity over a short period of time.

The servicing operations which can be done with the existing loaders are limited by their design and configurations and the operator has a poor vision of various parts of the loaders.

US Patent Nos. 6,622,846 (William C. DEAN), 5,630,694 (Toshimichi IHARA) , 4,690,606 (Christopher P. ROSS), 4,304,518 (Victor H. CARDER et al.), 4,010,826 (Rodney Vernon JONES), 3,944,096 (Victor H. CARDER), 3,854,610 (Victor H. CARDER), 3,687,321 (Steven E. GOODHART et al.), 3,666,127 (James R. GUYAUX) , 3,220,698 (Victor H. CARDER), 3,220,585 (Duane N. McCARTNEY et al.), and Great Britain Patent No. 2,113,175 (Richard Henry BOYD et al.) provide examples of loaders known in the art. There is a need for a loader capable of transferring containers to and from lower, main and upper decks of an aircraft, while meeting full loading cycle requirements imposed by airlines. ,

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a loader that can reach lower, main and upper decks of an aircraft.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a loader having a configuration which leaves a good vision of the loader parts to the operator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a loader which meets full loading cycle requirements imposed by airlines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a loader having increased stability, ground clearance and manoeuvrability.

According to the present invention, there is provided a loader for transferring containers to or from an aircraft cargo bay, comprising a mobile chassis having a front section and a rear section.' A bridge platform is mounted onto the chassis and adapted to extend over the front section of the chassis in operative position at a level of the cargo bay. The bridge platform has a top surface provided with means for facilitating displacement of the containers between the bridge platform and the cargo bay. An elevator platform is mounted onto the chassis adjacent the bridge platform and adapted to extend over the rear section of the chassis. The elevator platform is liftable between a lowered position for transfer of the containers near a ground level, and a raised position levelled with the bridge platform when in the operative position. The elevator platform has a top surface provided with means for facilitating displacement of the containers between the elevator platform and the bridge platform. A lifting means is provided for lifting the elevator platform between the lowered position and the raised position, and a control means is provided for controlling operation of the lifting means. The bridge platform and the elevator platform define together, when viewed from above, a non-rectangular container supporting surface. The bridge platform and the elevator platform are separate and independent from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of preferred embodiments will be given herein below with reference to the following drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements:

/ Figures 1 to 5 are schematic perspective views showing several constructions of various disclosed loaders.

Figure 6 is a schematic top partial view of a top surface of an elevator platform.

Figures 7A-B are schematic partial top and front views of a front axle of a loader.

Figures 8A-B are schematic side views of a lowerable stabilizing leg and a chassis portion with such a leg, respectively. Figures 9A-B are schematic top and side views of a control station.

Figures 10A-C are schematic side, top and front views of rear wheels of a loader.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown a loader for transferring containers 14 or other types of unit load devices to or from an aircraft cargo bay. The loader has a mobile chassis 2 having a front section 4 and a rear section 6. A bridge platform 8 is mounted onto the chassis 2 adapted to extend over the front section 4 of the chassis 2 in operative position at a level of the cargo bay 16. An elevator platform 10 is also mounted onto the chassis 2 adjacent the bridge platform 8 and adapted to extend over the rear section 6 of the chassis 2. The elevator platform 10 is liftable between a lowered position for transfer of the container 14 near a ground level, and a raised position levelled with the bridge platform 8 when in operative position.

A lifting device, such as a scissor lift assembly 28 extending between the chassis 2 and the elevator platform 10, is provided for lifting the elevator platform 10 between the lowered and raised positions. As illustrated, the scissor lift assembly 28 can be formed of a hydraulic scissor arrangement, but other arrangements, such as a chain and post arrangement (not shown) may also be used. A grasshopper lift assembly 46 (as shown in Figure 2) may also extend between the chassis 2 and the elevator platform 10 for lifting it.

Operation of the lifting device is controlled by a control unit or station 26 which can be conveniently mounted on a side of the bridge platform 8. It may be mounted elsewhere if desired.

The bridge platform 8 and the elevator platform 10 define together, when ₍ viewed from above, a non-rectangular container supporting surface. Also, the bridge platform 8 and the elevator platform 10 are separate and independent from each other.

The loader may be self-propelled as illustrated , or in the form of a trailer attachable to a tractor (not shown) . In the case where the loader is self-propelled, a diesel engine (not shown) may be mounted onto the front section 4 of the chassis 2. Alternatively, other types of engines, such as gasoline or electric engines may be used for propelling the loader. The engine is preferably mounted onto the front section 4 of the chassis 2.

A front steering axle 70 (as best shown in Figures 7A-B) may be mounted near a junction of the front section 4 and the rear section 6 of the chassis 2.

The bridge platform 8 may also be arranged so as to be liftable. In such a case, a lifting device, such as a scissor lift assembly 24 extending between the chassis 2 and the bridge platform 8, may be provided for lifting the bridge platform 8 between a lowered position wherein the bridge platform 8 rests on the front section 4 of the chassis 2, and the operative position wherein the bridge platform 8 extends at the level of the cargo bay 16.

The scissor lift assembly 24 can be conveniently operated from the same control unit or station 26 than the scissor lift assembly 28.

The hydraulic scissor arrangement of the scissor lift assemblies 24, 28 may use hydraulic power generated by an hydraulic pump and imotor (not shown) possibly located on the front section 4 of the chassis 2 for lifting both platforms 8, 10. The hydraulic pump and motor may be located elsewhere if desired.

Both the bridge platform 8 and the elevator platform 10 have respectively top surfaces 12, 30 provided with elements for facilitating displacement of the containers 14 between the elevator platform 10, the bridge platform 8 and the cargo bay 16.

Referring to Figure 6, the elements for facilitating displacement of the containers 14 may be formed of flat-top chains 20, 32 running along the top surfaces 12, 30 for longitudinal displacement of the containers 14, and multidirectional wheels 22, 34 distributed across the top surfaces 12, 30 for lateral displacements and rotations of the containers 14. The flat-top chains 20, 32 perform well under rough climatic conditions (rain/frost/snow) . The flat- top chains 20, 32 allow transferring the containers off- center (right or left shift) and the multidirectional wheels 22, 34 allow re-centering and rotation of the containers 14 with great efficiency. Side rollers 48 may be positioned on sides of the elevator platform 10 and/or of the bridge platform 8. These rollers 48 may be driven so as ^' to turn in reverse with respect to the moving direction of the containers 14 on the platforms 8, 10, thus providing better stability and control during cargo transfer operation. The rollers 48 can also be used to facilitate transfer of the containers 14 between the elevator platforms 10 and another vehicle.

The flat-top chains 20, 32 and the multidirectional wheels 22, 34 may be driven by an arrangement 21 formed of power transmission shafts and chains with gears coupled to hydraulic motors 23.

Referring to Figures ■ 9A-B, the control unit 26 located on the side of the bridge platform 8 may be operated to control, for example, both platforms 8, 10, the flat-top chains 20, 32, the multidirectional wheels 22, 34, and side rollers 48. By operating all these devices from the control station 26, the container transfer operation from or to the cargo bay 16 is thus facilitated.

The control unit 26 is preferably adapted to produce signals to control cards and relays (not shown) which activate hydraulic valves or any other similar components or instruments for controlling the various elements of the loader such as those described above.

The control unit 26 can be provided with buttons, a joystick or lever and other control devices for providing various functions. Referring to Figure 1, the elevator platform 10 provides support for multiple adjacent rows 50, 52 of containers 14 (two rows in the illustrated case) . The flat-top chains 32 and the multidirectional wheels 34 (as shown in Figure 6) are laid to provide guidance for moving the containers 14 from one' of the rows 50, 52 to the other.

Referring to Figure 2, the elevator platform 10 extends behind and is wider than the bridge platform 8. The elevator platform 10 has sides projecting beyond side limits of the bridge platform 8, and the rear section 6 of the chassis 2 is wider than the front section 4_, of the chassis 2 and extends under the elevator platform 10. The rear section 6 of the chassis 2 has a larger wheel gauge than the front section 4 of the chassis 2.

The bridge platform 8 provides support for two rows 54, 56 of the containers 14., The flat-top chains 32 and the multidirectional wheels 34 are laid to provide guidance for moving the containers 14 from one of the rows 54, 56 to the other.

Referring to Figure 3, the elevator platform 10 extends behind and is narrower than the bridge platform 8. The elevator platform 10 is aligned with one of the container rows 54, 56 of the bridge platform 8.

An additional elevator platform 58 may be mounted onto the chassis 2 adjacent the elevator platform 10 already in place. The additional elevator platform 58 is adapted to extend over the rear section 6 of the chassis 2 and is liftable between a lowered position for transfer of the containers 14 near a ground level, and a raised position levelled with the bridge platform 8 when in the operative position. The additional elevator platform 58 has a top surface 60 provided with flattop chains and multidirectional wheels as in the case of the elevator platform 10, for facilitating displacement of the containers 14 between the additional elevator platform 58, the bridge platform 8, and the elevator platform 10. The additional elevator platform 58 is aligned with the other container row 56 of the bridge platform 8. An additional lifting device, like the one for the elevator platform 10, is provided for lifting the additional elevator platform 58 between the lowered position and the raised position. Operation of the additional lifting device is also controlled by the control unit 26.

Referring to Figure 4, the elevator platform 10 extends over the front section 4 of the chassis 2 and on a side of the bridge platform 8, and from a rear end of the chassis 2 to a front end of the chassis 2.

An additional elevator platform 62 may be mounted onto the chassis 2 adjacent the elevator platform 10 already in place and extending behind the bridge platform 8 and over the rear section 6 of the chassis 2. The additional elevator platform 62 is liftable between a lowered position for transfer of the containers 14 near .a ground level, and a raised position levelled with the bridge platform 8 when in the operative position. The additional elevator platform 62 has a top surface 64 provided with flat-top chains and multidirectional wheels like those of the other elevator platform 10, for facilitating displacement of the containers 14 between the additional elevator platform 62, the bridge platform 8 and the elevator platform 10. An additional lifting device, such as the one for the elevator platform 10, is provided for lifting the additional elevator platform 62 between the lowered position and the raised position. Operation of the additional lifting device is also controlled by the control unit 26.

The bridge platform 8 provides support for two containers 14 in a row 54.

Referring to Figure 5, the configuration of both the elevator platform 10 and the bridge platform 8 is similar to the configuration shown in Figure 3. However, the position of the cargo bay 16 with respect to the bridge platform 8 is different. The cargo bay 16 is centered with the bridge platform 8. The flat-top chains 20 and the multidirectional wheels 32 are laid so as to converge towards the cargo bay 16.

Referring to Figures 8A-B, the loader may be provided with lowerable stabilizing legs 66 projecting under the chassis 2. The legs 66 can be lowered down from their retracted position to rest against ground to stabilize the loader when containers 14 are transferred from and to the aircraft. Once the transfer operation is completed, the legs 66 are then lifted back into their retracted position.

Referring to Figures 10A-C, the rear section 6 of the chassis 2 is provided with a supporting wheel assembly 68 for adjusting the height of the rear section 6 of the chassis 2 with respect to the ground level, thus adjusting the lowered position of the elevator platform 10. The wheel assembly 68 can also be used as a stabilizer for the rear section 6 of the chassis 2 and as a jacking system for efficient and fast emergency procedures .

To service the aircraft, the elevator platform 10 is lowered and the containers 14 are placed at an end of the elevator platform 10 or anywhere along its length if desired. The elevator platform is then raised at the level of the bridge platform 8, and the containers 14 are moved onto the bridge platform 8 and then onto the cargo bay 16 of the aircraft. The sequence of operations is simply reversed when unloading the aircraft. The alternate operation of two elevator platforms as shown in Figures 3-5 improves the efficiency of the transfer process.

It is worth noting that in all the above examples of loader configurations, the length of the elevator platform 10 extending behind the bridge platform is advantageously considerably reduced compared to the in-line configuration, thus reducing the overall length of the loader and improving its stability especially for high lift operation e.g. when servicing an upper deck.

Also, since the overall length of the loader is reduced, the operator has better view and control of the container flow for servicing the aircraft. /

While embodiments of this invention have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essence of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A loader for transferring containers to or from an aircraft cargo bay, comprising: a mobile chassis having a front section and a rear section; a bridge platform mounted onto the chassis and adapted to extend over the front section of the chassis in operative position at a level of the cargo bay, the bridge platform having a top surface provided with means for facilitating displacement of the containers between the bridge platform and the cargo bay; ^l an elevator platform mounted onto the chassis adjacent the bridge platform and adapted to extend over the rear section of the chassis, the elevator platform being liftable .between a lowered position for transfer of the containers near a ground level, and a raised position levelled with the bridge platform when in the operative position, the elevator platform having a top surface provided with means for facilitating displacement of the containers between the elevator platform and the bridge platform; a lifting means for lifting the elevator platform between the lowered position and the raised position; and a control means for controlling operation of the lifting means; the bridge platform and the elevator platform defining together, when viewed from above, a non- rectangular container supporting surface, the bridge platform and the elevator platform being separate and independent from each other.

2. The loader according to claim 1, wherein the elevator platform provides support for at least two adjacent rows of the containers, the means for facilitating displacement of the containers between the elevator platform and the bridge platform providing guidance for moving the containers from one of the rows to an adjacent one of the rows.

3. The loader according to claim 2, wherein the elevator platform extends behind and is wider than the bridge platform.

4. The loader according to claim 3, wherein the elevator platform has sides projecting beyond side limits of the bridge platform, and the rear section of the chassis is wider than the front section of the chassis and extends under the elevator platform, the rear section of the chassis having a larger wheel gauge than the front section of the chassis.

5. The loader according to claim 1, wherein the bridge platform provides support for at least two rows of the containers, the means for facilitating displacement of the containers between the bridge platform and the cargo bay providing guidance for moving the containers from one of the rows to an adjacent one of the rows.

6. The loader according to claim 5, wherein the elevator platform extends behind and is narrower than the bridge platform, the elevator platform being aligned with one of said at least two rows.

7. The loader according to claim 6, comprising: an additional elevator platform mounted onto the chassis adjacent the elevator platform already in place and adapted to extend over the rear section of the chassis, the additional elevator platform being liftable between a lowered position for transfer of the containers near a ground level, and a raised position levelled with the bridge platform when in the operative position, the additional elevator platform having a top surface provided with means for facilitating displacement of the containers between the additional elevator platform and the bridge platform, the additional elevator platform being aligned with another one of said at least two rows; and an additional lifting means for lifting the additional elevator platform between the lowered position and the raised position, the control means also controlling operation of the additional lifting means.

8. The loader according to claim 1, wherein the lifting means comprises a scissor lift assembly extending between the chassis and the elevator platform.

9. The loader according to claim 1, further comprising a lifting means for lifting the bridge platform between a lowered position wherein the bridge platform rests on the front section of the chassis, and said operative position wherein the bridge platform extends at the level of the cargo bay.

10. The loader according to claim 9, wherein the lifting means for lifting the bridge platform comprises a scissor lift assembly extending between the chassis and the bridge platform.

11. The loader according to claim 1, wherein the elevator platform also extends over the front section of the chassis and on a side of the bridge platform.

12. The loader according to claim 11, wherein the elevator platform extends from a rear end of the chassis to a front end of the chassis.

13. The loader according to claim 12, comprising: an additional elevator platform mounted onto the chassis adjacent the elevator platform already in place and extending behind the bridge platform and over the rear section of the chassis, the additional elevator platform being liftable between a lowered position for transfer of the containers near a ground level, and a raised position levelled with the bridge platform when in the operative position, the additional elevator platform having a top surface provided with means for facilitating displacement of the containers between the additional elevator platform and the bridge platform, the additional elevator platform being aligned with another one of said 'at least two rows; and an additional lifting means for lifting the additional elevator platform between the lowered position and the raised position, the control means also controlling operation of the additional lifting means.

14. The loader according to claim 1, wherein the bridge platform provides support for at least two of the containers in a row.

15. The loader according to claim 8, wherein the lifting means further comprises a grasshopper lift assembly extending between the chassis and the elevator platform.

16. The loader according to claim 1, wherein the means for facilitating the displacement of the containers comprises flat-top chains running along the top surfaces.

17. The loader according to claim 1, wherein the means for facilitating the displacement of the containers comprises multidirectional wheels distributed across the top surfaces.

18. The loader according to claim 1, wherein the elevator platform comprises side rollers extending on sides of the elevator platform.

19. The loader according to claim 1, wherein the control means comprises a control station mounted onto a side of the bridge platform.

20. The loader according to claim 1, further comprising lowerable stabilizing legs projecting under the chassis.

21. The loader according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting wheel assembly attached to the rear section of the chassis, for adjusting a height thereof with respect to ground level.