Apparatus for loading and unloading aircrafts

Abstract

An apparatus for loading and unloading aircrafts comprises a tiltable first conveyor part ( 7 ) adjustable in height and provided with a conveyor path ( 11 ) advancing and removing luggage ( 59 ), such as suitcases, parcels and the like cargo items, to and from the apparatus. The apparatus comprises further a second conveyor part ( 8 ) extendable from the first conveyor part and being adapted to be moved through an opening in the aircraft and into the cargo compartment of said aircraft. This second conveyor part ( 8 ) comprises a conveyor path advancing or removing the luggage to or from the storing site inside the cargo compartment. The second conveyor part ( 8 ) comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected conveyor units ( 30, 31 ) with their respective activatable conveyor paths and their respective sets of wheels ( 44 ).

1 . A ground apparatus for loading and unloading an aircraft ( 53 ) with a cargo compartment ( 52 ), said apparatus comprising: 
 a conveyor ( 8 ) having a first end and a second end and being at least partially extendable from said apparatus into said cargo compartment ( 52 ),    said conveyor ( 8 ) including a succession of conveyor units ( 30 ,  31 ,  70 ,  90 ), each of said conveyor units ( 30 ,  31 ,  70 ,  90 ) having a set of wheels ( 44 ,  76 ,  101 ,  102 ) and defining a respective activatable conveyor path,    said conveyor units ( 30 ,  31 ,  70 ,  90 ) being mutually interconnected by means of coupling members ( 38 ,  81 ,  82 ) that allow for a sideways mutual pivotal movement of said conveyor units ( 30 ,  31 ,  70 ,  90 ) and for a mutual pivotal movement of said conveyor units about an essentially horizontal axis ( 83 ,  84 ),    said apparatus being constructed for storing said second conveyor ( 8 ) in a state wherein at least two successive conveyor units ( 30 ,  31 ,  70 ,  90 ) are mutually pivoted about said essentially horizontal axis ( 83 ,  84 ).    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an endless conveyor belt ( 9 ) is arranged above said conveyor ( 8 ).  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , including a bridge member ( 50 ,  105 ) adapted to be supported by said aircraft and to support said conveyor units ( 30 ,  31 ,  70 ,  90 ) during said extension from said apparatus into the cargo compartment ( 52 ).  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said bridge member ( 50 ,  105 ) comprises guiding means ( 55 ,  56 ,  57 ,  106 ,  107 ) for guiding said conveyor units ( 30 ,  31 ,  70 ,  90 ).  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a first end conveyor unit ( 31 ,  90 ) arranged at said first end includes means for varying the inclination of said conveyor path of said first end conveyor unit ( 31 ,  90 )  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , including a conveyor front member ( 45 ) which is hingedly mounted to said first end conveyor unit ( 31 ,  90 ) and which can be set with a desired inclination relative to the conveyor path of said first end conveyor unit ( 31 ,  90 ).  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each conveyor unit ( 30 ,  31 ,  70 ,  90 ) comprises an endless conveyor belt ( 40 ,  46 ,  71 ,  93 ).  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein each endless conveyor belt ( 40 ,  46 ,  71 ,  93 ) is driven by a driving roller ( 72 ) and one or more further rollers ( 33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  73 ), which are supported by a frame ( 36 ,  41 ,  75 ), which in turn is supported by a wheel-carrying support member ( 37 ,  42 ,  77 ,  78 ,  97 ).  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the width of said conveyor belt ( 40 ,  46 ,  71 ,  93 ) is greater than the distance between said rollers.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , including control means ( 47 ,  48 ) whereby an operator present inside the aircraft ( 53 ) can control said conveyor ( 8 ).  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , said conveyor units ( 30 ,  31 ,  70 ,  90 ) being interconnected by means of releasable coupling members ( 38 ,  81 ,  82 ).  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , including driving means cooperating with said conveyor units ( 30 ,  31 ,  70 ,  90 ) for extending said conveyor ( 8 ) from said apparatus, such as by way of friction.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , placed on a vehicle ( 1 ).