Aircraft adapted for transporting cargo

Abstract

The fuselage of an aircraft comprises a floor structure, a roof structure, a first lateral side structure, a second lateral side structure, and a middle structure. The floor structure, the roof structure, the first lateral side structure, and the second lateral side structure define a fuselage space between them. The middle structure spans at least part way between the floor structure and the roof structure, and runs between the first lateral side structure and the second lateral side structure such that the middle structure partitions the fuselage space into an occupant space and a cargo space. A seat for a pilot is disposed in the occupant space lateral to a portion of the middle structure and a portion of the cargo space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aircraft with a fuselage, the fuselage comprising:
 a floor structure;   a roof structure;   a first lateral side structure;   a second lateral side structure, the floor structure, the roof structure, the first lateral side structure, and the second lateral side structure defining a fuselage space between them; and   a middle structure emanating from the floor structure and running between the first lateral side structure and the second lateral side structure such that the middle structure partitions the fuselage space into an occupant space and a cargo space, the occupant space disposed between the first lateral side structure and the middle structure, and the cargo space disposed between the second lateral side structure and the middle structure;   wherein the middle structure comprises a plurality of structural members that resist at least one of tension, compression, bending, shear, and torsion acting on the aircraft.   
     
     
         2 . The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein the middle structure merges with the first lateral side structure or the second lateral side structure. 
     
     
         3 . The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein the fuselage is of a truss design. 
     
     
         4 . The aircraft of  claim 3 , wherein the middle structure comprises joined tubing. 
     
     
         5 . The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first lateral side structure comprises a plurality of first structural members; and   at least some of the plurality of first structural members are replicated in the plurality of structural members of the middle structure.   
     
     
         6 . The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the middle structure spans all the way between the floor structure and roof structure. 
     
     
         7 . The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first portion of the middle structure spans all the way between the floor structure and the roof structure; and   a second portion of the middle structure spans only part way between the floor structure and the roof structure.   
     
     
         8 . The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein the second lateral side structure comprises a cargo door assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The aircraft of  claim 8 , wherein the cargo door assembly spans between the floor structure and the roof structure. 
     
     
         10 . The aircraft of  claim 8 , wherein the cargo door assembly is removably mounted to a remainder of the aircraft. 
     
     
         11 . The aircraft of  claim 10 , wherein the cargo door assembly is removably mounted to the remainder of the aircraft at least in part via a plurality of quarter turn fasteners. 
     
     
         12 . The aircraft of  claim 10 , wherein the cargo door assembly is removable from the remainder of the aircraft with only a single hand tool. 
     
     
         13 . The aircraft of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the second lateral side structure comprises a pivotal structural member pivotally mounted to a different structural member of the second lateral side structure; and   the cargo door assembly is removably mounted to the pivotal structural member.   
     
     
         14 . The aircraft of  claim 13 , wherein the different structural member of the second lateral side structure comprises a longeron. 
     
     
         15 . The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein the second lateral side structure comprises a hinged door assembly, the hinged door assembly removably attached to a remainder of the aircraft. 
     
     
         16 . The aircraft of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the second lateral side structure comprises a pivotal structural member pivotally mounted to a different structural member of the second lateral side structure; and   the hinged door assembly latches to the pivotal structural member.   
     
     
         17 . The aircraft of  claim 1 , further comprising seating for a pilot disposed in the occupant space lateral to a portion of the middle structure and a portion of the cargo space. 
     
     
         18 . The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein the floor structure defines a cargo floor surface underlying the cargo space and spanning at least one-half of the fuselage in a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         19 . The aircraft of  claim 18 , wherein the cargo floor surface is substantially flat for a majority of its length in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         20 . The aircraft of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the floor structure defines an occupant floor surface underlying the occupant space; and   the cargo floor surface spans further aft in the aircraft than the occupant floor surface.