Aircraft Emergency Escape Slide Container And Method Of Changing An Aircraft Emergency Escape Slide

Abstract

An emergency escape slide container includes a first portion having a first end wall and a first side wall, the first side wall and the first end wall defining a first storage space that is sized and shaped to receive an emergency escape slide. The first side wall also includes a first rolling mechanism. The emergency escape slide container also includes a second portion having a second end wall and a second side wall, the second side wall and the second end wall defining a second storage space sized and shaped to receive the emergency escape slide. The second side wall also includes a second rolling mechanism. The first portion and the second portion cooperate to define a third storage space therebetween, the third storage space being equal to a combination of the first storage space and the second storage space.

1 . An emergency escape slide container comprising:
 a first portion including a first end wall and a first side wall, the first side wall and the first end wall defining a first storage space sized and shaped to receive an emergency escape slide, the storage space including a first restraining mechanism for the emergency escape slide, and the first side wall including a first rolling mechanism;   a second portion including a second end wall and a second side wall, the second side wall and the second end wall defining a second storage space sized and shaped to receive the emergency escape slide, the storage space including a second restraining mechanism for the emergency escape slide, and the second wall including a second rolling mechanism;   wherein the first portion and the second portion cooperate to define a third storage space therebetween, the third storage space being equal to a combination of the first storage space and the second storage space.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising an emergency escape slide disposed within the first storage space. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first rolling mechanism includes a first roller and a second roller. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the first roller is an omni-roller. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the second roller is a nylon roller. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the first portion includes a first recessed groove, the first recessed groove being sized to receive a fork of a forklift. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a skid mounted on the first portion, the skid extending outward away from an outer surface of the first end wall. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , further comprising a recess on the outer surface of the first end wall, the recess being sized and shaped to receive a portion of the skid. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the skid is removably attached to the first portion with a removable fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the removable fastener is a thumb nut. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the first side wall includes a first plurality of tongues and a first plurality of grooves and the second side wall includes a second plurality of tongues and a second plurality of grooves, the first plurality of tongues being sized and shaped to be received by the second plurality of grooves and the second plurality of tongues being sized and shaped to be received by the first plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of tongues and the second plurality of grooves are arranged to locate the first rolling mechanism on an opposite side of the container from the second rolling mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is identical to the second portion. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made of one of plastic and metal. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first restraining mechanism is a belt strap. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 1 , further including a first handle on an outer surface of the first side wall. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism that releasably secures the first portion to the second portion. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first storage space has a length of about 43.75 inches (111.12 cm), a width of about 28.75 inches (73.025 cm), and a depth of about 11 inches (27.94 cm). 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a raised ridge on an outer surface of the first end wall. 
     
     
         20 . A method of changing an emergency escape slide on an aircraft, the method comprising:
 providing a replacement emergency escape slide within a container, the container having a first portion and a second portion removably attached to one another, the first portion and the second portion defining the a first storage space and a second storage space, respectively,   separating the first portion from the second portion so that the replacement emergency escape slide remains attached to the first portion and at least partially disposed within the first storage space,   placing the first portion on a surface of an aircraft so that a rolling mechanism is disposed between the first portion and the surface,   moving the first portion on the surface to a predetermined location proximate an egress door of an aircraft,   orienting the first storage space to be adjacent to an emergency escape slide storage location on the aircraft,   separating the emergency escape slide from the first portion, and   securing the emergency escape slide to the emergency escape slide storage location.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 transporting the second portion to the predetermined location proximate the egress door,   orienting the second portion so that the second storage space is adjacent the emergency escape slide storage location,   releasing an existing emergency escape slide from the emergency escape slide storage location, and   securing the existing emergency escape slide to the second portion so that the existing emergency escape slide is at least partially disposed within the second storage space.