Loader for aircraft

Abstract

An aircraft loader ( 54 ) includes an upper loading platform ( 50 ) and an underlying frame ( 52 ) with the frame utilizing the bogey suspension system ( 60 ), as well as carrying auxiliary lift system ( 400 ) at the rearward end thereof for assisting in the initial lifting of the platform relative to the frame. Powered roller assemblies ( 100,110,120, and 130 ), composed of hollow drive shafts, may be conveniently assembled and disassembled from the underside of loading platform ( 50 ). A plurality of upwardly convex-shaped static slider elements ( 200 ) facilitate unidirectional movement of loads on the platform ( 50 ). At the forward end of the platform, a guard or side rail ( 316 ) is rotatable from a retracted position within the confines of a control platform ( 68 ) to a forwardly directed position toward the fuselage of the aircraft. The side rail ( 316 ) is shaped to resemble the exterior cross-sectional shape of the fuselage, thereby to close the gap between the forward end of the loading platform and the fuselage, for the protection of loader personnel.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An aircraft loader for transferring loads into and out of an aircraft, comprising:
 (a) a ground-engaging frame;   (b) a loading platform adapted to raise and lower relative to the frame;   (c) wherein the loading platform comprises an upper deck having a top surface; and   (d) a plurality of static upwardly convex cargo slider elements disposed on the upper deck of the loading platform to project above the upper deck to support loads carried by the loading platform and facilitate movement of the loads about the loading platform.   
     
     
         21 . The aircraft loader of  claim 20 , wherein the upwardly convex cargo slider elements comprise an upper surface disposed substantially parallel to the top surface of the upper deck of the loading deck to define a bearing surface for bearing against loads being transferred. 
     
     
         22 . The aircraft loader of  claim 20 , wherein the cargo slider elements are in the shape selected from the group including a truncated dome, a truncated dome with a base, a truncated cone, and a truncated cone with a base. 
     
     
         23 . The aircraft loader of  claim 22 , wherein the radius of curvature of the truncated dome-shaped cargo slider elements is in the range of about 1 inch to about 5 inches. 
     
     
         24 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 wheels to support the frame; and   a suspension system acting between the wheels and the frame, the suspension system comprising a suspension link connected between the wheels and the frame.   
     
     
         25 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 24 , wherein the suspension system further comprises a shock absorber acting between the suspension link and the frame to absorb shock loads imposed on the aircraft loader during travel of the aircraft loader. 
     
     
         26 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 24 , wherein the suspension system further comprises a fluid cylinder acting on the frame to adjust the elevation of the frame relative to the ground. 
     
     
         27 . An aircraft loader for transferring loads into and out of an aircraft, comprising:
 (a) a ground-engaging frame;   (b) a loading platform adapted to raise and lower relative to the frame;   (c) wherein the loading platform comprises an upper deck having a top surface;   (d) wherein the loading platform comprises side portions and a forward end portion, the forward end portion positionable adjacent an aircraft fuselage when the aircraft loader is in use; and   (e) further comprising a retractable side guardrail located along a side portion of the loading platform, the side guardrail rotatable between a stowed position and an extended position, wherein the side guardrail extends forwardly relative to the loading platform, the side guardrail when in extended position is shaped to correspond to the exterior circumferential shape of the aircraft fuselage below the water line of the aircraft fuselage.   
     
     
         28 . The aircraft loader of  claim 27 , wherein the side guardrail extends downwardly and forwardly relative to the loading platform to simulate the exterior circumferential shape of the aircraft fuselage adjacent the side guardrail. 
     
     
         29 . The aircraft loader of  claim 28 :
 further comprising a walkway disposed laterally of and along the loading platform, the walkway having a forward end portion extending forwardly relative to the aircraft fuselage when the aircraft loader is in use;   further comprising a forward guardrail extending upwardly from the walkway and transversely to the forward end portion of the walkway to block the forward end of the walkway; and   wherein the side guardrail is rotatable between a stowed position parallel to the end guardrail and an extended position disposed transversely to the end guardrail and disposed forwardly relative to the loading platform.   
     
     
         30 . The aircraft loader of  claim 29 , wherein the forward end guardrail comprises:
 a lower section attached to the walkway; and   an upper section extending upwardly from the lower section and canted rearwardly in the upward direction relative to the forward end of the walkway.   
     
     
         31 . The aircraft loader of  claim 29 , wherein the rotatable side guardrail comprises:
 a shorter upper arm;   a longer lower arm; and   a downward section extending between the shorter upper arm and the longer lower arm.   
     
     
         32 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 wheels to support the frame; and   a suspension system acting between the wheels and the frame, the suspension system comprising a suspension link connected between the wheels and the frame.   
     
     
         33 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 32 , wherein the suspension system further comprises a shock absorber acting between the suspension link and the frame to absorb shock loads imposed on the aircraft loader during travel of the aircraft loader. 
     
     
         34 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 32 , wherein the suspension system further comprises a fluid cylinder action on the frame to adjust the elevation of the frame relative to the ground. 
     
     
         35 . An aircraft loader for transferring loads into and out of an aircraft, comprising:
 (a) a ground-engaging frame;   (b) a loading platform adapted to raise and lower relative to the frame;   (c) wheels to support the frame; and   (d) a suspension system acting between the wheels and the frame, the suspension system comprising:
 (i) a suspension link pivotally connected between the wheels and the frame; and 
 (ii) a shock absorber interposed between the suspension link and the frame to absorb shock loads imposed on the aircraft loader during travel of the aircraft loader. 
   
     
     
         36 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 35 , wherein the shock absorber comprises a snubber positioned between the suspension system and the frame to absorb shock loads transmitted from the wheel to the shock absorber. 
     
     
         37 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 36 , wherein the snubber is composed of a compressible elastomeric material. 
     
     
         38 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 35 , wherein the suspension link comprises a swing arm assembly pivotally mounted to the frame and axled to the wheels. 
     
     
         39 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 38 :
 wherein the suspension link is pivotally mounted to the frame; and   further comprising a linear actuator is connected between the suspension link and the frame to control the nominal position of the suspension link relative to the frame, thereby to adjust the elevation of the frame relative to the ground.   
     
     
         40 . The aircraft loader according to  claim 39 , wherein the linear actuator comprises a fluid cylinder connected between the swing arm assembly and the frame to adjust the elevation of the frame relative to the ground.