Abstract: A fully floating gangway comprises a movable frame sandwiched movably in an operating plane between lower and upper parallel bearing surfaces which are supported from and positioned below a first platform. A gangway extends from the frame's front end for extending to another platform such as an aircraft doorway so that the gangway can be aligned therewith by manipulating the frame in the operating plane. Preferably the frame and bearing surfaces are supported in a mobile structures such as passenger ramp. The gangway is preferably pivoted from the frame for adapting to differential elevations. The pivoting gangway can be counterbalanced for ease of manipulation. A braking system is provided to lock gangway against movement once positioned.

Abstract: A mobile passenger ramp for loading and unloading aircraft, the ramp comprising having upper and lower frame sections connected pivotally so that the ramp can be folded for storage or movement about the tarmac and unfolded at an obtuse angle to form a wide “footprint” to provide wind or jet blast stability. An arcuate surface bridges between the ramps of the two frames when unfolded. The compact ramp remains safely clear of a “No-Go” zone while still being sufficiently long to minimize the slope of the ramp for improved ease of use by passengers, either ambulatory or in wheelchairs. A steerable wheel at one end of the ramp enables rotation of one frame about the pivoting connection for folding and unfolding the frames. Fixed wheels on the upper frame and a castored wheel positioned near the pivot point on the lower frame provide stability and easy maneuverability of the folded ramp.

Abstract: A mobile passenger ramp for loading and unloading aircraft, the comprising having upper and lower frame sections connected pivotally so that the ramp can be folded for storage or movement about the tarmac and unfolded at an obtuse angle to form a wide “footprint” to provide wind or jet blast stability. An arcuate surface bridges between the ramps of the two frames when unfolded. The compact ramp remains safely clear of a “No-Go” zone while still being sufficiently long to minimize the slope of the ramp for improved ease of use by passengers, either ambulatory or in wheelchairs. A steerable wheel at one end of the ramp enables rotation of one frame about the pivoting connection for folding and unfolding the frames. Fixed wheels on the upper frame and a castored wheel positioned near the pivot point on the lower frame provide stability and easy maneuverability of the folded ramp.

Abstract: A fully floating gangway comprises a movable frame sandwiched movably in an operating plane between lower and upper parallel bearing surfaces which are supported from and positioned below a first platform. A gangway extends from the frame's front end for extending to another platform such as an aircraft doorway so that the gangway can be aligned therewith by manipulating the frame in the operating plane. Preferably the frame and bearing surfaces are supported in a mobile structures such as passenger ramp. The gangway is preferably pivoted from the frame for adapting to differential elevations. The pivoting gangway can be counterbalanced for ease of manipulation. A braking system is provided to lock gangway against movement once positioned.

Abstract: A utility cart is provided which minimizes damage caused by impact with objects, particularly for use on a windy airport tarmac, the cart comprising a frame having main wheels bearing most of the cart's weight, these main wheels being fitted with latch-type brakes. The cart has a top structure, such as a roof, which extends horizontally above the frame, the periphery of which approximates or extends beyond the periphery of the frame. The top structure is normally supported above the cart's frame using three or more laterally collapsible supports for permitting the top structure to be displaced laterally while remaining substantially horizontal so as to minimize energy transfer upon lateral impact of the periphery of the top structure with an object. Each of the preferred collapsible supports comprises a tubular member elastically sandwiched between top and bottom plates mounted to the top structure and frame respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved wheeled, light-weight lift which meets standards for airline ground support vertical lift devices, specifically being capable of use on airport tarmacs in winds up to 90 mph. On and off-loading ramps are provided which are rotatable between an upright stored position and a horizontal working position. The ramps comprise a bridge structure supporting a plurality of louvred deck plates. Each louvre is linked to the others so as to remain oriented horizontal regardless of the ramps position for minimizing their aerodynamic profile and overturning moment. Outriggers are extendible from the frame so as to increase its base dimensions and thus the moment needed to overturn the lift. The outriggers retract into the frame to minimize storage. The outriggers are horizontally movable along their longitudinal axis to minimize the deployment space required.

Abstract: A platform is mounted on a frame for vertical movement on the frame. The platform is raised and lowered using a pair of drums mounted for both rotational and translational movement on the frame. Cables on the drums and connected to the platform tend to rotate and translate the drums. The translation is resisted by brake bands wrapped around the drums, which in turn prevent rotation of the drums. For raising and lowering purposes, the drums are equipped with chain sprockets and drive chains that may be driven to rotate the drums about their axes and also to translate the drums in a direction opposite the translation caused by the weight of the platform. This unloads the band brakes and allows the platform to move.

Abstract: A lightweight frame supports a wheelchair platform for up and down movement between four vertical standards, one at each corner. A lifting mechanism includes a winch supported between two of the standards and connected to the platform by cables which pass over pulleys mounted in an upper cross bar pivotally secured and extending between the two posts with the pivot being offset from the longitudinal axis of the crossbar thereby giving a camming or offset partial rotational movement. The winch includes a one way clutch which is disengaged when the platform is elevated but engages automatically as soon as the platform starts to descend thus locking a brake drum to the winch.