Abstract: A towing vehicle for towing a large aircraft that lifts, supports and moves the nose wheel of and consequently the aircraft itself, is provided. The towing vehicle has a frame which internally receives the aircraft's nose wheels. Forward and rear arcuate shaped nose wheel engaging members contact a substantial portion of the front and rear circumferential surfaces of the nose wheels. The forward nose wheel engaging members are pivotally attached to the front of the frame. The rear nose wheel engaging members are connected through hydraulic rams to the rear of the frame. When the hydraulic rams are extended, the nose wheels are lifted and rotated around the pivotal connection of the forward nose wheel engaging members and the frame thereby lifting and supporting the nose wheels off the ground. Movement of the towing vehicle then also moves the aircraft whose nose wheels are supported.

Abstract: A device for maneuvering a machine supported by a principal landing gear and at least one swingable wheel, such as a helicopter, between two given zones on a platform such as an alighting area and a parking area on the deck of a ship. The device includes at least one guide rail (5, 6), a hauling mechanism (12, 13, 14, 19, 20) intended to pull the machine (H), and a bar (19) for orienting the path of the machine (H). One end of the bar slides along the guide rail (5). The device also has at least one holding trolley (28) associated with means of connection (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39) to the machine (H). These means of connection make it possible to center and align the machine (H) on the guide rail (5, 6) as it is being hauled.

Abstract: A towing head assembly, designed to be mounted on a tow bar of a towing vehicle, which is structured to innerconnect the towing vehicle to a tow pin of the type normally found on aircraft landing gear. A connecting structure includes a rotatable cam selectively positionable into a clamping or locking position defined by camming engagement of a cam structure with the tow pin of the aircraft forcing it to be clamped between a remainder of the mounting structure such as one or more hook members. The cam structure includes an adjusting feature which adjustably forces a portion thereof into camming engagement with the tow pin so as to overcome wear of the tow pin and ensure a firm, clamping engagement therewith.

Abstract: A dolly particularly suitable for manipulation of tail wheel aircraft is disclosed as having a wheel and axle assembly with an elongated lever extending rearwardly from the axle. A wheel-holding assembly comprised of two arms forming an open rectangle extends from the lever. The wheel-holding assembly is fitted around the tail wheel of an aircraft without manipulation of the aircraft. A handle member is supplied at the end of the elongated lever to aid in manipulation and in lifting of the lever to remove the tail wheel of the aircraft from the ground so that the plane may be manipulated through the dolly. The dolly is also provided with a hitch assembly for use with tractor vehicles.

Abstract: The aircraft tractor arrangement maintains a uniform degree of reliability with which the nose wheel landing gear, which is standing on a lifting platform that is arranged on the front part and extends into a recess (26), is held down on the surface of the lifting platform which supports the nose wheel landing gear at different nose wheel diameters.Each telescoping rod (30) is hinged (40, 44, 46) to the front part (10.1) directly in the front. A connecting hydraulic cylinder (42) is provided in the rear. The hydraulic cylinder (46) for longitudinal adjustment, and also the hydraulic cylinder (36) for moving the holder (34) on the fixed part (30.1) of the telescoping rod (30) associated with it are arranged ridgedly.This arrangement allows an adjustability in height of the two rear tow arms and at the same time of the front holders, which can come into contact with the two desired zones of the wheel circumference, regardless of the nose wheel diameter.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an aircraft tractor without tow-bar. The arrangement avoids relative movement between the nose wheel of the aircraft and the tractor lifting platform by making the lifting platform (24) rotatable around a longitudinal axis (30) of the chassis, which axis is horizontal when the chassis is extended, and by making displaceable the transverse tow arms (38) and/or the holders (42) at right angles to this longitudinal axis (30). The tires of an oblique nose wheel landing gear of an aircraft being towed in a curve are handled very gently, because the tractor parts (24, 38, and 42) that are in contact with the nose wheel landing gear are able to follow the movements of the nose wheel landing gear and to adjust to its instantaneous position.

Abstract: When towing large aircraft with a tractor damage may at high speeds inadvertently be done to the nose wheel gears of the aircraft if the pilots of the aircraft apply the brakes. This can be avoided by automatic control whereby the transmitted force is sensed and the power and braking of the tractor is controlled on the basis of said sensing. By tractors of that kind it is difficult to sense the transmitted power directly. Instead, according to the invention, the acceleration of the tractor and the supplied power of the tractor are sensed. On the basis thereof it is possible to calculate the transmitted force and to drive accordingly.

Abstract: An AGHV comprising a chassis 10 having front 11, 12 and rear 15, 16 wheels thereon, a support platform 25, 26 being movably mounted on the chassis 10 and jib 30 being provided on the chassis 10 for loading the nosewheels of an aircraft onto the platform 25, 26; said platform 25, 26 being longitudinally movable between the first position wherein said nose wheels can be loaded thereon so as to be supported by the platform 25, 26 on the chassis 10 and a second position which is clear of said first position.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed comprises a universal tow and coupling bar for connecting automatically to an aircraft landing nose gear and towing the aircraft during ground transport. The aircraft engaging end of the tow bar has directional adjustment and is hydraulically controlled in three coordinates. The end of the tow bar opposite to the aircraft engaging end is semi permanently connected to the aircraft towing vehicle. The aircraft engaging end of the tow bar contains an automatic hydraulically controlled locking assembly arranged to engage and lock with a mating locking assembly permanently fixed to the aircraft nose wheel structure. In addition to the aforementioned features of the universal tow bar are means for controlling the length of the tow bar, interupting the aircraft's hydraulic steering system, and connecting to the aircraft's telephone system.

Abstract: An aircraft ground handling tractor (1) includes a manoeuverable boom (6) mounted on it. The free end of the manoeuverable boom (6) includes a connector (18) capable of being connected to an aircraft nosewheel assembly so that the tractor (1) can be connected to the nosewheel assembly through the boom (6) to enable it to pull or push the aircraft. The manoeuverable boom (6) is retractable completely within the outer limits of the tractor (1) so that, when the tractor (1) is not pulling an aircraft the manoeuverable boom (6) is wholly retracted so that it is protected from damage. Preferably the tractor (1) includes a longitudinal tunnel (7), and the manoeuverable boom (6) is received within this tunnel (7) in its retracted position. Preferably the movement functions of the boom (6) are all powered and all controlled from a driving cab (2) of the ground handling tractor (1), and the tractor (1) includes a separate, hand held control unit which enables them to be controlled remotely from the driving cab.

Abstract: A novel approach is employed for attaching an aircraft tug to the nosewheel tire assembly of an airplane. A tire capturing mechanism comprising a pivoting capture arm and a transversally adjustable crossbar opens to allow positioning of the capturing mechanism around and beneath the portion of said tire that is not in contact with the runway surface. After tire capture is accomplished, said capturing mechanism is elevated off the runway surface by a lifting mechanism, so that the entire portion of the weight of said airplane supported by said tire is borne by said aircraft tug. A universal tire clamping mechanism is employed to secure said tire firmly to said capturing mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a motor driven tug vehicle which utilizes essentially three wheels, two parallel independently controlled driven wheels and a rearward balancing, fully pivotal dolly wheel, and wherein the vehicle operator is located essentially between and directly over the driven wheels so as to be immediately adjacent the connecting hitch, and having it in the visual line of sight, whereby precise control of the independent drive wheels in a forward and reverse direction can allow very controlled and precise maneuvering of the vehicle and the hitch as selectively desired by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A parking trolley for light aircraft (1) with a couple of landing wheels (3,3), and a nose or rear supporting wheel (3'), comprising a mainly T-shaped frame (2) with adjustable supporting surfaces (4, 5,6) for the landing wheels (3,3) and the supporting wheel (3'). The T-frame is supported by wheels (12,13,14) at the free ends of the frame, the wheels being adjustable and lockable in a position with the turning axes of the wheels in parallel for transport of the parking trolley and light aircraft on the trolley by the aid of a traction vehicle. Furthermore, wheels (12,13,14) are adjustable to positions with their turning axes directed as radii of a turning point (9), alternatively a turning point (10) at a distance from turning point (9), which is connected with an anchoring means (11) in the ground, via a turning bolt.

Abstract: A towbar and come-along, especially for light aircraft, wherein a tongue is releasably attached to the axle of a nose wheel and carries a ratchet engageable with the periphery of the tire which is torqued by manipulation of a radially extended handle, acting as a second class lever which is adjustable and reversible and with anti-roll functions.

Abstract: A motorized device for aiding the maneuvering of trailers subsequent to detachment from the towing vehicle is presented which comprises a shaft attachable to the drawbar of the trailer and which is adjustable for height. At least one wheel is mounted at the end of the shaft with the axis of the wheel being perpendicular to the shaft. At least one driving device for driving the wheel in rotation about its axis and a swivelling device for swivelling the wheel are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a driving apparatus being provided for an aircraft or other wheeled vehicle by providing at least two frictional rollers which are mounted spaced from each other and adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of the wheel assembly of the vehicle, whether this wheel assembly consists of a single wheel or two or more wheels. A moving or pressing means is provided for pressing the rollers into frictional contact with the wheels of such wheel assemblies by, for example, controlling the spacing between the rollers. Drive means are then provided for rotating at least one of the friction rollers causing the vehicle wheel or wheels in contact therewith to also be rotated to move the vehicle.

Abstract: An aircraft ground-handling vehicle has a rear turntable carried by a platform (37) which can be tilted to present a sloping surface to a nose-wheel of an aircraft. The platform (37) is positioned within the wheel base of the vehicle. A lifting arm (39) is extendable beyond the platform (37) to engage the nose-wheel axle and is raised by lifting rams (43) to raise the nose-wheel clear of the ground. The rear vehicle chassis supporting the platform (37) is then extended beneath the nose-wheel which is lowered onto the platform. The nose-wheel is then clamped, and the lifting arm (39) and the chassis (33) are retracted and the platform (37) returned to the horizontal. The aircraft can then be manoeuvred to its desired position. The vehicle does not cause damage to the ground surface or aircraft nose-wheel or tire and is not required to have a substantial weight as is the case with hitherto known such vehicles.

Abstract: The aircraft-towing tractor which comprises a rearwardly open fork within which a frame is mounted so as to be raised and lowered. Telescopingly extensible shanks of the frame reach rearwardly to carry gripper arms behind the nosewheel assembly of an aircraft so that the assembly is drawn into the opening of the fork and is retained thereagainst a front shoe. A retaining claw can be swung into place from above and the frame raised.

Abstract: The tractor comprises a platform mounted on three wheels, one of which is a drive and steering wheel, and having pivotally mounted thereon a saddle member having shaped uprights which form a supporting structure for a hydraulic jack of the double-acting type the piston rod whereof has a yoke attached thereto, the two legs of the yoke being adapted to securely engage with the front wheel of a helicopter to be towed so as to drag the wheel along the saddle member.

Abstract: A heavy duty vehicle characterized by its high traction wherein the vehicle includes a frame consisting of a heavy metal plate of a length substantially equal to the vehicle length. The frame includes laterally extending portions substantially equal to the vehicle width, and the frame may be used to define vehicle fender supports and front and rear bumpers. The frame comprises a significant portion of the vehicle net weight, and in many instances may constitute substantially one half of the vehicle weight.

Abstract: A lifting dolly is provided for quickly and easily lifting a helicopter or the like while on the ground and for transporting the helicopter for maintenance or storage purposes. The lifting dolly comprises a relatively low profile central frame supported for rolling movement by a pair of wheel assemblies and including laterally outwardly pivoting lifting arms for engaging the skid tubes of a helicopter. In use, the dolly is positioned beneath the helicopter and the frame is lowered to rest upon the ground whereupon the lifting arms are pivoted outwardly to press wedge-shaped lifting fingers beneath the skid tubes. Rollers on the underside of the frame permit lateral frame shifting as the fingers engage the skid tubes such that the dolly centers itself between the skid tubes. When the skid tubes are engaged, the frame is elevated by the wheel assemblies to lift the helicopter for convenient rolling movement.

Abstract: A lightweight hand-operated aircraft tug for small aircraft includes a main frame upon which a drive drum is movably mounted for engagement with the wheel of an aircraft. A reversible pawl and rachet or an equivalent device controls the direction of rotation of the drum. A lever arm controls the engagement and disengagement of the drum with the aircraft wheel. A pair of axle-engaging inserts are associated with the main frame of the tug so as to be engageable with the axle of the aircraft when the drum is driven into engagement with the wheel by the operation of the lever arm.

Abstract: A nonskid step removably attachable to a tow bar of a tow vehicle used for maneuvering aircraft and associated ground support vehicles in ground handling operations related to the aircraft is described which comprises a platform having a nonskid surface, a saddle shaped support and a flange attached near opposite ends of the platform by which the step is removably attached to the tow bar and the nonskid surface is held in spaced relationship to the tow bar and level to the ground when the tow bar is operatively attached to a towing vehicle.