Abstract: A freight-loading system in a cargo hold of an aircraft is provided that offers enhanced operating safety. The freight-loading system comprises a plurality of power drive units (PDUs), which can be actuated by control signals in such a way that items of freight can be maneuvered into or out of the cargo hold as well as within it. The power drive units (PDUs) are connected by control leads to control panels for actuation by personnel. A control maintenance computer (CMC) is provided and connected to the power drive units (PDUs) and the control panels, and is so designed that status information from the power drive units (PDUs) and the control panels can be read out, and that the power drive units (PDUs) and/or the control panels are controllable by the control maintenance computer (CMC).

Abstract: Latch units are known components of loading systems for use in an aircraft cargo hold in which roller and ball units attached within or on a floor of a cargo hold operate in such a way that containers, pallets or similar items of freight can be conveyed into said hold through a door leading thereto and anchored at specified positions within the cargo hold. The present latch unit comprises a claw that can be depressed out of an elevated, operating position, in which an item of freight can be brought into an immobilizing engagement with the claw, into a resting position in which an item of freight can travel over the latch unit, this lowering movement being achieved by means of an actuator such as a ramp, lever or similar device when the latter are encountered by an approaching item of freight.

Abstract: Various kinds of apparatus are known for mounting functional units of conveyor systems, in particular latch units, which can be installed on the floor of a cargo hold in an aircraft. They are provided with detachable fixation devices to fix the functional units to retaining devices attached to the floor, such as seat rails or lock trays. In order to make better use of a cargo hold without the need for installing special fixation devices on its floor, it is proposed to equip the mounting apparatus with a support base that comprises, on opposite sides thereof, different fixation devices, a first of which can be fixed to a first kind of retaining device, such as a seat rail, while simultaneously a second fixation device can be fixed to a second kind of retaining device, such as a lock tray.

Abstract: A loading system for loading a cargo deck in a cargo space of an aircraft with cargo holders is proposed, in which there are provided two pairs of mounting tracks with support rollers and transverse cargo latches, a middle mounting rail for the attachment of transverse cargo latches, and rows of side-mounted transverse cargo latches. The distance between the outer mounting track of each pair of mounting, tracks and the middle mounting rail corresponds to a first, lesser fixation distance of relatively smaller cargo holders (LD2). The distance between the outer mounting track of one pair and the inner mounting track of the opposite pair corresponds to a second, greater transverse fixation distance of relatively larger cargo holders (LD3). As a result it is possible to load a cargo space optimally even if the construction of the aircraft produces constrictions of the cargo space.

Abstract: A roller drive unit is provided for an air freight system in an aircraft and comprises a drive roller that can be retracted and raised in order to transport freight containers in various directions. Unlike conventional roller drive units of this type which are only capable of conveying freight containers in forward or backward directions, the roller drive unit of the present invention is adapted to convey freight containers in any desired direction. To this end the roller drive unit comprises a substantially annular fixing device for attachment of the roller drive unit to the floor of a cargo hold and, in a preferably flush relationship thereto, a carrier device for the drive roller. The carrier device can be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the floor of the cargo hold, i.e. about at vertical axis, relative to the fixing device to enable the freight container to be transported in a desired direction.

Abstract: A freight loading system is provided comprising at least one drive roller unit for conveying objects, in particular containers, pallets or the like, on the freight deck of an aircraft. The drive roller unit comprises at least one drive roller, which is in operative connection with a drive motor that can be controlled by way of an operator's console and which can be brought into engagement with an undersurface of an object to be conveyed. At least one sensing means comprising a measurement roller is provided and which likewise can be brought into connection with the undersurface of the object.

Abstract: A cargo latch is provided for use in restraining objects such as containers, pallets and the like, against movement with respect to a floor of a cargo hold, in particular the cargo hold of an aircraft. The latch comprises a frame with a shaft disposed therein and a base, a lower end of which is rotatably mounted on the shaft. The base can therefore pivot with respect to the frame. At least one restraining hook is pivotally mounted to an upper end of the base.

Abstract: A roller drive unit for use in the transportation of freight containers in the hold of an aircraft. The unit comprises a drive roller, which can be retracted and which can be raised into an operating position by an electric motor, for engagement with a freight container to be transported. Sensors are distributed in a ring around the drive roller so as to be able to monitor the direction of movement of a freight container approaching the roller drive unit. A controller is connected to the sensors and to the electric motor in order that the drive roller can be raised out of its lower, retracted position into an upper, operating position or conversely, according to the signals received by the controller means from the sensors.

Abstract: A drive roller unit is provided for use in a roller drive unit for the conveyance of objects on the freight deck of an aircraft. The drive roller unit comprises a drive motor to drive a drive roller which, when in an operating position, can be brought into frictional engagement with the bottom of an object to be conveyed. A lifting mechanism with a lifting motor is used to raise the drive roller from a retracted, resting position into the raised, operating position. A control apparatus controls operation of the drive motor and the lifting motor. A differential velocity measuring means is also provided for measuring a difference between a velocity of the drive roller and a velocity of said object being conveyed to determine a slippage.

Abstract: A ball mat for the loading deck of an aircraft is a known device to support cargo and assist the movement thereof. The ball mat comprises a cover plate (11), a floor plate (12) that extends substantially parallel to the cover plate (11), and a plurality of holders (13) into which balls (14) or ball elements (15) can be inserted, wherein the cover plate (11) comprises apertures (18) through which the holders for the balls (14) or ball elements (15) can be inserted, and wherein between cover plate (11) and floor plate (12) there is defined an interior (16) within which the holders (13) are disposed. The remaining space within the interior (16) is filled with foam to increase the stability of the ball mat and/or to prevent moisture from entering and/or from spreading therein.

Abstract: An installation apparatus for a powered roller drive unit (11) to propel and convey objects, is provided wherein the roller drive unit is fixed to the floor (13) of an installation channel (12) of the apparatus. The installation apparatus includes a trough (14) attached to the floor (13), preferably in the region of and beneath the roller drive unit (11) for draining water.

Abstract: A floor unit for use as part of the cargo deck of an aircraft to facilitate the reception and repositioning of cargo comprises a hollow profile (11) with a continuous covering surface (12) and a floor surface (13) disposed in parallel thereto. The covering surface (12) and the floor surface (13) are separated from one another by several profile webs (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) running in the long direction of the floor unit. The covering surface comprises a plurality of receptacle openings to receive ball elements.

Abstract: A roller drive unit to propel objects, in particular cargo containers, on a conveyor track is proposed, which comprises an electric motor (20) to rotate a drive roller (30). The drive roller (30) extends substantially across the entire width of a frame (10) of the roller drive unit and is subdivided in the middle to form two drive-roller components (31, 32). The two drive-roller components (31, 32) are rotatably mounted on the frame (10) in a bearing (33) in the middle of the drive roller. The roller drive unit comprises a lifting mechanism (41, 42) comprising paired components disposed symmetrically about the middle of the drive roller (30) and about the bearing (33). As a result of this symmetrical arrangement of the drive roller (30) and the lifting mechanism (41, 42), a good load distribution and a stable retention of the drive roller (30) in its raised position are achieved.

Abstract: A roller drive unit to propel objects along a conveyor track is disclosed. The roller drive unit comprises a drive roller (30), which can be raised by a lifting mechanism (40) from a lower, resting position into an upper, operating position. The drive roller (30) is powered by an electric motor (20) and a main gear arrangement (50, 55, 60, 34). A first controllable braking mechanism (70) is provided, with which the lifting mechanism (40) can be locked and as a result the drive roller (30) can be kept in an upper, operating position. In addition a second controllable braking mechanism (80) is provided, which acts on the drive shaft of the electric motor (20) and which can prevent rotation of the drive roller (30) even when the electric motor (20) is turned off. When the second braking mechanism (80) is released while the electric motor is turned off (20), an object to be propelled can be shifted over the raised drive roller (30) in a simple manner.

Abstract: A conversion device for installation in a recess of an aircraft deck, such that the installed device forms part of the aircraft deck for use in load securement or handling, comprises a turnable member with at least two functional faces. Each functional face comprises a different functional unit, such as active or passive roller units, locking devices, fixation rails, running surfaces or the other standard features. A rotational mounting is provided for the turnable member and is so constructed and so mounted in the recess that the turnable member is enclosed within the recess and can be locked in a position such that one of its functional faces forms at least part of the aircraft deck, i.e. faces upward. This arrangement enables rapid conversion of the deck so that it can be used for various purposes.

Abstract: So-called butterfly latches are known, by way of which containers, pallets or similar items of freight can be secured within the cargo area of an aircraft. These comprise a frame that can be attached to holding rails on the floor of the cargo area. In the present latch, in the frame is disposed a double latch hook comprising two arms that are hinged to one another at first ends and at these first ends are provided with hook elements so constructed as to engage and retain items of cargo. At second ends the arms are mounted in the frame so that they can move in a plane of rotation in such a way that when they are struck by an item of cargo travelling in a first horizontal direction parallel to the plane of rotation, the first ends of the arms are deflected downward from an upper operating position toward the frame.