Abstract: A cargo handling system for a narrow body freighter aircraft employs caster rollers. The cargo handling system includes a horizontal panel disposed along a deck surface of the aircraft, and a plurality of caster rollers having a narrow body roller plane height. Each caster roller includes a roller bearing assembly for providing horizontal movement to a load along an axis of motion. A thrust bearing assembly aligns the roller bearing assembly with the axis of motion. A roller bearing support structure suspends the roller bearing assembly at an offset position at the narrow body roller plane height. The thrust bearing assembly includes a plurality of radially positioned needle bearings, and the roller bearing assembly uses roller bearings having a torus-like structure. The bearing assemblies are made of stainless steel to resist foreign object damage.

Abstract: A cargo handling system for a narrow body freighter aircraft employs caster rollers. The cargo handling system includes a horizontal panel disposed along a deck surface of the aircraft, and a plurality of caster rollers having a narrow body roller plane height. Each caster roller includes a roller bearing assembly for providing horizontal movement to a load along an axis of motion. A thrust bearing assembly aligns the roller bearing assembly with the axis of motion. A roller bearing support structure suspends the roller bearing assembly at an offset position at the narrow body roller plane height. The thrust bearing assembly includes a plurality of radially positioned needle bearings, and the roller bearing assembly uses roller bearings having a torus-like structure. The bearing assemblies are made of stainless steel to resist foreign object damage.

Abstract: A cargo restraint system for retaining a cargo pallet. The cargo restraint system comprising a frame having a receiving channel and a pallet latching member. The pallet latching member is rotatably coupled at a first end to the frame for pivotal movement between a stowed position and a retaining position. The latch member includes a pair of camming surfaces that are engageable with the cargo pallet during an overriding movement of the cargo pallet, which forces the pallet latching member into the stowed position. The pallet latching member has an overall maximum width that is less than a width of the receiving channel of the frame to eliminate any wing-like feature and minimize the potential for damage to the pallet latching member caused by inadvertent snagging of the pallet latching member by the cargo pallet.

Abstract: A cargo restraint system for retaining a cargo pallet. The cargo restraint system comprising a frame having a receiving channel and a pallet latching member. The pallet latching member is rotatably coupled at a first end to the frame for pivotal movement between a stowed position and a retaining position. The latch member includes a pair of camming surfaces that are engageable with the cargo pallet during an overriding movement of the cargo pallet, which forces the pallet latching member into the stowed position. The pallet latching member has an overall maximum width that is less than a width of the receiving channel of the frame to eliminate any wing-like feature and minimize the potential for damage to the pallet latching member caused by inadvertent snagging of the pallet latching member by the cargo pallet.