Abstract: An aircraft munitions handling apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus has a set of wheel assemblies that can be independently driven and can be omni-directional to allow the apparatus to move in any longitudinal, lateral, or diagonal direction for excellent maneuverability. The apparatus also has a base and an elevator extending from the base. The elevator can use a double-parallelogram, cantilevered arm configuration that folds nearly flat to fit within a profile of the base. A portion of the arm rotates forward to place a munitions support in front of the base when remote reach is required. A pivot assembly having four movable cams at the four corners of the munitions support are used as a self-leveling device for unstable conditions, or to pitch and roll the munitions support as needed to attach munitions to an aircraft. In addition, the munitions handling apparatus is capable of passing beneath objects having very limited vertical clearances.

Abstract: A fork lift apparatus having multiple degrees of freedom of movement and methods of positioning a load are provided. More particularly, the fork lift apparatus preferably includes a base, a fork lift frame slidably connected thereto between a retracted and an extended position and a fork lift connected to the fork lift frame and positioned to slidably move between a lowered and an elevated position. The fork lift apparatus also preferably includes an operator station connected to the fork lift to slidably extend between a retracted and an extended position to counterbalance a load positioned on the fork lift apparatus. The fork lift apparatus further preferably includes a controller to control the fork lift apparatus and a drive assembly to drive the fork lift apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a mobile base having a plurality of wheel members for allowing the mobile base to travel along surfaces and a plurality of support surface registering members for registering the mobile base to a support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel members. The apparatus also preferably has a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to the mobile base and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position and an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably connected to a distal end portion of the boom member.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a mobile base having a plurality of wheel members for allowing the mobile base to travel along surfaces and a plurality of support surface registering members for registering the mobile base to a support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel members. The apparatus also preferably has a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to the mobile base and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position and an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably connected to a distal end portion of the boom member.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a mobile base having a plurality of wheel members for allowing the mobile base to travel along surfaces and a plurality of support surface registering members for registering the mobile base to a support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel members.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a mobile base having a plurality of wheel members for allowing the mobile base to travel along surfaces and a plurality of support surface registering members for registering the mobile base to a support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel members. The apparatus also preferably has a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to the mobile base and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position and an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably connected to a distal end portion of the boom member.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a mobile base having a plurality of wheel members for allowing the mobile base to travel along surfaces and a plurality of support surface registering members for registering the mobile base to a support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel members. The apparatus also preferably has a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to the mobile base and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position and an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably connected to a distal end portion of the boom member.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a horizontally-extending mounting track and a track follower connected to the mounting track for following the mounting track. A maintenance tool support base preferably is connected to the track follower for supporting a maintenance tool thereon. An extending and retracting assembly is connected to the support base and to the track follower for extending the support base outwardly from the track follower and toward a portion of an aircraft and for retracting the support base inwardly from a portion of an aircraft and toward the track follower. An aircraft contour following assembly preferably is rotatably mounted to the support base and adapted for positioning adjacent an aircraft for following the contour of an aircraft to perform a maintenance procedure thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a horizontally-extending mounting track and a track follower connected to the mounting track for following the mounting track. A maintenance tool support base preferably is connected to the track follower for supporting a maintenance tool thereon. An extending and retracting assembly is connected to the support base and to the track follower for extending the support base outwardly from the track follower and toward a portion of an aircraft and for retracting the support base inwardly from a portion of an aircraft and toward the track follower. An aircraft contour following assembly preferably is rotatably mounted to the support base and adapted for positioning adjacent an aircraft for following the contour of an aircraft to perform a maintenance procedure thereto.