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: 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.