Abstract: A load carrier for an aircraft cargo hold includes a bottom element with a support surface, the load carrier being movable over a floor surface in a floor plane while the support surface faces the floor surface, the bottom element having a base surface. The support surface has rolling elements rotatable about a rotation axis oriented where a parallel to the axis runs parallel to the floor plane, and the rolling elements being retained on the bottom element where the rotation axis of each of the rolling elements can be rotated about a vertical axis running perpendicularly to the floor plane. A load carrier can include a bottom element, the support surface of which has outlet openings, through which air can exit from the support surface to form an air cushion under the support surface. A load carrier can include a bottom element the support surface of which has slider elements.

Abstract: In an aircraft, bi-stable power drive units (PDUs) move and secure cargo within an aircraft cargo hold. Such a PDU includes a frame, by which the PDU is rigidly attached to the cargo hold floor; a body pivotably attached, via a hinge, at a first end of the frame at least one drive roller attached at a second end of the body; and an actuator attached to the body and which causes a pivoting angular movement of the body, relative to the frame, about the hinge. The actuator maintains an angular position of the body relative to the frame even upon a loss of power to the PDU. The body is movable between and including a retracted position and a deployed position. A cargo management system includes a plurality of such PDUs, at least one having a controlled area network (CAN) bus interface to control and communicate with a controller.

Abstract: A system for ensuring proper installation of components of a cargo management system within a cargo hold has cleats rigidly attached to a floor of the cargo hold, a first subset of the cleats having insets of a first shape, a second subset of cleats having insets of a second shape, keys and rotatable fasteners attached to the components of the cargo management system, a first subset of the keys having the first shape and a second subset of the keys having the second shape. The first subset of keys can only engage with the first subset of cleats and the second subset of keys can only engage with the second subset of cleats and the rotatable fasteners utilize a rotary movement to secure the components of the cargo management system to a respective cleat, against which the rotary fastener is engaged.

Abstract: A load carrier for an aircraft cargo hold includes a bottom element with a support surface, the load carrier being movable over a floor surface in a floor plane while the support surface faces the floor surface, the bottom element having a base surface. The support surface has rolling elements rotatable about a rotation axis oriented where a parallel to the axis runs parallel to the floor plane, and the rolling elements being retained on the bottom element where the rotation axis of each of the rolling elements can be rotated about a vertical axis running perpendicularly to the floor plane. A load carrier can include a bottom element, the support surface of which has outlet openings, through which air can exit from the support surface to form an air cushion under the support surface. A load carrier can include a bottom element the support surface of which has slider elements.

Abstract: A cargo hold comprises at least one luggage holder having at least one luggage compartment, wherein, when the hatch is in the closed state, the luggage holder is arranged in the cargo hold, and wherein, when the hatch is in the opened state, the luggage holder can be brought out of the cargo hold and can be introduced therein again by means of a guide mechanism in such a manner that the luggage holder, when it is brought out of the cargo hold, is arranged substantially radially to the substantially elliptical cross section of the fuselage.

Abstract: A system for ensuring proper installation of components of a cargo management system within a cargo hold has cleats rigidly attached to a floor of the cargo hold, a first subset of the cleats having insets of a first shape, a second subset of cleats having insets of a second shape, keys and rotatable fasteners attached to the components of the cargo management system, a first subset of the keys having the first shape and a second subset of the keys having the second shape. The first subset of keys can only engage with the first subset of cleats and the second subset of keys can only engage with the second subset of cleats and the rotatable fasteners utilize a rotary movement to secure the components of the cargo management system to a respective cleat, against which the rotary fastener is engaged.

Abstract: In an aircraft, latches are used to secure cargo within the cargo hold of the aircraft. Such latches include a base plate configured for rigid attachment to a surface of the cargo hold, a latch head attached to the base plate and configured to prevent a movement of at least one cargo unit in a Y-direction and a Z-direction and to allow a movement of the at least one cargo unit in an X-direction, and a roller assembly attached to the base plate, opposite the latch head, and comprising at least one roller, the roller being configured to provide a vertical support to the at least one cargo unit in the Z-direction while allowing the movement of the at least one cargo unit in the X-direction.

Abstract: In an aircraft, bi-stable power drive units (PDUs) move and secure cargo within an aircraft cargo hold. Such a PDU includes a frame, by which the PDU is rigidly attached to the cargo hold floor; a body pivotably attached, via a hinge, at a first end of the frame at least one drive roller attached at a second end of the body; and an actuator attached to the body and which causes a pivoting angular movement of the body, relative to the frame, about the hinge. The actuator maintains an angular position of the body relative to the frame even upon a loss of power to the PDU. The body is movable between and including a retracted position and a deployed position. A cargo management system includes a plurality of such PDUs, at least one having a controlled area network (CAN) bus interface to control and communicate with a controller.

Abstract: A cargo hold comprises at least one luggage holder having at least one luggage compartment, wherein, when the hatch is in the closed state, the luggage holder is arranged in the cargo hold, and wherein, when the hatch is in the opened state, the luggage holder can be brought out of the cargo hold and can be introduced therein again by means of a guide mechanism in such a manner that the luggage holder, when it is brought out of the cargo hold, is arranged substantially radially to the substantially elliptical cross section of the fuselage.

Abstract: A roller mat includes roller elements, an upper shell which is provided with openings for receiving the roller elements, a lower shell and a foam element which is arranged between the upper shell and the lower shell. The foam element is provided with recesses which are for receiving the roller elements and which are aligned with the openings constructed in the upper shell in the region of an upper side facing the upper shell.

Abstract: A cargo compartment configured to be installed in an aircraft and to accommodate a plurality of cargo receiving devices is provided. The cargo compartment surrounds a compartment interior space, and includes a floor structure arrangement having a floor surface facing the compartment interior space and configured to support cargo receiving devices loaded into the cargo compartment. The cargo compartment includes two opposite side walls extending laterally of the floor structure arrangement away from the floor surface, and the side walls include an entrance opening for access to the compartment interior space. The floor structure arrangement also includes an air cushion device having a plurality of cushion nozzles distributed in the floor surface, and the cushion nozzles are configured to blow air up from the floor surface in a direction perpendicular to the floor surface.

Abstract: A system for loading and unloading a cargo compartment of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, with a cargo receiving device is provided. The system includes a cargo receiving device including a base structure arrangement having a horizontal lower contact surface, and a locking mechanism configured to engage one or more corresponding holding members provided in a cargo compartment of a vehicle. The system also includes a transport device including a horizontal upper contact surface configured to be disposed in abutting contact to said lower contact surface, a drive unit configured to initiate horizontal movement of the transport device, a lift unit configured to initiate vertical movement of the upper contact surface, and an actuating unit configured to actuate the locking mechanism of the cargo receiving device.

Abstract: An automated transport device for moving a cargo unit within an aircraft cargo compartment is provided. The transport device comprises a base body and shifting means, wherein the base body is to carry the cargo unit. The shifting means is to generate a movement of the base body along a floor of the cargo compartment perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and, after that, along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft without rotation of the base body.

Abstract: An automated transport device for moving a cargo unit within an aircraft cargo compartment is provided. The transport device comprises a base body and shifting means, wherein the base body is to carry the cargo unit. The shifting means is to generate a movement of the base body along a floor of the cargo compartment perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and, after that, along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft without rotation of the base body.

Abstract: A system for loading and unloading a cargo compartment of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, with a cargo receiving device is provided. The system includes a cargo receiving device including a base structure arrangement having a horizontal lower contact surface, and a locking mechanism configured to engage one or more corresponding holding members provided in a cargo compartment of a vehicle. The system also includes a transport device including a horizontal upper contact surface configured to be disposed in abutting contact to said lower contact surface, a drive unit configured to initiate horizontal movement of the transport device, a lift unit configured to initiate vertical movement of the upper contact surface, and an actuating unit configured to actuate the locking mechanism of the cargo receiving device.

Abstract: A cargo compartment configured to be installed in an aircraft and to accommodate a plurality of cargo receiving devices is provided. The cargo compartment surrounds a compartment interior space, and includes a floor structure arrangement having a floor surface facing the compartment interior space and configured to support cargo receiving devices loaded into the cargo compartment. The cargo compartment includes two opposite side walls extending laterally of the floor structure arrangement away from the floor surface, and the side walls include an entrance opening for access to the compartment interior space. The floor structure arrangement also includes an air cushion device having a plurality of cushion nozzles distributed in the floor surface, and the cushion nozzles are configured to blow air up from the floor surface in a direction perpendicular to the floor surface.

Abstract: A multifunctional cargo hold system for an aircraft includes a cargo hold floor; a retainer rail fitted to the cargo hold floor, suitable for the assembly of units for rolling and/or fixing of loaded elements. The units have a variable assembly with regard to the longitudinal direction of the retainer rail. The cargo hold system has a number of cargo positions, suitable for accommodating elements of the group, including a net for partitioning the cargo hold, a standard container, a palette, a telescopic system, an underfloor catering container, an underfloor rest space, a conveyor of fixed length and a conveyor of variable length, wherein each load position can accommodate at least four of the elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the loading and unloading of cargo in transport means. In one example, a cargo loading system having a fully automated conveyor system and a fully automated bolt system for locking the cargo unit is provided. Manual interventions of the loading personnel in the cargo space may not be necessary.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention, relates to a multifunctional cargo hold system for an aircraft with a cargo hold floor; a retainer rail fitted to the cargo hold floor, suitable for the assembly of means for rolling and/or fixing of loaded elements, wherein the means has a variable assembly with regard to the longitudinal direction of the retainer rail, wherein the cargo hold system has a number of cargo positions, suitable for accommodating elements of the group, including a net for partitioning the cargo hold, a standard container, a palette, a telescopic system, an underfloor catering container, an underfloor rest space, a conveyor of fixed length and a conveyor of variable length, wherein each load position can accommodate at least four of the elements.