Passenger loading bridge bumper pads

Abstract

Passenger loading bridge bumper pads for cushioning and sealing a loading bridge to an aircraft structure, the bridge pads providing a resilient environmental seal and surrounding the bridge. The bottom bumper pad comprising a frangible metallic bumper for absorbing excessive docking forces.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a conversion of provisional application serial No. 60/242,825, filed Oct. 24, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to aircraft loading bridges and more particularly to novel resilient bumper pads adapted to cushion and seal the loading bridge to aircraft interface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Aircraft passenger loading bridges provide weatherproof enclosure for passengers moving between the airport terminal building and the entry door of an aircraft. Modem bridges are essentially movable, articulating corridors that are capable of retractable, extensible, longitudinal and vertical motion, necessary to allow precise docking positioning to a variety of aircraft fuselage shapes, sizes and entry door heights. Proper alignment and abutment of the bridge against the aircraft is essential to maintaining the environmental seal therebetween, and a safe, unobstructed threshold for passenger foot traffic.

[0004] The process of abutting the characteristically heavy and cumbersome loading bridge against the aircraft involves a considerable risk of inflicting physical damage to the relatively more fragile aircraft fuselage, and also economic damage in terms of dispatch reliability.

[0005] The prior art has provided dense polyethylene foam bumpers to react the bridges inertia & momentum during docking, as well as to provide an environmental seal. The bumpers are covered with a durable, thermally stable & compliant, composite reinforced silicone jacket.

[0006] However, considerable airline experience has demonstrated that the dense polyethylene foam is not compliant enough to react above normal docking forces, thereby resulting in damage to airplane fuselage structure and externally mounted sensor probes. Loading bridge misalignment has resulted in destructive collisions with sensors located in the vicinity of the entry doors resulting in expensive dispatch delaying repairs. The airlines have responded by cutting notches into the prior art bumpers—which expose the internal foam to the environment, thereby accelerating the bumper's deterioration. Airline experience has also demonstrated that the external silicone jacket deteriorates in service in such a way as to become abrasive. Airline operators have suggested that the bumper jackets acquire an abrasive character to that of #80 grit sandpaper. This has resulted in expensive damage to any aircraft structure abutting the docking bridge bumper. Paint damage is frequently reported when the abutting structure is fuselage. However, small aircraft's such as the MD-80 and 737, typically experience cockpit and passenger window damage due to the windows being closely located adjacent to the entry doors. Landing gear strut damage is also a concern due to the loading bridges ability to frictionally support the aircraft while it is being loaded. Subsequent loading bridge retraction prior to aircraft departure releases the partial support afforded by the bridge and results in the aircraft abruptly loading its nose landing gear. Abrasive bumpers facilitate this phenomenon.

[0007] Prior art patent literature includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,431, issued Nov. 2, 1993 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,495 issued Apr. 21, 1992 to Larson et al. Show an active loading bridge bumper having proximity feedback to avoid collisions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,825 teaches a foam loading dock bumper that is attached to the dock structure using hook and loop. U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,187 is illustrative of bumpers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] For the foregoing reasons there is a need for a low cost, easily replaceable, modular loading bridge bumper pad that is capable of maintaining a resilient environmental seal, reacting excessive loading bridge to airplane docking collisions, has docking alignment indicia, and which does not become abrasive with age. The hereinafter described invention is directed to an apparatus and method for providing a solution to these requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a passenger loading bridge showing a bridge bumper pad configuration including two side bumper pads according to a first embodiment of the intention;

[0010] FIG. 2 shows the back side of a bumper pad utilized in the bumper pad system of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a passenger loading bridge showing a bumper pad configuration according to a further embodiment of the intention;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the frangible bumper pad construction utilized on the bottom bumper pad of the bumper pad configuration shown in FIG. 3;

[0013] FIG. 5A is illustrative of bumper pad deformation as the passenger loading bridge if beginning to contact the aircraft;

[0014] FIG. 5B is illustrative of the significant deformation of the bumper pad configuration occurring upon arrival of the aircraft loading bridge to the aircraft for passenger debarcation; and,

[0015] FIG. 6 shows indicia on the bottom loading bridge bumper

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Turning to a first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, there are seen two molded side pads 10 and 12 fastened to loading bridge 30. The two side pads were provided to prevent damage to the cockpit window and the lower bumper pad 20 was provided to eliminate damage to the pilot probe, door, and aircraft fuselage damage. As seen in FIG. 2, adhesive strips 12, 14 and 15 (e.g., Velcro, a registered trademark) were provided on the backside of molded side pads 10 to fasten molded side pads 10 to loading bridge 30.

[0017] The first embodiment bumper pad configuration of two side pads and single molded bottom bumper pad 20 were utilized in service for a year when an advanced design bumper pad configuration was developed as shown in FIG. 3.

[0018] Turning to FIG. 3, it can be seen that a complete set of pads including a specially configured bottom bumper pad shown in detail in cross section in FIG. 4 were provided surrounding the entire rectangular perimeter of the passenger loading bridge 30.

[0019] The degree of flexure required by the side bumper pads 41 and bottom loading bridge bumper structure 42 can be seen in the approach of passenger loading bridge 30 in FIG. 5A to final coupling of the passenger loading bridge 30 to aircraft 50 as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0020] Special requirements were found to exist through docking experiences with respect to bottom loading bridge bumper 42. Bottom loading bridge bumper 42 was required to provide a shock absorbing function and further be frangible in providing collapse when higher forces occur between the passenger loading bridge 30 and aircraft 50 to reduce or eliminate aircraft structural damage. To satisfy these requirements, bottom landing bridge bumper 42 as seen in FIG. 4 as shown decreased the weight by fifty percent over that of a single molded bumper pad and the multi-piece construction added greater flexibility and reduced cost when certain wear conditions would require removal of the existing total pad which is limited to one part removal and replacement.

[0021] Since there is no commonality between gates or even with the same manufacturer for repeatability, a special installation kit can be provided so that a double hook and loop system can be added with a special adhesive in all types of weather conditions and taking into account deterioration of the existing canopy of the bridge. A safety walk pad can be provided for bottom loading bridge bumper 42.

[0022] Turning to FIG. 4, it can be seen that bottom loading bridge bumper 42 includes a centrally embedded structural member comprising aluminum tubing 62 embedded in resilient self-skinning closed cell, polyurethane foam housed within and attached to channel member 63. The aforementioned structure of loading bridge bumper 42 structure provides a means for acting as a crushing force absorber for excessive docking forces. A plurality of indicia strips 80 as shown in FIG. 6 are provided for facilitating precise bridge abutment alignment.

Claims

1. A passenger loading bridge pad for cushioning and sealing the loading bridge to an aircraft interface, said bridge pad having a resilient environmental seal; and said passenger loading bridge pad having docking indicia.

2. A modular loading bridge bumper for cushioning and sealing the loading bridge to an aircraft interface, said loading bridge bumper comprising in combination a set of pads surrounding the entire loading bridge.

3. The invention according to claim 2 including an installation kit having a double hook and loop system.

4. The invention according to claim 2 further including a walk pad disposed on the bottom of said loading bridge bumper.

5. In combination:

an aircraft loading bridge;

an aircraft interface; and,

two side pads and a single molded bumper pad disposed between said aircraft loading bridge and said aircraft interface.

6. An aircraft loading bridge bumper pad, comprising;

an integrally molded, one piece elongated flexible and deformable foam body.

7. A bumper pad according to claim 6 further comprising a centrally embedded structural member.

8. A bumper pad according to claim 7, wherein said structural member provides means for attachment.

9. A bumper pad according to claim 7, wherein the structural member provides energy absorption.

10. A bumper pad according to claim 7, wherein said structural member comprises aluminum tubing.

11. A bumper pad according to claim 7, wherein said structural member is metallic.

12. A bumper pad according to claim 6, wherein said foam comprises a self-skinning polyurethane foam.

13. A method of making an aircraft loading bridge bumper pad comprising the steps of:

providing a bumper pad mold;

providing a resilient self-skinning liquid material;

injecting said material into said mold; and

curing said material to form a resilient bumper pad.

14. The method of claim 13, the step of providing a mold further comprises embedding a metallic structure within the mold.

15. A bumper pad having means for collapsing upon aircraft impact; and

said bumper pad including alignment indicia.

16. A bumper pad according to claim 15, shaped to avoid aircraft sensor interference.

17. A bumper pad according to claim 15, further including attachment means comprising hook and loop fasteners.

18. An aircraft loading bridge bumper pad, comprising; an integrally molded, one piece elongated flexible and deformable foam body,

wherein said foam body comprises self-skinning, foamed polyurethane enclosing a structural member insert; and,

said structural member insert comprises channel extending therethrough.

19. A bumper pad according to claim 18, wherein said insert comprises energy absorbing means.

20. In combination:

an aircraft fuselage structure;

a movable articulating loading bridge for providing a weather proof enclosure for passenger movement between an airport terminal building and the entry door of the aircraft;

said loading bridge having a bottom bumper structure comprising a channel structure having an integral metallic structure attached thereto; and,

said integral metallic structure embedded in resilient self-skinning closed cell polyurethane foam.

21. The invention according to claim 20 wherein said integral metallic structure comprises aluminum tubing.