Passenger Or Cargo Loading Or Discharging Patents (Class 244/137.1)
  • Patent number: 6260802
    Abstract: An airborne pneumatic launch tube ejection system to described for launching an aerospace vehicle/payload into orbit. The system can be installed in a jet transport aircraft without requiring structural modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Hampsten
  • Patent number: 6254033
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Telair International GmbH Obere Tiefenbachstrasse
    Inventors: Thomas Huber, Martin Dürrwaechter, Matthias Urch, Benedikt Kieser
  • Patent number: 6234424
    Abstract: A basket for supporting equipment between a pair of laterally spaced-apart parallel overhead cables. The basket is provided in the form of a top open container insertable between the overhead cables. A carrying member engageable with a helicopter arm is provided for allowing the basket to be selectively transported between and away from the overhead cables. A pair of wing-like members extend laterally outwardly from opposed side walls of the container for resting on the overhead cables once the basket has been lowered to a suspended position between the overhead cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Les Hélicoptères Canadiens Limitée
    Inventors: Marc Charest, Christian Carpentier
  • Patent number: 6231007
    Abstract: A method for the exact setting down or taking up of cargo from aircraft is disclosed. When setting down persons or cargo from aircraft which has not landed, the problem arises of an exact setting down not being possible, or only with great difficulty, in particular under adverse weather conditions. The invention provides a method whereby exact and even “spot-on” setting down or taking up of a load is made possible, even if the ambient conditions do not allow the aircraft to be kept steady. With the spatial framework of ropes biased by the aircraft, the position of the load in space is clearly fixed. The load can thus be exactly lowered down to the ground or taken up from the ground, without it being necessary for the aircraft to be still. Here, the aircraft itself is located at an appropriately selected distance above the load. The invention can also be applied to transportation by airships to construction sites, to catastrophe regions, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: CargoLifter AG
    Inventor: Ingof Schäfer
  • Patent number: 6219983
    Abstract: A covering plate (5), for flooring in conveyances such as a railway car, is provided with a securing track (11) for securing seats, etc. The covering plate (5) is formed by a sandwich structure having a central core (24) arranged between an outer plate (25), which extends across the entire size of the covering plate, and second outer plates (26). The securing track (11) is formed in a profile (27) embedded in the sandwich structure so that a securing track (11) extends at a right angle to lateral edges (14) of the covering plate (5). As either end of the profile is provided with tracks (29) for receiving tight-fitting pins (30), a floor structure can be mounted easily and rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems (Denmark) A/S
    Inventors: Jens Jørgen Gråkjaar Jensen, Claus Bratsbjerg, Per Andersen
  • Patent number: 6189834
    Abstract: An airframe apparatus for attaching and selectively releasing multiple payloads suspended from an aircraft. The airframe apparatus includes a collapsible loading frame that is configured to have a stabilized open position and a collapsed closed position. The loading frame is constructed from a plurality of vertical struts and horizontal struts that are hingedly interconnected at corner assemblies to allow the loading frame to be collapsed. A payload hook is connected to each of the corner assemblies by a universal joint. A plurality of legs are rotatably attached to the loading frame and can be extended below the loading frame to support the payload hooks off the ground during landing of the airframe apparatus. Shock absorbing devices are operatively attached to the legs to absorb the impact of the loading frame against the ground during landing. The airframe apparatus is used as part of a cargo management system for transporting multiple payloads suspended from an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Skyhook Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Dietz, James T. Haroldsen, Donald P. Cox