Donald B Terrana

US Patent:

45443190, Oct 1, 1985

Filed:

Sep 22, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/534593

Inventors:

Norman D. Folling - Monroe WA
Donald B. Terrana - Redmond WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

B64C 122

US Classification:

414505

Abstract:

A cargo transfer system (10) for loading a unit-load (26) into and unloading the unit-load from the lower hold (12) of an aircraft fuselage (14) and for transferring the unit-load into and out of storage position along the fuselage, includes a tiltable platform (22) constructed with a lateral belt drive in the form of conveyors (32) to receive the unit-load from ground equipment. After receipt of the unit-load (26) the platform (22) is returned to a horizontal position thereby causing the unit-load to be removed from the lateral belt conveyors (32) and instead supported by a longitudinal belt drive in the form of belt conveyors (34) and (35) mounted on the lower deck (24) of the aircraft. Transfer platform (22) also includes a longitudinally disposed idler roller subassembly (36) adapted to raise and lower with a tilting of the platform so that when the platform is tilted downwardly to receive or discharge the unit-load, the roller subassembly is disposed below lateral belt conveyors (32) and when the platform is returned to horizontal position, the roller subassembly rises upwardly relative to platform (22) to assist longitudinal belt conveyors (34) and (35) in supporting and transferring the unit-load.