Aircraft cargo ramp

Abstract

A cargo ramp stowable within the cargo compartment of an aircraft and deployable between the sill region of the aircraft cargo opening and the surface of the ground is disclosed. The cargo ramp, which is arranged for ease of deployment and stowage, includes three hinged together ramp sections with the upper surface of each ramp section including track regions suitable for supporting wheeled vehicular cargo. The cargo ramp is stowed within the aircraft cargo compartment in a folded position with the lower cargo ramp section extending along the upper surface of the other two ramp sections. Each hinged portion of the cargo ramp is power actuated such that the cargo ramp sections can be readily swung together during a deployment sequence which utilizes the aircraft cargo roller system and a first deployment assembly that is mounted on the upper cargo ramp terminus. This deployment assembly includes rollers that are engagable with guide channels mounted on the floor of the aircraft cargo compartment. A power actuated locking mechanism securely fastens the cargo ramp sections together when the cargo ramp is fully deployed. A second deployment assembly, located along each side of the cargo ramp near the upper ramp terminus, securely attaches the cargo ramp to the aircraft sill fittings. Deployable guide rails and rollers facilitate the handling of cargo packed on pallets or other general cargo such as crates with the guide rails being deployable to establish two effective ramp widths for accommodating two standard sized cargo pallets.