The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 13, 1987
Filed:
Aug. 08, 1985
Herbert E Hamilton, Edmonds, WA (US);
Thomas H Shorey, Mill Creek, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
Disclosed is an aircraft cargo loader that is folded for stowage against the interior surface of an aircraft cargo door and is extended between the sill of the cargo door and the surface of the ground for loading and unloading baggage and other relatively small cargo items. The cargo loader includes an endless conveyor belt, with the cargo loader and the conveyor belt being configured so that the conveyor belt remains under relatively constant tension when cargo loaded is extended and when the cargo loader is folded for stowage. An L-shaped deployment track is attached to the upper end of the cargo loader and fastened between the cargo loader deck and ceiling when the cargo loader is deployed. The L-shaped deployment track facilitates cargo loader deployment and retraction in which the folded cargo loader is swung through the cargo opening while extending from the vertical leg of the deployment track; rotated to extend from the horizontal leg of the deployment track; and, while extending from the horizontal leg, folded or unfolded. Both power and manual drives are included for moving the cargo loader along the L-shaped deployment track; for folding and unfolding the cargo loader; for locking the cargo loader in the extended, deployed position; and for extending and retracting a ground support assembly that supports the lower end of the cargo loader above the surface of the ground.