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:
Aug. 06, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 07, 2000
Myles A. Rohrlick, Oceanside, CA (US);
Anibal J. Garcia, Chino, CA (US);
Richard Joseph Almassy, Cypress, CA (US);
James Sterling Wells, Fountain Valley, CA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A pallet interface system for supporting a Container Roll in/Out Platform (CROP), flatrack or ISO container within an aircraft, such as a C-17 aircraft. The interface system includes two independent, identical interface pallets which are coupled together by flexible cables. The cables have lengths which enable the two interface pallets to be spaced apart a precise distance so as to be able to support a CROP, flatrack or ISO container. The interface pallets are of small enough dimensions and weight such that same can be manipulated by one or more individuals, thereby obviating the need for a crane to be employed to lift the load onto the pallets before the loading process can begin. Each pallet has a plurality of ISO locking assemblies which allow a CROP, flatrack or ISO container to be locked thereto. Each pallet also has a 463L cargo system edge structure which permits it to be locked to the rails within the C-17 aircraft. The pallet interface system also enables combat offloads and permits cargo supporting platforms to be transported to small, austere airfields where cranes and other large material handling equipment are not available. The pallet interface system can also accommodate different lengths of flatracks, ISO containers, etc., with only minor modifications to the lengths of the cables being required, and is adaptable to handle cargo supporting platforms having varying widths.