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US 11,999,508 B2Granted
Airplane passenger transport system
OwnerRoy Eliasoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An airplane passenger transport system that includes an airplane and a first passenger module. The first passenger module is removably positionable in the airplane. The first passenger module is adapted to transport at least one person in an at least partially enclosed configuration. The first passenger module includes at least one of a seat and a bed for the at least one person can sit while being transported in the airplane.
Claims21
An airplane passenger transport system comprising:
- a first passenger module, wherein the first passenger module is adapted to transport at least one person in an at least partially enclosed configuration and wherein the first passenger module comprises at least one of a seat and a bed for the at least one person can sit while being transported in the airplane;
- a base module comprising a base module rail and a first engagement mechanism, wherein the first passenger module is positionable on the base module rail;
- and
- an airplane comprising an airplane rail and a second engagement mechanism, wherein the first engagement mechanism is capable of engaging the second engagement mechanism to retain the base module in a stationary position with respect to the airplane so that the first passenger module can move from the base module rail to the airplane rail and wherein when the first passenger module is on the airplane rail, the first passenger module can be transported in the airplane, wherein the base module and the airplane each comprise a gear track and wherein the first passenger module further comprises:
- a first wheel assembly having at least one first wheel, wherein the first wheel assembly is pivotally attached to the first passenger module and wherein the at least one first wheel engages the base module rail or the airplane rail;
- a first gear powered drive having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, wherein the first gear powered drive is mounted to the first passenger module proximate the first wheel assembly;
- a second wheel assembly having at least one second wheel, wherein the second wheel assembly is pivotally attached to the first passenger module and wherein the at least one second wheel engages the base module rail or the airplane rail;
- and
- a second gear powered drive having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, wherein the second gear powered drive is mounted to the first passenger module proximate the second wheel assembly, wherein the plurality of teeth on the first gear powered drive and the second gear powered drive engage the gear rack on the base module or the airplane to cause the first passenger module to move with respect to the base module or the airplane and wherein the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly pivot with respect to the first passenger module to travel in a linear path that is the same as the associated gear powered drive as the passenger module moves between the base module rail and the airplane rail.
6 more elements
A method of reducing time for passengers to board an airplane as compared to the passengers individually boarding the airplane, wherein the method comprises:
- providing a first passenger module, wherein the first passenger module comprises at least one of a seat and a bed for the at least one person can sit;
- providing a base module comprising a base module rail and a first engagement mechanism;
- providing an airplane comprising an airplane rail and a second engagement mechanism, wherein the base module and the airplane each comprise a gear track and wherein the first passenger module further comprises:
- a first wheel assembly having at least one first wheel, wherein the first wheel assembly is pivotally attached to the first passenger module and wherein the at least one first wheel engages the base module rail or the airplane rail;
- a first gear powered drive having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, wherein the first gear powered drive is mounted to the first passenger module proximate the first wheel assembly;
- a second wheel assembly having at least one second wheel, wherein the second wheel assembly is pivotally attached to the first passenger module and wherein the at least one second wheel engages the base module rail or the airplane rail;
- a second gear powered drive having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom, wherein the second gear powered drive is mounted to the first passenger module proximate the second wheel assembly;
- positioning the first passenger module on the base module rail;
- positioning at least one person at least partially inside the first passenger module;
- moving the base module so that the base module rail is proximate the airplane rail;
- engaging the first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism to retain the base module in a stationary position with respect to the airplane;
- moving the first passenger module from the base module rail to the airplane rail, which comprises:
- engaging the plurality of teeth on the first gear powered drive and the second gear powered drive with the gear rack on the base module or the airplane to cause the first passenger module to move with respect to the base module or the airplane;
- and
- pivoting the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly with respect to the first passenger module to travel in a linear path that is the same as the associated gear powered drive as the passenger module moves between the base module rail and the airplane rail;
- and
- flying the airplane to a different location than a location at which the at least one person was positioned at least partially inside the first passenger module.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.