Modular load carrying apparatus with interchangeable platforms
AssigneeAirbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
InventorsDominik Vogel, Alexandru Dinca
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular load carrying apparatus for a rotary wing aircraft and to a method of operating a modular load carrying apparatus. The modular load carrying apparatus may include a tube, first and second caps that are located inside the tube at first and second axial ends, and at least first and second removable platforms that are interchangeably installable on the tube. The second cap comprises a protrusion that protrudes from the axial end, and each one of the at least first and second removable platforms is adapted for being slidable over the first axial end of the tube and restrained by the second cap at the second axial end of the tube.
Claims20
A modular load carrying apparatus for a rotary wing aircraft, comprising:
- a tube that has a first predetermined outer diameter and first and second axial ends;
- a first cap that is located inside the tube at the first axial end and adapted for being connected with the rotary wing aircraft;
- a second cap that is located inside the tube at the second axial end and comprises a protrusion that protrudes from the second axial end and has a second predetermined outer diameter that is greater than the first predetermined outer diameter;
- and
- at least first and second removable platforms that are interchangeably installable on the tube, wherein each one of the at least first and second platforms has a first predetermined inner diameter that is greater than the first predetermined outer diameter and smaller than the second predetermined outer diameter such that each one of the at least first and second removable platforms is adapted for being slidable over the first axial end of the tube and restrained by the second axial end of the tube.
A method of operating a modular load carrying apparatus, the modular load carrying apparatus comprising platform fasteners, a tube that has a first predetermined outer diameter and first and second axial ends, a first cap that is located inside the tube at the first axial end, a second cap that is located inside the tube at the second axial end and comprises a protrusion that protrudes from the second axial end and has a second predetermined outer diameter that is greater than the first predetermined outer diameter, and at least first and second removable platforms, wherein each one of the at least first and second platforms has a first predetermined inner diameter that is greater than the first predetermined outer diameter and smaller the second predetermined outer diameter, the method comprising:
- selecting a platform among the at least first and second removable platforms;
- sliding the selected platform over the first axial end of the tube until the selected platform reaches the protrusion that protrudes from the second axial end of the tube;
- and
- using the platform fasteners to attach the selected platform to the tube and to the second cap.
A modular load carrying apparatus for a rotary wing aircraft, comprising:
- a tube that has a first predetermined outer diameter and first and second axial ends;
- removable upholstery that is removably installed to cover the outside of the tube;
- a first cap that is located inside the tube at the first axial end and adapted for being connected with the rotary wing aircraft;
- a second cap that is located inside the tube at the second axial end and comprises a protrusion that protrudes from the second axial end and has a second predetermined outer diameter that is greater than the first predetermined outer diameter;
- at least first and second removable platforms that are interchangeably installable on the tube, wherein each one of the at least first and second platforms has a first predetermined inner diameter that is greater than the first predetermined outer diameter and smaller than the second predetermined outer diameter such that each one of the at least first and second removable platforms is adapted for being slidable over the first axial end of the tube and restrained by the second axial end of the tube;
- and
- platform fasteners that are adapted for securing each one of the at least first and second removable platforms to the tube and to the second cap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.