Loading bridge control system and method
OwnerBritt C. Hinkleinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A loading bridge includes motors for moving the open end forward, backward, left, right, up and down so the open end can be aligned with a passenger door of an airplane. To minimize collisions between the loading bridge and the airplane, a deadman switch is provided under the control of a second person on the ground adjacent the open end of the loading bridge. So long as the second person holds the deadman switch in a preferred position, the motors are operative to drive the loading bridge forward, backward, left and right. When the second person releases the deadman switch, the loading bridge can no longer move in these directions.
Claims18
In combination,
- a loading bridge having an open end for transferring passengers between an airplane and the loading bridge;
- means for propelling the loading bridge, under the control of a first person, between a stowed position and a position juxtaposing the open end adjacent an airplane;
- and
- a safety mechanism, adjacent the open end and operable by a second person adjacent the open end, having a first position allowing the propelling means to operate and a second position for interrupting the propelling means and stopping movement of the loading bridge.
A control system for a loading bridge having an open end for transferring passengers between an airplane and the loading bridge and means for propelling the loading bridge, under the control of a bridge operator, between a stowed position and a position juxtaposing the open end adjacent an airplane, comprising a safety mechanism, operable by a person outside the loading bridge and adjacent the open end, having a first position allowing the propelling means to operate and a second position for interrupting the propelling means and stopping movement of the loading bridge.
A method of moving a loading bridge toward an operative position juxtaposed to an airplane door, the loading bridge having an open end for transferring passengers between an airplane and the runway and means for propelling the loading bridge under the control of a first operator inside the loading bridge, the steps comprising
- providing a safety mechanism, operable by a second operator outside the loading bridge adjacent the open end, movable between a first position allowing the propelling means to operate and a second position deactivating the propelling means.
A method of moving a loading bridge away from an operative position juxtaposed to an airplane door and toward a docking position, the loading bridge having an open end for transferring passengers between an airplane and the loading bridge and means for propelling the loading bridge under the control of a first operator inside the loading bridge, the steps comprising
- providing a safety mechanism, operable by a second operator outside the loading bridge adjacent the open end, movable between a first position allowing the propelling means to operate and a second position deactivating the propelling means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.