System for loading and unloading unit loads into a cargo hold, in particular of an aircraft, and intermediate transport device or corresponding transport unit

A system for loading and unloading loose cargo in a cargo hold, preferably of a plane, comprising

• transport means covering the area of the floor of the cargo hold for preferably intermittently conveying the loose cargo towards the inner end of the cargo hold during loading, or away from it during unloading, wherein the front end of said transport means reaches into the range of the cargo hold opening inside the fuselage, and
• a conveyor organ connecting to the outside of the plane at the cargo hold opening for transporting the loose cargo between the level of the tarmac and the cargo hold opening,
• wherein between the plane-side end of said external conveyor organ and the front end of said transport means in the cargo hold at least one intermediate conveyor means is arranged, whereby the loose cargo may during loading initially be conveyed deeper into fuselage substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the plane, and whereupon the loose cargo may then be rotated manually in the cargo hold and transported further substantially in the longitudinal direction of the plane and deposited on the front end of said transport means in the cargo hold, and
• whereby during unloading, loose cargo conveyed beyond the front end of said transport means out into the plane of the cargo hold opening may be transported off substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the plane through the cargo hold opening.

A conveyor unit for loading and unloading loose cargo, such as preferably pieces of luggage in a cargo hold of a plane, whereby loose cargo supplied from outside the plane from the tarmac level to the cargo hold opening and through the latter into the cargo hold may be conveyed further into the cargo hold,

• comprising a first conveyor organ for transporting the loose cargo in the cargo hold,
• whereby loose cargo supplied from outside the plane during loading of the cargo hold may be conveyed in the cargo hold into the fuselage into the range of a location of deposition both transversely and longitudinally to the longitudinal axis of the plane,
• and whereby loose cargo may be conveyed back during unloading from the range of the location of deposition into the plane of the cargo hold opening, so that the loose cargo may from there be transported off to the outside transversely to the longitudinal axis of the plane through the cargo hold opening,
• wherein the end of said first conveyor organ located inside the fuselage in the cargo hold is horizontally slidable or pivotable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the plane and comprises a subsequent second conveyor organ having a subsequent third conveyor organ with these being linked such that a height adjustment of said third conveyor organ in the cargo hold may be achieved by an adjustment of the inclination of said second conveyor organ,
• and that during loading, the loose cargo may purposely be deposited on the desired location of deposition in the cargo hold by said third conveyor organ—powered by conveyor means of said third conveyor organ or automatically—and during unloading purposely picked up and transported off by said third conveyor organ—powered by conveyor means of said third conveyor organ or automatically.