Utilizing a multi-track cargo handling assembly on an amphibious air-cushion vehicle
AssigneeTextron Systems Corporation
InventorsRichard Kent deValcourt, Frank Scott Allen, William Keith DuBose
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques involve utilizing a multi-track cargo handling assembly to guide individual cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of a deck of an amphibious air cushion vehicle when unloading from the aft end. Such a multi-track cargo handling assembly includes a framework constructed and arranged to couple with the deck of the amphibious air cushion vehicle, and a set of guide rails coupled with the framework. The set of guide rails defines the parallel tracks and is constructed and arranged to constrain movement of the cargo items along the parallel tracks.
Claims20
An amphibious air cushion vehicle, comprising:
- an air cushion hull configured for travel on water and land;
- a deck supported by the hull;
- and
- a multi-track cargo handling assembly coupled with the deck, the multi-track cargo handling assembly being constructed and arranged to guide individual cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of the deck for unloading from the aft end.
A multi-track cargo handling assembly to guide individual cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of a deck of an amphibious air cushion vehicle when unloading from the aft end, the multi-track cargo handling assembly comprising:
- a framework constructed and arranged to couple with the deck of the amphibious air cushion vehicle;
- and
- a set of guide rails coupled with the framework, the set of guide rails defining the parallel tracks and being constructed and arranged to constrain movement of the cargo items along the parallel tracks.
A method of operating an amphibious air cushion vehicle having (i) an air cushion hull configured for travel on water and land, and (ii) a deck supported by the hull, the method comprising:
- loading individual cargo items onto a multi-track cargo handling assembly coupled with the deck, the multi-track cargo handling assembly being constructed and arranged to guide the cargo items in parallel tracks to an aft end of the deck for unloading from the aft end;
- moving the amphibious air cushion vehicle from the water onto a landing location on the land;
- and
- from the multi-track cargo handling assembly, dropping the cargo items off the aft end of the deck onto the landing location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.