Process and device for attaching an aircraft nose landing gear to an aircraft tractor

A method for coupling an aircraft landing gear having at least one nose wheel to a tractor, comprising the steps of:

• moving at least one of the tractor and the nose wheel relative to the other until they contact each other;
• immovably retaining the tractor and the landing gear by coupling the tractor to the nose wheel;
• shifting a shovel member of the tractor relative to the tractor and underneath the nose wheel until the shovel member is located underneath the entire nose wheel;
• and
• raising the shovel member together with the nose wheel for towing the aircraft.

A tractor for towing an aircraft having a landing gear with at least one nose wheel, comprising:

• a chassis including at least one recess for receiving the landing gear;
• a shovel member coupled to the chassis and movable within the recess for being lowered to receive the nose wheel and raised to lift the nose wheel and tow the aircraft;
• first means for immovably coupling the tractor to the landing gear wherein the first means includes a device coupled to the shovel member for rotatably supporting the nose wheel;
• and
• second means for sliding the shovel member relative to the chassis and underneath the nose wheel to support the nose wheel on the shovel member and in turn raise the shovel member and the nose wheel to tow the aircraft.

A tractor for towing an aircraft having a landing gear with at least one nose wheel, comprising:

• a chassis including a recess for receiving the landing gear;
• a shovel member coupled to the chassis and movable for being raised and lowered relative to the chassis, the shovel member defining a supporting surface movable relative to the chassis for sliding underneath the entire nose wheel when the tractor is in a stationary position for supporting the nose wheel and lifting the nose wheel off the ground by raising the shovel member relative to the chassis;
• and
• a device coupled to the shovel member for rotatably supporting the nose wheel.

A tractor for towing an aircraft having a landing gear with at least one nose wheel, comprising:

• a chassis including at least one recess for receiving the landing gear;
• a shovel member coupled to the chassis and movable within the recess for being lowered to receive the nose wheel and raised to lift the nose wheel and tow the aircraft;
• a lifting fork coupled between the shovel member and the chassis for raising and lowering the shovel member relative to the chassis;
• first means for immovably coupling the tractor to the landing gear;
• and
• second means for sliding the shovel member relative to the chassis and underneath the nose wheel to support the nose wheel on the shovel member and in turn raise the shovel member and the nose wheel to tow the aircraft.

A tractor for towing an aircraft having a landing gear with at least one nose wheel, comprising:

• a chassis including at least one recess for receiving the landing gear;
• a shovel member coupled to the chassis and movable within the recess for being lowered to receive the nose wheel and raised to lift the nose wheel and tow the aircraft;
• a lifting fork coupled between the chassis and the shovel member, the lifting fork including a first portion pivotally coupled to the chassis and a second portion for supporting the shovel member and rotatable about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tractor;
• first means for immovably coupling the tractor to the landing gear;
• and
• second means for sliding the shovel member relative to the chassis and underneath the nose wheel to support the nose wheel on the shovel member and in turn raise the shovel member and the nose wheel to tow the aircraft.