Aircraft loading and unloading system
AssigneeFlight-X Products Corporation
InventorGary W. Kuchenbrod
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for conversion of existing boarding bridges which are adapted for large aircraft for additional and/or alternating use with small aircraft. The invention is useful for allowing passengers to enplane and deplane between an airport terminal and either type of aircraft without leaving a protected environment.
Claims11
A system for providing entry into an aircraft from a building provided with a boarding bridge engageable at one end thereof with said building and moveable at the other end thereof into proximity with an entrance into said aircraft, comprising:
- a. a platform attached to said other end of said boarding bridge;
- b. said platform being adapted to engage said entrance into said aircraft;
- and
- c. said platform being pivotally mounted on said boarding bridge for movement between an extended position for engaging said entrance of said aircraft and a storage position below said other end of said boarding bridge.
A method for stowing an extension bridge attached to and used with a boarding bridge for entry into and exit from an aircraft so that one end of said boarding bridge may directly contact an aircraft, comprising:
- a. engaging said extension bridge with a support means linked to said one end of said boarding bridge, and
- b. rotating said extension bridge about said one end of said boarding bridge to a storage position below said one end to permit direct contact of said boarding bridge with said aircraft.
A system for providing entry into an aircraft from a building provided with a boarding bridge engageable at one end thereof with said building moveable at the other end thereof into proximity with an entrance into said aircraft, comprising:
- a platform attached to said other end of said boarding bridge;
- said platform being adapted to engage said entrance into said aircraft;
- said platform being pivotally mounted on said boarding bridge for movement between an extended position for engaging said entrance of said aircraft and a storage position below said boarding bridge;
- means for rotating said platform relative to said other end of said boarding bridge to a position below said boarding bridge;
- means for detaching said platform from said boarding bridge;
- means for supporting said platform after it is detached from said boarding bridge wherein said support means further comprises:
- at least one arm removable from an attachable to said platform on a pivot which is moveable relative to said loading bridge, and
- at least one arm pivotally linked to said loading bridge on a pivot which is fixed relative to said loading bridge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.