Cargo handling system for aircraft compartments

Abstract

A cargo handling system for cargo compartments utilizes a cargo container which rides along restraining guide rails and on top of rollers situated within and projecting slightly above structural members which are attached to roller possessing cross tracks. The cargo handling system utilizes an omni directional panel just inside the cargo door to facilitate loading, unloading, and rotational alignment of the cargo containers with the guide rails and rollers. Cargo locks situated within the roller channels and the omni directional panel secure the cargo containers in a longitudinal direction of the aircraft fuselage while a side latch within the omni directional panel secures cargo containers vertically, and in a lateral direction. An automatic anti-rollout restraint prevents the cargo container from rolling out of the aircraft while the cargo containers are being loaded or unloaded. Optionally, a power drive unit automatically moves the cargo containers along the rollers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.