Caster roller for cargo handling system

A caster roller for a freighter aircraft cargo handling system, the caster roller comprising:

• a roller bearing assembly having a plurality of roller bearings for providing horizontal movement to a load along an axis of motion;
• a thrust bearing assembly having a plurality of radially positioned roller bearings for aligning the roller bearing assembly with the axis of motion;
• and
• a housing assembly having internal surfaces defining a drop-in channel, the drop-in channel containing the thrust bearing assembly, the housing assembly further including a roller bearing support structure, the roller bearing support structure suspending the roller bearing assembly at a predetermined roller plane height substantially above the housing assembly.

A method for moveably supporting cargo within an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:

• using at least one roller bearing to support said cargo thereon;
• disposing said one roller bearing for rotational movement relative to a support structure such that said one roller bearing is substantially disposed at a predetermined height above said support structure;
• supporting said support structure on a plurality of radially positioned needle bearings to enable said support structure to rotate about an axis normal to a rotational axis of said roller bearing;
• using a ring member to support said radially positioned needle bearings;
• and
• securing portions of said ring member to a floor support panel such that said roller bearing protrudes outwardly of an outer surface of said support panel.