Retractable floor assembly for a passenger loading bridge
AssigneeDEW Engineering and Development Limited
InventorJohn Savage
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an adjustable cab including an adjustable cab floor engagement assembly for use with a passenger loading bridge to service a plurality of different aircraft types, each different aircraft type having a different doorway configuration. The adjustable cab floor engagement assembly includes upper and lower floor members, which are moveable one relative to the other, to provide a plurality of different floor configurations. A light-weight, flip up panel is provided along a leading edge of the assembly, which pivots upwardly upon contact with a portion of the aircraft to avoid damaging either one of the assembly or the aircraft. The adjustable cab includes an auto-leveling structure to provide a level surface for passengers entering and exiting the aircraft.
Claims17
An adjustable engagement assembly for use in a passenger loading bridge having a frame defining a slot-like opening in a cab floor portion thereof, the adjustable engagement assembly comprising:
- an upper floor assembly for being disposed within the frame and defining a first floor surface at substantially a same height as the cab floor portion, the upper floor assembly including a first panel moveable between a first extended position in which the slot-like opening is substantially covered and a first retracted position in which a portion of the slot-like opening is exposed to define a notch at the height of the cab floor portion and along an aircraft engaging edge thereof;
- a lower floor assembly for being disposed within the frame in a spaced-apart, stacked arrangement with the first panel and including a second panel defining a second floor surface at a height lower than the height of the cab floor portion, the second panel moveable between a second extended position toward the aircraft engaging edge of the cab floor portion and a second retracted position away from the aircraft engaging edge of the cab floor portion;
- and,
- a drive structure mechanically associated with the first panel and with the second panel, the drive structure for slidingly displacing the first panel between the first extended position and the first retracted position and for slidingly displacing the second panel between the second extended position and the second retracted position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.