Enhanced aerial delivery system (EADS) platform

A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising:

• a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and intermediate side surfaces generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar;
• a plurality of retaining flanges disposed about said lower surface, said plurality of retaining flanges being operable to engage a rail system of a cargo aircraft;
• a plurality of lifting rings generally mounted to said first cargo pallet, said plurality of lifting rings being connectable to a lifting device for lifting the pallet system;
• and
• a wheel assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet, said wheel assembly having a wheel adjustably coupled within a housing, said wheel being positionable in an extended position adapted for use with a Palletize Loading System (PLS), an intermediate position adapted for use to permit rolling of said first cargo pallet along a floor surface, and a retracted position adapted for use in a container.

A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising:

• a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and intermediate side surfaces generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar;
• a plurality of retaining flanges disposed about said lower surface, said plurality of retaining flanges being operable to engage a rail system of a cargo aircraft;
• and
• a plurality of interface clamp systems removably coupled to at least one of said intermediate side surfaces, said plurality of interface clamp systems being connectable to a second cargo pallet;
• and
• a wheel assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet, said wheel assembly having a wheel adjustably coupled within a housing, said wheel being positionable in an extended position adapted for use with a Palletize Loading System (PLS), an intermediate position adapted for use to permit rolling of said first cargo pallet along a floor surface, and a retracted position adapted for use in a container.

A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising:

• a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and intermediate side surfaces generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar;
• a plurality of retaining flanges disposed about said lower surface, said plurality of retaining flanges being operable to engage a rail system of a cargo aircraft;
• an arm assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet, said arm assembly being sized to receive a Palletize Loading System (PLS) lifting arm;
• and
• a wheel assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet, said wheel assembly having a wheel adjustably coupled within a housing, said wheel being positionable in an extended position adapted for use with a Palletize Loading System (PLS), an intermediate position adapted for use to permit rolling of said first cargo pallet along a floor surface, and a retracted position adapted for use in a container.

A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising:

• a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and intermediate side surfaces generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar;
• a plurality of retaining flanges disposed about said lower surface, said plurality of retaining flanges being operable to engage a rail system of a cargo aircraft;
• and
• a plurality of tie down rings retractably disposed along said upper surface of said first cargo pallet, said plurality of tie down rings operable to tether cargo upon said first cargo pallet, said plurality of tie down rings being positionable in an extended position generally non-coplanar with said upper surface and a retract position generally co-planar with said upper surface;
• and
• a wheel assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet, said wheel assembly having a wheel adjustably coupled within a housing, said wheel being positionable in an extended position adapted for use with a Palletize Loading System (PLS), an intermediate position adapted for use to permit rolling of said first cargo pallet along a floor surface, and a retracted position adapted for use in a container.

A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising:

• a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and intermediate side surfaces generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar;
• a plurality of retaining flanges disposed about said lower surface, said plurality of retaining flanges being operable to engage a rail system of a cargo aircraft;
• and
• a wheel assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet, said wheel assembly having a wheel adjustably coupled within a housing, said wheel being positionable in an extended position adapted for use with a Palletize Loading System (PLS), an intermediate position adapted for use to permit rolling of said first cargo pallet along a floor surface, and a retracted position adapted for use in a container.

A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising:

• a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and intermediate side surfaces generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar;
• a plurality of retaining flanges disposed about said lower surface, said plurality of retaining flanges being operable to engage a rail system of a cargo aircraft;
• and
• a pallet rail retractably mounted to said first cargo pallet, said pallet rail operable to retain cargo upon said first cargo pallet, said pallet rail being positionable in an extended position generally non-coplanar with said upper surface and a retract position generally co-planar with said upper surface;
• and
• a wheel assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet, said wheel assembly having a wheel adjustably coupled within a housing, said wheel being positionable in an extended position adapted for use with a Palletize Loading System (PLS), an intermediate position adapted for use to permit rolling of said first cargo pallet along a floor surface, and a retracted position adapted for use in a container.

A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising:

• a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and intermediate side surfaces generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar;
• a plurality of retaining flanges disposed about said lower surface, said plurality of retaining flanges being operable to engage a rail system of a cargo aircraft;
• a retractable restraint coupled to said first cargo pallet, said retractable restraint having a hook member tethered to said first cargo pallet via a line, said line being biased so as to retracted said hook member;
• and
• a wheel assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet, said wheel assembly having a wheel adjustably coupled within a housing, said wheel being positionable in an extended position adapted for use with a Palletize Loading System (PLS), an intermediate position adapted for use to permit rolling of said first cargo pallet along a floor surface, and a retracted position adapted for use in a container.

A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo, said pallet system comprising:

• a first cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface, and intermediate side surfaces generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface, each of said upper surface and said lower surface being substantially planar;
• a plurality of retaining flanges disposed about said lower surface, said plurality of retaining flanges being operable to engage a rail system of a cargo aircraft;
• a roller track disposed within slots formed in said upper surface of said first cargo pallet, said roller tracks having rollers disposed along one side thereof such that said roller tracks may be positioned in a first position where said rollers extend above said upper surface and a second position where said rollers are retracted below said upper surface;
• and
• a wheel assembly removably coupled to said first cargo pallet, said wheel assembly having a wheel adjustably coupled within a housing, said wheel being positionable in an extended position adapted for use with a Palletize Loading System (PLS), an intermediate position adapted for use to permit rolling of said first cargo pallet along a floor surface, and a retracted position adapted for use in a container.