Methods and devices for adapting a cargo container to directly interface with an aircraft cargo bay

A skid assembly for use with a cargo container, the skid assembly comprising:

• an elongate member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface that extends between said upper surface and said lower surface;
• at least one side extension extending from the side surface;
• a first locking fitting, attached to the upper surface, for removably attaching the skid assembly to a first casting located on the lower surface of the cargo container;
• and
• a second locking fitting, attached to the upper surface, for removably attaching the skid assembly to a second casting located on the lower surface of the cargo container, and positioned relative to the first locking fitting to permit the first and second locking fitting to be simultaneously removably attached to the first and second castings, respectively,
• wherein the elongate member includes at least one rigid section of variable dimension such that the relative positions of the first locking fitting and the second locking fitting may be adjusted in at least one dimension.

A skid assembly for use with a cargo container, the skid assembly comprising:

• an elongate member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface that extends between said upper surface and said lower surface;
• a plurality of side extensions spaced at predetermined intervals along the side surface;
• a first locking fitting, attached to an end of the upper surface;
• and
• a second locking fitting, attached to an opposite end of the upper surface and positioned relative to the first looking fitting to permit the first and second looking fittings to be simultaneously removably attached to corresponding first and second castings of the cargo container, respectively;
• and
• at least one rigid extendable portion for varying the spacing between the first locking fitting and the second locking fitting to enable the assembly to be adapted to attach to cargo containers of a plurality of sizes.

A skid assembly for use with a cargo container, the skid assembly comprising:

• an elongate member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface that extends between said upper surface and said lower surface;
• a plurality of side extensions spaced at predetermined intervals along the side surface;
• a first locking fitting, attached to the upper surface;
• and
• a second locking fitting, attached to the upper surface and positionable relative to the first locking fitting by at least one rigid extendable portion of the elongate member.

An adapter system for a cargo container, the system comprising:

• a first elongate member having an upper surface and a side surface, said first elongate member comprising:
• at least one extension extending outwardly from the side surface of the first elongate member and adapted to engage a cargo locking system;
• a first locking fitting attached to the upper surface of said first elongate member and adapted to engage the cargo container;
• a second locking fitting attached to the upper surface of said first elongate member and adapted to engage the cargo container;
• and
• at least one adjustable segment that permits a spacing between the first locking fitting and the second locking fitting to be adjusted in at least one direction;
• and
• a second elongate member having an upper surface and a side surface, said second elongate member comprising:
• at least one extension extending outwardly from the side surface of the second elongate member and adapted to engage a cargo locking system;
• a third locking fitting attached to the upper surface of said second elongate member and adapted to engage the cargo container,
• a fourth locking filling attached to the upper surface of said second elongate member and adapted to engage the cargo container;
• and
• at least one adjustable segment that permits a spacing between the third locking fitting and the fourth locking fitting to be adjusted in at least one direction;
• wherein a spacing between the first elongate member and the second elongate member may be adjusted in at least one direction.