Unloading and loading of aircraft
View Patent ↗An access platform ( 208 ) enables containers ( 222 ) to be loaded into a cargo hold ( 218 ) of an aircraft ( 202 ) from a ground vehicle ( 220 ). The platform ( 208 ) has two opposite and non-parallel ends ( 210, 214 ), between which there is defined a support surface, the platform when viewed in plan having a generally trapezoidal shape. In use, an item ( 222 ) of cargo is moved between the cargo hold ( 218 ) and the ground vehicle ( 220 ) via a door opening, the movement of the item ( 222 ) through the door opening being in a direction ( 213 ) which when viewed in plan is not parallel to the direction ( 211 ) in which the door opening faces. During such movement, the item ( 222 ) of cargo is supported by from beneath by the support surface of the platform ( 208 ).
1. An aircraft including a door opening for the conveying of passengers or cargo to or from the aircraft and an access platform, said platform mounted on said aircraft for movement between stowed and deployed positions and comprising:
a first end;
a second end; and
a support surface extending between said first and second ends, wherein the door opening is proximate to an aircraft structure that restricts access to the door opening, wherein the second end of said access platform, when in said deployed position and viewed in plan, is non-parallel to said door opening.
2. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein the first end of the access platform is attached to the aircraft in the region of the door opening.
3. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein the aircraft includes a door associated with the door opening and the access platform forms part of the door.
4. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein the aircraft includes a door associated with the door opening and the access platform is separate from the door.
5. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein
the aircraft has a longitudinal axis,
a first angle has a sign and is defined between the longitudinal axis and the direction in which the first end extends when the access platform is deployed, when the aircraft is viewed in plan, and
a second angle has a sign and is defined between the longitudinal axis and the direction in which the second end extends when the access platform is deployed, when the aircraft is viewed in plan, wherein the magnitude of the second angle is greater than the magnitude of the first angle, and either (a) the first angle is zero or (b) the first angle is non-zero and the second angle has the same sign as the first angle.
6. An aircraft according to claim 5 , wherein the magnitude of the second angle is between 5 and 20 degrees.
7. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein
the door opening leads to a cargo hold of the aircraft,
the cargo hold includes a cargo conveying system for translating cargo in a first direction within the cargo hold,
the platform is arranged to deliver cargo in an preset orientation into the cargo hold, and
the cargo hold includes a turning device for turning the cargo from the preset orientation in which the cargo is delivered into the hold to a different orientation that is aligned with the first direction.
8. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein the access platform is adapted to enable an item of cargo to be loaded onto the aircraft so that the movement of the item through the door opening is in a direction which when viewed in plan is not parallel to the direction in which the door opening faces.
9. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends of the access platform when viewed in plan are non-parallel.
10. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein
the access platform is attached to the aircraft using an attachment mechanism and
the attachment mechanism is arranged to facilitate translational movement of the access platform.
11. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein
the access platform is attached to the aircraft using an attachment mechanism and
the attachment mechanism is arranged to facilitate rotational movement of the access platform.
12. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein the access platform is a cargo platform for use in conveying cargo into the cargo hold of the aircraft.
13. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein the platform includes:
a plurality of rolling bearings for supporting and conveying loads across the platform from one of the first and second ends to the other and,
the roller bearings are arranged to rotate about an axis parallel to the second end.
14. An aircraft according to claim 1 , wherein the platform includes:
a plurality of rolling bearings for supporting and conveying loads across the platform from one of the first and second ends to the other and,
at least a portion of the roller bearings are conical rollers and allow said load to rotate during movement out of said aircraft.
15. An aircraft including a door opening for the conveying of cargo to or from a cargo hold of the aircraft and an access platform, said platform comprising a portion of said aircraft and configured for movement between stowed and deployed positions, said platform comprising:
a first end;
a second end; and
a support surface extending between said first and second ends, wherein, when in said deployed position and viewed in plan, the first end of said platform is parallel to said door opening and the second end of said platform is non-parallel to said door opening.
16. An aircraft according to claim 15 , wherein the platform includes:
a plurality of rolling bearings for supporting and conveying loads across the platform from one of the first and second ends to the other and,
at least a portion of the roller bearings are conical rollers and allow said load to rotate during movement into and out of said cargo hold.