Cargo barrier

• US 20040240959A1
• Filed: 03/19/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amsafe Bridport Limited (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Amsafe Bridport Limited (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ackerman, David, Carden, Stephen Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,140,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 410/118
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 9/00 Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like emergency equipment B64D17/00, B64D19/00, B64D25/00; structures integral with fuselage to facilitate loading, fuselage floors specially adapted for freight, steps mounted on and retractable within aircraft B64C; ground installations B64F

Abstract

A cargo barrier (9) in or for installation in an aircraft (2), the barrier (9) comprising a peripheral frame structure (10) of rigid material and a cargo restraining net (11), the frame structure (10) being, in the aircraft (2), attached to attachment points on the interior structure of the aircraft and the net being attached to attachment points (12) on the frame structure (10). The frame structure (10) and net (11), in use, form a barrier across an interior space of the aircraft (2) in order to restrain longitudinal movement of cargo within the aircraft (2).

Claims

1. A cargo barrier in or for installation in an aircraft, the barrier comprising a peripheral frame structure of rigid material and a cargo restraining net, the frame structure being, in the aircraft, attached to attachment points on the interior structure of the aircraft and the net being attached to attachment points on the frame structure, the frame structure and net, in use, forming a barrier across an interior space of the aircraft in order to restrain longitudinal movement of cargo within the aircraft.

2. A cargo barrier according to claim 1 wherein the frame structure comprises separate sections which interconnect to form the frame structure.

3. A cargo barrier according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the interior space is that formed between the upper surface of the fuselage and a deck of the aircraft.

4. A cargo barrier according to claim 3 wherein the frame structure is shaped to form a close fit with the fuselage and deck at the location of attachment and a smoke barrier incorporated together with the net.

5. A cargo barrier according to claim 4 wherein the frame structure is in use sealed to the fuselage and deck leaving no gaps between the frame and said walls, ceiling and floor.

6. A cargo barrier according to claim 3 wherein the frame structure is shaped to form, at the location of attachment, a close fit with the upper surface of the fuselage and extend below the floor of the upper deck.

7. A cargo barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the net incorporates metallic cables or plastics fibre cables.

8. A cargo barrier according to any preceding claim wherein drag strips are provided for fixation between the frame structure and the aircraft attachment points to allow longitudinal displacement of the barrier from the location of the attachment points.

9. A cargo barrier according to any preceding claim wherein the frame structure is made of hollow section members.

10. A cargo barrier according to any preceding claim wherein at least some of the net fixing connections to the frame structure are through quick-release fixings.

11. A cargo barrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.