DEVICE FOR REDUCING LOADS ON LATCHES AND LOADS ON CARGO CONTAINERS

• US 20120037619A1
• Filed: 02/23/2010
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Merz, Ludger, Glatz, Dietmar, Kaulbars, Markus, Meier-Noe, Ulrich, Merklinger, Achim
• Granted Patent: US 8,491,241 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/1.5
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/14 by air
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/00 Component parts, details or accessories for large containers B65D88/34 - B65D88/78 take precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for reducing latch loads during the process of loading and flying air cargo containers inside cargo holds of aircraft. The device exhibits a floor plate of a cargo unit of a transport means, an edge profile, a rail bumper as well as a first damping unit. The first damping unit is situated between the edge profile and the floor plate, or between the edge profile and the rail bumper of the cargo unit. The first damping unit is designed for damping a movement by the cargo unit in a direction of movement of the cargo unit so as to reduce the loads placed on the cargo unit.

Claims

1. A device for reducing loads on a moved cargo unit inside a cargo hold of a transport means, wherein the device comprises:

a floor plate of the cargo unit;

an edge profile of the cargo unit;

a rail bumper of the cargo unit;

a first damping unit

a second damping unit;

wherein the first damping unit is situated between the rail bumper and a first side of the edge profile;

wherein the second damping unit is situated between the rail bumper and a second side of the edge profile;

wherein the first side is arranged perpendicular to the second side; and

wherein the first damping unit is adapted for damping a movement of the cargo unit in a direction of movement of the cargo unit for reducing the loads placed on the cargo unit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the edge profile and rail bumper are designed as separate assemblies.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first damping unit comprises an elastic spring element.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second damping unit comprises an elastic spring element.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first damping unit comprises an elastically deformable rivet joint with an elastically deformable bushing.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second damping unit comprises an elastically deformable rivet joint with an elastically deformable bushing.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the elastically deformable bushing comprises an elastomer.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the edge profile comprises a groove, which is adapted to float mount the floor plate in the groove;

wherein the first damping unit is situated in the groove of the edge profile.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first damping unit is integrated into the rail bumper of the cargo unit.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first damping unit is comprises an elastic lip;

wherein the elastic lip joins the rail bumper with the edge profile.

11. A cargo container for an aircraft, wherein the cargo container comprises:

a lateral wall;

a device of claim 10;

wherein the edge profile is configured for joining the lateral wall with the floor plate.

12. A transport means, wherein the transport means comprises:

a cargo hold;

a cargo container of claim 11; and

a latch for fixing the cargo container in place inside the cargo hold.

13. A method for reducing loads on a moved cargo unit inside a cargo hold of a transport means, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

arranging a first damping unit between a rail bumper and a first side of an edge profile,

arranging a second damping unit between the rail bumper and a second side the edge profile, wherein the first side is arranged perpendicular to the second side;

damping a movement by the cargo unit in a direction of movement of the cargo unit so as to reduce the loads placed on the cargo unit by means of a damping unit.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

reducing the loads on the movable cargo unit during a process of loading the cargo unit or while transporting the cargo unit inside the cargo hold of the transport means.