SYSTEM OF DRIVING CHANNELS FOR A CARRIAGE FOR TRANSPORTING AIRPLANES ON AN AIRPORT APRON
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- at least one elongated driving channel,wherein the at least one driving channel includesa channel segment, wherein the channel segmentextends below an airport apron, andhas an upper surface that is generally flush with the airport apron,a carriage, wherein the carriage is movable in guided relation within the driving channel,wherein the carriage includesa basket, wherein the basket is configured to hold in operatively engaged relation at least one wheel of an aircraft,an actuator, wherein the actuator is in operative connection with the basket, wherein the actuator is selectively operative to move the basket upward and downward relative to the carriage to operatively engage and release the at least one wheel,a drive unit,at least one transmission gear, wherein the at least one transmission gear extends in the channel segment, andis in operative engagement with the carriage,wherein the drive unit is operative to cause the carriage to selectively move in the channel segment responsive to movement of the at least one transmission gear,wherein the carriage is operative to move the aircraft on the airport apron with the at least one wheel thereof held in operative engagement with the basket, along the channel segment,whereby the aircraft is movable on the airport apron along the driving channel between a parking location and a location adjacent a takeoff or landing location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The exemplary embodiments provide a system of selectively moving airplanes on an airport apron. Airplanes are selectively moved from selective parking locations to areas adjacent to take-off locations such as runways. Airplanes may also be selectively moved from an area of the apron adjacent to a landing location and/or to a parking location. This may include for example an unloading location, an airport terminal, a servicing location, a fueling location, storage location and/or other suitable location. The exemplary system includes driving channels through which a carriage is selectively moved. The carriage includes a basket for operatively engaging at least one front wheel of selected airplanes for purposes of transporting such airplanes to and between the desired locations.
6 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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at least one elongated driving channel, wherein the at least one driving channel includes a channel segment, wherein the channel segment extends below an airport apron, and has an upper surface that is generally flush with the airport apron, a carriage, wherein the carriage is movable in guided relation within the driving channel, wherein the carriage includes a basket, wherein the basket is configured to hold in operatively engaged relation at least one wheel of an aircraft, an actuator, wherein the actuator is in operative connection with the basket, wherein the actuator is selectively operative to move the basket upward and downward relative to the carriage to operatively engage and release the at least one wheel, a drive unit, at least one transmission gear, wherein the at least one transmission gear extends in the channel segment, and is in operative engagement with the carriage, wherein the drive unit is operative to cause the carriage to selectively move in the channel segment responsive to movement of the at least one transmission gear, wherein the carriage is operative to move the aircraft on the airport apron with the at least one wheel thereof held in operative engagement with the basket, along the channel segment, whereby the aircraft is movable on the airport apron along the driving channel between a parking location and a location adjacent a takeoff or landing location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system comprising:
at least one elongated drive channel, wherein the at least one elongated drive channel includes a channel segment, wherein the channel segment extends below a surface of an airport apron, and includes an upper surface that is generally flush with the airport apron, a carriage, wherein the carriage is movable within the channel segment, wherein the carriage includes a basket, wherein the basket is configured to hold at least one front wheel of an airplane in operatively engaged relation with the basket, at least one actuator, wherein the at least one actuator is selectively operative to vertically move the basket relative to the carriage, wherein in an upwardly elevated position the basket is operative to operatively engage at least one front wheel of an airplane, and in a retracted position the basket is operatively disengageable from the at least one front wheel, a drive, wherein the drive is in operative connection with the carriage, wherein the drive is operative to selectively move the carriage and an airplane in operative engagement with the basket, on the apron and along the channel segment. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification