AIR SPACE VEHICLE SERVICING APPARATUS

• US 3,814,211 A
• Filed: 03/01/1972
• Issued: 06/04/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SN Operating Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Karl A. Pamer
• Inventors: Pamer, Karl A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Machado, Reinaldo P.
• Application Number:
  US05/230,634
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 182/14,13,12,37,36,142,143,144,150,19 187/71,27 60/6
• US Class Current: 182/14
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/00 Designing, manufacturing, assembling, cleaning, maintaining or repairing aircraft, not otherwise provided for; Handling, transporting, testing or inspecting aircraft components, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 11/04 for movable platforms or cabins, e.g. on vehicles, permitting workmen to place themselves in any desired position for carrying out required operations Working platforms on fork-lift trucks B66F9/127; vehicle aspects of service vehicles B60P3/14; platforms for cleaning windows A47L3/02; devices for rescuing persons from buildings A62B1/02; liftable or lowerable platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16; maintenance travellers for bridges E01D19/10; scaffolds on an extensible sub-structure E04G1/22

Abstract

Apparatus especially designed for use in servicing the exterior of air and/or space vehicles comprising a vertical oriented telescopic mast, the upper end of which is fixedly connected to a trolley movable linearly on an overhead bridge which bridge is movable on a suitable overhead runway. The lower end of the mast carries a personnel platform rotatably connected thereto and which may include equipment usable in servicing an air or space vehicle. Movement of the bridge on the runway and the trolley on the bridge and extension and contraction of the mast is by power and the controls include safety devices preventing collision between rigid parts of the apparatus and a vehicle which might result in damage to the vehicle. Provision is made for raising the personnel platform by power without reliance on the primary power supply.

Claims

1. In apparatus for handling a load, an overhead support, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having its upper end connected to said overhead support and a load support at its lower end, a hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said rotatable member and said load support for raising and lowering said load support, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, said members being operatively connected to said overhead support and to said load support, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, means separate from said hoist means for selectively preventing rotation of said rotatable member, and means for operating said last-named means to prevent rotation of said rotatable member upon the existence of a predetermined condition of said apparatus.

2. In apparatus for handling a load, an overhead support, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having its upper end connected to said overhead support and a load support at its lower end, a hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said rotatable member and said load support for raising and lowering said load support, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, said members being operatively connected to said overhead support and to said load support, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, brake means separate from said hoist means for selectively preventing rotation of said rotatable member, and means for operating said brake means during the existence of a predetermined condition in said apparatus.

3. In apparatus for handling a load, an overhead support movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, a load support connected to saiD one mast section, a hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said rotatable member and said load support for raising and lowering said load support, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, one of said members being connected to said overhead support and the other of said members being connected to said load support, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, selectively operable means separate from said hoist means for preventing rotation of said rotatable member, and means for operating said selectively operable means upon the existence of a predetermined condition in said apparatus.

4. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, a personnel supporting platform connected to said mast, a hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said drum member and said platform for raising and lowering said platform, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, one of said members being operatively connected to said overhead support and the other to said platform, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, means separate from said hoist means for selectively preventing rotation of said rotatable member, and means for operating said last-named means to prevent rotation of said rotatable member upon the existence of a predetermined condition of said apparatus.

5. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, a personnel supporting platform connected to said mast, a hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said drum member and said platform, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, said members being connected to said overhead support and said platform, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, a selectively operable brake means separate from said hoist means connected to said rotatable member, and means for operating said brake means during the existence of a predetermined condition of said apparatus.

6. In apparatus for handling a load, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multisection vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of two relatively movable said mast sections and engaging the other with a preload supporting said two relatively movable mast sections for movement relative to one another, a load support connected to said mast, a hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said rotatable member and said load support for raising and lowering said load support, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, means operatively connecting one of said members to said overhead supporT and the other of said members to said load support, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, selectively operable means separate from said hoist means for preventing rotation of said rotatable member, and means for operating said selectively operable means to prevent rotation of said rotatable member during the existence of a predetermined condition of said apparatus.

7. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of two relatively movable said mast sections and engaging the other with a preload supporting said two relatively movable mast sections for movement relative to one another, a personnel supporting platform connected to said mast, hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said drum member and said platform for raising and lowering said platform, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, one of said members being operatively connected to said overhead support and the other to said platform, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, selectively operable brake means separate from said hoist means connected to said rotatable member, and means for operating said brake means to prevent rotation of said rotatable member during the existence of a predetermined condition of said apparatus.

8. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, a personnel supporting platform connected to said mast, hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said drum member and said platform for raising and lowering said platform, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, means operatively connecting one of said members to said overhead support and the other of said members to said platform, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, a brake separate from said hoist means connected to said rotatable member, an abutment member operatively connected to said platform for movement both vertically and horizontally thereof and extending horizontally of and below said platform, means for preventing operation of said hoist means when said abutment member is in a predetermined position relative to said platform, and means for applying said brake when a predetermined condition exists in said apparatus including said predetermined relative position between said abutment member and said platform.

9. In apparatus for serving aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, a load support connected to said one mast section, hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said rotatable member and said load support for raising and lowering said load support, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, means operatively connecting one of said members to said overhead support and the other of said members to said load support, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, a fluid-operated motor separate from said hoist means for rotating said rotatable member, a source of fluid under pressure, and means for controlling and applying fluid under pressure to said motor.

10. In apparatus for serving aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, a load support connected to said one mast support, hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said rotatable member and said load support for raising and lowering said load support, a rotatable member connected to said load support and having a flexible member connected thereto, means operatively connecting said flexible member to said overhead support, means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, a brake connected to said rotatable member, means for applying said brake when a predetermined condition exists in said apparatus, a fluid-operated motor for rotating said rotatable member, a source of fluid under pressure, and means for releasing said brake and applying fluid under pressure to said motor.

11. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, a personnel supporting platform connected to said one mast section, hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said drum member and said platform for raising and lowering said platform, a rotatable member connected to said platform and having a flexible member connected thereto, means operatively connecting said flexible member to said overhead support, means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, a brake connected to said rotatable member, an abutment member operatively connected to said platform for movement both vertically and horizontally thereof and extending horizontally of and below said platform, means operatively connected between said abutment member and said hoist means and said brake for preventing operation of said hoist means when said abutment member is in a predetermined position relative to said platform and for applying said brake when a predetermined condition exists in said apparatus including said relative position between said abutment member and said platform, a fluid operated motor operatively connected to said rotatable member, a source of fluid under pressure, and a manually operable valve means for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure from said source to said motor.

12. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of two relatively movable said mast sections and engaging the other with a preload supporting said two relatively movable mast sections for movement relative to one another, a personnel supporting platform connected to said mast, hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said Overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said drum member and said platform for raising and lowering said platform, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, means operatively connecting one of said members to said overhead support and the other of said members to said platform, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, a brake separate from said hoist means connected to said rotatable member, an abutment member operatively connected to said platform for movement both vertically and horizontally thereof and extending horizontally of and below said platform, and means operatively connected between said abutment member and said hoist means and said brake for preventing operation of said hoist means when said abutment member is in a predetermined position relative to said platform and for applying said brake when a predetermined condition exists in said apparatus including said relative position between said abutment member and said platform.

13. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of two relatively movable said mast sections and engaging the other with a preload supporting said two relatively movable mast sections for movement relative to one another, a personnel supporting platform connected to said mast, hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said drum member and said platform for raising and lowering said platform, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, means operatively connecting one of said members to said overhead support and the other to said platform, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, a fluid-operated motor separate from said hoist means for rotating said rotatable member, a source of fluid under pressure, and a manually operable control member for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure from said source to said motor.

14. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of two relatively movable said mast sections and engaging the other with a preload supporting said two relatively movable mast sections for movement relative to one another, a personnel supporting platform connected to said mast, hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said drum member and said platform for raising and lowering said platform, a rotatable member connected to said platform and having a flexible member connected thereto, means operatively connecting said rotatable member to said overhead support, means biasing said rotatable members in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, a brake connected to said rotatable member, an abutment member operatively connected to said platform for movement both vertically and horizontally thereof and extending horizontally of and below said platform, means operatively connected between said abutment member, said hoist means and said brake for preventing operation of said hoist means with said abutment member in a predetermined position relative to said platform and fOr applying said brake when a predetermined condition exists in said apparatus including said relative position between said abutment member and said platform, a fluid-operated motor for rotating said rotatable member, a source of fluid under pressure, and a manually operable control means connecting said motor with said source of fluid pressure and releasing said brake.

15. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and at least one mast section movable lengthwise along another mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of two relatively movable said mast sections and engaging the other with a preload supporting said two relatively movable mast sections for movement relative to one another, a personnel supporting platform rotatably connected to the lowermost of the relatively movable said mast sections adjacent to its lower end, a hand crank on said platform for rotating said platform, hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said drum member and said platform for raising and lowering said platform, a rotatable drum connected to the lowermost of the relatively movable said mast sections, a cable connected to said drum and to said overhead support, means biasing said drum in the direction to maintain said cable taut, means for selectively preventing rotation of said drum, and means for operating said last-named means to prevent rotation of said drum when a predetermined condition exists in said apparatus.

16. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and an intermediate mast section movable lengthwise along said uppermost mast section and a lowermost mast section movable lengthwise along said intermediate mast section, a personnel supporting platform connected to said lowermost mast section adjacent to its lower end, hoist means including a rotatable drum member connected to said overhead support and a flexible member operatively connected to said drum member and said platform for raising and lowering said platform, a counterweight operatively connected to said overhead support and said intermediate mast section biasing said intermediate mast section in an upwardly direction, means limiting relative movement between said intermediate and lowermost mast sections, a rotatable member separate from said hoist means having a flexible member connected thereto, means operatively connecting one of said members to said overhead support and the other of said members to said lowermost mast section, means separate from said hoist means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible member taut, means separate from said hoist means for selectively preventing rotation of said rotatable member, and means for operating said last-named means to prevent rotation of said rotatable member when a predetermined condition exists in said apparatus.

17. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and an intermediate mast section movable lengthwise along said uppermost mast section and a lowermost mast section movable lengthwise along said intermediate mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of said uppermost and intermediate mast sections and engaging the other mast section with a preload supporting said intermediate mast section for movement along said uppermost mAst section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of said intermediate and lowermost mast sections and engaging the other mast section with a preload supporting said lowermost mast section for movement along said intermediate mast section, a personnel supporting platform connected to said lowermost mast section adjacent to its lower end, hoist means operatively connected to said overhead support and said lowermost mast section for raising and lowering said platform, a counterweight operatively connected to said overhead support and said intermediate mast section biasing said intermediate mast section in an upwardly direction, means limiting relative movement between said intermediate and lowermost mast sections, a rotatable member having a flexible member connected thereto, means operatively connecting said flexible member to said overhead support and said rotatable member to said lowermost mast section, means biasing said rotatable member in the direction to maintain said flexible members taut, a brake connected to said rotatable member, and means for operating said brake to prevent rotation of said rotatable member when a predetermined condition exists on said apparatus.

18. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and an intermediate mast section movable lengthwise along said uppermost mast section and a lowermost mast section movable lengthwise along said intermediate mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of said uppermost and intermediate mast sections and engaging the other mast section with a preload supporting said intermediate mast sections for movement along said uppermost mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of said intermediate and lowermost mast sections and engaging the other mast section with a preload supporting said lowermost mast section for movement along said intermediate mast sections, a personnel supporting platform connected to said lowermost mast section adjacent to its lower end, hoist means operatively connected to said overhead support and said lowermost mast section for raising and lowering said platform, a counterweight operatively connected to said overhead support and said intermediate mast section biasing said intermediate mast section in an upwardly direction, means limiting relative movement between said intermediate and lowermost mast sections, a rotatable drum on said lowermost mast section and having a cable connected thereto, means operatively connecting said cable to said overhead support, means biasing said drum in the direction to maintain said cable taut, a brake connected to said drum, an abutment member operatively connected to said platform for movement both vertically and horizontally thereof and extending horizontally of and below said platform, and means operatively connected between said abutment member and hoist means and said brake preventing operation of said hoist means with said abutment member in a predetermined position relative to said platform and for applying said brake when a predetermined condition exists in said apparatus including said relative position between said abutment member and said platform.

19. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and an intermediate mast section movable lengthwise along said uppermost mast section and a lowermost mast section movable lengthwise along said intermediate mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of said uppermost and intermediate mast sections and engaging the other mast section with a preload supporting said intermediate mast section for movement along said uppermost mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of said intermediate and lowermost mast sections and engaging the other mast section with a preload supporting said lowermost mast section for movement along said intermediate mast section, a personnel supporting platform connected to said lowermost mast section adjacent to its lower end, hoist means operatively connected to said overhead support and said lowermost mast section for raising and lowering said platform, a counterweight operatively connected to said overhead support and said intermediate mast section having said intermediate mast section biasing said intermediate mast section in an upwardly direction, means limiting relative movement between said intermediate and lowermost mast sections, a rotatable drum connected to said lowermost mast section and having a cable connected thereto, means operatively connecting said cable to said overhead support, means biasing said drum in the direction to maintain said cable taut, a fluid-operated motor for rotating said drum, a source of fluid under pressure on said platform, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure from said source to said motor.

20. In apparatus for servicing aircraft, an overhead support universally movable in a horizontal plane, a multi-section vertically oriented extensible and contractable mast having the upper end of the uppermost mast section fixedly connected to said overhead support and an intermediate mast section movable lengthwise along said uppermost mast section and a lowermost mast section movable lengthwise along said intermediate mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of said uppermost and intermediate mast sections and engaging the other mast section with a preload supporting said intermediate mast section for movement along said uppermost mast section, at least two vertically spaced sets of rollers carried by one of said intermediate and lowermost mast sections and engaging the other mast section with a preload supporting said lowermost mast section for movement along said intermediate mast section, a load support connected to said lowermost mast section adjacent to its lower end, hoist means operatively connected to said overhead support and said lowermost mast section for raising and lowering said load support, a counterweight operatively connected to said overhead support and said intermediate mast section biasing said intermediate mast section in an upwardly direction, means limiting relative movement between said intermediate and lowermost mast sections, a rotatable drum connected to said lower mast section and having a cable connected thereto, means operatively connecting said cable to said overhead support, means biasing said drum in the direction to maintain said cable taut, a brake connected to said drum, an abutment member operatively connected to said platform for movement both vertically and horizontally thereof and extending horizontally of and below said platform, means operatively connected between said abutment member and said hoist means and said brake for preventing operation of said hoist means with said abutment member in a predetermined position relative to said platform and for applying said brake when a predetermined condition exists in said apparatus including said relative position between said abutment member and said platform, a fluid-operated motor for rotating said drum, a source of fluid under pressure on said platform, and a manually operable control member for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure from said source to said motor and for releasing said brake.