Apparatus for manoeuvring helicopters in specially prepared areas of zones, provided with a movable frame on a cross-piece

• US 5,806,795 A
• Filed: 03/13/1997
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Calzoni SpA (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Riva Calzoni SpA (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Inventors: Ortelli, Aurelio
• Primary Examiner(s): Barefoot, Galen L.
• Application Number:
  US08/816,320
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 244/50, 244/115, 244/116, 180/14.7, 180/904, 414/426, 414/430
• US Class Current: 244/116
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/125 Mooring or ground handling devices for helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/904 Traction dollies for aircraft

Abstract

Apparatus for gripping, raising, orienting and transporting helicopters (2) in specially prepared areas or zones in particular on decks (1a) of ships (1), comprising a cross-piece (6) movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (X--X) of the ship in engagement with said rail (4), wherein the transverse arm (6b) of said cross-piece (6) has joined to it a substantially L-shaped frame (7; 107) and smaller arm (7a) movable relative to the cross-piece (6) in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (X--X) itself through the action of associated actuating means (7c), the free end of said longitudinal arm (7a) of the frame (7) having rotationally attached to it a transverse member (9; 109) carrying at its opposite ends the devices (10) for gripping the main wheels of the helicopter (2).

Claims

1. Apparatus for gripping, raising, orienting and transporting helicopters (2) in particular for decks (1a) of ships (1) provided with longitudinal rails (4) for guiding and constraining the apparatus, comprising a cross-piece (6) movable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis (X--X) of the ship in engagement with said rail (4), characterized in that a transverse cross-piece arm (6b) of said cross-piece (6) has joined to it a substantially L-shaped frame (7;

107) having a longitudinal arm (7a) and a transverse arm (7b) movable relative to the cross-piece (6) in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (X--X), through the action of an associated actuating means (7c), a free end of said longitudinal arm (7a) of the frame (7) having rotationally attached to it a transverse member (9;

     109) carrying at its opposite ends the devices (10) for gripping and raising the main wheels of the helicopter (2).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said cross-piece (6) comprises a longitudinal cross-piece arm (6a) attached to rollers (5a) travelling inside said longitudinal rail (4) and movable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ship through the action of associated actuating means, said longitudinal cross-piece arm having attached to it a transverse cross-piece arm (6b).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse arm (7b) of said L-shaped frame (7) is joined to the transverse cross-piece arm (6b) of the cross-piece (6) by means of prism guides on which it is able to travel in a transverse direction and in either sense moved by a hydraulic cylinder (7c) arranged between said transverse arms (6b, 7b) of the cross-piece and the frame, respectively.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal arm (7a) of the frame (7) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (X--X) of the ship (1).

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said transverse member (9) is joined to the arm (7a) of the L-shaped frame 7 by means of an additional arm (8) hinged on said arm (7a) of the frame (7).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said hinging arm (8) passes from an open position into a closed working position where it is locked by means of associated locking means (8b).

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the free ends of said transverse member (9;

109) have fitted to them swivel wheels (9d) for resting on the deck (1a).

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said transverse member (9) carries swivel wheels (9d) for resting on the deck, arranged in an opposite position with respect to the devices (10) for gripping the wheels of the helicopter.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal arm (107a) of the frame (107) forms an acute angle with the transverse arm (107b) of the frame (107).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said transverse member (109) is rotationally attached to said angled arm (107a) of the frame (107) by means of a pin (109a).

11. apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said transverse member (109) has ends formed in the manner of a "U" oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis (X--X).

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that one (109d) of the arms of the "U" is hinged and carries swivel wheels (9d) for resting on the deck (1a) of the ship.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said transverse member (9;

109) carries at its ends the gripping devices (10) with associated means (10c) for raising the helicopter wheels once the wheels themselves have been engaged and gripped.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a swivel wheel (7d) for resting on the deck (1a) of the ship is present at the opposite ends of the transverse arm (7b;

107b) of the L-shaped frame (7;

     107).

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for actuating the L-shaped frame (7;

107) consist of mechanical means.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said devices for raising the helicopter are directly associated with the devices for gripping the wheels (2a).