Aircraft engagement assembly for aircraft boarding bridges

• US 6,195,826 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1999
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FMC Technologies Incorporated (TechnipFMC, plc)
• Original Assignee: FMC Corporation
• Inventors: Anderson, Bruce W., LeBaron, Gerald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hartmann, Gary S.
• Application Number:
  US09/322,483
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 14/695, 14/711, 14/713, 14/715
• US Class Current: 14/71.5
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/305 Bridges extending between terminal building and aircraft, e.g. telescopic, vertically adjustable

Abstract

An engagement structure adapted for securement to the end of an aircraft boarding bridge includes a bumper assembly formed of a first bumper and an auxiliary bumper. The auxiliary bumper is mechanically associated with a drive assembly adapted for displacing the auxiliary bumper relative to the first bumper to provide a dimensionally adjustable floor area of a boarding bridge proximate the interface of the bridge and an aircraft serviced by the bridge. The engagement structure may also include bifurcated arrangement wherein a sliding floor element is associated with a length adjustable bumper subassembly. The engagement structure provides a structure whereby the floor structure of the boarding bridge can be opened to provide a passageway for an opening or closing aircraft door. The engagement structure further provides a structure whereby the floor may then be restructured to provide an embarkation platform which extends between the aircraft and the main structure of the boarding bridge which is of adequate dimension to permit the passage of passengers between the aircraft and the boarding bridge.

Claims

1. An aircraft engagement assembly for an aircraft boarding bridge, said assembly comprising:

a first bumper adapted for securement to said aircraft boarding bridge;

said first bumper having a longitudinal axis which is positioned transverse to a longitudinal axis of said aircraft boarding bridge upon a securement of said first bumper to said aircraft boarding bridge; and

an auxiliary bumper, positioned adjacent said first bumper for sliding displacement relative to said first bumper along a first direction of travel parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first bumper;

wherein said first bumper and said auxiliary bumper each include a floor forming surface.

2. The engagement assembly of claim 1 further comprising

a drive assembly mechanically associated with said auxiliary bumper for displacing said auxiliary bumper along a first direction of travel parallel to said longitudinal axis of said first bumper.

3. The engagement assembly of claim 1 further comprising a frame, said first bumper being secured to said frame.

4. The engagement assembly of claim 3 further comprising an auxiliary floor element mechanically associated with said frame for displacement along said frame.

5. The engagement assembly of claim 4 wherein said auxiliary floor element is associated with said frame for displacement along a second direction of travel parallel to said first direction of travel.

6. The engagement assembly of claim 4 further comprising a securement structure for securing said auxiliary floor element to said auxiliary bumper.

7. The engagement assembly of claim 6 wherein said securement structure is adapted for detachable securing said auxiliary floor to said auxiliary bumper.

8. The engagement assembly of claim 7 further including a drive assembly mechanically associated with said auxiliary bumper, said drive assembly being operable to displace both said auxiliary bumper and said auxiliary floor.

9. The engagement assembly of claim 6 wherein said securement structure is a magnet secured to said auxiliary bumper for securing said auxiliary bumper to said auxiliary floor element.

10. The engagement assembly of claim 9 wherein said magnet is an electromagnet.

11. The engagement assembly of claim 10 further comprising a tensioning sprocket assembly mechanically associated with a drive belt.

12. The engagement assembly of claim 9 further comprising a locking assembly for securing said auxiliary bumper to said auxiliary floor element upon disengagement of said magnet.

13. The engagement assembly of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary bumper is disposed within an open-ended channel defined within said first bumper.

14. The engagement assembly of claim 13 wherein said first direction of travel is co-linear with said longitudinal axis of said first bumper.

15. The engagement assembly of claim 1 wherein said drive assembly comprises:

a motor;

a drive belt mechanically associated with said motor;

a pinion gear assembly mechanically associated with said drive belt; and

a rack gear mechanically associated with said pinion gear assembly, said rack gear assembly being secured to said auxiliary floor element.

16. The engagement assembly of claim 1 further comprising an upstanding rail assembly secured to said auxiliary floor element.

17. The engagement assembly of claim 16 further including a frame, said first bumper being displaceably secured to said frame and said auxiliary floor element being mechanically associated with said frame for a sliding displacement therealong.

18. The engagement assembly of claim 17 further including an articulated floor assembly mechanically associated with said frame.

19. The engagement assembly of claim 1 further comprising a safety switch secured to said auxiliary bumper proximate an end thereof for terminating a displacement of said auxiliary bumper.

20. An aircraft engagement assembly for an aircraft boarding bridge, said assembly comprising:

a first bumper adapted for securement to said aircraft boarding bridge;

said first bumper defining a face configured for engaging a sidewall of an aircraft fuselage;

an auxiliary bumper mechanically associated with said first bumper adapted for displacement outwardly from said first bumper, said auxiliary bumper having a face element for engaging said sidewall of said aircraft fuselage;

an auxiliary floor element disposed for displacement relative to a floor of said aircraft boarding bridge, said auxiliary floor element being detachable interconnected with said auxiliary bumper; and

a drive assembly mechanically associated with said auxiliary bumper for displacing said auxiliary bumper outwardly from first bumper together with said auxiliary floor.

21. The aircraft engagement assembly of claim 20 wherein said auxiliary floor element is detachably interconnected with said auxiliary bumper by means of an electromagnet.

22. The aircraft engagement assembly of claim 20 wherein said auxiliary bumper is oriented such that said face of said auxiliary bumper is substantially aligned with said face of said first bumper whereby a displacement of said auxiliary bumper relative to said first bumper retains said faces in alignment along a common axis.