Cargo container apparatus, cargo container and methods of loading cargo

• US 6,616,103 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aviation Ground Equipment Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aviation Ground Equipment Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Marrero, Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US09/961,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20020074456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 244/118.1, 244/137.1, 220/1.6, 414/347, 414/353, 414/497, 414/573, 414/800
• US Class Current: 244/137.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/10 Stowage arrangements for the devices in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 9/00 Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like emergency equipment B64D17/00, B64D19/00, B64D25/00; structures integral with fuselage to facilitate loading, fuselage floors specially adapted for freight, steps mounted on and retractable within aircraft B64C; ground installations B64F
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/324 Luggage loaders specially adapted for loading individual luggage items into or out of the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/368 Arrangements or installations for routing, distributing or loading baggage

Abstract

A cargo container apparatus and methods of loading cargo. The cargo container apparatus includes a cargo container having first and second opposing side frame portions connected by connecting members and a plurality of liners forming floor and wall portions of the cargo container. The cargo container apparatus also includes a cargo container transporter having a base portion, an elevatable platform, a pair of side support rails, and front and rear ramps. Methods of transporting in a cargo hold are also provided. The methods include expanding a cargo container from a collapsed position, connecting a liner to a lower portion of the expanded container to form a floor, and loading cargo into the expanded cargo container.

Claims

1. A cargo container apparatus for arranging cargo in a cargo hold, the apparatus comprising:

at least one cargo container having a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion positioned substantially opposite the first side frame portion, the first and second side frame portions including a plurality of outer periphery frame members and a plurality of inner frame brace members positioned to connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members, the first and second side frame portions being connected by a plurality of connecting members, the plurality of connecting members positioned to connect the first and second side frame portions so that the first and second side frame portions are positioned spaced-apart and substantially parallel, the cargo container also comprising a plurality of liners positioned to detachably connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions, the plurality of liners comprising a first plurality of liners positioned to detachably connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members and overlie the plurality of connecting members to thereby form a floor of the at least one cargo container, and further comprising a second plurality of liners positioned to detachably connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members and overlie the plurality of inner frame brace members to thereby form wall portions of the at least one cargo container; and

a cargo container transporter having a base portion and an elevatable platform positioned thereon, the base portion including a wheeled vehicle, the elevatable platform including a cargo container support surface, a pair of side support rails extending outwardly from the cargo container support surface, each one of the pair of side support rails positioned substantially opposite the other one of the pair of side support rails, and front and rear ramps positioned to respectively extend outwardly from a front portion and a rear portion of the cargo container support surface.

2. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one cargo container is a collapsible cargo container and wherein the plurality of connecting members are collapsible connecting members positioned to collapsibly connect the first and second side frame portions so that the first and second side frame portions can be positioned a first predetermined distance apart when the plurality of collapsible connecting members are in an extended position and a second predetermined distance apart when the plurality of collapsible connecting members are in a collapsed position.

3. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the plurality of collapsible connecting members each include a hinge having a released position so that each of the plurality of collapsible connecting members are folded upwardly, thereby allowing the cargo container to be collapsed and in a locked position so that each of the plurality of collapsible connecting members are un-folded, thereby allowing the cargo container to be extended.

4. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one cargo container further comprises a plurality of retractable wheels positioned adjacent a bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions so that the bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions is spaced apart from a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are extended and in contact with a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are retracted.

5. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the first and second side frame portions of the at least one cargo container include a friction enhanced bottom portion for minimizing movement of the at least one cargo container when positioned in contact with a support surface, the friction enhanced bottom portion positioned in contact with a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are positioned in a retracted position and spaced apart from a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are positioned in an extended position.

6. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the at least one cargo container further comprises retractable wheel positioning means associated with each of the plurality of retractable wheels and positioned adjacent an outer portion of the at least one cargo container for readily positioning each of the plurality of retractable wheels in an extended or retracted position.

7. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the retractable wheel positioning means is a lever that includes an engaged position having the retractable wheels extended and a disengaged position having the retractable wheels retracted.

8. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the cargo container transporter further comprises pivoting means positioned between the elevatable platform and the wheeled vehicle for pivoting the front or rear portion of the elevatable platform during loading or unloading of the at least one cargo container.

9. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the cargo container transporter further comprises cargo container conveying means positioned on the elevatable platform for conveying the at least one cargo container along portions of the elevatable platform.

10. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the at least one cargo container further comprises a plurality of inner side wall frame members defining a plurality of inner cargo compartments positioned within the at least one cargo container, the plurality of inner cargo compartments organized so that cargo having similar destinations is positioned in a similar one of the plurality of inner cargo compartments.

11. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the at least one cargo container further comprises labeling means positioned on the outer portion of the at least one cargo container for labeling the destination of cargo positioned within the at least one cargo container.

12. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the labeling means comprises a label positioned on the outer portion of the at least one cargo container, the label including a designation of the destination of the cargo contained within the cargo container.

13. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the labeling-means comprises a color code positioned on the outer portion of the cargo container, the color code including a designation of one of a plurality of colors associated with one of a plurality of destinations.

14. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second side frame portions of the at least one cargo container have a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cargo hold, the cargo hold including a bottom portion and a pair of opposing side walls that have a substantially arcuate shape extending from a first preselected height on a first side wall of the cargo hold to a second preselected height on an opposing second side wall of the cargo hold positioned substantially opposite the first side wall of the cargo hold.

15. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the at least one cargo container includes a plurality of separable cargo containers having various shapes, the plurality of separable cargo containers being separably connected to form the at least one cargo container having a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cargo hold.

16. A cargo container apparatus for arranging cargo in a cargo hold of an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:

at least one cargo container having a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion positioned substantially opposite the first side frame portion, the first and second side frame portions including a plurality of outer periphery frame members, a plurality of inner frame brace members positioned to connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members, and being collapsibly connected by a plurality of collapsible connecting members so that the first and second side frame portions are connected a first predetermined distance apart when the collapsible connecting members are in an extended position and a second predetermined distance apart when the collapsible connecting members are in a collapsed position; and

a cargo container transporter for transporting the at least one cargo container, the cargo container transporter having a base portion and an elevatable platform positioned thereon, the base portion including a wheeled vehicle, and the elevatable platform including a cargo container support surface.

17. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the plurality of collapsible connecting members each include a hinge having a released position so that each of the plurality of collapsible connecting members are folded upwardly, thereby allowing the cargo container to be collapsed and in a locked position so that each of the plurality of collapsible connecting members are un-folded, thereby allowing the cargo container to be extended.

18. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the at least one cargo container further comprises a plurality of retractable wheels positioned adjacent a bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions so that the bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions is positioned spaced apart from a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are extended and in contact with a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are retracted.

19. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the at least one cargo container further comprises retractable wheel positioning means associated with each of the plurality of retractable wheels and positioned along an outer portion of the at least one cargo container for retracting and extending each of the plurality of retractable wheels.

20. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the retractable wheel positioning means is a lever that includes an engaged position having the retractable wheels extended and a disengaged position having the retractable wheels retracted.

21. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions is a friction enhanced bottom portion and, wherein the friction enhanced bottom portion is positioned in contact with a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are positioned in a retracted position and spaced apart from a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are positioned in an extended position.

22. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the at least one cargo container further comprises a plurality of liners positioned to detachably connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions, the plurality of liners comprising a first plurality of liners positioned to detachably connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members and overlie the plurality of collapsible connecting members to thereby form a floor of the at least one cargo container, and a second plurality of liners positioned to detachably connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members and overlie the plurality of inner frame brace members to thereby form wall portions of the at least one cargo container.

23. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein the cargo container transporter further comprises a pair of side support rails extending outwardly from the cargo container support surface, each one of the pair of side support rails positioned substantially opposite the other one of the pair of side support rails, and wherein the cargo container transporter further comprises front and rear ramps positioned to respectively extend outwardly from a front portion and a rear portion of the cargo container support surface.

24. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the cargo container transporter further comprises pivoting means positioned between the elevatable platform and the wheeled vehicle for pivoting the front or rear portion of the elevatable platform during loading or unloading of the at least one cargo container.

25. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the at least one cargo container a transporter further comprises cargo container conveying means positioned on the elevatable platform for conveying the at least one cargo container along portions of the elevatable platform.

26. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the at least one cargo container further comprises a plurality of inner side wall frame members defining a plurality of inner cargo compartments positioned within the at least one cargo container, the plurality of inner cargo compartments organized so that cargo having similar destinations is positioned in a similar one of the plurality of inner cargo compartments.

27. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the at least one cargo container further comprises labeling means positioned on the outer portion of the at least one cargo container for labeling the destination of cargo positioned within the at least one cargo container.

28. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein the labeling means comprises a label positioned on the outer portion of the at least one cargo container, the label including a designation of the destination of the cargo contained within the cargo container.

29. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the first and second side frame portions of the at least one cargo container have a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cargo hold, the cargo hold including a bottom portion and a pair of opposing side walls that have a substantially arcuate shape extending from a first preselected height on a first side wall of the cargo hold to a second preselected height on an opposing second side wall of the cargo hold positioned substantially opposite the first side wall of the cargo hold.

30. The cargo container apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein the at least one cargo container includes a plurality of separable cargo containers having various shapes, the plurality of separable cargo containers being separably connected to form the at least one cargo container having a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cargo hold.

31. A cargo container for storing cargo in a cargo hold and for transporting cargo between preselected locations, the cargo container comprising:

a first side frame portion having a first plurality of outer periphery frame members;

a second side frame portion having a second plurality of outer periphery frame members and positioned a predetermined distance spaced apart from and substantially opposite the first side frame portion;

a plurality of inner frame brace members positioned to connect to the outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions;

a plurality of connecting members positioned to connect the first and second side frame portions along portions of the plurality of outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions so that the first and second side frame portions are positioned spaced apart and substantially parallel;

at least one liner positioned to detachably connect the at least one liner to the plurality of outer periphery frame members and overlie the plurality of connecting members to thereby form a floor positioned between the first and second side frame portions to support cargo positioned in the cargo container;

at least one fastener associated with each of said at least one liner positioned to detachably connect said at least one liner to the plurality of outer periphery frame members to form the floor; and

a plurality of wheels positioned adjacent a bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions to allow the cargo container to be rolled while transporting cargo between said preselected locations.

32. The cargo container as defined in claim 31, wherein said at least one liner comprises a first liner that detachably connects to the plurality of outer periphery frame members with said at least one fastener to form the floor, and a second liner that detachably connects to the plurality of outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions and to overlie the plurality of inner frame brace members with said at least one fastener to thereby form wall portions of the cargo container.

33. The cargo container as defined in claim 32, wherein the plurality of connecting members are collapsible connecting members positioned to collapsibly connect the first and second side frame portions so that the first and second side frame portions can be positioned a first predetermined distance apart when the plurality of collapsible connecting members are in an extended position, and a second predetermined distance apart when the plurality of connecting members are in a collapsed position.

34. The cargo container as defined in claim 33, wherein the plurality of collapsible connecting members each include a hinge having a released position wherein each of the plurality of collapsible connecting members are folded upwardly thereby allowing the cargo container to be collapsed, and a locked position wherein each of the plurality of collapsible connecting members are unfolded, thereby allowing the cargo container to be extended.

35. The cargo container as defined in claim 34, wherein said plurality of wheels comprise a plurality of retractable wheels so that the bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions is spaced apart from a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are extended and in contact with a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are retracted.

36. The cargo container as defined in claim 35, further comprising retractable wheel positioning means associated with each of the plurality of retractable wheels and positioned adjacent an outer portion of the cargo container for retracting and extending each of the plurality of retractable wheels.

37. The cargo container as defined in claim 36, wherein the means is a lever that includes an engaged position having the retractable wheels extended, and a disengaged position having the retractable wheels retracted.

38. The cargo container as defined in claim 37, wherein the bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions is a friction enhanced bottom portion and wherein the friction enhanced bottom portion is positioned in contact with a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are positioned in a retracted position, and spaced apart from a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are positioned in an extended position.

39. The cargo container as defined in claim 38, further comprising a plurality of inner side wall frame members defining a plurality of inner cargo compartments positioned within the cargo container, the plurality of inner cargo compartments organized so that cargo having similar destinations is positioned in a similar one of the plurality of inner cargo compartments.

40. The cargo container as defined in claim 31, further comprising labeling means positioned on an outer portion of the cargo container for labeling the destination of cargo positioned within the cargo container.

41. The cargo container as defined in claim 40, wherein the labeling means comprises a label positioned on the outer portion of the cargo container, the label including a designation of the destination of cargo positioned within the cargo container.

42. The cargo container as defined in claim 40, wherein the labeling means comprises a color code positioned on the outer portion of the cargo container, the color code including a designation of one of a plurality of colors associated with one of a plurality of destinations.

43. The cargo container as defined in claim 31, wherein the first and second side frame portions have a shape substantially similar to the shape of a cargo hold, the cargo hold including a bottom portion and a pair of opposing side walls that have a substantially arcuate shape extending from a first preselected height on a first side wall of the cargo hold to a second preselected height on an opposing second side wall of the cargo hold positioned substantially opposite the first side wall of the cargo hold.

44. The cargo container as defined in claim 43, further comprising a plurality of separable cargo containers having various shapes, the plurality of separable cargo containers being, separably connected to form a cargo container having a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cargo hold.

45. A cargo container for storing cargo in a cargo hold and for transporting cargo between preselected locations, the cargo container comprising:

a first side frame portion having a first plurality of outer periphery frame members and extending substantially upwardly from a support surface;

a second side frame portion having a second plurality of outer periphery frame members and extending substantially upwardly from the support surface and positioned a predetermined distance spaced apart from and substantially opposite the first side frame portion;

a plurality of inner frame brace members positioned to connect to the outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions; and

a plurality of collapsible connecting members positioned to collapsibly connect the first and second side frame portions along portions of the outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions so that the predetermined distance between the first and second side frame portions can be varied between a first predetermined distance having the collapsible connecting members in an extended position with the upper end of the cargo container being substantially open, and a second predetermined position having the collapsible connecting members in a collapsed position.

46. The cargo container as defined in claim 45, wherein the plurality of collapsible connecting members each include a hinge having a released position so that each of the plurality of collapsible connecting members are folded upwardly thereby allowing the cargo container to be collapsed and a locked position so that each of the plurality of collapsible connecting members are unfolded thereby allowing the cargo container to be extended.

47. The cargo container as defined in claim 46, further comprising a plurality of retractable wheels positioned adjacent a bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions so that the bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions is spaced apart from a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are extended and in contact with a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are retracted.

48. The cargo container as defined in claim 47, further comprising a first liner positioned to detachably connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members and overlie the plurality of collapsible connecting members to thereby form a floor between the first and second side frame portions to support cargo positioned in the cargo container, and a second liner positioned to detachably connect to the members and to overlie the plurality of frame brace members to thereby form wall portions of the cargo container.

49. The cargo container as defined in claim 48, further comprising retractable wheel positioning means associated with each of the plurality of retractable wheels and positioned adjacent an outer portion of the cargo container for retracting and extending each of the plurality of retractable wheels.

50. The cargo container as defined in claim 49, wherein the retractable wheel positioning means is a lever that includes an engaged position having the retractable wheels extended, and a disengaged position having the retractable wheels retracted.

51. The cargo container as defined in claim 50, wherein the bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions is a friction enhanced bottom portion, and wherein the friction enhanced bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions is positioned in contact with a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are positioned in a retracted position and spaced-apart from a support surface when the plurality of retractable wheels are positioned in an extended position.

52. The cargo container as defined in claim 51, further comprising a plurality of inner side wall frame members defining a plurality of inner cargo compartments positioned within the cargo container, the inner cargo compartments organized so that cargo having similar destinations is positioned in a similar one of the plurality of inner cargo compartments.

53. The cargo container as defined in claim 45, further comprising labeling means positioned on an outer portion of the cargo container for labeling the destination of cargo positioned within the cargo container.

54. The cargo container as defined in claim 53, wherein the labeling means comprises a label positioned on the outer portion of the cargo container, the label including a designation of the destination of cargo positioned within the cargo container.

55. The cargo container as defined in claim 45, wherein the first and second side frame portions have a shape substantially similar to the shape of a cargo hold, the cargo hold including a bottom portion and a pair of opposing side walls that have a substantially arcuate shape extending from a first preselected height on a first side wall of the cargo container to a second preselected height on an opposing second side wall of the cargo hold positioned substantially opposite the first side wall of the cargo hold.

56. The cargo container as defined in claim 55, further comprising a plurality of separable cargo containers having various shapes, the plurality of separable cargo containers being separably connected to form a cargo container having a shape substantially similar to the shape of a cargo hold.

57. A cargo container transporter for loading at least one cargo container onto an aircraft and for unloading at least one cargo container off an aircraft, the cargo container transport apparatus comprising:

a wheeled vehicle base portion;

an elevatable platform positioned to overlie the wheeled vehicle portion and having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

a cargo container support surface having conveying means positioned adjacent the elevatable platform for conveying the at least one cargo container into and out of the aircraft;

pivoting means positioned between the elevatable platform and the wheeled vehicle for selectively pivoting the proximal portion or rear the distal portion of the elevatable platform during loading or unloading of the at least one cargo container onto or off the elevatable platform;

a proximal ramp connected to the elevatable platform and positioned to extend outwardly from the proximal portion of the cargo container support surface; and

a distal ramp connected to the elevatable platform and positioned to extend outwardly from the distal portion of the cargo container support surface.

58. The cargo container transporter as defined in claim 57, further comprising a pair of side support rails extending outwardly from the cargo container support surface, each one of the pair of side support rails positioned substantially opposite the other one of the pair of side support rails.

59. The cargo container, transporter as defined in claim 58, wherein the conveying means further comprises a conveyor connected to the side support rails for conveying the at least one cargo container along the side support rails and into and out of an aircraft cargo hold.

60. The cargo container transporter as defined in claim 59, wherein the pair of side support rails open at the proximal end and at the distal end so that the cargo containers can be loaded from one of the proximal or distal ramps onto the container support surface and then unloaded to the other of the proximal or distal ramps.

61. The cargo container transporter as defined in claim 60, wherein the pivoting means is a hinged extension positioned between the wheeled vehicle and the elevatable platform to pivot the elevatable platform so that the distal portion of the elevatable platform can be pivoted downwardly to allow the at least one cargo container to be readily loaded onto or unloaded off of the elevatable platform from ground level and the proximal portion of the elevatable platform can be pivoted downwardly so that the at least one cargo container can be readily loaded onto or unloaded off of the elevatable platform from the cargo hold of an aircraft.

62. A cargo organization system for transporting cargo in an aircraft cargo hold between a plurality of preselected destinations, the system comprising:

a plurality of cargo containers, each one of the plurality of cargo containers having one of a plurality of preselected destinations so that cargo having similar destinations can be positioned in one of the plurality of cargo containers;

labeling means positioned on an outer portion of each of the plurality of cargo containers for identifying one of the plurality of preselected destinations of cargo positioned in one of the plurality of cargo containers, the labeling means including a label positioned on the outer portion of each of the plurality of cargo containers and a color code positioned on the outer portion of the cargo container, the label including a designation of one of the preselected destinations of the cargo positioned in one of the plurality of cargo containers and a designation of the aircraft into which each of the plurality of cargo containers is to be positioned, the color code including a designation of one of the plurality of preselected destinations of one of the plurality of cargo containers; and

loading order selecting means for selecting the order in which the plurality of cargo containers are to be loaded into the aircraft cargo hold.

63. The cargo container organization system as defined in claim 62, wherein the loading order selecting means is a communication system positioned adjacent the aircraft cargo hold, the communication system providing preselected load order for each of the plurality of cargo containers that is substantially similar to the itinerary of the aircraft onto which the plurality of cargo containers is to be loaded so that cargo containers having a destination similar to the last destination of the aircraft are loaded first and cargo containers having a destination similar to the first destination of the aircraft are loaded last, thereby making the cargo containers having a destination similar to the first destination of the aircraft readily accessible for unloading.

64. The cargo container organization system as defined in claim 62, wherein each of the plurality of cargo containers further comprises a plurality of separably connected cargo containers having various shapes, the plurality of separably connected cargo containers combining to form a single cargo container having a shape substantially similar to the shape of the aircraft cargo hold, each one of the plurality of separably connected cargo containers being readily moveable within the aircraft cargo hold to thereby allow the unloading of one of the plurality of separably connected cargo containers without the need to unload another one of the plurality of separably connected cargo container positioned between the separably connected cargo container and an access to the aircraft cargo hold so that one of the plurality of separably connected cargo containers can accommodate cargo having a destination that is different from another one of the plurality of cargo containers.

65. A method of organizing cargo in an aircraft cargo hold, the method comprising the steps of:

labeling a plurality of cargo with information including destination of the cargo;

loading a portion of the plurality of cargo having a similar destination into a first cargo container;

loading another portion of the plurality of cargo having another similar destination into a second cargo container, each of the first and second cargo containers having a plurality of retractable wheels positioned adjacent a bottom portion thereof to roll the first and second cargo containers on a support surface;

labeling each of the first and second cargo containers with one of a first or second preselected destination;

organizing each of the first and second cargo containers having the first and second preselected destinations into an order to be loaded into the aircraft cargo hold that is substantially opposite to the order the aircraft arrives at the first and second destinations;

loading the first and second cargo containers having the first and second preselected destinations into the aircraft cargo hold in the order substantially opposite to the order the aircraft arrives at the first and second destinations so that at the first destination the first cargo container can be unloaded from the cargo hold without having to substantially move the second cargo container to unload the first cargo container; and

retracting the retractable wheels of at least one of the first and second cargo containers once the at least one of the first and second cargo containers is in the aircraft cargo hold.

66. The method of organizing cargo as defined in claim 65, further comprising:

providing the bottom portion of the first and second side frame portions of the cargo container is a friction enhanced bottom portion; and

then

inhibiting slippage once the cargo container is loaded into the cargo hold by positioning the friction enhanced bottom portion in contact with the cargo hold.

67. The method of organizing cargo as defined in claim 66, further comprising loading cargo, having a similar destination into one of a plurality of compartments of a cargo container so that cargo having similar destinations are organized into similar, compartments within the cargo container.

68. A cargo container for storing cargo in a cargo hold and for transporting cargo between preselected locations, the cargo container comprising:

a first side frame portion having a first plurality of outer periphery frame members;

a second side frame portion having a second plurality of outer periphery frame members and positioned a predetermined distance spaced apart from and substantially opposite the first side frame portion;

a plurality of inner frame brace members positioned to connect to the outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions;

a plurality of connecting members positioned to connect the first and second side frame portions along portions of the plurality of outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions so that the first and second side frame portions are positioned spaced apart and substantially parallel;

a first at least one liner positioned to detachably connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members and overlie the plurality of connecting members to thereby form a floor positioned between the first and second side frame positions to support cargo positioned in the cargo container;

a second at least one liner positioned to detachably connect to the plurality of outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions and to overlie the plurality of inner frame brace members to thereby form wall portions of the cargo container; and

the plurality of connecting members are collapsible connecting members positioned to collapsibly connect the first and second side frame portions so that the first and second side frame portions can be positioned a first predetermined distance apart when the plurality of collapsible connecting members are in an extended position, and a second predetermined distance apart when the plurality of connecting members are in a collapsed position.

69. The cargo container as defined in claim 68, further comprising a plurality of wheels positioned on the first and second side frame portions so that the cargo container can be rolled on the wheels from one location to another.

70. The cargo container as defined in claim 69, wherein a first at least one fastener detachably connect the first at least one liner to the plurality of outer periphery frame members and overlie the plurality of connecting members to thereby form the floor, and a second a second at least one fastener detachably connect the second at least one liner to the plurality of outer periphery frame members and overlie the plurality of connecting members to thereby form the wall portions of the cargo container.

71. A cargo container for storing in a cargo hold and for transporting cargo between preselected locations, the cargo container comprising:

a first side frame portion having a first plurality of outer periphery frame members;

a second side frame portion having a second plurality of outer periphery frame members and positioned a predetermined distance spaced apart from and substantially opposite the first side frame portion;

a plurality of inner frame brace members positioned to connect to the outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions;

a plurality of collapsible connecting members positioned to collapsibly connect the first and second side frame portions along portions of the outer periphery frame members of the first and second side frame portions so that the predetermined distance between the first and second side frame portions can be varied between a first predetermined distance having the collapsible connecting members in an extended position, and a second predetermined position having the collapsible connecting members in a collapsed position; and

the first and second side frame portions have a shape substantially similar to the shape of a cargo hold, the cargo hold including a bottom portion and a pair of opposing side walls that have a substantially arcuate shape extending from a first preselected height on a first side wall of the cargo container to a second preselected height on an opposing second side wall of the cargo hold positioned substantially opposite the first side wall of the cargo hold.

72. A cargo container transporter for loading at least one cargo container onto an aircraft and for unloading at least one cargo container off of an aircraft, the cargo container transport apparatus comprising:

a wheeled vehicle base portion;

an elevatable platform positioned to overlie the wheeled vehicle portion;

a cargo container support surface having conveying means positioned adjacent the elevatable platform for conveying the at least one cargo container into and out of the aircraft,

a pair of side support rails extending outwardly from the cargo container support surface, each one of the pair of side support rails positioned substantially opposite the other one of the pair of side support rails, the conveying means comprises a conveyor positioned adjacent the side support rails for conveying the at least one cargo container into and out of an aircraft cargo hold; and

pivoting means positioned between the elevatable platform and the wheeled vehicle for pivoting a proximal or distal portion of the elevatable platform during loading or unloading of the at least one cargo container onto or off of the elevatable platform; and

a proximal and a distal ramp positioned to respectively extend outwardly from a proximal portion and a distal portion of the cargo container support surface.