Airlift pallet for container roll-in/out platform (CROP)

• US 6,957,613 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2003
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AAR Manufacturing Incorporated (AAR Corporation)
• Original Assignee: AAR Corporation
• Inventors: Taylor, Matthew W., Jennings, Walter R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, JOSE V
• Application Number:
  US10/628,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20040018067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 108/55.5, 108/55.3, 108/51.11, 410/82, 410/83, 206/386, 206/597, 248/499, 248/500, 248/346.03, 248/346.06, 296/35.1, 296/36, 280/186
• US Class Current: 108/55.5
• 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: B65D 19/0069 forming a continuous plane contact surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00024 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00059 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00094 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00293 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00323 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00343 contact surface being substantially in the form of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00562 chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00572 with separate auxiliary element, e.g. screws, nails, bayonets
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/14 by air
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/0013 Twist lock

Abstract

An airlift pallet for securing a container roll-in/out platform and cargo thereon within an aircraft by an aircraft cargo handling system. The pallet includes a base for supporting the platform and its cargo. The base includes a plurality of mounting receptacles adapted to receive and retain a respective lock member. Each lock member is removably secured to the mounting receptacle by a removable pin. Each lock member includes a rotatable head that is adapted to be inserted into and secured to the platform. The lock members secure the platform and its cargo to the airlift pallet.

Claims

1. A lock member for mounting a container roll-in/out platform to a pallet, said lock member including:

a housing including a top wall, a front wall and a rear wall;

a shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end of said shaft attached to said top wall of said housing;

a head attached to said second end of said shaft; and

a block extending around said shaft between said top wall of said housing and said head, said block adapted to be rotatable about said shaft with respect to said housing and said head.

2. The lock member of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a bottom wall and an inclined wall extending between said front wall of said housing and said bottom wall.

3. The lock member of claim 1 including a bore extending through said housing from said front wall to said rear wall.

4. The lock member of claim 3 including a pin adapted to be inserted into said bore of said housing, said pin adapted to releasably lock said housing to the pallet, said head adapted to releasably lock said housing to the platform.

5. The lock member of claim 1 wherein said head includes a first wing member and a second wing member extending outwardly from said shaft.

6. A lock member for removably mounting a mounting receptacle having an aperture to a pallet, said lock member including:

a housing adapted to be removably attached to the pallet;

a shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end of said shaft attached to said housing;

a head attached to said second end of said shaft; and

a block extending around said shaft between said housing and said head, said block adapted to be rotatable about said shaft with respect to said housing and said head;

whereby said head is adapted to be inserted through the aperture of the mounting receptacle whereupon the housing and head are conjointly rotated to removably lock the housing to the mounting receptacle.

7. The lock member of claim 6 wherein said housing includes a bore.

8. The lock member of claim 7 including a pin adapted to be inserted into said bore of said housing, said pin adapted to releasably lock said housing to the pallet.

9. The lock member of claim 8 wherein said block includes a first collar and a second collar attached to one another.

10. The lock member of claim 7 wherein said housing includes a front wall and a rear wall, said bore extending through said housing from said front wall to said rear wall.