Patent Application
20180170546
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to mounting cargo in a cargo compartment of an aircraft, and more particularly, to a roller assembly for a cargo mounting system used in the cargo compartment.
Cargo handling systems are typically used in a variety of applications to move or situate cargo in a particular area of a vehicle, such as a ship, truck, or aircraft. An aircraft cargo handling system typically includes a roller conveyor system mounted to a cross beam of the aircraft which enables pallets or containers to be moved easily in and out of the aircraft cargo compartment. A unit load device (ULD) is a pallet or container used to load luggage, freight, and mail on a wide-body aircraft. The cargo handling system includes locking mechanisms capable of locking adjacent ULDs in place longitudinally along the roller conveyor.
While current aircraft cargo handling systems or methods have generally proven to be satisfactory for their applications, each is associated with its share of limitations. Inclusion of a roller near each locking mechanism is intended to support the ULD and prevent deflection of the cargo pallet. However, in systems having multiple locking mechanisms located near one another, it is difficult to position a roller within the roller tray there between. As a result, the ULD adjacent these locking mechanisms is more susceptible to deflection and may result in the unintentional release of the locking mechanism from the cargo.
According to an embodiment, a cargo handling system for restraining a unit load device includes a structural channel having a hollow interior and at least one roller rotatably mounted within said hollow interior. At least one locking mechanism associated with said structural channel is movable to engage the unit load device. At least one side roller assembly is operably coupled to an exterior surface of said structural channel. The at least one side roller assembly includes a side roller positioned such that said an upper surface of said at least one roller and an upper surface of said side roller are disposed within a plane for supporting said unit load device.
The subject matter which is regarded as the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring now to
Each structural channel 22 includes one or more locking mechanisms 26 for locking one or more unit load devices (ULDs) in place relative to the system 20. As shown, one or more locking mechanisms 26 are generally positioned at a central portion of the structural channel 22; however, locking mechanisms 26 arranged at another location relative to the structural channel 22 are also contemplated herein. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, a locking mechanism 26 includes both a first pawl 28 and a second pawl 30. The first pawl 28 is configured to rotate about a first pin 31 relative to the structural channel 22 between a first retracted position (
Each pawl 28, 30 may include a lip 34 configured to secure an adjacent cargo pallet (not shown) to the cargo handling system 20 when rotated to the engaged position. When the first and second pawl 28, 30 are both in the retracted position, the pawls 28, 30 are generally aligned with the lip 34 of the first pawl 28 extending in a first direction, and the lip 34 of the second pawl 30 extending in a second direction, such as opposite the first direction for example. In the engaged position, the pawls 28, 30 are configured to interlock with one another. For example, in an embodiment, a feature formed on the first pawl 28 engages a complementary feature on the second pawl 30 to limit unintended movement of the pawls 28, 30 beyond the engaged position. A stopper, such as a shaft or protrusion extending from a lock base plate 33 of the lock mechanism 26 may restrict rotation of the pawls 28 and 30 beyond the retracted position. As shown the first pawl 28 and the second pawl 30 are configured to contact stoppers 35 and 37, respectively, to prevent rotation beyond a desired position when rotated towards the retracted position. It should be understood that the locking mechanisms 26 illustrated and described herein are intended as an example only and that any suitable connector for securing cargo pallets to the structural channel is contemplated herein.
At least one roller 38 is mounted within the hollow interior 24 of the structural channel 22. As shown, each of a plurality of rollers 38 is mounted about a shaft or pin 40 extending horizontally between opposing sides of the channel 22. In an embodiment, the rotational axes of the plurality of rollers 38, defined by the supporting shafts 40, are generally parallel. Further the rotational axes of the rollers 38 may be parallel to a rotational axis of an adjacent locking mechanism 26. An upper surface 42 of the plurality of rollers 38 mounted to the structural channel 22 define a conveyor plane P (
Inclusion of a roller, such as roller 38 for example, near a locking mechanism 26 helps maintain the position of a ULD adjacent the locking mechanism 26, and reducing the risk of the locking mechanism 26 decoupling from the ULD. As a result, the horizontal distance between adjacent rollers 38 should be less than about 12 inches (about 30.48 cm). In embodiments where two locking mechanisms 26 are positioned relatively close to one another, such as less than 12 inches apart, and more specifically, between about 5 inches (about 12.7 cm) and about 7 inches (about 17.8 cm) apart for example, a roller 38 cannot be located within the hollow channel 24 between the locking mechanisms 26 due to the operational interference that would occur therewith.
With reference now to
An example of a side roller assembly 50 is illustrated in more detail in
In the non-limiting embodiment of
Another embodiment of the side roller assembly 50 is illustrated in
At least one surface 68 of the housing 54, arranged within a plane, is configured to contact a surface 46, 48 of the structural channel 22 when mounted thereto. In the configuration of the housing 54 of
In an embodiment, a spacer 72 is positioned within the hollow interior 24 of the structural channel 22, adjacent the side roller assembly. The spacer 72 may be a separate component, or may be integrally formed with the structural channel 22. The spacer is sized and shaped such that the one or more fasteners 64 are received within the spacer 72.
Regardless of the configuration of the side roller assembly 50, in embodiments where side roller assemblies 50 are mounted on opposing sides of the structural channel 22, the side roller assemblies 50 may, but need not be, horizontally aligned. In general, the side roller assembly 50 should be positioned about the structural channel 22 such that a distance between an adjacent pawl 28, 30 in the retraced position and a rotational axis of the side roller 52 is less than or equal to about 2.5 inches. In addition, the housing 54 should be positioned relative to the structural channel 22 such that an upper surface 66 of the side roller 52 is aligned with the conveyor plane P defined by the other rollers 38.
Inclusion of at least one side roller assembly 50 at a position between adjacent locking mechanisms 26 provides added support for cargo located there between. As a result, the cargo is less likely to deflect below the conveyor plane P defined by the plurality of rollers and cause one of the locking mechanisms 26 to disengage from an adjacent ULD.
While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201611043061 | Dec 2016 | IN | national |
