Loading bridge for air cargo loading

• Main Authors: FUKUHARA YUGO, TAKASU TORU
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.11.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING ORREPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLYADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFTCOMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

In the conventional air cargo transportation system, the transportation of the cargo that is stored inside of the airport terminal building, to the area of the loading/unloading door is normally performed using the package/cargo carts. However, numerous workers were needed to load the cargo and drive the carts, which is very labor intensive and entails high manpower costs. The conventional system is also dangerous as they move along the complex tarmac markings. To solve these problems, this invention discloses a loading bridge which employs a cargo conveyor line comprising a transport means such as a conveyer, which can be extended or retracted, that connects with a rotunda extending from the airport terminal building; a cargo conveyor junction having a means to change the direction of the cargo conveyance by rotating the conveyor surface or changing its angle to alter the direction of the cargo conveyance to match the next conveyor line; and another cargo conveyor line to reach the cargo loading/unloading door of the aircraft, to thereby enable the automated conveyance of cargo for the aircraft from the airport terminal cargo holding area to the cargo door of the aircraft to eliminate the possibility of equipment collisions, to reduce manpower costs, and to shorten the time required for loading the aircraft.