Material or article handling – Self-loading or unloading vehicles – Conveyor
Reexamination Certificate
2005-09-09
2010-06-08
Lowe, Michael S (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Self-loading or unloading vehicles
Conveyor
C414S461000, C414S921000, C244S137100, C244S137400, C014S069500, C014S070000, C206S335000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07731472
ABSTRACT:
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting a motorized vehicle, such as a wheelchair, between the loading bridge and cargo bin of an aircraft in a timely manner. According to one embodiment of the invention, a metal cage assembly is implemented with a drop down ramp at the front and an adjustable floor that is raised by a lever handle on either side, outside of the frame. The assembly can be attached to an end of aircraft cargo belt loader by a strap that is wrapped around the belt frame and tightened via a ratcheting clamp. The adjustable floor can be raised or lowered at one end to offset the angle of the belt loader when it is raised to an upright position, for example, to reach a galley door of an aircraft. Angling of the adjustable floor can allow the floor to be substantially parallel to the loading bridge or aircraft cargo bin, thereby enabling the easy transfer of a motorized wheelchair to and from various compartments of the aircraft. The present invention can eliminate injuries to employees, prevent damage to the customer's motorized wheelchair and provide prompt service to physically impaired airline customers.
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patent: 5431524 (1995-07-01), Antal et al.
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patent: 6065798 (2000-05-01), Sankrithi
patent: 6702542 (2004-03-01), Chance et al.
Miller Ronald E.
Nester Joseph O.
Hunton & Williams LLP
Lowe Michael S
USAirways, Inc.
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