Bridges – Gangway – ramp – or dock leveler – Attached
Reexamination Certificate
2005-03-08
2005-03-08
Hartmann, Gary S. (Department: 3671)
Bridges
Gangway, ramp, or dock leveler
Attached
C014S071300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06862768
ABSTRACT:
Disclosed is an overhead adjustable support system for use with an aircraft passenger boarding bridge, and especially for use with an aircraft passenger boarding bridge having at least two tunnel sections disposed one each on opposite sides of a flexible connection. A preferred embodiment of the overhead adjustable support system includes a first support member for being mounted to one of the at least two tunnel sections at a first point proximate the flexible connection. The first support member also has a free end for being disposed elevationally above the one of the at least two tunnel sections. The overhead adjustable support system also includes a second support member for being mounted to the other one of the at least two tunnel sections at a second point proximate the flexible connection, and has a free end for being disposed elevationally above the other one of the at least two tunnel sections. In addition, the overhead adjustable support system includes at least a lift mechanism having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a distance between the first end and the second end being controllably variable. The at least a lift mechanism is in hinged communication at the first end thereof with the free end of the first support member and in hinged communication at the second end thereof with the free end of the second support member. During use, varying the distance between the first end and the second end of the at least a lift mechanism effects a change to the orientation of the at least two tunnel sections relative to the flexible connection so as to vertically swing one of the at least two tunnel sections relative to the other one of the at least two tunnel sections about a horizontal axis aligned with the flexible connection.
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“Dual bridges may shorten Southwest's turnaround” Dallas Business Journal, May 22, 2000.
“Easy come, easy go” AE & T Autumn 2001, pp 3-5.
Fabriksmonteringin Trelleborg AB website: http://www.fmt.se (pages of particular relevance attached).
Information relating to possible public use (see attached photos).
“Southwest Takes Back Door to Beat Deplaning Record” Texas Journal, date unknown.
“Southwest Tests First Narrowbody Dual Boarding Bridges” Business Week Daily, date unknown.
“Southwest tests twin loading system: airline trying dual boarding of passengers at Love Field” Star-Telegram—Mar. 7, 2000.
DEW Engineering and Development Limited
Freedman & Associates
Hartmann Gary S.
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