Patent ID: 6330726
Filing Date: 2001-12-18
Classification: B64F,E01D

Abstract:
A bridge for movement of passengers between a location at a passenger terminal having multiple levels therein and a passenger transfer location on a vehicle, said passenger transfer location varying in height between a first level and a second level, said bridge comprising:a vestibule for attachment to an elevated level of a passenger terminal having multiple levels including a ground level and the elevated level spaced above the ground level, said vestibule having a vestibule transport surface extending away from the passenger terminal and being positionable for transfer of passengers between said vestibule transport surface and the elevated level;a first bridge unit having a first end and a second end, said first bridge unit being movably attached to said vestibule proximate said first end thereof to be positionable to a selected one of a plurality of first bridge unit positions, said first bridge unit having a first transport surface extending substantially between said first end and said second end thereof, said first end of said first transport surface being positioned proximate said vestibule transport surface for transfer of passengers between said first transport surface and said vestibule transport surface;a rotunda assembly having said second end of said first bridge unit rotatably attached thereto, said rotunda assembly having a rotunda transport surface positioned for transfer of passengers between said first transport surface and said rotunda transport surface;elevation structure attached to said rotunda assembly for moving said rotunda assembly to one of a plurality of rotunda positions relative to and above said ground level;a second bridge unit having a first end and a second end, said first end thereof being rotatably attached to said rotunda assembly for movement of said second bridge unit to a selected one of a plurality of second bridge unit positions, said second bridge unit having a second transport surface extending substantially between said first end and said second end thereof, said second transport surface being positioned for transfer of passengers between said rotunda transport surface and said second transport surface;a driving mechanism attached to and positioned proximate said second end of said second bridge unit for moving said second end of said second bridge unit to a selected one of said plurality of second bridge unit positions between a lower position and an elevated position above said ground level and for moving said second bridge unit radially about said rotunda assembly; andbrow structure for transferring passengers between said second bridge unit and said vehicle, said brow structure having a first end, a second end and a brow transport surface extending substantially therebetween, said first end of said brow structure being connected proximate said second end of said second bridge unit for transfer of passengers between the second transport surface and the brow transport surface, and said second end of said brow structure being configured to contact said vehicle proximate said passenger transfer location for transfer of passengers between said brow transport surface and said vehicle;said elevation structure attached to said rotunda assembly and said driving mechanism being operable for moving said rotunda assembly, said first bridge unit and said second bridge unit relative to each other to position said first end of said brow structure between a first level and a second level spaced above said first level.