Patent ID: 6802391
Filing Date: 2004-10-12
Classification: B64F,B66F,E04F,E06C

Abstract:
An aircraft loading system comprising:an adjustable height stairway portion including a landing at one end of a stairway which can be elevated to an aircraft service door, said stairway portion; being means for boarding and off-loading ambulatory passengers from the aircraft; each step of the stairway having means for maintaining a horizontal orientation with the elevating and lowering of the stairway portion to allow the continuing boarding or off-loading of ambulatory passengers at any operational elevated height of the stairway portion; a lifting portion, the lifting portion being means for lifting and lowering articles and non-ambulatory passengers to and from the landing; the lifting portion including a platform that can be elevated so as to be in close juxtaposition with the landing so that the articles can be transferred to or from the platform from or to the landing; the stairway portion and the lifting portion being in a generally parallel side-by-side relationship and connected with each other so as to move along the ground surface in unison, and for allowing, when positioned along the aircraft body with the landing juxtapositioned to the aircraft service door, the simultaneous off-loading or boarding of ambulatory passengers and articles or non-ambulatory passengers; means for independently elevating and lowering the stairway portion and the lifting portion; and steering and mobility means for steering and moving the system in position for servicing an aircraft.