Patent ID: 8235152
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: B60S,B64F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A portable tow apparatus for moving an aircraft, comprising: a frame; a drive member supported by the frame, the drive member having a portable power source; a contact wheel supported by the frame and configured to be engageable with a nosewheel tire of an aircraft; a transmission portion comprising one or more drive wheels supported by the frame, the drive wheels being rotatable relative to the frame, the transmission portion being configured such that the drive wheels transfer and increase a rotational force produced by the drive member to the contact wheel; a shaft supported by the frame and configured to be insertable into an opening in a nosewheel assembly of an aircraft, the shaft being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the contact wheel, the shaft being closer to the contact wheel in the second position than in the first position; and a torque arm supported by the frame and configured to be engageable with the nosewheel assembly of the aircraft, the torque arm being configured to substantially prevent the rotation of the tow apparatus relative to the nosewheel assembly of the aircraft when the torque arm is engaged with the nosewheel assembly of the aircraft; wherein a centerline axis of the shaft is closer to a centerline axis of the contact wheel when the shaft is in the second position than in the first position.