Patent ID: 9108717
Filing Date: 2015-08-18
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. A cargo door shield system for use in an aircraft cargo bay having a first sidewall and an opposite second sidewall, and a side doorway in the first sidewall with a top hinged, inward rotating cargo door movable between a closed position and a fully opened position wherein an exterior skin thereof is within the cargo bay and facing downward, when installed with the cargo bay the cargo door shield comprising: a cargo door cover being movable between a shield position below the exterior skin of the cargo door and sized to extend substantially the full length of the cargo door when the cargo door is in the fully opened position, and a storage position permitting the cargo door to be moved uninhibited by the cover between the closed and fully opened positions, the cover having spaced apart first and second lateral edge portions; and a first guide track having a first end portion located adjacent to a forward side of the side doorway, the first guide track having a first lengthwise section located adjacent to the first cargo bay sidewall, and a second lengthwise section spaced away from the first cargo bay sidewall toward the second cargo bay sidewall, and a second guide track having a first end portion located adjacent to a rearward side of the side doorway, the second guide track having a first lengthwise section located adjacent to the first cargo bay sidewall, and a second lengthwise section spaced away from the first cargo bay sidewall toward the second cargo bay sidewall, the first and second lengthwise sections of the first and second guide tracks movably supporting the cover for movement therealong between the shield position and the stored position, the first lengthwise section of first guide track supporting the first lateral edge portion of the cover when in the shield position and the first lengthwise section of second guide track supporting the second lateral edge portion of the cover when in the shield position, and the second lengthwise section of the first guide track supporting the first lateral edge portion of the cover when in the storage position and the second lengthwise section of the second guide track supporting the second lateral edge portion of the cover when in the storage position, the first lengthwise sections of the first and second guide tracks extending along substantially the full length of the cargo door at a distance below and spaced apart from the cargo door when the cargo door is in the fully opened position, the first lengthwise sections of first and second guide tracks defining an unobstructed space therebetween and being spaced apart sufficient to permit passage of the cargo door through the unobstructed space when the cargo door is moved between the closed position and the fully opened position.