Abstract:
It is provided a connecting portion for a boarding bridge that eliminates the level difference between the doorway portion of the aircraft and the passage, reduces the anxiety of the passengers, and can be raised and lowered smoothly. A passage ( 27 ) is formed by a stationary passage ( 29 ) and an alignment passage ( 31 ) that is arranged at the distal end portion of the stationary passage ( 29 ) and adjusts the level difference between the stationary passage ( 29 ) and the doorway portion ( 23 ); the alignment passage ( 31 ) includes an elevating floor ( 35 ), on the stationary passage ( 29 ) side, having a pivot shafts ( 41 ) that is substantially perpendicular to the passenger traffic direction (T) and pivots centered on the pivot shafts ( 41 ), and an alignment floor ( 37 ), at the stationary passage ( 29 ) side, having a pivot shafts ( 53 ) that extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the passenger traffic direction (T) and that pivots centered on the pivot shafts ( 53 ); and wherein one of either the elevating floor ( 35 ) or the alignment floor ( 37 ) is installed at the stationary passage ( 29 ), the latter is installed in-plane to the former, and thereunder a sliding floor ( 39 ) that can be raised or lowered is installed in the passenger traffic direction (T).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a boarding bridge that is used by passengers to board and deboard an aircraft or boat or the like, and a connecting portion for the same. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A boarding bridge is a tunnel-shaped walkway passage that links, for example, a terminal building of an airport and an aircraft, and enables the direct boarding and deboarding of passengers between the terminal building and the aircraft. 
         [0005]    The distal end portion of a boarding bridge is connected to the doorway portion of the aircraft, and a walkway passage is formed by the floor portion of the doorway portion and the passage of the boarding bridge. The bottom end portion of the door of the doorway portion is positioned lower than the floor portion of the doorway portion, and thus if the level difference between the floor portion of the doorway portion and the passage of the boarding bridge is completely eliminated, the door abuts the passage and thus becomes difficult to open and close. In order for the opening and closing of the door to be carried out reliably and to provide a tolerance that takes into consideration the tracking precision, by which the boarding bridge is made to track the vertical movement of the airplane as the passengers board and deboard and the like, the position of the passage is set lower than the position of the floor portion of the doorway portion, for example, by about one-hundred and tens of millimeters. 
         [0006]    There is a concern that passengers may trip and fall at this level difference, and in particular, passengers in wheel chairs cannot easily board and deboard an aircraft. As a solution for eliminating this problem, the invention of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2004-155257 has been proposed. This invention provides an elevating lift, at the distal end portion of the boarding bridge, that enables the passage portion thereabove to move vertically. After connecting to the distal end portion and opening the door while the passage portion of the elevating lift is at a lower position, the passage portion is raised as necessary, for example, when passengers deboard from an aircraft. The passage portion and the floor surface of the doorway portion are set to substantially identical heights, and it is possible for the passengers to move from the aircraft without a level difference being present. After the passengers have moved to the passage portion of the elevator lift, the elevating lift is lowered so that no the level difference is present between the elevating lift and the back floor surface, and then the passengers move to the terminal building. When entering the aircraft, the procedure is reversed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    However, the invention that is disclosed in patent document 1 requires raising or lowering the elevating table each time a group of passengers pass through, and thus there is a problem in that the smooth boarding and deboarding is hindered. 
         [0008]    In consideration of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connecting portion for a boarding bridge that eliminates the level difference between the doorway portion of the aircraft and the passage, reduces the anxiety of the passengers, and can be raised and lowered smoothly. 
         [0009]    In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention employs the following solution. 
         [0010]    Specifically, a first aspect of the present invention is a connecting portion of a boarding bridge that is provided at a distal end side of a tunnel portion and that forms a passage that is connected to the doorway portion of an aircraft, wherein: the passage is formed by a stationary passage portion that is communicates with the tunnel portion and in which at least the distal end thereof can rotate in-plane, and an alignment passage portion that is arranged at the distal end portion of the stationary passage portion and adjusts the level difference between the stationary passage portion and the doorway portion; the alignment passage portion includes an elevating passage, on the stationary passage side, having a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the passenger traffic direction and pivots centered on a pivot axis, and a transverse direction tilt alignment passage, at the stationary passage side, having a pivot axis that extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the passenger traffic direction and that pivots centered on the pivot axis; and wherein one of either the elevating passage or the transverse direction tilt alignment passage is installed at the stationary passage portion, the latter is installed in-plane to the former, and thereunder a sliding passage that can be raised or lowered is installed in the passenger traffic direction. 
         [0011]    According to the present aspect, while the elevating passage and the transverse direction tilt alignment passage are pivoted downward, the length of the tunnel portion increases, and the connecting portion is positioned, or connected, so as to cover the doorway portion of the aircraft. In this situation, the positions of the elevating passage of the alignment passage portion and the transverse direction tilt alignment passage are connected by being set so as to be lower, for example, a hundred and tens of millimeters lower, than the lower end position of the floor portion of the doorway portion and the door. 
         [0012]    In this manner, the door of the aircraft does not come into contact with the elevating passage of the alignment passage portion and the transverse direction tilt alignment passage, and thus, the door can be opened without hindrance. 
         [0013]    In addition, after the door has been opened, the elevating passage is pivoted, and the passage surface thereof is extended so as to be positioned at the floor portion of the doorway portion. In this state, when the sliding passage is extended, the distal end of the sliding passage comes into contact with the end portion of the floor portion of the doorway portion. Thereby, the alignment passage portion forms a passage that is continuous with the floor portion of the doorway portion, and thus, the passengers, and in particular, passengers in wheel chairs, can move easily and smoothly without the presence of level differences. 
         [0014]    In addition, because the pivot axis of the transverse direction tilt alignment passage is perpendicular to the passenger traffic direction, when the transverse direction tilt alignment passage is pivoted, for example, the height in the transverse direction differs at the distal end portion, that is, the transverse direction tilt alignment passage is tilted in the transverse direction. In addition, the degree of the tilt can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of the pivoting. 
         [0015]    The height position of the passage portion of an aircraft varies, for example, depending on the size of the aircraft. In order to handle these heights, the tunnel portion and the connecting portion are tilted in a vertical direction. When the stationary passage rotates while they are tilted in this manner, the alignment passage portion also rotates in conformity thereto, and thus the passage of the alignment passage portion tilts in a transverse direction with respect to the doorway portion of the aircraft. In this case, the passage of the alignment passage portion is tilted by pivoting the transverse direction tilt alignment passage, and it is thereby possible to make the passage substantially parallel. In this state, by using the elevating passage and the sliding passage described above, the alignment passage portion forms a passage that is continuous with the floor portion of the doorway portion. 
         [0016]    In this manner, because a passage is that continuous irrespective of the type of the aircraft can be formed, the occurrence of situations in which passengers trip or fall can be reduced. 
         [0017]    In addition, the alignment of the alignment passage portion is only carried out during the initial connection and the final separation, and thus the boarding and deboarding of the passengers is carried out without hindrance, and the boarding and deboarding can be carried out smoothly. 
         [0018]    Note that the tilting state of pivot axis of the transverse direction tilt alignment passage is selected according to the type of aircraft that to be handled. 
         [0019]    In addition, in this state, advantageously, the left side of the pivot axis of the transverse direction tilt alignment passage, which faces the distal end of the passenger traffic direction, is positioned at the distal end side, and the right side thereof is positioned at the tunnel side. 
         [0020]    Generally, to prevent the tunnel portion from interfering with the door of the aircraft, the stationary passage is rotated toward the left side. When the stationary passage rotates toward the left side while the distal ends of the tunnel portion and the connection portion are tilted downward, the alignment passage portion also rotates in conformity thereto, and thus the left side of the passage of the alignment passage portion becomes lower when viewed from the tunnel portion. 
         [0021]    According to the present invention, when the transverse direction tilt alignment passage pivots upward, the transverse direction tilt alignment passage faces the distal end side in the passenger traffic direction, the right side thereof is high and becomes lower as it moves toward the left side, and thus, it is possible to handle this state. 
         [0022]    In addition, in the aspect described above, advantageously, a shock-absorbing portion that is formed by an elastic member is provided at the distal end portion of the sliding passage. 
         [0023]    In this manner, even if the slide passage abuts the aircraft, the shock-absorbing portion reduces the shock, and thus, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of damage. 
         [0024]    In addition, a second aspect of the present invention is a boarding bridge in which the connecting portion according to the first aspect is provided at the distal end side of the tunnel portion. 
         [0025]    In this manner, the connecting portion forms a passage from the aircraft in which level differences are not present, and thus the passengers can board and deboard with peace of mind, safely, and easily. 
         [0026]    In addition, the alignment of the alignment passage portion is only carried out during the initial connection and the final separation, and thus the boarding and deboarding of the passengers can be performed without hindrance and smoothly. 
         [0027]    According to the present invention, the passage is formed by the stationary passage portion and the alignment passage portion; the alignment passage portion is provided with an elevating passage that has, at the stationary passage side, a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the passenger traffic direction and a transverse direction tilt alignment passage that has, at the stationary passage side, a pivot axis that extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the passenger traffic direction; and one of either the elevating passage or the transverse direction tilt alignment passage is installed at the stationary passage portion, the latter is installed in-plane to the former, the sliding passage that can be raised or lowered in the passenger traffic direction is installed thereunder, and thus a passage that is continuous from the floor portion of the doorway portion is formed, and the apprehensions of the passengers can be allayed. 
         [0028]    In addition, when transferring from the aircraft to the connecting floor, it is possible to prevent the possibility of falling even without warning the passengers, and the safety can be improved. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, the alignment of the alignment passage portion is only carried out during the initial connection and the final separation, and thus the boarding and deboarding of the passengers is not hindered, and it is possible to carry out the loading smoothly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view that shows the overall schematic structure of the boarding bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a partial plan view that shows the distal end portion of the boarding bridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a plan view that shows the alignment passage according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a side view that shows a portion of the alignment passage according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a side view that shows a portion of an alternative alignment passage according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a view along line X in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view along line X in  FIG. 3  that shows the operation of the alignment floor according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view along line X in  FIG. 3  that shows the operation of the alignment floor according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a partial side view that shows the connection procedure for a small aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a partial side view that shows the connection procedure for a small aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a partial side view that shows the connection procedure for a small aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is a partial side view drawing that shows the connecting procedure for a small aircraft according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               1  boarding bridge 
               7  proximal end tunnel 
               9  distal end tunnel 
               11  head 
               12  aircraft 
               23  doorway portion 
               26  door 
               27  passage 
               29  stationary passage 
               31  alignment passage 
               35  elevating floor 
               37  alignment floor 
               39  sliding floor 
               41  pivot axle 
               79  shock absorbing member 
             T passenger traffic direction 
           
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0058]    Below, a boarding bridge  1  for an embodiment of the present invention, in which the tunnel part that extends and retracts is formed by two tunnels, will be explained as one example with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 12 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view that shows the overall schematic structure of a boarding bridge  1 .  FIG. 2  is a partial plan view that shows the distal end portion of the boarding bridge  1 . 
         [0060]    The boarding bridge  1  connects a terminal building of an airport and an aircraft  13 , forms a walkway for passengers (passenger traffic) between the terminal building and the aircraft  13 , and enables direct boarding and deboarding. 
         [0061]    The boarding bridge  1  is provided with a rotunda  5  that is provided so as to be attached to a stationary bridge  3  that leads to the terminal building; a proximal end tunnel (tunnel portion)  7  that is connected to the rotunda  5  so as to be rotatably movable in a horizontal direction; a distal end tunnel (tunnel portion)  9  that fits telescopically over the distal end side of the proximal end tunnel  7 ; and a head (connecting portion)  11  that is provided at the distal end portion of the distal end tunnel  9 . 
         [0062]    A stationary leg  15  that is disposed by being attached to the ground is provided under the rotunda  5 . A movable leg  17  is provided at the distal end side, in a longitudinal direction, of the distal end tunnel  9 . 
         [0063]    The boarding bridge  1  is supported by the stationary leg  15  and the movable leg  17 . 
         [0064]    The movable leg  17  is a structure that extends and retracts in a vertical direction, and the boarding bridge  1  pivots in a vertical direction by extending and retracting the movable leg  17  by using a drive source (not illustrated). 
         [0065]    The proximal end tunnel  7  and the distal end tunnel  9  are each shaped as a hollow rectangular column. In the proximal end tunnel  7  and the distal end tunnel  9 , steel structural beams are disposed at each of the edges of the rectangular column, aluminum alloy panels, for example, are attached to both side surfaces and the upper and lower surfaces so as to link the structural beams, and thereby a tubular shape is formed. The panels may by formed, for example, by steel, resin, or a transparent material (resin or glass or the like). 
         [0066]    The cross-sectional area of the hollow portion of the distal end tunnel  9  is formed so as to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the proximal end tunnel  7 . The hollow portion of the distal end tunnel  9  is formed so as to guide the outer peripheral surface of the distal end tunnel  7 . The distal end tunnel  9  moves in a longitudinal direction N as the movable leg  17  moves, and the length of the boarding bridge  1  thereby increases and decreases. The change in the distance between the rotunda  5  and the aircraft  13  is accommodated by this increase and decrease. 
         [0067]    The rotunda  5 , the proximal end tunnel  7 , and the distal end tunnel  9  are provided with a passage (not illustrated) substantially along the entire length thereof on which the passengers pass. 
         [0068]    The head  11  is provided with a head body  19  that is installed at the distal end portion of the distal end tunnel  9  and a linking portion  21  that links the head body  19  and the doorway portion  23  of the aircraft  13 . 
         [0069]    The head body  19  has a substantially tubular shape, and the axis of the tubular shape extends in a vertical direction. The linking portion  21  has a substantially rectangular shape. The head body is formed so as to rotate centered on the center point O. Accompanying the rotation of the head body  19 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , the linking portion  21  carries out an oscillating movement within a constant angular range. A linking section  25 , which is provided at the distal end portion of the linking portion  21 , extends and retracts in a longitudinal direction due to having a bellow structure, covers the periphery of the doorway portion  23  such that the door  26  can be opened, and is in close contact along the skin of the aircraft  13 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 3  is a partial plan view that shows the passage  27  that is inside of the head  11 . 
         [0071]    The passage  27  is provided with a stationary passage  29 , an alignment passage  31 , and a rubber damper  33 . 
         [0072]    The stationary passage  29  is arranged so as to traverse the head body  19  and the linking portion  21 , and rotates along with the rotation of the head body  19 . Note that the linking portion  21  may rotate around the head body  19 , and in this case, only the stationary passage  29  that is positioned at the linking portion  21  rotates. 
         [0073]    In order to connect the terminal building and the aircraft  13 , an operating control panel  28  that is used to operate the boarding bridge  1  is provided at a side portion of the stationary passage  29 . 
         [0074]    The rubber damper  33  is installed at the lower portion of the distal end of the stationary passage  27  over substantially the entire width thereof so as to protrude from the stationary passage  29 . The rubber damper  33  functions to reduce the shock when the stationary passage  27  brought into contact with the aircraft  13  and to maintain the separation between the distal end portion of the alignment passage  31  and the doorway portion  23 . 
         [0075]    An elevating floor (elevator passage)  35 , an alignment floor (transverse direction tilt alignment passage)  37 , and a sliding floor (sliding passage)  39  are provided in the alignment passage  31 . 
         [0076]    The elevating floor  35  is installed at the stationary passage  29  such that the distal end side pivots in a vertical direction due to the pivot shafts (pivoting axis)  41 . 
         [0077]    The direction of the extension of the pivot shafts  41  is disposed so as to be substantially perpendicular to the passenger traffic direction T. Therefore, the pivot shafts  41  are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the rubber damper  33 . 
         [0078]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a screw cylinder  43 , which has a motor to rotate an internal threading and thereby extends and retracts an external threading, is installed at the stationary passage  29  by a bracket  45 . An “L”-shaped lever  47  is installed at the distal end that is extended and retracted by the screw cylinder  43 . The distal end of the lever  47  is attached to a shaft  49  that is freely rotatably supported at the stationary passage  29  side. One end of the lever  57  is attached to the shaft  49 , and the other end thereof is attached to the elevating floor  35 . 
         [0079]    The shaft  49  rotates via the lever  47  due to the extension and retraction of the screw cylinder  43 , and due to the pivoting of the lever  51 , the elevating floor  35  pivots in a vertical direction centered on the pivot shafts  41 . 
         [0080]    The distal end side of the alignment floor  37  is substantially parallel to the rubber damper  33 , and the head body  19  side, that is, the distal end tunnel  9  side, forms a pentagon with a peak in the shape of a triangle. The alignment floor  37  is disposed inside of the elevating floor  35 . Specifically, except at the edge on the distal end side thereof, the alignment floor  37  is disposed so as to be enclosed by the elevating floor  35 , and so as to be flush with the elevating floor  35 . 
         [0081]    The alignment floor  37  is installed within the elevating floor  35  such that the distal end side pivots in a vertical direction due to the pivot shafts (pivot axes)  53 . The pivot shafts  53  are disposed inside the edge of the alignment floor  37  on the head body  19  side so as to face the distal end side of in the passenger traffic direction, and the right side thereof is disposed along the edge that is near the head body  19  side. Therefore, the pivot shafts  53  are disposed so as to extend in a direction that is perpendicular to the passenger traffic direction T. 
         [0082]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the screw cylinder  55 , which has a motor to rotate an internal threading to extend and retract an external threading, is installed on the elevating floor  35  by the bracket  57 . An arc-shaped lever  59  is installed at the distal end that extends and retracts the screw cylinder  55 . The end portion of the lever  59  is attached to a shaft  61 , which is freely rotatably supported at the elevating floor  35  side. One end of the arc-shaped lever  63  is installed freely rotatably on a projecting portion of the shaft  61 , and the other end thereof is installed freely rotatably on a shaft  65  that is supported by the bracket  67  that is attached to the alignment floor  37 . 
         [0083]    The shaft  61  rotates via the lever  59  due to the extension and retraction of the screw cylinder  55 , and the alignment floor  37  pivots in a vertical direction centered on the pivot shafts  53  due to the lever  63  being raised. 
         [0084]    The sliding floor  39  is a plate member having a substantially rectangular shape, and is installed under the alignment floor  37  so as to be freely raised and lowered in the passenger traffic direction T due to guiding mechanisms  71 . 
         [0085]    Each guiding mechanism  71  is formed by a guiding portion  73  that is installed by being attached to the alignment floor  37  and a guiding plate  75  that is installed under the sliding floor  39  so as to extend along the passenger traffic direction T. 
         [0086]    A rubber shock-absorbing member  79  is installed at the distal end portion of the sliding floor  39  along substantially the entire width thereof. 
         [0087]    The operation of the boarding bridge  1  according to the present embodiment that has been explained above will now be explained. 
         [0088]    The boarding bridge  1  is in standby mode when the most of the proximal end tunnel  7  is fit into the distal end tunnel  9 , as shown by the two-dot chain line in  FIG. 2 , that is, the length of the boarding bridge  1  is reduced. 
         [0089]    When the aircraft  13  arrives, the movable leg  17  is operated, and the distal end tunnel  9  moves toward the aircraft  13 . That is, the boarding bridge  1  is extended. At this time, the elevating floor  35  pivots downward so as to become flush with the stationary passage  29 . 
         [0090]    In the case of a mid-sized or a large-body aircraft  13 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the boarding bridge  1  extends so as to be substantially parallel to the ground. In this case, the head  11  approaches the doorway portion  23  of the aircraft  13 , and when the linking section  25  of the linking portion  21  reaches a predetermined position opposing the doorway portion  23 , that is, a position at which the rubber damper  33  abuts the aircraft  13 , the extension and movement of the boarding bridge  1  is stopped. 
         [0091]    At this time, the height positions of the stationary passage  29  of the head body  19  and the alignment passage  31  are positioned, for example, about 100 to 150 mm below the height position of the floor portion  24  of the doorway portion  23 , as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . This distance is one example, and for example, the distance may also be set to 200 to 300 mm. 
         [0092]    In this state, the linking section  25  is extended to the aircraft  13  side, and the distal end thereof is brought into close contact along the skin of the aircraft  13 . 
         [0093]    In this manner, when the head  11  connects to the aircraft  13 , the door  26  of the doorway portion  23  is opened. 
         [0094]    At this time, because the alignment passage  31  is pivoted downward, that is, becomes positioned sufficiently lower than the floor portion  24 , the door  26  can be opened without hindrance. 
         [0095]    After the door  26  has been opened, the screw cylinder  43  is extended, the elevating floor  35  is pivoted upward such that the extension of the upper surface of the elevating floor  35  is positioned at the distal portion of the floor portion  24 . 
         [0096]    Next, the screw cylinder  69  is extended, and the sliding floor  39  is advanced forward until the shock-absorbing member  79  abuts the aircraft  13 . 
         [0097]    These operations can be visually performed by an operator. In this case, because the screw cylinders  43  and  69  are small, they can easily be finely adjusted. 
         [0098]    Thereby, because a passage is formed that is continuous from the floor portion  24  of the doorway portion  23  to the stationary passage  29 , passengers, and in particular, passengers in wheel chairs, can move easily from the aircraft  13  to the head  11  without the presence of any level differences. In addition, the occurrence of situations such as the passengers tripping or falling can be reduced, and the passengers can pass safely without worrying about tripping or falling. 
         [0099]    When the passage of the passengers has completed, the boarding bridge  1  returns to the standby position by reversing the procedure that has been described above. 
         [0100]    In this manner, the alignment of the alignment passage  31  is only carried out during the initial connection and the final separation, and thus the boarding and deboarding of passengers is not hindered, and thereby, the boarding and deboarding of the passengers can be carried out smoothly. 
         [0101]    Next, the case in which the linking portion  21  is rotated and connected to a small aircraft  13  on the left side, as shown by the two-dot chain line in  FIG. 2 , will be explained with reference to  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 12 . 
         [0102]    Because the doorway portion  23  of a small aircraft  13  is at a low position, the boarding bridge  1  is extended while the movable leg is retracted and the distal end is tilted downward. 
         [0103]    In this case, as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the head  11  approaches the doorway portion  23  of the aircraft  13 , at a position slightly separated from the aircraft  13 , for example, at a position separated by about 500 mm, the extension of the boarding bridge  1  is stopped. 
         [0104]    Next, the degree of parallelism between the sliding floor  39  and the floor portion  24  is adjusted. 
         [0105]    When the screw cylinder  55  is extended and the alignment floor  37  pivots upward from the state that is shown in  FIG. 6 , viewed from the head body  19  side, the head body  19  having a large pivoting radius, the right side thereof is high in comparison to the left side, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0106]    When the distal end tilts downward and the linking portion  21  rotates toward the left side, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the passage surfaces of the stationary passage  29  and the alignment passage  31  are tilted such that, when viewed from the aircraft  13  side, the left side has lowered (when viewed from the head body  19  side, tilted such that the right side is lowered). In this state, when the alignment floor  37  pivots a predetermined amount upward, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the alignment floor  37  can be made substantially horizontal, that is, substantially parallel to the floor portion  24 . 
         [0107]    In  FIG. 10 , this state is viewed from the side. 
         [0108]    Then the boarding bridge  1  is again extended, the head  11  approaches the doorway portion  23  of the aircraft  13 , and when the rubber damper  33  reaches a position abutting the aircraft  13 , the extension and movement of the boarding bridge  1  is stopped. 
         [0109]    Then the linking section  25  is extended toward the aircraft  13  side, and the distal end thereof is in close contact with the skin of the aircraft  13 . 
         [0110]    In this manner, when the head  11  is in contact with the aircraft  13 , the door  26  of the doorway portion  23  is opened. 
         [0111]    At this time, the alignment passage  31  is pivoted downward, that is, positioned sufficiently lower than the floor portion  24 , and thus the door  26  can be opened without hindrance. 
         [0112]    After the door  26  has been opened, the screw cylinder  43  is extended, the elevating floor  35  pivots upward such that the extension of the upper surface of the elevating floor  35  is positioned at the distal portion of the floor portion  24  (refer to  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0113]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the screw cylinder  69  is extended, and the sliding floor  39  is advanced until the shock-absorbing member  79  abuts the aircraft  13 . 
         [0114]    These operations can be visually performed by an operator. In this case, because the screw cylinders  43 ,  55 , and  69  are small, they can easily be finely adjusted. 
         [0115]    Thereby, a passage is formed that is continuous from the floor portion  24  of the doorway portion  23  to the stationary passage  29 , and thus the passengers, and in particular, passengers in wheel chairs, can easily move from the aircraft  13  to the head  11  without the presence of any level differences. In addition, the occurrence of situations such as the passengers tripping or falling can be reduced, and the passengers can pass safely without worrying about tripping or falling. 
         [0116]    When the passage of the passengers has completed, the boarding bridge  1  is returned to the standby position by reversing the procedures described above. 
         [0117]    In this manner, the alignment of the alignment passage  31  is only carried out during the initial connection and the final separation, and thus the boarding and deboarding of passengers can be carried out without hindrance. Thereby, the boarding and deboarding of passengers can be carried out smoothly. 
         [0118]    Note that it is even more advantageous if the passage from the rotunda  5  to the distal end tunnel  9  is connected to the passage of the head  11 . 
         [0119]    Also note that in the present embodiment, the alignment floor  37  is installed at the elevating floor  35 . However, the alignment floor  37  may be installed at the stationary passage  29 , and the elevating floor  35  may be installed within the alignment floor  37 . In this case, the sliding floor  39  can be installed at the elevating floor  35 . 
         [0120]    Note furthermore that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be suitably modified within a range that does not depart from the gist of the present invention. 
         [0121]    For example, the present invention may also be applied to a boarding bridge  1  that is provided with a suitable number of intermediate tunnels between the proximal end tunnel  7  and the distal end tunnel  9 .