Abstract:
A conveyor apparatus for loading and unloading aircraft, the apparatus comprising a first conveyor for conveying articles from an area outside of an aircraft to an entrance to a cargo compartment of the aircraft, and a second conveyor for conveying articles from an end of the first conveyor into the cargo compartment, the second conveyor being telescopically extendable from the first conveyor, wherein the second conveyor comprises an endless flexible member extending between a tail end of the second conveyor adjacent the first conveyor and a head end of the second conveyor segment at a distal end of the second conveyor, and a driver for driving the endless member to convey articles along the second conveyor.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a conveyor apparatus for loading and unloading an aircraft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A critical process in the operation of aircraft is the loading and unloading of passengers&#39; luggage from the cargo hold of the aircraft. Tight operating schedules place great demands on the efficient and rapid loading and unloading of luggage into and from the cargo hold. It is common to utilise height adjustable and tiltable endless belt conveyors to convey luggage between a ground level and the entrance to a cargo hold of an aircraft, which may be positioned at a considerable height above the ground. However, once the luggage is delivered into the cargo hold by such conveyors it is normally necessary for the luggage to be manually handled within the luggage compartment, requiring baggage handlers to enter the cargo hold and carry out manual lifting and moving of the luggage delivered from the conveyor, often in confined spaces. This requires the person to lift luggage from the conveyor at the opening of the cargo hold, leading to a risk of injury should the person accidentally fall from the opening. 
     The conveyor apparatus disclosed in EP 1 248 726 attempts to address this problem by providing a second conveyor extendable from the end of the main conveyor to enter into the cargo hold of the aircraft, the second conveyor including a succession of individual conveyor units, each having a short endless belt conveyor with its own drive system, the conveyor units being coupled together by coupling members permitting sideways pivotal movement of the second conveyor so that it can extend into the cargo hold in an arcuate manner whereby the end of the conveyor can be located at any desired position within the cargo hold, obviating the need to manually lift and carry luggage around within the cargo hold. 
     However, the use of a succession of individual conveyor units, each requiring its own drive means and power coupling, creates a complex and costly arrangement. Moreover, the failure of just one of the several individual conveyor units will disable the entire conveyor apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a conveyor apparatus for loading and unloading aircraft, the apparatus having a first conveyor for conveying articles from an area outside of an aircraft to an entrance to a cargo compartment of the aircraft and a second conveyor for conveying articles from an end of the first conveyor into the cargo compartment, the second conveyor being telescopically extendable from the first conveyor. The second conveyor includes a plurality of conveyor segments mutually interconnected by a coupler or coupling means permitting mutual sideways pivotal movement of the conveyor segments defining an adjustable conveyor path, wherein the second conveyor includes an endless flexible member extending between a tail end of the second conveyor adjacent the first conveyor and a head end of the second conveyor segment at a distal end of the second conveyor, and a driver or drive means driving the endless member to convey articles along the second conveyor. The drive means may be provided on at least one end of the second conveyor. Optionally, the drive means is provided at least on the head end of the second conveyor. In one embodiment a first drive means may be provided on the head end of the second conveyor for driving the conveyor in a first direction, a further drive means being provided at a tail end of the second conveyor for driving the conveyer in a second direction, opposite the first direction. 
     The coupling means may be adapted to enable the articulation of adjacent conveyor segments in both a horizontal and a vertical plane to permit sideways and upwards and downwards mutual articulation between adjacent conveyor segments. 
     In one embodiment the endless member includes a drive chain, belt or band extending between sprockets or pulleys mounted on the respective head and tail ends of the second conveyor. Optionally, the endless member extends along a central axis of the second conveyor coincident with the coupling means of each of the conveyor segments. A guide or guide means may be provided on each segment of the second conveyor for guiding the path of the chain. 
     Optionally, a plurality of conveyor flights are mounted on the endless member to be moved along the conveyor segments, each conveyor flight including a central portion coupled to the endless member and pair of opposing side wings extending transversely from the endless member to define a respective portion of a conveying surface. Optionally, the side wings taper from the central portion to a respective distal end thereof to permit mutual sideways pivotal movement of the conveyor segments. Optionally, the central portion is guided for movement within a channel or slot provided in each conveyor segment. 
     In one embodiment each conveyor segment includes a driven member, such as a sprocket, engaging the endless member, at least one roller or wheel being driven by the driven member for rotation about an axis extending transverse to the second conveyor for conveying articles along the second conveyor. 
     Optionally, each conveyor segment is provided with at least one ground engaging support wheel or roller on a lower side thereof. 
     In one embodiment the coupling means includes a ball and socket joint provided between mutually interconnected conveyor segments. Alternatively the coupling means may include a universal joint, such as a cardan joint. A central channel may be provided through each conveyor segment and through the coupling means through which may extend cables or wires. The channel may be defined by a flexible tubular member in the region of the coupling means, for example in the form of a coil spring. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a conveyor apparatus for loading and unloading aircraft, the apparatus having a first conveyor for conveying articles from an area outside of an aircraft to an entrance to a cargo compartment of the aircraft and a second conveyor for conveying articles from an end of the first conveyor into the cargo compartment, the second conveyor being telescopically extendable from the first conveyor, wherein the second conveyor includes a plurality of conveyor segments mutually interconnected by coupling means permitting mutual sideways pivotal movement of the conveyor segments defining an adjustable conveyor path, wherein the second conveyor is provided with a single conveyor or conveying means to convey articles therealong, such as in the form of an endless belt or chain. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveyor apparatus for loading and unloading aircraft, the apparatus including a first conveyor for conveying articles from an area outside of an aircraft to an entrance to a cargo compartment of the aircraft and a second conveyor for conveying articles from an end of the first conveyor into the cargo compartment, the second conveyor being telescopically extendable from the first conveyor, wherein the second conveyor includes a plurality of conveyor segments mutually interconnected by coupling means permitting mutual sideways pivotal movement of the conveyor segments defining an adjustable conveyor path, wherein the second conveyor is provided with a single drive means to convey articles therealong. 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a conveyor apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of a head end of the conveyor apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the conveyor apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal sectional view through the head section of the conveyor apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a transverse sectional view through the second conveyor of the conveyor apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a longitudinal sectional view through the second conveyor of a conveyor apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a transverse sectional view through a modified version of the second conveyor of the conveyor apparatus of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a longitudinal sectional view through the modified second conveyor of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a conveyor apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle  10  having a forward operator cab  12 , a first endless belt conveyor  14  being mounted on the vehicle  10  for conveying luggage from a lower position A at the rear end of the vehicle  10  to a raised position B at forward end of the vehicle  10  for conveying luggage into and out of the opening of a cargo hold  2  of an aircraft  1 . As is conventional in the art, the first conveyor  14  is mounted on the vehicle  10  such that the angle of inclination of the conveyor  14  and the height of the upper or head end of the conveyor  14  can be adjusted to suit the height of the opening of the cargo hold  2  of the aircraft  1 . Hand rails  18  are provided on either side of the first conveyor  14 . 
     A second conveyor  16  is telescopically extendable from below the first conveyor  14  to extend into the cargo hold  2  of the aircraft  1  from the head end of the first conveyor  14 , such that the first and second conveyors  14 ,  16  form a substantially uninterrupted conveyor path between the tail end of the first conveyor and a head end of the second conveyor  16 . 
     A further belt conveyor  20  is pivotally mounted on a tail end of the first conveyor  14 , the further conveyor  20  being generally arranged substantially horizontally for loading and unloading luggage on and off the conveyor apparatus at ground level. 
     The second conveyor  16  includes a plurality of mutually interconnected conveyor segments  22  connected together by means of ball and socket or knuckle joints  24  whereby the conveyor segments  22  of the second conveyor  16  may be pivotally displaced sideways and upwards and downwards with respect to each other to adjust the conveyor path of the second conveyor  16  as required, such that the head end of the second conveyor  16  is positionable at a position wherein the luggage conveyed therein is desired to be placed. Each conveyor segment  22  is provided with support rollers  26  on the base thereof ( FIGS. 3-6 ) to allow the segments  22  of the second conveyor  16  to be rolled out along the floor of the cargo hold  2  of the aircraft and moved around therein as required to locate the head end of the second conveyor  16  at a desired location in the cargo hold. The second conveyor  16  may be of sufficient length to reach into the furthest point away from the opening of the cargo hold when fully extended from the first conveyor  14 . The length of the conveyor  16  may be selected to suit the size of the cargo hold of the largest aircraft with which the conveyor apparatus is to be used. 
     An intermediate conveyor section  28  is journaled on the head end of the first conveyor  14  to be pivotable about a horizontal axis extending transverse to the first conveyor  16 , the intermediate conveyor section  28  bridging a gap between the first and second conveyors  14 ,  16  for smoothly transferring articles between the second conveyor  16  and the first conveyor  14 . The intermediate conveyor section  28  may include a belt conveyor, or may include a simple ramp, or may include a series of parallel rollers, for example. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the second conveyor  16  includes an endless drive chain  30  ( FIGS. 3-6 ) extending around the plurality of conveyor segments  22  between a first sprocket  32  mounted on a head section  34  of the second conveyor  16 , and a second sprocket (not shown) mounted at a tail end of the second conveyor  16 . A first drive motor may be mounted within a head section  34  of the second conveyor  16  for driving the chain  30  in a first direction. The drive motor is preferably an electric motor, although other types of drive motor may be used, such as a hydraulic motor. A second drive motor may be provided at a tail end of the second conveyor for driving the chain in a second direction, opposite the first direction. For example, the first drive motor may be used to drive the second conveyor in a loading direction for delivering luggage into a luggage hold of an aircraft and the second drive motor may be used to drive the second conveyor in an unloading direction for unloading luggage from the luggage hold. 
     A plurality of transversely extending conveyor flights  36  ( FIGS. 3-6 ) are mounted on the chain  30  to define a moveable conveying surface. Each flight  36  includes a central portion and a pair of opposing wing portions. The sides of the wing portions are tapered from the central portion to the respective distal ends thereof to provide sufficient clearance between adjacent conveyor flights to permit sideways displacement of the segments  22  of the second conveyor  16 , as will be described below in more detail. The chain  30 , or at least the central portion of each conveyor flight mounted on the chain, is guided through channels  31  formed in each segment  22  of the second conveyor  16 . Such channels  31  may be formed from or lined with a hard wearing low friction material, such as a polymeric material, such as polyethylene. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a channel is defined in each conveyor segment  22  above the support rollers  26  through which the lower run of the conveyor surface defined by the conveyor flights  36  may pass. 
     A further belt conveyor section  38  may be mounted on the head section  34  of the second conveyor  16  for delivering luggage onto and off the head section  34  of the second conveyor  16 , such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     A shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the head section  34  of the second conveyor may be provided with freely rotating idler rollers  48  on either side of the conveyor flights  36 . 
     Handles may be provided on the head end of the second conveyor  16  to enable it to be moved into position within the cargo hold of an aircraft. In the embodiment shown, handles  46  are provided on either side of the conveyor section  38  mounted on the head section  34  of the second conveyor  16  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each segment  22  of the second conveyor  16  includes a sprocket  40  mounted on a shaft  42  journaled in the respective segment  22  to extend transversely across the width of the segment  22 , the sprocket  40  engaging the chain  30  such that the shaft is rotated by movement of the chain, a roller  44  being provided on each end of the shaft  42 , the roller  44  being exposed on either side of the conveyor flights  36  to engage luggage located on the second conveyor, the rollers  44  being rotated by the drive chain  30  to move luggage along the second conveyor  16  when the chain  30  is driven by the drive motor of the second conveyor  16 . 
     In use, the vehicle  10  is driven up to the side of an aircraft and the first conveyor  14  is raised to bring the head end of the first conveyor adjacent the opening of the cargo hold  2  of an aircraft  1  ( FIG. 1 ). A baggage handler may then climb up the first conveyor  14  and enter a cargo hold  2  of the aircraft  1 . The head section  38  of the second conveyor  16  can then be manually extended into the cargo hold  2 , such as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Luggage can then be placed onto the belt conveyor section  38  on the head section  34  of the second conveyor and the conveyor apparatus activated to convey luggage out of the aircraft and down to the ground, where it can be removed from the belt conveyor  20  at the tail end of the first conveyor and placed into luggage carts to be transported to the terminal. 
     Subsequently the luggage hold  2  can be loaded by activating the first conveyor  14  and second conveyor  16  and placing luggage onto the belt conveyor  20  at the tail end of the first conveyor  14  from where it is conveyed onto the first conveyor  14  and subsequently onto the second conveyor  16  via the intermediate conveyor section  28  and into the cargo hold  2  via the second conveyor  16 . 
     The articulation of the conveyor segments  22  of the second conveyor  16  by virtue of the joints  24  enables the path of the second conveyor  16  to be adjusted to deliver the luggage where required within the luggage hold  2 . As loading progresses, the position of the head end of the second conveyor  16  can be moved and the second conveyor retracted into a housing beneath the first conveyor  14  as the luggage hold is filled. When loading is finished the second conveyor  16  can be fully retracted out of the luggage hold and the vehicle  10  can be moved away from the aircraft  1 . The conveyor apparatus can be used in a similar way to unload a cargo hold  2 , the second conveyor  16  being extended to a desired loading location within the hold and activated to convey luggage out of the hold  2  onto the first conveyor  14 . The second motor mounted in a tail end of the second conveyor  16  may be powered to move the conveyor flights in an unloading direction. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show a modified second conveyor  16  in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. In such embodiment the second conveyor  16  includes a plurality of mutually interconnected conveyor segments  122  connected together by means of respective universal joints, such as Cardan joints  124 , whereby the conveyor segments  122  of the second conveyor  16  may be pivotally displaced sideways and upwardly and downwardly with respect to each other to adjust the conveyor path of the second conveyor  16  as required such that the head end of the second conveyor  16  is located or positionable at a position wherein the luggage conveyed therein is desired to be placed. Each segment incorporates a central bore  123 , the bore of adjacent segments being linked by hollow springs  125  ( FIG. 8 ), whereby an elongate channel is defined through the segments. Such channel may be utilised to house wiring for the transmission of power and/or for control signals, for example. 
     As with the first embodiment, each conveyor segment  122  is provided with support rollers  126  on the base thereof to allow the segments  122  of the second conveyor  16  to be rolled out along the floor of the cargo hold  2  of the aircraft and moved around therein as required to locate or position the head end of the second conveyor  16  at a desired location in the cargo hold. In such embodiment, the sprockets  40  are omitted and the luggage carrying rollers  144  are not driven by the endless drive chain  130 , but rather and freely rotating, in a similar manner to the lower support rollers  126 . 
     A plurality of transversely extending conveyor flights  136  are mounted on an endless chain  130  to define a moveable conveying surface. Each flight  136  includes a central portion and a pair of opposing wing portions. The sides of the wing portions are tapered from the central portion to the respective distal end thereof to provide sufficient clearance between adjacent conveyor flights to permit sideways displacement of the segments  122  of the second conveyor  16 . The chain  130  and associated portions of the conveyor flights  136  are guided through channels  131  formed in each segment  122  of the second conveyor  16 . The conveyor flights  136  are guided over hard wearing low friction plates  135  mounted on the segments  122 , the plates being formed from a suitable hard wearing material, such as a polymeric material, such as polyethylene or nylon. Similar plates  139  may be provided for guiding lower portions  150  of the conveyor flights  136 , such that the conveyor flights  136  define slots within which the sides of the channels  131  are received to retain the conveyor flights on the conveyor segments  122 . 
     It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein, but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it is envisaged that the upper rollers  44 ,  144  may be omitted and the width of the conveyor flights may be increased to extend over the entire width of the second conveyor  16 . Furthermore, flexible and/or elastic webs or membranes may extend between the conveyor flights to link the conveyor flights into a continuous conveying surface. Alternatively the conveyor flights may overlap to prevent items from passing between the conveyor flights.