Pallet having reconfigurable tie-down system

A pallet system includes a pallet upon which cargo or other payloads may be carried. The pallet has a plurality of tie-down locations at which the pallet may be tied-down on a base, and at least one tie-down device for tying down the pallet on the base at any of the tie-down locations. The pallet further includes structure for mounting the tie-down device on the pallet at any of the tie-down locations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to cargo carriers, and deals more particularly with a pallet having a reconfigurable tie-down system for securing the pallet to a base, such as the floor of an aircraft.

BACKGROUND

Pallets are commonly used to move cargo or other payloads in the transportation industry, using a variety of vehicles including aircraft, trucks, trains and vessels. In order to prevent shifting of cargo loads during transport, the pallets and/or the cargo on the pallets may be tied down to the floor of the vehicle using floor anchors. These floor anchors, which are often in the form of embedded tie-down rings, are normally arranged in a fixed pattern over the floor.

In the past, pallets have been provided with fixed tie-down mechanisms that are generally arranged in a pattern on the pallet that may align with the floor anchors of a vehicle. This arrangement, however, may limit the use of such pallets to those vehicles having floor anchors matching the layout of the tie-down mechanisms on the pallet. In some cases, only some of the tie-down mechanisms on a pallet may be used for a particular shipment. In this situation, the unused tie-down mechanisms may present obstructions to the movement of the pallets and/or cargo within the vehicle.

Accordingly, there is a need for a pallet having a tie-down system that may readily adapt the pallet for use with vehicles having differing patterns of floor anchors. There is also a need for a tie-down system that may be easily and quickly reconfigured, and which allows unused tie-down devices to be removed from the pallet and stowed.

SUMMARY

According to the disclosed embodiments, a pallet is provided with a reconfigurable tie-down system which adapts the pallet for use in vehicles having differing floor configurations, including differing patterns of floor anchors. The tie-down system includes tie-down devices that may be easily and quickly moved while on the pallet to locations matching floor anchors, without the need for removing and then reinstalling the devices. The disclosed tie-down devices are recessed in the pallet and therefore do not present obstructions which interfere with cargo loading or movement. Unused tie-down devices on the pallet may be easily removed and stowed until needed.

According to one disclosed embodiment, a pallet includes a reconfigurable tie-down system. The pallet includes a plurality of tie-down locations at which the pallet may be tied down on a base. At least one tie-down device is provided for tying down the pallet on the base at any of the tie-down locations. Means are provided for mounting the tie-down device on the pallet at any of the tie-down locations. The mounting means may include a channel on the pallet in which the tie-down device may be slideable between at least two of the tie-down locations in the pallet. Each of the tie-down devices may include an end effector, a base slideable within a channel on the pallet, and an arm connecting the end effector with the base. The mounting means may further include a slot in the pallet at each of the tie-down locations which extends generally transverse to the channel and receives the arm of the tie-down device in order to lock the tie-down device in place. The pallet may include an access opening at each of the tie-down locations to allow the tie-down device to access the base.

In accordance with another embodiment, a reconfigurable tie-down system is provided for tying down a pallet on a base having a plurality of anchors. The system includes a pallet upon which cargo may be supported, and a plurality of tie-down devices for tying down the pallet on the base at one or more of the anchors. Means are provided for mounting the tie-down device for sliding movement on the pallet to any of a plurality of the tie-down locations on the pallet. The pallet may include an access opening therein at each of the tie-down locations for allowing access to the base through the pallet. The access openings are positioned on the pallet such that relative movement between the pallet on the base will bring at least certain of the access openings into registration with at least certain of the anchors on the base. The pallet may further include an access station along the channel for allowing the tie-down devices to be removed from the pallet.

According to a disclosed method embodiment, tying down a pallet on a base comprises selecting a plurality of possible tie-down mounting locations on the pallet that may be brought into registration with anchors in the base through relative movement between the pallet and the base. The method includes relatively moving the pallet and the base to bring at least certain of the mounting locations on the pallet into registration with at least certain of the anchors. The method includes mounting a tie-down device on the pallet at each of the tie-down locations that has been brought into registration with one of the anchors. The tie-down devices are used to tie-down the pallet to the anchors.

The disclosed embodiments satisfy the need for a pallet having a reconfigurable tie-down system which addresses limitations of the prior tie-down mechanism and provides a highly flexible pallet that may be adapted for use with various vehicles having differing fixed patterns of floor anchors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first toFIG. 1, the disclosed embodiments generally relate to a pallet42having a reconfigurable tie-down system40for tying down and securing the pallet42to a base44. The pallet42may be used to transport various types of cargo45which is supported on the pallet42and may be tied down to either the pallet42and/or the base44. As will be discussed later in more detail, the base44may comprise a cargo floor (not shown) in any of various types of transportation vehicles (not shown), including but not limited to aircraft, trucks, vessels, and the like.

The reconfigurable tie-down system40includes a plurality of tie-down devices46which tie-down the pallet42to anchors50that may have fixed locations on the base44. The tie-down devices46are held in channels48on the pallet42which may allow the tie-down devices46to be moved to any of various tie-down locations60on the pallet42, into proximity with an anchor50on the base44. The ability of the tie-down devices46to be moved to differing tie-down locations60on the pallet42may allow the pallet42to be used with various layout patterns of anchors50, thus providing the pallet42with increased flexibility and a potentially wider range of vehicle applications.

Attention is now directed toFIGS. 2,3,4and5which illustrate use of the pallet42in a cargo airplane54. The airplane54includes a cargo bay55that may be accessed through an aft door ramp56which may be used to aid in loading and unloading cargo45. The cargo bay55includes a cargo floor52having a plurality of tie-down anchors50which may be used to tie-down pallets42and/or the cargo45to the floor52. Each of the floor anchors50may include a recessed cup67in the floor52containing a tie-down ring66that may lay flush with the floor52when not in use. The floor52may include rollers64(FIG. 4) as well as guide rails58to aid in loading and unloading the pallets42.

As used herein, “cargo” is intended to include a wide variety of materials, equipment and other payloads which may be removably or permanently secured to the pallet42. For example, as shown inFIG. 6, the cargo45may comprise a seating module68including a plurality of passenger seats70secured to a flat base72which may be permanently or removably secured to one of the pallets42, or which may comprise the pallet42itself.FIG. 7illustrates another form of cargo45comprising a mission control module74supported on a base76that may form part of one of the pallets42. The mission control module74may be used during a mission performed by the airplane54, and later removed from the airplane54when the mission is complete.

Referring now particularly toFIG. 3, the pattern and/or placement of the anchors50on the floor52of the airplane54may vary according to the make, model or type of airplane54. In the illustrated example, the floor anchors50are generally aligned along the longitudinal axis62of the floor52, but are irregularly spaced along the length of the floor52. In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, the tie-down devices46(FIG. 1) may be moved to different locations on the pallet42so as to register with those floor anchors50that are beneath or immediately adjacent to the pallet42in its final loading position.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3 and 8, the channel48extends both around the perimeter of the pallet42as well as to inboard locations77. The channel48may be formed of any suitable, rigid material such as, without limitation, steel or aluminum, and may either be embedded in or form an integral part of the pallet42. The channel48extends generally between a plurality of access openings84which pass through the thickness of the pallet42at locations where the pallet42may be tied down to floor anchors50. In this illustrated embodiment, the access openings84define the possible tie-down locations60on the pallet42. The number, pattern and layout of the access openings84will vary depending on the application, but generally, the access openings84will be located on the pallet42so that they are substantially longitudinally aligned with, and may be moved into registration over, as many of the floor anchors50as possible. In the illustrated example, eight of the access openings84are positioned at inboard location77, and the remainder are spaced along the perimeter of the pallet42, including the corners35.

FIG. 9illustrates the bottom of the pallet42, the surface configuration of which may vary depending upon the application. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom of the pallet42includes two transversely spaced, longitudinally extending channels65which are adapted to receive and be supported on the cargo floor rollers64illustrated inFIG. 4.

Referring now concurrently toFIGS. 8,12,13and16, the access openings84extend completely through the thickness of the pallet42so as to provide access to the floor52through the pallet42. In the illustrated example, the pallet42may include a bottom layer42aformed of a material, such as metal, which may be different from the remainder of the pallet42, for purposes of durability, strength and other reasons. The channel48extends generally between the access openings84. A keyhole-like slot86extends generally transverse to the adjoining channel48, and is partially defined by an inclined bottom wall96. Each of the slots86has a width “W” as shown inFIG. 16.

Attention is now directed toFIGS. 15,16,17,18and19which illustrate additional details of the tie-down device46. The tie-down device46includes a spherical base100connected to an end effector75by an extension arm102. As illustrated in a later discussed embodiment (FIGS. 21 and 22), the extension arm102may have an adjustable length to provide the tie-down device46with some degree of adjustability in order to accommodate slight variations of the positions of the floor anchors67. The extension arm102has a width “w” which is substantially equal to or marginally smaller than the width “W” of the slot86shown inFIG. 14.

The spherical base100forms a ball joint connection with, and is slideably received within the channel48, thereby allowing the tie-down device46to slide along the pallet42to locations adjacent to any of the access openings84. As shown inFIG. 13, return flanges98partially defining the channel48, function to retain the spherical base100within the channel48as the tie-down device46slides between access openings84. When the extension arm102is aligned with one of the slots86adjacent an access opening84, the tie-down device46may be pivoted about the spherical base100between a standby position shown in dashed lines inFIG. 15, and a deployed condition shown in full lines.

As seen inFIGS. 17 and 18, the end effector75includes a ring receiver80having a recess80aadapted to receive a tie-down ring66therein. A retainer cap82is removably secured to the ring receiver80by a fastener104which may comprise, for example and without limitation, a Camloc® device which is used extensively in the aircraft industry. The tie-down ring66is captured and held within the recess80abetween the ring receiver80and the retainer cap82. As will be discussed below, the end effector75may take any of various forms, depending upon the particular type of anchor50used in the cargo floor52.

Referring now toFIGS. 8,10and11, one or more access stations88may be provided along the length of the channel48to allow installation and removal of the tie-down devices46. The access station88includes a cutout area94in the pallet42which is open to the channel48and is covered by a hinged access door90. The access door90may be swung to an open position90a(FIG. 11) to reveal the cutout94, which, in the illustrated example is generally rectangular in shape as shown inFIGS. 8 and 10. The width of the cutout area94is sufficient to allow the base100of the tie-down device46to be removed from the channel48and stowed until needed for a future tie-down operation. When closed, the access door90lies flush with the floor52so as not to present an obstruction on the pallet42.

Referring now toFIGS. 8-19, in use, either before or after cargo45has been placed on the pallet42, an appropriate number of tie-down devices46may be installed on the pallet42by inserting the bases100of the devices46into the channel48at one of the access stations88. Each of the tie-down devices46is then traversed along the channel48and positioned adjacent an access opening84that is vertically registered over one of the floor anchors50. At this point, the tie-down device46is in its raised, standby position shown in dashed lines inFIG. 15, with the extension arm102aligned with one of the slots86. The tie-down device46is then pivoted downwardly to the deployed position shown in full lines inFIG. 15. As the tie-down device is pivoted toward its deployed position, the extension arm102is received within and frictionally engages the walls of the slot86. The slot86locks the extension arm102, and thus the entire tie-down device46, against lateral movement while in the deployed position. The fastener104is released and the retainer cap82is removed, following which the tie-down ring66is placed in the recess80aof the ring receiver80. The length of the extension arm102may be adjusted, as necessary so that the tie-down ring66registers with the recess80a.

Next, the retainer cap82is placed on the ring receiver80and the fastener104is reinstalled, thereby locking the ring66in the end effector75to complete the tie-down process. The tie-down devices46restrain the load of the pallet42against substantial movement in all directions except downward movement which is prevented by the floor52. The extension arms102transmits lateral loads between the floor52and the pallet42. Although not shown in the illustrations, additional restraining members may be located around the perimeter of the pallet42to provide additional support for the tie-down devices46. These additional restraining members may be connected to the exterior sides of the pallet42located at each of the slots86which swing down and lock into place to create a secure attachment to the floor52. When the tie-down devices46are not deployed, they may be stowed within those slots86that are not in use, and latched inboard by the restraining members so as to not interfere with normal use of the pallet42.

Attention is now directed toFIGS. 20,21and22which illustrate an alternate embodiment of a pallet42ahaving a reconfigurable tie-down system40a. In this example, the cargo floor52is provided with a plurality of recessed floor anchors50aformed by fixed cross bars106to which cargo45and/or the pallet42amay be tied down. The pallet42aincludes a channel48extending around its rectangular periphery. The channel48may be similar to the channel48previously described in connection withFIGS. 8-15. The pallet42afurther includes a plurality of spaced apart slots86spaced along the length of the channel48which extend substantially transverse to and between the outer edge85of the pallet42aand the channel48. The slots86respectively represent a plurality of tie-down locations60on the pallet42aat which the repositionable tie-down devices46amay be positioned, overlying one of the floor anchors50a.

Referring particularly toFIGS. 21 and 22, the tie-down device46aincludes an end effector75, and a generally cylindrical base100aconnected by an extension arm102. The extension arm102may include first and second telescoping sections102a,102bthat are connected by internal threads (not shown) which allow adjustment of the length of the extension arm102. The cylindrical base100ahas a diameter “D” which is only slightly less than the diameter or width of the channel48so as to allow the base100ato freely slide throughout the length of the channel48. The end effector75includes a receiver80configured to receive and grip the cross bars106of the floor anchors50a. A retainer cap82may be secured by a quick release fastener104over the retainer80in order to lock the end effector75to the floor anchor50a.

A further embodiment is illustrated inFIGS. 23-26. A plurality of tie-down devices46may be removably mounted in channels108in the pallet42bat tie-down locations60so as to access tie-down rings66in the floor52through selectively placed access openings86in the pallet42b. As best seen inFIGS. 24 and 25, the channel108includes a narrowed section110which functions to retain the cylindrical base100bwithin the channel108. A slot112, similar to the slot86previously described (seeFIG. 14), extends between channel108and the access opening86to allow the extension arm102to pass partially through the pallet42b. The end effector75is similar to that previously described, and functions to grab and hold a tie-down ring66of the floor anchor50.

In use, the tie-down devices46amay be installed only at those locations on the pallet42bwhere an access opening86substantially registers with a floor anchor50. The tie-down device46ais installed by placing the cylindrical base100ain the channel108, and then sliding the base100bbeneath the narrowed section110until it is captured within the pallet42b, and the extension arm102is aligned with the slot112. The tie-down device46may then be swung downwardly into a deployed position, following which the tie-down ring66may be clamped within the end effector75. The slot112closely receives the extension arm102so as to prevent lateral movement of the tie-down device46aafter its deployment.

Attention is now directed toFIG. 27which illustrates a method for tying down a pallet42on a base44such as the cargo floor52previously described. Beginning at step120, the locations and pattern of the floor anchors50are determined. Next, at122, possible mounting locations on the pallet42are selected which result in maximum potential registrations between the possible tie-down device46locations and the locations of the floor anchors50. At step124, the pallet42is adapted to mount the tie-down devices46at each selected mounting location. At126, the pallet42and the base44are moved relative to each other in order to bring the tie-down mounting locations into registration with the floor anchors50. At128, the tie-down devices46are mounted on the pallet42at those locations that may register with the floor anchors50. Finally, at130, the tie-down devices46having been installed, the installed tie-down devices46may be used to tie-down the pallet42to the floor anchors50.