Abstract:
A rail transport system comprising at least two runners having a shaped profile, a transport rail, and a transport carriage, the runners with a shaped profile being extended over a staircase or over a flat section and the transport carriage being moved along the transport rail. The transport carriage is provided with at least one electric motor. The runners having a shaped profile and the transport rail are stored in the transport carriage. A method for constructing a rail transport system and for transporting at least one container for loading or unloading the galley of an airplane, and a system for simultaneously loading and/or unloading the galley of an airplane.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/825,041, filed Mar. 19, 2013, which is the U.S. national stage entry of PCT application PCT/EP2011/065083 filed Sep. 1, 2011 and which also claims priority to German patent application 102011052497.5 filed Aug. 8, 2011 and German patent application 102010048194.7 filed Oct. 12, 2010 all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a track transport system, particularly a track transport system for loading and unloading an airplane galley. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    An airplane is unloaded upon arrival at the airport, or loaded before departure from the airport. Trucks or lift trucks are used to carry out these processes. Hydraulics with a shear system are incorporated in the chassis underneath the truck or lift truck box. The truck or lift truck is provided with a hydraulic actuator and a shear mechanism that can lift or lower the entire truck/lift truck box including the load contained therein to and from the corresponding door in the aircraft. 
         [0004]    Modern aircrafts, for example, of the types Boeing 747, 757, 787 as well as Airbus A 340-600 and A380, have multiple-story cabins, including a cargo hold and a passenger cabin. The cargo hold includes a hatch or door in the fuselage that can be opened and closed for loading and unloading. The passenger cabin is located directly above or below the cargo hold, and a galley is provided in the passenger cabin. The aircraft has an elevator for conveying pieces of freight via the cargo loading hatch into the cargo hold under the passenger cabin and for the return transport of previously transported freight from the passenger cabin down into the cargo hold. The elevator transports a plurality of carriages or trolleys loaded by the trucks or lift trucks, from the cargo hold to the galley in the passenger cabin to supply the onboard aircraft kitchen. Empty carriages are returned by the elevator from the onboard kitchen to the cargo hold, then to the truck or lift truck. The carriages are thus moved between the outside of the aircraft and the passenger cabin. 
         [0005]    A fully loaded galley contains all the provisions that the flight attendants and passengers will need or may need for the duration of the flight. This does not only include food items but other goods as well, such as, for example, diapers, security devices, etc. If the elevator for transporting the carriages is inoperative, the carriages cannot be conveyed between the two aircraft cabin levels. Loading the galley in the passenger cabin is therefore no longer possible. The aircraft, however, is not allowed to leave the gate until the elevator has been repaired, thus resulting in longer boarding times. If the departure of the flight has to be postponed until the following day, passengers must be checked into a hotel, thus reducing sales revenues for the airline. In addition, frequent arrival and departure delays cause customer dissatisfaction. 
         [0006]    The object of the present invention therefore is to provide a substitute solution that can be used in all aircraft models for the elevator that handles the loading and unloading of the galley. This object is achieved by a track transport system provided with the following components when the track transport system is not fixedly installed in the staircase area of the aircraft according to the invention for transportation operations over any kind of steps intended to supply the respective galley and/or cabin areas in the aircraft as a track transport system with a cart-in-cart system,
       two profiled rails that can be extended over a staircase or a flat section and that include a plurality of foldable or telescoping rail sections and at least one electric motor;   a transport rail having at least one electric motor and a plurality of foldable or telescoping rail sections; and   a transport carriage that is moved on the transport rail, in which the profiled rails and the transport rail are stored, and that is provided with at least one electric motor.       
 
         [0010]    The track transport system can be installed on a staircase in an aircraft or as a mobile elevator substitute for use with all aircraft types for any and all transports, when items are conveyed up or down inside an aircraft cabin, on any type of staircase, the railing of the staircase being used as well. 
         [0011]    This track transport system is especially advantageous for use in connection with conveying one or a plurality of containers for the loading and/or unloading of a galley of an aircraft. 
         [0012]    Before and after use, the transport carriage is used to store the transport rail. Like a trolley, it is placed in an empty stowing space of the galley and can be used for loading and unloading the galley in the event of a complete elevator failure. 
         [0013]    Different airlines have different container types with different dimensions, sizes and designations. A long trolley has a width of 41 cm, a height of 105 cm and a length of 92 cm. A half trolley has a width of 41 cm, a height of 105 cm and a length of 45 cm. A container has a width of 41 cm, a height of 105 cm and a length of 45 cm. The transport carriage can be widened or narrowed on both sides, together at a maximum of 2.5 cm, to the width of a trolley. This creates the possibility of taking the transport carriage with stowed transport rail along, as an onboard feature. 
         [0014]    Regarding the staircases between two aircraft levels, on the Boeing aircraft models 747-400, this is a straight staircase with the galley on the upper level. On the Airbus aircraft model A 380, the staircase is a spiral staircase between two aircraft levels with the galley located on the upper level. On the aircraft model Airbus A 340-00, the staircase between two levels of the aircraft is a straight staircase with the galley on the lower level. 
         [0015]    Connecting rails can preferably be installed laterally on the rail sections of the transport rail that support the folding and unfolding operation of the rail sections or the retraction and extension of the rail sections. 
         [0016]    On a transport rail that is made of a plurality of rail sections, two adjoining rail sections are preferably connected by a pivot joint that makes it possible to fold the transport rail together. On a telescopic transport rail that is made of a plurality of rail sections, preferably, the transport rail has a telescopic device that is operated by the electric motor. The rail sections are connected to each other in a telescopic fashion, and the telescopic device is able to push the transport rails out of the transport carriage, section by section, using a gear mechanism. 
         [0017]    The track transport system according to the invention can also be used with forward loading and reverse unloading of lift truck boxes. With forward loading, the containers are pushed into the transport carriage (“cart-in-cart” system). The transport carriage reaches the truck/lift truck via the transport rail. Forward loading can occur by way of the track system directly from the production, commissioning and providing areas into the truck/lift truck box. The containers are set up in the lift truck and the parking brakes of the containers are secured in place. With reverse unloading, the containers are pushed into the transport carriage. The transport carriage is conveyed along the transport rail to the area of the return ramp. The containers are removed at the return ramp, sorted and made available for further processes. 
         [0018]    The present track transport system is also able to transport the containers through the passenger corridors. Some airlines, in fear that the seats of the aircraft may get damaged, do not allow pushing containers along passenger corridors. The track transport system according to the invention ensures safe transport to the galley without damage to any seats. 
         [0019]    In a shaped-profile foldable rail made up of a plurality of rail sections, neighboring rail sections are preferably connected to each other also by a pivot joint, and the rail having the shaped profile can be folded together. On a telescopic profiled rail made up of a plurality of rail sections, the rail preferably also includes a telescopic device powered by an electric motor. The rail sections are telescopically connected to each other; and the telescopic device is able to push the rail out of the transport carriage, section by section, utilizing a gear mechanism. 
         [0020]    The transport carriage is also provided with a power cable and a plug that can be connected to an outlet on the aircraft, the power cable being housed together with the plug inside a trip-safe rail. The power connection on any aircraft is 115V. The electric motors of the transport carriage, the profiled rails and the transport rail are started by push-button activation on the transport carriage. 
         [0021]    The electric motor in the transport carriage and the electric motor in the transport rail can each be operated by a rechargeable battery, if power is lost or the aircraft does not have a suitable power source. The rechargeable battery can be charged by the alternator on the truck/lift truck or by the onboard power supply during use. 
         [0022]    When the transport rail must be set up on a staircase, the transport carriage is moved to the bottom step of the staircase. The transport carriage has a foot-operated lever that activates the parking brake of the wheels on the transport carriage. 
         [0023]    After the transport carriage has been positioned and the electric motors started, the profiled rails are extended up the staircase. On the bottom of each of the two rails there is a respective toothed rail, and the gears rotate therebelow. The gears are mounted in the transport carriage, are powered by the electric motor, and are connected to a toothed belt. The individual foldable and/or telescopic rail sections are moved inside the transport carriage by the gears below the toothed rails that are mounted on the bottom side of the rail sections. The two profiled rails are moved upward on the edges of the staircase at an angle that is larger than the angle of ascent of the staircase; at the end of the setup process, they are able to rest on the staircase. A plurality of connecting bars are provided between the two profiled rails so that the profiled rails come to rest parallel relative to the side edges of the staircase, thus providing additional stability for the transport rail. The connecting bars are each provided in the center with at least one L-shaped angle that comes to rest against the edges of the staircase on installation of the rail track. 
         [0024]    Preferably, a plurality of spacers are installed on the side of the staircase of the rail track having a shaped profile. 
         [0025]    The transport rail lies on top of the profiled rail. The transport carriage moves along the transport rail. A plurality of casters, inter alia, can be mounted on the bottom side of the transport rail that moves inside the profiled rails during setting up of the transport rail. 
         [0026]    The individual foldable rail sections and/or telescopic rail sections are moved by the gears below the toothed rail that are mounted on the bottom of the rail sections. 
         [0027]    Advantageously, the transport rail is also provided with metal springs, air springs or gas springs on the bottom edges of the sections and/or sections that ensure slow lowering of the transport rail onto the edges of the staircase. 
         [0028]    A door having a ramp-type function for loading and unloading the containers is fastened by a hinge on the top rail section. The bottom rail section or the rail section is provided with a cross-bar such that a lever mechanism is triggered simultaneously when the spring legs, which prevent slipping on the carpeted steps and ensure additional stationary stability of the transport rail, make contact with the steps. The transport rail is preferably provided at both ends with one or a plurality of fasteners for mounting the rail on the top landing of the staircase and the bottom landing of the staircase. 
         [0029]    The transport rail of the track transport system according to the invention is provided with an integrated sliding frame. The integrated sliding frame is made of a light alloy, such as, for example, aluminum, and moves on the transport rail. The sliding frame includes at least one glide plate and one transport plate. The glide plate and the transport plate are connected to a hinge and can be folded together. A plurality of casters is provided below the slide plate that ensures low-friction back and forth sliding action of the transport rail. Upon ending the total loading and/or unloading process, the sliding frame moves automatically to the upper part of the transport rail. 
         [0030]    The transport plate conveys the transport carriage (“cart-in-cart” system) and is able to convey a weight of at least 150 kg. The transport plate is moved at an obtuse angle that is larger than 90E relative to the loading and unloading planes. Security rails are installed to the left and right of the transport plate that define the obtuse angle when the two glide plates are unfolded. The transport plate is inserted into a slot at the bottom in the transport carriage. T-pins are mounted on the transport plate that can be locked using a locking mechanism in the transport carriage, thereby achieving a securely fastened connection of the transport carriage with the containers. 
         [0031]    Preferably, a plurality of planes exist in the rail sections or rail sections that are provided with dividers made of light plastic plates, with a gear mechanism, one or a plurality of toothed belts and one or a plurality of flat or tubular motors in the planes of the rail sections or rail sections, and square light alloy linkages or bar-type linkages installed in the different planes. 
         [0032]    The transport carriage is able to convey a minimum container weight of 150 kg and a maximum weight of 200 kg. An advantage of the track transport system according to the invention lies in the fact that the gross weight of the transport carriage is distributed over the transport rail. 
         [0033]    The width of the transport rail is smaller than the width of the transport carriage with underbody. 
         [0034]    The transport carriage of the track transport system is provided with a rail lever that is able to reduce or increase the width of the transport carriage to the width of a standard trolley. The rail lever moves a linkage, thereby simultaneously moving both sides of the transport carriage for a total of a maximum of 2.5 cm inward or outward. The rail lever with manual operation that operates the bar linkage for widening or narrowing the transport carriage can be replaced with an electric motor using gears and toothed belts or another mechanical device, such as a spindle mechanism. 
         [0035]    The rail lever moves a guide cable via a gear. The guide cable runs first between the side outside wall and the side inside wall of the transport carriage, is then redirected by two cable guiding wheels and routed to the widening linkage. The widening linkage comprises a longitudinal metal rod and a plurality of transverse joints. The transverse joints are fastened to the longitudinal metal rod and to the side wall of the transport carriage so that they widen or narrow the transport carriage. 
         [0036]    The hook mechanism located on the floor of the transport carriage connects the transport carriage to the cross-bar located at the end of the transport rail. Guide rails are located on the inner sides of the transport carriage, while rail wheels are located on the outer side of the transport carriage. After this mechanical connection process, the electric motor inside the transport carriage is started, which then retracts the transport rail, section after section, by a metal cable winch or by a toothed belt and gears. 
         [0037]    The transport carriage preferably includes a plurality of profile rails for inserting the side walls. The side wall of the transport carriage is preferably coated with a plastic material and inserted in the profile rail. Advantageously, a side sail chamber is provided on the edge of the side wall. A side sail in a signal color is incorporated in the side sail chamber of the transport carriage that is released together with setting-up of the profiled rail and indicates the walkable part the staircase next to the rail alerting to an accident risk. When the transport rails are pushed, section by section simultaneously with the first part of the transport rail, a side guard and a plastic side sail in a signal color are taken along and upward from one side of the transport carriage to the uppermost edge of the step. This side guard and the side sail in a signal color indicate the actual width of the step to avoid an accident risk, if the free part of the steps of the staircase is to be used by other employees, thus preventing any tripping and stepping on the transport rail as well as falls on the staircase. 
         [0038]    The side wall is also provided with a spindle that is inserted in a spindle tube. A cable guide is inserted in a cable chute of the side wall. 
         [0039]    Preferably, a plurality of planes with dividers is formed in the floor of the transport carriage. A base plate for containers, for example trolleys, is provided on the top plane. The base plate includes two guide rails for the wheels of the trolleys. The guide rails serve as catch means relative to the trolleys having wheels and to prevent any excess movement of the trolleys during the conveyance of the transport carriage. The bottom plane holds a locking mechanism for the transport carriage and the transport plate of a sliding frame. The planes are installed, complete with connecting cover, relative to the next plane having a functional mechanism. 
         [0040]    Preferably, a spindle tube with incorporated spindles is located to the left and to the right of the transport carriage, the wheels of the transport carriage being mounted in the lower section of the spindles with ball bearings, the spindle tubes being connected on the sides of the transport carriage by a cross-bar. 
         [0041]    Advantageously, the transport carriage has a crank drive mechanism. 
         [0042]    The present invention also relates to a method for conveying one or a plurality of containers for loading and/or unloading a galley of an aircraft. The method comprises at least the following steps:
       starting and positioning a transport carriage, inside which there are stowed two profiled rails and a transport rail, at the bottom step of a staircase, the transport carriage being provided with at least one electric motor, the profiled rails each include a plurality of foldable or telescoping rail sections having a shaped profile, the transport rail including at least one electric motor and a plurality of foldable or telescoping rail sections;   setting up the two profiled rails on the staircase by moving the profiled rails upward at a larger angle than the angle of ascent of the staircase and bringing them to rest on the staircase at the end of installation process;   placing the transport rail on the profiled rail so that casters on the bottom of the transport rail move inside the profiled rails; and   conveying the one or the plurality of containers that are loaded in the transport carriage by a sliding frame that includes at least a glide plate and a transport plate, the glide plate and the transport plate being connected by a hinge so they can be folded together, the transport plate being inserted into a slot at the bottom in the transport carriage and fastened, there being below the glide plate a plurality of casters that ensure a low-friction back and forth gliding action in the transport rail.       
 
         [0047]    Any truck/lift truck box can retrofitted with the track transport system and the transport rail. According to the invention any and all loading and unloading processes are thus handled by the track transport system and the transport rail relative to loading and unloading operation in the truck/lift truck box. 
         [0048]    A plurality of transport carriages that is loaded with a plurality of containers is disposed in the truck/lift truck box. A plurality of profiled rails as well as additional transport rails are installed, thus constructing two track transport systems for loading and/or unloading an aircraft, and two track transport systems for loading or unloading the truck/lift truck box, and two track transport systems for loading or unloading the truck/lift truck box changing to a second truck/lift truck box. The transport carriages are moved onto the track transport system for loading the aircraft by a switch for loading the aircraft. The transport carriages are preferably moved down from the track transport system for unloading the aircraft by a switch for unloading the aircraft, the loading of the loaded containers and the unloading of the empty containers taking place simultaneously. Preferably, a plurality of track transport systems is constructed in the truck/lift truck box for conveying the transport carriages in the truck/lift trucks boxes. 
         [0049]    The present invention also relates to a system for loading and unloading the truck/lift truck box as well as for the simultaneous loading and/or unloading of a galley of an aircraft, wherein the system comprises at least the following components:
       a truck with lift truck box inside which are a plurality of transport carriages each loaded with a containers;   two track transport systems with transport rails between the truck/lift truck box and the aircraft cabin, the two track transport systems each consisting of profiled rails and a transport rail, and wherein each track transport system is provided with a switch for moving the transport carriages upward and downward; and   a plurality of track transport systems within the truck/lift truck box for conveying purposes inside the truck/lift truck box.       
 
         [0053]    To be emphasized is the fact that the important advantages of the present invention provide for better working conditions for employees who are responsible for loading and unloading the trucks/lift trucks, or processes involved in the loading and unloading of an aircraft are improved such that a maximum of 4500 kg is no longer handled manually but automatically; also, further improvement results, due to optimal utilization of the holding space of the truck/lift truck box, thus fewer trips by the truck/lift truck box to improve the environmental balance sheet of the catering company as well as of the airlines because there occurs only short-time energy use by the aircraft power generator unit (APU) with running aircraft engines and continuous exhaust formation, and the length of the loading and unloading processes of the aircraft and other processes, as well as the loading and unloading processes of the truck/lift truck box per se are shortened even in the operating areas of the catering company. To be stressed is the fact that all parties involved in clearing an aircraft are able to find and implement overall new process conditions, due to the changes in the loading and unloading operation with regard to catering the aircraft, which is why they all realize advantages that translate to their own respective areas. Space conditions in parking positions, the duration of the overall processes, stationary-specific effects for all processes during the process of aircraft clearance and in-house structural changes at the catering companies trigger positive consequences in all process areas involved in aircraft clearing, regarding use of personnel, physical labor effort, stress situations during clearing, profitability for all process participants, etc. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0054]      FIG. 1  is a view of a “cart-in-cart” system; 
           [0055]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a base plate in the transport carriage for trolleys; 
           [0056]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the transport carriage; 
           [0057]      FIG. 4-1  is a view of the side walls of the transport carriage; 
           [0058]      FIG. 4-2  is a large-scale view of a detail of  FIG. 4-1 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 5  is a view of the transport carriage with an installed transport rail and U-shaped rail; 
           [0060]      FIG. 6-1  is a side view of the U-shaped rail; 
           [0061]      FIG. 6-2  is a front view of the U-shaped rail with the transport rail; 
           [0062]      FIG. 7  is a top view to the first plane of the underbody of the transport carriage; 
           [0063]      FIG. 8-1  is a side view of the cable mechanism for widening or narrowing the width of the transport carriage; 
           [0064]      FIG. 8-2  is a view of the pull cable with lever mechanism; 
           [0065]      FIG. 9-1  is a top view of the cable mechanism for widening or narrowing the width of the transport carriage; 
           [0066]      FIG. 9-2  is a large-scale view of a detail from  FIG. 9-1 ; 
           [0067]      FIG. 9-3  is a section through the underbody of the transport carriage taken along a line A-A in  FIG. 9-1 ; 
           [0068]      FIG. 9-4  is a large-scale view of a detail from  FIG. 9-1 ; 
           [0069]      FIG. 10-1  is a top view of the mechanism plane in the transport carriage for setting-up of the U-shaped rail; 
           [0070]      FIG. 10-2  is a side view of the mechanism plane in the transport carriage for the mechanism of the U-shaped rail; 
           [0071]      FIG. 11  is a view of setup steps of the U-shaped rail; 
           [0072]      FIG. 12  is a view of the drive for the sliding frame; 
           [0073]      FIG. 13-1  is a view of the process steps for constructing the transport rail on the U-shaped rail; 
           [0074]      FIG. 13-2  is a large-scale view of a detail from  FIG. 13-1 ; 
           [0075]      FIG. 14-1  is a view of a transport carriage loaded with two half trolleys and being conveyed upward on an extended transport rail; 
           [0076]      FIG. 14-2  is a large-scale view of a detail from  FIG. 14-2 ; 
           [0077]      FIG. 15  is a view of the transit process, truck/lift truck box and aircraft cabin utilizing the track transport system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     List of Reference Signs 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               1  Trolley 
               2  Transport carriage 
               3  Base plate 
               4  Guide rails 
               5  Twin wheels of a trolley 
               6  Rail lever 
               7  Parking brake 
               8  Wheels of the transport carriage 
               9  U-shaped profile rail 
               10  Cable chute 
               11  Cable guide 
               12  Spindle tube 
               13  Spindle of the transport carriage 
               14  Folded U-shaped rail 
               15  Side wall of the transport carriage 
               16  Side sail chamber 
               17  Foldable transport rail 
               18  Toothed rail of the U-shaped rail 
               19  Wheel suspension 
               20  U-shaped rail 
               21  Casters of the section of the transport rail 
               22  Representation of the front view of the toothed rail under the U-shaped rail 
               23  Connecting bar 
               24  L-shaped angle 
               25  Section of the transport rail 
               26  Guide cable 
               27  U-shaped aluminum rails 
               28  Tube-in-tube connection with spring mechanism 
               29  Connecting joints 
               30  Spring container 
               31 ,  32  Cable guide wheels 
               33  Side outside wall of the transport carriage 
               34  Side inside wall of the transport carriage 
               35  Toothed belt connection to the motor for widening and narrowing the transport carriage 
               36  Gear on the outer side of the axis for widening and narrowing with motor 
               37  Mechanism plane in the floor of the transport carriage 
               38  Aluminum corner profile of the floor of the transport carriage 
               39  Fasteners 
               40  Eyelet for fastening the guide cable to the rail lever 
               41 ,  42  Transverse joints 
               43  Longitudinal metal bar 
               44  Spring 
               45  Cover of the spring container 
               46  Sections for the twin wheels of the transport carriage 
               47  Rail wheel of the transport carriage 
               48  Aluminum square tube for the stability of the transport rail 
               49  Guide plastic sleeve 
               50  Rivet insert 
               51  Leg of the rigid light alloy angle 
               52  Head of the rigid light alloy angle 
               53  Lens head screw with internal thread 
               54  Flat head screw 
               55  Side wall of the transport carriage 
               56  Light alloy angle 
               57  Electric motor 
               58  Toothed belt 
               59  Gear axis 
               60  Gears 
               61  Transport rail 
               62  Gear 
               63  Flat motor 
               64  Toothed belt 
               65  Ball bearing cylinder 
               66  Spindle 
               67  Transport carriage door 
               69  Guide rail wheels of the U-shaped rail 
               70  Ramp 
               71  Hinge 
               72  Half trolley 
               73  Transport plate 
               74  Glide plate 
               75  Rail path in the transport rail 
               76  Rail wheel for the removal and installation of the sliding frame 
               77  Caster of the transport carriage 
               78  Caster of the glide frame 
               79  Floor plate of the rail path 
               80  Rail path for the casters of the transport carriage 
               81  Axis for the casters and the rail wheels 
               82  Door on the transport carriage with ramp function 
               83  Top view of the cargo hold of a truck/lift truck box 
               84  Truck/transport carriage switch for loading an aircraft 
               85  Truck/transport carriage switch for unloading an aircraft 
               86  Track transport system between the truck and the aircraft cabin 
               86 ′ Track transport system in the truck 
               87  Flexible middle part of the track transport system 
               88  Aircraft door 
               89  Aircraft cabin 
               90  Container removal location 
               91  Container loading location 
               92  Rail switch 
               93  Truck/transport carriage 
               94  Rail at the loading and unloading plane/bottom 
             T Staircase 
           
         
       
     
       Embodiments 
       [0171]    Further advantages and details of the present invention have been illustrated based on the embodiments as shown in the drawings, which are in no way intended to limit the protective scope of the invention. 
         [0172]      FIG. 1  shows a “cart-in-cart” system. A trolley  1  is pushed into the transport carriage  2  according to the invention via a ramp. 
         [0173]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the base plate  3  in the transport carriage for containers such as, for example, trolleys. The base plate includes two guide rails  4  for the twin wheels  5  of the trolley. The guide rails  4  serve to confine the wheeled trolley and prevent any excess movement of the trolley during conveyance of the transport carriage. 
         [0174]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the transport carriage  2 . The transport carriage  2  according to the invention is provided with a rail lever  6  that is able to increase or reduce the width of the transport carriage to match the width of a standard trolley. The rail lever simultaneously moves both sides of the transport carriage toward each other or away from each other, in total by a maximum of 2.5 cm. A parking brake  7  is provided for the wheels  8  below the transport carriage. The transport carriage includes a plurality of U-section rails  9  for inserting the side walls. The structure of the U-section rail  9  will be explained in further detail in  FIG. 4  below. 
         [0175]      FIG. 4-1  shows the side walls of the transport carriage.  FIG. 4-2  (detail A) shows an enlargement of a detail from  FIG. 4-1 . The side wall  15  is preferably coated with plastic and inserted in the rails having the U-shaped profile  9 . A lateral sail chamber  16  is on the edge of the side wall. A lateral sail (not shown) is incorporated in the lateral sail chamber of the transport carriage having a signal color; the sail is deployed when the U-shaped rail is erected and indicates the walkable part of the staircase next to the rail to avoid an accident risk. The side wall is also provided with a spindle  13  that is inserted in a spindle tube  12 . A cable guide  11  is incorporated in a cable chute  10  of the side wall. 
         [0176]      FIG. 5  shows the transport carriage  2  according to the invention with installed folded transport rail  17  and profiled rail  14  (in the present example, a U-shaped rail that is hereafter referred to as a U-rail). 
         [0177]      FIG. 6-1  is a side view of the U-rail with a toothed rail  18  below the U-rail.  FIG. 6-2  shows a front view of the U-rail  20  with a section  25  of the transport rail. A plurality of connecting bars  23  is provided between the two U-rails  20 . The connecting bars  23  are respectively provided with two L-shaped angles  24  that position themselves against the edges of the staircase during the set-up of the U-rail.  22  is the front view of the toothed rail  18  below the U-rail  20 . 
         [0178]    The casters  21  of the section  25  glide in the U-rail and move the transport rail upward. The caster is connected to the section  25  by a wheel suspension  19 . 
         [0179]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the first plane of the underbody of the transport carriage. The guide cable  26  works with the lever mechanism. Two U-shaped aluminum rails  27  flank the guide cable  26 . The guide mechanism with spring mechanism for widening and narrowing the transport carriage is located inside a plurality of tubes  28 . A spring (not shown) is provided inside a spring container  30 . A plurality of connecting joints  29  between the two U-shaped aluminum rails  27  serve for widening and narrowing the floor of the transport carriage. 
         [0180]      FIG. 8-1  shows a side view of the cable mechanism for increasing or reducing the width of the transport carriage. The guide cable  26  first runs between the side outside wall  33  and the side inside wall  34  of the transport carriage and is then redirected by two cable guide wheels  31 ,  32 , subsequently routed to the widening bar linkage.  FIG. 8-2  (detail B) shows a cable winch with lever mechanism. Alternatively a gear  36  on the outer side of the axis as well as a toothed belt  35  widen or narrow. The gear is connected to the motor of the transport carriage in order to allow for widening and/or narrowing the transport carriage utilizing electrical means. 
         [0181]      FIG. 9-1  shows a detailed top view of the cable mechanism for increasing or reducing the width of the transport carriage. The mechanism plane in the floor of the transport carriage  37 , which is provided with an aluminum corner profile  38 , divides during a widening operation. The guide cable (not shown here) is redirected to the widening linkage by two cable guide wheels  31 ,  32 . The guide cable is fastened via an eye  40  to the rail lever. Here there are two U-aluminum rails  27 . A plurality of metal bands made up of two cross joints  41 ,  42  are each mounted by two fasteners  39  to the side walls of the transport carriage. The transverse joints  41 ,  42  widen or narrow the transport carriage and are mounted to a longitudinal metal bar  43 . A spring  44  is located inside a spring container  30  that is provided with a cover  45 . When the transport carriage is reduced in size, the spring  44  relaxes. When the transport carriage is widened, the spring  44  is loaded. The twin wheels of the transport carriage are located in sections  46 . 
         [0182]      FIG. 9-2  is an enlargement of a detail from  FIG. 9-1  and shows the mounting location  40  on the longitudinal bar  43  for the guide cable  26  that is connected to the lever. Transverse joints  41 ,  42  are mounted to the longitudinal bar  43 .  FIG. 9-4  shows in detail the fasteners for the transverse joint  42  on the side wall  55  of the transport carriage. The end of the transverse joint  42  is provided with an opening for a guide plastic sleeve  49  intended for the rivet  50  that connects the transverse joint  42  to the leg  51  of the rigid light alloy angle  56  that also has an opening for the rivets. The head  52  of the rigid light alloy angle is provided with a plurality of openings. One flat-head screw  53  with internal thread can be inserted respectively in each of the openings. On the other side of the side wall, each flat-head screw is screwed together with a flat head screw  54 , by way of which the light alloy angle and thus the transverse joint can be fastened to the side wall  15 . 
         [0183]      FIG. 9-3  is a representation of a cross-section along line A-A in  FIG. 9-1 . The rail wheel  47  of the transport carriage that moves in a rail path  80  supports the linkage (transverse joints  41 ,  42 , longitudinal metal bar  43 ) ensuring that the same do not bend during operation thereof. Correspondingly, it is possible to use light-weight materials, such as, for example, aluminum, for manufacturing the bar linkage. The two square aluminum tubes  48  serve to ensure the stability of the entire mechanism. 
         [0184]      FIG. 10-1  is a top view of the mechanism plane in the transport carriage for setting up the U-rail, while  FIG. 10-2  shows a side view of the mechanism plane in the transport carriage for setting up the U rail. Located on the underside of each U-rail is a toothed rail (not shown). The gears  60  are pivotally mounted under the toothed rail. These gears  60  are connected to the electric motor  57  via a toothed belt  58 .  59  is a gear axis. 
         [0185]      FIG. 11  shows the constructive set-up process of the U-rail. The transport carriage  2  is moved to the staircase  61 . The U-rail  20  is laid out on the staircase T. A plurality of connecting rods  23  are provided between the two U-rails  20 . The connecting rods  23  are each provided with two L-shaped angles  24  that come to rest on the edges of the staircase during setting-up of the U-rail. 
         [0186]      FIG. 12  shows the guide mechanism of the rail wheels with rails. Two flat motors  63  are located on the laid out transport rail  61  that power a gear  62  and a toothed belt  64 . The toothed belt  64  rotates a spindle  66  that is supported inside a ball bearing cylinder  65 . A plurality of spindle bearings  67  with fastening device for the sliding fame (not shown) are provided along the spindle  66 . 
         [0187]      FIG. 13-1  shows the course of the set-up of the transport rail on the U-rail. The transport carriage  2  according to the invention is moved in position at the bottom step of the staircase. The transport carriage door  68  is located on one side of the transport carriage. The U-rail  20  is first placed on the staircase T. The guide rail wheels  69  of the U-rail allow the U-rail to run inside the transport carriage. The transport rail  61  is directed upward inside the U-rail by the casters (see  FIG. 6-2 ). A ramp  70  is connected to the top section by a hinge, thus allowing loading and unloading containers.  FIG. 13-2  is an enlarged detail from  FIG. 13-1 . 
         [0188]      FIG. 14-1  shows a transport carriage  2  loaded with two half trolleys  72  and being conveyed upward on the laid out transport rail. The bottom plane of the underbody of the transport carriage has an area for inserting the transport plate  73  of the sliding frame. The transport plate  73  is connected to the glide plate  74  by a hinge  71  (see  FIG. 14-2 ). The glide plate can be powered by the conveying mechanism in the transport rail by the gear and toothed belt mechanism for movement on the transport rails. Spindle tubes with incorporated spindles  13  are provided in the transport carriage. The spindles  13  are connected to each other by a spindle cross-connection (not shown) in order to improve the stability of the transport carriage during the conveyance of the containers. Located on the bottom part of each of the spindles is a caster  77  with ball bearing. These spindles rotate automatically in order to support the load of the transport carriage with containers as well as the weight of the transport plate of the sliding frame, while, simultaneously, the transport plate is transported in the 3-degree angle relative to the plane of the loading and unloading station. The twin wheels of the transport carriage move inside the rail path in the transport rail  75 . The rail on the bottom loading and unloading plane  94  is visible. 
         [0189]      FIG. 14-2  is a view of an enlarged detail from  FIG. 14-1 . The hinge  71  that connects the transport plate  73  and the glide plate  74  in  FIG. 14-1  can be seen. A metal bar is pulled through the hinge (not shown) at the end of which there are disposed double casters  78  on the right and left sides that move during the back and forth gliding action in a rail in the transport rail. The rail wheels  76  for the assembly and disassembly of the sliding frame as well as axis  81  for the casters are visible. 
         [0190]      FIG. 15  represents a cabin during transit. The transport rail according to the invention is a suitable device for retrofitting any truck/lift truck box. A plurality of truck transport carriages  93  that are loaded with containers are disposed in the truck/lift truck box  83 . Four U-section rails and two transport rails are laid out between the truck/lift truck box  83  and the cabin of the aircraft  89 , two track transport systems  86  being set up for loading and/or unloading an aircraft with the loading action of the loaded containers and the unloading of the empty containers being carried out simultaneously. The transport carriages  93  are moved upward via the truck/transport carriage switch  84  for the loading action on the first track transport system  86  between the truck and aircraft cabin. The loaded containers are removed at the removal location  90 . The transport carriages  93  are reloaded with empty containers at the loading location of the containers  91  and move on the second track transport system  86  between the truck and the aircraft cabin. They then travel downward via the truck/transport carriage switch  85  from the track transport system for unloading the aircraft. A plurality of track transport systems  86  1 is set up in the truck, producing a circulatory movement of the transport carriages. The middle part  87  of the two track transport systems  86  is flexible so as to allow the track transport systems to be used on the rear of the truck for loading and unloading the truck.