Patent ID: 7156604

Claim:
A ground vehicle for loading and unloading an aircraft having a cargo compartment, said vehicle comprising: a chassis supported by wheels, a tiltable ramp pivotally connected to said chassis, and a segmented conveyor comprising a connected succession of conveyor units interconnectable by coupling members that allow pivotal movement between each of said conveyor units, said chassis having a compartment for receiving a portion of said conveyor, said segmented conveyor having a first end disposed to be placed adjacent said aircraft and a second end, said segmented conveyor having a first end conveyor unit arranged at said first end of said segmented conveyor, said segmented conveyor being at least partially supported by said tiltable ramp, and said segmented conveyor being at least partially extendable from said vehicle into said cargo compartment, said vehicle being constructed for storing said conveyor in a folded configuration wherein at least one portion of said conveyor is positioned over at least one other portion of said conveyor when the succession of conveyor units is in a retracted position.