Patent ID: 7077615

Claim:
A ground apparatus for loading and unloading a cargo compartment of an aircraft, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a first conveyor frame comprising a first conveyor with a cargo-engaging surface and a first end and a second end; a first actuator for moving said first conveyor frame to a position wherein said first end-of said first conveyor is at a selected elevated location with respect to said second end of said first conveyor; a routing station arranged at the level of said second end of said first conveyor for receiving cargo; a second conveyor frame comprising a second conveyor with a cargo-engaging surface, a first end arranged at the level of said routing station and a second end; a second actuator for moving said second conveyor frame to a position wherein said second end of said second conveyor is at a selected height with respect to said first end of said second conveyor to allow discharge at said second end of said second conveyor of cargo advanced thereto by said second conveyor from said routing station, said second conveyor frame being pivotally supported at said first end of said second conveyor so as to be sideways movable; a third conveyor with a cargo-engaging surface and a first end and a second end, said first end of said third conveyor being arranged at said routing station, said routing station allowing selective routing of said cargo received from said first conveyor onto said second conveyor or onto said third conveyor; and controls for activating said third conveyor in response to the presence of cargo routed onto said third conveyor, said third conveyor stepwise advancing cargo routed onto said third conveyor towards said second end of said third conveyor for the temporary storage of said cargo on said third conveyor at a location distant from said first end of said third conveyor.