FR3125806A3 - heavy equipment handling device to be installed in an aircraft hold - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for handling heavy equipment to be installed in an aircraft hold The invention relates to a device (1) for handling heavy equipment (E1, E2) intended to be installed in an aircraft hold comprising a carriage (2) forming a frame. This trolley is equipped with a support mast (4), an inclined sliding arm (6) comprising a fixed first member (6a) and a second member (6b) which can slide inside the first member (6a). ), a control means (106) capable of controlling the movement of the second member (6b), a pivoting plate (8) and a lifting winch (10) provided with a rope (10a), associated with the pivoting plate (8) and having a hooking means (12) fixed to a free end of said rope (10a). Figure for abstract: [Fig. 1]

Description

heavy equipment handling device to be installed in an aircraft hold

Domain

The present invention relates to a device for handling heavy equipment such as, for example, a battery to be installed in an aircraft hold, the dimensions of which are restricted.

An aircraft includes heavy equipment such as batteries. These batteries are used to provide electrical power to the electrical systems of the aircraft when power is not available from an on-board electrical generator or ground equipment. These batteries are installed in an often specific compartment, the dimensions of which are adapted to the dimensions and the number of batteries installed there. It is therefore a space of reduced size, in which the operator has little room to move. In addition, this hold is generally accessible via an access door located below the aircraft, which requires the operator to lift the batteries at arm's length to insert them into the hold, through the door. 'access.

Access to the hold is difficult for operators. Moreover, it is not possible for two operators to access it simultaneously.

Finally, some of the batteries used are heavy (they can weigh up to 28 kilograms), which makes handling and installation by an operator even more difficult.

It is therefore important to look for an ergonomic solution that makes it possible to adapt the work to the operator with a view in particular to reducing the effects of the difficulty of this work on his health.

The document FR2725972 is known, which describes a handling device comprising a plate that can support loads and which consists on the one hand of a plate support animated by a vertical to-and-fro movement between two extreme positions, high and low along a carriage frame, and on the other hand, a tray slidably mounted on the arms of the tray support. This plate can slide between two extreme positions, one resting on the support, the other cantilevered relative to said support.

This handling device has the disadvantage of not being usable in the configuration of the aircraft hold. Indeed, it is not enough only to lift the battery, but it must also be inserted into the opening of the hold, without damaging the fuselage of the aircraft. In addition, such a device requires the operator to lift the load to place it on the platform. The geometry of the handling device described in document FR2725972 does not allow it to be placed as close as possible to the aircraft and therefore to the access door to the hold. Moreover, it does not prevent the handling of the load by the operator.

SUMMARY

• d’un mât de soutien comportant une première extrémité solidaire du chariot et une deuxième extrémité libre et érigée perpendiculairement au chariot,
• d’un bras à glissière incliné comportant :,
  • un premier membre fixe comportant une première extrémité solidaire du chariot et une deuxième extrémité fixée au niveau de la deuxième extrémité dudit mât de soutien ;
  • un deuxième membre pouvant coulisser à l’intérieur du premier membre, entre une position basse et une position haute ; et,
• d’un moyen de commande apte à faire coulisser le deuxième membre du bras entre ladite position basse et ladite position haute et apte à verrouiller ledit deuxième membre dans la position désirée,
• d’un plateau pivotant solidaire de l’extrémité libre du deuxième membre du bras à glissière,
• d’un treuil de levage pourvu d’un filin, associé au plateau pivotant et disposant d’un moyen d’accrochage fixé à une extrémité libre dudit filin, ledit treuil comportant un moyen de commande apte à abaisser, remonter et verrouiller le filin.

An object of the present invention is to provide a heavy equipment handling device intended to be installed in the hold of an aircraft comprising a trolley forming a frame, equipped with:

• a support mast comprising a first end secured to the carriage and a second free end erected perpendicular to the carriage,
• an inclined slider arm comprising:,
  • a first fixed member comprising a first end secured to the carriage and a second end fixed at the level of the second end of said support mast;
  • a second member slidable inside the first member, between a low position and a high position; And,
• a control means capable of causing the second member of the arm to slide between said low position and said high position and capable of locking said second member in the desired position,
• a pivoting plate secured to the free end of the second member of the sliding arm,
• a lifting winch provided with a rope, associated with the swivel plate and having a hooking means fixed to a free end of said rope, said winch comprising a control means capable of lowering, raising and locking the rope.

Thus, thanks to the handling device according to the invention, the operator does not have to lift the equipment by himself. It uses the hooking means attached to the end of the hoisting winch to hook heavy equipment. Then, he can lift the equipment thanks to the control means of the lifting winch so as to wind up the rope to bring the equipment to the level of the swivel plate, in the high position. The attachment means is then locked in this high position. These operations can be carried out in a loading area, where all the batteries would be stored, for example. Then, the operator can bring the trolley under the aircraft, opposite the access door to the hold. The operator, thanks to the control means of the sliding arm, can then slide the second member of the arm from its low position to a high position, bringing the pivoting plate (and therefore the equipment) inside the hold . Once the tray is inside the hold, all he has to do is rotate the tray to present the equipment as close as possible to its final location, on a suitable support and, by unlocking the lifting winch, position it on this location. The sliding tray thus has the advantage of facilitating the transport of the equipment as well as its positioning in its final location. The operator therefore performs these various operations by means of the handling device and no longer with the sole force of his arms.

The space in the hold being reduced, the installation of the batteries must be able to be carried out by a single operator: the device according to the invention makes it possible to achieve this objective.

The device also makes it possible to monitor the installation of the batteries throughout the operation, thanks to its reduced size.

It cannot depend on any external energy source (electric, pneumatic or hydraulic): it can therefore be used in any place where it would be necessary to exchange heavy equipment.

• Le dispositif dispose d’un centre de gravité dont l’emplacement est sensiblement centré sur l’emplacement du centre de gravité du chariot, l’emplacement du centre de gravité du dispositif n’étant pas modifié lorsqu’un équipement lourd est accroché au moyen d’accrochage. Grâce à cette géométrie particulière, le dispositif reste stable tout au long des opérations d’installation d’équipement lourd et ne peut pas basculer, malgré le poids de l’équipement qu’il doit transporter.
• Le plateau pivotant est composé d’une base fixe comportant deux rails et d’un tiroir apte à coulisser sur lesdits rails. Cette particularité présente l’avantage de pouvoir adapter le dispositif de manutention à l’environnement de la soute de l’avion.
• Le treuil de levage comporte un moyen de commande apte à abaisser, remonter et verrouiller le filin dans la position désirée.
• Le chariot comporte un châssis et un dispositif de stabilisation composé de deux bras rétractables auxquels sont fixés deux pieds, de deux vérins fixés sur les bras rétractables, les bras et les vérins étant solidaires d’une charnière à laquelle est fixé un crochet, le dispositif de stabilisation étant solidaire du châssis du chariot et s’étendant, lorsqu’il est déployé, de part et d’autre du châssis. Ce dispositif de stabilisation permet d’augmenter la stabilisation du dispositif de manutention tout en participant à son immobilisation.
• Le dispositif de manutention comporte une sangle d’immobilisation solidaire d’un moyen d’immobilisation apte à commander le déploiement ou la rétractation du dispositif de stabilisation.
• Le dispositif de manutention comporte quatre roues orientables et deux roues fixes et surélevées de telle sorte que ces dernières ne prennent pas appui sur le sol en fonctionnement normal. La présence des deux roues fixes augmente la stabilité latérale du dispositif de manutention.
• Un poids de stabilisation est fixé sous le châssis du chariot, ledit poids étant dimensionné pour prendre en compte le déplacement du centre de gravité du chariot lorsque les équipements lourds sont en cours de manutention ou installés sur le châssis. La présence de poids permet de gérer le déplacement du centre de gravité du dispositif de manutention lorsque les équipements lourds sont en cours de manutention ou installés sur le châssis.
• Le dispositif de manutention est équipé d’un moyen de protection de fuselage fixé sur la deuxième extrémité du mât de soutien. Ce moyen de protection permet à l’opérateur de rapprocher le dispositif de manutention au plus près du fuselage de l’avion, allant même jusqu’à l’appuyer contre le fuselage sans risquer de l’endommager.
• Le moyen de commande et le moyen de commande du treuil de levage sont connectés à une alimentation électrique, de type batterie rechargeable installée sur le dispositif de manutention. Cette variante présente l’avantage de simplifier encore plus le travail de l’opérateur.

According to particular embodiments, the device comprises other remarkable characteristics taken separately or in combination:

• The device has a center of gravity whose location is substantially centered on the location of the center of gravity of the trolley, the location of the center of gravity of the device not being changed when heavy equipment is hooked to the means of hooking. Thanks to this particular geometry, the device remains stable throughout the heavy equipment installation operations and cannot tip over, despite the weight of the equipment it must carry.
• The pivoting plate is composed of a fixed base comprising two rails and of a drawer able to slide on said rails. This feature has the advantage of being able to adapt the handling device to the environment of the aircraft hold.
• The hoisting winch comprises a control means capable of lowering, raising and locking the rope in the desired position.
• The trolley comprises a frame and a stabilization device composed of two retractable arms to which two feet are fixed, of two cylinders fixed to the retractable arms, the arms and the cylinders being integral with a hinge to which a hook is fixed, the device stabilizer being integral with the frame of the carriage and extending, when deployed, on either side of the frame. This stabilization device makes it possible to increase the stabilization of the handling device while contributing to its immobilization.
• The handling device comprises an immobilization strap integral with an immobilization means able to control the deployment or the retraction of the stabilization device.
• The handling device comprises four steerable wheels and two fixed and raised wheels such that the latter do not rest on the ground in normal operation. The presence of the two fixed wheels increases the lateral stability of the handling device.
• A stabilizing weight is fixed under the frame of the truck, said weight being dimensioned to take into account the displacement of the center of gravity of the truck when the heavy equipment is being handled or installed on the frame. The presence of weight makes it possible to manage the displacement of the center of gravity of the handling device when the heavy equipment is being handled or installed on the frame.
• The handling device is equipped with fuselage protection means fixed to the second end of the support strut. This means of protection enables the operator to bring the handling device as close as possible to the fuselage of the airplane, even going so far as to press it against the fuselage without risking damaging it.
• The control means and the lifting winch control means are connected to an electric power supply, of the rechargeable battery type installed on the handling device. This variant has the advantage of further simplifying the work of the operator.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:
schematically represents a view of a handling device according to the invention.
To represent views of the various operations implemented to handle heavy equipment with the handling device according to the invention.
schematically represents an enlarged view of part of the device according to the invention.
represents an example of means for attaching the handling device according to the invention.
represents an example of a device for stabilizing the handling device according to the invention.

This device 1 consists of a carriage 2 forming a frame and comprising, in this embodiment, two handles 2a, a frame 2b and six wheels 2c. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the number of wheels 2c can be increased or reduced. Similarly, some wheels may be fixed and not steerable. However, the maneuverability of the device 1 is markedly improved if the wheels 2c located at the rear 3a and at the front 3b of the carriage can be oriented according to the direction taken by the carriage. The two wheels located at the rear 3a of the trolley can also be lockable so that the trolley 2 cannot move during heavy equipment handling operations. The wheels 2c1 located on either side of the frame 2a approximately contribute to the stability of the device 1 (a single wheel 2c1 is visible on the ). These wheels 2c1 are fixed and are raised by approximately 2mm and therefore do not rest on the ground in normal operation. This being the case, in the event of a lateral tilting of the device 1 following, for example, a collision with an obstacle, the wheel 2c1 placed on the tilting side bears on the ground and opposes the movement. These wheels 2c1 therefore have the function of counter-support in the event of lateral tilting of the device 1. In addition, they make it possible to take into account the unevenness of the ground and facilitates the passage of an obstacle such as a door threshold by example.

The frame 2b is in the form of a rectangular board whose length is arranged along an axis XX'. Its size may depend on the number of heavy equipment to be handled. In this exemplary embodiment, the frame is sized to carry two batteries, but a larger frame could carry a larger number of batteries. However, the maneuverability of the truck should not be compromised by its dimensions and care should be taken to prioritize operator comfort.

For clarification purposes, it is indicated that the rear 3a of the trolley 2 must be understood as being the part of the device 1 where the handles 2a of the trolley 2 are located, in contrast to the front 3b of the trolley 2 which is opposite rear 3a.

The handles 2a help the operator to push and direct the trolley 2 towards the different areas where the use of the device 1 is necessary: heavy equipment storage area, aircraft hold access door for example.

The carriage 2 can also include a 2d stabilization device visible on the . This device 2d, composed of two feet 2d1, 2d2 fixed to two retractable arms 2d3, is integral with the frame 2b: when it is deployed, the two feet 2d1, 2d2 rest on the ground and make it possible to stabilize the carriage 2 when it is this is stationary, typically when handling heavy equipment. The stabilization device 2d thus contributes to its immobilization. When the carriage needs to be stabilized, the two feet 2d1, 2d2 of the stabilizing device 2d are deployed. When moving the carriage 2, said stabilization device 2d must have been retracted beforehand so as not to interfere with the movement of the carriage 2. The device further comprises two jacks 2d4 fixed to the arms 2d3. These cylinders are used to assist in the deployment or retraction of the stabilization device ( ). The two arms 2d3 as well as the two jacks 2d4 are secured to a hinge 2d5 to which is fixed a hook 2d6.

Trolley 2 is equipped with a support mast 4 comprising a first end 4a secured to trolley 2 and a second end 4b free and erected perpendicular to trolley 2 (visible on the ). The support mast is arranged at the front 3b of the carriage 2. The first end 4a of the mast 4 is fixed to the chassis 2b of the carriage by means of fasteners, in a conventional and known manner. A reinforcement plate, shown here in the shape of a T, can be used to reinforce the attachment zone. This plate is part of the general knowledge of those skilled in the art and will not be further described.

The carriage 2 is also equipped with an inclined sliding arm 6 comprising a first fixed member 6a ( ) comprising a first end secured to the carriage 2 and a second end fixed at the level of the second end 4b of said support mast 4 ( ). The arm 6 comprises a second member 6b which can slide inside the first member 6a, between a low position and a high position, its position being adjustable according to the height of the hold. The low position corresponds to a position in which the member 6b is completely retracted into the member 6a. When the member 6b is in the high position, it is deployed, in the position drawn on the : the member 6b has slid into the first member 6a, upwards so as to be positioned opposite the location where the heavy equipment must be deposited. The arm 6 is inclined to be able to enter the aircraft hold when the second member 6b is fully deployed. The equipment which must be installed in the hold being particularly heavy, the presence of the support mast to which the second end of the first member 6a is fixed avoids deformation of the sliding arm 6, consecutive to the weight of the equipment to be handled.

A control means 106 able to cause the second member 6b of the arm 6 to slide between the low position and the said high position is installed on the carriage 2. This control means 106 is also able to lock the said second member 6b in the desired position, and preferably in a position located between the low position (called retracted) and a position facing the location where the heavy equipment must be deposited and which changes according to the height at which the hold of the aircraft is located. This height depends on the type of aircraft considered. For reasons of accessibility, the control means 106 is offset with respect to the sliding arm 6. It is arranged at the level of one of the handles 2a of the carriage 2. In the example presented, this device is arranged at the level of the right handle, when looking from the rear 3a of the carriage 2 to the front 3b of the carriage, the majority of operators being right-handed. Obviously, the means 106 could be arranged on the left handle without departing from the scope of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the control means takes the form of a crank 106a controlling a linkage system 106b connected to the second member 6b of the sliding arm 6. By turning the crank, the operator causes the raising or lowering of this second member 6b, depending on the direction in which the operator turns the crank. Such a linkage system 106b is known to those skilled in the art and will not be described further.

The carriage 2 is equipped with a pivoting plate 8 secured to the free end 6b1 of the second member 6b of the sliding arm 6. The plate 8 is composed of a fixed base 8a ( ). The base 8a is fixed by any conventional fixing means to the free end 6b1 of the member 6b. The base 8a further comprises two rails 8b and a drawer 8c able to slide on said rails. In this embodiment, the two rails 8b (only one of which is visible) are fixed to the side walls of the base 8a. However, and without departing from the scope of the invention, they could be fixed to the base of this base 8a. Similarly, a single rail 8b fixed to the base of the base 8a could be sufficient. In order to facilitate handling by the operator, the base 8a (respectively the drawer 8c) can be equipped with two side handles 8a1 (respectively 8c1) ( ).

The plate 8 is capable of pivoting around the axis YY' represented on the . The axis YY' coincides with the axis of the support mast 4.

The carriage 2 is finally equipped with a lifting winch 10 provided with a rope 10a (visible on the ) to which is fixed a hooking means 12. The winch 10 is associated with the swivel plate 8 by known fixing means. The winch 10 comprises a control means 110 capable of lowering, raising and locking the rope in the desired position. The means 110 is in the form of a crank that an operator will turn in a conventional manner to unwind or wind the rope 10a around an axis located in the means 110.

The attachment means 12 is secured to the free end of the rope 10a. This means 12 is, in this embodiment, in the form of a plastic box whose dimensions coincide with the dimensions of the heavy equipment to be lifted ( ). In the particular case of a battery, the means 12 is a box of cubic shape with geometric dimensions slightly larger than the battery so that the means 12 surrounds the battery. The box consists of four side walls 121 and an upper wall 122. Two opposite side walls 121 are pierced with openings 123 while the upper wall 122 is secured to the rope 10a. This upper wall has more fastening hooks (not shown) as well as an immobilization strap 124 (also visible on the ). The battery is fitted with handling straps attached to either side of the battery. They are usually two in number. These straps generally used to handle the batteries are also used to secure the battery to the means 12: once the means 12 is placed on the battery so as to cover it, the straps are passed through the openings 123 of the side walls 121 of the means 12 so as to extend outwards from said means and are attached to the hooks of the upper wall of the means 12. The battery is then secured to the attachment means 12 and ready to be hoisted by the lifting winch 10. The battery is then hoisted on the frame 2b of the carriage 2. The dimensioning of the frame allows the storage of at least 2 batteries. Also, the operation of handling a battery can be repeated sequentially if two batteries have to be installed in the hold. These operations are facilitated by the rotation of the pivoting plate 8 around its axis YY'. The plate is then arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction XX'. The lifting winch 10 as well as the rope 10b are placed vertically to the battery, facilitating the work of the operator. To deposit the battery on the frame 2, the operator pivots the plate 8 to bring it back to its initial position, in a direction parallel to the axis XX'.

The immobilization strap 124 is provided with two ends: a first free end to which a hook to be hooked and a second end fixed to the upper wall of the hooking means 12 by means of a pin fixed to the upper wall 122 For example.

The device 1 also has an immobilization means 14 visible on the . This means 14 is in the form of a hook 140 provided with two ends. The first end of the hook is capable of being hooked to the first free end 124a of the immobilization strap 124. The second end of the hook 140 is introduced through the frame 2b at the level of a second through opening made in the frame 2 This second end is attached to the hook 2d6 of the stabilizing device 2d ( ). When the device 1 has to be moved, the operator attaches the hook 140 on the one hand to the immobilization strap 124 and on the other hand to the hook 2d6 of the stabilizing device 2d. In order to retract the retraction device 2d, the operator then completely rolls up, thanks to the control means 106, the rope 106b which brings the attachment means 12 into a high position and which causes the strap to be under tension immobilizer 124 as well as the hook 140. In doing so, the arms 2d3 are pulled upwards, the cylinders 2d4 being activated to retract the feet 2d1 and 2d2 of the device 2d. During this movement, due to the geometry of the device 2d, the feet 2d1 and 2d2 rise and no longer rest on the ground. The device 1 is therefore mobile and can be moved by an operator. To deploy the stabilization device 2d, the operator unrolls the control means 106, releasing the tension exerted on the stabilization strap 124. The operator can then detach the hook 140 from the strap 124 (and from the hook 2d6 if he wishes), making the attachment means 12 available for handling heavy equipment. The arms 2d3 are then released and, aided by the cylinders 2d4, they unfold until the feet 2d1 and 2d2 rest on the ground. The 2d stabilization device is then fully deployed and operational. The immobilization strap 124 as well as the immobilization means 14 therefore make it possible to control the deployment or the retraction of the stabilization device

Figures 2a to 2g represent the different handling operations of heavy equipment, typically an aircraft battery, through the use of the handling device 1 according to the invention.

There represents the handling device 1 ready to be used by an operator. The handling device 1 is positioned near an item of equipment E1 to be installed in an aircraft hold, a battery in this example. The equipment E1 being heavy, it is not desired, for obvious safety reasons, that the device 1 be mobile during the operations relating to its handling. To avoid untimely movements, the rear wheels 2c are blocked (arrow f1) by a conventional blocking device and the stabilization device 2d is deployed (arrows f2) according to the process described above. The device 1 being stabilized, the operator maneuvers the control means 110 of the lifting winch 10 so as to unwind the rope 10a, causing the attachment means 12 to descend (arrow f3). The operator unrolls a sufficient length of rope 10a for the hooking means 12 to be within reach of the equipment E1.

As shown on the , the operator unlocks the swivel plate 8 so as to allow its rotation (arrows f4) to a position located vertically to the equipment E1. If necessary, the operator adapts the length of rope 10a required (arrow f3) to position the attachment means 12 on the equipment E1.

As already specified, the side handling straps of the equipment E1 are passed through the openings of the side walls of the attachment means 12 so as to extend outwards from said means 12. The operator fixes them to the hooks from the upper wall of the means 12. The equipment E1 is then secured to the attachment means 12 and ready to be hoisted by the lifting winch 10.

The next step is shown in the . Thanks to the control means 110 of the lifting winch 10 (arrow f5), the operator rolls up the rope 10a which causes the attachment means 12 (arrow f6) to rise to a level located above the level of the frame 2b . The operator then manipulates the turntable (arrow f7) to replace it in its initial position, above the frame 2b. In doing so, the attachment means 12 and the rope 10a are driven in rotation (arrow f8) and are positioned above the frame 2b. Equipment E1 can then be placed on frame 2b and detached from attachment means 12: to do this, the operator simply has to unwind rope 10a to place equipment E1, E2 on frame 2b and detach the handling straps from the hooks of the means 12.

The operation is repeated if a second E2 device must be handled.

There represents the device 1 comprising two pieces of equipment E1, E2 already in position on the frame 2b. The operator first fixes the immobilization means 14 to the immobilization strap 12a then rolls up the rope 10a (arrow f9) to raise the attachment means 12 (arrow f10. The ascent of the attachment means 12 causes the tension of the strap 124 and of the hook 140 which causes the retraction of the retraction device 2d, as already explained above.This precaution prevents the operator from leaving the heavy equipment hooked to the heavy hooking means 12, which could, during the handling of the trolley 2, lead to improper use of the device 1 and destabilize it.Thus, thanks to the immobilization means 14, the operator is obliged to place the heavy equipment on the frame 2b of the trolley if he wants to be able to push the cart into the hold of the plane.

Once these precautions have been taken, the operator retracts the stabilization device 2d (arrows f11) and unlocks the rear wheels 2c (arrow 12). The operator can therefore maneuver the carriage 2 to bring it as close as possible to the hold of the aircraft (position represented on the ) in which the E1 and E2 devices are to be installed.

For the same reasons of stability mentioned above, when the device 1 is correctly positioned with regard to the opening O of the hold ( ), the operator blocks the rear wheels 2c and deploys the stabilization device 2d, according to the same process as that described in relation to the . When the trolley is locked in a stable position, the operator attaches equipment (E1 or E2) to the attachment means 12. He will have taken care to unwind the rope 10a beforehand so as to be able to present the attachment means 12 to the E1 or E2 equipment. The operator then secures the equipment E1 or E2 to the hooking means 12 (operation not shown) according to the process previously described. Once this operation has been carried out and using the control means 110 of the winch 10, the operator rolls up the rope 10a to lift the equipment E1 or E2 to the highest attainable level, closest to the winch 10 and the platform. turning 8.

When the rope 10a is fully wound and locked and the securing means 12 is at its highest level, the operator then actuates the control means 106 (arrow 13) which causes the second member 6b of the arm 6 to slide between the low position that it occupies during all the operations carried out up to now and the high position, the position in which the second member 6b slides in the hold of the aircraft through the opening O ( ). The pivoting plate 8 being integral with the free end 6b1 of the second member 6b of the sliding arm 6, the equipment E1 or E2 follows the upward movement of the member 6b. When this second member 6b has reached the desired height, the operator locks this position using the control means 106. In this position of the member 6b, the equipment E1 or E2 is positioned inside the hold of the aircraft , at a height equivalent to and slightly greater than the height of the support on which said equipment is to be installed. The operator who until now was outside the aircraft, near trolley 2, can enter the hold of the aircraft to proceed with the finalization of the installation of the E1 or E2 equipment ( ). To do this, he just needs to unlock the turntable 8 in order to allow its rotation and its positioning as well as the positioning of the means 12 in front of the support S. The operator then unrolls the rope 10a (arrow 14) and manipulates the means 12 to bring it to the support S and place the equipment E1 or E2 there. In order to facilitate this operation, the operator can pull the drawer 8c out of its housing located in the turntable 8 (arrow f15) by sliding it on the rails 8b. This facility makes it possible to adapt the device 1 to the environment of the aircraft hold and, typically, to adapt the position of the means 12 and therefore of the equipment E1, E2 to the position of the support S and of the bring as close as possible to said support S.

When the equipment E1 or E2 is correctly positioned on the support S, the operator separates said equipment from the means 12, moves aside the attachment means and finalizes the installation of the equipment E1 or E2.

It repeats these operations if a second device must be installed on the support S.

When all the heavy equipment E1, E2 are installed, the operator repositions the turntable in its original position (above the frame 2b), he actuates the control means 106 so as to lower the second member 2b in low position, it retracts the stabilizing device 2d, unlocks the rear wheels 2c and releases the carriage 2 from the aircraft hold. The device 1 is then ready to be reused for handling other equipment or to be stored for a future intervention.

Thus, the particular architecture of the various constituent elements of the handling device 1 has the particularity of proposing a center of gravity whose location is substantially centered on the location of the center of gravity of the carriage 2, the location of the center of gravity of the device 1 being only slightly modified when heavy equipment E1 or E2 is attached to the attachment means 12. Indeed, a stabilizing weight 2f is fixed under the frame 2b of the carriage 2 ( ). This weight 2f is sized to take into account (and therefore manage) the displacement of the center of gravity of the carriage 2 when the heavy equipment is being handled or installed on the frame 2b. The handling device 1 is therefore a stable device which is destabilized neither during the handling of the heavy equipment (picking up and setting down on the trolley 2), nor during their transport from the storage area to the installation area (hold of the plane). This device 1 will therefore not be able to overturn during handling, avoiding any risk of injury to the operators as well as damage to the equipment. For the purposes of optimum safety and to prevent the carriage from being inadvertently set in motion during the handling of the equipment E1 or E2, the device 1 has a stabilizing device 2d implemented by the operator.

The handling device 1 having to be placed as close as possible to the aircraft, a means of protection 16 of the fuselage can be fixed on the second end 4b of the support mast 4. This means of protection can, for example, be present under the form of a plate having flexible protection or in the form of a cushion Thanks to this means of protection 16, the operator will be able to approach the carriage 2 as close as possible to the fuselage and even press it against the fuselage without risking damage said fuselage. Of course, other means of protection can be attached to places requiring such protection.

Thus, the operator no longer has to lift the equipment by himself, the handling device 1 reducing the difficulty of his task.

According to a variant embodiment, the control means 106 and 110 are electric, the handling device 1 being equipped with a rechargeable power supply supplying the means 106 and 110. The cranks are then replaced by control buttons making it possible to respectively control the unwinding, winding and locking of the rope 10a and raising, lowering and locking of the second member 6b of the slide arm 6.

According to another embodiment, the stabilization device 2d is actuated by an electric or thermal motor controlled by an electric control means fitted to the handling device 1.

Claims (9)

Device (1) for handling heavy equipment (E1, E2) intended to be installed in the hold of an aircraft comprising a trolley (2) forming a frame, characterized in that it is equipped with:

• a support mast (4) having a first end (4a) secured to the carriage (1) and a second end (4b) free and erected perpendicular to the carriage (2);
• an inclined sliding arm (6) comprising:
  • a first fixed member (6a) comprising a first end secured to the carriage (2) and a second end (1) fixed at the level of the second end (4b) of said support mast (4);
  • a second member (6b) comprising a free end (6b1) which can slide inside the first member (6a), between a low position and a high position;
• a control means (106) capable of causing the second member (6b) of the arm (6) to slide between said low position and said low position and capable of locking said second member (6b) in the desired position;
• a pivoting plate (8) integral with the free end (6b1) of the second member (6b) of the sliding arm (6); And
• a lifting winch (10) associated with the pivoting plate (8), provided with a rope (10a), and having a hooking means (12) fixed to a free end of said rope (10a), said winch (10) comprising control means (110) capable of lowering, raising and locking the rope (10a).

Handling device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that its center of gravity is substantially centered on the center of gravity of the trolley (2), the center of gravity of the device (1) not being modified when the equipment heavy (E1, E2) is attached to the attachment means (12). Handling device (1) according to Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivoting plate (8) is composed of a fixed base (8a) comprising two rails (8b) and a drawer (8c) able to slide on the said rails (8b). Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carriage (2) comprises a frame (2b) and a stabilization device (2d) composed of two retractable arms (2d3) to which are fixed two (2d1, 2d2), two cylinders (2d4) fixed to the retractable arms (2d3), the arms (2d3) and the cylinders (2d4) being integral with a hinge (2d5) to which a hook (2d6) is fixed, the stabilization device (2d) being integral with the frame (2b) of the carriage (2) and extending, when it is deployed, on either side of the frame (2b). Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises four steerable wheels (2c) and two fixed and raised wheels (2c1) such that the wheels (2c1) do not rest on the ground in normal operation. Handling device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a stabilization weight (2f) is fixed under the frame (2b) of the trolley (2), said weight (2f) being dimensioned to take into account the displacement of the center of gravity of the trolley (2) when the heavy equipment (E1, E2) is being handled or installed on the frame (2b). Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an immobilization strap (124) integral with an immobilization means (14) capable of controlling the deployment or the retraction of the device stabilization (2d). Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with fuselage protection means (16) fixed to the second end (4b) of the support strut (4). Handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (106) and the control means (110) of the lifting winch (10) are connected to an electrical power supply, of the battery type rechargeable installed on the handling device (1).