GB2606629A

GB2606629A - Belt loader

Info

Publication number: GB2606629A
Application number: GB2204449.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mcquaid Thomas
Original assignee: Mallaghan Engineered Ltd
Current assignee: Mallaghan Engineered Ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-29
Filing date: 2022-03-29
Publication date: 2022-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2042-03-29
Also published as: GB202204449D0; GB2606629B

Abstract

A belt loader for an aircraft comprising a wheeled chassis 2 and a conveyor section 4 mounted on the chassis via front 6 and rear 8 support structures adapted to permit adjustment of angle of inclination of the conveyor section, said front and rear support structures being adapted such that the forward end of the conveyor section is constrained to move in a substantially vertical plane as the angle of inclination of the conveyor section is adjusted. The front support structure may comprise a forward support strut with an upper end pivotally coupled to the conveyor section and a lower end pivotally connected to the chassis, the lower pivot being slideably engaged with the chassis to permit the lower pivot to slide along a length of the chassis, and a linkage strut connecting the chassis and a pivot point on the forward support strut. The rear support structure may comprise a rear support strut having a lower end pivotally coupled to the chassis and an upper end pivotally coupled to the conveyor section, said upper pivot being slideably engaged with the conveyor section.

Description

Belt Loader

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to endless conveyor systems and, more particularly, to vehicle-mounted, inclinable conveyors, such as those used adjacent a stationary aircraft, and which provide a moving, continuous conveyor belt surface for transporting articles of baggage or cargo into and out of the aircraft. Such conveyor systems are typically referred as "belt loaders" in the aviation ground support industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Belt loaders are widely used in the aviation industry for loading and unloading aircraft. A typical belt loader has a conveyor belt which can be inclined to any position between level and a maximum height dictated by the design of the loader. The loaders are employed by placing them adjacent the fuselage of an aircraft, with the conveyor belt positioned generally perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the fuselage, and with the elevated end of the conveyor belt placed at the bottom of an open cargo door. Depending on the conveyor belt's direction of movement, cargo items may be either loaded into or unloaded from the aircraft. A typical belt loader is incorporated into a specialized vehicle having its own propulsion system, steering system, braking system and a seat and controls for an operator.

Most, if not all, of the currently-available aircraft belt loaders feature a wheeled chassis and a conveyor section mounted on the chassis via front and rear support structures incorporating one or more hydraulic rams whereby the angle of inclination of the conveyor section can be adjusted to adjust the height of at least the front or upper end of the conveyor to suit the size of aircraft and position of the hold door of the aircraft with which the belt loader is to be used.

In some arrangements the conveyor section is pivotally coupled to the chassis at rear end about a rear pivot axis extending transverse to the chassis and a forward support strut extends forwardly and upwardly from a second pivot point on the chassis, parallel to and spaced from the rear pivot, an upper end of the forward support strut being coupled to the conveyor section via a slide arrangement to allow the upper end of the forward support strut to slide along the length of the conveyor section, a hydraulic ram extending from a forward end of the chassis to engage the forward support strut such that the forward support strut can be raised and lowered to adjust the angle of inclination of the conveyor section.

Often it is also desirable to adjust the height of the rear end of the conveyor section as well as the front end. Therefore a rear support strut may be provided extending 113 between said rear pivot axis at a lower end and, at an upper end, a further pivot axis on the conveyor section adjacent but spaced from the rear end of the conveyor section. A further hydraulic ram may be provided to act between the chassis and the rear support strut to adjust the angle of the rear strut and thereby adjust the height of the rear end of the conveyor section.

An example of a known belt loader of the type described above can be seen from US 4 759 437.

A problem with known belt loaders is that the adjustment of the front and rear support structures to adjust the inclination of the conveyor section tend to cause the front or upper end of the conveyor section to move through an arc, leading to movement of the front or upper end of the conveyor section in a horizontal plane as well vertically as the front and/or rear end of the conveyor section are raised and lowered. This horizontal movement of the front end of the conveyor section can lead to impact of the forward end of the conveyor with an aircraft, causing damage to the aircraft. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved belt loader which overcomes this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a belt loader for an aircraft comprising a wheeled chassis and a conveyor section mounted on the chassis via front and rear support structures adapted to permit adjustment of angle of inclination of the conveyor section, said front and rear support structures being adapted such that the forward end of the conveyor section is constrained to move in a substantially vertical plane as the angle of inclination of the conveyor section is adjusted.

In a preferred embodiment said front support structure comprises a forward support strut having an upper end pivotally coupled to the conveyor section about a forward support strut upper pivot and a lower end pivotally coupled to the chassis about a forward support strut lower pivot, said forward support strut lower pivot being slideably engaged with the chassis to permit the forward support strut lower pivot to slide along a portion of the length of the chassis, an actuator acting between the chassis and the forward support strut for adjusting the angle of inclination of the forward support strut with respect to the chassis and thereby the angle of inclination of the conveyor section and the height of a forward end of the conveyor section, a linkage strut extending between the chassis and the forward support strut and having a lower end pivotably coupled to the chassis about a linkage strut lower pivot and an upper end pivotably coupled to the forward support strut about an linkage strut upper pivot, wherein the length of the linkage strut between said upper and lower pivots thereof is substantially equal to the distance between the linkage strut upper pivot and the forward support strut upper pivot.

Preferably the length between the forward support strut lower pivot and the linkage strut upper pivot is substantially equal to the distance between the linkage strut upper pivot and the forward support strut upper pivot.

Preferably said forward support strut extends upwardly and forwardly from said chassis, said linkage strut extending upwardly and rearwardly from said chassis. Said linkage strut lower pivot may be located at or adjacent a forward end of the chassis.

Said front support structure actuator may comprise a ram having a lower end pivotally attached to the chassis at or adjacent the linkage strut lower pivot and an upper end pivotally attached to the forward support strut between the forward support strut upper pivot and the linkage strut upper pivot.

In a preferred embodiment said rear support structure comprises a rear support strut having a lower end pivotally coupled to the chassis about a rear support strut lower pivot and an upper end pivotally coupled to the conveyor section about a rear support strut upper pivot, said rear support strut upper pivot being slideably 5 engaged with the conveyor section to permit the rear support strut upper pivot to slide along a portion of the length of the conveyor section, an actuator acting between the chassis and the rear support strut for adjusting the angle of inclination of the rear support strut and thereby the height of a rear end of the conveyor section. Preferably the rear support strut extends upwardly and rearwardly from 10 said chassis. The rear support structure actuator may comprise a ram acting between the chassis and the rear support strut.

A drive unit may be mounted on the chassis for driving one or more of said wheels. The chassis may include a steering system, braking system and a seat and controls 15 for an operator.

In a preferred embodiment the conveyor section comprises an endless conveyor belt extending along the length of the conveyor section and a drive system for driving said conveyor belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A belt loader in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, 25 in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a self propelled belt loader in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the belt loader of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the belt loader of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an end view of the belt loader of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side view of the belt loader of Figure 1 with a front end of the conveyor section in its raised position; Figure 6 is a side view of the belt loader of Figure 1 with a rear end of the conveyor section in its raised position; Figure 7 is a side view of the belt loader of Figure 1 with both the front and rear ends of the conveyor section in their raised positions; Figure 8 is a detailed view of the belt loader of Figure 1 with parts omitted for clarity; Figure 9 is a detailed view of section A of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a detailed view of section B of Figure 8; and Figures 11 and 12 are detailed perspective views of the belt loader of Figure 1 with parts omitted for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As illustrated in the drawings, a belt loader in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises an elongate wheeled chassis 2 having a conveyor section 4 mounted thereon via front and rear support structures 6,8 adapted to permit the angle of inclination of the conveyor section 4 to be adjusted with respect to the chassis 2 and enabling the height of both the front and rear ends of the conveyor section 4 to be adjusted.

The conveyor section 4 comprises an endless conveyor belt mounted on roller and 30 provided with a suitable hydraulic or electric drive unit for transferring luggage and other items to and from an aircraft hold. Alternatively, or additionally, the conveyor section may comprise driven and/or non-driven rollers.

The chassis 2 includes a main drive unit for driving one or more of said wheels, a steering system, a hydraulic system, braking system and a seat and controls for an operator. A walkway 3 is provided to one side of the conveyor section 4, behind the operator's seat, and a guard rail 5 is provided along one side of the conveyor section 4, opposite the walkway 3.

The front and rear support structures 6,8 are adapted to ensure that the front end of the conveyor section 4 moves in substantially vertical plane without significant horizontal movement with respect to the chassis 2 as the conveyor section 4 is raised and lowered with respect to the chassis 2, as will be described in more detail below.

The front support structure 6 comprises an upwardly and forwardly extending forward support strut 10 having a lower end pivotally coupled to the chassis 2 about a forward support strut lower pivot 12 and an upper end pivotally coupled to the underside of the conveyor section 4 at a fixed point on the conveyor section 4 about an forward support strut upper pivot 14 and.

The forward support strut lower pivot 12 is mounted in a pair of opposed slide 20 channels 16 provided on the chassis 2 to permit the forward support strut lower pivot 12 to slide along a portion of the length of the chassis 4 as the forward end of the conveyor section 4 is raised and lowered with respect to the chassis 2.

An actuator 18, preferably in the form of a hydraulic ram, acts between the chassis 25 4 and the forward support strut 10, whereby extension and retraction of the actuator raises and lowers the forward support strut 12 with respect to the chassis 2 and thereby adjust the angle of inclination of the conveyor section 4.

A linkage strut 20 extends rearwardly and upwardly between the chassis 4 and the forward support strut 10. The linkage strut has a lower end pivotably coupled to the chassis 2 at a fixed point adjacent a front end of the chassis 2 about a linkage strut lower pivot 22 and an upper end pivotably coupled to the forward support strut 10, at a fixed point corresponding substantially the midpoint thereof, about an linkage strut upper pivot 24, such that the linkage strut 20 controls movement of the forward support strut 10 with respect to the chassis 2.

To ensure that the front end of the conveyor section 4 moves in a substantially 5 vertical plane as the conveyor section 4 is raised and lowered with respect to the chassis, the length of the linkage strut 20 between the upper and linkage strut lower pivots 22,24 is substantially equal to the distance between the linkage strut upper pivot 24 on the forward support strut 10 and the forward support strut upper pivot 14. Preferably the length between the forward support strut lower pivot 12 and the to linkage strut upper pivot 24 is also substantially equal to the distance between the linkage strut upper pivot 24 and the forward support strut upper pivot 14.

To facilitate adjustment of the height of the rear end of the conveyor section 4, while also allowing movement of the front end of the conveyor section 4 in said vertical plane, the rear support structure comprises a rear support strut 30 extending upwardly and rearwardly from the chassis 2 and having a lower end pivotally coupled to the chassis 2 at a fixed point on the chassis about a rear support strut lower pivot 32 and an upper end pivotally coupled to the conveyor section 4 about a rear support strut upper pivot 34, said rear support strut upper pivot 34 being mounted on a slider 36 on the underside of the conveyor section 4 to permit the rear support strut upper pivot 34 to slide along a portion of the length of the conveyor section 4. An actuator 38, preferably in the form of a hydraulic ram, acts between the chassis 2 and the rear support strut 30, whereby extension and retraction of the actuator 38 adjusts the angle of inclination of the rear support strut 30 and thereby the height of a rear end of the conveyor section 4.

The arrangement of the front and rear support structures 6, 8, in particular the equal length portions of the forward support strut 10 on either side of the linkage strut upper pivot 24, both being substantially equal to the length of the linkage strut 30, and the sliding mounting of the forward support strut lower pivot 12 on the chassis 2 and the rear support strut upper pivot 24 on the conveyor section 4, ensures that the front end of the conveyor section 4 is constrained to move in a substantially vertical plane as the front and rear ends of the conveyor section 4 are raised and lowered, greatly reducing the risk of damage to aircraft by impacts with the front end of the conveyor section 4 The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be 5 amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A belt loader for an aircraft comprising a wheeled chassis and a conveyor section mounted on the chassis via front and rear support structures adapted to permit adjustment of angle of inclination of the conveyor section, said front and rear support structures being adapted such that the forward end of the conveyor section is constrained to move in a substantially vertical plane as the angle of inclination of the conveyor section is adjusted.
2. A belt loader as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front support structure comprises a forward support strut having an upper end pivotally coupled to the conveyor section about a forward support strut upper pivot and a lower end pivotally coupled to the chassis about a forward support strut lower pivot, said forward support strut lower pivot being slideably engaged with the chassis to permit the forward support strut lower pivot to slide along a portion of the length of the chassis, an actuator acting between the chassis and the forward support strut for adjusting the angle of inclination of the forward support strut with respect to the chassis and thereby the angle of inclination of the conveyor section and the height of a forward end of the conveyor section, a linkage strut extending between the chassis and the forward support strut and having a lower end pivotably coupled to the chassis about a linkage strut lower pivot and an upper end pivotably coupled to the forward support strut about an linkage strut upper pivot, wherein the length of the linkage strut between said upper and lower pivots thereof is substantially equal to the distance between the linkage strut upper pivot and the forward support strut upper pivot.
3. A belt loader as claimed in claim 2, wherein the length between the forward support strut lower pivot and the linkage strut upper pivot is substantially equal to the distance between the linkage strut upper pivot and the forward support strut 30 upper pivot.
4. A belt loader as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said forward support strut extends upwardly and forwardly from said chassis, said linkage strut extending upwardly and rearwardly from said chassis.
5. A belt loader as claimed in claim 4, wherein said linkage strut lower pivot is located at or adjacent a forward end of the chassis.
6. A belt loader as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein said actuator comprises a ram having a lower end pivotally attached to the chassis at or adjacent the linkage strut lower pivot and an upper end pivotally attached to the forward support strut between the forward support strut upper pivot and the linkage strut upper pivot.
7. A belt loader as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said rear support structure comprises a rear support strut having a lower end pivotally coupled to the chassis about a rear support strut lower pivot and an upper end pivotally coupled to the conveyor section about a rear support strut upper pivot, said rear support strut upper pivot being slideably engaged with the conveyor section to permit the rear support strut upper pivot to slide along a portion of the length of the conveyor section, an actuator acting between the chassis and the rear support strut for adjusting the angle of inclination of the rear support strut and thereby the height of a rear end of the conveyor section.
8. A belt loader as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rear support strut extends upwardly and rearwardly from said chassis.
9. A belt loader as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said actuator comprises a ram acting between the chassis and the rear support strut
10. A belt loader as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a drive unit is mounted on the chassis for driving one or more of said wheels.
11. A belt loader as claimed in claim 10, wherein the chassis includes a steering 30 system, braking system and a seat and controls for an operator.
12 A belt loader as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said conveyor section comprises an endless conveyor belt extending along the length of the conveyor section and a drive system for driving said conveyor belt.