Patent · US Expired

Ramp toe stowage system

US4140291A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
2References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 13, 1977
Grant dateFeb 20, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 13, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64C1/1415
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A structural system for capturing, supporting, and releasably securing a tail ramp toe of an aircraft, while the aircraft is either on the ground or in flight. The preferred embodiment of the ramp toe stowage system is adapted for use with a cargo aircraft having: a downwardly and outwardly opening tail ramp, with at least one ramp toe removably attached to it; and, an upwardly and inwardly opening tail door that is complementary to, and aft of, the tail ramp, with the tail door having an internal surface. The stowage system is located over, and is attached to, the internal surface of the tail door, and includes two horizontally positioned tracks that accept complementary guide rollers which are on the side edges of the ramp toe, near the known center of gravity of the toe. Unlike the prior art, the system requires only one man to stow the ramp toe, or to release it from stowage, even while the aircraft is in flight.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.