Trolley system and method for transferring cargo in relation to a cargo compartment of a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11332263-B2
Application number	US-202016827861-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 24, 2020
Priority date	Mar 24, 2020
Publication date	May 17, 2022
Grant date	May 17, 2022

Abstract

A trolley system for transferring cargo in relation to a cargo compartment of a vehicle includes a frame defining a cargo-retaining platform. The cargo-retaining platform is configured to receive and retain the cargo. At least a portion of a lower surface of the frame is formed of a low friction material. One or more handles are moveably coupled to the frame. The handle(s) are configured to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. One or more attachments are configured to secure the cargo on the cargo-retaining platform.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A trolley system for transferring cargo in relation to a cargo compartment of a vehicle, the trolley system comprising:
a frame defining a cargo-retaining platform, wherein the cargo-retaining platform is configured to receive and retain the cargo, wherein at least a portion of a lower surface of the frame is formed of a low friction material, wherein the frame comprises:
a first handle retainer at a first side and first end;
a second handle retainer at a second side and the first end, wherein the second side is opposite from the first side;
a third handle retainer at the first side and a second end, wherein the second end is opposite from the first end, wherein the first handle retainer is spaced apart from and coaxial with the third handle retainer; and
a fourth handle retainer at the send side and the second end, wherein the second handle retainer is spaced apart from and coaxial with the fourth handle retainer;

a first handle moveably retained by the first handle retainer and the third handle retainer of the frame, wherein the first handle comprises a first grasping portion and a second grasping portion opposite from the first grasping portion;
a second handle moveably retained by the second handle retainer and the fourth handle retainer of the frame, wherein the second handle comprises a third grasping portion and a fourth grasping portion opposite from the third grasping portion, wherein each of the first handle and the second handle is configured to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the first grasping portion extends outwardly from the first handle retainer in the retracted position, wherein the second grasping portion extends outwardly from the third handle retainer in the retracted position, wherein the third grasping portion extends outwardly from the second handle retainer in the retracted position, and wherein the fourth grasping portion extends outwardly from the fourth handle retainer in the retracted position, wherein four grasping areas defined by the first grasping portion, the second grasping portion, the third grasping portion, and the fourth grasping portion are available when the first handle and the second handle are in the retracted position, wherein the first grasping portion and the third grasping portion are outwardly extended from the first handle retainer and the second handle retainer, respectively, when the first handle and the second handle are in the extended position, and wherein the second grasping portion and the fourth grasping portion are inwardly disposed closer to the first handle retainer and the second handle retainer, respectively, in the extended position; and
one or more attachments configured to secure the cargo on the cargo-retaining platform.

2. The trolley system of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a retaining pan configured to be positioned underneath the cargo.

3. The trolley system of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises low friction pads that are formed of the low friction material.

4. The trolley system of claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises:
a chamfered first lower edge at the first end; and
a chamfered second lower edge at the second end that is opposite from the first end.

5. The trolley system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more rollers coupled to the frame, wherein the one or more rollers are configured to allow the trolley system to be rolled.

6. The trolley system of claim 5 , wherein lower surfaces of the one or more rollers are within a plane that is above or coplanar with the lower surface of the frame.

7. The trolley system of claim 5 , wherein the first handle and the second handle in the extended position allow the trolley system to be upwardly pivoted about an axis of the one or more rollers so that the one or more rollers directly contact a floor and allow the trolley system to be rolled via the one or more rollers.

8. The trolley system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more attachments comprises one or more straps.

9. A trolley system for transferring cargo in relation to a cargo compartment of a vehicle, the trolley system comprising:
a frame defining a cargo-retaining platform, wherein the cargo-retaining platform is configured to receive and retain the cargo, wherein at least a portion of a lower surface of the frame is formed of a low friction material, wherein the frame comprises:
a retaining pan configured to be positioned underneath the cargo;
a first handle retainer at a first side and first end;
a second handle retainer at a second side and the first end, wherein the second side is opposite from the first side;
a third handle retainer at the first side and a second end, wherein the second end is opposite from the first end, wherein the first handle retainer is spaced apart from and coaxial with the third handle retainer; and
a fourth handle retainer at the send side and the second end, wherein the second handle retainer is spaced apart from and coaxial with the fourth handle retainer;

a first handle moveably retained by the first handle retainer and the third handle retainer of the frame, wherein the first handle comprises a first grasping portion and a second grasping portion opposite from the first grasping portion;
a second handle moveably retained by the second handle retainer and the fourth handle retainer of the frame, wherein the second handle comprises a third grasping portion and a fourth grasping portion opposite from the third grasping portion, wherein each of the first handle and the second handle is configured to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the first grasping portion extends outwardly from the first handle retainer in the retracted position, wherein the second grasping portion extends outwardly from the third handle retainer in the retracted position, wherein the third grasping portion extends outwardly from the second handle retainer in the retracted position, and wherein the fourth grasping portion extends outwardly from the fourth handle retainer in the retracted position, wherein four grasping areas defined by the first grasping portion, the second grasping portion, the third grasping portion, and the fourth grasping portion are available when the first handle and the second handle are in the retracted position, wherein the first grasping portion and the third grasping portion are outwardly extended from the first handle retainer and the second handle retainer, respectively, when the first handle and the second handle are in the extended position, and wherein the second grasping portion and the fourth grasping portion are inwardly disposed closer to the first handle retainer and the second handle retainer, respectively, in the extended position;
attachments configured to secure the cargo on the cargo-retaining platform; and
rollers coupled to the frame, wherein the rollers are configured to allow the trolley system to be rolled.

10. The trolley system of claim 9 , wherein the frame comprises low friction pads that are formed of the low friction material.

11. The trolley system of claim 9 , wherein the frame further comprises:
a chamfered first lower edge at the first end; and
a chamfered second lower edge at the second end that is opposite from the first end.

12. The trolley system of claim 9 , wherein lower surfaces of the one or more rollers are within a plane that is above or coplanar with the lower surface of the frame.

13. The trolley system of claim 9 , wherein the first and second handles in the extended position allow the trolley system to be upwardly pivoted about an axis of the rollers so that the rollers direc

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Clos William Robert

Classifications

• B65G2814/0398

  for aircraft · CPC title

• B65G13/11

  Roller frames · CPC title

• B64F1/324 Primary

  Luggage loaders specially adapted for loading individual luggage items into or out of the aircraft · CPC title

• B65G67/00

  Loading or unloading vehicles (by means incorporated in the vehicles B60-B64, e.g., B60P1/00, B61D9/00, B63B27/00, B64D9/00; ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for aircraft B64F1/32) · CPC title