US 12,459,644 B2
System for transporting cargo in an aircraft passenger cabin
George R. Smallhorn, St-Laurent (CA)
Assigned to INFLIGHT CANADA INC., St-Laurent (CA)
Filed by INFLIGHT INVESTMENTS INC., St-Laurent (CA)
Filed on May 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/314,614.
Application 18/314,614 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/366,957, filed on Jul. 2, 2021, granted, now 11,724,808.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/048,011, filed on Jul. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0356841 A1, Nov. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B64D 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 9/00 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for facilitating movement of a cargo container through a door frame of an aircraft, the device comprising:
a ball transfer deck comprising:
a first plurality of load bearing rollers defining a first plane, the first plurality of load bearing rollers configured to receive the cargo container thereon; and
a first retaining rail coupled to the ball transfer deck, the first retaining rail configured to restrict movement of the cargo container in the forward or aft direction;
a bridge having a length, width, a distal end, and a proximal end, the bridge comprising:
a second plurality of load bearing rollers defining a second plane, the second plurality of load bearing rollers configured to receive the cargo container thereon, the bridge configured to extend through the door frame in an extended position to receive the cargo container, and the bridge configured to retract and be entirely defined within a cabin of the aircraft in a retracted position;
a plurality of second retaining rails configured to extend through the door frame for guiding the cargo container through the door frame; and
a pallet lock opposing the first retaining rail, the pallet lock positioned to lock the cargo container on top of the ball transfer deck;
wherein the ball transfer deck and the bridge define a pathway for the cargo container to move between the exterior of the cargo cabin and the interior of the cargo cabin.