This invention relates to load handling apparatus for use particularly, but not necessarily, in handling loads for transport in aircraft, such loads being for example luggage, packages and other airfreight or payloads, normally called igloos, which are units into which smaller pieces of airfreight are prior packed.

Accordingly, the present invention is a load handling apparatus comprising a wheeled base structure carrying a first elongate platform to receive a load thereon, means to move a load along the platform, extension means to raise and lower the platform relative to the structure between a load-receiving position and a load-delivery position, and power means to operate the extension means. Preferably, the apparatus has three ground- engaging wheels in a triangular arrangement with two wheels thereof being axially aligned. The apparatus is preferably self-propelled with the single wheel being a driving/steering wheel. The power means desirably drives the single wheel.

The means to move a load preferably stand proud of the surface of the platform to permit low friction movement of a load across said platform. The means to move preferably comprise a plurality of low friction

rotatable elements spaced apart across the surface of the platform.

Preferably, a second platform is provided articulated to the base structure and movable between a horizontal in-use load receiving position and a vertical out-of-use position. The second platform also has means proud of the surface to permit low friction movement of a load thereacross. The top surfaces of the first and second platforms are preferably in alignment when the second platform is horizontally oriented and the first platform is in a lower position whereby a load can be moved from one platform to the other platform.

Rotatable means i . desirably provided on both the first and the second platforms to progress a load thereacross, said rotatable means being friction wheels driven by the power means. Lateral guides are preferably provided on each platform and stop devices are preferably provided on opposite ends of each platform whereby to prevent a load from moving or being moved off the respective platform unintentionally.

Preferably f rther, dampening means are provided to slow movement of the first platform relative to the structure upon a downward movement of the former relative to the latter. Stabilising length-adj stable feet are preferably provided on the base structure, the feet being ground-

extended before the first platform is raised, and retracted prior to the structure being moved.

Alternatively, the means to move a load is desirably an endless belt arranged around parallel rollers, one at each of opposite ends of the platform. A standing board preferably is provided at the end of the platform adapted to abut against a body into, onto or from which a load is to be placed or removed respectively. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a load handling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention showing an igloo payload in broken line on both a first platform and a second platform, and the first platform in a raised position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Figs. 3A and 3B are rear views of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the second platform omitted and the first platform being in a lowered position and a raised position respectively;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view from the front and one side of a load handling apparatus according to a second embodiment, the apparatus being shown in a lowered position; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view from the front and

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the other side of the apparatus of Fig. 4,the apparatus being shown in a raised position.

Referring to the drawings, a load handling apparatus, in general to both embodiments, comprises a wheeled base structure 10 carrying a first elongate platform 12 to receive loads 8 thereon. The base structure 10 along one lateral side supports an open operational cab 14, having a steering wheel 16, control panel 18, foot pedals 20 and driver's seat 22. In the first embodiment as shown in Figs. 1 to

3B, a second platform 24 is provided articulated at 25 to the base structure 10 and movable under control of a first pa.r of piston and cylinder arrangements 27 between a horizontal in-use load receiving position as shown in full line in Fig. 1 and a vertical out-of-use position as shown in broken line in Fig. 1. Underneath the outer end of the second platfrom 24, two laterally spaced hydraulically-operated, length-extendible support legs 23 are provided as shown in Fig. 1. The top surfaces of the first and second platforms 12, 24 are in alignment when the second platform 24 is horizontally oriented and the first platform 12 is in a lower position whereby a load 8 can be moved from one platform to the other platform. Means are provided proud of the surfaces of both platforms 12, 24 to permit low friction movement of a

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load 8 thereacross. The means are a plurality of low friction rotatable elements such as ball-bearings 26 rotatable in housings 28 mounted in a spaced apart disposition across the surface of the platforms 12, 24. Rotatable means is provided on both the first and the second platforms 12, 24 to progress a load 8 thereacross. The rotatable means are friction wheels 36 whose outer rim extends up through slots in the respective platforms 12, 24 to be proud of the ball- bearings 26 and engage the undersurface of the load for friction contact therewith. Five wheels 36 are provided in the first platform 12 in a lay-out as shown, and while only two wheels are shown in the second platform 24, five may be provided in the same lay-out as for the first platform 12.

Lateral guides are provided on each platform 12, 24 to define the working parts of the platforms. Stationary guides 38 are provided on the second platform 24, and movable guides 40 are provided on platform 12 to allow for adjustable alignment of the working part of the first platform 12 with an aircraft loading door. Both guides 40 are movable at end of the platfrom 12 to abut _, the aircraft door and four adjustment positions 44 are provided at both lateral sides. A removable hand/side railing 39 is provided for anchorage adjacent to the outer edge of the lateral side opposite to the cab 14. The outer end of the first platform 12 is

provided with a tubular buffer 37 intended to abut the side of an aircraft. Within the tubular passage of the buffer 37 adjacent to each longitudinal end thereof, a micro-switch 35 is provided to be actuated as soon as the buffer 37 is compressed with movement of the buffer against the side of the aircraft.

Stop devices are provided on opposite ends of each platform 12, 24 whereby to prevent a load from moving or being moved off the respective platform unintentionally. The stop devices are lugs 41 at one end of levers 42 weighted at their opposite ends 43 to an in-use position and which require deliberate action to move them to an out-of-use position. This action can be automatically mechanically accomplished between the two platforms 12, 24 as the first platform 12 moves into alignment with a horizontally oriented second platform 24. However, the levers 42 at the outer ends each require a deliberate pedal action to move the lugs 41 below the surface level of the platforms 12, 24 to allow a load to be moved onto of from the respective platfrom. Extension means are provided to raise and lower the first platform 12 relative to the structure 10 between a load-receiving position and a load-delivery position. The extension means are four arms 30 arranged in two pairs of scissor arrangements having a common pivot axis 32. The arms 30 each mount rollers 31 at

their opposite ends. The rollers 31 run in channels 33. The mutually opposed inner arms 30 are united by a beam 29. Movement of the arms 30 in the arrangements are controlled by a laterally spaced pair of second piston and cylinder arrangements 34 pivotally mounted between mountings 6 on the structure 10 and mounting arms 17 on the beam 29 as shown.

Dampening means are provided to slow movement of the first platform 12 relative to the structure 10 upon a downward movement of the former relative to the latter. The dampening means comprises a stationary elongate member 46 which projects downwardly from the first platform 12 as shown in Figs 1 and 3B to contact a cushion valve 48 (Fig. 3B) in circuit with a hydraulic pipe system coupled to the second piston and cylinder arrangements 34 and operate same to restrict the flow of fluid from the arrangements 34.

The apparatus has four ground-engaging wheels with three wheels in a triangular arrangement, two wheels 50 of which being axially aligned as shown. The fourth wheel 51 is axially aligned with the wheels 50 and is positioned under the framework of the cab 14. The apparatus is self-propelled with the single wheel 52 being a driving/steering wheel hydraulically driven by a motor 53 and direction controlled by the steering wheel 16. The wheels 50, 51 and 52 are each provided with a hydraulically operated brake.

Stabilising length-adjustable feet 54 are provided on the base structure 10. The feet 54 are for ground- extension before the first platform 12 is raised, and retracted prior to the structure 10 being moved. Power means is provided in the form of an engine 56 associated with a hydraulic fluid supply tank and hydraulic pump (not shown) to operate the friction wheels 36, the stabilising feet 54, the first and second piston and cylinder arrangements 27, 34, the wheel 52 and the brakes, and the legs 23. The micro- switches 35 are in electrical circuit with a solenoid valve to de-energise the engine 56 to interrupt the flow of hydraulic fluid passing to motor 53 to stop driving the wheel and therefore the apparatus against the side of the aircraft. A re-set switch is provided to allow the engine to be restarted.

A standard lamp pole 58 is provided near to the cab framework with a plurality of lamps 59 downwardly inclined provided thereon, the top of the pole being capped with a flashing beacon 60. While the beacon 60 may always be illuminated, the lamps 59 are normally used only in darkness.

Out-of-use, the apparatus has its first platform 12 in a lowered position and the second platform 24 in a raised position. The apparatus is then driven towards the aircraft with the first platform 12 raised. When

positioned, the second platform 24 is lowered with legs 23 lowered, and the stabilising feet 54 also lowered. The movable guides 40 are positioned as required if adjustment is necessary. A load 8 is then removed from the aircraft onto the first platform 12, the platform

12 lowered, and when in the lowered position, the load 8 is moved onto the second platform 24. The friction wheels 36 are driven to move the load from one platfrom to the other. The load 8 is then collected from the second platfrom 24 using other load handling equipment. Other loads are similarly unloaded from the aircraft. If loads are then required to be loaded onto the aircraft, then the reverse sequence of steps are used.

In a second embodiment as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and in which like parts are denoted by like numerals, the load handling apparatus is primarily, but not necessarily, for handling luggage, ie. passenger suitcases and packages, and other individual items of air freight and is for use in transporting such items from a load receiving station to an aircraft, or from an aircraft to a delivery bay of a passenger luggage collection carousel. The apparatus comprises a base structure 10 and a first platform 12. The means to move a load -is desirably an endless belt 70 arranged around parallel rollers 72, one at each of opposite ends of the platform 12. The belt 70 in this embodiment constitutes the platform 12, a supporting platform being provided

under the upper flight of the belt 70. A standing board 74 is provided at the end of the platform 12 adapted to abut against a body of an aircraft into, onto or from which a load is to be placed or removed respectively. The standing board 74 is offset downwardly from the platform 12 as shown on a U-framework extension 76 which has grilles 78 fitted to each longitudinal side and at the end of the board 74 remote from the cab 14. The board 74 is offset downwwards a distance sufficient to allow a person to stand on it and be able to move luggage across from the platform 12 into the body without any unnecessary lifting. Buffer 37 is mounted at the top of the outer edge of the framework 76 as shown. A rear hand/side railing 80 in two halves joining in the middle is provided as shown.

The apparatus of the second embodiment is operated in much the same way as hereinbefore described in respect of the apparatus of the first embodiment.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above.