An adjustable aircraft engagement mechanism 10 for an aircraft mover 44, comprising: a cradle body 14 which defines an aircraft engagement region 50; and first, second and third clamping elements 20a, 20b, 20c engagable with nose landing gear 12 of an aircraft when positioned within aircraft engagement region 50. At least one of the clamping elements 20a, 20h, 20c is actuatable relative to at least one of the other clamping elements 20a, 20b, 20c between engaged and disengaged conditions of the adjustable aircraft engagement mechanism 10. The clamping elements 20a, 20b, 20c are further operable, when in an engaged condition, to define a triangular clamp that secures the nose landing gear 12. The engagement mechanism may further comprise a lifting mechanism engagable with the cradle body. An aircraft mover 44, a method of engaging with a grounded aircraft, and a method of engaging an aircraft mover 44 with grounded aircraft of differing size and/or weight classes are also provided.
Aircraft engagement mechanism for aircraft mover
2017-05-31
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64F GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT , Boden- oder Flugzeugträgerdeckeinrichtungen besonders ausgebildet für die Verwendung in Verbindung mit Luftfahrzeugen |