U.S. patent application number 16/539203 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-18 for restraint assembly for cargo system.
This patent application is currently assigned to GOODRICH CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is GOODRICH CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Brandon Lee, Mark L. Olson.
Application Number | 20210046860 16/539203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005370924 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210046860 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Brandon ; et
al. |
February 18, 2021 |
RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY FOR CARGO SYSTEM
Abstract
A restraint assembly includes a lateral restraint comprising a
guide face, wherein the lateral restraint is configured to be
rotatably coupled to a tray of the cargo system. The restraint
assembly also includes a vertical restraint rotatably coupled to
the lateral restraint. The restraint assembly is configured to have
a stored position and a raised position. In the stored position,
both the lateral restraint and the vertical restraint are
configured to be disposed within a volume defined by the tray of
the cargo system. In the raised position, the vertical restraint
and at least the guide face of the lateral restraint are configured
to be disposed above the volume defined by the tray of the cargo
system such that the restraint assembly provides at least one of
longitudinal guidance, lateral restraint, and vertical restraint to
cargo.
Inventors: |
Lee; Brandon; (Wahpeton,
ND) ; Olson; Mark L.; (Jamestown, ND) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GOODRICH CORPORATION |
Charlotte |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GOODRICH CORPORATION
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
1000005370924 |
Appl. No.: |
16/539203 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/10 20130101; B64D
2009/006 20130101; B60P 7/0815 20130101; B60P 7/13 20130101; B65G
13/11 20130101; B60P 7/0892 20130101; B64D 9/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60P 7/13 20060101
B60P007/13; B64D 9/00 20060101 B64D009/00; B60P 7/08 20060101
B60P007/08; B60P 7/10 20060101 B60P007/10 |
Claims
1. A restraint assembly of a cargo system, the restraint assembly
comprising: a lateral restraint comprising a guide face, wherein
the lateral restraint is configured to be rotatably coupled to a
tray of the cargo system; and a vertical restraint rotatably
coupled to the lateral restraint; wherein: the restraint assembly
is configured to have a stored position and a raised position; in
the stored position both the lateral restraint and the vertical
restraint are configured to be disposed within a volume defined by
the tray of the cargo system; and in the raised position the
vertical restraint and at least the guide face of the lateral
restraint are configured to be disposed above the volume defined by
the tray of the cargo system such that the restraint assembly
provides at least one of longitudinal guidance, lateral
restraining, and vertical restraining to cargo.
2. The restraint assembly of claim 1, wherein: the lateral
restraint comprises a top edge, as defined with the restraint
assembly in the raised position; and the vertical restraint is
rotatably coupled to the top edge of the lateral restraint.
3. The restraint assembly of claim 2, wherein: the tray of the
cargo system extends along a longitudinal axis; the lateral
restraint is configured to be coupled to the tray via a first
rotational axis; and the first rotational axis is parallel to the
longitudinal axis.
4. The restraint assembly of claim 3, wherein: the vertical
restraint is coupled to the lateral restraint via a second
rotational axis; and the second rotational axis is parallel to the
longitudinal axis.
5. The restraint assembly of claim 4, wherein: the lateral
restraint comprises a reverse face opposite the guide face; in the
stored position the vertical restraint is disposed and extends
directly adjacent to the reverse face of the lateral restraint; and
in the raised position the vertical restraint is non-parallel with
the lateral restraint and extends in a direction the guide face is
facing.
6. The restraint assembly of claim 5, wherein toggling between the
stored position and the raised position comprises rotating the
vertical restraint, relative to the lateral restraint, more than
180 degrees.
7. The restraint assembly of claim 5, wherein toggling between the
stored position and the raised position comprises rotating the
vertical restraint, relative to the lateral restraint, about 270
degrees.
8. The restraint assembly of claim 1, wherein a length of the guide
face of the lateral restraint, as measured parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the tray of the cargo system, is greater than
a height of the guide face, the height being perpendicular to the
length.
9. The restraint assembly of claim 1, wherein the guide face
comprises at least one of a forward chamfer and an aft chamfer.
10. The restraint assembly of claim 1, wherein rotation of the
lateral restraint relative to the tray and rotation of the vertical
restraint relative to the lateral restraint are independently
actuatable.
11. The restraint assembly of claim 1, wherein rotation of the
lateral restraint relative to the tray is configured to trigger
rotation of the vertical restraint relative to the lateral
restraint.
12. A cargo system comprising: a tray defining a volume within
which a roller is housed, wherein the rollers are configured to
facilitate movement of cargo along a longitudinal axis the tray;
and a restraint assembly rotatably coupled to the tray, the
restraint assembly comprising a stored position and a raised
position, wherein in the stored position the restraint assembly is
disposed within the volume defined by the tray and in the raised
position the restraint assembly is disposed above the volume
defined by the tray of the cargo system such that the restraint
assembly provides at least one of longitudinal guidance, lateral
restraining, and vertical restraining to cargo.
13. The cargo system of claim 12, wherein the restraint assembly
comprises: a lateral restraint comprising a guide face, wherein the
lateral restraint is rotatably coupled to the tray via a first
rotational axis; and a vertical restraint rotatably coupled to the
lateral restraint via a second rotational axis.
14. The cargo system of claim 13, wherein both the first rotational
axis and the second rotational axis are parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the tray.
15. The cargo system of claim 13, wherein the first rotational axis
is disposed on a side of the volume opposite the guide face of the
lateral restraint in the raised position.
16. The cargo system of claim 13, wherein the first rotational axis
is disposed on a side of the volume that the guide face of the
lateral restraint is facing in the raised position.
17. The cargo system of claim 12, further comprising a support
wedge disposed within the volume, wherein the restraint assembly
comprises a tab configured to engage the support wedge in the
raised position such that the support wedge provides a load path
from the restraint assembly to the tray.
18. A method for guiding cargo, the method comprising: rotating a
lateral restraint of a restraint assembly, relative to a tray of a
cargo system, from a stored position to a raised position; and
rotating a vertical restraint of the restraint assembly, relative
to the lateral restraint, from the stored position to the raised
position; wherein in the stored position the lateral restraint and
the vertical restraint are disposed within a volume defined by the
tray of the cargo system and in the raised position the vertical
restraint and at least a guide face of the lateral restraint are
disposed above the volume.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein rotating the vertical restraint
comprises rotating the vertical restraint more than 180 degrees
relative to the lateral restraint.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein rotating the lateral restraint
triggers rotation of the vertical restraint.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to cargo systems, and more
specifically to a longitudinal guide and lateral restraint assembly
for cargo systems.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cargo handling systems, such as those used by aircraft for
transport of containerized cargo or pallets, commonly referred to
as unit load devices (ULDs), typically include longitudinal trays
containing transport rollers, latches, and/or power drive units
(PDU's) positioned along a cargo bay floor to facilitate movement
of the ULDs relative to the bay floor. For example, cargo may be
loaded from an entrance of the aircraft and transported by the
cargo system along a conveyance plane to forward or aft locations,
depending upon the configuration of the aircraft.
[0003] Cargo systems may benefit from having one or more features
to facilitate guidance and/or restraint of the cargo. For example,
conventional cargo guidance/restraining systems may include a
continuous vertical restraint lip that extends along a side of a
track or guide rail. However, a system may require longitudinal
guidance, lateral restraint, and/or vertical restraint of ULD's
where one or both of the longitudinal edges of the ULD's are
positioned such that the guidance and/or restraint is provided
along a longitudinal tray.
SUMMARY
[0004] In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a
restraint assembly of a cargo system. As used herein, the term
"restraint assembly" generally refers to an assembly that provides
guidance and/or restraint to cargo. The restraint assembly may
include a lateral restraint comprising a guide face, wherein the
lateral restraint is configured to be rotatably coupled to a tray
of the cargo system. For example, the restraint assembly may
include base, and the base may be mounted to the cargo system. As
used herein, the lateral restraint may provide longitudinal
guidance and/or lateral restraint to cargo, as described in greater
detail below. The restraint assembly may also include a vertical
restraint rotatably coupled to the lateral restraint. The restraint
assembly may comprise a stored position and a raised position. In
the stored position, both the lateral restraint and the vertical
restraint are configured to be disposed within a volume defined by
the tray of the cargo system (e.g., below a conveyance plane
defined by the top of the rollers). In the raised position, the
vertical restraint and at least the guide face of the lateral
restraint are configured to be disposed above the volume defined by
the tray of the cargo system such that the restraint assembly
provides at least one of longitudinal guidance, lateral
restraining, and vertical restraining to cargo.
[0005] In various embodiments, the lateral restraint comprises a
top edge, as defined with the restraint assembly in the raised
position. The vertical restraint may be rotatably coupled to the
top edge of the lateral restraint. In various embodiments, the tray
of the cargo system extends along a longitudinal axis. The lateral
restraint may be configured to be coupled to the tray via a first
rotational axis. The first rotational axis may be parallel to the
longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, the vertical restraint
is coupled to the lateral restraint via a second rotational axis,
and the second rotational axis is parallel to the longitudinal
axis.
[0006] In various embodiments, the lateral restraint comprises a
reverse face opposite the guide face. In the stored position the
vertical restraint is disposed and extends directly adjacent to the
reverse face of the lateral restraint, according to various
embodiments. In the raised position the vertical restraint is
non-parallel with the lateral restraint and extends in a direction
the guide face is facing, according to various embodiments. In
various embodiments, toggling between the stored position and the
raised position comprises rotating the vertical restraint, relative
to the lateral restraint, more than 180 degrees. In various
embodiments, toggling between the stored position and the raised
position comprises rotating the vertical restraint, relative to the
lateral restraint, about 270 degrees.
[0007] In various embodiments, a length of the guide face of the
lateral restraint, as measured parallel to a longitudinal axis of
the tray of the cargo system, is greater than a height of the guide
face, the height being perpendicular to the length. In various
embodiments, the guide face comprises at least one of a forward
chamfer and an aft chamfer. In various embodiments, rotation of the
lateral restraint relative to the tray and rotation of the vertical
restraint relative to the lateral restraint are independently
actuatable. In various embodiments, rotation of the lateral
restraint relative to the tray is configured to trigger rotation of
the vertical restraint relative to the lateral restraint.
[0008] Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is
a cargo system. The cargo system may include a tray defining a
volume within which one or more rollers are housed, wherein the
rollers are configured to facilitate movement of cargo along a
longitudinal axis the tray. The cargo system may also include a
restraint assembly rotatably coupled to the tray. The restraint
assembly may comprise a stored position and a raised position,
wherein in the stored position the restraint assembly is disposed
within the volume defined by the tray and in the raised position
the restraint assembly is disposed above the volume defined by the
tray of the cargo system such that the restraint assembly provides
at least one of longitudinal guidance, lateral restraint, and
vertical restraint to the cargo.
[0009] In various embodiments, restraint assembly comprises a
lateral restraint comprising a guide face, wherein the lateral
restraint is rotatably coupled to the tray via a first rotational
axis. In various embodiments, the lateral restraint is rotatably
coupled to a base, which is mounted to the tray of the cargo
system, and thus the first rotational axis may be defined between
the lateral restraint and the base. The restraint assembly may also
include a vertical restraint rotatably coupled to the lateral
restraint via a second rotational axis. In various embodiments,
both the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis are
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tray. The first rotational
axis may be disposed on a side of the volume opposite the guide
face of the lateral restraint in the raised position, or the first
rotational axis may be disposed on a side of the volume that the
guide face of the lateral restraint is facing in the raised
position. The system may further include a support wedge disposed
within the volume, wherein the restraint assembly comprises a tab
configured to engage the support wedge in the raised position such
that the support wedge provides a load path from the restraint
assembly to the tray.
[0010] Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is
a method for guiding (and/or restraining) cargo. The method may
include rotating a lateral restraint of a restraint assembly,
relative to a tray of a cargo system, from a stored position to a
raised position. The method may also include rotating a vertical
restraint of the restraint assembly, relative to the lateral
restraint, from the stored position to the raised position. In the
stored position, the lateral restraint and vertical restraint are
disposed within a volume defined by the tray of the cargo system
and in the raised position the vertical restraint and at least a
guide face of the lateral restraint are disposed above the volume.
In various embodiments, rotating the vertical restraint comprises
rotating the vertical restraint more than 180 degrees relative to
the lateral restraint. In various embodiments, rotating the lateral
restraint triggers rotation of the vertical restraint.
[0011] The forgoing features and elements may be combined in
various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly
indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as
the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more
apparent in light of the following description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an aircraft being
loaded with cargo, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of an aircraft cargo deck, in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0014] FIGS. 3A and 4A illustrate a restraint assembly, in a stored
position, installed in a tray of a cargo system, in accordance with
various embodiments;
[0015] FIGS. 3B and 4B illustrate a restraint assembly, in a
partially raised position, installed in a tray of a cargo system,
in accordance with various embodiments;
[0016] FIGS. 3C and 4C illustrate a restraint assembly, in a raised
position, installed in a tray of a cargo system, in accordance with
various embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of a support wedge and a
restraint assembly installed in a volume defined by a tray of a
cargo system, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a restraint assembly, in a raised
position, installed in a tray of a cargo system, in accordance with
various embodiments; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method for
guiding cargo, in accordance with various embodiments.
[0020] The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. A more complete understanding of the present
disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the
detailed description and claims when considered in connection with
the drawing figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein
makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary
embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be
understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical
changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in
accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the
detailed description herein is presented for purposes of
illustration only and not of limitation.
[0022] As used herein, "aft" refers to the direction associated
with the tail of an aircraft, or generally, to the direction of
exhaust of the gas turbine. As used herein, "forward" refers to the
direction associated with the nose of an aircraft, or generally, to
the direction of flight or motion.
[0023] Cargo management systems, as disclosed herein, are used to
load, move, and unload cargo. While numerous examples and details
are included below with reference to aircraft cargo systems, it is
expected that the present disclosure may apply to other,
non-aircraft type cargo systems.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, an aircraft 10 is illustrated
having a cargo compartment 12. A cargo door 14 provides access to
cargo compartment 12 from outside aircraft 10. Cargo 16 (e.g.,
pallets, ULDs, luggage, etc.) may be loaded and unloaded through
cargo door 14 and onto a cargo deck 18 of aircraft 10. In various
embodiments, cargo deck 18 of the cargo system may be equipped with
one or more power drive units (PDUs) configured to propel cargo 16
across cargo deck 18 in a desired direction.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 2, a portion of cargo deck 18 is
illustrated in greater detail. Cargo deck 18 may include one or
more ball mats 20 and one or more trays 22. Ball mats 20 may
include a plurality of freely rotating conveyance balls 24 and
trays 22 may include a plurality of freely rotating conveyance
rollers 26. In various embodiments, a number of PDUs 28 may be
mounted along cargo deck 18. For example, PDUs 28 may be located in
ball mats 20 and/or in roller trays 22. PDUs 28 may be configured
to propel cargo over conveyance balls 24 and/or conveyance rollers
26 and across cargo deck 18. In accordance with various
embodiments, a number of restraint assemblies 100 may be located
along cargo deck 18. The restraint assemblies 100 generally provide
longitudinal guidance and/or restraint to cargo items, such as
ULDs. Accordingly, the term "restraint assembly" refers generally
to an apparatus, device, or system that provides guidance and/or
restraint to cargo. That is, the embodiments of the restraint
assemblies 100/200 provided herein may be configured to provide
guidance to cargo as it moves along the cargo system, to restrain
and retain cargo once it is in a desired position, or to provide
both guidance and restraint to cargo. The restraint assemblies 100
may be mounted to the trays 22, or could otherwise be implemented
and/or mounted relative to a panel, a hogout, or other structure of
a cargo system. For example, restraint assemblies 100 may be
installed between a first rail 30a and a second rail 30b of tray
22. Second rail 30b may be parallel to first rail 30a. As described
in greater detail below, the restraint assemblies 100 can be in a
stored position when not needed, and can be transitioned to a
raised position when cargo guidance/restraint is desired. In
various embodiments, the trays 22 are coupled/mounted to an
airframe of the aircraft.
[0026] In the stored position, the restraint assemblies 100 are
disposed below/beneath the conveyance plane (e.g., in a volume 80
defined between first and second rails 30a, 30b that comprise the
tray 22). In the raised position, the restraint assemblies 100 are
disposed above the conveyance plane (e.g., above the volume defined
between first and second rails 30a, 30b that comprise the tray 22).
As used herein, the terms "beneath" or "below" refer to the
negative Z-direction, and the term "above" refers to the positive
Z-direction with respect to the conveyance surface/plane. In the
raised position, one or more restraint assemblies 100 provide
longitudinal guidance, lateral restraint, and vertical restraint.
As used herein, the term "longitudinal" refers to directions along
the x-axis, the term "lateral" refers to directions along the
y-axis, and the term "vertical" refers to directions along the
z-axis. The restraint assemblies 100 may be held or biased in
either the stored or raised position (e.g., spring-loaded or
latched). The restraint assemblies 100 may be controlled using
actuators (e.g., motor driven actuators) and the restraint
assemblies 100 may be reversibly locked into either position. The
restraint assembly 100 may include a controller and a motor. In
various embodiments, the restraint assembly 100 may be in
mechanical communication with the restraint motor, which may be,
for example, an electromagnetic, electromechanical or
electrohydraulic actuator or other servomechanism. In various
embodiments, the controller is configured to control operation of
the restraint assembly 100. The restraint controller may include a
processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory. The processor may
comprise one or more logic modules that implement logic to control
operation of the restraint assembly (e.g., switching between the
stored and the raised positions.
[0027] In various embodiments, a human operator manipulates control
elements to selectively and mechanically or electrically actuate
the restraint assemblies 100. For example, a restraint assembly 100
may be actuated by a lever, latch, or other mechanical features
disposed in proximity to the restraint assembly (e.g., hand or foot
operable). Alternatively, the user/control interface may be mounted
on a wall or other structure within the cargo bay or may be
portable, e.g., the controls may be in a hand held device. In
various embodiments, the cargo system may include one or more cargo
shuttles that are configured to slide across floor panels or roll
across the conveyance rollers 26. In various embodiments, the
system controller may include a general purpose processor, a
digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or some
other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The cargo
handling system may also include a power source configured to
supply power to the restraint assemblies 100 via one or more power
busses.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 3C and 4C, the restraint assembly
100 generally includes a lateral restraint 110 and a vertical
restraint 120. The term "lateral restraint" 110 refers generally to
the portion of the restraint assembly 100 that provides lateral
restraint and/or longitudinal guidance to the cargo (i.e., the
modifier "lateral" does not refer to the orientation or extension
direction of the restraint). That is, the lateral restraint 110 may
provide guidance to cargo as it moves along the cargo system, may
retain or restraint cargo once it is in a desired position, or may
provide both guidance and restraint to carog. The term "vertical
restraint" refers generally to the portion of the restraint
assembly 100 that provides vertical restraint (i.e., the modifier
"vertical" does not refer to the orientation or extension direction
of the restraint). In FIGS. 3C and 4C, the restraint assembly is
shown in a raised position (e.g., deployed position). The lateral
restraint 110 includes a guide face 115 configured to engage
lateral sides of cargo, such as ULDs, to provide longitudinal
guidance while conveying the cargo and/or to provide lateral
restraint to the cargo. The lateral restraint 110 may also include
a chamfered forward edge and/or a chamfered aft edge 116. That is,
the guide face 115 of the lateral restraint 110 may include at
least one of a forward chamfer and an aft chamfer. This chamfered
edge may facilitate engagement with the conveyed cargo.
[0029] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 3A and
4A, the lateral restraint 110 is rotatably coupled (e.g., via a
first rotational axis 101) to the tray (e.g., rail 30a or 30b) of
the cargo system. The first rotational axis 101 may be parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the tray (e.g., may be parallel to the
direction in which cargo is configured to be conveyed along the
trays). The restraint assembly 100 may include one or more features
that function as a base 95 (FIG. 3A) for mounting the assembly to
the tray. That is, the restraint assembly 100 may include a base 95
through which one or more studs or other fastening features may be
utilized to mount the restraint assembly 100 to one or both of the
rails 30a, 30b that form the tray. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, the
restraint assembly 100 is shown in the stored position, with both
the lateral restraint 110 and the vertical restraint disposed
within a volume defined by the tray (i.e., within a volume defined
between the two rails 30a, 30b). FIGS. 3B and 4B show the restraint
assembly 100 partially deployed, with the lateral restraint 110
rotated upward such that at least the guide face 115 is disposed
above the conveyance plane.
[0030] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 3C and
4C, the vertical restraint 120 is rotatably coupled to the lateral
restraint 110 via a second rotational axis 102. The second
rotational axis 102 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
tray (e.g., may be parallel to the direction in which cargo is
configured to be conveyed along the trays). In various embodiments,
this coupling between the lateral restraint 110 and the vertical
restraint 120 is along a top edge 112 of the lateral restraint 110.
Because of the rotational coupling between the lateral restraint
110 and the vertical restraint 120, the vertical restraint 120 can
be rotated, relative to the lateral restraint 110, through arcuate
rotation 114 in order to transition the restraint assembly 100 from
the partially deployed position shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B to the
fully raised position. In the raised position, the vertical
restraint 120 may extend in a lateral direction and thus may extend
substantially perpendicular to the lateral restraint 110.
[0031] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 4C, the
lateral restraint 110 may have a reverse face 117, opposite the
guide face 115. In the stored position (FIGS. 3A and 4A), the
vertical restraint 120 may be disposed and may extend directly
adjacent to the reverse face 117 of the lateral restraint 110. In
such embodiments, the vertical restraint 120 is not stored on the
side of the lateral restraint 110 where the guide face 115 is
located, thus enabling the restraint assembly 100 to be initially
configured in the partially deployed position shown in FIGS. 3B and
4B with cargo engaged against (or at least disposed adjacent to)
the guide face 115. With cargo so disposed adjacent the guide face
115 and with the vertical restraint disposed adjacent the reverse
face 117, the vertical restraint is not prevented from rotating to
the fully deployed position shown in FIGS. 3C and 4C. That is, even
with cargo already being restrained by the lateral restraint 110,
the vertical restraint 120 can still be deployed, due to its stored
configuration adjacent the reverse face 117 of the lateral
restraint 110. In such embodiments, and returning to the arcuate
rotation 114 mentioned above with reference to FIG. 3C, the
vertical restraint 120 may be configured to rotate through more
than 180 degrees of arc. In various embodiments, toggling between
the stored position and the raised position includes rotating the
vertical restraint 120 through about 270 degrees of arc. As used in
this context only, the term "about" means plus or minus 30 degrees.
In various embodiments, the lateral restraint may be disposed
adjacent the guide face and thus may rotate through an arc of
rotation that is about 90 degrees.
[0032] In various embodiments, instead of the restraints 110, 120
being independently or sequentially deployed, as described
immediately above, the lateral restraint 110 and the vertical
restraint may transition between the stored and raised position
together. That is, actuation of the lateral restraint 110 may
automatically trigger actuation of the vertical restraint 120 (or
vice-versa). In various embodiments, the length of the guide face
115 of the lateral restraint 110, as measured parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the tray of the cargo system, is greater than
a height of the guide face 115 (the height being a vertical
dimension of the guide face 115, perpendicular to the length). With
the length being greater than the height, the guide face 115 has a
sufficient dimension to maintain engagement with cargo, even when
such cargo has pockets or indentations along its lateral side.
[0033] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 5, a
schematic depiction of a restraint assembly 200 having a support
wedge 230 is provided. The support wedge 230 may be disposed within
the volume defined by the tray, and may be configured to facilitate
load path transfer from the lateral restraint 210 to the tray. For
example, the lateral restraint 210 may include a tab 213 that
engages the support wedge 230 when the lateral restraint 210 is the
raised position, thus reinforcing the lateral restraint 210 and
facilitating transfer of a force applied against the guide face 215
of the lateral restraint to the tray (i.e., one of the rails 30a,
30b).
[0034] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 6, the
first rotational axis 301, instead of being positioned near the
back rail 30a, as shown in FIGS. 3A-4C, is positioned near the
front rail 30b. That is, the earlier figures showed the first
rotational axis disposed on a side of the volume opposite the guide
face (in the raised position), but in FIG. 6 the first rotational
axis 301 is disposed on a side of the volume that the guide face
315 is facing.
[0035] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 7, a
method 790 for guiding and/or restraining cargo is provided. The
method 790 may include rotating a lateral restraint of a restraint
assembly, relative to a tray of a cargo system, from a stored
position to a raised position at step 792. The method may also
include rotating a vertical restraint of the restraint assembly,
relative to the lateral restraint, from the stored position to the
raised position at step 794. In the stored position the lateral
restraint and vertical restraint are disposed within a volume
defined by the tray of the cargo system and in the raised position
the vertical restraint and at least a guide face of the lateral
restraint are disposed above the volume. In various embodiments,
step 794 includes rotating the vertical restraint more than 180
degrees. In various embodiments, step 792 triggers step 794 (e.g.,
via a spring loaded mechanism). The method steps may be reversed,
with respect to movement of the components of the restraint
assembly, to move the assembly from the raised position to the
stored position. In various embodiments, the various steps of the
method 790 may include actuating various latches or other such
fasteners.
[0036] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described herein with regard to specific embodiments.
Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures
contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional
relationships and/or physical couplings between the various
elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional
functional relationships or physical connections may be present in
a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to
problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage,
or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be
construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements
of the disclosure.
[0037] The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by
nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an
element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one"
unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." It is to be
understood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to
"a," "an," and/or "the" may include one or more than one and that
reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in
the plural. All ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be
combined.
[0038] Moreover, where a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B,
or C" is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be
interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B
alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an
embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may
be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B
and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used
throughout the figures to denote different parts but not
necessarily to denote the same or different materials.
[0039] The steps recited in any of the method or process
descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily
limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to
singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more
than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or
step. Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for
simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered
according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may
be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in
the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0040] Any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may
include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any
other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to
without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced
contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used
throughout the figures to denote different parts or areas but not
necessarily to denote the same or different materials. In some
cases, reference coordinates may be specific to each figure.
[0041] Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the
detailed description herein, references to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "various embodiments", etc., indicate that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include
the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,
such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the
description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant
art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative
embodiments.
[0042] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the
present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public
regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is intended to
invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited
using the phrase "means for." As used herein, the terms
"comprises", "comprising", or any other variation thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements
does not include only those elements but may include other elements
not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article,
or apparatus.
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