Inventors:
Rex A. Berkey - Rock MI
Daniel DeFant - Marquette MI
Brad Hallum - Ishpeming MI
Jeffrey A. Hansen - Marquette MI
Edward L. Hopper - Negaunee MI
Philip Alan Johnson - Negaunee MI
Frank C. Saari - Negaunee MI
Randy Paul Sundell - Negaunee MI
Assignee:
American Airlines Incorporated - Fort Worth TX
International Classification:
B60P 300
Abstract:
A passenger lift (10) is provided for loading a passenger (12) into and out of an aircraft (14). Lift (10) includes a chassis (38) having a front (34) end and a back (36) end. A plurality of wheels (62 and 63) are attached to the chassis (38) providing means for moving the lift (10). The lift (10) also includes an electrical energy source (70) for providing electrical energy, and an energy converter (104) for translating the electrical energy from the electrical energy source (70) to mechanical energy. The lift (10) includes a rear support (40) generally perpendicular to the chassis (38) and attached to the back end of the chassis (38). The lift (10) has a basket (48) for holding the passenger (12) while the passenger is raised and lowered with the lift (10) and (48) is located at the front end of the chassis (38). The lift (10) includes a pair of lift arms (44) for lifting the basket (48), and a pair of stabilizing arms (42) for providing stability to the basket (48). The lift (10) also has a pair of lifting means (46) using the mechanical energy from the energy converter (104) for displacing the lifting arms (44) relative to the chassis (38) so as to raise and lower the basket (48).