A modular load carrying apparatus for a rotary wing aircraft and to a method of operating a modular load carrying apparatus. The modular load carrying apparatus may include a tube, first and second caps that are located inside the tube at first and second axial ends, and at least first and second removable platforms that are interchangeably installable on the tube. The second cap comprises a protrusion that protrudes from the axial end, and each one of the at least first and second removable platforms is adapted for being slidable over the first axial end of the tube and restrained by the second cap at the second axial end of the tube.

A modular load carrying apparatus for a rotary wing aircraft and to a method of operating a modular load carrying apparatus. The modular load carrying apparatus may include a tube, first and second caps that are located inside the tube at first and second axial ends, and at least first and second removable platforms that are interchangeably installable on the tube. The second cap comprises a protrusion that protrudes from the axial end, and each one of the at least first and second removable platforms is adapted for being slidable over the first axial end of the tube and restrained by the second cap at the second axial end of the tube.

An end-effector for a hoist includes a drive and an articulating arm. The articulating arm includes support disks, control cables extending through the support disks, and a hoist cable extending through the support disks. The drive includes an actuator connected to one of the control cables. The actuator deploys and retracts the control cables, thereby displacing the articulating arm from an end-effector axis. The drive also includes a stabilizer mounted on a drive housing, the stabilizer generates a stabilizing moment in response to the articulating arm displacing from the end-effector axis.

An end-effector for a hoist includes a drive and an articulating arm. The articulating arm includes support disks, control cables extending through the support disks, and a hoist cable extending through the support disks. The drive includes an actuator connected to one of the control cables. The actuator deploys and retracts the control cables, thereby displacing the articulating arm from an end-effector axis. The drive also includes a stabilizer mounted on a drive housing, the stabilizer generates a stabilizing moment in response to the articulating arm displacing from the end-effector axis.

Rescue elevator system, comprising a rescue ladder and an elevator running on rails on a top side of the rescue ladder up to an end position at one end of the rescue ladder, and an elevator drive comprising a rope, a rope winch for pulling the rope and a deflection roller over which the rope is guided from the rope winch to a suspension point at the elevator, wherein the deflection roller is disposed below the rails at or near the one end of the rescue ladder, characterized in that the suspension point is displaced towards a trailing end of the elevator averted from the one end of the rescue ladder such that in the end position of the elevator, the suspension point is located in a distance from the deflection roller in the extension direction of the rails, and the elevator comprises a passage ladder to bridge the distance between the suspension point and the deflection roller in the end position of the elevator, said passage ladder lying on top of the rope and being mounted between the rails at a hinge axis perpendicular to the extension direction of the rails and extending generally towards the one end of the rescue ladder such as to be pivotable between a flat position in which it lies generally parallel to the plane of the rails and an inclined position in which it is inclined downwardly towards the bottom side of the rescue ladder.

Rescue elevator system, comprising a rescue ladder and an elevator running on rails on a top side of the rescue ladder up to an end position at one end of the rescue ladder, and an elevator drive comprising a rope, a rope winch for pulling the rope and a deflection roller over which the rope is guided from the rope winch to a suspension point at the elevator, wherein the deflection roller is disposed below the rails at or near the one end of the rescue ladder, characterized in that the suspension point is displaced towards a trailing end of the elevator averted from the one end of the rescue ladder such that in the end position of the elevator, the suspension point is located in a distance from the deflection roller in the extension direction of the rails, and the elevator comprises a passage ladder to bridge the distance between the suspension point and the deflection roller in the end position of the elevator, said passage ladder lying on top of the rope and being mounted between the rails at a hinge axis perpendicular to the extension direction of the rails and extending generally towards the one end of the rescue ladder such as to be pivotable between a flat position in which it lies generally parallel to the plane of the rails and an inclined position in which it is inclined downwardly towards the bottom side of the rescue ladder.

The invention relates to a rescue cage (4) for a hoisting rescue vehicle (1) having a turntable ladder (3), comprising a cage base (5), a cage barrier (6) and at least one column-type support element (7) that projects from the cage base (5) and is located in the outer peripheral region of the cage base (5). A first receiving device (15) is arranged or formed on the cage base (5) in the area of the support element (7). On the side facing the cage base (5), the support element (7) includes a first connecting element (16) that is connected to the first receiving device (15) in such a way as to be detachable as required. The invention further relates to a hoisting rescue vehicle (1) equipped with a rescue cage (4) of said type as well as a person holding unit.

The invention relates to a rescue cage (4) for a hoisting rescue vehicle (1) having a turntable ladder (3), comprising a cage base (5), a cage barrier (6) and at least one column-type support element (7) that projects from the cage base (5) and is located in the outer peripheral region of the cage base (5). A first receiving device (15) is arranged or formed on the cage base (5) in the area of the support element (7). On the side facing the cage base (5), the support element (7) includes a first connecting element (16) that is connected to the first receiving device (15) in such a way as to be detachable as required. The invention further relates to a hoisting rescue vehicle (1) equipped with a rescue cage (4) of said type as well as a person holding unit.

A vertical take-off and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft has at least two flying wings (“FW”) with each FW equipped with multiple transverse-radial propellers or a propulsion system for producing a lift force and thrust force on the stationary or non-stationary FW. This VTOL/FWA is capable of exchanging payloads horizontally, as well as vertically, with a stationary or a moving object. In particular, the VTOL/FWA can “walk” on a building wall to adjust and anchor its position in order to rescue people from a high-rise-building window horizontally.

A vehicle includes a chassis, tractive assemblies, a body assembly, a turntable, a platform, and a control console. The tractive assemblies, body assembly, and turntable are coupled to the chassis. The platform supports an operator in a command position and includes an outer perimeter. The control console includes a base coupled to the turntable and spaced from the outer perimeter. The control console includes a movable section that is movably coupled to the base and includes an operator interface configured to receive operator commands to control a vehicle system. The movable section is repositionable relative to the base between a stowed position and an operating position. The operator interface is accessible by the operator from the command position when the movable section is in the operating position. The vehicle has an overall height defining a top plane. The movable section is below the top plane when in the stowed position.