A passenger boarding bridge leveling mechanism mounted on a passenger boarding bridge includes a four-bar linkage mechanism and a preload apparatus. The four-bar linkage mechanism includes a mounting base which can be fixedly mounted on the passenger boarding bridge. One of the other three bars of the four-bar linkage mechanism extends outwards, and a leveling wheel and a first detection switch are mounted on the end of the bar. The first detection switch is used for detecting the vertical displacement of the leveling wheel on an aircraft fuselage. The preload apparatus has a preload force. One end of the preload apparatus is connected to the four-bar linkage mechanism, and the other end is connected to the mounting base. The preload apparatus has a preload force to make the leveling wheel maintain a tendency of extending outwards. The passenger boarding bridge leveling mechanism has high test precision and can work reliably.

A canopy for a passenger boarding bridge, includes a fixed frame, a flexible frame configured to align to a fuselage of a plane or a ship, a bellow roof clamped between the fixed frame and the flexible frame, and a suspension system. The suspension system includes a first cylinder actuator, and a second cylinder actuator, wherein the first cylinder actuator is configured to provide a pushing force in a first pushing direction and the second cylinder actuator is configured to provide a pushing force in a second pushing direction, wherein the first cylinder actuator and the second cylinder actuator are connected in series and the first pushing direction is opposite to the second pushing direction.

A canopy for a passenger boarding bridge, includes a fixed frame, a flexible frame configured to align to a fuselage of a plane or a ship, a bellow roof clamped between the fixed frame and the flexible frame, and a suspension system. The suspension system includes a first cylinder actuator, and a second cylinder actuator, wherein the first cylinder actuator is configured to provide a pushing force in a first pushing direction and the second cylinder actuator is configured to provide a pushing force in a second pushing direction, wherein the first cylinder actuator and the second cylinder actuator are connected in series and the first pushing direction is opposite to the second pushing direction.

UGV bridging system includes a first end of a first elongated span of a hinged bridge structure disposed on a deployment support bracket which is secured to a UGV. A second elongated span is hingedly supported at a second end of the first elongated span opposed from the first end. A tension element applies a tension force to the first elongated span at a location intermediate the first and second ends. The tension force secures the first elongated span in a stowed position adjacent the deployment support bracket. A retention element associated with the deployment support bracket prevents the second elongated span from rotating about the hinge axis in response to a spring bias force. Deployment involves pivoting the first elongated span and concurrently releasing the second elongated span from the retention element in response to the extending.

UGV bridging system includes a first end of a first elongated span of a hinged bridge structure disposed on a deployment support bracket which is secured to a UGV. A second elongated span is hingedly supported at a second end of the first elongated span opposed from the first end. A tension element applies a tension force to the first elongated span at a location intermediate the first and second ends. The tension force secures the first elongated span in a stowed position adjacent the deployment support bracket. A retention element associated with the deployment support bracket prevents the second elongated span from rotating about the hinge axis in response to a spring bias force. Deployment involves pivoting the first elongated span and concurrently releasing the second elongated span from the retention element in response to the extending.

A finger joint having a bridging cover plate, which enables a steel plate having a thickness much smaller than that of a conventional finger to be used and allows the vertical rotation of an upper bridge structure. The finger joint includes: a bridging cover plate installed on a first structure and supported to a second structure across a gap so as to support a load of a vehicle passing over the gap, and configured to allow relative movement between the first structure and the second structure in a direction in which the distance of the gap changes; a first finger unit connected to the bridging cover plate; and a second finger unit installed on the second structure so as to allow relative movement relative to the first finger unit in a direction in which the distance of the gap changes.

A system and method for controlling the movement of an extendible bridge structure has proximity sensors coupled to a distal end thereof and includes a first movement mechanism for extension and retraction thereof. A processor receives signals from the proximity sensors and, based thereon, selectively generates and provides control signals to the first movement mechanism to automatically extend the structure to a predetermined position against a vehicle positioned in a predetermined area. A flexible boot is attached to the distal end of the structure. The processor generates and provides control signals to a second movement mechanism coupled to the flexible boot to extend the flexible boot against the vehicle. The processor also monitors and identifies any changes in a positional relationship between the flexible boot and the vehicle after initial extension thereof and provides generated control signals to the first movement mechanism to restore the structure to the predetermined position.

A method and apparatus for automatically aligning and connecting a passenger boarding bridge (PBB) with the passenger door of an aircraft or other vessel. A sensory suite module includes cameras and sensors to scan the apron for obstacles and identify an aircraft based on external features. The sensory suite module also includes one or more high-precision active laser line profilers to detect the vertical and lower edges of an aircraft door. A controller module provides precise control and movement of the distal end of the PBB and guides the distal end of the PBB to the passenger door. The system can be activated by a remote triggering panel module.

A passenger boarding bridge leveling mechanism mounted on a passenger boarding bridge includes a four-bar linkage mechanism and a preload apparatus. The four-bar linkage mechanism includes a mounting base which can be fixedly mounted on the passenger boarding bridge. One of the other three bars of the four-bar linkage mechanism extends outwards, and a leveling wheel and a first detection switch are mounted on the end of the bar. The first detection switch is used for detecting the vertical displacement of the leveling wheel on an aircraft fuselage. The preload apparatus has a preload force. One end of the preload apparatus is connected to the four-bar linkage mechanism, and the other end is connected to the mounting base. The preload apparatus has a preload force to make the leveling wheel maintain a tendency of extending outwards. The passenger boarding bridge leveling mechanism has high test precision and can work reliably.

A platform (10) comprising two or more ladders (20, 30), of the type having stiles (25, 26) and rungs (40), releasably attachable together in a side-by-side arrangement such that the rungs of each ladder are in the same plane, at least two of the rungs on each ladder being hollow, the platform further comprising a first elongate member (50) arranged to pass through co-axially positioned hollow rungs of each ladder, the first elongate member comprising a widened portion at one end thereof, and a releasable locking member (60) at the other end thereof, to releasably clamp the ladders together, the platform further comprising at least one deck plate (110) arrangeable on the rungs of one of the two or more ladders to form a deck.