Passenger loading bridge bumper pads

Abstract

Passenger loading bridge bumper pads for cushioning and sealing a loading bridge to an aircraft structure, the bridge pads providing a resilient environmental seal and surrounding the bridge. The bottom bumper pad comprising a frangible metallic bumper for absorbing excessive docking forces.

1 . A passenger loading bridge pad for cushioning and sealing the loading bridge to an aircraft interface, said bridge pad having a resilient environmental seal; and said passenger loading bridge pad having docking indicia.  
     
     
         2 . A modular loading bridge bumper for cushioning and sealing the loading bridge to an aircraft interface, said loading bridge bumper comprising in combination a set of pads surrounding the entire loading bridge.  
     
     
         3 . The invention according to  claim 2  including an installation kit having a double hook and loop system.  
     
     
         4 . The invention according to  claim 2  further including a walk pad disposed on the bottom of said loading bridge bumper.  
     
     
         5 . In combination: 
 an aircraft loading bridge;    an aircraft interface; and,    two side pads and a single molded bumper pad disposed between said aircraft loading bridge and said aircraft interface.    
     
     
         6 . An aircraft loading bridge bumper pad, comprising; 
 an integrally molded, one piece elongated flexible and deformable foam body.    
     
     
         7 . A bumper pad according to  claim 6  further comprising a centrally embedded structural member.  
     
     
         8 . A bumper pad according to  claim 7 , wherein said structural member provides means for attachment.  
     
     
         9 . A bumper pad according to  claim 7 , wherein the structural member provides energy absorption.  
     
     
         10 . A bumper pad according to  claim 7 , wherein said structural member comprises aluminum tubing.  
     
     
         11 . A bumper pad according to  claim 7 , wherein said structural member is metallic.  
     
     
         12 . A bumper pad according to  claim 6 , wherein said foam comprises a self-skinning polyurethane foam.  
     
     
         13 . A method of making an aircraft loading bridge bumper pad comprising the steps of: 
 providing a bumper pad mold;    providing a resilient self-skinning liquid material;    injecting said material into said mold; and    curing said material to form a resilient bumper pad.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , the step of providing a mold further comprises embedding a metallic structure within the mold.  
     
     
         15 . A bumper pad having means for collapsing upon aircraft impact; and 
 said bumper pad including alignment indicia.    
     
     
         16 . A bumper pad according to  claim 15 , shaped to avoid aircraft sensor interference.  
     
     
         17 . A bumper pad according to  claim 15 , further including attachment means comprising hook and loop fasteners.  
     
     
         18 . An aircraft loading bridge bumper pad, comprising; an integrally molded, one piece elongated flexible and deformable foam body, 
 wherein said foam body comprises self-skinning, foamed polyurethane enclosing a structural member insert; and,    said structural member insert comprises channel extending therethrough.    
     
     
         19 . A bumper pad according to  claim 18 , wherein said insert comprises energy absorbing means.  
     
     
         20 . In combination: 
 an aircraft fuselage structure;    a movable articulating loading bridge for providing a weather proof enclosure for passenger movement between an airport terminal building and the entry door of the aircraft;    said loading bridge having a bottom bumper structure comprising a channel structure having an integral metallic structure attached thereto; and,    said integral metallic structure embedded in resilient self-skinning closed cell polyurethane foam.    
     
     
         21 . The invention according to claim  20  wherein said integral metallic structure comprises aluminum tubing.