Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a supporting platform, in particular an adjustable supporting platform configured to support a load and allow it to be transported safely on a plurality of maritime, land and/or air transporting means, through the interaction of fixing interfaces between the platform and special housings provided in the transporting means.

State of the art

In the loads transporting sector, in particular during the transport of special loads or precision components dedicated to the military defense sector, reference standards are known which define the requirements to be respected for the loading and fixing of the components to be transported.

Each standard defines the type of fixing interface between the load and the specific transporting means (naval / land and/or air).

The fixing interfaces between the load and the transporting means include an anchoring system which must be provided on the load to be transported and a respective matching system characteristic of the specific means of transport used. The anchoring system must be shaped to safely anchor the load to the specific matching system provided on the transporting means.

For example, for shipping and landing transport (by road, rail and/or ship) the ISO 830:1999 standard and related regulations are used, which define the type and dimensions of the fixing interfaces (in terms of width, height and length).

In naval / land transport, the length of the matching system provided on the transporting means - variable according to the capacity of the vehicle itself - is defined according to standard steps, for example 10, 20, 40 feet.

Therefore, the loads or components to be transported (for example containers or shelters) are identified as ISO-10, ISO-20 and ISO-40 standards to indicate them as responding to the required requirements and ensure their safe anchoring on the specific transporting means, as required by law.

According to the aforementioned standard, the bases for supporting the load on the platform of the transporting means are provided with protrusions and the anchoring system to the loading platform (for example, the platform of the transporting means) has a plurality of anchoring elements so-called "ISO Corner" which are shaped in such a way as to find a respective match in the corresponding protuberances provided on the platform of the transporting means.

As regards air transport, the reference that defines the specifications of the fixing interfaces between the load to be transported and the transporting means is the "NATO 463L" standard (Load Restraint System).

In this case, the anchoring system that must be provided on the load to be transported has lateral locking guides ("Dual Rail Fixing") shaped to be coupled to respective rails provided on the sides of the compartment in the transporting aircraft.

Within NATO there are transporting aircraft of different sizes, for example aircraft that make available a load support base of larger dimensions, with a fixing width equal to 108 inches (274.32 cm), and other aircraft having a base of smaller load support, with a fastening width of 88 inches (223.52 cm). In the prior art, loading platforms compatible with the dimensions dictated by the standards are used, for example rectangular platforms measuring 88x108 inches which have interfaces anchoring to the aircraft on their perimetric edge. To manage the positioning of the platform on the different aircraft, in some cases the platform is inserted in the aircraft in the short direction, in others in the long direction, then rotated 90 degrees.

To manage longer lengths and / or widths, several platforms are placed side by side.

A disadvantage of the anchoring systems of the known type is that they provide a plurality of components that must be adapted to the specific transporting means used. In particular, in the event that the transport of the load involves the use of different transporting means (for example the combination of naval, air and road transport), disadvantageously, the provision of a plurality of components necessary for securing the load to the different means of transport, leads the need for an additional handling and logistics management to that of the load.

A still further disadvantage is that the need to move the load between platforms of different transporting means, leads to an increase in the times and costs related to the transport.

Furthermore, a further disadvantage is that the need to move the load between platforms of different transporting means leads, especially in cases where the structure and size of the load (for example in the case of devices such as antennas, "open frame" structures, optical sensors, etc.) do not allow it to be constrained by using stabilization ropes and / or tie rods, the risk that the device may not be handled correctly with the consequent risk of damage.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, the technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is that of providing a support platform, to support an apparatus to be transported on an air and / or land transporting means, which allows to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

This problem is solved by a platform according to claim 1 .

Preferred features of the present invention are present in the depending claims.

The present invention provides some significant advantages.

In particular, the characteristic of comprising a variable geometry frame T allows the width of the platform to be adjusted to the specific transporting means used.

Advantageously, through this adjustment possibility, the load can be moved from one transporting means to another without the need to release it from its supporting platform, considerably reducing both the times and the costs associated with such handling. Advantageously, the risks of damage to the transported load are considerably reduced.

A further advantage is that the platform according to the present invention is easily adaptable to different transporting means and can be moved quickly even by unskilled labor and without incurring the dangers of positioning errors when moving between different types of transporting means.

Advantageously, the platform according to the present invention guarantees an optimization due to the "end-to-end" transporting mode, allowing the mobility of any object transported (payload) using different means of transport, even within the same transfer.

Other advantages, characteristics and methods of use of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of some embodiments, presented by way of example and without limitation.

Brief description of the figures

Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the supporting platform according to the present invention, in a compact configuration;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the platform of Figure 1 in an extended configuration;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the platform of Figure 2 in an opening configuration of the constraining means;

Figure 4 shows a front view of the platform of Figure 3 in a configuration of minimum extension;

Figure 5 shows a front view of the platform of Figure 2;

Figure 6 shows a front view of the platform of Figure 3 in a configuration of maximum extension;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the supporting platform according to the present invention, in a compact configuration;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the platform of Figure 7 in an extended configuration;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the platform of Figure 8 in an operative configuration;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the platform of Figure 8 in a lifting configuration.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments.

With reference to the figures, a supporting platform according to a first embodiment of the invention, configured to support an apparatus to be transported on an air and / or surface transporting means, is denoted as a whole with 1000.

As shown in Figure 1 , the supporting platform 1000 comprises a variable geometry frame T having a main body 500.

The main body 500 comprises a first 1 15 and a second 1 15’ longitudinal element, and a first 150 and a second 150’ transverse element.

The longitudinal elements 1 15, 1 15’ are connected to the transverse elements 150, 150' to form a supporting base for the apparatus, or load, to be transported. This supporting base may include additional internal reinforcing elements, for example additional transversal elements, according to the loading size / type and the expected mechanical stresses.

The frame T further comprises a first expanding portion 600 and a second expanding portion 600’ of the main body 500. Each expanding portion 600, 600’ is slidably connected to the aforementioned first 150 and second 150’ transversal element, to be movable in approach and/or moving away from/from the main body 500 so as to make the frame T assume a compact and / or extended configuration, according to a distance of each of the expanding portions 600, 600’ from the main body 500.

As shown in the figures, the first 150 and second 150’ transversal elements are hollow box elements and each expanding portion 600, 600' is shaped in such a way as to be telescopically connected to the main body 500.

Advantageously, the platform 1000 further comprises fixing means 10, 12, positioned at each of the expanding portions 600, 600’ configured to allow, in use, a fixing of the platform 1000 to an air and / or surface transporting means equipped with a relative striker, in each compact and / or extended geometric configuration of said frame T.

In particular, as will be better described below, the fixing means 10, 12 are adjustable so as to allow, in an operating transporting condition of an adaptation of the platform to the means of transport used.

As shown in figures 2 and 3, the expanding portion 600, 600’ has a C- shape comprising a lateral longitudinal member 1 1 , 1 1’, substantially parallel to the longitudinal element 1 15, 1 15’, and two transverse arms 15, 15’.

Each transverse arm 15, 15’ is slidably connected to a respective transversal element 150, 150’ of the main body 500. The sliding, in particular telescopic, connection of the transverse arms 15, 15’ of each expanding portion 600, 600’ with respect to the main body 500, allows movement of the side member 1 1 , 1 T from a position close to the longitudinal element 1 15, 1 15', in a compact configuration of said frame T, to a position spaced from the longitudinal element 1 15, 1 15', in an extended configuration of the T frame.

In particular, as shown in the figures, the constraining means comprises at least one stopping guide 12 rotatably connected to each side member 1 1 , 1 T, configured to allow a fixing of the supporting platform 1000 on an air transporting vehicle. Advantageously, the aforementioned rotatable connection allows adjustment of the positioning of the stopping guides 12, having the shape of a substantially rectangular plate, can assume a closed configuration and an open configuration with respect to the same lateral members 1 1 , 1 T.

As shown in the figures, the stopping guides have protrusions 2 at an external edge, to allow their tightening with special toothed combs provided on the aircraft.

In the closed configuration, the stopping guides 12 are positioned substantially parallel to the side members 1 1 , 1 T and, as shown in Figure 5, so as not to contribute to the overall width of the platform 1000.

In the open configuration, the stopping guides 12 are positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal members 1 1 , 1 T and, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, so as to define an overall width value of the platform 1000.

In a preferred embodiment of the platform according to the present invention, the constraining means also comprises at least one angular element 10 at each connection angle between a lateral longitudinal member 1 1 , 1 1 ' and a transverse arm 15, 15’. As shown in the figures, the angular element 10, in particular of the ISO corner type, is configured to allow the platform to be fastened on a surface transporting vehicle, equipped with relative striker.

Therefore advantageously, the supporting platform 1000 according to the invention is structured in such a way as to be able to assume a plurality of configurations and comprising stopping means 14 positioned on each transversal element 150, 150’, to block the sliding of each expanding portion 600 , 600’ compared to the main body 500.

In particular, the stopping means 14 comprises an element which can be adjusted to interfere with the arms 15, 15’ of the expanding portions, for example a threaded element shaped to be inserted in special slots A, B, C provided on the arms 15 , 15’ of the expanding portions.

The slots A, B, C of the present example are in particular positioned to ensure a stop at the widths of the platform which comply with the aforementioned standards.

Preferably, as shown in the figures, each arm has three slots A, B, C in such a way as to allow the sliding of each expanding portion 600, 600’ to be blocked at a position close to or spaced from the main body 500. In particular, figures 1 and 4 show a reduced Dual Rail configuration, for air transport, with each arm 15, 15’ blocked at a slot C (i.e. platform with minimum width), and in figures 3 and 6 it is shown an expanded Dual Rail configuration, for air transport, with each arm 15, 15’ blocked at a slot C (i.e. platform at maximum width). Figures 2 and 5 instead show an ISO configuration, for surface transport, with each arm 15, 15’ blocked at a slot B, i.e. an intermediate position between A and C.

Advantageously, each expanding platform can be moved independently of the other with respect to the frame main body 500. Therefore the width extension of the platform 1000 can also be varied in a non-symmetrical way with respect to a transverse element 150, 150’. In particular, additional slots can be provided on the arms 15, 15’, not shown in the figures, to allow an asymmetrical fixing of the expanding portions 600, 600' to the main body 500.

A further embodiment of the platform 2000 according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 7 to 10, further comprising lifting means 700, configured to raise the frame T with variable geometry with respect to a supporting base of an air and / or surface transporting vehicle.

In the described example, the lifting means 700 comprises four oblong elements 80 substantially perpendicular to the supporting base defined by the main body 500, and handling means 70, 77 configured to move the oblong elements 80 with respect to the frame T.

In particular, the moving means comprises a transversal sliding assembly of each oblong element 80, configured to allow the movement of each oblong element 80, from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to a lateral longitudinal member 1 1 , 1 1’ of the frame T .

In particular, the transverse sliding assembly provides, for each oblong element 80, a transverse rail 70 fixed to the main body 500 of the frame T, and a guide 17 constrained to the oblong element 80 and slidingly connected to the transverse rail 70.

In the described example, the guide 17 is telescopically connected to the transverse rail 70 in such a way that the oblong element 80 is moved (manually or automatically) from a position (retracted) in which said oblong element is in proximity to a longitudinal lateral member 1 1 , 1 1 ', as shown in figures 7 and 8, to a position (extended) in which it is spaced from the same side member 1 1 , 1 1 ', as shown in figure 9. Advantageously, at an extended position, each element 80 is movable, along a vertical direction to the supporting base, to lift the frame T from a reference base of the transporting means.

The moving means further comprises a normal sliding assembly of each element 80, configured to allow the movement of each oblong element 80 with respect to a supporting base defined by the frame T, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the supporting base.

In particular, the normal sliding assembly provides, for each oblong element 80, a track 77 preferably constrained to a terminal end of the guide 17 and substantially perpendicular to the supporting base defined by the frame T.

Each oblong element 80 is slidably connected to a respective track 77.

In the preferred configuration of the present invention, a toothed coupling is provided between each oblong element 80, and a respective track 77.

For example, as shown in figures 9 and 10, the toothed coupling is preferably of the rack and pinion gear type, a toothed bar 18 being provided on each element 80.

The configuration of the aforementioned coupling allows to move each oblong element 80 with respect to the track 77, constrained to a terminal end of the guide 17, from a rest configuration in which the frame T is in a position close to a reference base, to an operative configuration in which the frame T is in a raised position with respect to the reference base of a transporting means.

In particular, each oblong element is movable, or adjustable, independently by the others. Preferably, each toothed coupling is moved by a respective motor M comprising for example a gear that can be coupled to the toothed bar and configured to operate a linear movement of the oblong element 80 along a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference base.

Therefore, advantageously, in the case of a non-planar reference base, it is possible to act on the relative position of each oblong element 80 with respect to the track 77 to restore a planarity of the frame T and of the device to be transported.

Advantageously, the invention according to the present invention integrates on each lateral longitudinal member 1 1 , 1 T both the ISO-Corner modules necessary for fixing the platform on land vehicles and the specific interfaces for the "Dual Rail Fixing" fixing system available on the transporting aircraft. These interfaces, in particular, include a specific sequence of metal flanges (for example, stopping guides 12) rotatably connected to the longitudinal member, equally spaced and coplanar, which in an opening configuration allow anchoring to the loading platform of the aircraft.

The stopping guides 12 described above with reference to the "Dual Rail Fixing" fixing system are in particular compatible with the "pallet" fixing method defined in the "NATO 463L" standard, which provides a standard size of 88x108 inches of the supporting platforms binding on air transport.

Furthermore, the variable geometry of the frame T of the platform according to the present invention guarantees a particular versatility in the case of managing a transport on several ways by means of different types of transporting means, allowing a passage in rapid times both between different ISO configurations characteristic of the naval and land transport, and between ISO configurations and Dual Rail configurations, characteristics of air transport.

In the same way, it will be possible to quickly switch between Dual Rail configurations, for example from reduced Dual Rail (minimum width, as shown in Figure 4), and / or expanded Dual Rail (maximum width, as shown in Figure 6).

In the preferred embodiment, the structural characteristics of the platform according to the present invention are such as to guarantee:

- compliance with the requirements for aviation-transport in terms of acceleration for different spatial directions/directions (Forward/Rear, Up/Down, Left/Right),

- compliance with the requirements according to the reference standards for "Shock" and vibration for both road and ship transport (i.e. MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-167-1 ) and by air (i.e. RTCA-DO -160)

- compliance with the requirements relating to safety and escape routes for airborne systems (i.e. specific requirements for vehicles embarked on military aircraft).

The aforementioned requirements are advantageously obtained thanks to the overall conformation of the platform and the specific layout of the individual components with relative dimensions and in the structural dimensioning of the fixing means, using mechanical components designed "ad-hoc" and preferably made of steel and/or aluminum, to ensure resistance and non-deformability characteristics. The primary structural components of the supporting system according to the present invention include the above described platform having a variable geometry and fixing means for anchoring the platform to both air and surface means of transport and anchoring kit to the platform.

A platform anchoring kit includes both anchoring interfaces for the system components themselves (for example for lifting systems, for auxiliary components such as power generators, etc.) and anchoring interfaces specially designed and shaped to anchor the specific load transported to the platform.

The references to "ISO configuration", "reduced Dual Rail" and

"expanded Dual Rail" contained in the present description, are specific to the present invention and summarize what is technically described with reference to the possibility of using the platform according to the present invention.

The present invention has so far been described with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may exist that pertain to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims set out below.