An aircraft tug apparatus for tugging an aircraft by an aircraft tire includes a turntable on a main base portion of the tug, capable of rotational movement relative to the main base portion. A tire cradle assembly on the turntable releasably holds the aircraft tire, and a latch mechanism holds the tire cradle assembly in a position that confines the aircraft tire. A pivoting arm coupled to the main base portion extends under the turntable. The pivoting arm includes a first plunger and a second plunger extending therefrom, with the first plunger coupled to the pivoting arm using a spring assembly allowing it to move up and down relative to the pivoting arm. The spring assembly is configured such that the pivoting arm may move the second plunger to engage the latch mechanism while the first plunger is impinged by the turntable.
Aircraft tug with latch and turntable
2020-04-21
Patent
Electronic Resource
English