GB2151693A - Harness buckle with automatic release - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a quick-release lock for a harness buckle, with a housing (10) and a main trunnion (11) depressable in the latter by a release member (12), and with an anchor plate which carries with several retaining bolts (15) for belt connection pieces through which the main trunnion extends to engage under the said anchor plate, and also with a device (not shown) for the automatic separation of the belt connection pieces from the retaining bolts by means of fluid pressure, independently of the actuation of the release member. The gas pressure exerted by the automatic-separation device being conveyable directly or indirectly to the anchor plate (14) and the anchor plate (14) and/or the part (43) of the main trunnion (11) engaging under the anchor plate (14) having one or more predetermined breaking points (45) intended to break under said pressure. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Quick-release Lock for Life-saving Systems The invention relates to a quick-release lock for life-saving systems according to the precharacterising clause of the main claim.

Quick-release locks of this type are used, for example, as central belt locks for parachutist body or ejector-seat harnesses. They serve for freeing parachutists quickly from their parachute after landing, so that they are not dragged over land or through water when the wind drives the parachute in front of it.

A quick-release lock or a central belt lock having the features mentioned is already known from German Offenlegungsschrift 3,040,134. In the known arrangement, the main trunnion has a longitudinal bore in which a slide is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable, secure against rotation relative to the main trunnion and releasable via a release member. There is also a force accumulator in the lock housing which is tripped on coming into contact with water and, as result of the pressure exerted, guides a blocking member out of the main trunnion and causes subsequent axial displacement of the slide, with the result that the anchor plate is displaced downwards and the anchoring of the belt connection pieces is consequently released.

It is to be considered a disadvantage of the known arrangement that it consists of a plurality of individual components which act with one another and in one another, and under frequently occurring stress signs of wear and then inoperability of the automatic-separation device can arise. Furthermore, because of the various components arranged under the release member, the constructional height of locks of this type is increased, and this is a great disadvantage.

The object on which the invention is based is to provide a quick-release lock for life-saving systems, which has as simple a construction and as low a height as possible and which unlocks automatically in emergency situations, without being actuated by the user, independently of the actuation of the conventional components for removing or attaching the belt connection pieces, in order to automate the entire life-saving operation (emergency situation) and thus make it altogether safer.

To achieve this object, the invention envisages a quick-release lock, in which the pressure exerted by the automatic-separation device is conveyed directly or indirectly to the anchor plate with a force component running counter to the stress direction of the anchor plate, and the anchor plate and/or the part of the main trunnion engaging under the anchor plate have one or more predetermined breaking points.

According to a possible alternative solution, a channel extends from the automatic-separation device upto a pressure member acting counter to the stress direction of the anchor plate, and the channel is interrupted, in the locking position of the main trunnion, by a guide pin securing the main trunnion ofthe lock.

The two alternative embodiments differ in that, in one alternative form, to achieve the automatic release of the anchor plate, the main trunnion itself is freed as a result of the movement of the guide pin out of the locking position with the main trunnion, or else, in the other alternative form, the guide pin remains in the locking position with the main trunnion, and external pressure is exerted on the anchor plate which is then pressed into the unlocking position, with the predetermined breaking points in the anchor plate and/or in the part of the main trunnion engaging under the anchor plate being broken open at the same time. In both alternative solutions, the anchor plate is preferably subjected directly or indirectly to gas released under pressure.

The advantage of the invention is that it is possible to provide a quick-release lock with an automatic-separation device, in which automatic unlocking is effected by means of a medium put under pressure, preferably gas, but also a liquid, thus guaranteeing excellent operability, because, in contrast to known models, there is no interlocking of mechical elements which results in a ready susceptibility to faults. Moreover, the lock can be designed with only a small constructional height, so that, in normal use, it does not disturb a pilot in an ejector seat, for example.

The automatic-separation device can be tripped in various ways, depending on, among other things, the intended use of the particular quick-release lock.

For example, water-activated tripping is preferred for parachute harness locks used especially in jumps over the sea. In this case, the automaticseparation device is tripped by means of electrical and pyrotechnic devices, utilizing the high conductivity of sea water, thereby releasing a gas or a liquid under pressure which, by acting on appropriate members in the lock, cause the latter to be unlocked. Automatic-separation devices of this type are known, for example from German Offenlegungsschrift 3,040,134.

However, the automatic-separation device can, of course, also be activated via any other suitable characteristic, for example the water pressure.

Quick-release locks of the type according to the invention, are used not only in parachutist body harnesses, but on the contrary in a plurality of systems for the rescue of persons, for example in motoring, sailing, acrobatics and mountainclimbing. Furthermore, these locks are used in sports equipment, such as kites or the like. All these locks will come under the generic definition of a quick-release lock for life-saving systems.

Advantageous developments of the idea of the invention are characterised by the features of the sub-claim and by this description.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in a simplified representation in the drawing and are explained below. In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a quickrelease lock according to the invention, in the "locked position", Figure 2 shows a cross-section through a further embodiment of a quick-release lock according to the invention, in the "locked" position, Figure 3 shows a cross-section through a third embodiment of a quick-release lock according to the invention, in the "locked" position.

The quick-release lock illustrated in Figure 1 consists essentially of a lock housing 10, a main trunnion 11 axially movable and rotatable centrally in the latter, a rotary grip 12 attached to the end of the main trunnion 11 projecting above the lock housing 10, and retaining bolts 15 which are connected to one another via an anchor plate 14 and which, mounted on springs 17 arranged between the lock-housing base plate 16 and the anchor plate 14, engage through orifices 18 in the bottom part of the lock housing 10 into lateral slots 19 of the lock housing 10.

The rotary grip 12 is connected to the main trunnion 11 via a screw 21. The main trunnion 11 has on its periphery grooves 22 extending tangentially and axially. A guide pin 23 slides by means of its front end 23a in the grooves 22, the form of the front free end 23a being selected so that the guide pin 23 can slide in the groove 22 without play.

The guide pin 23 extends outwards from the groove 22 into the lock housing 10, and directly outside the region of engagement with the main trunnion 11 it has an encircling shoulder-shaped extension 24. The guide pin 23 rests with its extension 24 flush in a corresponding recess of the lock housing 10. In the direction going away from the main trunnion 11, the form of the guide pin 23 then narrows again, and this narrowed portion 25 has adjoining zit a second extension 26 which is made disc-shaped and which is supported by means of its outer limiting surfaces on a matching recess 27 in the lock housing 10. Starting from the extension 26, the guide pin 23 then runs via a narrowed portion 28 up to its free end 23b facing away from the main trunnion 11.The circular outer surfaces of the front end 23a of the guide pin 23 and those of the extension 24,26 and those of the narrowed end region 28 are all concentric relative to one another, so that a single central axis 29 of the guide pin 23 is obtained.

The narrowed end region 28 of the guide pin 23 is made tubular, that is to say it has a coaxial recess 33 extending approximately into the region of the narrowed portion 25. By means of the recess 33, the guide pin 23 is attached on a journal 34 so as to be longitudinally displaceable. By means of its end projecting from the recess 33, the journal 34 is supported on the lock housing 10 via a flange 35.

Located between the flange 35 and that side 26a of the extension of the guide pin 23 which faces away from the main trunnion 11 is a compression spring 38 which on its end faces is supported respectively on the flange 35 and on the extension 26 and which at the same time engages round the narrowed end 28 of the guide pin 23.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, a quickrelease lock according to the invention is shown in the "locked" position. In this, the guide pin 23 is inserted by means of its front end 23a into the groove 22 of the main trunnion 11 as a result of the spring action of the spring 38. In conjunction with blocking steps (not shown) in the groove 22, the guide pin 23 ensures that the main trunnion 11 can execute rotational and longitudinal movements in specific directions only and engages in different positions intended for the functions of "attachment", "locked" (shown in the drawing) and "removal", always in relation to the belt connection pieces.

Starting from the rotary grip 12, the main trunnion 11 extends in the direction of the lock-housing base-plate 16 into the region of the anchor plate 14 with a constant cross-section. Directly above the anchor plate 14, the main trunnion 11 is then provided with a piston-shaped extension 40 having a diameter larger than that of the upper part of the main trunnion 11.

The piston extension 40 then has adjoining it, in the direction of the lock-housing baseplate 16, a part 41 which has a diameter very much smaller than that of the main trunnion 11 and which engages through an orifice 42 in the anchor plate 14. The orifice 42 is made essentially rectangular, the width of the orifice 42 being somewhat larger than the diameter of the main trunnion 11 in this part 41.

At the end, there adjoins the part 41 of the main trunnion 11 a retention lug 43 which has an essentially cuboid form, the width and length being selected so that the retention lug 43 can be guided through the orifice 42 in the anchor plate 14 during assembly. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the retention lug 43 is shown in a position rotated approximately 90 relative to the longitudinal extension of the orifice 42, engaging by means of its arms 43a and 43b under the anchor plate 14 which is provided, for this purpose, with a round recess 44 having a diameter somewhat larger than the length of the retention lug 43.

The anchor plate 14 which, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, has a rectangular form, but can, for example, also be triangular, polygonal or round, depending on the number of retaining bolts 15, is located in a space 48 of the lock housing 10 and is mounted in its corner regions on compression springs 17 and stressed by these. The compression springs 17 are attached to the lockhousing baseplate 16 on appropriate extensions 50 of a bearing plate 52 resting on the lock-housing baseplate 16 and are inserted by means of their other end into. matching recesses 51 of the anchor plate 14. In the prolongation of the recesses 51, the retaining bolts 15 then extend from the surface of the anchor plate 14, project through appropriate orifices in the lock housing 10 and serve for fixing the belt connection pieces (not shown).

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, showing a belt lock according to the invention in the "locked" position, the anchor plate 14 is pushed by the compression springs 17 into its highest position, where it rests against a wall 53 of the lock housing 10.

Also located in the lock housing 10 is a gas channel which is composed of a gas inflow channel 55 and a gas outflow channel 56. The gas inflow channel 55 extends from a force accumulator (not shown), for example a pyrotechnic element, located in the lock housing 10 into the region of the chamber 30 formed by the narrowed portion 25 of the guide pin 23. The pyrotechnic unit and a sensor located in front of it and intended for tripping it can also be accommodated in a separate housing, for example connected to the lock housing via a joint, or as a completely separate unit connected to the channel 55 via a pressure hose. It is also possible to have an embodiment in which, for example, the sensor is arranged separate from the lock, whilst the force accumulator, for example a presssure-gas generator, is arranged in or on the lock.The gas outflow channel 56 then extends from the space located on the outside of the extension 26 of the guide pin 23 up to an annular gap 58 extending above the part of the pison extension 40 projecting beyond the main trunnion 11.

The mode of operation of a quick-release lock according to the invention, constructed to Figure 1, is as follows.

The quick-release lock according to the invention, illustrated in Figure 1, shows the arrangement of the components relative to one another in the "locked" position, that is to say, for example, during the descent by parachute of a parachutist. In this case, the belt connection pieces (not shown) of the body harness of the parachutist are introduced into the lateral slots 19 of the lock housing 10, the retaining bolts 15 passing through them and retaining them securely. To disengage the harness from the lock, it is then usually necessary to rotate the rotary grip 12 and subsequently displace it axially downwards together with the main trunnion 11,asa result of which the anchor plate 14 is pressed downwards and the retaining bolts 15 are carried with it at the same time, so that the belt connection pieces can slip laterally out of the slots 19.

However, the actuation of the rotary grip 12 and particularly the axial displacement of the release member require a considerable exertion of force, of which, for example, a parachutist is often no longer capable if he is injured. However, for example when the parachutist descends over water, it is necessary to free him quickly from the parachute, so that he is not dragged through the water when the wind drives the parachute in front of it.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, in the event of contact with water, the force accumulator is automatically detonated, independently of any action taken by the parachutist, because the higher conductivity of sea water is utilized. Consequently, the force accumulator is then detonated spontaneously by means of electrical and pyrotechnic devices, thereby releasing gas which is under higher pressure and which flows through the gas inflow channel 55 into the chamber 30 between the extensions 24 and 26 of the guide pin 23.

Because of the high pressure which builds up very quickly in the chamber 30, the guide pin 23 is subsequently pressed in the direction of the flange 35 counter to the force of the compression spring 38, the volume of the chamber 30 increasing at the same time. During the movement of the guide pin 23 counter to the force of the spring 38, the guide pin 23 is guided by means of its front end 23a out of the groove 22 of the main trunnion 11 and slides forwards by means of its extension 26 in the direction of the flange 35, until there is communication between the chamber 30 and the gas outflow channel 56, so that the gas flows via the gas inflow channel 55 and the chamber 30 into the gas outflow channel 56 and from there into the annular gap 58.

As a result of the high pressure, the main trunnion 11 is then moved downwards against the anchor plate, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the main trunnion 11, via the piston extension 40, on which the pressure acts via the annular gap 58, the anchor plate also being carried downwards counter to the force of the springs 17. A movement of the main trunnion 11 is possible, because the guide pin 23 is disengaged from the main trunnion 11, as before, counter to the force of the spring 38 as a result of the persisting gas pressure.

When the anchor plate 14 is pressed down via the piston extension 40, the retaining bolts 15 are then moved downwards at the same time, so that they free the orifices 19 in the lock housing 10, and the belt connection pieces can readily slip laterally out of the slots 19 of the locking housing 10.

The parachutist is consequently freed from the body harness without any help from himself and cannot be dragged through the water by the parachute and thus possibly drown.

The exemplary embodiment of a quick-release lock according to the invention, illustrated in Figure 2, is of very similar design to that according to Figure 1. Here again, in an emergency, for example when an injured parachutist falls into water, a force accumulator which releases gas under high pressure is detonated via suitable electrical or pyrotechnic devices. This gas flows via the gas inflow channel 55 into the chamber 30 and presses the guide pin 23 counter to the force of the spring 38 in the direction of the flange 35, specifically until the inflow orifice of the gas outflow channel 56 is accessible from the chamber 30, so that the gas enters the gas outflow channel 56 under high pressure and passes from there into an annular gap 58.

However, in contrast to the embodiment according to Figure 1, and annular gap 58 is not now arranged above a piston extension of the main trunnion 11, but is located above an annular channel 59 which is guided annularly in the lock housing at a distance round the main trunnion 11 and of which the opposite end pointing in the direction of the anchor plate 14 is open. Located in the annular channel 16 is an annular piston 60 which fills the annular channel 59 with the exception of the annular gap 58.

By means of the gas pressure, the annular piston 60 is then pressed downwards in the annular channel 59 in the direction of the anchor plate 14 and at the same time moves the anchor plate 14 downwards counter to the force of the springs 17.

The main trunnion 11 is also carried downwards with it, because the guide pin 23 is guided out of the groove 22 as a result of the gas pressure and presses the anchor plate 14 against the arms 43a, 43b of the retention lug 43 in the region of the recess 44.

In the same way as in the operating description of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1, during the downward movement of the anchor plate 14, the retaining bolts 15 are carried downwards with it, with the result that the belt connection pieces of the harness of the parachutist can immediately slip out laterally.

The exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2 illustrates an alternative locking measure which will come into effect in the event that the guide pin 23 is for any reason not guided out of the groove 22 of the main trunnion 11 completely by means of its front end 23a. This alternative embodiment also comes into effect when the gas inflow channel 55 is guided directly into the annular gap 58 of the annular channel 59.

In such a case, although the gas pressure would still act on the annular piston 60 and endeavour to press the anchor plate 14 down in this way, nevertheless this would be opposed by the resistance of the main trunnion 11, still fixed in its position by the guide pin 23, when the anchor plate 14 presses with its underside against the arms 43a, 43b of the retention lug 43, but cannot carry this along with it.

For this reason, two notches 45 forming predetermined breaking points are arranged on the underside of the retention lug 43 approximately underneath the edge region of the orifice 42. When the anchor plate 14 presses against the arms 43a, 43b of the retention lug 43, because of the force component exerted bythe gass pressure, the strength of the retention lug 43 is no longer sufficient to withstand this force, and the arms 43a, 43b of the retention lug 43 are sheared off, thus freeing the path for the downward movement of the anchor plate 14 in the direction of the lock-housing baseplate 16.

In the third illustrated exemplary embodiment according to Figure 3, the gas pressure released as a result of detonation of the force accumulator (not shown) is not used to disengage the guide pin 23 from the retaining bolt 11, but, as already described briefly above, the gas pressure is introduced directly into bores 61 via a gas feed channel (not shown here). These bores are arranged at a distance from one another in the lock housing 10 and extend up to the anchor plate 14 by means of their lower ends.

Pistons 62 are inserted in the bores 61 so as to be longitudinally movable, and these fill the space of the bore 61 until only a small space in the upper region remains free forth inflow of gas.

Instead of several bores 61, only a single bore 61 with a piston 62 can also be sufficient. It has been shown that, in the case of an anchor plate with three retaining bolts, only two of which support the main forces, whilst the third retaining bolt is provided for the negative g belt, tripping by means of a piston 62 located between the two retaining bolts 15 is sufficient.

In this embodiment according to Figure 3, notches 45 are provided in the underside of the retention lug 43, in a similar way to Figure 2. Of course, the notches 45 can also be provided in the upper side of the retention lug 43.

When the force accumulator is then detonated and the gas released, it flows through the gas feed channels into the upper region 58 of the bores 61, and the pistons 62 are pressed against the anchor plate 14. The piston or pistons 62 are secured in the particular bore 61 by suitable means, for example by a spring ring 63 mounted in appropriate grooves in the housing and piston. As a result, the free space in the upper part of the piston or annular channel is kept free for the gas flowing in, if appropriate, irrespective of the particular position of the lock. As a result, the anchor plate 14 moves downwards in the direction of the lock-housing base plate 16.

Since the main trunnion 11 is fixed in an unchanged position by the guide pin 23, the arms 43a, 43b of the retention lug 43 again oppose the downward movement of the anchor plate 14. However, even in this exemplary embodiment, because of the high gas pressure and the force component consequently exerted on the anchor plate 14, the arms 43a, 43b of the retention lug 43 are sheared off again during the downward movement of the anchor plate 14, so that the latter and the retaining bolts 15 can be readily guided downwards out of the region of engagement with the belt connection pieces.

In this exemplary embodiment, it would also be possible, instead of the notches 45 in the retention lug 43, to provide notches in the region of the recess 44 of the anchor plate 14, so that the narrowed region of the anchor plate 14 round the orifice 42 is sheared off when the anchor plate 14 is subjected to pressure, because of the resistance force of the arms 43a, 43b of the retention lug 43, so that the anchor plate together with the retaining bolts 15 can then also be readily guided in the direction of the lock-housing base plate 16 counter to the force of the springs 17.For construction and assembly reasons, it seems particularly advantageous to adopt an embodiment of a quick-release lock according to the invention which consists of a control ofthe guide pin 23 according to Figures 1 and 2, that is to say the guide pin 23 being guided out of the groove 22 in the main trunnion 11, and of an individual piston 62 according to Figure 3, into the upper annular gap 58 of which opens the gas outflow channel 56.

The choice of the particular gas pressure or the size of the gas inflow and gas outflow channels and of the notches arranged as appropriate must always be coordinated so that a reliable release of the lock housing in an emergency is guaranteed under all circumstances. An important part is also played here, for example, by the strengths of the materials used, for example of the anchor plate 14 and the retention lug 43.

As in the exemplary embodiments described above, predetermined breaking points 45 can also be provided cumulatively in the retention lug 43 and the anchor plate 14.

Instead of a gas pressure, a liquid pressure can also be built up, although a release of gas is preferred because this can be accommodated more easily in appropriate pressure cartridges and can be released more rapidly and more reliably.

The features of the subject of the application which are disclosed in the above description, the patent claims, the abstract and the drawing can be essential both individually and in any combinations with one another to putting the invention into practice in its various embodiments.

Claims (27)

1. Quick-release lock for life-saving systems, with a housing (10) and a main trunnion (11) actuable in the latter via a release member (12), and with an anchor plate (14) which interacts with several retaining bolts (15) for belt connection pieces or the like and is stressed into the locking position and through which the main trunnion (11) is guided centrally by means of a narrowed part and engages under the said anchor plate, and also with a device for the automatic separation of the belt connection pieces from the retaining bolts (15) by means of pressure, independently of the actuation of the release member (12), characterised in that the pressure exerted by the automatic-separation device can be conveyed directly or indirectly to the anchor plate (14) with a force component running counter to the stress direction ofthe anchor plate (14), and the anchor plate (14) and/or the part (43) of the main trunnion -(1 1 ) engaging under the anchor plate (14) have one or more predetermined breaking points (45).

2. Quick-release lock according to Claim 1, characterised in that a pressure channel (55, 56) extends from the automatic-separation device in the direction of or up to the anchor plate (14).

3. Quick-release lock according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the predetermined breaking points (45) ofthe anchor plate (14) are arranged on its inner part limited by the retaining bolts (15).

4. Quick-release lock according to Claim 3, characterised in that the predetermined breaking points (45) ofthe anchor plate (14) are arranged in the region of the part (43) of the main trunnion (11) engaging under the anchor plate.

5. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the predetermined breaking points (45) are designed as notches.

6. Quick-release lock for life-saving systems, with a housing (10) and a main trunnion (11) actuable in the latter via a release member (12), and with an anchor plate (14) which interacts with several retaining bolts (15) for belt connection pieces or the like and is stressed into the locking position and through which the main trunnion (11) is guided centrally by means of a narrowed part and engages under the said anchor plate, and also with a device for the automatic separation of the belt connection pieces from the retaining bolts (15) by means of pressure, independently of the actuation of the release member (12), characterised in that a channel (55, 56) extends from the automatic-separation device up to a pressure member (40,60, 62) acting on the anchor plate (14) counter to the stress direction of the latter, and the channel (55,56) is interrupted, in the locking position of the lock, by a guide pin (23) securing the main trunnion (11) of the lock.

7. Quick-release lock according to Claim 6, characterised in that the guide pin (23) is springmounted.

8. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 6 or 7, characterised in that the channel (55, 56) extends up to an extension (40) of the main trunnion (11), the said extension projecting over the orifice (42) in the anchor plate (14).

9. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that on the side of the anchor plate (14) facing the release member (12) is located an encircling annular channel (59) with a surface open towards the anchor plate (14), and located in the annular channel (59) is an annular piston (60) which, in the locking position of the lock, extends from the upper surface of the anchor plate (14) and leaves free in the upper region of the annular channel (59) a space (58) into which the channel (56) opens.

10. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that on the side of the anchor plate (14) facing the release member (12) there is a bore (61) or there are several bores (61) at a distance from one another in the lock housing (10), with a surface open towards the anchor plate (14), and in the bore or in each of the bores (61) is located a piston (62) which, in the locking position of the lock, extends from the surface of the anchor plate (14) and leaves free in the upper region of the bore (61) a space (58) into which the channel (56) opens.

11. Quick-release lock according to Claim 10, characterised in that the bore or bores (61) are arranged between the retaining bolts (15) for the belt connection pieces or the like.

12. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the part (43) of the main trunnion (11) engaging under the anchor plate (14) is a retention lug of essentially cuboid form and has one or two arms (43a, 43b) engaging under the anchor plate (14).

13. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 5 and 12, characterised in that the predetermined breaking points (45) of the retention lug (43) are arranged approximately underneath the edge region of the inner surface of the orifice (42) in the anchor plate (14).

14. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the anchor plate (14) has, on its side facing away from the main trunnion (11), a round recess (44) for receiving the retention lug (43).

15. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 5 and 14, characterised in that the predetermined breaking points (45) of the anchor plate (14) are arranged on the upper side or underside of the edge surface formed bythe recess (44).

16. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 5 and 15, characterised in that the predetermined breaking points (45) of the anchor plate (14) are designed as continuous notches.

17. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the anchor plate (14) is spring-loaded.

18. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the automaticseparation device is a unit generating a gas pressure.

19. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the automaticseparation device is a water-activated device.

20. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 19, characterised in that the automaticseparation device consists of a unit located inside the lock housing.

21. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 19, characterised in that the automaticseparation device consists of a unit connected to the lock via a pressure hose.

22. Quick-release lock according to one of Claims 1 to 21, characterised in that the piston or pistons (60, 62) are arranged securely in position, but displaceably.

23. Quick-release lock according to Claim 22, characterised in that the piston or pistons (60, 62) are retained via a spring ring (63) engaging in appropriate grooves.

24. Quick-release lock for life-saving systems or the like, said lock serving releasably to inter-connect a number of belts of such a system and including a housing, a main trunnion within the housing, a release member for actuating the trunnion, an anchor plate associated with retaining bolts, said anchor plate being biased in one sense into a locking position in which said retaining bolts engage belt connection pieces, said trunnion being adapted on actuation by said release memberto displace said anchor plate against said bias to withdraw said bolt and thus release said belt connection pieces, a reduced part of said trunnion extending through an aperture in the anchor plate and having a retention part engaging the anchor plate, automatic release means automatically operable in predetermined conditions to generate fluid pressure and means for applying said fluid pressure directly or indirectly to exert a force on said anchor plate in a direction opposite to its bias direction to displace said anchor plate to release said belt connection pieces either by actuating said main trunnion independently of the release member or by breaking the engagement between the retention part and the anchor plate at one or more predetermined breaking points to permit displacement of the anchor plate.

25. Quick-release lock substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

26. Quick-release lock substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

27. Quick-release lock substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.