GB328406A - Improvements in harness or the like for airmen - Google Patents

Abstract

328,406. Potter, J. March 28, 1929. Body harness.-Relates to aviators' harness which in normal use is attached at the leg, thigh and shoulder and to a fixed point in the aircraft such as the pilot's seat and which for emergency use is also attached to a parachute, and consists in a construction for enabling a quick release of an upper anchoring cable at the shoulder or upper part of the harness, a quick release for a lower anchoring cable at, for example, the leg of wearer, and in addition for enabling a slacking of the connection at the upper or lower part for providing additional freedom at any time. The quick release devices are operated simultaneously by one hand or by operating a single control member. The slackening of the harness connection enables the wearer to attend, for example, to a gun, compass or other instrument. In one form of the invention, shown in Fig. 1, a quick release coupling or slip device 10 shown in detail in Fig. 4 maintains connection between two cables 9 by being restrained in a tube 11. One of the cables passes at one end round a guide pulley 13 to a position in front of the pilot. An anchor cable 6 is attached to and runs freely through a ring 8 on one of the cables 9. The other cable 9 terminates at a spring catch 15 which is capable of sliding along a rail 16 and engage in any one of a series of recesses or holes. When this catch is pushed forwardly a short distance only freedom of movement is allowed to the pilot. If the catch is pushed further it allows of disengagement of the slip device 10 and also engagement of a tripping device 29 connected by a Bowden cable to a spring safety-pin 26, Fig. 3, which pin holds in position a coupling 25 engaging two straps 22 under the pilot's seat. The straps 22 terminate in snap hooks 21 engaging rings 4 attached to the harness near the thigh of the wearer. Corresponding rings and snap hooks engage rings 5 on the shoulder straps. The rings and snap hooks enable the wearer to free himself after a flight. In a modification, release of the upper and lower anchoring elements is controlled by separate levers' mounted coaxially. Release of the anchoring cables may also be obtained by Bowden control from a single lever. The upper anchor cable may be released by screw and nut gear.