GB496953A - Improvements in or relating to means for releasably attaching articles to aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

496,953. Bomb-dropping apparatus and the like. VICKERS (AVIATION), Ltd., PIERSON, R. K., and FIRMAN, R. A. June 8, 1937, No. 15838. [Class 9 (ii)] Relates to means for releasably attaching articles, such as mail-bags and bombs, to aircraft, said means being of the kind in which the article to be dropped is releasably carried by a slip which is connected to a cable and is adapted to be hoisted, together with the suspended article, into a housing on the aircraft by a winch, a plunger being provided in the housing to unlock the hook in the slip and thus release the article when it is to be dropped from the aircraft. According to the invention, a member is provided on the slip housing which is adapted to be moved by the slip itself as the latter is drawn into the housing in such a manner as to cause it to recock the plunger. As shown, the slip housing a is formed with depending end blocks a<1>, a<2>, to one of which is pivoted a lever b formed at its upper end and on one side with an abutment b<1> contacting with the end of an electrically operated plunger c and at its opposite side and intermediate its ends with a wedge-like projection b<2> which extends into the housing. The toggle locking link d in the slip e for the retaining device f for holding the slip hook e<1> in its engaged position, Fig. 1, is provided with a roller d<1> offset from its pivot pin d<2>, this pin being arranged in one of the top corners of the slip as shown so that when the slip is drawn into the housing a this pivot pin will engage with the projection b<2> on the lever b and rock it outwardly to cause it to move the plunger c into its cocked position. On operation of the plunger c, it acts through the lever b to strike the roller d<1> and thereby move the link d into its unlocked position, Fig. 3, releasing the slip hook e<1> which thereupon swings outwardly and allows the article suspended therefrom to fall.