GB558755A - Improvements in and relating to catapult spools for aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

558,755. Launching aircraft. BLACKBURN AIRCRAFT, Ltd., ADIE, R. H., and SCOTT, A. R. July 16, 1942, No. 9918. [Class 4] A retractable catapult spool for aircraft comprises a tubular housing 1 in which a member 5, carrying a spool 6, is urged into its retracted position by an elastic cord 17 or other spring. The member 5 can be drawn out by hand and rotated to engage stop keys 7, 7<SP>1</SP> on the housing which prevent retraction, a latching member 11 additionally securing the member 5 against sliding and rotation when it is fully extended, from which position it can only be released by an inner rotatable member 13 which first withdraws the latching member 11 and then rotates the member 5 until it is clear of the stops 7, 7<SP>1</SP>, whereupon it is retracted by the elastic cord or spring 17. The member 13 is of square or other non-circular tubular section and is rotatable by a lever 14, Fig. 2, actuated from within the air craft, and also urged into either of its two extreme positions by a spring device 22. A member 16 slidable on the member 13 has a projection 16<SP>1</SP> engaging a slider 9 movable radially within a member 10, secured within the inner end of the member 5, the slider carrying the latching member 11. The ends of the member 5 are a close fit in the housing and have flats 8, 8<SP>1</SP> to clear the stop keys 7, 7<SP>1</SP> when in normal position, but when the member 5 is drawn out and rotated through 90 degrees its ends engage the opposite ends of the stop keys 7, 7<SP>1</SP> and as the latching member 11 comes opposite to a hole 12 in the housing the spring device 22 further rotates the member 13 to project the latching member 11. A rubber buffer 21 cushions the return of the member 5 after it has been released by turning the member 13 in reverse direction.