GB591340A - Improvement in quick release harness - Google Patents

Abstract

591,340. Parachute harness. CLEVELAND, F. J. (Pioneer Parachute Co. Inc.). May 31, 1945, No. 13725. [Class 141] A quick-release parachute harness has a chest piece releasably connected to the lift webs and provided with releasable locking means for connecting the leg straps to the lift webs. The harness is of sling construction and includes a seat strap 2 and lift webs 4 and 6 extending to the back pack 8. Leg straps 18 and 20 are attached to the seat strap 2 and are provided with connecting elements 22 and 24 formed with openings 34 adap'ed to fit over tapered studs 36 on connecting elements 26 and 28 on the lift webs. The lift webs are also provided with similar connecting elements 38-40. A chest piece 50, Fig. 2, has a base 52 extending across the chest from one lift web to the other and from the lower connecting elements 26 and 28 to the upper connecting elements 38 and 40, and is provided with spring-pressed detents 54, 56, 58 and 60 to engage the connecting elements. The chest piece may be applied to the harness by snapping the upper detent 54 on to the connecting element 38 on life web 4 and detent 56 on to element 40 on lift web 6. The connecting elements on the leg straps are applied to the studs 36 on the elements 26 and 28 and the lower spring-pressed detents 58 and 60 are snapped into place. An emergency pack may be secured to the chest piece. The detents are actuated by means of a plate 94 secured to the base 52 and formed with pivot pins 98 about which levers 100 are pivotally movable. One end of each of the levers 100 is connected by a cord 102 to the upper detents 54 and 56. The opposite ends of the levers 100 are connected by the cords 104 to the inner end 106 of an operating handle 108. The cords 104 are looped over the inner end of the handle and are attached to the detents 58 and 60. By pulling the handle 108, the detents are withdrawn and the chest piece released. By changing the lengths of the arms of the levers 100 on each side of the pivot pins 98, the detents may be withdrawn consecutively. A cover member 114 protects the detents from damage. The chest piece may be permanently attached to one of the lift webs near the shoulder. In a modification, the levers 100 are omitted and the device is actuated by cords only. In a further modification, a circular plate is pivoted to the base for rotation and links extend from the detents to the periphery of the plate. A handle is so mounted that on pushing it over, the plate is rotated and thus the detents withdrawn. In a further modification, the detents are replaced by hooks held in locking engagement by india-rubber strands and cords are attached to serve as the releasing handles.