GB672160A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for retarding advance of a line under load - Google Patents

Abstract

672,160. Rope grips. FRIEDER, L. P. July 7, 1950. [July 12, 1949] No. 17021/50 Class 78 (ii). Apparatus for retarding advance of a line under load comprises gripping members between which the load line passes and linked together to move into frictional engagement with the line upon exertion of load force on one member relative to the other, one of the members includes a device engaged by the line for drawing the members together under the load force, the other member being separatelv connected to oppose the load force on the limbed members, for coaction to effect the drawing of the members together by engagement of the line with the device. A rope 36 is coiled on a reel 34 secured to a link 44 for suspension from a balloon or the like. The rope passes through holes 70 in an extension 54 of a gripping member 51 and then between the two channelled gripping members 50, 51 and then through holes 71 in an extension 64 of member 50, the load being attached to the end of the rope. The members 50, 51 have each a hole at opposite ends through which the rope also passes, the members being connected together by links 66, 67. The rate of unwinding can be varied by altering the selection of holes 70, 71 through which the rope passes. The upper and lower parts are contained in a protective casing when in use. The rate of descent may be increased by having an enlarged hole between the upper holes, with a projecting tab over which the rope passes. The holes may also be arranged other than in a straight line. The rope may be of gradually decreasing diameter. In a modified form the rope passes between the two gripping members and the rope is retarded by passing a few turns of the rope round a horizontal spindle connected to the lower end of one of the gripping members. For the release of a parachute contained in the balloon, the neck of the balloon is secured to a cover 163, Figs. 16 and 19, screwed into a housing 160. To inflate the balloon a conduit is passed over the housing and air is forced into the balloon between the cover 166 and closure 167 to the housing through holes 172 in the cover into the balloon. The conduit is then removed and screwed to the housing 160 is a yoke 141 carrying a reel 142 for the rope 144 which is connected to a speed retarding device and to the load. When the balloon is burst the parachute can then deploy paying out its load line 193, Fig. 19, from its holder bringing the load slowly and safely to earth. The parachute may be released when the load line is extended by severing the release cord by an electric current bv supplementary means. The rope is then wound on a reel similar to 34 over a movable member contained partly inside the reel and which when the rope is unwound is free to move to make contact with a battery and two other contacts which complete a circuit to sever and release cord to allow the parachute to deploy.