GB890178A - Improvements in or relating to cargo handling devices, especially for helicopters - Google Patents

Abstract

890,178. Aircraft pick-up systems. EASTERN ROTORCRAFT CORPORATION. June 16, 1960 [June 17, 1959], No. 21175/60. Class 78 (4). [Also in Group XXV] A load 20, Fig. 2, in a sling 21 can be automatically picked up by a helicopter 10 by means of a hook device 15 pivoted to the helicopter about a longitudinal axis at points 18, a cable 19 serving to swing the hook-device laterally into a position in which it can be seen from the helicopter. As an end 34, Fig. 3, of the hook is urged into engagement with a sling-ring 35 a keeper 56 is moved aside about a pivot 57. The hook member 29 is pivoted to a frame 15 about a pivot 30 and held in load-supporting position by a latch 38 pivoted to the frame at 39. To set the load down the latch 38 is turned clockwise about the pivot 39 by a lever and toggle mechanism 41, 44, thus allowing the hook to turn anticlockwise about the pivot 30 to release the ring 35. The lever 41 may be raised by a hand lever (not shown), a cable 48 leading to a control within the helicopter, or electrically by a solenoid 50. The load may also be released automatically on touch-down as follows. When the weight is removed from the hook the latter is raised by a spring 33, lost motion being provided at the pivot 30 for this purpose, to close a contact 73 by lifting a rod 70. This causes the solenoid 50 to operate, the solenoid being deenergized by a switch 74 when the lever 41 is raised. As the hook is swung back to loadsupporting position, either manually or by a spring (not shown), a portion 37 abuts the latch 38 and returns the latching mechanism to the position shown. An extension 63 may be provided to assist in guiding the hook into engagement with the load to be lifted. Specification 839,629 is referred to.