GB966851A - Improvements in release devices - Google Patents

Abstract

966,851. Remotely operated fastenings. TRIANCO Ltd. Nov. 29, 1960 [Dec. 10, 1959], No. 42086/59. Heading E2A. In a release device 6 in which a latch 15 pivoted to a casing is movable by the tension of a cable 4 engaged herewith to a position in which the cable disengages itself from the latch, the latter is restrained from such movement by engagement with a link 20 pivoted to the casing at one end and supported at the other end by a crutch member 22 which is pivoted to the link 20, means being provided to move the crutch member 22 about its pivotal connection with the link to permit disengagement of the link from the latch 15. As shown, as applied to the extraction of a loaded platform 1 by a parachute 2 from an aircraft 3, the device 6 is used in combination with an aircraft release operating device 7 and an operating disconnect 8. The latch 15 is freely pivoted on a spindle 13 extending between side plates 10 of a body which is bolted to the platform, the latch retaining a parachute cable 4 which is released when the latch pivots in the direction of pull on the cable. The latch is held in the position shown, by a roller 18 carried on a spindle 19 between pivoted side links 20 which are supported at their free ends by a pair of crutches 22 also pivoted on the spindle 19 and connected at their other ends by a spindle 23 carrying rollers 24. The rollers 24 run on strips 25 at the base of the body and in the engaged position shown, of the latch, are thrust against stops 26 by a spring 31, from which the rollers 24 can be withdrawn by a cross-head 27 operated by a rod 28. In a modification Fig. 8 (not shown), the cross-head runs beneath a block protruding inwardly of the body and the latch is freely rotatable within the body when the cable 4 is released. The operating device 7 for releasing the platform from its anchorage in the aircraft, is operated by a line 9 attached to the cable 4 and comprises a pair of links 41 Fig. 6 pivoted on an axle 42 at the side of the body of the release device 6 and a foot 43 pivoted between the links and releasably carrying the line 9 and which co-operates with a fixed shoe 46. A rod or cable 49 is pivoted about a trunnion 47 and to the aircraft release 50. The device 6 is operated by a line 51 from the device 8 which is itself operated by a static line 5 from the aircraft, the line 5 being disconnected when the device 6 is operated. The device 8 comprises a body 52, Fig. 7 carrying a pivoted arm 54 to one end of which is releasably connected the line 5 and the other end of which is formed with a cam portion 55 which is engageable with a freely rotatable roller 58 at one end of a lever 56 pivoted about a pin 57. The other end of the lever is adjustably connected to the rod 28. The one end of the arm 54 runs in close proximity to a block 61 which retains the line 5 until the latter is tensioned to break a shear wire 65 and the arm is swung clockwise to operate the rod 28 and so free the line 5. A latch 71 allows the arm 54 a limited swinging movement from the position in which the portion 55 strikes a buffer 67 as the line 5 is released.