WO2003010440A9

WO2003010440A9 - Jettisoning system

Info

Publication number: WO2003010440A9
Application number: PCT/FR2002/002608
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arnaud Ballu
Original assignee: Arnaud Ballu
Priority date: 2001-07-23
Filing date: 2002-07-22
Publication date: 2004-02-26
Also published as: FR2827657A1; FR2827657B3; WO2003010440A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a jettisoning system, for numerous uses, in particular different types of fastening tips when practising gliding sports. A ring (4) is wedged by a force fold (8) against a central part (7). Said fold is itself wedged by a locking fold (9) such that the force applied on said fold is largely dissociated from the load to which the ring (4) is subjected.

Description

RELEASE SYSTEM

^U present invention relates to a release device under load at constant low stress trigger.

It is well known to produce release systems, in particular for the use of systems for attaching pilots to traction kites. Indeed, the user of this type of means of locomotion can hang on to his control bar comprising a main tube and a piece of harness in order to relieve himself of the traction forces which he undergoes when his kite is in the wind. In general, the pilot is equipped with a harness (not shown) provided with a hook which can catch the end. During sudden gusts of wind or in the event of loss of control of the kite, the pilot may experience great difficulty in detaching himself from the towing assembly by its end. It is therefore more and more widespread to equip ends of harnesses with release systems. The release carabiners used in boating are not very suitable because they are generally heavy and difficult to replace after opening. In addition, they constitute a blunt object which can cause injury in the event of projection onto yourself or a third party. However, the first problem is that these carabiners or other systems generally require a release but constant release effort, or is proportional to the load undergone by this system at the time of release by the pilot. In the event of a loss of control of the kite, if the situation requires urgent detachment from the kite, the load then suffered by the release system can be very significant. The risk of such a low trigger force system is then to suddenly become very physical and to delay or even prevent the pilot from operating the said system. Conversely, other systems have triggers which remain soft, but with weak capacity for cashing charges; it is then the system itself which can cause nuisance trips. On the other hand, most of the current systems were not designed to be easily re-engaged in sometimes difficult conditions (heavy sea, strong wind).

The principle of the exemplary embodiment according to the present invention consists of a tip release system whose trigger force is low and constant, that is to say not proportional to the load undergone by all of said tip. In addition, this system has the advantage of being simple and light, and can be easily re-engaged at sea. The invention will be better understood by referring to the figures:

- Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a harness end equipped with the release system 10 according to the present invention.

- Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a harness end equipped with the release system 10 according to the present invention. In addition, the locking fold 9 is shown therein to reveal a bar 14.

- Figure 3 shows a side view of the release system 10 in the engaged position.

- Figure 4 shows a side view of the release system 10 in the triggering situation.

- Figure 5 shows a side view of the release system 10 in the triggered position.

The release system, comprising in particular a ring 4 and a tip 15, is characterized in that:

- A force fold 8 extends on one side the central part 7, and a locking fold 9 extends on the other side the central part 7, these three elements 7, 8 and 9 being of substantially equal lengths and joined together by two hinges 13. A control bar (not shown) is mainly composed of a tube 1. On this said tube is fixed a piece of harness 15 to allow the pilot to be hooked by means of a conventional harness and a hook (not shown). This tip 15 is secured to the tube 1 via a tip / tube connection 2 at one of its distal ends. The other distal end is directly integral with the release system 10. This said system is connected to the tube 1 via a ring / tube link 3 comprising a ring 4. According to another exemplary embodiment (FIG. 2), this ring / tube link 3 is replaced by a ring / end link 16 itself secured to a cord 17 and allowing another use of a hooking end of harness, commonly called "small end of harness". The example described according to FIG. 1 is commonly called “large end of harness”.

The release system 10 mainly consists of a tubular strap 6 or any other element allowing kinematic and mechanical characteristics identical to those described below. This tubular strap 6 is made up of three distinct parts: A central part 7 internally receiving the connection with the corresponding end of the end 15. This connection can be carried out in particular by sewing. Said central part is extended on one side by a force fold 8, and on the other a locking fold 9. These three elements are substantially the same length.

The force fold 8 and the locking fold 9 are respectively stiffened by an internal bar 14 (FIG. 2). Two hinges 13 constitute the two remaining flexible spaces between these three stiff elements 7, 8 and 9. The bar 14 of the force fold 8 is mainly stressed in compression and the bar -14 of the locking fold 9 is it mainly stressed in bending. The bar 14 the most stressed being that contained inside the force fold 8, preventing this said fold from sliding through the ring 4 during a tensile force exerted on the system 10. The tubular strap 6 is of a maximum width allowing its passage in the ring 4, and minimum so that the two folds 8 and 9 cannot escape laterally, one opposite the other, when the whole system is loaded. When the force fold 8 is passed through the ring 9 and it is pressed against the central part 7, a releasable restraint system is already obtained by releasing the force fold 8. In order to be able to support a consequent load without retaining force, the locking fold 9 is pressed over the force fold 8. Thus, it is then possible to withstand very large tensile stresses between the ring 4 and the end 15 via of the release system 10 constituted. In this example, a negligible pressure exerted against the end of the locking fold 9 bearing on the force fold 8 is sufficient to keep the system 10 locked, whatever the load undergone by the assembly.

This force reduction effect is possible by the rigidity of the two bars 14, respectively contained in the force fold 8 and the locking fold 9.

According to a variant, only the force fold 8 has a bar 14, in order to stiffen it mainly in the direction of compression. In order to keep said system in constant locking position, a male hook-and-loop tape 11 is fixed by means of a seam or any other suitable means, to the internal face of the locking fold 9. A female hook-and-loop tape 12 is in turn fixed in the same way opposite on the external face of the force fold 8.

Thus, when the locking fold 9 is pressed against the force fold 8, these two elements remain integral against one another by means of strips of self-gripping tape 11 and 12, whatever whatever the tensile force exerted on the tip 15.

According to another exemplary embodiment (not shown), the function of the strips of hook-and-loop tape can be ensured in particular by snaps or an elastic completely surrounding the entire system 10 formed, or even more generally any system allowing a voluntary and reversible separation of the two folds 8 and 9. These strips of Velcro tape are more generally made up of repetitive mutual fastening elements, without altering their function as the opening / closing cycles undergo. The length of these said strips is adapted to the force that is deemed necessary to easily trigger the system in an emergency situation, without risking inadvertent and involuntary openings of this release system. Thus, they can extend beyond the upper face of the force fold 8 up to the central face 7 on the lower face (fig. 3/4/5). In order to be able to voluntarily tear off the two strips of self-gripping tape 11 and 12 from one another to release the folds 8 and 9, a handle 5 of suitable shape and function is secured at its two respective ends at the two ends. respective of the locking fold 9. When the handle 5 is pulled (FIG. 4), the two strips of self-gripping tape 11 and 12 are torn off, the opening under load of the force fold 8 and thus the release of the ring 4 (Figure 5).

The handle can itself be released (function not shown) by the tip end end 15 in particular in the event of involuntary picking by a member or by the pilot's harness. This automatic release function can be carried out by means of strips of self-tightening tape or by any other suitable means, and this at any place on said handle.

This system 10 offers the advantage of being very simple to handle, and of not being able to be improperly implemented involuntarily, which may be the case with other release systems and thus considerably affect their safety. According to another exemplary embodiment (not shown), the function of the force folds 8 and of the locking 9 associated with their respective bars 14 can be ensured by rigid loops of substantially similar dimensions. These said loops (not shown) are then secured to the central part by hinges. According to another embodiment, the central part 7 can be open at each of its ends so as to receive a removable or adjustable length 15. In this case, the end 15 and the central part 7 are secured by a simple knot situated on the ring side 4, and preventing the said end from sliding through the said central part. This configuration makes it possible, among other things, to use this system constituted as a conventional releasable carabiner, as found on the market and for the purposes of the multiple applications for which they may be intended. Said system has an end 15 on one side and a ring 4 on the other, these two elements can be replaced in their function by any element having the characteristics required for the use in question. According to another exemplary embodiment, the handle 5 is replaced more generally by any element allowing sufficient grip to cause the withdrawal of the force fold 8 and the locking fold 9, even when the system is not energized.

Claims

1 / Drop system, comprising in particular a ring 4 and a tip 15, and characterized in that:

- A force fold 8 extends on one side the central part 7, and a locking fold 9 extends on the other side the central part 7, these three elements 7, 8 and 9 being of substantially equal lengths and joined together by two hinges 13.

2 / release system according to claim 1, characterized in that the force fold 8 and the locking fold 9 comprise one opposite the other repetitive mutual fastening elements, in particular strips of self-adhesive tape gripping 11 and 12, allowing the locking fold 9 to maintain the force fold 8 pressed against the central part 7.

3 / release system according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the force fold 8 includes an internal bar 14, allowing to stiffen said force fold 8, mainly in compression.

4 / release system according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the force fold 8 comprises an internal bar 14, making it possible to stiffen said force fold 8, mainly in compression, and that the locking fold 9 also comprises an internal bar 14, making it possible to stiffen said locking fold 9, mainly in bending.

5 / release system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterized in that the locking fold 9 comprises a handle 5, or any gripping element, allowing the controlled disengagement of said locking fold 9 with the fold of force 8, in order to release the ring 4. 6 / release system according to claim 5, characterized in that the handle 5 has an automatic release, allowing its opening in the event of accidental catching, in particular with the harness of the pilot.

Il Release system according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the repetitive mutual fixing elements, in particular the strips of self-gripping tape 11 and 12, allow the locking fold 9 to maintain the force fold 8 pressed against the central part 7, and this in a manner substantially independent of the load applied to the ring 4.

8 / release system according to claims 1,2 and 3, characterized in that the hinge 13 securing the force fold 8 and the central part 7, retains the ring 4.