Disclosed is a restraint system for a vehicle, such as a wheeled vehicle, boat, or fixed or rotary winged aircraft. The system includes a control system integrated into the harness and strap of the restraint. This permits crewmembers to lock and unlock the restraint from a body worn control panel. Other auxiliary equipment also be operated from the control panel. In another embodiment, wiring for a communication system is integrated into the harness and strap.
Disclosed is a pretensioner for an occupant restraint. The pretensioner is designed to be used in conjunction with an inertial reel that locks the occupant restraint when detecting an adverse event. The pretensioner acts to remove slack in the webbing of the restraint and thereby safely secure the occupant once the reel is locked. The pretensioner described herein includes a rack that is initially held in place by a shear pin. Upon being activated, the rack is forced to a fully extended orientation, whereby the shear pin is severed. A deceleration ramp in included beneath the rack to slowly bring the rack to a stop at the end of the stroke.
Disclosed is a retaining mechanism for a buckle and buckle release system. The buckle release system is locked or unlocked via a manual release lever. A locking lever overlies the manual release lever and protects against the unintended release of the buckle. The retaining mechanism provides a further degree of protection. It includes a retaining bar that is pivotally interconnected to the locking lever. The retaining mechanism has a closed orientation wherein the locking lever cannot be actuated. The retaining mechanism can only be opened via a two part motion. First, the retaining bar is pivoted with respect to the locking lever. Second, the retaining bar and the locking lever are rotated together to permit access to the underlying manual release lever.
Disclosed is a gas release device that is adapted to be secured to an inflatable article. The device includes an container, which can be a commercially available gas bottle, a salinity sensor, and an end cap. The salinity sensor operates an electrically fireable primer that serves to release an inflation gas from the container and inflate the article. The end cap includes a cylindrical through hole that accepts a rotatable D-ring. The D-ring is dimensioned to fit over the valve of the inflatable article. The D-ring includes a series of peripheral apertures that can be selectively aligned with a slot to create a fluid passage between the container and valve. The D-ring allows the device to be rotated between different angular positions while maintaining a pneumatic coupling between to the inflatable article and the container.
F23Q 7/00 - Incandescent ignitionIgnition using electrically-produced heat, e.g. lighters for cigarettesElectrically-heated glowing plugs
F23Q 7/02 - Incandescent ignitionIgnition using electrically-produced heat, e.g. lighters for cigarettesElectrically-heated glowing plugs for igniting solid fuel
5.
RESTRAINT AND EXTRACTION HARNESS WITH ASSOCIATED RELEASE MECHANISM
Disclosed is a harness system that can be used in both restraining and extracting a wearer. The harness takes the form of webbing that may be integrated into a crewmember worn vest. The webbing includes extraction loops for use in hoisting the crewmember and a release mechanism for releasably coupling the harness to an external restraint, such as an overhead reel. The system can be used within a vehicle, such as a land based vehicle, a water going vessel, or an aircraft.
A62B 35/00 - Safety belts or body harnessesSimilar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion
Disclosed is a multipart valve assembly. The assembly can be used in selectively coupling two vehicles. The assembly includes inter-fitting male and female components and associated control valves. Coupling the male and female components establishes media (fluid or gas), communications, and electrical paths between space vehicles. This permits the passage of media from one vehicle to the other and likewise enables one vehicle to operate the control valve of the other vehicle.
Disclosed is a system for the airborne deployment and delivery of palletized cargo. The system includes a cargo pallet, one or more risers connected to the pallet, and an associated rigging. The risers are used in both stabilizing the cargo and in cushioning the impacts associated with transport and landing. The rigging is used to secure the pallet to one or more parachutes that are deployed as the pallet leaves the aircraft.
A non-magnetic latching servo actuated valve under the control of a controller comprising a motor in rotational communication with a lead screw. The lead screw advances or retracts a valve stem connected to a valve stem cap. The valve stem cap has a valve stem cap passage. A valve end cap having a valve seat is provided and receives the valve stem cap such that the valve stem cap can contact the valve seat. A pressure relief device or shuttle assembly is positioned internal to the valve stem cap. The shuttle assembly is used for venting build-up downstream pressure through the non-magnetic latching servo actuated valve outlet, through the valve stem cap passage, around the shuttle assembly, through passages, into a pressure chamber, and to the nonmagnetic latching servo actuated valve exit where the fluid vents until the system is in balance.
Disclosed is a rotary buckle assembly for harness. The assembly is adapted to selectively secure or eject the tongue plates for the straps of the harness. Although the invention finds particular application for use with a five point harness, it can be adapted for use with other harness arrangements.
Disclosed is an inflatable stretcher. The stretcher is stored in a deflated state within a frangible outer covering. A lanyard is connected to the internal gas vessel via an "external to internal" mechanical link which does not violate the vacuum seal of the stretcher's outer covering. Pulling the lanyard activates the vessel to rapidly inflate the stretcher. This inflation causes an overpressure condition within the covering that results in a progressive tear and the eventual separation of the outer covering. The stretcher can thereafter be used to transport a patient.
Disclosed is an attenuated landing system. The landing system includes one or more inflatable structures that are mounted to the underside of a cargo platform. A terrain sensor is likewise mounted to the underside of the cargo platform and is activated upon being air-dropped. Once terrain is detected, pressurized gas vessels are pyrotechnically activated to inflate the structures. Once fully inflated, the structures effectively cushion the landing of the cargo platform and, thereby, protect sensitive on-board equipment.
Disclosed is a trolley assembly that is adapted to be used with a passenger restraint, such as a locking reel. The trolley assembly allows the reel lock to be securely positioned at any of a number of discrete locations along the length of an associated track. A mechanism is included for permitting the user to selectively lock and unlock the trolley as needed.
Disclosed is a twin buckle assembly with dual release positions. More particularly, the invention relates to a buckle assembly that can lockingly secure two buckle tongues. The buckle assembly includes a single, pivotal latch mechanism that can separately secure one or both of the buckle tongues. Pivotal movement of the latch occurs upon rotation of the buckle cover. Thus, one tongue is released at a first rotational position of the cover and both tongues are released at a second rotational position of the cover. The buckle assembly, thereby, allows the independent removal of lap and shoulder belts.
Disclosed is a housing assembly for twin latching mechanisms. The housing assembly includes two handles that can be pivoted to separately unlatch two belt connectors. The latching mechanisms are positioned within the housing such that when the handles are pivoted upwardly, their leading edges engage plunger mechanisms associated with the latching mechanisms. By engaging the plunger mechanisms, individual latches are disengaged and the associated belt connectors are ejected. A flange interconnects the two handles such that one or both handles are pivoted depending upon which handle is lifted by the operator. The housing provides a secure enclosure for the latch mechanisms and also shields the working components from the environment.
Disclosed is an improved reel assembly for use in conjunction with an occupant restraint system. The assembly employs a dual locking arrangement whereby an occupant can be restrained during both major and minor incidents. After a major incident, the reel assembly remains locked until the occupant disengages the reel via a push button. After a minor incident, the reel assembly can be conveniently unlocked, without the need for accessing the push button, by applying counter tension to the webbing.
A62B 35/00 - Safety belts or body harnessesSimilar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion
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