Abstract: A girt assembly for releasably connecting an evacuation slide to an aircraft includes superimposed flexible panels that are continuous at a pair of spaced connection points for connection with the aircraft. One or more catenary loops are formed in each panel for distributing forces on the flexible panels along a length of the loops. The connection points may be releasably connected to a girt bar with spaced bracket assemblies or directly connected to floor brackets associated with the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for deployment of a vacuum-packed inflatable structure includes a primary cylinder with a primary valve that can be opened under a primary applied force for discharging a primary pressurized fluid into the inflatable structure. A first connecting arrangement extends between the primary valve and an inflatable actuator bag. A secondary cylinder has a secondary valve movable under a secondary applied force for discharging a secondary pressurized fluid into the inflatable actuator bag. With this arrangement, application of the secondary force to the secondary valve causes the secondary cylinder to inflate the inflatable actuator bag. This in turn causes the first connecting arrangement to open the primary value with the primary applied force and inflate the inflatable structure.

Abstract: An arrangement for deployment of an inflatable structure consisting of a pressurized container, a cable and a cable guide block. At least one conduit extends within the cable guide block. The cable is positioned for guided movement within the conduit. Such guided movement of the cable within the conduit under the applied pull force causes activation of the pressurized container and inflation of the inflatable structure by the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: An aspirator assembly for enabling rapid inflation of evacuation slides and life rafts is configured for direct attachment to the inflatable article. The aspirator assembly comprises an open-ended body housing, a nozzle arrangement for introducing a pressurized fluid into the aspirator and toward a pair of counter-rotating impeller arrangements. The counter-rotating impeller arrangements allow for minimizing the internal forces to enable the stable mounting of the aspirator to the inflatable article without causing damage to the article material during operation.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation device includes an inflatable slide portion and an inflatable arch-shaped support portion for supporting the inflatable slide portion. The inflatable slide portion has a support frame with a first inflatable elongate beam and a second inflatable elongate beam spaced from the first inflatable elongate beam. A floor extends between the first and second inflatable elongate beams and is constructed of a flexible material. The inflatable arch-shaped support portion comprising first and second inflatable curved beams connected to the inflatable slide portion such that forces generated at least at a central region of the inflatable slide portion are transferred to the curved beams to thereby support at least the central region.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation slide for use in aircraft, watercraft, buildings, and other structures, includes a first inflatable tubular member, a second inflatable tubular member spaced from the first inflatable tubular member, and a floor extending between the first and second inflatable tubular members. At least one adjustable deceleration tube is connected to the floor. The at least one deceleration tube is adjustable in height in response to the distance between the exit opening and ground. With this arrangement, the rate of descent of an evacuee descending the evacuation slide can be regulated based on the height of the exit opening.

Abstract: An inflatable structure comprises an inflatable tubular member that is constructed of an elongate, flexible strip of woven fabric that is impervious to air and water. The elongate strip has a first elongate edge and a second elongate edge and is spiraled into a tubular shape such that the first elongate edge is adjacent the second elongate edge to thereby form a spiral seam. A first elongate tape member is thermobonded to an inner surface of the tubular member along the length of the spiral seam for sealing the spiral seam from inside. A second elongate tape member is thermobonded to the outer surface of the tubular member along the length of the spiral seam for reinforcing the spiral seam.

Abstract: An aspirator assembly having an air-gas mixing tube mated with an aspirator housing cap with a tapered socket interface and wherein an inlet check valve closure mechanism provides for manually selectable permission or prevention of the opening of ambient air inlet check valves by employing twin lock bars mounted in central swiveling relation about a check valve hinge support member which spans the inlet end of the aspirator housing cap.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation slide for an aircraft comprising upper and lower sliding regions interconnected by an intermediate sliding region and including a flexible sliding support surface. An inflatable support structure extends outwardly from the upper sliding region and formed by at least first and second support sections spaced from each other and extending in planes transverse to a plane of the sliding support surface. Each support section comprises an engaging member interposed between a connecting member and a supporting member. The connecting and supporting members are connected to the upper sliding region, so that the engaging members are substantially parallel to each other and spaced from the upper sliding region.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation slide for an aircraft consists of first and second longitudinal support beams, upper and lower transverse support members and a flexible sliding support surface. The first and second longitudinal support members are spaced from each other and formed having proximal and distal ends thereof. The lower support member is transverse to the first and second longitudinal support beams and spaced from the distal ends thereof, so that each longitudinal support beam is formed having an extension portion extending between the lower support member and the distal ends thereof. The flexible sliding support surface is connected to and limited by at least the upper and lower support members.

Abstract: An arrangement which permits installation of an inflatable aircraft evacuation slide in an enclosure disposed in a non-pressurized cavity beneath an aircraft exit. The enclosure is opened when activated by the gas used to inflate the slide and the arrangement provides a more rigid and positive attachment of the inflated slide to the aircraft than has heretofore been the case.