EVACUATION SYSTEM PACKING DEVICE

Abstract

A method and apparatus for packing an aircraft evacuation slide is disclosed. The apparatus includes a bottom plate for receiving a section of the aircraft evacuation slide and a top plate configured to apply a pressure and or temperature to the received section to form a fold in the received section. The apparatus is provided in a substantially open configuration and a section of the aircraft evacuation slide is placed on the first plate. The apparatus is closed to sandwich the section of the aircraft evacuation slide between the first plate and the second plate to create a fold useful for packing the aircraft evacuation slide. The compression also may remove wrinkles, thereby allowing the aircraft evacuation slide to be packed into a smaller space.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to aircraft evacuation slides/slide-rafts and, more specifically, to a method and apparatus for efficient packing aircraft evacuation slides/slide-rafts into a packboard for storage and deployment on an aircraft.

Aircraft evacuation slides and/or slide-rafts are designed to deploy by unfolding and inflating from a packboard of an airplane fuselage and or door. To pack the evacuation slide in the packboard so that it is ready for deployment, the slide is generally folded according to a sequence of instructions using a manual folding process. However, the material of the slide is generally not pliable during the folding process, and manual force is often required to fold and pack the slide. Due to the size and structure of the evacuation slide, a person applying this manual force may put his health at risk. This risk increases with the size of the evacuation slide, which in turn increases with the manufacture of larger aircraft.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention a method for packing an aircraft evacuation slide includes: providing a packing apparatus having a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate, in a substantially open configuration; placing a section of the aircraft evacuation slide on a surface of the first plate; placing the packing apparatus in a closed configuration to sandwich the section of the aircraft evacuation slide between the first plate and the second plate to create a fold in the section for packing the aircraft evacuation slide.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for packing an aircraft evacuation slide includes: a bottom plate for receiving a section of the aircraft evacuation slide; a top plate configured to apply a pressure to the received section to form a fold in the received section that is used to pack the aircraft evacuation slide; and a hinge configured to move the top plate relative to the bottom plate to open and close the apparatus.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of increasing a packing density of an aircraft evacuation slide includes: placing a section of the aircraft evacuation slide on a surface of a first plate; and applying a pressure and or temperature to the section using a second plate on top of the first plate to remove a wrinkle in the section.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a packing apparatus suitable for packing an aircraft evacuation slide into a packboard of an aircraft in one embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary operation of the packing apparatus;

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a packing device;

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a packing device illustrating various additional features;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a top plate of the packing device in an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows an extendable hinge of the packing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a packing apparatus 100 suitable for packing an aircraft evacuation slide into a packboard of an aircraft in one embodiment. The packing apparatus 100 includes a first plate 102 which may also be referred to herein as a bottom plate and a second plate 104 that may be referred to herein as a top plate. The first plate 102 and the second plate 104 are coupled to each other at hinges 106a and 106b. While two hinges 106a and 106b are shown, any number of hinges may be used in alternate embodiments. The packing apparatus 100 is shown in a substantially open configuration.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary operation of the packing apparatus 100. The packing apparatus 100 is shown in a closed configuration with a section 202 of an evacuation slide sandwiched between the top plate 104 and the bottom plate 102. The top plate 104 is placed on top of the section 202 and applies a downward pressure to the section 202 to compress the section 202. Compressing the section 202 between the top plate 104 and the bottom plate 102 forms a fold 204 in the section 202. In various embodiments, the evacuation slide is folded along a preselected number of folds, wherein the folding is performed in a particular order according to a predetermined sequence of instructions, in order that the folded evacuation slide fits into a packboard of an aircraft. Thus, the packing apparatus 100 may be applied at multiple sections of the evacuation slide. Compressing section 202 also removes or reduces wrinkles 206 in section 202. Reducing the wrinkles 206 allows a top portion 212 of section 202 to lie flatter against a bottom portion 210 of section 202 than is possible when the section 202 has wrinkles 206. Therefore, removing the wrinkles allows the evacuation slide to be packed more tightly and into a smaller space.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a packing device 300. The packing device 300 includes heating elements 302 in the bottom plate 120 and heating elements 304 in the top plate 104. The heating elements 302 and 304 receive power from a power supply 306. In an illustrative embodiment, the heating elements 302 and 304 heat the bottom plate 102 and top plate 104 to a temperature in a range from between about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (° F.) and about 100° F. or to any other temperature. When in the closed position, the top plate 104 and bottom 102 apply both pressure and heat to the section (202, FIG. 2) of the evacuation slide. The section (202, FIG. 2) may be subjected to this heat and pressure for a period of time lasting form about 1 to about 3 minutes or any other time-period. The temperature range may be increased or decreased and the time for which the heat and pressure is applied may be increased or decreased to accommodate different types of fabrics. The applied heat helps the applied pressure to compress the fabric of section (202, FIG. 2) to produce smooth folds and also helps to remove the wrinkles in the fabric. This heating helps to speed up the packing process and to enable packing the evacuation slide into a smaller, more compact space. Consequently, the amount of manual packing is reduced, thereby preventing harm or injury to packing-personnel. Use of the packing device also speeds the packing process, increasing the compliance with delivery schedules (On Time Delivery).

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a packing device 400 illustrating various additional features. In one example, the bottom plate 102 may have a reinforcement plate 402 to support the weight of the packing device to prevent deformation of the bottom plate 102. Additionally, the packing device 400 may include wheels 404 that enable the packing device to be moved between various sections of the evacuation slide. A handle 406 may be supplied to allow an operator to open and close the packing device.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a top plate 104 of the packing device in an embodiment of the present invention. The top plate 104 may be composed of two or more plates that may slide relative to each other to increase the overall surface area of the top plate 104. The top plate 104 may be extended in both length-wise and width-wise directions (i.e., telescopic). For illustrative purposes, an original shape of the top plate 104 is shown using a solid outline 501. In general, the original shape may be about 10 feet in length by about 8 feet in width. Outline 503 shows the top plate 104 once it is extended along its length. Similarly, outline 505 shows the top plate 104 once it is extended along its width. The packing tool is flexible and/or telescopic in order to accommodate different lengths, widths and heights of various section of the evacuation slide as well as of any other object that may be packed.

FIG. 6 shows an extendable hinge of the packing device. With a non-extendable hinge the top plate 104 may lie at an angle to the bottom plate 102 when the packing device is in a closed configuration, thereby causing the section close to the hinge to receive more compression than the section away from the hinge. This uneven compression is solved using the extendable hinge 602. The extendable hinge 602 allows the top plate 104 to lie substantially parallel to the bottom plate 102 when in the closed configuration, thereby allowing for even compression and folding of the evacuation slide.

While the packing device of the present invention is disclosed with respect to an aircraft evacuation slide, the packing device may also be used to other components, such as life rates, slide rafts, etc. In addition, this art can be applied to any product where packing and/or packaging is involved.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated

While the preferred embodiment to the invention had been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.

Claims

1. A method for packing an aircraft evacuation slide/slide-raft, comprising:

providing a packing apparatus having a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate, in a substantially open configuration;

placing a section of the aircraft evacuation slide on the first plate;

placing the packing apparatus in a closed configuration to sandwich the section of the aircraft evacuation slide between the first plate and the second plate to create a fold in the section for packing the aircraft evacuation slide.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating at least one of the first plate and the second plate in the closed configuration to remove wrinkles in the section.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein removing the wrinkles in the section increases a packing density of the aircraft evacuation slide.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plate is coupled to the second plate at an extendable hinge, further comprising providing the first plate substantially parallel to the second plate when the packing apparatus is in the closed configuration by extending the extendable hinge.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering a surface area of at least one of the first plate and the second plate to accommodate a dimension of the section.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprises using a handle to open and close the packing apparatus.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling the first plate to the second plate using at least two hinges.

8. An apparatus for packing an aircraft evacuation slide, comprising:

a bottom plate for receiving a section of the aircraft evacuation slide;

a top plate configured to apply a pressure to the received section to form a fold in the received section that is used to pack the aircraft evacuation slide; and

a hinge configured to move the top plate relative to the bottom plate to open and close the apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a heating element in at least one of the bottom plate and the top plate configured to heat the received section to remove wrinkles in the received section.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the heating element heats both the top plate and the bottom plate.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein removing the wrinkles in the received section increases a packing density of the slide once packed.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the hinge further comprises an extendable portion that extends to provide the top plate substantially parallel to the bottom plate when the apparatus is in a closed configuration.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a dimension of the surface area is adjustable to accommodate a dimension of the received section.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a handle to facilitate opening and closing of the apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the hinge further comprises at least two hinges.

16. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprises a roller for transport of the apparatus.

17. A method of increasing a packing density of an aircraft evacuation slide, comprising:

placing a section of the aircraft evacuation slide on a surface of a first plate;

applying a pressure to the section using a second plate on top of the first plate to remove a wrinkle in the section.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising heating the first plate and the second plate to remove the wrinkle.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising using the first plate and the second plate to create a fold at a selected location in the section of the aircraft evacuation slide for packing the aircraft evacuation slide.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first plate and the second plate are coupled by an extendable hinge, further comprising extending the hinges so that the first plate and the second plate are substantially parallel when the second plate is placed on top of the first plate.