Means For Automatic Launch Upon Sinking Of Ship Patents (Class 114/367)
-
Patent number: 10647436Abstract: A restraint arrangement for an inflatable slide may comprise a releasable restraint and a yoke coupled to the releasable restraint. The yoke may comprise a first strap and a second strap. A first dampener may be coupled to the first strap. A second dampener may be coupled to the second strap. The first dampener and the second dampener may deform in response to a tensile load.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy C. Haynes, Daniel Bahena
-
Patent number: 9751021Abstract: A dispenser for a flotation device in accordance with present embodiments may include a housing comprising an aperture. The dispenser may also include a plurality of flotation devices positioned in the housing; and a base positioned in the housing and supporting the plurality of flotation devices, wherein the base is configured to move relative to the housing to move the plurality of flotation devices jointly to position at least one flotation device adjacent to the aperture to permit removal of the at least one flotation device from the housing via the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventor: Justin Michael Schwartz
-
Patent number: 9675058Abstract: A fish recompression tool comprises an elongate body having and internal airtight chamber, an attachment member, a locking member, a piston, and a spring within the airtight chamber that engages the piston. The attachment member may switch between open and closed configurations, such that a fish is attached to the device in the closed configuration. The attachment member configuration is controlled by the locking member, such that a locked configuration corresponds to a closed configuration. The attachment member switches to the open configuration when the piston moves in response to reaching a water depth that results in the external pressure surrounding the airtight chamber being sufficiently greater than the internal pressure within the airtight chamber and the spring force on the piston. In preferred embodiments, a plug attaches to an open ended elongate body and may be moved to set different unlocking requirements (i.e. different release depths).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Inventor: Bill D. Brown
-
Assembly and method for stowing away and removing a survival kit in a passenger cabin of an aircraft
Patent number: 8220742Abstract: An assembly for stowing away and removing a survival kit in a passenger cabin of an aircraft, includes a first stowage compartment configured to be put in place in a floor of the passenger cabin. The first stowage compartment is equipped for completely accommodating the survival kit and for leading out a hook that is connected to the survival kit by way of a strap. The hook is used for hooking the survival kit to an attachment device of a rescue device with the first stowage compartment remaining closed.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Paul Bolder, Reinhard Becker, Evgenij Habermehl -
Patent number: 6912966Abstract: A molded gangway section is provided to form a gangway between a shore and a dock, pier, and the like. The gangway includes an upper tread surface and a bottom surface having recesses formed therein. The ceilings or upper surfaces of the recesses are formed with grooves. Two or more of the gangway sections can be connected together to form gangways of incrementally increasing lengths. Hinge connections are provided to connect the gangway to piers, docks, shore abutments, ramps, etc. Additionally, a roller can be mounted to a shore end of the gangway.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: E-Z Dock, Inc.Inventors: Troy Ostreng, Larry Moody
-
Patent number: 6895887Abstract: A gunwale for a boat. The gunwale can include an inner side and an outer side coupled at first ends to a top side forming a deck and at second ends to a bottom side. The gunwale can also include a first slot opening downwardly adjacent the inner side receiving a side panel of the boat, and a second slot opening downwardly adjacent the outer side receiving a hull of the boat. The outer side of the gunwale can also include a groove receiving a hook of a cover for the boat. A portion of the gunwale can also have an inner surface forming a closed channel and an outer surface forming an open channel through which lines can be run, and can also include a removable keeper coupled to the gunwale to at least partially close the open channel. The outer side of the gunwale can also include a laterally facing channel configured to receive a bumper.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Crestliner, Inc.Inventor: Leon C. Raiter
-
Patent number: 6878024Abstract: A hydrostatic release mechanism is provided which comprises a sealed housing having an interior volume and a tunnel adapted to receive a tether extending therethrough. A depth sensor is mounted to the sealed housing and has a diaphragm covering an opening between the interior volume and the ambient conditions. A trigger is contained within the sealed housing and is operably connected to the diaphragm and a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism is actuated by movement of the trigger in response to inward movement of the diaphragm when the pressure on the diaphragm exceeds a predetermined force. The firing mechanism includes a piston having a blade which moves in response to the expanding gases from a pyrotechnic cartridge and passes through the tunnel thereby severing the tether extending therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: General Pneumatics CorporationInventor: Kerry R. Kohuth
-
Patent number: 6224442Abstract: A device for releasing a link between a first object and a second object is disclosed. The device comprises a body having a holding means for securing the body to the link; a releasing means for releasing the link; a pyrotechnic composition for actuating the releasing means; an igniting means for igniting the pyrotechnic composition, the igniting means being activatable by an increase in ambient pressure; and a pressure-sensing means for detecting a change ambient pressure. In one embodiment, the device can include a sliding blade actuatable by a pyrotechnic composition that is ignited by an electrical stimulus activated by an increase in ambient pressure, and the link may be for example, a cable securing an emergency position indicating radio beacon to a watercraft.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Pains-Wessex LimitedInventors: James Arthur George Simpson, David Peter Plewka
-
Patent number: 5573343Abstract: The application describes a hydrostatic release device, suitable for releasing life-saving equipment carried on a ship or aircraft when the ship or aircraft sinks or ditches in the sea. A change in ambient pressure is detected by a pressure sensor which opens a liquid-filled chamber and thereby releases a hydrostatic pressure behind a reciprocable member. This reciprocable member then allows release of a release means. The release means can comprise a link prevented from longitudinal movement by an abutment and normally constrained against lateral movement by the reciprocable member. Thus removal of the reciprocable member away from the link enables transverse movement of the link clear of the fixed abutment. Such an arrangement provides a particularly simple and inexpensive release means.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1995Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Assignee: Simon Cash-ReadInventors: Paul D. Davis, Thomas S. Floate
-
Patent number: 5438949Abstract: A hydrostatically releasable coupling assembly for releasably securing a buoyant object to a vessel with a lashing strap. The coupling assembly includes a pair of lashing plates, a cooperative latching mechanism carried by the lashing plates for releasably coupling the lashing plates together and a composite plunger assembly coupled to one of the lashing plates for movement between a release position and a locking position. The plunger assembly has a first diameter portion shaped for release of the latching mechanism for movement from an engaged position to a disengaged position when the plunger assembly is in the release position, and a second diameter portion formed of plastic and shaped to retain the latching mechanism in an engaged position when the plunger assembly is in the locking position.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1994Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Assignee: Raftgo Hendry Manufacturing Co.Inventor: Ronald H. Day
-
Patent number: 5365873Abstract: A hydrostatic pressure release for releasing a life raft or the like when a ship sinks has a flexible diaphragm sealing a chamber on one side and exposed externally on its opposite side. A ceramic vent plug is mounted on the diaphragm so that it is protected within the casing of the device. The diaphragm has a resilient plate with an integral sleeve that projects through a collar in a rigid disc mounted on the plate. The plug is retained within the sleeve, in the collar. A rod projecting from the diaphragm extends into one end of an aperture in a slider and locks it in position. When the device is submerged, the diaphragm is deflected and pulls the rod out of the aperture allowing the slider to be released. A button on the slider extends into the other end of the aperture so that when is is depressed it pushes the rod out of the aperture and releases the slider.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1993Date of Patent: November 22, 1994Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited CompanyInventor: Richard I. Wigram
-
Patent number: 4873933Abstract: A marine radio distress beacon is mounted on the casing of an automatic self-inflating life-raft, the casing being encircled by retaining straps which are broken by the self-inflation of the life-raft, and the beacon being mounted by one or more of the retaining straps so as to be released when the straps break.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1988Date of Patent: October 17, 1989Assignee: Clifford & Snell LimitedInventors: Brian S. Bennett, David Smith
-
Patent number: 4848262Abstract: A release mechanism is triggered when the pressure differential on the siall of a sealed container reaches a predetermined threshold level at which the container either implodes or explodes to sufficiently decrease the spacing between the ends of the container and thereby achieve the release. False triggering due to percussion or shock waves may be precluded by disposing a shield about the sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1988Date of Patent: July 18, 1989Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Willie B. Freeman
-
Patent number: 4633802Abstract: Apparatus for storing and launching a float from a ship includes first and second arms; a device pivoting the first arm for swinging movement relative to the second arm, the second arm being adapted to be fixed to a ship; a bias device connected between the first and second arms for biasing the first arm in a direction away from the second arm; a storing device for releasably holding a float to the second arm; a retaining shaft axially movable between a retaining position and a releasing position; a blocking assembly connected to the storing device and connected to the retaining shaft in such a manner that in the retaining position of the retaining shaft the storing device holds the float to the second arm and such that movement of the retaining shaft to its releasing position releases the blocking assembly so that the holding device releases the float from the first arm, the retaining shaft in its retaining position also cooperating with the second arm in a manner to restrain swinging of the second arm by thType: GrantFiled: September 12, 1984Date of Patent: January 6, 1987Assignee: Velsmidjan OL. OlsenInventor: Karl H. Olsen
-
Patent number: 4499844Abstract: A davit launched inflatable life raft in a rigid container fastened to a deck by releasable latches is released and the raft inflated at a predetermined depth in a float free mode. A painter line fastened to the life raft is releasably connected to a retaining member mounted on the deck so that upon release of the container the retaining member will be actuated and the painter line secured to the retaining member to limit movement of the raft on the surface of the water to the area over the retaining member. A release lanyard for the davit hook and raft actuating cables connected to the lid fasteners are also releasably held in the retaining member for releasing the davit hook from the raft supporting davit ring and for releasing the fasteners holding the lid in place. Lifting of the flotable container provides relative movement of the retaining member mounted on the deck and the container to actuate a locking hook of the retaining member.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1983Date of Patent: February 19, 1985Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich CompanyInventor: James M. Parish