Abstract: An egress and evacuation harness consisting of a single piece of strong, flexible material cut to a generally sector-shaped T-shaped pattern, the ends of which are secured together to form a seat. A shoulder strap secures a wearer in the seat.

Abstract: A personnel lowering or descent control device. The device includes a housing adapted to be secured to a person intending to descend from a higher to a lower elevation, and containing a line adapted to be secured at one end to a fixed point at said higher elevation. The line is wound on a reel rotatably mounted in said housing. A brake assembly, including a centrifugal brake controls the rate of rotation of said reel and thereby the rate of descent. A mechanical brake on said housing provides a manual control of the rate of rotation of the line supply reel. The descent line is trained on a plurality of capstans mounted within the housing for absorbing energy and providing a capstan ratio effective to reduce applied line tension to slow the descent of an object supported by the said descent device.

Abstract: A descent control device for lowering a load along a rope from an elevated position at which said rope is anchored to a relatively lower position. The device includes a vertical friction capstan such as a drum, shaft or cylinder, of a length adapted to receive a plurality of turns of rope wrapped therearound. Top and bottom end plates are attached respectively adjacent the upper and lower ends of the capstan; each having a portion overhanging the surface of the capstan and defining apertures sized to loosely receive the rope. The bottom aperture includes arcuate slot which tapers as it follows the contour of the capstan. A hook or eye depends from the lower end of the capstan for attaching a load carrying device. A locking end plate is rotatably mounted on the capstan below the lower end plate and includes an aperture for loosely receiving the rope.

Abstract: A parachute harness release mechanism for use on a parachute harness such as a torso restraint garment vest carrying releasable buckles for connection with parachute riser shoulder harness straps, releasable buckles for connection with survival kit lap belts, and an oxygen mask hose terminating in a releasable coupling for connection with an oxygen supply conduit. The release mechanism includes a hand operated control with a compressed air supply connectable selectively to either the releasable parachute riser shoulder harness strap buckles or alternatively to all of the releasable buckles and the oxygen hose coupling. In the latter mode, the compressed air is further connected to a pressure reducing valve for supplying air to the oxygen pressure regulator, mask hose, and mask for a time sufficient to enable the crewman to escape from the aircraft even though it is underwater or surrounded by fire, dense fumes or smoke.

Abstract: A mechanism for actuating a restraint divestment system for instant release of a crewman equipped with a parachute and restraint harness from an aircraft ejection seat mounted restraint assembly in the event of any emergency requiring such separation. In non-ejection emergencies, the mechanism effects the release of leg restraints, seat lap belt, and the disconnect couplings connecting the parachute riser and shoulder straps and survival kit to the harness so that, in the event of a surface emergency, the crewman can escape from the aircraft with his harness intact.

Abstract: A releasable fastener for securing together two straps, includes a link adapted for attachment to one such strap and shaped as a generally plate-like strike having a pair of spaced-apart locking lugs on opposite edges defining locking notches. A guide channel is provided in one surface of the strike intermediate the lugs for guiding the link into engagement with a buckle adapted to be secured to the other such strap. The buckle is formed by a body having spaced-apart upper and lower plates defining a slot for receiving the strike. A pair of spaced-apart lock-pins extend through the upper plate and said slot into the lower plate, with the portion of said lock-pins exposed between the said plates being notched to define lands for engaging into the locking notches on the strike. The lock-pins are rotated to position the lands in the notches by a slide mounted on the upper plate.

Abstract: A restraint divestment system for releasing a crewman equipped with a parachute and restraint harness from an aircraft ejection seat mounted restraint assembly in the event of a ground emergency. A single point crewman actuated mechanism releases the leg restraints, seat lap belt, and the disconnect couplings connecting the parachute riser and shoulder straps and survival kit to the harness so that, in the event of a ground emergency, the crewman can escape from the aircraft with his harness. The actuating mechanism includes an interlock which prevents release of the parachute risers and survival kit in the event of an emergency ejection from the aircraft when in-flight, so that the system can then be utilized by a crewman for manual seat separation and parachute descent. The actuating mechanism includes a pull cord actuated bell crank mechanism which actuates the various release mechanisms and is latched in its full release position.