Abstract: An aircraft crash sensor activates an aircrew safety device upon sensing an aircraft impact in any direction to minimize the aircrew flail envelope and reduce the possibility of injury caused by the crash. The crash sensor is useful in a plurality of different aircraft all having different characteristics and mounting orientations for the crash sensor. It includes accelerometers which sense accelerations along three orthogonal axes. The memory contains algorithms for each of a plurality of different aircraft. The memory also contains a program which converts the acceleration data measured along the sensor's axes to acceleration data on the aircraft's orthogonal X, Y and Z axes. These converted acceleration signals are input to a microcontroller which evaluates them, by analyzing them with an algorithm contained in non-volatile programmable memory, to determine when a crash has occurred.

Abstract: A buckle system for release of a crew member's harness from a parachute. The buckle system has a frame which holds the harness. A tang assembly holds the parachute strap and snaps into the frame. The tang assembly is held by a latch which pivots between a closed position and an open position. The latch in turn is held by a lever which includes a cavity which holds the free end of the latch. When the lever is moved to an open position the latch is released. The latch has a spring which urges it into an open position. The result is a buckle system which can be opened with very little force being exerted on the lever. The lever is covered by a spring loaded cover. An automatic release is provided wherein a pyrotechnic charge opens the cover and lever and thereby releases the latch.

Abstract: This retractable pin disconnect is shown herein in connection with the male connector member of existing hardware for parachute harness and the like. The retractable pins engage opposite sockets in the legs of the male connector member for webbing. The retractable pins are on the opposite sidewalls of a hollow body and are connected to a pair of bell cranks which latter are connected to a yoke embracing the arms of the bell cranks so as to rock the bell cranks by pulling the yoke toward the other end of the body thereby to pull the retractable pins inwardly of the body and out of the sockets of the legs of the male connector member. The body is adapted to a webbing and thus interposed between the webbing and the connector member and functions in place of the usual webbing pin of the connector member. Means are provided for pulling the yoke for actuating the bell cranks and resilient means urge the yoke so as to move and hold the bell cranks in position for extending the retractable pins.

Abstract: In a box, open at least at one end, is a drum cam, into each end of which is secured a stub shaft from the hub of a hand lever; the hub of a hand lever; the hubs being journaled in opposite side walls of the box; the hand levers being outside the box for turning the cam manually to release the webbing; cross-sectionally the cam is a substantially diagonal cam, the opposite projections or apices of which are rounded and spaced apart to a distance equal to or greater than the height of the box; smooth gripping surfaces adjacent the respective projections are diagonally spaced apart to leave a clearance less than the thickness of the webbing to be clamping against the top and bottom of the box when tension on the webbing around the cam urges the projections toward said top and bottom; a light multiple ribbon spring between an end wall of the box and the cam urges the webbing against the surface of the cam with light pressure; a pin spaced from the cam anchors the end of the webbing, so that the webbing extends f

Abstract: A release mechanism adapted for coupling parachute canopy riser straps to parachute harnesses is described wherein the male and female members of the mechanism are held together by two axially aligned bolt elements (a broken bolt) disposed in a common coupling passageway defined through the male and female members. An integral electronic water-activated energizing mechanism drives the two element broken-bolt longitudinally in the coupling passageway allowing the male and female members of the mechanism to separate whereby one of the bolt elements stays with the female member and the other bolt element stays with the male member. The described release mechanism further includes protective cover means for isolating sensing electrodes of the electronic water-activated energizing mechanism from the external environment prior to deployment of the parachute canopy.

Abstract: A gas-actuated release system is incorporated into a conventional ejection seat of an aircraft for freeing a pilot from his survival gear which could hinder his escape from the aircraft in a ground emergency. The system includes fail-safe features which prevent its operation when the pilot ejects from the aircraft via the ejection seat system. Flexible gas lines between the survival gear and the ejection seat are equipped with tension release connectors which pull apart upon separation of the pilot and survival gear from the ejection seat after ejection from the aircraft.