Abstract: An inflatable life raft which forms a passenger receptacle, has a removable canopy for covering the passenger receptacle and is formed from a flexible walled housing which includes inner and outer walls, with a plurality of chambers being formed between the walls. A bleeder mechanism, in the form of a plurality of cords disposed in the chambers keep substantially all of the areas of the chambers in communication with each other so that inflation and more especially deflation, can be readily accomplished without forming air pockets caused by the inner and outer chamber walls sticking together precluding the free flow of air.

Abstract: A powered retractable passenger restraint system for securing the occupant of a vehicle seat, especially a seat in a high performance aircraft, in an upright sitting position against the seat, which includes an upper body harness and a retraction apparatus connected thereto, which, upon actuation, forcibly retracts the upper body. a lower body harness and a retraction apparatus which, upon actuation, forcibly retracts the lower body into the seat, and apparatus responsive to the forces of inertia for actuating the upper body and lower body harness retraction apparatus. Furthermore, a manual apparatus is included in the restraint system for selectively actuating the upper lower body harness, as well as an override actuation apparatus for actuating the upper and lower body retraction apparatus regardless of the condition of the other actuation apparatus, so that in emergency conditions such as ejection, the passenger is retracted to the seat.

Abstract: An improved harness restraint system for a vehicle seat occupant which includes a unique single-point release device having laterally spaced connectors for attachment of shoulder harness straps. The system also includes an improved harness belt system employing a cross-chest belt configuration as well as a gross adjustment feature for pre-adjusting the harness assembly straps to substantially approximate the occupant. The new system also provides diverging lower restraint belts which encircle each leg of the occupant for anti-gravity and crash restraint. The single-point release device also includes an automatic release mechanism which is activated in a water environment.

Abstract: A drain assembly for aircraft which is operable to provide a drainage outflow course for discharge of cabin collecting liquids in an aircraft to the outside environment when the aircraft is at ground level or operating at altitudes up to a certain height but which is operable to seal tight that drainage course when the aircraft is operating above that certain height so that cabin depressurization cannot occur through the drainage course.

Abstract: A container and method for compression packaging a compressible article which includes use of a container having two rigid sides each connected to the other at a first end establishing a spaced-apart, parallel, and substantially co-extensive relationship between the sides. The container also includes closure means at the other end of each side for releasably holding the sides in the relationship established by the first end against the face of the compressible article held therebetween, and retaining mean fixed along the sides of the container. The retaining means has an open condition which permits compression packaging of the article and a closed condition which retains the compressible article under pressure in the container until released by the closure means.

Abstract: A closure assembly useful as a means for sealing a pressurized package which includes clamping means shiftable between an open position to receive an open portion of the pressurized package and a closed position to substantially hermetically seal the open portion of the pressurized package. The assembly also includes a retaining means coupled to the clamped means and adapted to be actuated by a force substantially independent of the force associated with the pressurized package whereupon the actuating force will maintain the clamping means in the closed position. Another part of the present closure assembly is an actuation means which is engageable with the retaining means in a manner which supplies the force enabling the retaining means to keep the clamping means in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method useful for the removal of a mass of tissue from an animal which includes an elongated instrument, such as a needle, with a sheath device having a sleeve for treatment fluid delivery at the area of operation. The needle can be vibrated at ultrasonic frequency, preferably in the lateral direction, and treatment fluid, along with reduced pieces of tissue mass, can be removed from the area of treatment by means of aspiration through a conduit in the needle.

Abstract: An emergency oxygen system for use on aircraft in conjunction with an on-board primary oxygen supply system is designed to supply oxygen to aircraft personnel in the event that the on-board oxygen supply system fails. Additionally, if the aircraft personnel is forced to eject from the aircraft, the emergency oxygen system automatically activates to provide oxygen and simultaneously disengages all electrical connections from the aircraft frame. The system includes an emergency oxygen supply which is coupled to a differential pressure activated valve through an oxygen release valve, the oxygen release valve having the capability of being manually or automatically triggered.

Abstract: A mobile maintenance stand for servicing and transporting ejection seats utilized in aircraft includes a mobile platform having disposed thereon upright arms adapted to encompass an ejection seat and rotatable to expose the various portions thereof for servicing and maintenance of the wiring, electronics, etc. disposed therein. The platform is rotatable 360 degrees in a horizontal plane with the upright arms rotatable 270 degrees in a vertical plane and is mounted on a lower portion provided with wheels disposed at the distal ends of outwardly extending arms. The arms may be extended to provide additional stability and removable screw jacks are attachable on the arms to provide a rigid stable platform. Additionally included on the rotating base platform is a removable telescoping crane assembly that may be attached to an ejection seat disposed in an aircraft for removing the seat therefrom and placing it in position to be retained by the pair of servicing arms.

Abstract: A fluid hose connector capable of resisting transverse forces to avoid inadvertent disconnection from a mating connector includes an elongated hollow body which includes a first portion that provides an extending collar to restrain the lateral movement of a mating connector and a second portion which provides for connection to a source of fluid. The body portion includes a hollow coupling for removably retaining a mating connector and a hollow plunger which is adapted to be slidably received within the coupling. The plunger is provided with a first disconnect position which prevents fluid flow through the body and a second position which permits fluid to flow therethrough. A spring disposed within the body urges the plunger to the first or disconnect position so that when the connector is not mated, it prevents fluid flow therethrough as well as providing a dust cover for the connector opening.

Abstract: A restraining fitting suitable for use with a mating track member affixed to a flat surface includes an upper portion having a ring affixed thereon suitable for receiving restraining straps or, alternatively, may include a bracket for receiving other mechanisms such as seat legs, shelves, etc., on its upper surface. The lower portion includes depending protrusions adapted to be received into and cooperate with bore holes provided in the track member. A lower member formed to be slidably retained by the upper member provides displacement of the depending protrusions locking the restraining fitting in the mating track member without requiring movement of the upper member from its initial position.

Abstract: An anti-exposure jacket for covering the torso and arms of the user as well as the user's crotch incorporates insulation material and a removable inflatable bladder disposed between two layers of fire-resistant material. The bladder may be inflated either by a gas-powered valve assembly or by exhalation of the user into an oral valve. Fasteners are provided to store the crotch portion when not in use so that the jacket can be used for routine as well as emergency wear.

Abstract: An actuation assembly for use in conjunction with an instrument, such as a parachute oxygen system, etc., is disclosed having a handle adapted to be manually gripped by the user of the actuation assembly and mounted relative to housing means that is fixedly secured to a strap or the like, with positionment of the handle in releasably confined position relative to the housing means until use of the actuation assembly is desired. Releasing means operatively associated with the housing means and the handle is provided to maintain the handle in the confined position relative to the housing means such that only upon the application of a predetermined force to the handle is it removable from the confined position. Coupling means for connecting the handle to the instrument to be actuated is provided such that upon removal of the handle from the confined position a force is applied through the coupling means to the instrument for actuation of the system associated therewith.

Abstract: The kit of the present invention is for use in the refilling within a survival unit of a gaseous supply tank through a filler valve having a threaded stem adjacent the free end thereof and a gripping surface on the filler valve. The gas is generally oxygen although other gas may be supplied. The kit includes an adapter to provide coupling relationship with the threaded stem of the filler valve so as to permit a flow of oxygen into the supply tank such that refilling thereof may take place without removal of the supply tank from the survival kit. The adapter includes an elongated member with an aperture extending therethrough and is adapted to mate with the filler valve in sealing engagement therewith so as to permit gas flowing through the aperture to enter the filler valve. The adapter further includes a holder with a bore extending axially therethrough and the elongated member extends axially through the aperture.

Abstract: A disconnect device for an aircraft survival kit including a container and a lid secured thereto with a torso harness and anti-rotation strap associated therewith. The disconnect device includes a body adapted to be mounted relative to the kit, with the body including a recess, in accordance with one embodiment, adapted to enclose a portion of the kit therein, and a support assembly extending outwardly from the body and including a cavity adapted to receive an end of the harness therein. A locking device is provided and adapted to extend through the support assembly and the end of the harness to provide securement of the harness to the kit so as to obtain removal of the harness from the disconnect device for replacement thereof when the locking devise is disengaged such that the lid may remain secured to the container when the harness is replaced. The support assembly includes a pair of spaced apart arms integrally joined with the body and defining the cavity for receiving the end of the harness therebetween.

Abstract: A snap assembly adapted to receive a cooperating buckle element is disclosed in which a base is provided having oppositely disposed front and rear ends with upper and lower surfaces intermediate the ends, and a hook is integrally formed with the front end of the base and extending inwardly in the direction of the rear end and terminating in a distal end. The base includes a front section and a rear section angularly disposed with respect thereto with a harness or the like extending from the rear section. The hook having an inner surface bounding one side of the hook facing the upper surface of the base for forming an enclosure for receiving a buckle element therein with a harness extending therefrom.

Abstract: A snap assembly adapted to receive a cooperating buckle element is disclosed in which a base is provided having oppositely disposed front and rear ends with upper and lower surfaces intermediate the ends, and a hook is integrally formed with the front end of the base and extending inwardly in the direction of the rear end and terminating in a distal end. The hook having an inner surface bounding one side of the hook facing the upper surface of the base for forming an enclosure for receiving the buckle element therein. A flexible locking member is adapted to be moved relative to the inner surface of the hook, with the locking member having an outer end and an oppositely disposed free end. The outer end formed by a wall having one surface thereof extending in overlapping relationship with and secured to the base.

Abstract: This invention provides a cutting implement having supporting means with a blade having a sharp cutting edge extending from one side thereof, with handle means pivotally connected to the supporting means and extending around the cutting edge in the closed position of the implement. The cutting surface of the blade is exposed by the user gripping the supporting means or the handle means and by pivoting the handle means away from the supporting member, or visa versa, about 180.degree. to open the implement. By providing the cutting surface in a completely enclosed position when not in use, no injury could occur to the user.When the cutting implement is not in use, the handle means extends in overlapping relation to the supporting means and the exposed portion of the blade extends within chamber means extending within the handle means.