Abstract: An emergency escape slide for a commercial passenger airplane includes a girt bar which connects the slide to the airplane. The girt bar includes a middle portion having a rectangular cross section to which the slide is connected, and cylindrical end fittings which are attached to opposite ends of the middle portion. When the escape slide is armed, the cylindrical end fittings are positioned within floor mounted receptacles which permit the end fittings to rotate. Thus, when the escape slide is deployed, the girt bar is permitted to rotate so that the wide axis of the girt bar remains aligned with the loads generated by the slide deployment. In this manner, the strongest portion of the girt bar is in position to react the loads.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (14) for attaching a translating-motion-type aircraft door (10) to an aircraft fuselage (12) is disclosed. The hinge assembly (14) includes a fitting (28) that is pivotally attached to the portion of the aircraft fuselage (14) adjacent the door opening (16) in the fuselage in which the door (10) is normally seated. The door is attached to the hinge fitting (28) by way of a universal shaft (30) that is rotatably attached to the free end of the hinge fitting (28). A drivebelt (32) is anchored at one end to the aircraft fuselage (12) and is attached at the opposed end to the universal shaft (30) so as to move in unison with the shaft. When the hinge assembly (14) of this invention is opened, the hinge fitting (28) pulls on the drivebelt (32) so as to cause its movement and the subsequent movement of the universal shaft (30).

Abstract: A cam actuator (12) for rapidly opening an aircraft door (14) that is attached to an aircraft fuselage (18) by a hinge assembly (26). The actuator includes a piston (40), a piston rod (42) that is secured to the piston and rotating sleeve (44) that is fitted over the piston rod that functions as the hinge pin between a hinge clevis (26) on the aircraft and a hinge arm lug (54) on the hinge assembly. The piston is contained within a housing (38) adapted to receive a pressurized pneumatic gas. An annular cam (50) through which the piston rod travels and that is formed with an outer surface (104) having a helical profile is attached to the hinge clevis. A cam follower (46) is attached for the sleeve so as to rotate in unison therewith. The hinge arm lug (54) is also secured to the sleeve (44) for rotation. When the actuator of this invention is triggered, the piston rod (42) urges the cam follower (46 ) against the cam (50) so as to cause the cam follower to rotate.

Abstract: A container delivery system by which cargo containers are dropped from an airplane in which release gates are generally centrally positioned and longitudinally spaced in the cargo space of the airplane. The containers are secured forwardly and rearwardly by straps extending thereacross from one athwartship aircraft portion to another, generally from one outer side to the center. Release gates are generally positioned in central longitudinal rows so that the containers may be dropped out of a rear door when the door is opened, and the containers are released by opening the release gates which secure the straps to the central portion of the aircraft. A release gate secures one end of a rearwardly holding strap so that the one end of the strap is freed to allow respective containers to move rearwardly on rollers in the aircraft deck when the respective gate is opened.

Abstract: An aerial cargo delivery system for aircraft having a rear cargo receiving and delivery opening. Cargo bundles, guided between parallel guide rails on the aircraft floor, are restrained by fore and aft restraint straps during normal flight conditions. The aft restraint straps are provided with electrically-actuated release latches which effectively sever the aft straps to permit cargo bundles to pass out of the rear opening when the aircraft is in a nose-up attitude.

Abstract: The system includes two parallel rails, multiple airdrop/logistics locks mounted by one rail, and multiple forward restraint mechanisms mounted by the other rail opposite alternate airdrop/logistics locks. Two drawbars are connected to and provide remote operation of the airdrop/logistics locks and the forward restraint mechanisms, respectively. The airdrop/logistics locks additionally are operable locally. Each airdrop/logistics lock includes a movable detent and a force responsive release assembly which releases the detent from an extended locking position upon attainment of a predetermined threshold force in the aft direction. The release assembly includes a fuse and a contractible cartridge assembly connected to the detent such that movement of the detent toward a release position will cause the cartridge to contact.