Abstract: An electrical connector disposed between a store and an aircraft or dispenser comprises a first store-side part mechanically connected to the store and a second aircraft-side complementary part connected to an electrical cable attached to the aircraft or dispenser at a forward end, the aircraft-side part comprising a core containing electrical contacts and an outer shell engagable with the store-side part to securely retain the aircraft-side part in mating engagement with the store-side part while the store is being carried by the aircraft, the outer shell being adapted to be pulled off the store-side part as the store is separated from the aircraft, the outer shell being formed as a separate component or assembly, removably attached to the aircraft-side part core.

Abstract: A snatch connector is provided with a disconnection lanyard assembly including a tensioner assembly including a spreader bar, cables, and a cable reel. The reel may be set to allow paying out of the cable or to pull in the cable and when set to pull in, will resist paying out of the cable, thereby providing a tensile force for snatch disconnection.

Abstract: An electrical connector disposed in use between a store and an aircraft or dispenser comprises a first half 10 mechanically connected to the store and a second, complementary half 12 connected to an electrical cable attached to the aircraft or dispenser, the connector second half 12 comprising a core 14 containing electrical contacts and an outer shell 24, 26, 28, 30 snap-engageable with the first connector half to securely retain the connector second half in mating engagement with the connector first half while the store is being carried by the aircraft, the outer shell being pulled off the connector first half as the store is separated from the aircraft, the outer shell being formed as a separate component or assembly, removably attached to the connector second half core.

Abstract: A handset cable reel for use e.g. in passenger aircraft comprises a spool fitted with a rewind bias spring, the spool also having peripheral teeth 82. These interact with an oscillating pawl 62, a ratchet/star wheel 60 and a pawl 57 so that, after the cable has been extended a certain amount, repeatedly releasing and then pulling on the cable will alternately lock the spool to prevent retraction of the cable by the rewind bias, and then allow such retraction under the influence of the rewind spring. A driving key 100 on the spool indexes a cam wheel 88 for rotation so that as the final length of the cable is being rewound, a cam surface 96 rotates the pawl 57 about a pin 48 so that it no longer co-operates with the star/ratchet wheel 60 and the cable remains under spring tension even if inadvertently tugged.