Abstract: The escape system comprises a series of wall openings along a building wall and a stocking of mesh cloth material extending along the wall. The stocking has a series of access openings to the interior of the stocking and a series of annular bracing rings for bracing the stocking. Each bracing ring is braced against the building wall by a bridge-like connection between an access opening in the stocking and an associated opening in the building wall.

Abstract: An inflation system for use in inflating an inflatable foldable escape slide or foldable container for use in evacuating personnel from an aircraft, platform or other device in cases of emergencies. The slide has a gas source such as a bottle member having pressurized fluids therein or as a solid fuel propellant which upon actuation directs pressurized fluids to a turbocharger fastened onto the escape slide or foldable container. The turbocharger has a turbine at one end of a shaft driven by the pressurized fluids to drive such shaft that has a plurality of centrifugal compressors mounted on the other end of the shaft whereby the exhaust fluids from the turbine and the pressurized gas resulting from the driving of the compressors unite to inflate the escape slides or foldable container.

Abstract: An emergency evacuation system uses three primary concepts--Retarded Free Fall, Temporary Structures and Energetics--to provide for rapid, safe rescue. An inflatable descent tube with entry ports is installed along the side of a structure or at the top of an elevator shaft. In emergency situations, a gas generator connected to the tube is activated and inflates the tube with gas. The interior surface of the tube includes energy absorption structures strategically positioned to retard the rate of fall. The structures absorb energy from falling bodies and translate some of the vertical force to horizontal force as the evacuee is temporarily deflected sideways in the tube. Friction strands cover the surfaces of the structures to further reduce velocities of falling evacuees. An inflatable exit ramp is positioned at the bottom of the tube to cushion the fall of the evacuee and lead the evacuee to safety.

Abstract: The present invention is an environmentally sealed storage and deployment system for inflatable aircraft escape slides which is comprised of an environmentally sealed vacuum bag and an inflatable escape slide. Environmentally sealing the slide protects the slide fabric and components from degradation due to moisture, oxygen, ozone, tobacco smoke, and other deleterious agents. By protecting the slide from degradation in this manner, the time period between routine inspections may be extended. The force generated by the opening of the aircraft door tears open the environmentally sealed bag, initiating the deployment of the inflatable escape slide. The sealed vacuum bag is equipped with air-tight disconnect fittings that make it unnecessary to repack the slide after the changing of the CO.sub.2 cylinder or the slide light batteries.

Abstract: Pneumatic vacuum lift elevator, in which the vertical shaft is a tube with smooth interior surface, preferably cylindrical, with straight axle, and the transport cab or vehicle moving inside such tube is a piston with vertical movement, with minimum play inside the tube, equipped with air suction devices at the upper end of the tube, capable of causing a sufficient pressure differential to displace such piston in controlled ascending and descending movement; completed with an air entry or intake in the lower end of the tube, and the access doors with which the tube is equipped, and which are hermetically closed on the various stopping levels.

Abstract: A high-rise escaping slow descending tube, premounted to a frame to the building with both inner and outer sides each pivoted to a cover plate and cylindrical base wherein a sliding tube is placed with one end fixed, a cylindrical cover is pivoted to the bottom end of the cylindrical base. The sliding tube at its peripheral is connected with a soft tube portion to multiple axial supporting bands, and alternatively arranged radial clamps and tension fasteners. A web is connected to the supporting band extended from the bottom end of the tube portion; whereby, when cover plate is opened, the cylindrical base flips outward in flush and the sliding tube falls off to provide one to escape through the frame and glide down inside the tube portion at slow speed buffered by clamps and tension fasteners.

Abstract: An escape device for aircrafts having a pair of gas bags and a slide member joined to the gas bags. The escape device provides a high resistance to radiation heat and reliable bonding between the sheet members. The sheet member forming the gas bags and the slide member includes a substrate of fabric and covering layers of thermosetting elastomer containing a flame retardant. The sheet members forming the gas bags are bonded together before the covering layer of one of the sheet members hardens completely. A protective layer is provided on the outer surface of the joint portion between the sheet members to reflect radiation heat.

Abstract: In an escape device for an aircraft having a pair of air bags formed of sheet members and a slide surface, the sheet members have a high tear strength and excellent flame retardancy. The sheet members forming the air bags are a rubber covered fabric having a substrate of fabric and covering layers of a thermosetting elastomer which contains a flame retardant. By using a flame retardant in the form of needle-like crystals having a high aspect ratio and a small crystal grain diameter, the flame retardant will not aggregate in the elastomer, but will be uniformly dispersed, so that the bond strength between the substrate and the covering layer is high.

Abstract: Pneumatic vacuum lift elevator, in which the vertical shaft is a tube with smooth interior surface, preferably cylindrical, with straight axle, and the transport cab or vehicle moving inside such tube is a piston with vertical movement, with minimum play inside the tube, equipped with air suction devices at the upper end of the tube, capable of causing a sufficient pressure differential to displace such piston in controlled ascending and descending movement; completed with an air entry or intake in the lower end of the tube, and the access doors with which the tube is equipped, and which are hermetically closed on the various stopping levels.

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: An object of the invention is to provide an escape apparatus which enables persons to promptly escape from an elevated place such as a building and an aircraft, and is easy to handle. An aerial floating flier such as airfoil or a parachute is folded and contained in a case, and by throwing out such a case or an aerial floating flier in folded state into the air, the aerial floating flier is spread in the air, thereby allowing to escape from a site of an accident by hanging from the aerial floating flier and descend slowly on the ground.

Abstract: An emergency corridor and ladder for multi-storied building comprising a bridge corridor, a safety ladder and a temporary emergency shelter. The structure is provided in each floor of the multi-storied building. The bridge corridor is connected to the emergency exit on each floor, both sides of the bridge corridor are respectively provided with a fire-blocking wall, and a safety ladder is provided along the bridge corridor such that the safety ladder are connected together from the top floor to the ground level. Said safety ladder has a passage to the sun deck of the emergency shelter. A feed through emergency escape rod is provided in the emergency shelter in which a man hole is opened in alternate floors. Rescuers gain access to the emergency shelter and rescue the casualty during an emergency. The man hole can also be used to cooperate with the emergency escape rod so that people can slide down to the ground level. In addition, an intermediate wall is provided for an upper an a lower safety ladder.

Abstract: A rescue chute suitable for attachment to a fixed structure or to an aerial ladder is disclosed. The chute has two concentric fabric chutes (2,4) supported by a multi-purpose mounting bracket (6). The chutes (2, 4) are made of a heat-resistant material. The outer chute has guying rings (8) along its length and is closed with snap hook-and-ring closures (14). The inner chute (4) has a zipper (18) running the entire length of the chute. Zipper-stops and zipper-pulls allow the inner chute to be opened at the different points to allow people to exit the chute. A snap hook (20) at the end of each zipper (18) ensures that the zipper remains closed as the chute is used. An elastic panel (24) runs the entire length of the chute. The elastic (104) may be sandwiched to protect it from heat. The rescue chute includes a non-abrasive entry flap (26). The multipurpose bracket (6) is adaptable to support the chute on a building wall or on an aerial ladder.

Abstract: A rescue ramp (10) for use by a watercraft (11) includes a laterally extending first inflatable tube member (14) attachable to the watercraft (11). Second spaced inflatable tube members (15) are connected at one end to and extend longitudinally from the ends of the first tube member (14). A third inflatable tube member (16) is connected between the second tube members (15) near the other end thereof and is adapted to be positioned in the water. A ramp (17) is connected to the first and second tube members (14, 15) so that when the rescue ramp (10) is inflated and attached to the watercraft (11), a person may traverse from the water to the watercraft (11) or from the watercraft (11) to the water. The first tube member (14) is attached to the watercraft (11) by means of a girt bar (23) releasably mounted on the watercraft (11). The girt bar (23) is connected to a first flap (26) which is detachably connected to a second flap (20) attached to the first tube member (14).

Abstract: A fire escape chute for a building having a plurality of floors, hallways, and a plurality of pairs of apartments on each floor, includes a plurality of spaced descending spiral-shaped chute segments extending between floors. Each segment has an entrance on one floor and an exit on a floor below. A downwardly inclined escape chute for one of each of the pairs of apartments has an entrance opening on an interior wall of one of the pairs of apartments and an exit opening connected to an adjacent chute segment. A downwardly inclined escape branch chute for the other of each pair of apartments has at one end an entrance opening within an interior wall of the other of the pairs of apartments and an exit connected to the adjacent escape chute.

Abstract: An impact system features an integral stored gas inflation source augmented by an ejector which entrains ambient air to rapidly deploy an inflate a safety cushion. The cushion has a plurality of chambers and each chamber is interconnected to an adjacent chamber by valves connected in opposing directions. When a particular cushion chamber is impacted, gas in the impacted chamber is forced via the valve arrangement into an adjacent lower pressure chamber. Upon the impacting object being removed from the cushion, the valve arrangement permits a reverse flow of gas to equilibrate the pressure in the adjacent chambers whereby the system is ready for accepting a subsequent impact without the need for reinflating the cushion. The system is of a size and weight so as to be within the limits of portability by a minimum of using personnel without being otherwise assisted.

Abstract: A fire escape including a housing formed in a building which includes a number of levels each having an opening communicated with the housing, and a number of buffer plates disposed in the housing in a stagger type. People can be safely dropped to the ground via the buffer plates. A helical pathway can be disposed in the housing so that people can slide to the ground in a fast speed via the helical pathway. The buffer plates and the helical pathway can be used as recreational purposes.

Abstract: An escape slideway comprises a base stand, a swivel table, slidway faces, handrails, connecting plates, an oil hydraulic motor, a wiring wheel, wire ropes, etc.. By loosing or winding wire ropes, the slideway can be exended or folded. The escape slideway can be extended to the top of next tall building, a safe place, or earth for persons 10 escaping in an emergency.

Abstract: A fire escape device incorporated into new buildings or added on to existing buildings by which occupants of the building may quickly and safely exit from the building in the case of fire or other emergency conditions. The fire escape device includes a vertical track or guide that slidably receives a slide in the form of a backpack attached to each person using the fire escape device. The slide or backpack includes an oscillatable control member that swings back and forth about an axis perpendicular to the track or guide and engages a plurality of stationary pins oriented in staggered spaced relation on opposite side of the guide or track and control members that control the speed of descent of the slide or backpack and the individual supported thereon. An interlock device is provided to control access to the track or guide to insure proper sequential use of this fire escape device by a plurality of individuals.

Abstract: An arrangement which permits installation of an inflatable aircraft evacuation slide in an enclosure disposed in a non-pressurized cavity beneath an aircraft exit. The enclosure is opened when activated by the gas used to inflate the slide and the arrangement provides a more rigid and positive attachment of the inflated slide to the aircraft than has heretofore been the case.

Abstract: A fire escape chute for a home includes a housing secured to a building wall below a window having a first chamber for a compressed air tank having an outlet with a normally closed release valve and a second storage chamber. A yieldable chute support pan forms the bottom of the second chamber and is pivotally mounted upon the housing and retained in a horizontal position. A hollow double wall open ended collapsible chute is stacked within the second chamber upon the pan. A normally closed cover is pivotally mounted upon the housing and supportably retains the pan. A retracted expansion device within the second chamber is connected to the cover and when manually released tilts the cover to an upright position retainingly engaged by a latch. An air plenum on the cover having a plurality of outlets is connected to the air release valve. One end of the chute encloses and is secured to the plenum and communicates with its outlets.

Abstract: Apparatus for lowering a passenger-carrying gondola from a high-rise building includes a vertical shaft or chute having a vent opening at its upper end, a vent opening at its lower end, and an air motor at its lower end suitable for either delivering air into or removing air from the chute. A passenger-carrying gondola is mounted in the chute such that as it descends under the influence of gravity, it compresses the air beneath the gondola to a pressure depending upon the position of the lower vent. If the lower vent is totally closed, the gondola creates an air cushion which can be controlled to slowly lower the gondola. The descent of the gondola can be retarded by closing the upper vent to create a vacuum above the gondola. When the gondola is descending from a relatively high-rise position, the air motor can be activated to remove the air cushion beneath the gondola so that it descends at a rate greater than a free-fall.

Abstract: An emergency device is provided to enable a number of people to be transferred between two areas far apart from each other. The device includes a flat relatively stiff plate capable of being rolled up upon itself and susceptible of longitudinal and transverse deformations according to curvilinear profiles, and plate-deforming elements to change the plate from a flat configuration to an operational one including successive transversely oriented hollow portions. The deformation elements can be a waterproof fabric layer joined to the plate sides and provided with tubular ducts extending over the entire length of the plate. Under operating conditions, the plate is unrolled and the tubular ducts are inflated with pressurized fluid to deform the plate according to the successive hollow portions. The upper layer of the fabric can form an emergency slipway for a plurality of people and the lower hollow-shaped plate can provide a slipway for moving articles.

Abstract: A recreational device for physically disabled persons is provided and consists of a slide with a low friction inclined bed surface having a top and bottom; a first wheelchair transfer station adjacent the top of the slide bed surface with a first surface for supporting a wheelchair, a substantially flat, horizontally situated entry platform at the top of the slide bed surface, elevated above the first wheelchair supporting surface and having an upwardly facing surface that blends into the slide bed surface; a second wheelchair transfer station adjacent the bottom of the slide surface with a second surface for supporting a wheelchair, a substantially flat, horizontally situated landing platform at the bottom of the bed surface, elevated above the second wheelchair supporting surface, and having an upwardly facing surface that blends into the slide bed surface; and an inclined ramp to permit a user to propel a wheelchair from the second wheelchair supporting surface to the first wheelchair supporting surface.

Abstract: A playground slide includes a hollow vertical column consisting of substantially identical hollow hubs which register with each other to define the column. The topmost and lowermost hubs are urged toward each other by a resilient device, anchored to a base. The device is typically a spring, running internally of the vertical column. This compresses the vertical column, ensures stiffness, and allows for expansion and contraction. A helical slideway encircles the column, consisting of slide segments that are fastened to each other and to the various hubs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in removing hazardous material from overhead structures comprises a work platform supported beneath the structure atop a scaffold. A plastic enclosure extends upwardly and outwardly from the periphery of the platform to define a downwardly tapered upwardly open chamber bounded by the enclosure and the platform. A tubular plastic chute communicates at one end with the interior of the chamber and extends downwardly therefrom to communicate at its other end with a hazardous material receptacle supported on a receptacle support member. Hazardous material removed from overhead structures by a worker on the platform is confined to the chamber by the walls of the enclosure and can be swept by the worker into the chute and directed thereby into the receptacle for disposal.

Abstract: An improved inflatable over-the-wing evacuation slide. The slide is provided with an inflatable wing ramp section projecting from the foot of the wing exit door to a point on the aircraft wing remote from the door. The wing ramp section also includes a generally flat upper or walkway surface and a lower face surface projecting in a tapered contact with the sloping aircraft wing. It also includes a pair of inflatable guard rails attached to the side margins of the inflatable wing ramp. The wing ramp then includes a right angle turn remote from the exit door and continues to terminate in an extended section proceeding from the wing to the ground. A unique support system is provided on the underside of the central portion of the extended ramp consisting of inflatable portions shaped to provide support to the slide regardless of the position of the trailing edges of the wing flaps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stair slide having an upper slide surface and a step fitting rear surface for locating and seating the slide on the stair.

Abstract: The escape device of the present invention comprises an escape chute having an outer and an inner tube, the outer tube consisting of heat resistant material which surrounds the inner tube, the inner tube having a panel extending over a major portion such that an object in the chute contacting the panel will have its rate of descent retarded. A mounting bracket is associated with the upper end of the chute, the inner tube being attached to the mounting bracket such that a tapered entry from the upper end of the chute to a point below the upper end of the chute is formed. The outer tube is attached to the mounting bracket independent of the inner tube, so that the outer tube does not have to absorb load-carrying stress associated with objects descending in the chute. An air gap for insulation and ventilation is formed between the inner and outer tube.

Abstract: An improved emergency slide evacuation device wherein a second ply substantially parallels a sliding ply of the emergency slide evacuation device but remains substantially unattached to the sliding ply except for edge portions of the second ply whereby the second ply supports the sliding ply in the event of tears or rips in the sliding ply but remains at least partially isolated from the forces being applied to the sliding ply to effect tearing or ripping. The improvement finds use particularly in the fabrication of aircraft evacuation slides.

Abstract: An inflatable escape slide having an inflatable platform that provide a horizontal walkway from an elevated vehicle such as a train. An inflatable slide portion is connected to the platform and is deployable in a longitudinal direction that is in the same general direction as the train thus ensuring deployment where clearance space to either side of the elevated train is limited. The escape slide and platform are an integral unit.

Abstract: An improved life raft with inflatable tubes having a boarding ramp attached to such raft wherein the raft is inflated by a hose interconnected by a coupling means and via a second hose to the raft such that the pressurized life raft chamber inflates the boarding ramp. The coupling means is a quick disconnect coupling means which in a connected condition is operative to main a flow connection between hoses and chambers but in a disconnected condition is operative to block the flow connection from both hoses and their respective chambers. A tension member is used to interconnect the quick disconnect coupling means to the raft and provides the means for disconnecting the coupling means when sufficient tension is provided as extending the distance between the coupling means and the raft. Such coupling means with the tension member can also be installed between the main inflating cylinder and the raft.

Abstract: A load-out construction device (10) is provided for conveying debris from a building (12) having a roof (14), floors and an exterior wall (16). The load-out construction device (10) includes a hopper (18). The load-out construction device (10) further includes a suspension system (30) including a pair of hooks (32) which are mounted to end walls (20, 22) of the hopper (18). An end (32a) of each hook (32) contacts the roof (14) or a floor of the building (12) and an end (32b) of each hook (32) contacts the exterior wall (16) of the building (12).

Abstract: A fire escape in the form of a flexible mesh tube attached to a frame which is sized to permit passage of a human therethrough is provided. A rope extends at least partially through the tube and is contacted by a rope engaging member which is securable to a person in transit in the tube so as to guide his descent therein along the rope. Desirably, the tube is relatively small in cross-section but elastic, to frictionally engage the person descending therethrough to slow his descent. The fire escape tube telescopes to a compact package for storing next to a window in an upper story of a building.

Abstract: An escape device having a tubular escape chute with upper and lower ends. At least one zipper extends longitudinally at least along a portion of the chute in order to provide for entry into or exit out of the chute at different elevations. The chute has a friction-creating material which extends through a major portion of the chute's longitudinal extent thereby permitting an individual descending in the chute and contacting the panel to have his or her rate of descent retarded. The inner chute may have inner pleats resiliently maintained by an elastic member. The chute may consist of an inner tube and an outer tube.

Abstract: Radiant head resistant fluid-distendable structure and methods for making same.

Abstract: A pool entry and exit device is provided for use by non-ambulatory persons and includes ramp structure defining a substantially planar surface extending from a position above the pool deck at a height substantially equal to the height of a wheelchair seat and extending angularly downward to a position at least adjacent to the surface of the water. Support structure is adapted to position the ramp structure above the pool deck. Handrail structure is secured to at least one of the ramp structure and the support structure such that the individual may grasp the handrails and safely enter or exit the pool with a minimum of effort. Structure is provided such that the device may be conveniently stored when not in use.

Abstract: An improved vertical elongated chute usable for allowing a person who has to leave a ship to descend on the sea surface in the event of an occurrence of an emergency. The vertically extending main body is made of a base cloth of which both longitudinally extending side edges are jointed to one another to build a tubular zigzag slip down passage. A zigzag slip down passage cloth having a plurality of bent parts in fixedly secured to the base cloth. An inclined slip way is jointed to the lower end of the main body so that the person who has descended through the zigzag slip down passage lands on the platform by way of the inclined slip away. An expansible cloth of which expansibility is determined in the range of 200 to 250% as seen in the longitudinal direction as well as in the peripheral direction of the main body is fixedly secured to each of the bent parts on the zigzag slip down passage cloth.

Abstract: An escape arrangement for use on board a rig (10), platform or similar sea-based construction includes in combination a gangway construction (15, 16) and an inflatable slide (23). The gangway construction (15, 16) is in normal use adapted to form a self-supporting gangway connection between two sea-based constructions (for example between a working rig and an accommodation rig). Further it is adapted to be axially displaced and to be readjusted about a vertical and/or a horizontal axis from the one construction relative to the other construction. The slide (23) is adapted to be able to be stowed away in an inactive condition in a manner requiring little space and in an active use condition to be able to be stretched out to a relatively large length and in an easily adjustable manner relative to a moveable base, to form a regulatable component in the escape arrangement.

Abstract: Stocking-like escape device comprising a stocking of canvas material or similar material. The stocking which preferably is made of netting permitting the through passage of wind, is with axial intervals provided with an annular reinforcing element for stretching out the stocking. The stocking is connected to two or more axially extending lines which are connected to the reinforcing elements and preferably to each reinforcing element on diametrically opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: A telescoping, extensible fire escape chute is mounted on a vehicle carrying a telescoping boom having a passenger basket mounted at an upper end. The fire escape chute is formed of a plurality of telescoping sections which automatically extend and retract upon extension or retraction of the telescoping boom. In one embodiment, support cables under variable tension are attached to the sides of the chute to prevent sideways tipping of the chute during use. In another embodiment, pins and wedges are used with selected chute and boom sections to securely mount the chute to the boom as the boom is extended. In yet another embodiment, a scissor-action locking bolt with extensible and retractable links is used to releasably connect selected chute sections to the boom.

Abstract: A fire escape means is provided comprising a moveable cart for storing and, when needed, moving a fire escape into position for deployment out of a building, the fire escape having an upper, supporting entry ring member and a mesh tube attached to this upper support member, the mesh tube being substantially longer than the building height from which escape is necessary, and a lower, exit-opening support ring member attached to the lower end of the mesh tube. During storage, the fire escape is folded into the cart. The building is provided with at least one opening through which the fire escape is to be deployed. To the building near this opening is permanently attached a guide wire which extends from the opening at a desired angle to the ground where it is permanently affixed to a rigid support on the ground. To the lower ring support member, one end of a leash means is attached, the leash means having a snap-on mechanism removeably engageable to the guide wire attached to the other end.

Abstract: A combination fire escape tube and rescue vehicle is provided. The fire escape comprises an upper, supporting entry ring member and a mesh tube attached to this upper support member, the mesh tube being substantially longer than the building height from which escape is necessary, and a lower, exit-opening support ring member attached to the lower end of the mesh tube. The rescue vehicle has boom-like, height-adjustable apparatus, to the upper end of which is affixed a universal joint to which the supporting entry ring member is attached, thereby providing for flush alignment of the entry ring member against the wall of the building at a window or other opening at a desired height, regardless of the angle of approach of the boom to the building. The lower exit-opening support ring member can be adjustably attached to the mesh tube near the ground by ground support personnel.

Abstract: A telescoping, extensible fire escape chute is mounted on a vehicle carrying a telescoping boom having a passenger basket mounted at an upper end. The fire escape chute is formed of a plurality of telescoping sections which automatically extend and retract upon extension or retraction of the telescoping boom. Support cables under variable tension are attached to the sides of the chute to prevent sideways tipping of the chute during use. A deflatable cushion is mountable on the vehicle below the lower end of the chute and includes a plurality of vertically stacked inflatable members which, during deflation when a person or object strikes the cushion, gradually slow movement of the person or object in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A foldable loading ramp for a truck having a tailgate. The ramp includes a plurality of ramp sections. The top section of the ramp is pivotally connected to the tailgate, and is attached to an adjacent section by two pivoting bars connected to the sides of the top section and to the sides of the adjacent section. One of the bars is connected to the middle of the top ramp section and the end of the adjacent ramp section. The other bar is attached to the end of the top ramp section and the middle of the adjacent section, thereby allowing the ramp to be folded into a compact bundle inside the tailgate when not in use.

Abstract: A delayed restraint releaseable device utilized to restrain and controllably release the lower end of an inflating escape slide at a predetermined pressure, orientation and time. The device combines two distinct restraint mechanisms into one combination unit. The primary release is accomplished by means of shear pin or pins located at the first end of the device. Under normal conditions, the release is accomplished by shearing of the pin or pins under the load provided by the tied back inflating slide. The back-up release, in series with the primary release, occurs when the pressure of the reduced load causes a piston within the restraint to move against both a spring and captive fluid. As the piston moves, the fluid transfers through a precise sized orifice in the piston, from one side of the piston to the other. The piston moves eventually to a point at which the interlocking leg of the piston support shaft is released, thus allowing the ends of the mechanism to separate.

Abstract: A packboard fixture device consisting of a support cradle, aluminum vacuum caps, pressure block and cargo strap assembly. The support cradle is an aluminum structure with a base, side supports, and two vertical end walls, the shorter of which is hinged to allow installation and removal of the packboard with collapsed slide. The vacuum caps are preferably aluminum with rubber sealing lips which are pushed onto the pump heads mounted in the packboard. These seal off the pumps and allow a vacuum to be established within the fabric slide to evacuate all air within the slide to be folded. A thick wooden member functions to uniformly compress the deflated slide into the packboard. It acts as a pressure block to distribute the compressive forces uniformly over the hinged mechanism as it is drawn down by straps using a rachet type device for drawing the straps in tension.

Abstract: An expandable support structure including a pair of spaced-apart lazy tongs linkages acting as the load supporting beams of the structure and wherein the floor of the structure is formed by planks extending laterally between the two linkages; each adjacent pair of the planks is pivotally connected near a lower endwise junction of two of the links of the lazy tongs linkages, the pivot point of each plank being near an edge thereof with the other edge free to rotate upward as the linkage is contracted; the free ends of two adjacent planks are linked together to cause them to be lifted when the linkage is contracted and a slide mechanism guides these free ends upward. The apparatus is usable as a ramp for loading wheeled vehicles into the bed of a pickup truck and for such usage may be provided with a slide mounting in the rear of the bed of the pickup truck to reach over the tailgate hinge and at the same time allow the structure to be folded back completely within the pickup bed and the tailgate closed.

Abstract: A sequenced, directional restraint system for an inflatable evacuation slide wherein three separate restraints are provided across the width of the fluid distensible member of the inflatable evacuation slide and a sequenced, directional method of deploying an inflatable evacuation slide from an elevated egress to a lower surface.

Abstract: An escape slide and life raft assembly for evacuating personnel from an aircraft or other elevated place and thereafter providing a floating support when the evacuation is on water. A slide portion of the assembly has side tubes connected to transverse and longitudinal tubes of an outrigger portion to provide additional seating capacity of the assembly when used as a life raft. Upon inflation and extension of the slide portion, the outrigger portion is reefed or held in against the side tubes and only partially inflated so that the partially inflated longitudinal tubes reinforce the side tubes of the slide portion. When the outrigger portion is fully inflated and extended by releasing the reefing, the pressure in the assembly will be reduced due to the increased volume of the inflatable support tubes; however, the reduced pressure is at a preferred level for operation of the assembly as a life raft.