Abstract: A tongue includes a tongue base which can project therefrom and a tongue face plate at the forward end thereof. A buckle includes a solenoid provided at the forward end so as to attract the tongue face plate. After the tongue base is inserted into the buckle, the tongue base is drawn deep into the buckle by the pawl portion of a long hook, rocking arms are engaged with the notched portions of the tounge base, and a latch plate comes into close contact with the claw portions of the rocking arms at the back sides of the claw portions, thereby latching the tongue base. The latch plate and the long hook are advanced and withdrawn by a pinion which is rotated by a stepper motor. When the pinion is reversely rotated, the tongue base is released from the latched state, and the tongue base is pushed out of the buckle by an ejector, thereby separating the tongue from the buckle.

Abstract: A releasable latching apparatus having a monitoring means for electrically indicating whether the latching apparatus is in the engaged or disengaged positions. The apparatus includes a main housing with a tab member selectively engageable therewith. A trigger member is pivotally mounted upon a trigger pin which in turn is pivotally mounted in the main housing. The trigger member is selectively engageable with the tab member for engaging or releasing thereof with respect to the main housing. An ejector member is movable between an engagement position and a released position responsive to whether the tab member is engaged to the trigger member. The ejector includes an ejector pin extending outwardly therefrom through an ejector pin opening defined in the main housing to selectively contact the switch lever of a switch which is affixedly secured to the exterior of the main housing.

Abstract: A buckle pretensioner for a seat belt system includes a support member on which a buckle is mounted for movement generally downwardly from a normal upper position to a pretensioning lower position in which pretension is applied to the seat belt. A rotary actuator mounted on the support member and supplied with gas from a gas generator provides a driving force for moving the buckle downwardly along the support member. A connecting mechanism, which includes a force-transmitting mechanism that transduces a tangential force produced by rotation of the rotor of the rotary actuator to a translational force, connects the rotary actuator to the buckle for transmitting the driving force from the rotary actuator to the buckle. A locking device locks the buckle in the lower position to which it is driven by the driving force.

Abstract: A seat belt tongue retaining device which comprises a buckle unit having an insertion passage into which a tongue is inserted, and a latch pawl capable of getting into and out of the insertion passage. A tongue has a latch hole for allowing the latch pawl to engage therewith. Slots formed in the tongue extend in the inserting direction. Arms disposed turnably in the buckle unit have leading ends capable of protruding and moving in the tongue inserting direction. The arms engage with the slots of the tongue in the insertion passage and pull the tongue deep into the passage wherein the tongue is latched automatically.

Abstract: A buckle of a seat belt device, for securing a tongue of the seat belt device, comprises: an insertion path into which the tongue is inserted; and a latch unit, provided in the insertion path, for hindering a removal of the tongue. An engaging device which engages with the tongue is provided in the insertion path. Provided also is a drive unit for moving the engaging device in a tongue inserting direction.

Abstract: An aviator harness fitting includes a releasable member secured to a buckle member by means of a movable bolt. A pressure inlet is provided to enable translational motion of the bolt in the manner of a piston. When actuated, the bolt moves to a release position to permit separation of the releasable and buckle members.

Abstract: A pressure activated seat belt locking device is disclosed for allowing an operator from a remote location to control the locking or unlocking of seat belts such as those used on amusement park type rides, or elsewhere. The seat belt locking device has a buckle portion into which a latching tongue is inserted and held into place by a retractable element which extends through an aperture in the latching tongue. The latching tongue can be removed from the buckle by depressing a release latch to disengage the retractable element from the aperture. The seat belt locking device is provided with a pneumatically inflatable air bladder which is exerted against a pivotable lever lock when properly inflated. The inflation of the air bladder causes the lever lock to pivot and bear against the lower end of the release latch, such that the release latch cannot be depressed by the user of the seat belt to disengage the retractable element from the latching tongue.

Abstract: A strip of copper-based shape memory alloy is used as an actuator element in a restraint/release device (R/R) for a deployment mechanism particularly for space applications; the strip heated by a resistance bends and acts on a lever of a latch means to disengage a moving arm of the R/R device.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasing one member from another. A piston is disposed partially in the bore of one member and partially in the bore of the other member to bridge the gap therebetween for maintaining attachment thereof. The piston is responsive to a propulsive force for movement forwardly to a second position wherein all of the piston is disposed in the other member. The other member bore has a reduced-diameter portion forward of and adjoining an increased-diameter rearward portion thereby providing a shoulder. The piston has a forward portion and a rearward portion having substantially the same diameters as the forward and rearward bore portions respectively of the other member. A tapered portion connects the piston forward and rearward portions and is impelled on the shoulder when the piston is moved to the second position.

Abstract: A security arrangement for grooved shafts or bolts uses a plurality of toothed collet members held in securing abutment by a cap member. The cap member is held in position by a displaceable chock member. The chock member is readily displaceable such that the securing arrangement can be rapidly released. Conveniently, the chock member may be displaced by a spring member, the spring member being held in a bias position by a cord attached to the chock member.

Abstract: A quick change tool holder including two basic component assemblies, the first component assembly having a central boss portion and the second component assembly having a recess to receive the boss portion when the two component assemblies are attached together. A channel formed in the boss portion is engaged by a pivotally mounted lock bar member when the component assemblies are attached together. The lock bar is moved out of the channel which permits separation of one component assembly from the other by the action of air pressure against a piston.

Abstract: A pin of a retracting or ejecting pyrotechnical power element preferably mounted on the side of a belt lock facing away from the engaged belt is connected to a trigger key in such a way that, upon initiation of the charge of the pyrotechnical power element as a result of a threshold of a sensor in the vehicle being exceeded, due to an occurrence to be sensed, i.e. an impact upon collision and, after a required delay, the trigger key is depressed completely--and remains depressed. The required delay between the occurrence and the instant of belt separation can be effected electronically or, quite especially preferably, integrated in the pyrotechnical power element by means of a pyrotechnical transmission path.

Abstract: A mechanical release of an object occurs after a release device is subjec to a first pressure and then is brought to a second pressure which is less than the first. The first pressure enables or arms the device so that its actuation or release takes place when the second, specific release pressure is reached. The setting and releasing pressures are substantially less than extremely high pressures which the device is capable of withstanding. A pair of opposed biasing springs and a diaphragm with a specifically contoured solid stop prevent deformation and any sliding of sealing surfaces to avoid failure.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed on the basis whereof the image cylinders seated in cantilevered fashion in drum scanners can be mounted in the scanner in a short time running centrally regardless of the dexterity of the operator.This thus enables the preparation of the image cylinders (application of the images, etc.) outside of the apparatus, this leading to short standstill times of the scanner.

Abstract: An anti-rupture ring is slit axially at least at one location and is provided thereat with clamping devices which permit a rapid tightening and loosening of the anti-rupture ring. In one embodiment, the clamping of the anti-rupture ring can be varied hydraulically so as to minimize clearance losses in operation. The invention can be used in all types of turbo engines endangered by breakage of rotor blades, particularly in aircraft gas turbine construction, and it permits simple, damage-free mounting and a well-defined clamping of the anti-rupture ring.

Abstract: A device for detachable and repeatable accurate clamping in X-, Y- and Z-directions of a first object to a second object like a working table (2) to a machine table (1), the first object (1) having a house (3) with a truncated conical surface (15) intended to cooperate with a corresponding conical surface (25) of the second object (2) and clamping member (9), each intended when clamping the second object to the first object by pivoting the clamping member to engage a clamping surface (20) of the second object by a nose (12). According to the invention the house (3) is provided with a first stop face (17) extending across the axis (16) of the truncated conical surface (15) and cooperating with a second stop face (21) arranged in the second object, the mutual position in the Z-direction of the first and second objects being unambiguously determined.

Abstract: An automatic release buckle assembly including a mating buckle and latch tongue. A resiliently biased tongue latch engages the latch tongue to prevent withdrawal of the latch tongue from the buckle. A manually operable release mechanism is provided for causing the tongue latch to disengage the latch tongue to permit withdrawal of the latch tongue from the buckle. An automatic release device causes the tongue latch to disengage the latch tongue and includes an element movable between first and second positions where in the second position the tongue latch is disengaged from the latch tongue. A support is provided for supporting the movable element in the first position and a resilient element is provided for urging the movable element from the first position to the second position when the movable element becomes unsupported in the first position.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic release mechanism is actuated by an electrical signal from a remote telemetry actuator such as a radio transmitter to cause two normally connected parts to separate. When used as shown with an animal collar mounted data acquisition system, the two parts can be separated to release the collar. If desired, a separate data storage device can be released to permit stored data to be recovered. The device comprises two parts with interfitting members normally held in position with a coupling pin. A pyrotechnic device is positioned behind the pin, and upon firing, the pin is moved sufficiently to clear one of the members at least, so that the two members will then separate. The device can be used to permit remotely controlled recovery of a part that is normally mounted together and which are to be separated.

Abstract: A device for an automatic interchange and coupling of grippers on robots or manipulating devices includes a mounting member connectable to a robot and a gripper-holding interchanging plate which is formed with recesses receiving locking balls or pins interpositioned between the interchanging plate and an actuation cone of an axially movable piston positioned in the mounting member. The movement of the piston causes the actuation cone to push the locking balls or pins to move radially outwardly into the recesses of the interchanging plate to lock the latter with the mounting member.

Abstract: A thermally actuated seat belt fastener includes a conventional latching mechanism having an automotive thermostat type of actuator within a release button that is pressed by a user to release the fastener. If the thermostat is subjected to a predetermined high temperature, an internal plunger extends from the interior of the button to automatically release the fastener, without depressing of the release button.

Abstract: The device comprises automatic unlocking means for a fastening member connected to the belt and actuating means for the unlocking which are sensitive to a parameter of the state of a movable structure in which the safety belt is installed. The automatic unlocking means comprise means for automatically exerting a force against elastic means on a triggering device. The means for automatically exerting a force comprise a metallic element capable of exerting a force when heated, and heating means for this metallic element.

Abstract: An actuator/sensor responsive to concentration of a substance in a liquid comprising a case containing in a rigid chamber a liquid of lesser concentration of that substance, and an exit opening at least in part occluded by a membrane possessing osmotic properties, whereby when a sufficiently concentrated solution contacts the membrane outside the chamber, liquid in the chamber leaves in an attempt to dilute the more concentrated solution, creating a lesser pressure which can be utilized as a signal or actuating power. Actuating means such as a retention pin can be moved from a ready to an actuated position as a function of the lowering of pressure in the compartment.

Abstract: A central belt lock, particularly for a parachute harness, includes a housing, a main pin or journal which is manually rotatable and axially movable therein, and an anchor plate which cooperates with a plurality of retaining bolts for the belt attachment or coupling members. There is dealt with the problem of allowing the belt attachment members to be released and thus disconnected from the lock even if the parachutist for some reason is unable to actuate the lock manually, after making a jump over the sea. Therefore, a central belt lock is provided to be activated by sea water and can be released thereby, without affecting the function thereof when operated manually. For this purpose, the main journal (2a) has at least one longitudinal bore in which a push rod (12) is mounted so as to be longitudinally movable. An actuator (20, 27) is associated with the push rod and is actuated when coming into contact with water, axially moving the push rod (12) and hence the anchor plate (5) with the retaining bolts (6).

Abstract: A seat belt buckle emergency release system is provided for installation in conjunction with a seat belt system in a motor vehicle so that, in the event of the motor vehicle sustaining an impact of sufficient magnitude as to warrant emergency release of the seat belt system, an electrically-operable actuator in a seat belt buckle of the seat belt system is actuated to release the seat belt system a short predetermined time interval after the vehicle has come to rest. The emergency release system includes two omni-directional sensors 108, 110, incorporated in an electronic timing and actuator operation circuit controlling the actuation of the electrically-operable actuator in the seat belt buckle. Sensor 108 is responsive only to a predetermined high acceleration indicative of vehicle impact, and sensor 110 is responsive to a predetermined acceleration substantially lower than said predetermined high acceleration and indicative of substantial vehicle movement.

Abstract: A remote operable coupler for rapidly connecting the loading hook of a crane, or the like, to a load to be hoisted comprises a load collar that is attached to the load and an upper unit support on the crane hook. The load collar has a funnel shaped aperture vertically aligned therethrough and the upper unit has a depending lifting tube that is lowered into and through the funnel in the collar. Steel balls are located in radial holes near the bottom of the lifting tube and normally are recessed into an annular groove near the bottom end of a cam rod in the bore of the lifting tube.

Abstract: An improved catch for safety belts embodying releasable locking of the catch tongue with a releasing element which by means of a pushbutton is manually movable to slide counter to a return spring and release a locking mechanism, and an automatic release system controlled by an electric signal generated by a sensor and having an electro-mechanical drive. The automatic release operation occurring after a given delay period, which starts anew after each signal, if several signals occur successively within the delay period. The electro-mechanical drive comprising a gear motor driven threaded spindle, and a drag nut on the spindle bearing against the releasing element. The drag nut releasing said releasing element for movement by the pushbutton. A switching element is provided which, upon release of the locking mechanism, acts on the gear motor to restore it to its starting condition prior to the electrical signal generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A seat belt system comprising a seat belt retractor, a seat belt, a tongue plate secured at an intermediate position of the seat belt, and a buckle which has a locking function and an unlocking function for the tongue plate. An actuator and its controller are provided for automatically actuating the unlocking function of the buckle.

Abstract: A robot hand changer for industrial robots, having a changer unit mounted fixedly on the industrial robots and a changer adapter holding a robot hand and being detachably fitted in the change unit. The changer unit has a fluid-operated piston and clamping balls urged toward a clamping position by the fluid-operated piston. The changer adapter is fitted in the changer unit and clamped by the agency of the clamping piston. A plurality of such changer adapters holding different kinds of robot hand are prepared.

Abstract: The inner end of a hollow shaft (12) is releasably attached to a flight vehicle (2) by a ball-plunger type quick release mechanism. A rod (22) is axially slidable in the shaft (12) to release the shaft (12) from the vehicle (2). A plate (34) extends radially from the outer end (16) of the shaft (12) and abuts an outwardly facing surface of an external store (4) through which the shaft (12) and the rod (22) extend. The rim (48) of a cup-shaped retainer (42) interlocks with plate (34) to rotatably secure retainer (42) to plate (34). A solenoid (52) engages an arm (44) on retainer (42) to rotate retainer (42), release the interlocking engagement, and allow a spring (68) to move the retainer (42) axially outwardly. Retainer (42) contacts a shoulder (74) on rod (22) to move rod (22) axially outwardly. This releases shaft (12) from vehicle (2) and allows shaft (12) and store (4) to be separated from vehicle (2).

Abstract: The present invention is an explosively separable link provided in a strap assembly for automatic disengagement of two connected link members upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. The link assembly includes a first link member substantially in the form of a yoke having a pair of oppositely disposed coaxial apertures, one in each arm of the yoke. A second link member is provided and comprises a housing positioned between the arms of the yoke and includes a pair of opposed outwardly extending pins, each of which is cooperably received in one of the apertures in the yoke arm to permit relative rotation between the link members about the axis of the apertures. The housing in the second link includes a cylindrical bore coaxial with the axis of the apertures. Slidably positioned in the cylindrical bore are a pair of oppositely disposed piston members which are in substantially gas-tight relationship with the cylinder wall.

Abstract: In a seat belt buckle comprising a housing, an opening in the housing adapted to receive a cooperating tongue having a locking portion, a locking member provided in the housing for locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue when the tongue is inserted into the opening, and releasing mechanism for releasing the locking member from locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue, the improvement comprising:the releasing mechanism being comprised of(a) an electrically energizable actuator; and(b) a connector in contact with the actuator and the locking member, the connector being movable upon energization and deenergization of the actuator;the locking member being movable in response to movement of the connector between a first position at which the locking member is in locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue and a second position at which the locking member is out of locking engagement with the locking portion of the tongue.

Abstract: A locking device for a safety belt comprising a housing, a spring-loaded lock bolt movable in the housing, a key that can be inserted into the housing and having at least one recess fitting to the lock bolt, an unlocking mechanism, an output element of which engages, upon energization, a control-member of the lock bolt, which is moved out of the recess against the spring force and a blocking mechanism for the output element, with the blocking mechanism comprising a fastening element movable against spring force with respect to the housing, with the fastening element in its rest position releasing the path of the output element and in the displaced position blocking the path.