Abstract: An aircraft life raft escape slide assembly for evacuating passengers from an aircraft and thereafter for providing a floating support when the evacuation is over water. Such assembly has an inflatable slide structure releasably connected to an inflatable boarding slide structure to define an integral unit but each structure being independently inflatable. The slide structure is inflated and deployed to operate as a slide and upon release of the inflatable slide structure from the aircraft and upon deployment of the boarding slide as a chute or slide, the inflatable slide structure operates as a raft.

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 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 safety device for an aircraft inflatable escape slide which functions to prevent inadvertent inflation of the slide during shipping. The safety device incorporates a rotatable hook means which retains the firing lanyard in a fixed position and is adapted to release the firing lanyard when the slide pack covers are leased. A pair of swaged ball elements are provided on the lanyard, one on either side of the hook means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fitting aircraft having manually operated escape slide girt bars with a mechanism that automatically engages the girt bar in a floor mounted bracket as the entry door is latched, releases the girt bar from the floor bracket when a foot pedal is depressed as the door is unlatched in non-emergency circumstances, and releases the girt bar from the door when the door is opened in emergency situations for deploying an escape slide. Support arms having spring loaded tongues on their remote ends are connected to the girt bar, while brackets in the door each receive one of the spring loaded tongues and hold the same in tongue retaining fittings. The tongue retaining fittings normally push the girt bar out of the floor brackets as the door is unlatched prior to opening and are provided with hinge tab stops to engage support arm hinge tabs on the girt bar support arm to lift the girt bar off of the floor as the door is unlatched prior to opening with the foot pedal depressed.

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: The base (46) of a release hook (22) is located between two side members (30, 32) of a hook guide (20). A first end of the hook base (46) carries a first slide pin (50) having end portions projecting into a two-part slot (38, 40) of the guide (20). The second end of the hook base (46) carries a second slide pin (52) having opposite end portions which are movable between the slot (38, 40) and a two-part notch (42, 44). A link (24) is pivotally connected at its first end to an arm (64), which arm (64) is a part of a rotatable member (10) and pivotally moves about a second axis (88). The second end of the link (24) is pivotally attached to the hook base (46) for pivotal movement about a third axis (106). When the second slide pin (52) is within the notch (42, 44), the release hook (22) is held against movement, and the link (24) holds the arm (64) and rotatable member (10) against rotation about a first axis (62). A release pin (24) is positioned within the hook throat (54).

Abstract: A pressure regulator for use in regulating the pressure of inflating an inflatable member from a high pressure source wherein a valve housing has one end attached to a pressure source and the other end attached to a trigger mechanism. A spool valve is slidably biased into contact with the trigger mechanism which in the locked condition retains the spool valve in an inoperative condition and prevents the flow of fluid from the pressure source to inflate the inflatable member. Upon actuation of the trigger mechanism the spool valve is first unseated from its inoperative condition by a first spring and thence placed into a pressure regulating condition by a second spring in opposition to the escaping fluid pressure acting on annular face of the spool valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to mechanisms for fastening a life-saving device, which comprises a rod, one of the two ends of the rod comprising means for cooperating with means for clipping and release with respect to a first shoe, a counter-rod mounted to slide with respect to the rod so that the counter-rod and rod may be located in two positions, "retracted" and "extended", a spring mounted between the rod and counter-rod to tend to position them in the "extended" position, means for controlling the slide of the rod with respect to the counter-rod in a given direction, the counter-rod comprising an endpiece whose shape is complementary of that of a recessed housing in a second shoe. This invention is more particularly applicable to the fastening of simple evacuation slides or dinghies in aircraft.

Abstract: A Shuttle type of aircraft (10) with an escape hatch (12) has an arcuately shaped pole housing (16) attachable to an interior wall and ceiling with its open end adjacent to the escape hatch. The pole housing 16 contains a telescopically arranged and arcuately shaped primary pole member (22) and extension pole member (23) which are guided by roller assemblies (30,35). The extension pole member (23) is slidable and extendable relative to the primary pole member (22). For actuation, a spring actuated system includes a spring (52) in the pole housing. A locking member (90) engages both pole members (22,23) through notch portions (85,86) in the pole members. The locking member selectively releases the extension pole member (23) and the primary pole member (22). An internal one-way clutch or anti-return mechanism prevents retraction of the extension pole member from an extended position. Shock absorbers (54)(150,152) are for absoring the energy of the springs.

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: 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 airplane with an enlarged safety door in the lower middle part of the fuselage which can be opened during mid-flight emergencies so as to let emergency exit stairs be hydraulically lowered down therefrom. The stairs have a hydraulically operated slideway on the lower end thereof. Chair assemblies which are slidable on rails and which are normally retained by a flip-up board. The chair assemblies can be moved either manually or by means of a motor driven draw cord. A user propelled water safety device comprising an inflatable chest support, two handlebars two inflatable paddlewheels and two floatation devices. A bouyant, collapsible carry-all which can be used to carry survival and safety items upon exit of the plane and which has holes in the bottom thereof for easy draining. An air-flow system comprising an air exhaust shield, a plurality of fans, air vents distributed at even intervals along the ceiling of the plane.

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: 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 inward/outward movable plug-type aircraft passenger door (50) including: (i) a hinge assembly (56) and programming control mechanism (100, 114, 116 and 105, 114, 119) therefor; (ii) a latch/unlatch mechanism (58, 70, 82, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 94 and 95) therefor; (iii) a pressure lock gate (69) and actuating mechanism (58, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82 and 84) therefor; and (iv), a deployable emergency evacuation system (59) and actuating linkage (60, 132, 134, 135, 136, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142 and 144); wherein the aircraft door (50) is of the type adapted to be translated between a first fully closed and latched position and a second fully opened position while being maintained essentially parallel to the plane containing the ingress/egress cutout opening (51) in the fuselage (52) at all intermediate door positions--i.e.

Abstract: An inflatable system for opening a door of a container in which is located an inflatable shoot includes a retaining member connecting a door for the container to a portion of the wall structure of the container with the retaining portion including a breakable section which houses an explosive device which is exploded upon supplying of fluid under pressure to the container system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism for automatically actuating a rescue device upon opening of a panel obturating an exit and bearing said rescue device, mechanism comprising a control bar connected to said rescue device and adapted, under the action of a voluntary actuating member, to be rendered fast either with said panel or with the periphery of said exit, with the result that opening of said panel does not bring about, or brings about, respectively, actuation of said rescue device via said control bar. According to the invention, this mechanism is characterized in that said control bar is fast in displacement with a mobile system controlled by said voluntary actuating member in order to subject said bar to a movement of translation parallel to itself, of direction at least substantially at right angles to said panel. The invention is more particularly applicable to the automatic control of escape slides, slide/rafts or the like in the event of an emergency.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation device to simultaneously evacuate from both an overwing aircraft exit and an aircraft exit aft of the trailing edge of the aircraft wing.