Abstract: An automatic parachute release device is a quick release coupler that becomes disengaged after an externally applied tension load is removed. The parachute release device has a parachute connection fastener, a camlock mechanism, a retention mechanism and a catch pin. The camlock mechanism is a mechanical controller that transitions the retention mechanism between a set configuration and a release configuration. While in the set configuration, the retention device is clamped around the catch pin. While in the release configuration, the retention mechanism disengages the catch pin. Thus, the retentive capabilities of the retention mechanism are governed by the configuration of the camlock mechanism. The retention mechanism remains in the set configuration until the load is removed. At which point, the retention mechanism slides into a dedicated slot of the camlock mechanism and becomes disengaged.

Abstract: A disconnect assembly configured to disconnect a parachute of an aerial delivery apparatus from a payload includes a detector device, a disconnect device, and a transmit cable. The detector device is configured to detect that the aerial delivery apparatus has landed, the disconnect device is configured to provide a releasable connection between the parachute and the payload, and the transmit cable is configured to transmit a mechanical trigger force from the detector device to the disconnect device. When the detector device detects that the aerial delivery apparatus has landed, the transmit cable transmits a mechanical trigger force from the detector device to the disconnect device and the disconnect device releases the connection between the parachute and the payload.

Abstract: A payload release mechanism is provided, which operates utilizing a pressure differential between the mechanism and the surrounding medium. A piston is movably seated within a chamber of the release mechanism. The piston serves to seal the chamber from the surrounding medium, though one end of the piston is in communication with the surrounding medium. The pressure differential between the end of the piston in communication with the surrounding medium and the medium within the chamber causes the piston to move. The piston movement is used to trigger the release of the payload. The amount of movement which triggers the release can be calibrated to correspond to a predetermined pressure differential.

Abstract: A quick release restraint system comprising a restraint body that mates a harness fitting with a moveable lockpin. The lockpin is held in a closed position by a return member and can be moved to an open position when a sleeve and/or a ripcord is moved away from the lockpin. The sleeve surrounds the restraint body and mates with an internal lockpin body that may also be attached to the ripcord. The ripcord and/or sleeve engage the lockpin body in a single direction to generate a pulling force that counteracts a biasing force of the return member.

Abstract: The device comprises a male assembly, in the form of a cylindrical part, engaged such that it is free to slide inside a female assembly, in the form of a sleeve with a central bore for receiving the male assembly, that defines an opening for engaging and an opening for disengaging of said male assembly, the said male and female assemblies include supplementary arrangements, which, in connected position, are able to abut against each other to stop the sliding of the male assembly in the direction of disengagement, where, in disconnected position, the said arrangements can release themselves from each other under the effect of axial tensile force greater than the predetermined threshold value, relatively applied on the male assembly in the direction of disengagement in order to separate one from the other of the said male and female assemblies.

Abstract: An underwater shackle for heavy loads is described, comprising a shackle body (10) equipped with respective side plates (12a, 12b) and an upper, intermediate suspension (14) for connection to a lifting, strap, a lifting cable or the like, and also a lower locking bolt (20) for connection to the load. The locking bolt (20) is arranged to a hydraulically driven cylinder arrangement (30) so that it can move, where the cylinder arrangement (30) is placed adjoining one of the side plates (12a) and the cylinder arrangement (30) is arranged to be pressurized by a pressure medium to move the locking bolt (20) between a withdrawn position in the cylinder arrangement (30) and a locking position in the shackle body (10). A pressure distributor (40) is arranged with the cylinder arrangement (30) to receive and distribute the pressure medium, where the pressure distributor (40) comprises supply channels (44, 4) that run together with the first and the second inlet channels (34, 36) in the cylinder arrangement (30).

Abstract: In the field of devices for airdropping a load from a flying vehicle, there is provided a device for securing/releasing a first member (65) able to support a load of more than 20 kg, and a second member able to support this first member and the load, this second member including, on the one hand, a support (1) onto which are secured first elements including a sensor (26), for example of an altimeter or chronobarometric type, able to trigger, during the flight, the release of the first and second members upon exceeding a threshold or receiving an exterior signal, where the second member includes a hook (3) in two parts, one of which is movable (14) between an operative position and an inoperative position, and elements (7, 8, 25, 71, 76) for locking and unlocking the movable part of the hook in its operative position.

Abstract: A ground impact cargo parachute release mechanism includes a pair of interlocking release elements, one for connection to the parachute the other the cargo; each release element has a pawl and a notch for engaging the pawl of the other release element; a shear pin mounted in both the release elements shears upon parachute opening and enables the pawls and notches to engage; a bias device urges the elements apart upon impact of the load with the ground releasing the pawls from engagement with the notches.

Abstract: In one form of the invention, a deployment control for releasing a rocket recovery device such as a parachute includes an electrical heating element extensible along a heat-severable reach of an elongate retainer capable of being wrapped closely about the recovery device to retain the recovery device in a compact form until the reach is severed as the result of electricity being supplied to the heating element to thereby release and deploy the recovery device. In other forms, an apparatus for cutting a heat meltable retainer to release and deploy a rocket recovery device includes a heating element extending along at least a short reach of the retainer, and a control device for supplying electricity to the heating element for heat severing the retainer reach.

Abstract: An automatic release attachment automatically releases a tension line engaged to the attachment when the tension in the line exceeds the tension rating corresponding to a tension release settings selected by an operator. A hook assembly, which can be part of the attachment, includes a shackle that eases shackling and unshackling of a coupling element of the tension line to the hook assembly.

Abstract: A low force release mechanism suitable for use in applications including but not limited to pinatas and dispersion devices comprising an interactive distribution of the load force to the main structure and the structure of a trap employed in the mechanism, the use of an internal spring activation element used to eliminate ordinal setup requirement; and the use of the internal geometry of the trap to lock and hold its position.

Abstract: A device, system and method of reserve parachute deployment comprised of a body with a top and bottom end, a hook-slot and releasable means of attachment in communication with the hook-slot. The system and method disclose additional components and an operation of the system such that upon cutting-away a malfunctioned main parachute, the invention allows the main parachute to be the anchor in the sky to deploy the reserve parachute with no further input from the operator, while if the reserve parachute is activated without cutting-away a main parachute, the invention allows the reserve pilot chute to deploy in the convention manner with no further input from the operator.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending a load, in particular a person, from a cable comprises a harness plate adapted to be secured to a harness for supporting the person. The harness plate includes a locking mechanism comprising two locking members spaced apart to define a through-aperture, resilient members arranged to resiliently bias the locking members towards each other to substantially close the through-aperture, and user-operable finger grips arranged to move the locking members against the resilient bias. The apparatus also includes a cable spade having a first part adapted to be attached to the cable and a second part shaped for insertion into the through-aperture and retention therein by the locking members. Insertion of the spade into the through-aperture initially moves the locking members apart against the resilient bias to open the through-aperture and then permits the resilient members to return the locking members so as to securely retain the cable spade in the through-aperture.