GB686192A - Improvements in or relating to quickly releasable fastening devices - Google Patents

Abstract

686,192. Quick-release parachute fastenings. AIRCRAFT MATERIALS, Ltd., and GOULD, G. H. Sept. 7, 1951 [June 12,1950], No. 14615/50. Class 44 A quick release fastening for parachute harness comprises a box containing a number of spring- loaded plungers having inclined end surfaces adapted to be operated upon independently to displace the respective plungers and permit insertion of a number of fasteners into the box, and means are provided for operating on the inclined surfaces simultaneously to displace the plungers and release all the fasteners together. In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the box comprises a base plate 1, a plunger guide plate 2, a plunger lifting plate 3, a plunger housing member 4 and an operating member 5. Four plungers 6 have inclined end faces 6a co-operating with the usual apertured lugs on the ends of the harness straps. Simultaneous retraction of the plungers is effected by rotating the operating member 5 and the plunger lifting plate 3, which has four apertures 8, Fig. 2, having cam surfaces 8a which on rotation of the plate engage the inclined ends of the plungers and lift the latter. The plungers can be locked in the fastening position by depressing the operating member 5 into the position shown in the right hand part of Fig. 4, when the springs 13 are fully compressed. The plunger lifting plate 3 is rotated by operation of member 5 through pins 21 on upstanding lugs on plate 3 which are normally engaged in slots 22, Fig. 7, in the skirt of member 5. On depressing member 5 to lock the plungers, pins 21 pass into circumferential grooves 23, and member 5 can be further rotated independently of plate 3 until pins 21 engage in depressions 26. Successive release of the strap lugs may be arranged if desired by varying the positions of the cam surfaces in plate 3. In a modification, the plungers are formed integrally with a plate 30, Fig 9, having a central aperture 31, the edge of which bears against a curved shoulder on a central boss so that plate 30 can rock or tilt. A positive action of the operating member 5, Fig. 10, into released or locked position may be arranged by the provision of an overcentre spring device comprising a pair of coiled springs 32, 33, one end of each spring being pivotally mounted on a peg 35 or 36 carried by a plate 34 which is fixed in relation to the base of the box, the other ends being pivotally connected to a lever 39 centrally pivoted in plates 34 and 40, and turned by member 5 through a square boss 39a.