RESTRAINTS PRINCIPALLY FOR INFLATABLE EVACUATION SYSTEMS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An inflatable assembly comprising:
- a. an inflatable object;
b. a pin;
c. means for receiving the pin;
d. means for receiving the pin-receiving means;
ane. means for removing the pin from the pin-receiving means as a function of inflation geometry of the inflatable object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Detailed are restraints intended principally (but not necessarily exclusively) for inflatable evacuation slides or rafts. At least one such restraint may be designed to release based on geometric shape of an object (such as a slide) rather than merely as a function of its inflation pressure or length. One version of this type of restraint includes a connector pin attached to a cord, with tensioning of the cord eventually retracting the pin to effect release of the restraint.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An inflatable assembly comprising:
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a. an inflatable object; b. a pin; c. means for receiving the pin; d. means for receiving the pin-receiving means;
ane. means for removing the pin from the pin-receiving means as a function of inflation geometry of the inflatable object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft configured to be folded, at least in part, prior to deployment and comprising:
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a. a first section; b. a second section folded relative to the first section prior to deployment; c. a third section folded relative to the second section prior to deployment; and d. a first restraint assembly attached to each of the first, second, and third sections. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft configured to be folded, at least in part, prior to deployment and comprising:
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a. a first section; b. a second section folded relative to the first section prior to deployment; c. a third section folded relative to the second section prior to deployment; d. a first restraint assembly attached to each of the first, second, and third sections and comprising means for restraining unfolding of the third section relative to the second section, the restraining means being configured to release as a function of the angle to which the second section has unfolded relative to the first section during deployment of the slide or raft and comprising; i. a lanyard (A) having a first end connected to the first section, (B) having a second end terminating in a pin, and (C) which is slack prior to deployment of the slide or raft; ii. a strap having (A) a first end connected to the second section and (B) a second end terminating in a first loop configured to receive the pin prior to deployment of the slide or raft; and iii. a connector comprising a second loop, the second loop receiving the first loop prior to the first loop receiving the pin; and e. a second restraint assembly (i) attached to each of the first and second sections, (ii) configured to release prior to release of the restraining means of the first restraint assembly, and (iii) comprising a frangible link.
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19. A method of deploying an object folded at least in part and comprising at least first, second, and third sections, comprising:
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a. causing inflation of the object so that the second section unfolds to a first angle relative to the first section; b. causing release of a restraint assembly connected to the first and second sections; c. causing further inflation of the object so that the second section unfolds to a second angle relative to the first section, the second angle being greater than the first angle; d. causing release of a restraint assembly connected to the first, second, and third sections and configured to restrain unfolding of the third section relative to the second section; and e. causing further inflation of the object so that the third section unfolds relative to the second section. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification