RESTRAINTS PRINCIPALLY FOR INFLATABLE EVACUATION SYSTEMS

• US 20130200217A1
• Filed: 02/02/2012
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Air Cruisers Company LLC (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Air Cruisers Company LLC (Safran SA)
• Inventors: BIRO, ROBERT J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,296,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/137.2
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2027/145 Inflatable ramps
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 23/00 Equipment for handling lifeboats or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/14 Inflatable escape chutes

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.

Claims

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;

an

e. means for removing the pin from the pin-receiving means as a function of inflation geometry of the inflatable object.

2. An inflatable assembly according to claim 1 in which the pin-receiving means is a first loop.

3. An inflatable assembly according to claim 2 in which the means for receiving the pin-receiving means is a second loop.

4. An inflatable assembly according to claim 3 in which the pin-removing means is a lanyard connected to the pin.

5. An inflatable assembly according to claim 4 in which the lanyard is connected to the inflatable object of a first location and the second loop is connected to the inflatable object at a second location spaced from the first location, tensioning of the lanyard effecting removal of the pin from the first loop.

6. An inflatable assembly according to claim 5 in which the inflatable object is an evacuation slide or raft.

7. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft configured to be folded, at least in part, prior to deployment and comprising:

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.

8. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft according to claim 7 in which the first restraint assembly comprises means for restraining unfolding of the third section relative to the second section.

9. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft according to claim 8 in which the restraining means is 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.

10. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft according to claim 9 in which the restraining means comprises a lanyard having a first end connected to the first section and which is slack prior to deployment of the slide or raft.

11. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft according to claim 10 in which the restraining means further comprises a strap having a first end connected to the second section.

12. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft according to claim 11 in which the lanyard has a second end terminating in a pin and the strap has a second end terminating in a first loop, the first loop receiving the pin prior to deployment of the slide or raft.

13. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft according to claim 12 in which the restraining means further comprises a connector comprising a second loop, the second loop receiving the first loop prior to the first loop receiving the pin.

14. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft according to claim 9 further comprising a second restraint assembly.

15. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft according to claim 14 in which the second restraint assembly is attached to each of the first and second sections.

16. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft according to claim 15 in which the second restraint assembly is configured to release prior to release of the restraining means of the first restraint assembly.

17. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft according to claim 16 in which the second restraint assembly comprises a frangible link.

18. An inflatable evacuation slide or raft configured to be folded, at least in part, prior to deployment and comprising:

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.

19. A method of deploying an object folded at least in part and comprising at least first, second, and third sections, comprising:

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.

20. A method according to claim 19 in which the object is an evacuation slide or raft.