Air/sea rescue device

• US 5,086,998 A
• Filed: 02/26/1990
• Issued: 02/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Larry Pelas
• Original Assignee: Larry Pelas
• Inventors: Pelas, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Basinger, Sherman
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brahan, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US07/484,420
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 441/80, 441/83, 244/17.17, 244/118.1, 244/137.2
• US Class Current: 244/137.2
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/265 Nets or sheet-like devices, e.g. for lifting persons on board or for facilitating climbing on board
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/22 Taking-up articles from earth's surface

Abstract

The invention relatres to an Air/Sea Rescue Device to allow retrieval of persons or objects floating near the surface of water for use with a rescue helicopter. The device provides for the use of an upper frame which is attached to the skids of the helicopter and a lower net frame which is spaced from the upper frame by a plurality of support bars extending between the upper frame and the lower net frame. A scoop-like net is carried by the lower net frame, the net having an open front end and an open top to facilitate positioning of the retrieved persons or objects within the frame even without any cooperation from the persons or objects to be rescued, and the objects are in full view of pilot at all times.

Claims

1. A rescue device for retrieval of persons or objects from water for use with a helicopter, the device comprising:

an upper rigid attachment frame means for attaching the device to skids of the helicopter, said upper frame means attachable in substantially co-planar relationship to the helicopter skids;

a space support means extending downwardly from said upper attachment frame means and fixedly attached to said upper attachment frame means;

a lower rigid net frame means fixedly attached to a lower portion of said space support means; and

a deformable net means having an open front end and open top carried along its upper peripheral edge by said lower net frame means in a fixed relationship to said lower net frame means.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said upper attachment frame means comprises a substantially rectangular frame comprised of two parallel attachment bars adapted for attachment in parallel relationship to the helicopter skids and two transverse bars rigidly attached at right angels adjacent opposite ends of the attachment bars.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said space support means comprises elongated bars, each extending at an obtuse angle from a corner connecting said parallel and said transverse bars of the upper attachment frame means.

4. A rescue device for retrieval of persons or objects from water for use with a helicopter, the device comprising;

an upper rigid attachment frame means for attaching the device to skids of the helicopter;

a space support means extending downwardly from said upper attachment frame means and fixedly attached to said upper attachment frame means;

a lower rigid net frame means fixedly attached to lower portion of said support means, wherein said lower net frame means comprises a substantially rectangular frame comprised of two parallel elongated bars and two cross bars rigidly attached at right angles adjacent opposite ends of the elongated parallel bars; and

a deformable net means having an open front end and open top carried along its upper peripheral edge by said lower net frame means in secure relationship to said net frame means.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said net means comprises a rectangular bottom net panel, a rectangular back net panel and a pair of parallel triangular side panels.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein each of said side panels has two sides connected at approximately a right angle to each other, and a third side opposite a corner formed by said two sides, said third side being secured to one of said elongated bars of the net frame.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein longitudinal dimensions of said net frame bars are greater than longitudinal dimensions of said upper frame bars.

8. The device of claim 4, further comprising an arched reinforcement bar fixedly attached and extending between said elongated bars of said net frame below said upper attachment frame.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein each of said net side panels has a shorter side which is connected to one of the sides of said back net panel.

10. A rescue device for retrieval of persons or objects from water for use with a helicopter, the device comprising:

an upper rigid attachment frame means for attaching the device to skids of the helicopter, said attachment frame means comprising a substantially rectangular frame comprised of two parallel attachment bars adapted for attachment in parallel relationship to the helicopter skids and two transverse bars rigidly attached at right angles adjacent opposite ends of the attachment bars;

a space support means extending downwardly from said upper attachment frame means and fixedly attached to said upper attachment frame means, said space support means comprising a plurality of elongated bars, each extending at an obtuse angle from a corner connecting said parallel and said transverse bars of the upper attachment frame;

a lower rigid net frame means fixedly attached to lower portion of said support means, said net frame means comprising a substantially rectangular frame comprised of two parallel elongated bars and two cross bars rigidly attached at right angles adjacent opposite ends of the elongated parallel bars; and

a deformable net means having an open front end and an open top carried along its upper peripheral edge by said lower said net frame means in secured relationship to said net frame means, said lower net means comprising a rectangular bottom net panel, a rectangular back net panel and a pair of parallel triangular side panels.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein each of said side panels has two sides connected at approximately right angles to each other, and a third side opposite a corner formed by said two sides, said third side being secured to one of said elongated bars of the net frame.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein longitudinal dimensions of said net frame bars are greater than longitudinal dimensions of said upper frame bars.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein each of said net side panels has a shorter side which is connected to one of the sides of said back net panel.

13. A rescue device for retrieval of persons or objects from water for use with a helicopter, the device comprising;

an upper rigid attachment frame means for attaching the device to skids of the helicopter, said attachment frame means comprising a substantially rectangular frame comprised of two parallel attachment bars adapted for attachment in parallel relationship to the helicopter skids and two transverse bars rigidly attached at right angles adjacent opposite ends of the attachment bars;

a space support means extending downwardly from said upper attachment frame means and fixedly attached to said upper attachment frame means, said space support means comprising a plurality of elongated bars, each extending at an angle from a corner connecting said parallel and said transverse bars of the upper attachment frame;

a lower rigid net frame means fixedly attached to a lower portion of said support means, said net frame means comprising a substantially rectangular frame comprised of two parallel elongated bards and two cross bars rigidly attached at right angles adjacent opposite ends of the elongated parallel bars;

an arched reinforcement bar fixedly attached to and extending upwardly between said elongated bars of said net frame below said net frame means below said upper attachment means; and

a deformable net means having an open front end and an open top carried along its upper peripheral edge by said lower net frame means in secured relationship to said lower net frame means, said net means comprising a rectangular bottom net panel, a rectangular back panel and a pair of parallel triangular side panels.