Multiple bundle sling load system

• US 8,534,607 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2011
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Secretary of the Army
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Tardiff, Marc, Moorachian, George N. Jr., Grenga, Todd, Ricci, William S., Benney, Richard John
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Badawi, Medhat
• Application Number:
  US13/288,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20130112813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 244/137.3, 244/137.4, 244/137.1, 244/17.11, 212/71
• US Class Current: 244/137.4
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/38 Releasable fastening devices between parachute and load or pack

Abstract

A multiple bundle sling load system including a sling for attachment to an aircraft, a support system suspended from the sling for carrying a plurality of bundles, a load release mechanism interconnecting each bundle with the support structure, a parachute associated with at least one of the bundles, a parachute release mechanism interconnecting each parachute with the support structure. And an actuator for remotely operating each release mechanism for selectively releasing each load release mechanism and not releasing the associated parachute release mechanism for an air drop operation and selectively releasing each load release mechanism and each associated parachute release mechanism for a land drop operation.

Claims

1. A multiple bundle sling load system comprising:

a sling for attachment to an aircraft;

a support system suspended from said sling for carrying a plurality of bundles;

a load release mechanism interconnecting each bundle with said support structure;

a parachute associated with at least one of said bundles;

a parachute release mechanism interconnecting each said parachute with said support structure; and

an actuator for remotely operating each said release mechanism for selectively releasing each said load release mechanism and not releasing the associated said parachute release mechanism for an air drop operation and selectively releasing each said load release mechanism and each associated said parachute release mechanism for a land drop operation.

2. The sling load system of claim 1 in which said sling includes a cable and hook.

3. The sling load system of claim 1 in which said support structure includes a number of stations for supporting the bundles.

4. The sling load system of claim 1 in which said load release mechanism includes an electrically operated load release device.

5. The sling load system of claim 1 in which said parachute release mechanism includes an electrically operated parachute release device and the static line.