Inflatable evacuation slide intermediate release system

• US 3,897,861 A
• Filed: 08/13/1973
• Issued: 08/05/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Acquisition Corporation
• Original Assignee: Edward H. Smialowicz, Ralph A. Miller
• Inventors: Smialowicz, Edward H., Miller, Ralph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schacher, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rowland, James L.
• Application Number:
  US05/387,997
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 182/48 193/25B 244/137P
• US Class Current: 193/25.00B
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/14 Inflatable escape chutes

Abstract

Disclosed is an intermediate release system for an inflatable evacuation slide.

Claims

1. Inflatable slide apparatus for evacuation from an elevated egress to a lower surface, comprising:

a fluid distensible member, of a generally elongate configuration when fully inflated, disposed in an uninflated, folded configuration at the elevated egress with one end secured thereto; and

means to restrain said fluid distensible member in a lengthwise half folded configuration during inflation thereof until a minimum gas pressure, sufficient to fully extend said member to contact the lower surface, is developed in said member, said half folded restraining means including primary restraint means responsive to muscle forces generated by the pressurization of said member and secondary restraint means isolating said primary restraint means from random transient deployment forces, said primary restraint means comprising a frangible link disposed between the two opposed ends of said fluid distensible member and said secondary restraint means includes at least one pair of butterfly hook and pile fastener elements disposed intermediate the half fold crotch and the two ends of said fluid distensible member, one of each pair of elements affixed to the lower half of said member and the other of each pair of elements affixed to the upper half of said member.

2. The inflatable slide apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondary restraint means of said half folded restraining means additionally include means to prevent shifting of the half fold crotch location of said member, said shift preventing means comprising at least one pair of hook and pile fastener elements disposed in the crotch of the half fold, one of each pair of elements affixed to one surface of the half fold crotch and the other of each pair of elements affixed to the other surface of the half fold crotch.

3. Inflatable slide apparatus for evacuation from an elevated egress to a lower surface, comprising:

a fluid distensible member, of a generally elongate configuration when fully inflated, disposed in an uninflated, folded configuration at the elevated egress with one end secured thereto;

means to restrain said fluid distensible member in a lengthwise quarter folded configuration during an initial period of inflation until an initial gas pressure is developed in said member; and

means to restrain said fluid distensible member in a lengthwise half folded configuration during a subsequent period of inflation until a minimal final gas pressure is developed in said member, said half folded restraining means including primary restraint mEans responsive to muscle forces generated by the pressurization of said member and secondary restraint means isolating said primary restraint means from random transient deployment forces, said primary restraint means comprising a frangible link disposed between the two opposed ends of said fluid distensible member, said secondary restraint means of said half folded restraining means comprising at least one pair of butterfly hook and pile fastener elements disposed intermediate the half fold crotch and the two ends of said fluid distensible member, one of each pair of elements affixed to the lower half of said member and the other of each pair of elements affixed to the upper half of said member and means to prevent shifting of the half fold crotch location of said member, said shift preventing means comprising at least one pair of hook and pile fastener elements disposed in the crotch of the half fold, one of each pair of elements affixed to one surface of the half fold crotch and the other of each pair of elements affixed to the other surface of the half fold crotch.

4. The inflatable slide apparatus of claim 3 wherein said quarter folded restraining means comprise a pair of hook and pile fastener elements, the first element disposed at the elevated end of said member and said second element operably disposed with respect to said first element at the outer surface of the half fold.

5. Inflatable slide apparatus for evacuation from an elevated egress hatchway of an aircraft to a lower surface upon which the aircraft is at rest, comprising:

a flexible wall, fluid distensible member, of a generally elongate configuration when fully inflated, disposed in an uninflated, folded configuration at the elevated egress hatchway with one end secured adjacent said hatchway, said member including an elongate half fold and an elongate quarter fold;

means to restrain said flexible wall, fluid distensible member in a lengthwise quarter folded configuration during an initial period of inflation until an initial gas pressure is developed in said member;

said quarter folded restraining means comprising a pair of hook and pile fastener elements, the first element disposed at the elevated end of said member and said second element operably disposed with respect to said first element at the outer surface of the half fold; and

means to restrain said flexible wall, fluid distensible member in a lengthwise half folded configuration during a subsequent period of inflation until a minimum final gas pressure is developed in said member, said half folded restraining means including primary restraint means responsive to muscle forces generated by the pressurization of said member and secondary restraint means isolating said primary restraint means from random transient forces, said secondary restraint means including means to prevent shifting of the half fold location of said member.

6. The inflatable slide apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means to prevent shifting of the half fold location comprise at least one pair of hook and pile fastener elements disposed in the crotch of the half fold, one of each pair of elements affixed to one surface of the half fold crotch and the other of each pair of elements affixed to the other surface of the half fold crotch.

7. The inflatable slide apparatus of claim 5 wherein said primary restraint means comprise a frangible link disposed between the two opposed ends of said fluid distensible member.

8. The inflatable slide apparatus of claim 5 wherein said primary restraint means additionally include a pair of hook and pile fastener elements disposed between the two opposed ends of said fluid distensible member.

9. The inflatable slide apparatus of claim 5 wherein said secondary restraint means isolating said primary restraint means comprise at least one pair of butterfly hook and pile fastener elements disposed intermediate the half fold crotch and the two ends of said fluid distensible member, one of Each pair of elements affixed to the lower half of said member and the other of each pair of elements affixed to the upper half of said member. 10. Inflatable slide apparatus for evacuation from an elevated egress hatchway of an aircraft to a lower surface upon which the aircraft is at rest, comprising:

a flexible wall, fluid distensible member, of a generally elongate configuration when fully inflated, disposed in an uninflated, folded configuration at the elevated egress hatchway with one end secured adjacent said hatchway, said member including an elongate half fold and an elongate quarter fold;

means to restrain said flexible wall, fluid distensible member in a lengthwise quarter folded configuration during an initial period of inflation until an initial gas pressure is developed in said member; and

means to restrain said flexible wall, fluid distensible member in a lengthwise half folded configuration during a subsequent period of inflation until a minimum final gas pressure is developed in said member, said half folded restraining means including primary restraint means responsive to muscle forces generated by the pressurization of said member and secondary restraint means isolating said primary restraint means from random transient forces, said secondary restraint means including means to prevent shifting of the half fold location of said member, said secondary restraint means isolating said primary restraint means comprising at least one pair of butterfly hook and pile fastener elements disposed intermediate the half fold crotch and the two ends of said fluid distensible member, one of each pair of elements affixed to the lower half of said member and the other of each pair of elements affixed to the upper half of said member.

11. The inflatable slide apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means to prevent shifting of the half fold location comprise at least one pair of hook and pile fastener elements disposed in the crotch of the half fold, one of each pair of elements affixed to one surface of the half fold crotch and the other of each pair of elements affixed to the other surface of the half fold crotch.

12. The inflatable slide apparatus of claim 10 wherein said primary restraint means comprise a frangible link disposed between the two opposed ends of said fluid distensible member.

13. Inflatable slide apparatus for evacuation from an elevated egress hatchway of an aircraft to a lower surface upon which the aircraft is at rest, comprising:

a flexible wall, fluid distensible member, of a generally elongate configuration when fully inflated, disposed in an uninflated, folded configuration at the elevated egress hatchway with one end secured adjacent said hatchway, said member including an elongate half fold and an elongate quarter fold;

a pair of hook and pile fastener elements to restrain said flexible wall, fluid distensible member in a lengthwise quarter folded configuration during an initial period of inflation until an initial gas pressure is developed in said member, one fastener element disposed at the elevated end of said member and the other fastener element operably disposed with respect to said first element at the outer surface of the half fold; and

means to restrain said flexible wall, fluid distensible member in a lengthwise half folded configuration during a subsequent period of inflation until a minimum final gas pressure is developed in said member, said half folded restraining means including a frangible link primary restraint element disposed between the two opposed ends of said fluid distensible member and responsive to muscle forces generated by the pressurization of said member and secondary restraint means isolating said primary restraint element from random transient deployment forces, said secondary restraint means including at least one pair of butterfly hook and pile fastener elements disposed intermediate the half fold crotch and the two ends of said fluid distensible member, one of each pair oF fastener elements affixed to the lower half of said member and the other of each pair of fastener elements affixed to the upper half of said member, and also including at least one pair of hook and pile fastener elements disposed in the crotch of the half fold to prevent the shifting of the half fold location of said member, one of each pair of elements affixed to one surface of the half fold crotch and the other of each pair of elements affixed to the other surface of the half fold crotch.