Device for securing at least one sling for transporting a load
AssigneeEscape International SAS
InventorsYves De France, Gary Bertrand, Eric Lamotte
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for securing at least one sling for transporting a load under a helicopter, the securing device comprising at least a first strap and at least a second strap, a connection mechanism configured, in the closed state, to connect the straps, to form a comprehensive security strap capable of supporting a sling and, in the open state, to release the straps for releasing the sling, and an actuator configured to open the connection mechanism following a mechanical effort being introduced, the connection mechanism comprising cascading reduction means configured to reduce the resistance force during the opening of the connection mechanism generated by the load connected to the sling.
Claims18
A device for securing at least one sling for transporting a load under a helicopter, said securing device comprising:
- at least one first strap and at least one second strap, each strap extending longitudinally and comprising an end for joining to the helicopter and a connecting end,
- a connecting mechanism configured, in a closed state, to connect the connecting ends of the straps to form an overall securing strap capable of supporting a sling and, in an open state, to release the connecting ends of the straps to drop the sling from below the helicopter, the connecting mechanism being suited to withstand in the closed state a tractive force of 1500 kg, and
- an actuator configured to open the connecting mechanism following an input of mechanical force, the connecting mechanism comprising a plurality of rings mounted in cascade configured to reduce the force of resistance to the opening of the connecting mechanism induced by the support of the sling so that the input mechanical force is less than 20 kg for a tractive force of 1500 kg induced by the support of the sling, the connecting mechanism comprises at least a first ring, a second ring and a third ring, the first ring having a diameter greater than that of the second ring and the second ring having a diameter greater than that of the third ring, the first ring being hinged at the level of the connecting end of the first strap whereas the second and third rings are hinged at the level of the connecting end of the second strap.
A securing device for transporting a load under a helicopter, said securing device comprising:
- a first strap having a joining end and a connecting end and a second strap having a joining end and a connecting end, the joining ends of the first and second straps configured to connect to the helicopter and the connecting ends of the first and second straps configured to releasably connect to a connecting mechanism, wherein said connecting mechanism comprises a first ring having a first diameter, a second ring having a second diameter, and a third ring having a third diameter, and wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter and the second diameter is larger than the third diameter;
- a sling having an upper end connected to the securing device and a lower end for connecting to a load;
- and
- an actuator configured to open the connecting mechanism following an input of mechanical force, the actuator being in contact with the first ring and the third ring and having an end for actuating by an operator to manipulate the first ring, the second ring, and the third ring to release the load from the helicopter;
- and
- wherein the first ring is hinged at the connecting end of the first strap and the second ring is hinged about a second hinged point and the third ring is hinged about a third hinged point at the connecting end of the second strap.
A method of transporting a load under a helicopter using a securing device, said method comprising:
- linking the fastening device to a sling to support the sling by the helicopter, the sling having an upper end connected to the securing device and a lower end for connecting to a load;
- wherein the securing device comprising:
- a first strap having a joining end and a connecting end and a second strap having a joining end and a connecting end, the joining ends of the first and second straps configured to connect to the helicopter and the connecting ends of the first and second straps configured to releasably connect to a connecting mechanism, wherein said connecting mechanism comprises a first ring having a first diameter, a second ring having a second diameter, and a third ring having a third diameter, and wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter and the second diameter is larger than the third diameter;
- an actuator configured to open the connecting mechanism following an input of mechanical force, the actuator being in contact with the first ring and the third ring and having an end for actuating by an operator to manipulate the first ring, the second ring, and the third ring to release the load from the helicopter;
- and
- wherein the first ring is hinged at the connecting end of the first strap and the second ring is hinged about a second hinged point and the third ring is hinged about a third hinged point at the connecting end of the second strap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.