Helicopter rescue basket

Apparatus for suspension from a helicopter and the like for use in rescue and recovery operations, the apparatus comprising a suspension frame, pivotal attachment means for attaching the frame to a helicopter winch cable or the like, a basket-like container, means suspending the container from the frame, and means for imparting a scooping action to the container facilitating access thereto for a person or object being rescued or recovered when the container is lowered into water, wherein the basket-like container comprises a rigid upper rim, with open basketwork walls and an open basketwork base depending from the rim, the means for imparting a scooping action to the basket including sheet material covering a portion of the base.

Apparatus for suspension from a helicopter and the like for use in rescue and recovery operations, the apparatus comprising a suspension frame, means for attaching the suspension frame to a helicopter winch cable and the like, and a basket-like container suspended from the suspension frame, the frame comprising an elongate member and at least one crossbar extending laterally of the elongate member, the container having a rigid substantially rectangular upper rim with a length substantially conforming to the length of said elongate member and a width substantially conforming to the length of the crossbar, and the container being suspended from the frame by means including a pair of cables connected between opposite ends of the crossbar and side portions of the rim and a further cable connected between one end of the elongate member and a laterally extending portion of the rim substantially centrally thereof, the means for attachment the suspension frame to a helicopter winch cable and the like being located substantially centrally of the elongate member.

Apparatus for suspension from a helicopter and the like for use in rescue and recovery operations, the apparatus comprising a suspension frame, pivotal attachment means for attaching the frame to a helicopter winch cable or the like, a basket-like container, means suspending the container from the frame, and means for imparting a scooping action to the container facilitating access thereto for a person or object being rescued or recovered when the container is lowered into water, wherein the basket-like container includes a rigid substantially rectangular upper rim having longitudinal side portions interconnected by lateral front and rear portions, the suspension frame includes an elongate member extending lengthwise of the rim, the pivotal attachment means is located substantially centrally of the elongate member, the means suspending the container comprises cables connected between the suspension frame and said upper rim, and the means for imparting s scooping action to the container comprising an arrangement of the cables including a air of inclined cables connected between a forward end of the elongate member and opposite side portions of the rim rearwardly of front corners thereof, and a cable connected between a rear end of the elongate member and the rear portion of the rim substantially centrally thereof.