GB1360212A - Survival or like packs particularly suitable for airmen - Google Patents

Abstract

1360212 Lifesaving equipment J MARTIN 16 Nov 1971 [21 Dec 1970] 60682/70 Heading B7U [Also in Divisions F4 and E2] An openable survival pack adapted to receive an article to be inflated, e.g. a dinghy or life jacket comprises a body 1 with an opening; a closure 4 for the opening provided with a locking mechanism; a canister 7 of gas under pressure inside the pack; an explosive cartridge 13 connected for detonation to a water activated battery; a piston 30 and cylinder 29 in the pack (the cylinder containing the cartridge); a canister opening element 34 actuated by detonation of the cartridge 13 and a rockable lever assembly 36 which moves in response to movement of the piston 30 (caused by the detonation) to release the pack closure locking mechanism. In one embodiment (Fig. 2) a rigid hollow container 1, upon which the airman sits, has a flat, rigid lid 4 hinged at 8, 9 at one edge and held closed by a mechanism comprising a rod 15 and abutment 8. A water-activated battery (12), Fig. 3 (not shown) is connected by wires 41 to a gas-producing cartridge 13 the activation of which causes piston 30 and rod 39 to rock lever 36 anti-clockwise about pivot 37. Protrusion 35 of lever 36 thus moves clear of flange 32 of the rod 15 which is biased leftwards by spring 17 and which thus moves out of engagement with abutment 8, allowing lid 4 to be opened. Simultaneously, a pin 34 carried by rod 15 perforates the seal of carbon-dioxide cylinder 7 allowing gas to enter dinghy 5 via tube 6. A manual release 47, 44, 43 is provided in the event of failure in the automatic system. In another embodiment (Figs. 5 and 6) the rigid container 61 is closed by the flaps (64-67), Fig. 4, not shown, of a canvas lining 63 which are apertured to be placed over a cone 68 where they are held in place by a plate 90 which is retained by a pin 69 attached to the inner 87 of a Bowden Cable. As before, a water-activated battery fires cartridge 72 which forces piston 85 against the lower arm 83 of a U-shaped lever 82 which pivots about spindle 81 causing movement of cable inner 87, which is attached to the arm 83, such that pin 69 is withdrawn and the flaps (64-67) are free to open. Simultaneously, upper arm 93 of lever 82 causes the withdrawal of a rod 95 from sleeve 96 allowing balls 100 to move inward and sleeve 96 with pin 97 to be forced leftwards by spring 99 to perforate the seal of gas cylinder 74 so that dinghy 70 may be inflated. A manual release 92 is provided.