GB1379784A - Escape apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1379784 Body harness STANLEY AVIATION CORP 7 March 1972 [22 July 1971] 10643/72 Heading A3V [Also in Divisions B7 and F3] Escape apparatus comprises a socket 22 to be carried by an aircraft, and a motion transmitting connection between the rocket and a harness 26 worn by an airman, a part 21 of the connection serving to restrain motion of the airman's head during his removal from the aircraft by the rocket. The head restraining device 21 comprises a strap 64 passing over the top of a helmet 74 and down either side, being secured in the region of the airman's hips by fittings 104, 120, there being a securing ring 68 held by the strap 64 near the centre of the helmet, and a strap 66 having one end secured to the fitting 104 and extending through a tunnel (128), Fig. 7 (not shown) in collar 94 to the ring 68 back through the tunnel to the fitting 120. In operation tow line 58, connected to the rocket, is attached to the ring 68. The rocket is launched from launcher 34 by the ignition of cartridges in tubes 42 which cause push rods 44 to expel the rocket. The tautening of the line 58 causes firing mechanism 62 to be actuated so that the rocket is propelled by means of forwardly mounted nozzle assembly 52, and also causes the straps 64, 66 to tauten, thus restraining the airman's head against sideways or rearward motion. The tautening of the strap 66 also erects the collar 94 around the man's neck, providing additional restraint. The pulling of the ring 68 by the line 58 also releases a latch so that a visor 150 is moved by a spring from a stowed position to a face-shielding position. After a suitable time the line 58 is severed for example by a charge 144 fired by a fuse ignited by the rocket.