Patent ID: 6241190
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
An improved towplate assembly, said towplate assembly allowing the predetermined release of cargo from an aircraft, a drogue chute and at least one main parachute being attached to a towlink in the towplate, the improved towplate assembly comprising:a base mounting plate, said base mounting plate mounted in the rear bay of an aircraft;a pair of longitudinal brackets;a pair of aft cams, said aft cams mounted in said longitudinal brackets;a towlink, said towlink having a pair of arms and attachment links for fixedly holding said arms together, said arms having a pair of aft cam followers and a pair of forward cam, said aft cam followers being mounted within said longitudinal brackets against said aft cams;a forward cam that has a forward cam follower, said forward cam being mounted within the longitudinal brackets to move forward or aft upon command, said forward cam upon a locked condition being in contact with the forward cams of the towlink;an aft interlock, said aft interlock being connected to said forward cam follower to a spring means for biasing said aft interlock to a locked position;a forward interlock, said forward interlock being connected to said aft interlock, said forward interlock having a blocking means thereon, said forward interlock having an elongated hole, said elongated hole having a pin therethrough for connecting said forward interlock to said aft interlock;a support link, said support link connected to said forward interlock and to said solenoid; anda stop, said stop being fixedly attached to said base mounting plate, in a locked position, said aft interlock resting upon said stop;whereby upon command, said solenoid retracts and pulls the forward interlock forward to cause said pin in said elongated hole to move to an unlocked position, in said unlocked position, said aft interlock clears said blocking means of said forward interlock and said forward cam follower is removed from said forward cams of said towlink, thereby allowing said towlink to be removed from said towplate if there is sufficient force being applied by a deployed drogue chute.