Abstract:
A single point release system provides a single point for efficiently, concurrently releasing multiple cargo retaining latches of an aerial delivery system. A release module is mounted to the platform and connects via a cable and is actuable to a release mode to concurrently release each of the latches.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/359,040 filed on Jun. 28, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/359,034 filed Jun. 28, 2010, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates generally to aerial delivery systems. More specifically, this disclosure relates to systems employed for securing cargo to a platform and for releasing the cargo from the platform. 
     For aerial delivery systems to which the disclosure relates, a cargo is secured to a platform which is loaded into the aircraft. The platform is extracted from the aircraft by an extraction parachute. Suspension parachutes are subsequently opened to complete the aerial delivery. The cargo is secured to the platform by various techniques which may, for example, include flexible straps secured around the cargo and placed in tension. For aerial delivery which involves land delivery, upon landing of the cargo, the straps are released to obtain access or usage of the cargo. For aerial delivery of vehicles, typically, four pairs of straps are employed. The straps are latched about the axles or other connection points at the underside of the vehicle and placed in tension. Upon landing of the platform, typically, each of the four latch assemblies is independently released so that the cargo vehicle may be unloaded from the platform. 
     For some aerial delivery applications, the cargo is essentially released in mid-air. For example, a rigid hull inflatable boat may be secured to a platform. A series of spigots on the rigid hull inflatable boat gunwale are engaged with calipers. The calipers are maintained in a closed motion by tension and restraining straps which locate the calipers for the aerial delivery platform. It is essential for safe water entry that the rigid inflatable boat be released prior to landing of the support platform. A release assembly employs a drop arm. The drop arm is operable to displace rods of a mechanical rod system. Each rod is connected for disengaging one end of the strap modules. When the platform is extracted from the aircraft, the drop arm drops and transfers the force via the mechanical rods to disengage the connection on the end of each strap module. 
     SUMMARY 
     Briefly stated, a single point release system comprises a platform and a plurality of securement modules mounted to the platform. Each module comprises a first adjustable strap anchored to the platform and having a first latching end and a second adjustable strap anchored to the platform and having a second latching end. A latch mechanism comprises a releasable latch. The releasable latch selectively latches the first and second latching ends. The latch mechanism comprises a lock member actuatable by a mechanical cable which engages the latch, to lock the latch and to release the latch. A release module mounted to the platform connects each of the cables. The release module is configurable in a locked mode wherein each latch is locked and is actuatable in a release mode to concurrently release each of the latches. 
     An extraction force transfer coupling device is mounted to the platform. The transfer coupling device has a cable connecting the release module wherein the extraction force is transferred to actuate the release mode. 
     The release mode is preferably actuated by means of a lever. There are four securement modules. The latch mechanism preferably comprises an over-center, generally C-shaped latch which catches over a latch bar. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an aerial delivery platform incorporating a single point release system; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a securement module employed in the aerial delivery platform of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged interior view of a portion of the securement module of  FIG. 2  wherein portions have been disassembled and removed for illustrative purposes and further illustrating a portion of the release system; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the single point release system of  FIG. 1  which, in particular, illustrates a release module for the release system; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary view of an alternative embodiment of the single point release system, further illustrating an apparatus which allows for sea-based aerial delivery; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of another embodiment of a release module which may be employed for the single point release system; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view, partly in schematic and partly in phantom, illustrating an aerial delivery platform incorporating a single point release system employed for aerial delivery of a four-wheeled vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several Figures, a single point release system for an aerial delivery system is generally designated by the numeral  10 . The release system  10  functions to provide a single point for efficiently concurrently releasing the cargo retaining latches for an aerial delivery system. The single point system is adapted to provide a quick release for land based delivery and a more reliable release for mid-air release requirements, such as for a rigid inflatable boat. The single point release system is employed in conjunction with a platform  20  which may be Type V or any other platform employed for aerial delivery. 
     In one preferred application, four releasably latchable securement modules  30  are mounted to the top of the platform  20 . Two pairs of securement modules are provided at opposite sides of the platform. It should be appreciated that numerous other numbers of such modules may be employed. 
     Each securement module  30  includes a cooperative pair of heavy duty flexible straps  32  and  42  which are each respectively preferably configured with opposite end loops  34 ,  36  and  44 ,  46 . Each of the straps includes tensioners  38  and  48 , respectively. Mounting brackets  50  and  52  are bolted or otherwise attached to the top of the platform and project upwardly for anchoring the ends of the straps to the platform. Preferably, the brackets  50  and  52  are generally elongated U-shaped members. The straps are looped to receive anchor clips  54  and  56  which are retained to the brackets  50  and  52  by pins  58  so that the straps may be variably positionable and configurable to accommodate the various cargo constraints. 
     The free ends of the straps are latched together to secure cargo to the platform and locked in place by a releasable latch assembly  60  which is remotely releasable from a single control point. Each latch assembly  60  preferably comprises two pairs of transversely cooperative spaced plates  62  and  64  connected in opposed relationship by cross supports. The plates  62  and  64  are configured to minimize interference with the payload. 
     Each strap  32  and  42  is looped around a pin  66  and  68 , respectively, carried by a pair of opposed plates  62  or  64 . One plate carries an over-center, pivotal C-shaped latch  70  which pivots and catches over a heavy duty lock bar  72  carried by the other plate for latchably engaging the captured straps. The straps may also be placed in tension for securing the cargo by tensioners  38  and  48 . 
     One of the plates carries a pivotal lock member  80  which is engageable against the latch  70  to lock same in place, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The pivotal position of the lock member  80  is governed by a control rod  82 . The position of rod  82  is controlled by a mechanical cable  90  which is received and connects into the bottom portion of the latch assembly. It will be appreciated that preferably there is a latch assembly  60  with an associated cable  90 ,  91 ,  92  or  93  for each securement module  30 . 
     A box-like release module  100  is preferably mounted at one side location of the platform. In one form, the release module is bolted to one of the anchoring brackets or positioned adjacent one of the anchoring brackets  50 . Each of the mechanical cables  90 - 93  is connected for actuation with the release module  100 . The release module preferably includes a trigger or a lever  110  which magnifies the applied release force. In one position, the lever or trigger is positioned to interact with the mechanical cables  90 - 93  so that each of the lock mechanisms  80  is placed in a locked position engaging a latch  70 . When the lever  110  is pivoted or the trigger pulled to a second position, the lock member  80  of each of the latch assemblies  60  is released. The latches  70  are accordingly released concurrently whereby a single release point actuation releases all of the securement modules  30 . 
     An alternative embodiment of a release module  150  for a single point release by means of a shiftable lever  160  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , a vehicle  200  is secured by each of the four securement modules  30  to the platform  20 . Typically, the straps wrap around the axles or other securement points of the vehicle and are secured under tension by the latch assembly  60 . When the aerial platform is landed, the vehicle may be rapidly released by manually shifting the control lever  110  or actuating a trigger at the release module  100  so that the retaining straps essentially release and the vehicle  200  is free to rapidly drive off the cargo platform  20 . 
     For applications which require a mid-air release such as, for example, for a rigid hull inflatable boat, an extraction force transfer coupling (“EFTC”) device  120  is also mounted onto the edge of the platform. The EFTC device  120  includes an actuator arm  130  which drops upon release of the platform from the aircraft. The EFTC device includes a cable  96  which is connected to the release module trigger and concurrently actuates each of cables  90 - 93  to release each lock member  80 . Consequently, each of the latch mechanisms of the securement modules will be concurrently released to allow mid-air release of the inflatable boat (not illustrated) from the aerial platform. Alternatively, for land based applications, the EFTC device  120  could be actuated by manual movement of the actuator arm  130  so that the release force is transferred over cable  96  to the release module  100 .