Patent GB-1022078-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to quick release devices
Inventor: COOPER DANIEL WAUMSLEY
IPC: B64D17/32
Filed: 1963-08-06
Abstract: 1,022,078. Releasable fastenings. G. Q. PARACHUTE CO., Ltd. July 14, 1964 [Aug. 6, 1963], No. 30954/63. Heading E2A. A quick release device for holding a number of lugs, for example, lugs attached to a harness for a parachutist comprises a body 18, a control member 11 mounted on the body for rotary and axial movement thereto and a plate 20 integrally formed with spigots 22 on which the lugs are held, the lugs being retained on the spigots by spring-pressed members 24 carried by the body, the lugs being released from the spigots by movement of the plate away from the lugs. In the construction shown the body is screwed to a back plate 12 which also has a slot to receive a harness strap and the body is surrounded by a base ring 13 which is also attached to the plate 12. The control member 11 which forms a cover for the body carries a screw 16 which mates with a threaded bore in the spigot plate 20 so that the control member can be rotated relative to the spigot plate 20. The spigot plate has four spigots 22 which are chamfered towards the outer edges to assist in the insertion of the harness lugs. Holes 40 are provided in the spigot plate to accommodate pillars 39 which are screwed into the back plate 12 and the pillars prevent rotation of the spigot plate and also prevent the lugs being held by the spigots 22 during the release operation. The spigot plate is retained in the body by plungers 17 which are loaded by springs 27. The body contains two plungers 21 which are pressed by springs 19 towards the control member 11 and each of which has balls 41 at their outer ends to reduce friction as the control member is rotated and which enter depressions to limit rotation of the control member. The members 24 are hinged in the body about hinge pins 25 and are pressed towards the spigot plate 20 by springs 24. The control member has a central spigot 42 which carries a cam 33 and a pin 34, and a spring 26 presses the cam 33 against the pin 34. The cam has two side tongues which ride in slots in a portion not shown which projects from the back plate; the coaction of the pin and the cam prevents accidental movement of the control member 11. The back plate also carries stops 37 which slide in a well 45 and are held apart by a spring 28. These stops carry L-shaped projections 46, the upper faces of which normally lie under the spigot plate 20 to prevent its depression; rotation of the control member 11 from its normal position however through 90 degrees causes the lower part of the screw 16 to engage cam surfaces on the stops 37 to press the stops together sufficiently to allow the spigot plate to be pressed down over the projections 46; this lowers the spigot plate relative to the members 24 and produces gaps through which the harness lugs can be withdrawn. During the downward movement of the spigot plate the top surfaces of the pillars 39 engage the harness lugs and holds the lugs so that the downward movement of the plate disengages the spigots from-the lugs. The lugs can only be engaged with the spigots when the control member is in its normal non-rotated position and this is accomplished by pivoting the members 24 against the bias of their springs. In any other position of the control member movement of the members 24 is prevented by their engagement with the plungers 21 which have an upward movement as the control member is turned. The construction shown has four spigots each of which accommodates one lug but in a modification there are three spigots one of which can accommodate two lugs; in this case the recess around the spigot in the plate 20 is deeper and the pillar 39 is provided with a spring loaded portion to assist the release of the lugs. The control member is provided with four thumb depressions which form a grip for turning the member and the disposition of which indicates to the wearer whether the control member is in the normal "locking" position or in the position 90 degrees rotated from this position, i.e. the "releasing" position. A visual indicator can also be fitted in the side of the control member which shows one colour at the top of the control member for one position of rotation and another colour for the other position.