Patent GB-489983-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to apparatus for carrying loads adapted to be launched from aircraft
IPC: B64D1/04
Filed: 1937-11-10
Abstract: 489,983. Bomb-dropping. JUNKERS FLUGZEUG - UND - MOTORENWERKE AKT.-GES. Nov. 10, 1937, No. 30845. Convention date, Nov. 12, 1936. [Class 9 (ii)] Relates to means for carrying in the interior of an aircraft, loads, such as bombs, which are detachably secured to a carrier arranged to be lowered out of and retracted into the fuselage. According to the invention, the carrier is in the form of a flat wall or box-like member on which devices are provided for releasably securing the loads. During flight and also in discharging loads, the carrier is entirely located in the interior of the aircraft, the articles to be discharged leaving the carrier through an opening in the under wall of the cavity housing the carrier, which opening is preferably covered by flaps normally held in the closed position by means of springs. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the carrier consists of a quadrangular frame 1 on the side walls 2, 3 of which are mounted supports 4, 5 for the load members 6. A horizontal shaft 8 in the upper part of the carrier carries at its ends pinions 9, 9<1> engaging vertical racks 10 fitting in guide channels 16, 161 and secured to the fuselage 20 by cross stays 11, 11<1>. A pinion 13 fast on the shaft 8 meshes with a worm 14 fast on a vertical shaft 15 which projects downwardly out of the carrier and rotation of which raises or lowers the entire carrier and attached loads according to the direction of rotation. The shaft 15 is preferably rotated by means of a winding device comprising a casing 21, Fig. 5, in which is rotatably mounted a sleeve 22 which carries a rope drum 23 and is provided with a square hole to fit over the lower end of shaft 15. A ratchet wheel 24 on the sleeve and a pawl 25 on the drum ensure that the sleeve can only be turned in one direction by the drum. A spring 26 is provided, one end being attached to the drum at 27 and the other to the casing 21 at 28. The drum is rotated by a pull on the cord 33 and by means of the engagement of the pawl 25, the sleeve 22 is carried round with the drum. On the pull of the cord being released, the cord is wound up again on the drum by the action of the spring 26. The casing 21 is provided with opposed pairs of lugs 31, 311 so that, depending on which pair of lugs is secured by the bolt 32 to the carrier, the latter is either raised or lowered by repeated pulls on the cord 33. When completely retracted into the fuselage, the carrier can be additionally secured by bolts 35, Fig. 1, whilst the descent of the carrier is limited by a stop 34 which bears against the lower stay 11<1>. Either electrical or mechanical means may be provided for releasing the loads and, in each case, the transmission means is arranged to be automatically disconnected on the carrier being lowered. Thus, for electrical release, a contact device 36, such as a plug socket, establishes electrical connection when the carrier is in the retracted position between the release switch and the devices for releasing the loads, whilst for mechanical release, the rods for releasing the loads may comprise a rocking lever 37 which, when the carrier is in the retracted position, contacts with a plunger 38 provided on the carrier for actuating mechanical releasing devices for the loads.