Patent GB-335431-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in fastenings particularly applicable to parachute belts or straps and the like
IPC: B64D17/32
Filed: 1929-11-11
Abstract: 335,431. Wattel, A. L. F. Nov. 17, 1928, [Convention date]. Multiple fastenings for straps; stud-and-slot fastenings. - A fastening device for the belt of a parachute which may also be adapted to fasten the braces and thigh straps comprises eyelets secured to the belt &c. and provided with tenons which are inserted in slots in a casing and are retained by corresponding fastening devices, a release device being provided whereby simultaneous release of all the straps may be effected. The eyelet 7 to which one end of the belt is attached has a tenon 6 with aT-head 6<a> permanently held in a recess in a cylinder 3 rotatable in a bore provided in a casing 1, the tenon passing through a slot in a bush 4 permanently closing one end of the bore. The other end of the bore communicates with a slot 8 on the casing. The corresponding end of the cylinder 3 has a slot 9 leading to a chamber 11, the entrance ends of this slot having ramp surfaces 10. The cylinder is normally held by a torsion spring 12 with the slots 8, 9 out of register. The eyelet 14 to which the other end of the belt is secured has a tenon 13 which is passed through slot 8, its end engaging with the surfaces 10 to bring the slots 8, 9 into register and allowing the T-end of the tenon to pass into the chamber 11, whereupon spring 12 rotates the cylinder 3 to retain the tenon in place. To release the coupling, the cylinder 3 is rotated to bring slots 8, 9 into register, the tenon being then ejected automatically by a spring 46 which is put in compression in the coupling operation. Additional eyelets 30 for the attachment of brace and thigh straps may be provided. These have tenons 31 with mushroom heads 33 passed through apertures in the casing and secured by spring-biassed sliding plates 34, the springs 39 yielding to allow passage of the heads 33. The plates are held in place and guided by screws 37 passed through slots in the plates and one end of each plate has a ramp surface 42. Ejecting springs 43 are put in compression by the coupling operation. Release is effected by a rotatable shaft 15 passing loosely through a slot 16 in cylinder 3, and having a pin 17 which engages a ramp surface 19 of the slot 16 and rotates cylinder 3 when shaft 15 is rotated. Shaft 15 also carries a star-wheel with arms 41 corresponding with the sliding plates 34 and engaging the ramp-surfaces 42 to slide the plates 34 to release position when the shaft 15 is rotated. Shaft 15 is rotated by a knurled or like head which is formed in two segments 24 each pivoted to one end of an arm 22 carried by the shaft. The segments are urged apart by springs 25 and each has a tongue 26 normally engaging a notch 27 in a slot 28 formed in the cover 20 of casing 1, the outward movement of the segments being thereby limited and the shaft 15 held against rotation. Shaft 15 is biassed to the normal locked position by a spring 29. To release, the segments are pressed inwards to withdraw the tongues 26 from the notches, and the shaft is then rotated to release the tenons, the amount of rotation being limited by the slots 28 along which tongues 26 move.