Patent GB-599385-A (GB)
Title: Means for releasably attaching a suspended load to a parachute or other support
IPC: B64D17/38
Filed: 1945-04-03
Abstract: 599,385. Hooks ; releasable fastenings. HUDSON, R. J. H. April 3. 1945, No. 8165. [Classes 44 and 89 (ii)] [Also in Groups XXI and XXXIII] Relates to devices for releasably attaching a suspended load to a parachute or other supporting device and consists in effecting the release bv the combustion of a holding member. A ring &c. 31, Fig. 3, to which the parachute suspension lines are attached is engaged by a hook 24 closed by a mousing piece 27 pivoted. at 25 and held closed by a pawl 34 engaging a nose 36 on the body and attached to a lever 32 pivoted to the piece 27 but locked against movement by a cross-pin 44 of cordite. The load is suspended at 23. As the parachute is released from the aircraft a pin 54 is withdrawn and a spring pin 52 fires a percussion cap 48 igniting a fuze 47 timed to burn until the parachute is fully open and the load on the hook 24 is steady, when an igniter 46 causes the pin 44 to be destroyed. A spring plunger 38 then acts on a pawl 33 of the lever 32 bringing it into contact with a cross pin 42 in the mousing piece which moves until an ejector finger 26 engages the ring still retained on the hook by the pull of the load. When the pull ceases due to the load reaching the ground the ejector finger sweeps the ring from the hook effecting disengagement. In another form 'sister hooks 96 pivoted in a body 92 engage a shoulder 95 on a plunger 91 attached to the parachute. Levers 102 pivoted at 103 are connected by a cordite pin 107. Side springs 105 attached to a cross-bar 100 act through links 101 to spread the levers, on destruction of the pin 107, and the cross-bar raises a plunger compressing a spring 110 and withdrawing a locking pawl 98 from between the ends of the hooks 96 which open and release the plunger 91. The pin 107 may be destroyed as in the previous form or may be hollow and filled with composition 118, Fig. 13, such as that used for match heads, with an embedded resistance wire 116 looped round an insulating partition 117 and passing through a cap 113. A battery and switch provide for igniting the composition and firing the pin. In a further form the load is supported from trunnions 56, Fig. 5 on a part 55 with a stem 60 square at 84 to slide without rotation in a bush 75 fired in a sleeve 67, 72 supported on a ball race carried by the member 71 attached to the parachute. A casing 63 screws on the part 55 at 61 and is connected to it by a spring 64 that tends to rotate it so that lugs 65 are free to pass through a slot in a supporting flange 73. The casing is locked on the part 65 by a cordite pin 80 passing through ears 78 on the casing. A striking pin 90 released at the time of dropping the parachute detonates a percussion cap 88 and ignites a fuze 89 that destroys the pin 80 after an interval sufficient for the pull of the load on the parachute to become steady. Pins 87 in part embedded in the flange 73 and engaging notches in the lugs 65 prevent rotation of the casing 63 by the spring 64 until the load reaches the ground when the parts 55, 71 separate releasing the load from the parachute pins 82 engage the lugs 78 to determine the engaged and free positions of the lugs 65.