Patent ID: 8021069

Claim:
A release apparatus for controlling the deployment of a device by restraining or releasing a first releasable member under tension in a first direction, which respectively prevents or allows the deployment of the device, the release apparatus comprising: a first releasable member, said first releasable member comprising an expanded portion at a first end; a plurality of spool segments, said spool segments defining a center cavity along a first axis while said spool segments are in a first constrained position, said spool segments adapted to restrain said first member along said first direction while said plurality of spool segments are in said first constrained position wherein said expanded portion of said first releasable member is larger in diameter than said center cavity while said spool segments are in said first constrained position, said plurality of spool segments comprising; a first end; a second end; and a middle portion, wherein said middle portion comprises a narrowed interior adapted to axially constrain said expanded portion of said first releasable member along said first axis while said segments are in a first constrained position; a first restraining portion wound around a first end of said plurality of spool segments; and a second restraining portion wound around a second end of said plurality of spool segments wherein the narrowed interior portion of the spool segments may open to a second release position upon the release of either said first restraining portion of said second restraining portion.