Patent ID: 7712727

Claim:
A system for retracting and letting-out a laterally extending flexible bow seal having a forward outside surface with a forward-most portion on an air cushion vehicle having a bow ramp, the system comprising: a plurality of attachment loops disposed in a laterally extending strip located on the forward-most portion of the laterally extending flexible bow seal; an elongate skirt cable having opposite ends and extending through said attachment loops on the forward outside surface of the laterally extending bow seal; cable routing systems mounted on said air cushion vehicle at opposite port and starboard ends of the bow ramp, each cable routing system being connected to a separate one of said opposite ends of said elongate skirt cable for selectively retracting and letting-out said laterally extending flexible bow seal; and a ramp cable extending from each said cable routing system to the bow ramp, both of said cable routing systems drawing in both said ramp cables to raise the bow ramp above said laterally extending bow seal and being let-out to lower the bow ramp to rest on a support surface; wherein said cable routing systems are configured to selectively retract said laterally extending flexible bow seal with said skirt cable while simultaneously lowering the bow ramp by letting-out said ramp cables; wherein said cable routing systems are configured to selectively let-out said laterally extending flexible bow seal with said skirt cable while simultaneously raising the bow ramp by drawing in said ramp cables; and wherein each cable routing system includes a fixed pulley and a moveable pulley displaceable toward and away from said fixed pulley by a linear actuator.