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US3554344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable length inflatable escape slide
Assignee: Zodiac Acquisition Corp
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Filing: 1968-08-13
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A lower extensible end portion of an inflatable escape slide is tucked or stowed and retained uninflated by restraint flaps enclosing the end portion intermediate the slide ends, and closed by quick release grip means on the flap edges. A cable, cooperable with the grip means, passes through a one-way lock assembly and terminates with a weighted mass. When the upper end of the slide is below a predetermined height, the mass weight contacts the ground and the cable is not active to open the closed and locked flaps. Above the predetermined height, the mass fails to make ground contact and its weight draws the cable through the one-way lock assembly which locks the cable against reverse movement, inflation of the slide causing the cable to release the restraint flaps and permit the lower extensible end portion of the slide to inflate and extend.
Inventors
- 👤 James R Summer
- 👤 Henry C Maclaughlin
- 👤 Clarence S Melander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:06
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D25/00; B64D25/08; B64D25/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A slide comprising: a. an inflatable slide member having one end adapted to be secured to a generally upwardly disposed structure with the other end directed toward a generally horizontal ground plane; b. a deployable slide portion on said other end of said slide member; c. releasable restraint means normally restraining said deployable slide portion against deployment unless a release force is applied, said slide member thereby having one length of slide surface when said deployable slide portion is restrained against deployment and having a greater slide surface length when said restraint means is released; d. releasing means coupled with said releasable restraint means for the release thereof; and e. height-sensing means coupled with said releasing means and effective to activate said releasing means only when said one end of said slide member is higher than a predetermined height above said ground plane, said releasing means when activated cooperating with said slide member to apply said release force to said restraint means, said release force being generated by inflation of said slide member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A slide comprising: a. an inflatable slide member having one end adapted to be secured to a generally upwardly disposed structure with the other end directed toward a generally horizontal ground plane; b. a deployable slide portion on said other end of said slide member; c. releasable restraint means normally restraining said deployable slide portion against deployment unless a release force is applied, said slide member thereby having one length of slide surface when said deployable slide portion is restrained against deployment and having a greater slide surface length when said restraint means is released; d. releasing means coupled with said releasable restraint means for the release thereof; and e. height-sensing means coupled with said releasing means and effective to activate said releasing means only when said one end of said slide member is higher than a predetermined height above said ground plane, said releasing means when activated cooperating with said slide member to apply said release force to said restraint means, said release force being generated by inflation of said slide member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The slide of claim 1 in which said other end of said slide member comprises restraint elements normally restraining said deployable slide portion against inflation and deployment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The slide of claim 2 in which said restraint elements are separable flap elements having joinable edges, and said releasable restraint means comprises quick release grip means normally joining said joinable edges together to restraint said deployable slide portion against inflation and deployment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The slide of claim 3 in which said releasing means comprises cord means having one end coupled with said quick release grip means and the other end coupled with height-sensing means, and also comprises one-way lock means on said slide member and cooperable with said cord means to effect a lock of said cord means and thereby release said quick release grip means upon actuation of said lock means by said height-sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The slide of claim 4 in which said height-sensing means comprises a weighted mass disposed on said one end of said cord means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The slide of claim 1 in which said releasing means comprises cord means and a weighted mass on one end thereof, the other end of said cable means being coupled to said restraint means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The slide of claim 6 in which said releasing means also comprises one-way lock means on said slide member and cooperable with said cord means to effect a lock of said cord means and thereby release said restraint means upon actuation of said lock means by said weighted mass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The slide of claim 7 in which said lock means comprises a rigid tab element flexibility mounted relative to a grommet element, said cord means passing through said grommet element, said lock means also comprising a lock activation element on said cord means, said activation element being arranged to pass through said grommet element in one direction and thereafter being locked by said tab element against reverse direction movement through said grommet element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
152 words
An inflatable slide comprisiNg: at least one inflatable beam extending longitudinally of said slide; means for attaching one end of said slide to a support structure; inflatable extension means on said slide and spaced from said one end; closure means releasably restraining said extension means from inflation; a cable extending longitudinally of said slide and connected with said closure means for releasing said closure means upon movement of said cable in one direction; and means for moving said cable in said one direction in response to said one end of said slide being spaced at least a predetermined distance above a surface, and holding means on said slide for holding said cable against movement in the opposite direction, whereby inflation of said slide while said one end is spaced a distance greater than said predetermined distance causes said cable to release the inflatable extension means to extend the length of the slide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
152 words
An inflatable slide comprisiNg: at least one inflatable beam extending longitudinally of said slide; means for attaching one end of said slide to a support structure; inflatable extension means on said slide and spaced from said one end; closure means releasably restraining said extension means from inflation; a cable extending longitudinally of said slide and connected with said closure means for releasing said closure means upon movement of said cable in one direction; and means for moving said cable in said one direction in response to said one end of said slide being spaced at least a predetermined distance above a surface, and holding means on said slide for holding said cable against movement in the opposite direction, whereby inflation of said slide while said one end is spaced a distance greater than said predetermined distance causes said cable to release the inflatable extension means to extend the length of the slide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
The inflatable slide according to claim 9 wherein said closure means includes a slide fastener, said slide fastener including a slider movable along a path spaced progressively closer to said holding means in the direction of opening said closure means, and said cable being connected with said slider, whereby said cable pulls said slider to release said extension means upon displacement of said cable by said moving means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The inflatable slide according to claim 9 wherein said moving means includes a weight attached to said cable and includes a guide for said cable on said inflatable slide adjacent said one end, whereby said weight is suspended from said guide for measuring the height of said one end of said slide above a support surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
The inflatable slide according to claim 11 wherein said cable holding means includes a lock on said inflatable slide adjacent said one end, and abutment means on said cable adapted to pass through said lock in response to drawing said cable longitudinally through said guide toward said one end of said slide, said abutment means engaging said lock to prevent said abutment means from moving relative to the lock toward the opposite end of said inflatable slide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
An inflatable slide comprising: at least one inflatable beam extending longitudinally of said slide; inflatable extension means on said slide and spaced from one end of said beam; closure means spaced from said one end of the beam for releasably restraining said extension means from inflation; cable means connected at one end with said closure means; holding means on said beam between said closure means and said one end of the beam for selectively holding said cable means against lengthwise movement when being held by said holding means, the length of said cable means between said holding means and said closure means being less than the length of said beam between said holding means and said closure means; and means for operating said holding means in response to measurement of at least a predetermined height of said one end of the beam above a surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
145 words
An inflatable slide comprising: at least one inflatable beam extending longitudinally of said slide; inflatable extension means on said slide and spaced from one end of said beam; closure means spaced from said one end of the beam for releasably restraining said extension means from inflation; cable means connected at one end with said closure means; holding means on said beam between said closure means and said one end of the beam for selectively holding said cable means against lengthwise movement when being held by said holding means, the length of said cable means between said holding means and said closure means being less than the length of said beam between said holding means and said closure means; and means for operating said holding means in response to measurement of at least a predetermined height of said one end of the beam above a surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The inflatable slide according to claim 13 wherein said operating means includes a guide adjacent said one end of said inflatable slide, said cable means extending through said guide and having a weight on said cable means spaced from said guide, whereby said predetermined height is measured by said cable between said weight and said guide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |