US3669217A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Escape slide positioning tube
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-16
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1990-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A positioning tube for an escape slide of the type used for aircraft having a long inflatable ramp which is inflated from the folded condition to the extended position in which the location and attitude of the ramp is controlled by an inflatable tube attached to the underside of the ramp for engagement with the aircraft fuselage to which the ramp is attached for biasing the ramp outward from the fuselage. Manifolding is provided for rapid inflation of the positioning tube simultaneously with inflation of the ramp and before the ramp is completely unfolded and extended. Releasable fasteners of three-dimensional fabric having resilient hook fibers hold the ramp in the folded condition until it is inflated to prevent engagement with the ground prior to inflation and positioning.
Inventors
- 👤 John M Fisher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:25
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D25/00; B64D25/08; B64D25/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An escape slide positioning tube for a foldable slide having inflatable longitudinal members comprising an inflatable hollow body of flexible foldable material disposed transversely of said slide under said longitudinal members of the escape slid at the end of the slide attached to a supporting structure, inflating means and an opening in said inflatable hollow body having a diameter less than the diameter of said inflatable hollow body for directing a fluid medium from said inflating means to said inflatable hollow body before the slide is extended whereby inflation of said inflatable hollow body will bias the slide away from said supporting structure in the folded condition to position the slide in the desired direction and inclination relative to said supporting structure in the extended condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An escape slide positioning tube for a foldable slide having inflatable longitudinal members comprising an inflatable hollow body of flexible foldable material disposed transversely of said slide under said longitudinal members of the escape slid at the end of the slide attached to a supporting structure, inflating means and an opening in said inflatable hollow body having a diameter less than the diameter of said inflatable hollow body for directing a fluid medium from said inflating means to said inflatable hollow body before the slide is extended whereby inflation of said inflatable hollow body will bias the slide away from said supporting structure in the folded condition to position the slide in the desired direction and inclination relative to said supporting structure in the extended condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An escape slide positioning tube according to claim 1 wherein the escape slide is inflatable and said inflating means are connected to said inflatable hollow body and to the escape slide for inflation of said inflatable hollow body through said opening before the slide is completely inflated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
An escape slide positioning tube according to claim 2 wherein said opening in said inflatable hollow body is in communication with the escape slide for passage of a fluid medium from the escape slide to said inflatable body and the connection to the escape slide from said inflating means is in close proximity to said opening in said inflatable hollow body whereby inflation of said inflatable hollow body takes place before the escape slide is completely inflated for positioning of the slide before it is fully extended.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
An escape slide comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending inflatable supporting tubes fastenEd together to support a sliding surface, longitudinally extending inflatable guiderail bumpers at the edges of said slide fastened to the outermost of said supporting tubes at the edges of said sliding surface and a transversely extending inflatable positioning tube projecting downward and disposed under said supporting tubes and said guiderail bumpers at the upper end of the slide attached to a supporting structure, and fluid pressure inflating means connected by fluid-conducting openings to said supporting tubes, said guiderail bumpers and said positioning tube for inflating said escape slide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
An escape slide comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending inflatable supporting tubes fastenEd together to support a sliding surface, longitudinally extending inflatable guiderail bumpers at the edges of said slide fastened to the outermost of said supporting tubes at the edges of said sliding surface and a transversely extending inflatable positioning tube projecting downward and disposed under said supporting tubes and said guiderail bumpers at the upper end of the slide attached to a supporting structure, and fluid pressure inflating means connected by fluid-conducting openings to said supporting tubes, said guiderail bumpers and said positioning tube for inflating said escape slide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
An escape slide according to claim 4 wherein said fluid-conducting openings to said positioning tube are in close proximity to said inflating means for inflation of said positioning tube before said supporting tubes and said guiderail bumpers are completely inflated for positioning of the slide before it is fully extended.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An escape slide according to claim 4 wherein said guide rail bumpers have releasable fasteners mounted at longitudinally spaced-apart portions on said guiderail bumpers for holding said slide in a partially folded condition prior to inflation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
An escape slide according to claim 6 wherein one of said fasteners is located at a portion of said bumpers near the lower end of the slide for fastening the lower ends in a folded condition and another of said fasteners is located at a portion of said bumpers near the upper end of said slide for fastening the remaining portions of the slide in a folded condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
An escape slide according to claim 12 wherein said releasable fasteners include members of three-dimensional fabric having stiff resilient hooks intermeshing in the fastened portions until the escape slide is partially inflated and then resiliently releasing said longitudinally spaced-apart portions as the escape slide is further inflated to the fully extended position.
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) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |