US3690602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic cargo release mechanism
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-30
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1991-03-30
Abstract
Abstract Automatic release mechanism for cargo handling equipment in which cargo is supported from a spreader bar, which is in turn connected at its opposite ends to one or more aircraft and which includes cargo release mechanism responsive to spreader bar rotation about the transverse axis at one of its ends to release the cargo hook which is located between the spreader bar and the aircraft.
Inventors
- 👤 John Marsh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:06
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D1/00; B64D1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
Automatically releasable cargo handling mechanism including: A. a spreader bar having a longitudinal axis and having a transverse axis at each of its ends and adapted to be connected to the load and the load carrying mechanism at each of its ends, B. a cargo hook connected to one end of said spreader bar and adapted to be connected to said load carrying mechanism and including: 1. means to release said cargo hook, C. striker means connected to said spreader bar for rotation therewith about one of said transverse axes and oriented with respect to said spreader bar to permit limited rotational movement of said spreader bar about said transverse axis and so that when said rotation of said spreader bar about said transverse axis exceeds a predetermined limit, said striker member actuates said hook release means to release said spreader bar from said cargo hook.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
Automatically releasable cargo handling mechanism including: A. a spreader bar having a longitudinal axis and having a transverse axis at each of its ends and adapted to be connected to the load and the load carrying mechanism at each of its ends, B. a cargo hook connected to one end of said spreader bar and adapted to be connected to said load carrying mechanism and including: 1. means to release said cargo hook, C. striker means connected to said spreader bar for rotation therewith about one of said transverse axes and oriented with respect to said spreader bar to permit limited rotational movement of said spreader bar about said transverse axis and so that when said rotation of said spreader bar about said transverse axis exceeds a predetermined limit, said striker member actuates said hook release means to release said spreader bar from said cargo hook.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said hook release means is rotationally responsive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
and means responsive to rotation of the spreader bar about the transverse axis at one of its ends to release said connecting mechanism when the rotation of the spreader bar about said transverse axis exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
and means responsive to rotation of the spreader bar about the transverse axis at one of its ends to release said connecting mechanism when the rotation of the spreader bar about said transverse axis exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
a connecting member adapted to connect to a load, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
a connecting member adapted to connect to a load, and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
means to actuate said cargo hook from said closed to said open position,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
means to actuate said cargo hook from said closed to said open position,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
striker means connected to one end of said spreader bar and positioned to rotate therewith about said transverse axis and oriented to permit limited rotation of said spreader bar about said transverse axis up to a predetermined rotational limit and to contact and actuate said actuating means when spreader bar rotation reaches said predetermined limit to open said hook and release said spreader bar end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
striker means connected to one end of said spreader bar and positioned to rotate therewith about said transverse axis and oriented to permit limited rotation of said spreader bar about said transverse axis up to a predetermined rotational limit and to contact and actuate said actuating means when spreader bar rotation reaches said predetermined limit to open said hook and release said spreader bar end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
converging cable members extending between said yoke members and said connecting member, C. means for connecting the opposite ends of said spreader bar to separate load carrying mechanisms including:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
converging cable members extending between said yoke members and said connecting member, C. means for connecting the opposite ends of said spreader bar to separate load carrying mechanisms including:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said hook release means includes a cam member pivotally connected to said rotationally responsive hook release means and wherein said striker member is positioned to contact and rotate said cam member when said spreader bar exceeds its predetermined angular rotation about said Transverse axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cargo hook includes a body member and a load beam member and further including a link member pivotally connected to said spreader bar at one of its ends and connected to said cargo hook at its other end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 and including means to fixedly connect said link member to said spreader bar.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said connecting means is frangible and releasable in response to spreader bar loading through said cargo hook.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
Cargo handling equipment adapted to support a load from beneath one or more aircraft including: A. a spreader bar having a longitudinal axis and having a transverse axis at each of its ends, B. means for connecting the opposite ends of said spreader bar to a load, C. means for connecting the opposite ends of the spreader bar to one or more aircraft and including:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
Cargo handling equipment adapted to support a load from beneath one or more aircraft including: A. a spreader bar having a longitudinal axis and having a transverse axis at each of its ends, B. means for connecting the opposite ends of said spreader bar to a load, C. means for connecting the opposite ends of the spreader bar to one or more aircraft and including:
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said hook actuation means is rotationally responsive.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said hook actuation means includes a cam member pivotally connected to said rotationally responsive hook actuation mechanism and wherein said striker member is positioned to contact and rotate said cam member when said spreader bar exceeds its predetermined angular rotation about said transverse axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said cargo hook includes a body member and a load beam member and further including a link member pivotally connected to said spreader bar at one of its ends and connected to said cargo hook at its other end.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
95 words
Cargo handling equipment including a spreader bar having a longitudinal axis and having a transverse axis at its opposite ends and adapted to have its opposite ends connected to a load and to a load carrying mechanism and including: A. a releasable cargo hook connecting one end of the spreader bar to the load carrying mechanism, B. and means responsive to rotation of the spreader bar about the transverse axis at one of its ends to release said cargo hook when the rotation of the spreader bar about said transverse axis exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
95 words
Cargo handling equipment including a spreader bar having a longitudinal axis and having a transverse axis at its opposite ends and adapted to have its opposite ends connected to a load and to a load carrying mechanism and including: A. a releasable cargo hook connecting one end of the spreader bar to the load carrying mechanism, B. and means responsive to rotation of the spreader bar about the transverse axis at one of its ends to release said cargo hook when the rotation of the spreader bar about said transverse axis exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 including: A. a releasable cargo hook connecting each end of the spreader bar to the load carrying mechanism, and means responsive to rotation of the spreader bar in a clockwise direction about the spreader bar transverse axis at the first of its ends to release one of the cargo hooks when the rotation of the spreader bar about said transverse axis exceeds a predetermined limit and further responsive to counterclockwise rotation of the spreader bar about the transverse axis at the other end of the spreader bar to release the other cargo hook when the rotation of the spreader bar about said other transverse axis exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
Automatically jettisonable cargo handling equipment including: A. a load stabilizer boom having a longitudinal axis and also having transverse axes at its opposite ends, B. means to connect the opposite ends of said cargo boom to a load, C. means to connect opposite ends of said cargo boom to one or more aircraft and including:
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
Automatically jettisonable cargo handling equipment including: A. a load stabilizer boom having a longitudinal axis and also having transverse axes at its opposite ends, B. means to connect the opposite ends of said cargo boom to a load, C. means to connect opposite ends of said cargo boom to one or more aircraft and including:
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said last means is responsive to clockwise rotation of said boom about the transverse axis at one end of the boom to release the cargo hook at that end of the boom and is responsive to counterrotational rotation of the boom about the transverse axis at the other end of the boom to release the cargo hook at the other end of the boom
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
Cargo handling equipment including: A. a spreader bar having a longitudinal axis and having a transverse axis at its opposite ends, B. means for connecting said spreader bar to a load, C. means for connecting each end of said spreader bar to at least one load carrying mechanism and including:
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
Cargo handling equipment including: A. a spreader bar having a longitudinal axis and having a transverse axis at its opposite ends, B. means for connecting said spreader bar to a load, C. means for connecting each end of said spreader bar to at least one load carrying mechanism and including:
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
Automatically releasable cargo handling mechanism including: A. a spreader bar having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis at each of its ends, B. means for connecting the opposite ends of said spreader bar to a load including:
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
Automatically releasable cargo handling mechanism including: A. a spreader bar having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis at each of its ends, B. means for connecting the opposite ends of said spreader bar to a load including:
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) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |