US3845978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Swivelled cargo release device
Assignee: Eastern Rotorcraft Corp
•
Filing: 1972-12-04
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1992-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A swiveled hook assembly including cargo release mechanism in which swiveled mechanical interlinks are employed to transfer power or motion across the swiveled hook housing interface.
Inventors
- 👤 J Huber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:30
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/22; B66C1/34; B66C1/36; B66C1/38; B66C13/00; B66C13/18; B66C13/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A cargo release device including: 1. a housing assembly having: a. an upper housing section b. a lower housing section, and c. swivel mounting means interconnecting the upper and lower housing sections; 2. the lower housing section including a downwardly depending supporting structure; 3. a load carrying beam pivotally supported on said supporting structure, a. the beam pivot being positioned on an axis below the plane of the housing swivel and parallel thereto; 4. a beam latch pivotally supported on said lower housing and adapted to hold the beam in load carrying position when closed and to release the beam when open; 5. latch actuating mechanism positioned in the lower housing and linked to a connecting rod that extends between the upper and lower housings on an axis generally aligned with the housing swivel axis; 6. said connecting rod being mounted for up and down movement along a generally vertical axis, and 7. means within the upper housing for imparting up and down movement to the connecting rod, said means being linked to an upper portion of the connecting rod through a swivel mechanism whose swivel axis is concentric with the housing swivel axis when the beam is in closed load carrying position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A cargo release device including: 1. a housing assembly having: a. an upper housing section b. a lower housing section, and c. swivel mounting means interconnecting the upper and lower housing sections; 2. the lower housing section including a downwardly depending supporting structure; 3. a load carrying beam pivotally supported on said supporting structure, a. the beam pivot being positioned on an axis below the plane of the housing swivel and parallel thereto; 4. a beam latch pivotally supported on said lower housing and adapted to hold the beam in load carrying position when closed and to release the beam when open; 5. latch actuating mechanism positioned in the lower housing and linked to a connecting rod that extends between the upper and lower housings on an axis generally aligned with the housing swivel axis; 6. said connecting rod being mounted for up and down movement along a generally vertical axis, and 7. means within the upper housing for imparting up and down movement to the connecting rod, said means being linked to an upper portion of the connecting rod through a swivel mechanism whose swivel axis is concentric with the housing swivel axis when the beam is in closed load carrying position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A cargo release device according to claim 1 wherein the means in the upper housing for imparting up and down movement to the connecting rod include a mechanical linkage system actuated by an electrically controlled device and the beam latch actuating mechanism links in the lower housing are mechanically operative.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
the lower housing section including a downwardly depending supporting structure;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
the lower housing section including a downwardly depending supporting structure;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
a load carrying beam mounted on a pivot carried by the lower housing section
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
a load carrying beam mounted on a pivot carried by the lower housing section
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
beam latching mechanism for holding the beam in load carrying position when closed and for releasing the beam from its load carrying position when open
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
beam latching mechanism for holding the beam in load carrying position when closed and for releasing the beam from its load carrying position when open
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
a load carrying beam pivotally supported on said supporting structure, a. the beam pivot being positioned on an axis below the plane of the housing swivel and parallel thereto;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
a load carrying beam pivotally supported on said supporting structure, a. the beam pivot being positioned on an axis below the plane of the housing swivel and parallel thereto;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cargo release device according to claim 2 wherein the upper housing section is sealed to form a water-tight enclosure for an electrical device housed therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
a beam latch pivotally supported on said lower housing and adapted to hold the beam in load carrying position when closed and to release the beam when open;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
a beam latch pivotally supported on said lower housing and adapted to hold the beam in load carrying position when closed and to release the beam when open;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
a control system for operating the beam latching mechanism positioned in the upper housing section, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
a control system for operating the beam latching mechanism positioned in the upper housing section, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
A cargo release device according to claim 2 including a touchdown mechanism for releasing the load from the beam when the load has been reduced to a predetermined minimum, said touchdown mechanism including means associated with the beam that can change position with a change in loading of the beam, a mechanical linkage system connected therewith and extending from the beam through the lower housing and into the upper housing, said mechanical linkage having a swivel joint whose axis is concentric with the housing swivel axis, and wherein the mechanical linkage portions in the upper housing are interconNected to and can actuage the means for imparting up and down movement to the swiveled connecting rod of the beam latch mechanism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
A cargo release device according to claim 4 wherein the mechanical touchdown linkage portions in the upper housing are operative to close a switch to actuate electrically operative means for imparting up and down movement to the swiveled connecting rod of the beam latch mechanism.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
latch actuating mechanism positioned in the lower housing and linked to a connecting rod that extends between the upper and lower housings on an axis generally aligned with the housing swivel axis;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
latch actuating mechanism positioned in the lower housing and linked to a connecting rod that extends between the upper and lower housings on an axis generally aligned with the housing swivel axis;
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
a mechanical linkage for transmitting control movements from the control system to the beam latching mechanism across the swiveled interface of the housing sections, said mechanical linkage including a swivel joint whose axis is concentric with the housing swivel axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
a mechanical linkage for transmitting control movements from the control system to the beam latching mechanism across the swiveled interface of the housing sections, said mechanical linkage including a swivel joint whose axis is concentric with the housing swivel axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
said connecting rod being mounted for up and down movement along a generally vertical axis, and
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
said connecting rod being mounted for up and down movement along a generally vertical axis, and
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A load release device according to claim 4 wherein the mechanical touchdown linkage portions in the upper housing are operative to prevent the energizing of the circuit for opening the latch mechanism.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
means within the upper housing for imparting up and down movement to the connecting rod, said means being linked to an upper portion of the connecting rod through a swivel mechanism whose swivel axis is concentric with the housing swivel axis when the beam is in closed load carrying position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
50 words
means within the upper housing for imparting up and down movement to the connecting rod, said means being linked to an upper portion of the connecting rod through a swivel mechanism whose swivel axis is concentric with the housing swivel axis when the beam is in closed load carrying position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
A cargo release device according to claim 1 wherein the means in the upper housing for imparting up and down movement to the connecting rod include a rotary solenoid and mechanical interlinks therefrom to the connecting rod for translating turning movement of the solenoid shaft to up and down rod movement.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cargo release device according to claim 1 wherein the beam latch actuating mechanism operates a reaction lever that can be pivoted out of engagement with the beam latching mechanism to permit the opening of the beam.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cargo release device according to claim 8 wherein the beam latch actuating mechanism is controlled by on over dead center linkage to secure the reaction lever in engaged position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
120 words
A cargo release device according to claim 1 including a touchdown mechanism for releasing the load from the beam when the load has been reduced to a predetermined minimum, said touchdown mechanism including means associated with the beam that can change position with a change in loading of the beam, a mechanical linkage system connected therewith and extending from the beam through the lower housing and into the upper housing, said mechanical linkage having a swivel joint whose axis is concentric with the housing swivel axis, and wherein the mechanical linkage portions in the upper housing are interconnected to and can actuate the means for imparting up and down movement to the swiveled connecting rod of the beam latch mechanism.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
7 words
A cargo engaging and release device including
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
7 words
A cargo engaging and release device including
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 11 wherein the control system for the beam operating latching mechanism is an electrical system.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 11 wherein the control system for the beam operating latching mechanism is a mechanical system.
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) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |