US3852854A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Girt bar latching system
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-05
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A girt bar latching system for operating the deployment of an evauation slide or combination slideraft in event of an emergency, and in normal mode of operation to latch and release its girt bar from floor fittings when the exit door is closed and opened, respectively. An inflatable but collapsed and packed slide is stored in a container mounted upon the interior side of the exit door, and is utilized in emergency situations only. In normal operation, as the door closes, the end portions of a girt bar connected to the slide engage the floor fittings. Upon opening the door, latches included in the floor fittings are depressed thereby providing for release of the girt bar so that it travels with the slide, container, and door. In an emergency mode of operation, as the door is opened, the latches remain raised to prevent the girt bar from releasing from the floor fittings. The girt bar is retained in the floor fittings as the escape slide or raft deploys. An arming mechanism is employed for selection of normal and emergency operational modes.
Inventors
- 👤 E Rickel
- 👤 J Cline
- 👤 D Sigrud
- 👤 C Fields
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:24
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D25/00; B64D25/08; B64D25/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45225; Y10T24/45602; Y10T24/45623; Y10T24/45639; Y10T24/45644; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A girt bar latching system for a deployable escape chute assembly utilized under evacuation procedures associated with a closed structure such as an aircraft cabin or the like, comprising: a girt bar having opposing end portions and having a length adapted to be operatively connected to an escape chute collapsed within a container mounted on the interior side of an exit door for the closed structure or the like, the girt bar generally disposed at the base of the container; at least a pair of latching units adapted to be secured to the floor of the closed structure at a station at which a corresponding one of the end portions of the girt bar can engage and be latched to its corresponding one of said units; each of said units defining a cavity and a notch into each of which a corresponding one of said end portions is introduced upon closing of the door; a member covering the cavity and being pivotally connected to each of said units; a latch member rotatably mounted on each of said units and facing the cavity and towards said covering member, said latch member being biased upwardly to engage and maintain said covering member in a raised position; and means for actuating said latch member against its bias to depress it below said notch for each of said latching units whereby the end portions of said girt bar can be released from said latching units.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A girt bar latching system for a deployable escape chute assembly utilized under evacuation procedures associated with a closed structure such as an aircraft cabin or the like, comprising: a girt bar having opposing end portions and having a length adapted to be operatively connected to an escape chute collapsed within a container mounted on the interior side of an exit door for the closed structure or the like, the girt bar generally disposed at the base of the container; at least a pair of latching units adapted to be secured to the floor of the closed structure at a station at which a corresponding one of the end portions of the girt bar can engage and be latched to its corresponding one of said units; each of said units defining a cavity and a notch into each of which a corresponding one of said end portions is introduced upon closing of the door; a member covering the cavity and being pivotally connected to each of said units; a latch member rotatably mounted on each of said units and facing the cavity and towards said covering member, said latch member being biased upwardly to engage and maintain said covering member in a raised position; and means for actuating said latch member against its bias to depress it below said notch for each of said latching units whereby the end portions of said girt bar can be released from said latching units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a member extending below each of said units and being pivotal with said latch member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 including an arming mechanism for positioning said latch member in its biased or raised position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said arming mechanism comprises: a rotatable shaft suitably mounted below said latching units in general parallel alignment to said girt bar; a selector lever operatively connected to said rotatable shaft for rotating said shaft from a first to a second position; lever means secured to said shaft and engaging said pivotal member; the rotation of said shaft from its first to second position causing said lever means to drive said pivotal member against the bias of said latch member to depress it below said notch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
A latching device comprising in combination: a fitting adapted to be secured to a floor or the like; means defining a cavity formed longitudinally of said fitting; a member pivotally connected to said fitting for covering such cavity; means defining a notch for providing sideway entry to the cavity for an end portion of a bar or the like, said notch defining means being formed longitudinally of said fitting; a latch member pivotally mounted on said fitting and facing said cavity and covering member; means biasing said latch member to engage and maintain said covering member in a raised position, said latch member being depressible against said biasing means; whereby said covering member captures the end portion of a bar as it passes over said latch member into the cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
A latching device comprising in combination: a fitting adapted to be secured to a floor or the like; means defining a cavity formed longitudinally of said fitting; a member pivotally connected to said fitting for covering such cavity; means defining a notch for providing sideway entry to the cavity for an end portion of a bar or the like, said notch defining means being formed longitudinally of said fitting; a latch member pivotally mounted on said fitting and facing said cavity and covering member; means biasing said latch member to engage and maintain said covering member in a raised position, said latch member being depressible against said biasing means; whereby said covering member captures the end portion of a bar as it passes over said latch member into the cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 5 including: a lip on said covering member; a camming surface emerging from said lip and extending towards the pivot connection for said covering member; and means depending from said covering member below its pivot connection and against which the end portion of the bar or the like is adapted to make contact.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said latch member includes: a keeper bar; means on said keeper bar for engaging said covering member; and a bearing surface on said keeper bar and against which the end portion of the bar can bear without the bar being released from said latching device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 5 including an actuating member for said latch member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said actuating member comprises an arm having its pivot connection integral with that of said latch member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said biasing means is operatively connected between said device and arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said biasing means comprises a coiled spring-and-rod arrangement pivotally mounted about said fitting and urging said arm in a direction raising said latch member.
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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |