US5176342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Goggles emergency release apparatus
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1991-12-30
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Granted: 1993-01-05
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Expires: 2011-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A goggles emergency release apparatus is disclosed wherein an actuator, ptioned adjacent the goggles latching mechanism, drives a wedge into the mechanism to push a release pin into the open position and push the goggles away from the helmet. The actuator receives its initiation power when the ejection seat movement closes a microswitch.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel J. Schmidt
- 👤 Thomas J. Dillon
- 👤 Ricky L. Greth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:45
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/017; G02B27/0176; A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/0406; A42B3/042; B; B64; B64D; B64D25/00; B64D25/08; G02B23/00; G02B23/12; G02B23/125; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/0138; G02B27/0149; G02B2027/0154; G02B2027/0156
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A goggles emergency release apparatus for forcibly separating goggles latched to a pilot's helmet when a pilot ejects from his aircraft, comprising: base means attached to the top of the helmet to provide a housing and a guiding track adjacent to a goggles latching pin; actuator means situated in said housing; release means having a forward section with a sloped front surface in a first position adjacent said actuator means and slidably situated to move from said first position apart from the latching pin to a second position impacting the pin; and initiator means connected to said actuator means and the pilot's ejection seat to provide a signal to said actuator means, whereupon said actuator means forces said release means to impact the latching pin separating it from the helmet and moving the goggles away from the helmet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A goggles emergency release apparatus for forcibly separating goggles latched to a pilot's helmet when a pilot ejects from his aircraft, comprising: base means attached to the top of the helmet to provide a housing and a guiding track adjacent to a goggles latching pin; actuator means situated in said housing; release means having a forward section with a sloped front surface in a first position adjacent said actuator means and slidably situated to move from said first position apart from the latching pin to a second position impacting the pin; and initiator means connected to said actuator means and the pilot's ejection seat to provide a signal to said actuator means, whereupon said actuator means forces said release means to impact the latching pin separating it from the helmet and moving the goggles away from the helmet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A goggles release apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said base means is a tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A goggles release apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said actuator means is a ballistic actuator that generates approximately twenty pounds of pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A goggles release apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said ballistic actuator is a bellows actuator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A goggles release apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said release means has a rear section containing a retaining means extending from a side surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A goggles release apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said release means comprises a shell portion at the rear section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A goggles release apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said initiator means comprises a separation means connected to stationary and moving sections, respectively, of the ejection seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A goggles release apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said separation means includes a rigid pin fixedly attached to the stationary section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A goggles release apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said separation means comprises a microswitch connected to an energy source and fixedly attached to the moving section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A goggles release apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said microswitch contains a lever arm held in a first, closed position by said rigid pin and movable to a second, open position once said pin is removed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
A goggles release apparatus for forcibly separating latched goggles from a pilot's helmet when the pilot actuates his ejection seat, comprising: an anchor plate fixedly attached to a predetermined location on the helmet adjacent a goggles latching mechanism; a tubular housing situated on and fixedly attached to said anchor plate; a wedge-shaped block located inside a first end of said housing and connected to impact underneath a latching pin; a ballistic actuator located inside a second end of said housing and adjacent said block; an energy source; and switching means connected to movable and stationary sections of the ejection seat and said energy source to transmit a signal to said actuator upon separation of said movable and stationary sections.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
A goggles release apparatus for forcibly separating latched goggles from a pilot's helmet when the pilot actuates his ejection seat, comprising: an anchor plate fixedly attached to a predetermined location on the helmet adjacent a goggles latching mechanism; a tubular housing situated on and fixedly attached to said anchor plate; a wedge-shaped block located inside a first end of said housing and connected to impact underneath a latching pin; a ballistic actuator located inside a second end of said housing and adjacent said block; an energy source; and switching means connected to movable and stationary sections of the ejection seat and said energy source to transmit a signal to said actuator upon separation of said movable and stationary sections.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-05 | 1996-07-06 | 1997-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-07-06 | 2001-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-05 | 2004-07-06 | 2005-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |