Load hook release gauges for load hook levers
Ergonomically designed load hook release gauges with colored settings and mechanical clicks simplify and enhance the accuracy of load hook lever travel measurements, addressing ergonomic challenges in helicopter cargo hook inspections.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WUNRAM JAKOB BENEDIKT
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Accurate and repeatable measurement of the travel distance of load hook levers on helicopter cargo hooks is challenging due to ergonomic constraints of the collective component in the cockpit, with current methods like calipers or rulers being inadequate.
Ergonomically designed load hook release gauges that ensure secure positioning on the collective, with distinct colored settings for minimum and maximum travel limits, and a mechanical click for release confirmation, simplifying and ensuring accurate measurement.
The gauges facilitate precise and efficient inspection of load hook lever travel, enhancing measurement accuracy and repeatability while preventing misuse.
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Abstract
Description
[0001] Among other things, the release mechanism of the load hook levers on helicopters equipped with cargo hooks must be checked regularly. These levers, which release the cargo hook, must travel a minimum distance before releasing and must not exceed a maximum distance before releasing. Currently, this measurement is performed using calipers or a ruler. A component called a "collective" is installed centrally between the two seats in the cockpit of a helicopter. Two cargo hook release levers are attached to it, which, when activated, open the cargo hook on the underside of the helicopter. Because the collective is ergonomically shaped, it presents a challenge to perform the measurement accurately and repeatably. Manufacturers only stipulate that measurements must be taken regularly, not how they should be carried out.This is where the load hook release gauges come into play, by significantly simplifying and increasing the accuracy of the repeated measurement for the prescribed path.
[0002] The gauges for minimum and maximum travel are ergonomically designed to ensure secure positioning of the collective. The gauges are slid sequentially from the right side over the cylindrical part of the collective. Once in position, the travel can be checked by pulling the load hook levers. The hook must not release at the minimum gauge setting, while it must release at the maximum gauge setting. Release is confirmed by a mechanical click on the load hook lever itself. The lever travel is determined, for example, by the manufacturer's specifications. To prevent misuse, the gauges are designed to be installed only in the correct manner. Different colored gauges are available to visually indicate which gauge setting triggers the release of the load hook lever.For example, the signal color red is suitable for teaching the minimum path, and the color green for teaching the maximum path.
[0003] This invention significantly simplifies and accelerates the inspection process of the load hook levers / the functional test that must be carried out regularly.
Claims
[1] that the positioning of the teaching takes place directly on the ergonomically shaped collective without any additional parts in the correct position, [2] that the teachings are pushed laterally onto the collective and that only one correct application position results, [3] that it is possible to check both load hook levers with different lever travels simultaneously with one gauge, [4] that the use of two doctrines covers all testable scenarios, [5] that the use of two doctrines results in the possibility of different color choices, e.g. maximum path in the color green; minimum path in the color red