DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING A LOAD FOR ITS AIRBORNE DROPPING

Abstract

Device for packaging a load for airdropping thereof having at least a first and a second strap, each strap comprising:- fixed at a distance d1 from a first end of the strap, a first part of locking means or an intermediate assembly secured or attachable to this strap on which the first part of locking means is fixed,- fixed at a distance d2 from said first end, with d2>d1, a second part of locking means or an intermediate assembly secured or attachable to this strap on which the second part of locking means is fixed,device characterized in that it comprises an unlocking element, for example of the handle type, common to all the locking means of said at least two straps and associated with a third part of each of the locking means of said at least two straps. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING A LOAD FOR ITS AERODROP

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of airdropping of loads and in particular the field of airdropping of small and medium-sized loads, for example using the side doors of an aircraft.

[0002] Airdropping is defined as the action of grounding equipment or personnel from an aircraft in flight.

[0003] In this case, we will be particularly interested in the airdropping of materials which can be carried out in different ways.

[0004] For the heaviest packages, the procedure is most often by ejection and the package is equipped with an ejection parachute which, opening towards the outside of the aircraft while the rear door is open, will cause the package to be extracted from the aircraft where its main parachute can be opened.

[0005] It is also possible to proceed by gravity, the exit of the package through the rear door being caused by a slight pitching up of the aircraft.

[0006] Finally, for the smallest packages, dropping through the side doors of the aircraft can be considered, the package nevertheless having to respect a maximum size.

[0007] In this respect, patent application FR3102752 is known, which describes a load conditioning device for airdropping a load having a substantially parallelepiped shape making it possible to define a longitudinal axis along which a maximum dimension is measured, the device comprising at least two straps, a first strap being arranged in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the load, a second strap being arranged in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the load, a loop being arranged at the upper intersection of the straps.

[0008] The packaging operations carried out according to the teachings of the state of the art are relatively long. Thus, the packaging of light boats is relatively complex and can take up to 45 minutes. In addition, this operation usually requires the participation of 4 people. In addition, separate packaging operations of the ancillary equipment necessary for the successful accomplishment of a mission can be just as long and require the same personnel. These different operations require compliance with a precise operating procedure, adapted to each air-dropped equipment and require a high level of expertise on the part of the personnel who implement them.

[0009] However, when it is desired to airdrop a light boat, for example for sea rescue, it is very complicated or even impossible to implement, at sea, the procedure of the state of the art and, most of the time, the straps are cut and, consequently, part of the packaging means are lost or altered during unpacking. It is therefore important that a swimmer can easily and quickly remove the straps used for airdropping and, possibly, the envelope containing this boat.

[0010] In addition, for conditioning, a specific harness is generally used for each type of load, itself attached to a parachute for the jump, and which makes different distinct means cooperate (straps of suitable length and resistance, load rings, elastic bracelets, etc.).

[0011] The aim of the invention is to resolve the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a device for packaging a load for its airdrop, having at least a first and a second strap, each strap comprising: - fixed at a distance dl from a first end of the strap, a first part of locking means or an intermediate assembly secured or attachable to this strap on which the first part of locking means is fixed, - fixed at a distance d2 from the first end of the strap, with d2>dl, a second part of locking means or an intermediate assembly secured or attachable to this strap on which the second part of locking means is fixed, device characterized in that it comprises an unlocking element, for example of the handle type, common to all the locking means of said at least two straps and associated with a third part of each of the locking means of said at least two straps.

[0012] With a device according to the invention, regardless of the number of straps used, actuation of the single unlocking element causes all the straps to be unlocked and thus their release from the load. Such unlocking is very rapid since a single action by an operator results in the release of the device. It also makes it possible to recover the entire device without damaging it.

[0013] According to an additional characteristic, the at least one first and one second strap are connected, intrinsically or via an external element, to each other and make, at this connection, an angle of between 45 and 135 degrees, each strap comprising, arranged on a first side of the connection or on an intermediate element secured or capable of being secured to this first side, a first part of locking means and on a second side of this strap, opposite the first side, or on an intermediate element secured or capable of being secured to this second side, a second part of said locking means.

[0014] The advantage of having an angle between 45 and 135 degrees is, on the one hand, that the device can be used for most shapes of products to be strapped and, on the other hand, to prevent one of the straps, by sliding, from releasing one side of the product.

[0015] By intrinsically, it must be considered that the straps are secured to each other for example by sewing or they can be connected to each other by an external element such as for example a ring, a clip, a glue etc.

[0016] Such a device is particularly advantageous when a load is dropped into the sea or in a hostile environment.

[0017] According to a particular characteristic, all the first parts or all the second parts of the locking means are integral with the same intermediate assembly separate from the straps.

[0018] This assembly may for example be in the form of a cross or a double cross and comprise at least two first parts or two second parts of locking means or a mixture of the two and preferably between three and eight.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment: • The first part of the locking means secured to the first side of each of the at least two straps comprises: - A primary bracket linked to a primary ring; - A secondary bracket connected to a secondary ring; - A flexible halyard; - A bridle with an eyelet; • The second part of the second locking means secured or capable of being secured to the second side of each of the at least two straps comprises a ring: • The third part of the locking means comprises at least one cable secured on one side to the unlocking element and, on the other side, to the first part of the locking means of the said at least two straps.

[0020] Such locking means of this type but in a different arrangement are for example described in patent applications FR2848984 and FR2772339.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment, the ring, associated with the second side of each of said at least two straps, comprises a bridge of material constituting a spacer and defining a first and a second slot.

[0022] According to a particular embodiment, the ring associated with the second side of each of said at least two straps comprises two sides at least partly parallel and a bar movable perpendicular to these parallel sides.

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be presented in the description of a detailed exemplary embodiment with regard to the attached figures where:

[0024] [Fig.l] shows a first variant embodiment of a device according to the invention for conditioning a load for its airdrop;

[0025] [Fig.2] shows an exemplary embodiment of a first part of the locking means of a device according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig.3] shows an exemplary embodiment of a second part of the locking means of a device according to the invention;

[0027] [Fig.4] shows, in section, a first, a second and a third part of the locking means in the locking position of a device according to the invention;

[0028] [Fig.5] shows a second variant embodiment of the invention in which all the first parts of the locking means are integral with the same intermediate assembly;

[0029] [Fig.6] illustrates an intermediate assembly according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0030] [Fig.l] shows a first variant 1 of the invention, namely a device for packaging a load for its airdrop, comprising a first strap 22 and a second strap 23 arranged parallel to each other and a third strap 24 arranged perpendicular to said first and second straps and secured to the latter by seams 25 at their middle part. With respect to the seams 25: - the first strap 22 comprises, on a first side 22b, a first part 26i of means 26 for locking this strap and, on the opposite side, called second side 222, a second part 262 of the locking means 26; - the second strap 23 comprises, on a first side 23b, a first part 271 of means 27 for locking this strap and, on the opposite side, called second side 232, a second part 272 of the locking means 27; - the third strap 24 comprises, on a first side 24b, a first part 28i of means 28 for locking this strap and, on the opposite side, called second side 242, a second part 282 of the locking means 28;

[0031] Furthermore, this device for conditioning a load comprises an unlocking element 29, for example of the handle type, common to all the locking means 26, 27, 28 of said straps 22, 23 and 24 and associated with a third part 263, 273, 283 of each of the locking means, respectively 26, 27, 28, of said straps.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first parts 26b 27b28i are placed at a distance dl=0 from a first end, respectively, of the straps 22, 23, 24 while the second parts 262, 272, 282 are placed at a distance d2 from the first end approximately equal to the length, respectively, of the straps 22, 23, 24.

[0033] In this variant embodiment, the first part of the locking means is in accordance with that described in patent application FR2772339, [Fig. 3] of which is reproduced in [Fig. 2] attached and in which the first part 26 of the locking means 26 comprises: - A primary loop 3 with a primary ring 6, this loop on the one hand being constituted by the end of the strap 22 located on the first side 22i and turned back on itself by about ten centimeters and, on the other hand, allowing the ring to pivot almost 360 degrees from the top of the strap to the bottom of the strap; - A secondary strap 4 with a secondary ring 8, this strap being constituted by a fourth strap 7 partly turned back on itself and sewn onto the turned back part of the first strap 22 and so that when the primary ring 6 is turned back in the direction of the seams of the strap 22, the ring 8 can pass inside the primary ring 6 and lock it in this position; - A flexible intermediate strap 9 sewn on top of the strap 5 and the strap 7. An eyelet 10 of smaller diameter than the secondary ring 8 is crimped onto this strap at its free end; - A halyard 11 forming a loop is fixed below the intermediate bridle 9 substantially in line with the eyelet 10 and in the folded position against the strap 5. This halyard forming a loop more visible in [Fig.5] therefore extends substantially perpendicular to the strap 5 to pass through the eyelet 10.

[0034] In this embodiment, as shown in [Fig. 3], the second part 262 of the locking means is constituted by a ring 13 of oblong shape and having a first and a second spacer 31, 32 defining three slots 33, 34 and 35, the latter two serving to block this ring 13 on the second side 222 of the strap 22 at the desired position and thus to adjust the tightening of the strap 22 on the load. The second spacer can be fixed or movable, for example constituted by a movable bar, in the main plane of the ring and parallel to the base, for example in a slide.

[0035] In this embodiment, the unlocking means 29 is constituted by a handle and the third part 263 of the locking means 26, by a cable 14 introduced into a sheath 15 and connecting this unlocking means 29 to the first part 26i of the locking means 26.

[0036] [Fig. 4] shows, in section, the first, second and third part of the locking means in the locking position and corresponds substantially in [Fig.4] of patent application FR2772339. It clearly shows the arrangement of the different straps 22, 7 and 9 as well as the ring 13 inserted in the primary ring 6 and the latter inserted in the secondary ring 8. The loop of the halyard 11 is partially inserted inside the secondary ring 8 and the eyelet 10 which are against each other while the cable 14 is itself inserted in the loop of the halyard 11 but on the free side of the eyelet 10.

[0037] Thus, the cable 14 blocks the halyard 11 which itself blocks the eyelet 10 and the secondary ring 8, the latter blocking the primary ring 6 which itself blocks the ring 13 of the second part 262 of the locking means 26.

[0038] In this variant embodiment, the first, second and third parts of each of the locking means 26, 27 and 28 are identical so that when the unlocking handle is pulled, the three cables, which on the one hand are connected to it and, on the other hand are connected respectively to the first part of the locking means 26, 27 and 28, are extracted from the loop of the halyard 11 which then releases in cascade the eyelet 10, the secondary ring 8, the primary ring 6 and the ring 13 of the second part of the locking means which then allows by simple traction on at least one of the straps to remove the entire packaging device.

[0039] [Fig. 5] shows a second variant embodiment of the invention in which all the first parts of the locking means are integral with the same intermediate assembly 40, separate from the straps and intended to be interposed between each of the ends of each of the straps.

[0040] This intermediate assembly is in the form of a double cross and intended for an arrangement of straps of the type shown in [Fig.l].

[0041] This intermediate assembly comprises a main strap 50 and a first and a second secondary strap 51, 52 arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the main strap 50, thus forming the double cross.

[0042] At least two different strap ends, and preferably at least three, comprise a first part of locking means unlockable by a single action such as, for example, that shown in [Fig.2].

[0043] In [Fig. 5], each of the ends of the straps 50, 51 and 52 comprises such a first part 26i presented in unlocked mode, that is to say in accordance with [Fig. 2]. For convenience, the unlocking handle 29 is arranged in the middle part 53 of the main strap 50, the secondary straps 51, 52 being located on either side of this handle. A Velcro strap 54 is fixed in the middle part of the main strap 50 but on the side opposite the handle and its length and the positions of the Velcro are such that they allow the handle to be blocked reversibly and to prevent accidental unlocking of the packaging device. Two load rings 55, arranged between the handle and the first secondary strap 51, surround the main strap 50 and two other load rings 56, arranged between the handle and the second secondary strap 52, surround the main strap 50. These rings 55, 56 are used, for example, to attach a parachute to them for the purpose of dropping the load and its packaging device.

[0044] The third part 263 of the locking means 26 comprises a sheath 57 secured to the strap 50 and distributed into at least a first and a second section 58, 59 arranged on either side of the handle. Six cables 14 are secured at one of their ends to the handle 29 and free at their other end when the locking means are in the unlocked position as shown in this figure. In addition, a loop 57 is associated with each of the branches of the main and secondary straps 50, 51 and 52.

[0045] From handle 29: three cables 14 pass inside the first section 58 of the sheath then: - a first cable is directed towards the first branch 50i of the main strap 50 at the level of which it crosses the loop 57; - a second cable is directed towards the first branch 511 of the secondary strap 51 at the level of which it crosses the loop 57; - a third cable is directed towards the second branch 512 of the secondary strap 51 at the level of which it crosses the loop 57; three other cables 14 pass inside the second section 59 of the sheath then - a first cable is directed towards the second branch 502 of the main strap 50 at the level of which it crosses the loop 57; - a second cable is directed towards the first branch 52i of the secondary strap 52 at the level of which it crosses the loop 57; - a third cable is directed towards the second branch 522 of the secondary strap 52 at the level of which it crosses the loop 57.

[0046] The handle 29 has flexible longitudinal ends. A loop 60 is associated with each of them and ensures, in cooperation with the flange 54, the maintenance of the handle when it is not in use.

[0047] [Fig.6] shows a photo of the intermediate assembly according to [Fig.5] in in which the locking means 26 are in the locked position.

[0048] The main difference compared to [Fig.5] lies in the fact that each of the cables 14 is inserted into the halyard of the branch of the strap associated with it and blocks the latter which itself blocks the eyelet 10 and the secondary ring 8, the latter blocking the primary ring 6 which itself blocks the ring 13 of the second part 262 of the locking means 26.

[0049] When the load is to be air-dropped at sea, it is preferable that after actuation of the handle, the intermediate assembly remains secured to at least one end of the strap. For this, a clip is used on at least one of the branches, this clip locking the first and second part of the locking means as a cable 14 would do, but the action on the handle will have no action on this clip which will remain in place and will continue to lock the locking means with which it is associated.

[0050] Obviously, this intermediate assembly could, for example, have only two or three first parts of locking means, each of the straps comprising a second part of the locking means arranged to cooperate with one of said first parts.

[0051] In addition, the straps of the packaging device, for example three, could, for at least two of them, make an angle, at their connection, of between 45 and 135 degrees, the intermediate assembly being able to have, for example, a main strap and four secondary straps, the first two of which are located on one side of the main strap and the other two are located on the other side of the main strap, these first two being closer to each other than the other two.

[0052] Alternatively, there could be only one attached on one side to the unlocking element and dividing, each branch going towards one of the first parts of the locking means.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for packaging a load for airdropping thereof having at least a first and a second strap, each strap comprising: - fixed at a distance dl from a first end of the strap, a first part of locking means or an intermediate assembly secured or attachable to this strap on which the first part of locking means is fixed, - fixed at a distance d2 from the first end of the strap, with d2>dl, a second part of locking means or an intermediate assembly secured or attachable to this strap on which the second part of locking means is fixed, device characterized in that it comprises an unlocking element, for example of the handle type, common to all the locking means of said at least two straps and associated with a third part of each of the locking means of said at least two straps.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first and one second straps are connected, intrinsically or via an external element, to each other and make, at this connection, an angle of between 45 and 135 degrees, each strap comprising, arranged on a first side of the connection or on an intermediate element secured or capable of being secured to this first side, a first part of locking means and on a second side of this strap, opposite the first side, or on an intermediate element secured or capable of being secured to this second side, a second part of said locking means.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that all the first parts or all the second parts of the locking means are integral with the same intermediate assembly (40), separate from the straps.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that this assembly is in the form of a cross or a double cross and comprises at least two first parts or two second parts of locking means or a mixture of the two parts.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the assembly comprises between three and eight first parts, second parts of locking means or a mixture of the two.

6. Device according to claim any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: • The first part of the locking means secured to the first side of each of the at least two straps comprises: - A primary yoke linked to a primary ring; - A secondary yoke linked to a secondary ring; - A flexible halyard; - A bridle comprising an eyelet; • The second part of the second locking means secured or capable of being secured to the second side of each of the at least two straps comprises a ring: • The third part of the locking means comprises at least one cable secured on one side to the unlocking element and, on the other side, to the first part of the locking means of said at least two straps.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the ring, associated with the second side of each of said at least two straps, comprises a bridge of material constituting a spacer and defining a first and a second slot.

8. Device according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the ring associated with the second side of each of said at least two straps has two sides at least partly parallel and the spacer is movable perpendicular to these parallel sides.

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