A guide surface for a girt

Abstract

A device to facilitate decoupling of a girt from a vehicle during deployment of an evacuation slide. In some examples, the device may include a girt configured with a first end and a second end, an opening configured between the first end and the second end, at least one reinforcement member configured to at least partially surround the opening, and a guide surface configured to extend between at least a portion of the opening and the at least one reinforcement member.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 037514-1457201 Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01 Patent ApplicationA GUIDE SURFACE FOR A GIRTTECHNICAE FIELD

[0001] The field of the invention relates to passenger vehicles, and, more particularly, to guide surfaces for girts.BACKGROUND

[0002] Passenger vehicles, such as aircraft, typically include one or more evacuation slides for emergency situations such as evacuations. Conventionally, evacuation slides may deploy from passenger vehicles by way of a door or compartment adjacent a vehicle exit. In order to connect the evacuation slide to die passenger vehicle, a girt may be used to connect the evacuation slide to the passenger vehicle. However, during deployment, conventional girts may become tangled, stuck, or otherwise damaged due to undesired latching on one or more components of the vehicle such as door latches. These events may inhibit the deployment of the girt may lead to undesired events that may prevent individuals from exiting a vehicle safely.SUMMARY

[0003] The terms “disclosure,” “the disclosure,” “this disclosure” and “the present disclosure” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the disclosure covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

[0004] According to certain embodiments, a device for an evacuation slide may include a girt configured with a first end and a second end, an opening configured between the first end and the second end, at least one reinforcement member configured to at least partially surroundAtorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application the opening, and a guide surface configured to extend between at least a portion of the opening and the at least one reinforcement member.

[0005] According to certain embodiments, the device may include at least one atachment coupler configured to couple the guide surface to the girt.

[0006] According to certain embodiments, the guide surface may be configured to be removably coupled to the girt.

[0007] According to certain embodiments, the at least one atachment coupler may be selected from a group including, but not limited to, i) hook and pile fasteners, ii) sewn thread, iii) an adhesive, iv) a snap coupler, or combinations thereof.

[0008] According to certain embodiments, the first end of the girt may be configured to atach to a girt bar of a vehicle.

[0009] According to certain embodiments, the second end of the girt may be configured to atach to an evacuation slide.

[0010] According to certain embodiments, the guide surface may be configured to guide a container coupler away from the at least one reinforcement memberthrough the opening.

[0011] According to certain embodiments, the container coupler may be selected from a group including, but not limited to, i) a latch, ii) a hook, iii) a locking member, or combinations thereof.

[0012] According to certain embodiments, the guide surface may have a coefficient of friction in a range between 0.05 to 0.8.

[0013] According to certain embodiments, the at least one reinforcement member extends along a perimeter of the opening.

[0014] According to certain embodiments, the at least one reinforcement member may have a coefficient of friction in a range between 0.05 to 0.8.

[0015] According to certain embodiments, the girt has a top surface and a botom surface, and the guide surface may be coupled to the top surface.

[0016] According to certain embodiments, the opening may be substantially rectangular and include a first edge that extends for a first length between the first end and the second end along a first axis, and a second edge that may extend for a second length between a third end and a fourth end of the girt along a second axis. In some examples, the first axis may be perpendicular to the second axis such that the first edge may be longer than the second edge, and the first length may be greater than the second length.Atorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application

[0017] According to certain embodiments, the guide surface may extend extends for a third length between the first end and the second end along the first axis and extend for a fourth length between the third end and the fourth end along the second axis, and the third length may be greater than the fourth length.

[0018] According to certain embodiments, the guide surface may include a material selected from a group including, but not limited to, a polymer, a fabric, a metal, an alloy, a composite, or combinations thereof.

[0019] According to certain embodiments, a method for operating a girt for an evacuation slide may include deploying, by movement of a container, a girt having an opening at least partially surrounded by at least one reinforcement member. The container coupler may initially extend through a first side of the opening prior to deploying the girt. In some examples, the method may include guiding, by the at least one reinforcement member while deploying, the container coupler along a length of the opening and guiding, by a guide surface perpendicular to the at least one reinforcement member while deploying, the container coupler through a second side of the opening and away from the girt.

[0020] According to certain embodiments, the method may include guiding, by the guide surface during deployment, the container coupler along a top surface of the guide surface.

[0021] According to certain embodiments, a system for an evacuation slide may include a girt that may include a first end, a second end, an opening configured between the first end and the second end, at least one reinforcement member configured to at least partially surround the opening, and a guide surface configured to extend between at least a portion of the opening and the at least one reinforcement member. In some examples, the system may include a container configured to house at least a portion of the girt in an undeployed state and a container coupler may be configured to extend through the opening when the girt is in the undeployed state. In some examples, an atachment coupler may be configured to releasably hold the girt in the undeployed state.

[0022] According to certain embodiments, the girt may be configured in a Z-fold configuration in the undeployed state, and wherein the girt is configured to unfold from the Z- fold configuration to a substantially planar configuration in a deployed state.

[0023] According to certain embodiments, the atachment coupler may be configured to atach two opposing surfaces of the girt while in the Z-fold configuration such that the atachment coupler may be configured to releasably detach the two opposing surfaces.Atorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application

[0024] Various implementations described herein may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is an example diagram for a girt for an evacuation slide, according to various embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 2 is an example botom view of a girt, installed into a container, according to various embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an example top view of a girt, installed into a container, according to some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 4 is an example Z-fold configuration for a girt, according to some embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 5 is an example operation for detaching a container coupler from a girt during deployment, according to some embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 6 is an example method for deploying a girt, according to some embodiments.

[0031] In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. Not all instances of an element are necessarily labeled to reduce cluter in the drawings where appropriate. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles being described.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The subject mater of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject mater may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order orAtorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

[0033] The described embodiments of the invention provide evacuation slides for passenger vehicles. While the evacuation slides are discussed for use with aircraft, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the evacuation slides may be used in any suitable passenger vehicles of any type or otherwise as desired.

[0034] The described embodiments herein use the terms ‘top’, ‘botom’, and similar. When these terms are used alone, or in combination,, the terms are referring to a spatial relationship with respect an axis (e.g., x / y axis as in FIG. 1) unless explicitly stated otherwise in the context of the discussion. For example, an top of a girt has a “higher” spatial relationship in a plane of the page along a y-axis than a botom of the girt relative to the y-axis. These terms are intended to clarify reference points, locations, perspectives, and / or views, and are not intended to be limiting.

[0035] Passenger vehicles like aircraft, offshore rigs, boats, and similar may experience unexpected emergencies due to weather, equipment failure, and / or circumstances generally beyond control. During these emergency events, it is important to ensure passengers may safely and quickly exit the vehicle. Conventional systems have utilized deployable inflatable evacuation slides which may connect to the vehicle in some manner. Some systems employ a girt which may connect to the vehicle and provide an end-to-end connection between the vehicle and the evacuation slide to provide a means to get out and away from the vehicle in a safe manner. In conventional systems, the girt may be stowed, atached, and / or otherwise secured to a component of a vehicle such as an exit door. During deployment, conventional girts may become stuck, latched, tom, and / or otherwise rendered unusable by a central latching mechanism used to secure the door to the vehicle which complicates exiting the vehicle with no safe connection between the vehicle and the evacuation slide.

[0036] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a girt with a guide surface may remedy the previously mentioned deficiencies. For example, a detachable girt may include side reinforcements around an opening which receives the central latch of the door. The guide surface may prevent the center latch of the door from catching on the girt during deployment. The guide surface may be configured with a low coefficient of friction and, upon release of the center latch as the door is translated outboard from the vehicle, the guide surface may push the center latch up and out of the way with significant force which may enable the evacuation slide to freely drop out of the door (or slide container) and inflate for use in an emergency situation.Atorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent ApplicationThe guide surface may also include a detachable material such as hook-and-pile fasteners where if the center latch does catch unexpectedly on the guide surface, it does not inhibit the evacuation slide from falling out of the container by detaching completely from the girt.

[0037] In addition, or alternatively, the girt reinforcements may also have a low coefficient of friction and allow the center latch to freely and smoothly ride along the central opening on the girt while the door translates outboard until the center latch releases from the container, or releases from making contact with the girt. Additional retention features further improve the technical field of evacuation slide deployment in that the girt may be retained in the container by hook-and-pile fasteners to reliably and securely retain the position and configuration of the girt installation in the container.

[0038] FIG. 1 is an example diagram 100 of a girt 102 for an evacuation slide 108, according to various embodiments. By way of example, a vehicle 109 (e.g., plane, helicopter, offshore rig, etc.) may include an evacuation feature such as the evacuation slide 108 (e.g., inflatable tube structure) that is deployed in instances of emergency and / or when suitably necessary for user(s) to exit the vehicle 109 in a safe and timely manner. The vehicle 109 may house the evacuation slide 108 and the girt 102 in a container or in a door (as discussed in more detail in FIG. 2) prior to being deployed. In a non-limiting example, when stored in a container of a door of an aircraft, the evacuation slide 108 and / or the girt 102 may be deployed substantially simultaneously upon user activation such as by opening a door to the vehicle 109 in an emergency mode (e.g., actuation of a lever to deploy the evacuation slide 108). The door (not depicted) may open outward and away from the vehicle 109 allowing the girt 102 and the evacuation slide 108, which may be initially deflated, to be released (e.g., drop downward and / or away from the vehicle 109) from the container to begin inflation (discussed in more detail in FIGS. 2-5). In some examples, the girt 102 and the evacuation slide 108 may be contained within the same compartment or different compartments of the vehicle 109.

[0039] According to certain embodiments, the girt 102 may be any suitable shape with any suitable dimension. For example, the girt 102 may be substantially rectangular with a width (e.g., measured along a y-axis) in a range between twelve inches and seventy-two inches and a length (e.g., measured along an x-axis) in a range between twelve inches and seventy-two inches. The girt 102 may include any suitable material such as, but not limited to, nylon, aramids, para-aramids, polymers, metals, alloys, composites, fabric, or combinations thereof.

[0040] In some examples, the girt 102 may be initially connected to the evacuation slide 108 and / or container using couplers such as bar 104a and / or couplers 104b (e.g., loop cord,Atorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application adhesive, etc.), or may be connected to the evacuation slide 108 prior to, during, and / or after inflation (e.g., by flight personnel). The couplers may be any suitable connector such as, but not limited to, bars, latches, hook-and-loops, loop cords (e.g., daisychained), or similar. The couplers may be removably atachable to the girt 102, vehicle 109, and / or the evacuation slide 108 at a first end 150 of the girt 102 (e.g., towards the vehicle 109 along the x-axis) and at a second end 151 of the girt 102 (e.g., towards the evacuation slide 108 along the x-axis).

[0041] The girt 102 may include at least one reinforcement member 120 which may, at least in part, structurally define a center cutout (e.g., an opening 106). The reinforcement member 120 may extend along a perimeter of the opening 106. For example, the reinforcement member 120 may extend along at least fifty percent, sixty percent, seventy percent etc. of the perimeter of the opening 106. The reinforcement member 120 may be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, nylon, aramids, para-aramids, polymers, metals, alloys, composites, fabric, or combinations thereof. In addition, or alternatively, the reinforcement member 120 may be configured to be a smooth surface that may be configured to enable sliding and / or substantially unimpeded motion of any suitable surface that may contact the reinforcement member 120. The reinforcement member 120 may have a coefficient of friction in a range between 0.05 to 0.8.

[0042] In some examples, the reinforcement member 120 may be atached to a top surface, a botom surface, and / or at least partly integrated with the girt 102. The reinforcement member 120 may atached to the girt 102 by any suitable atachment coupler such as, but not limited to, sewn thread, adhesives (e.g., glue, double sided tape, etc.), bonding (e.g., heat bonding, melting, etc.), hook-and-pile fasteners, or combinations thereof. The reinforcement member 120 may provide adequate support (e.g., rigidity) to the girt 102 such that the reinforcement member 120 may, at least partly, resist torsional forces that may be applied prior, during, and / or after deployment of the girt 102 and / or evacuation slide 108. For example, when the girt 102 is folded (not depicted) within the compartment (as discussed in more detail in FIG. 2), the reinforcement member 120 may be resilient and tend to unfold, but way of elastic resistance, into a state where the opening 106 is an optimal expanded form and has good rigidity.

[0043] The reinforcement member 120 in a deployed configuration may be configured to provide the opening 106 with a substantially rectangular form. However, it should be readily recognized by one skilled in the art that the opening 106, defined by a perimeter of the reinforcement member 120 and / or girt 102, may be any suitable shape and include any suitable dimensions. For example, the reinforcement member 120 may provide a shape that may beAttorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application substantially rectangular, square, circular, polygonal (e.g., three or more sides), or combinations thereof. The opening 106, defined by the perimeter of the reinforcement member 120, may have a first edge that may extend for a first length along the x-axis between the first end 150 of the girt 102 and the second end 151 of the girt 102. The opening 106, defined by the perimeter of the reinforcement member 120, may have a second edge that may extend for a second length along the y-axis between a third end 152 (e.g., along a ‘bottom’ of the girt 102 as depicted on the y-axis) of the girt 102 and a fourth end 153 (e.g., along a ‘top’ of the girt 102 as depicted on the y-axis) of the girt 102. The first length may be in a range between twelve inches and forty-eight inches and the second length may be in a range between twelve inches and forty-eight inches. In some examples, the first edge may be longer than the second edge, and the first length may be greater than the second length.

[0044] In some examples, the girt 102 may include a guide surface configured to extend between at least a portion of the opening and the reinforcement member 120. By way of example, the guide surface 110 may be attached to the girt 102 by way of any suitable attachment coupler such as, but not limited to, may be made of any suitable material such as, sewn thread, adhesives (e.g., glue, double sided tape, etc.), bonding (e.g., heat bonding), hook- and-pile fasteners, snap couplers, or combinations thereof. In addition, or alternatively, the guide surface 110 may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, nylon, aramids, para-aramids, polymers, metals, alloys, composites, fabric, or combinations thereof.

[0045] In addition, or alternatively, the guide surface 110 may be configured to be a smooth surface that may be configured to enable sliding and / or substantially unimpeded motion of any suitable surface that may contact the guide surface 110. The guide surface 110 may have a coefficient of friction in a range between 0.05 to 0.8 such that the guide surface 110 may be configured to guide a container coupler (e.g., a latch as discussed in more detail in FIG. 5) away from the reinforcement member 120 through the opening 106. According to certain embodiments, the guide surface 110 and the reinforcement member 120 may be made of the same materials or different materials. In addition, or alternatively, the guide surface 110 and the reinforcement member 120 may be suitably integrated with each other and / or the substantially the same component. According to various examples, the guide surface 110 may be removably attachable or otherwise removably coupled to the girt 102 and / or the reinforcement member 120.

[0046] In some examples, the guide surface 110 may be any suitable shape and include any suitable dimensions. For example, the guide surface 110 may include a shape that may beAtorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application substantially rectangular, square, circular, polygonal (e.g., three or more sides), or combinations thereof. The guide surface 110 may have a first length along the x-axis between the first end 150 of the girt 102 and the second end 151 of the girt 102. The guide surface 110 may have a second length along the y-axis between a third end 152 (e.g., along the ‘botom’ of the girt 102 as depicted on the y-axis) of the girt 102 and a fourth end 153 (e.g., along the ‘top’ of the girt 102 as depicted on the y-axis) of the girt 102. The first length may be in a range between twelve inches and forty-eight inches, and the second length may be in a range between twelve inches and forty-eight inches. In some examples, the first length may be greater than the second length.

[0047] In some examples, the girt 102 may include one or more atachment couplers 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d configured to hold the girt 102 in an undeployed state (discussed in more detail in FIGS. 2-5) and to keep the Z-fold configuration away from catching on a door container during deployment. The atachment couplers 140a, 140b are located on a top side of the girt 102 while the atachment couplers 140c, 140d (shown with dashed lines to depict being placed on a different surface) may be located on a botom side of the girt 102. It should be readily understood by one skilled in the art that the top side of the girt 102 is the side that faces away from the evacuation slide 108 towards the sky when deployed and the botom side of the girt 102 faces towards the evacuation slide 108 towards the ground when deployed. The atachment couplers 140a- 140d may include, but not limited to, hook-and-pile fasteners, sewn thread, an adhesive, a snap coupler, double sided tape, or combinations thereof. The atachment couplers 140a-140d, may be disposed at any suitable location on and / or integrated with the girt 102, the reinforcement member 120, and / or the guide surface 110.

[0048] FIG. 2 is an example botom view 200 of a girt 102, installed into a container, according to various embodiments. The girt 102 may include some or all components of the girt 102 as in FIGS. 1, 3-5, and / or operate according to the method as in FIG. 6. In some examples, the girt 102 may be installed within a container 214 (e.g., a door container of an aircraft) at least partly between a second panel 214B (e.g., outside facing door panel of the aircraft) and a first panel 214a (e.g., inside facing door panel of an aircraft) of the container 214. The girt 102 may be folded such that a container coupler 212 (e.g., latch) may extend through an opening 106 when the girt 102 is contained in an undeployed state. In the undeployed state, one or more reinforcement members 120 may substantially protect and / or otherwise guard the girt 102 from damage (e.g., tear, wear, etc.) caused by contact with theAtorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application container coupler 212 while stored (e.g., during normal operations of the aircraft) and / or during / after deployment of the girt 102.

[0049] FIG. 3 is an example top view 300 of a girt 102, , installed into a container, according to some embodiments. The girt 102 may include some or all components of the girt 102 as in FIGS. 1, 2, or 4, and / or operate according to the method as in FIG. 5. In some examples, the girt 102 may receive a container coupler 212 through an opening 106 in an undeployed state. As discussed previously, one or more reinforcement members 120 may substantially protect the girt 102 while undeployed, during deployment, and / or after deployment. A guide surface 110, in the undeployed state, may be substantially adj acent, and / or otherwise situated in proximity to the container coupler 212 (depicted adjacent to a first panel 214A) such that when deployment begins, the guide surface 110 may at least begin to partially engage the container coupler 212 to prevent the container coupler 212 from catching and / or otherwise becoming stuck (e.g., by way of a twisted condition as discussed in more detail in FIG. 5) against the one or more reinforcement members 120 during and / or after deployment of the girt 102.

[0050] FIG. 4 is an example view 400 of Z-fold configuration for a girt 102, according to some embodiments. The girt 102 may include some or all components of the girt 102 as in FIGS. 1-3 and / or 5, and / or operate according to the method as in FIG. 6. By way of example, the girt 102 may be stored in a container and adjacent to a first panel (not depicted) and a second panel 214B in a Z-fold configuration where the girt 102 is folded in on itself in a “Z” shape. The girt 102 may be securely fastened to the first panel or the second panel 214B by way of a removable coupler such as hook-and-pile fasteners or similar. In the undeployed state, the container coupler 212 may pass through an opening 106 and connect the container to a vehicle (not depicted) such that when the girt 102 is deployed, a reinforcement member 120, which defines the opening 106, may permit the container coupler 212 to detach freely from the girt 102 (as discussed in more detail in FIG. 5) by way of a guide surface 110. In some examples, atachment couplers 140a-140d are atached to each other (e.g., two opposing surfaces), respectively, in the undeployed state. When deploying, the attachment couplers 140a-140d may separate from one another and allow the girt 102 to expand into a substantially planar configuration in a deployed state (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 1).

[0051] FIG. 5 is an example operation 500 for detaching a container coupler 212 from a girt during deployment, according to some embodiments. The girt (not depicted, but positionally defined by connection to one or more reinforcement members 120 such as depictedAtorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application in FIG. 1) may include some or all components of the girt 102 as in FIGS. 1-3 and / or 5, and / or operate according to the method as in FIG. 6. While various phases of operation are depicted for clarity of discussion (e.g., phase-1, 2, etc.), the number of phases should not be considered limiting and any suitable number of phases may be performed in any suitable order. It should be readily understood by one skilled in the art that while only certain components of the girt are depicted for clarity and ease of discussion, it should not be considered limiting and any number of suitable components from FIG. 1-4 may be included during the operation 500.

[0052] The operation 500 may begin at phase- 1 570 where the girt is initially in an undeployed stated (e.g., as depicted in FIGS. 2-4) with a container coupler 212 which may be any suitable type of coupler including, but not limited to, a latch, a hook, a locking member, or combinations thereof, received in the opening 106. At an initial state of deployment, and from a frame of reference of the girt, the container coupler 212 may begin to pull away from the girt as a container containing the girt moves away from a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 109 of FIG. 1). As the container moves away (e.g., door opening, container rotating, etc.) from the vehicle, the girt may freely drop from the container. In some examples, due to the container moving away from the vehicle, the girt may begin a twisting motion in order to atach to translate to an axis co-planar with an evacuation slide which will be along a different axis than the container which housed the girt. During this deployment phase, the container coupler 212 may encounter one or more friction surfaces 110a of the reinforcement member 120 on one or more edges of the opening 106 as the container coupler 212 moves towards a guide surface.

[0053] The operation 500 may continue at phase-2 571 where the container coupler 212 may transition along the friction surface 110a until the container coupler 212 encounters the guide surface 110. During this phase, the container coupler 212 may be forced upwards by the guide surface 110 in order to fully decouple from the container coupler 212 from the girt. In some examples, the container coupler 212 may engage the guide surface 110 from the undeployed state until the container coupler 212 is completely disengaged from the girt during deployment.

[0054] The operation may continue at phase-3 572 where the container coupler 212 is released from making contact with the girt and may be unable to re-engage with the girt as the container transitions away from the girt. Due to the configuration of the reinforcement member 120 and the guide surface 110, the transition from the friction surface 110a may be smooth and substantially unimpeded. According to certain embodiments, the guide surface 110 mayAtorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application removably detach from the girt after deployment of the girt. In addition, or alternatively, the guide surface 110 may aid in users sliding down the evacuation slide by substantially overlapping the opening 106 thus improving the safety during use.

[0055] FIG. 6 is an example method 600 for deploying a girt, according to some embodiments. The method 600 may include any suitable number of steps, including more or fewer steps than as depicted and are not intended to be limiting. The steps in method 600 may be performed in any suitable order and are not intended to be limiting.

[0056] The method 600 may begin at step 602 where a girt (e.g., girt 102 as depicted in FIG. 1) may be deployed from a container (e.g., container 214 as depicted in FIG. 2). The container may be at least a part of a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 109 as depicted in FIG. 1) and contain the girt in an undeployed folded state (e.g., a Z-folded state as depicted as depicted in FIG. 4). In some examples the girt may be at least partly engaged with a container coupler (e.g., container coupler 212 as depicted in FIG. 3) prior to and / or during deployment of the girt.

[0057] The method may continue at step 604 where the container coupler may be guided by one or more reinforcement members (e.g., reinforcement members 120 as depicted in FIG. 5) during deployment as the girt becomes untwisted, and / or otherwise removed from the container and aligns to be co-planar with an evacuation that may inflate during deployment. The reinforcement member may be configured to guide the container coupler towards a guide surface (e.g., guide surface 110 as depicted in FIG. 1).

[0058] The method may continue at step 606 where the guide surface may be configured to guide the container coupler upwards and outwards (e.g., phase-2 571 and phase-3 572 as depicted in FIG. 5) from the opening and away from the girt by way of a top surface of the guide surface. In some examples, the container coupler may be unable to reconnect to the girt after being guided away from the girt by the guide surface. In addition, or alternatively, in an event when the container coupler becomes coupled to the guide surface due to a change in a type of container coupler (e.g., when a latch is replaced by an airline to a new type of shape due to maintenance or similar), the guide surface may be configured to releasably detach from the girt which may detach the container coupler from the girt as well thus enabling successful deployment of the girt and / or evacuation slide regardless of a type of the container coupler.

[0059] The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description, not of a form of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it should be recognized by those skilled in the art that various modifications areAtorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application possible within the scope of the claims. Thus, it should be understood that although the present disclosure includes specific embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be implemented to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the claims and description.

[0060] As used in this application and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “includes” means “comprises”. Further, the term “coupled” does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items. In some examples, values, procedures, or devices are referred to by comparisons to other values, procedures, or devices. It will be appreciated that such descriptions are intended to indicate that a selection among many used functional alternatives can be made, and such selections need not be beter, smaller, or otherwise preferable to other selections. Additionally, the description sometimes uses terms like “produce” and “provide” or similar to describe the disclosed methods. These terms should be considered high-level abstractions of the actual operations that are performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation and are readily discernible by one or ordinary skill in the art.

[0061] The systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed apparatus, devices, methods, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combinations thereof, nor do the disclosed apparatus, devices, and systems require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved. Any theories of operation are to facilitate explanation, but the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatuses are not limited to such theories of operation.

[0062] Although the operations of some of the disclosed techniques, processes, and / or methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed apparatus, devices, and systems may be used in conjunction with other apparatus, devices, and systems.Atorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application

[0063] Where terms are used without explicit definition, it is understood that the ordinary meaning of the word is intended, unless a term carries a special and / or specific meaning in systems or other relevant fields. The terms “approximately”, “same”, “about”, “similar”, or “substantially” are used to indicate a deviation from the stated property or numerical value within which the deviation has litle to no influence of the corresponding function, property, or atribute of the structure being described. In an illustrated example, where a value is described as “substantially equal” or “approximate” to another value, the term “substantially” or “approximate” is intended to reflect that the two values being compared can be unequal within a percentage (e.g., + / - ten percent).

[0064] The description provides exemplary embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the devices and / or methods. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing various embodiments. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope as set forth in the appended claims. In addition, specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough and detailed understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, specific apparatus, devices, systems, methods, and other elements of the present disclosure may be shown in schematic diagram form or omited from illustrations in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.

[0065] In the following, further examples are described to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

[0066] Example 1. A device for an evacuation slide may include a girt configured with a first end and a second end, an opening configured between the first end and the second end, at least one reinforcement member configured to at least partially surround the opening, and a guide surface configured to extend between at least a portion of the opening and the at least one reinforcement member.

[0067] Example 2. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, at least one attachment coupler configured to couple the guide surface to the girt.

[0068] Example 3. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the guide surface is configured to be removably coupled to the girt.Atorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application

[0069] Example 4. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the at least one atachment coupler is selected from a group comprising: i) hook and pile fasteners, ii) sewn thread, iii) an adhesive, iv) a snap coupler, or combinations thereof.

[0070] Example 5. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the first end of the girt is configured to atach to a girt bar of a vehicle.

[0071] Example 6. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the second end of the girt is configured to attach to an evacuation slide.

[0072] Example 7. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the guide surface is configured to guide a container coupler away from the at least one reinforcement member through the opening.

[0073] Example 8. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the container coupler is selected from a group comprising: i) a latch, ii) a hook, iii) a locking member, or combinations thereof.

[0074] Example 9. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the guide surface has a coefficient of friction in a range between 0.05 to 0.8.

[0075] Example 10. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the at least one reinforcement member extends along a perimeter of the opening.

[0076] Example 11. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the at least one reinforcement member has a coefficient of friction in a range between 0.05 to 0.8.

[0077] Example 12. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the girt has a top surface and a botom surface, and wherein the guide surface is coupled to the top surface.

[0078] Example 13. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the opening is substantially rectangular and includes a first edge that extends for a first length between the first end and the second end along a first axis, and a second edge that extends for a second length between a third end and a fourth end of theAtorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application girt along a second axis, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis, the first edge is longer than the second edge, and the first length is greater than the second length.

[0079] Example 14. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the guide surface extends for a third length between the first end and the second end along the first axis and extends for a fourth length between the third end and the fourth end along the second axis, and wherein the third length is greater than the fourth length.

[0080] Example 15. The device of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, wherein the guide surface includes a material selected from a group comprising: a polymer, a fabric, a metal, an alloy, a composite, or combinations thereof.

[0081] Example 16. A method for operating a girt for an evacuation slide, the method comprising: deploying, by movement of a container, a girt having an opening at least partially surrounded by at least one reinforcement member, wherein a container coupler initially extends through a first side of the opening prior to deploying the girt; guiding, by the at least one reinforcement member while deploying, the container coupler along a length of the opening; and guiding, by a guide surface perpendicular to the at least one reinforcement member while deploying, the container coupler through a second side of the opening and away from the girt.

[0082] Example 17. The apparatus of any of the preceding or subsequent examples or combination of examples, guiding, by the guide surface during deployment, the container coupler along a top surface of the guide surface.

[0083] Example 18. A system for an evacuation slide, the system comprising: a girt comprising: a first end; a second end; an opening configured between the first end and the second end; at least one reinforcement member configured to at least partially surround the opening; and a guide surface configured to extend between at least a portion of the opening and the at least one reinforcement member; a container configured to house at least a portion of the girt in an undeployed state; a container coupler configured to extend through the opening when the girt is in the undeployed state; and an attachment coupler configured to releasably hold the girt in the undeployed state.

[0084] Example 19. The system of any of the preceding examples or combination of examples, wherein the girt is configured in a Z-fold configuration in the undeployed state, and wherein the girt is configured to unfold from the Z-fold configuration to a substantially planar configuration in a deployed state.Atorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application

[0085] Example 20. The system of any of the preceding examples or combination of examples, wherein the atachment coupler is configured to attach two opposing surfaces of the girt while in the Z-fold configuration, and wherein the atachment coupler is configured to releasably detach the two opposing surfaces.

[0086] Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Claims

Atorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent ApplicationCLAIMSThat which is claimed is:

1. A device for an evacuation slide, the device comprising: a girt configured with a first end and a second end; an opening configured between the first end and the second end; at least one reinforcement member configured to at least partially surround the opening; and a guide surface configured to extend between at least a portion of the opening and the at least one reinforcement member.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one atachment coupler configured to couple the guide surface to the girt.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the guide surface is configured to be removably coupled to the girt.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one atachment coupler is selected from a group comprising: i) hook-and-pile fasteners, ii) sewn thread, iii) an adhesive, iv) a snap coupler, or combinations thereof.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first end of the girt is configured to attach to a girt bar of a vehicle.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the girt is configured to atach to an evacuation slide.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the guide surface is configured to guide a container coupler away from the at least one reinforcement memberthrough the opening.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the container coupler is selected from a group comprising: i) a latch, ii) a hook, iii) a locking member, or combinations thereof.Attorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application9. The device of claim 1, wherein the guide surface has a coefficient of friction in a range between 0.05 to 0.8.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcement member extends along a perimeter of the opening.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcement member has a coefficient of friction in a range between 0.05 to 0.8.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the girt has a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the guide surface is coupled to the top surface.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the opening is substantially rectangular and includes a first edge that extends for a first length between the first end and the second end along a first axis, and a second edge that extends for a second length between a third end and a fourth end of the girt along a second axis, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis, the first edge is longer than the second edge, and the first length is greater than the second length.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the guide surface extends for a third length between the first end and the second end along the first axis and extends for a fourth length between the third end and the fourth end along the second axis, and wherein the third length is greater than the fourth length.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the guide surface includes a material selected from a group comprising: a polymer, a fabric, a metal, an alloy, a composite, or combinations thereof.

16. A method for operating a girt for an evacuation slide, the method comprising: deploying, by movement of a container, a girt having an opening at least partially surrounded by at least one reinforcement member, wherein a container coupler initially extends through a first side of the opening prior to deploying the girt;Atorney Docket No. 037514-1457201Client Ref. No. B-030836PCT01Patent Application guiding, by the at least one reinforcement member while deploying, the container coupler along a length of the opening; and guiding, by a guide surface perpendicular to the at least one reinforcement member while deploying, the container coupler through a second side of the opening and away from the girt.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: guiding, by the guide surface during deployment, the container coupler along a top surface of the guide surface.

18. A system for an evacuation slide, the system comprising: a girt comprising: a first end; a second end; an opening configured between the first end and the second end; at least one reinforcement member configured to at least partially surround the opening; and a guide surface configured to extend between at least a portion of the opening and the at least one reinforcement member; a container configured to house at least a portion of the girt in an undeployed state; a container coupler configured to extend through the opening when the girt is in the undeployed state; and an atachment coupler configured to releasably hold the girt in the undeployed state.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the girt is configured in a Z-fold configuration in the undeployed state, and wherein the girt is configured to unfold from the Z-fold configuration to a substantially planar configuration in a deployed state.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the attachment coupler is configured to atach two opposing surfaces of the girt while in the Z-fold configuration, and wherein the attachment coupler is configured to releasably detach the two opposing surfaces.

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