Light weight restraint for evacuation slide systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10556697-B2
Application number	US-201715405854-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 13, 2017
Priority date	Jan 13, 2017
Publication date	Feb 11, 2020
Grant date	Feb 11, 2020

Abstract

A releasable restraint for an evacuation system may comprise a first female fastener, a second female fastener, and a center member coupled between the first female fastener and the second female fastener, wherein the center member is configured to separate in response to a predetermined tensile force. The releasable restraint may further comprise a first tape extending from the first female fastener and a second tape extending from the second female fastener.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A releasable restraint for an evacuation system comprising:
a first female fastener;
a second female fastener;
a center member coupled between the first female fastener and the second female fastener, the center member is configured to separate in response to a predetermined tensile force;
a first tape extending from the first female fastener; and
a second tape extending from the second female fastener;
wherein the first female fastener is configured to receive and retain the first tape and the second female fastener is configured to receive and retain the second tape, and the first female fastener, the second female fastener, the center member, the first tape, and the second tape comprise a single, unitary member.

2. The releasable restraint of claim 1 , wherein the releasable restraint is in operable communication with the evacuation system and the center member defines a weakest portion of the releasable restraint and as such defines the point of separation of the releasable restraint when loaded during deployment of the evacuation system.

3. The releasable restraint of claim 2 , wherein the center member comprises:
a first end coupled to the first female fastener;
a second end coupled to the second female fastener; and
a midpoint between the first end and the second end,
wherein the center member is tapered from the first end to the midpoint and from the second end to the midpoint, and
the center member is configured to separate at the midpoint.

4. The releasable restraint of claim 3 ,
wherein the first tape is located opposite the first female fastener from the center member and the second tape is located opposite the second female fastener from the center member.

5. The releasable restraint of claim 1 , wherein the releasable restraint comprises a plastic material.

6. The releasable restraint of claim 1 , wherein first tape comprises first plurality of teeth configured to engage with a first pawl in the first female fastener and the second tape comprises a second plurality of teeth configured to engage with a second pawl in the second female fastener.

7. The releasable restraint of claim 1 , wherein a length of the center member is between 0.25 inches and 0.75 inches.

8. The releasable restraint of claim 4 , wherein a length of at least one of the first tape and the second tape is between 2.5 inches and 5 inches.

9. The releasable restraint of claim 1 , wherein the tensile force is between 170 and 600 pounds.

10. An evacuation system, comprising:
an evacuation slide configured to be deployed from an aircraft, comprising a head end and a toe end;
a first strap coupled to the evacuation slide;
a second strap coupled to the evacuation slide;
a releasable restraint comprising:
a first female fastener;
a second female fastener;
a center member coupled between the first female fastener and the second female fastener;
a first tape extending from the first female fastener; and
a second tape extending from the second female fastener;

wherein the center member is configured to separate in response to a predetermined tensile force, and
the first female fastener is configured to receive and retain the first tape and the second female fastener is configured to receive and retain the second tape, and the first female fastener, the second female fastener, the center member, the first tape, and the second tape comprise a single, unitary member.

11. The evacuation system of claim 10 , wherein the center member comprises an hourglass geometry.

12. The evacuation system of claim 11 ,
wherein the first tape is located opposite the first female fastener from the center member and the second tape is located opposite the second female fastener from the center member.

13. The evacuation system of claim 10 , wherein the releasable restraint comprises a plastic material.

14. The evacuation system of claim 13 , wherein the first tape comprises a first plurality of teeth configured to engage with a first pawl in the first female fastener.

15. The evacuation system of claim 14 , wherein the second tape comprises a second plurality of teeth configured to engage with a second pawl in the second female fastener.

16. A method for restraining an evacuation slide, comprising:
extending a first tape through a first loop formed by a first strap coupled to the evacuation slide;
extending the first tape through a first female fastener;
retaining, by the first female fastener, the first tape;
extending a second tape through a second loop formed by a second strap coupled to the evacuation slide;
extending the second tape through a second female fastener;
retaining, by the second female fastener, the second tape; and
extending a center member between the first female fastener and the second female fastener,
wherein the first female fastener, the second female fastener, the center member, the first tape, and the second tape comprise a single, unitary member.

17. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising:
separating the center member in response to a predetermined tensile force.

Assignees

• Goodrich Corp

Inventors

• Haynes Timothy C
• Bahena Daniel
• Broom Jevon

Classifications

• F16L33/08

  in which a worm coacts with a part of the hose-encircling member that is toothed like a worm-wheel · CPC title

• B65D63/10

  Non-metallic straps, tapes, or bands; Filamentary elements, e.g. strings, threads or wires; Joints between ends thereof · CPC title

• B64D25/14 Primary

  Inflatable escape chutes · CPC title

• B65D63/16

  Joints using buckles, wedges, or like locking members attached to the end of the element · CPC title

• F16L3/137

  and consisting of a flexible band · CPC title