Quick releasing high strength connector
The present invention relates to heavy load quick-releasing connectors and, more particularly, to a mechanism capable of effecting positive haul down of an airborne object to a predetermined position and instantaneous release thereafter. 
     In many applications it is necessary to insert a connector or coupling in a system between a rigid support, for example, and a large load. The connector could be incorporated in a system for effecting positive haul down of aircraft to landing pads particularly on board ships or in a system for supporting cargo in land, sea or air operations where a quick-acting release is essential for ready offloading. In some quick disconnect applications it is also necessary to release the load with a minimum of control force. In many locations for such applications it is necessary that the coupling or connector have a relatively small weight for the strength required and also a limited diameter and relatively short length of operation along the axis of the supporting cable. 
     Prior devices incorporating such connector applications have involved complicated structures that are relatively heavy and cumbersome and require a substantial actuating force to release heavy loads. These connectors require either comparatively long clamping dogs, a large amount of pivotal movement of such dogs, rotating a cam in different directions to actuate clamping members, or a cup mounted on a movable carriage on a ship&#39;s deck for receiving a retractable mooring cone among other disadvantages. These and other systems for similar applications lack the relative simplicity of applicant&#39;s device for quick release of heavy load carrying or aircraft haul-down cables. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a latching mechanism that is simple in operation, strong, light in weight, and has positive lock and instant release capabilities. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide cooperative devices for effecting in a simple and efficient manner haul down of an aircraft from a landing attitude above a landing pad on a ship to a predetermined landing position on the pad and instantaneous release thereafter as desired. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide an axial latching device that will grip a special heavy load or a haul-down cable fitting in such a manner as to resist high cable loads and yet instantly release and reset with very low unlatching pressure. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
    
    
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a rotary-wing aircraft equipped with an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     In the drawings, a latching mechanism 11 is shown secured within a housing 12 that is attached to a portion 14 of a helicopter or other aircraft 70 shown in FIG. 2. Mechanism 11 provides a positive hold and release for a special cable end fitting 17, for use in aircraft haul down, which is secured to a haul-down cable 18 that is paid out or hauled in via a winch 80 from a position on or adjacent to a landing pad on a ship, not shown, or at a stationary location 72. Fitting 17 in the upper position shown is lightly engaged inside the lower end of a guided break-away fitting 19 which is attached to a messenger cable 20 with fitting 17 having a head portion 21 that is inserted into break-away fitting 19 at the landing pad upon this fitting being lowered from the aircraft. The two fittings are separated after increased tension is applied via haul-down cable 18. A plurality of spring-biased over-center dogs 22 and 23 symmetrically spaced about a longitudinal axis 24 and normally in the closed position shown in phantom are mounted for rotation on pins 26 and 27 about axes 28 and 29 in latching mechanism 11. The dogs are rotated outward when fitting 17 is hauled into mechanism 11 upon a flange 33 on the fitting contacting and forcing upward respective shoulders 34 and 35 on dogs 22 and 23. The shoulders and flange overlap sufficiently to rotate the dogs until they are stopped by a housing 38 as a rounded edge 39 of the flange clears the dog shoulders. A lock housing 42, which is secured to the aircraft via an intermediate member 43 and housing 12 and in which pins 26 and 27 are mounted, is adapted to slidably receive break-away fitting 19 and a spring-biased latching device 45 which includes a latching ring 46, a spring 47 which biases device 45 and a spring stop 48. Rotation of the dogs causes extensions 51 and 52 thereof to bear against in a rotary motion the under surface of ring 46, forcing latching device 45 upward until the extensions clear the periphery of ring 46 whereupon the ring is forced by spring 47 into a locking position between outwardly deployed extensions 51 and 52 and into abutment against a shoulder 55 on housing 42. In this position the spring-biased dogs are blocked from rotation and in addition position a plurality of stops 57 and 58 in the downward path of flange 33, effectively and positively holding fitting 17 in mechanism 11 when a sufficient haul-down force is exerted on cable 18. With fitting 17 so held, hauling down on cable 18 draws housing 42 downward until break-away fitting 19 is arrested by a tapered surface 60 of housing 42 at which time head 21 is pulled from break-away fitting 19. Haul-down cable 18 and fitting 17 are released by pulling upward on a release cable 65 which is connected to latching device 45 preferably by a pivotable coupling 66. When device 45 is moved upward a short distance extensions 51 and 52 are unblocked causing dogs 22 and 23 to rotate these extensions inward toward axis 24 and stops 57 and 58 away therefrom thereby releasing fitting 17. 
     In operation, cable 20 having break-away fitting 19 secured thereto is manually connected to special fitting 17 which is attached to the free end of haul-down cable 18. As cable 18 is drawn into latching mechanism 11, fitting 17 contacts shoulders 34, 35 on each of a plurality of spring-biased over-center dogs 22, 23 causing the dogs to rotate which then allows spring-biased latching device 45 to slide down the outer surface of lock housing 42 and bottom on surface 55, thus locking fitting 17 in the latching mechanism. Messenger cable 20 and break-away fitting 19 continue to retract causing this fitting to break away from special fitting 17, due to increased tension, and continue to move upward until the break-away fitting is stopped at tapered surface 60 of lock housing 42. At this point the mechanism is operable to either haul down an aircraft in the attitude of the device shown or in an alternate use hoist a load where the attitude is inverted and the load is secured to a frame which would be the equivalent of aircraft portion 14. In the embodiment shown and described haul-down cable 18 is released by pulling upwardly on release cable 65, causing latching ring 46 to move away from dogs 22, 23 thereby permitting them to rotate and releasing special fitting 17 which falls away due to its own weight. The dogs remain in this, the at rest, position until the next time the messenger cable is used to draw in a haul-down cable at which time the cycle is repeated. 
     It will thus be appreciated that although the invention has been shown and described in relation to helicopter or other aircraft haul down to launching pads, it is also applicable to situations in which heavy loads are to be raised and lowered wherein quick release after raising or lowering is essential. That is, the action can be reversed so that a load is raised instead of an aircraft hauled down without changing the operation of and cooperation between components. Portion 14 of an aircraft would be replaced by a hoist frame or other load carrying member. Messenger cable 20 would be hauled upward with head 21 engaged in break-away fitting 19, and the load would be lifted via stops 57 and 58 and released by an upward pull on cable 65. The invention is also applicable to movement or restraint of horizontal loads so long as the cables are kept clear until sufficient tension has been applied thereto. Such loads would involve towing vehicles or restraint of the thrust of rocket motors or jet engines. 
     There is thus provided an axial latching means that will grip a special cable fitting in such a manner as to resist high cable loads and yet instantly release and reset with very low unlatching pressure. The present means replaces rotary devices which operate with cams and springs, require a large diameter housing to contain its components, and require high unlatching pressures among other disadvantages. Such disadvantages are overcome by the simplicity of operation, strength, positive lock, instant release, and light weight of the present invention.