GB575165A - Improvements in or relating to means for releasably holding tanks or other objects on aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

575,165. Dropping articles from aircraft. HAWKER AIRCRAFT, Ltd., HOLLYHOCK, W. S., and WHALE, S. H. Nov. 29, 1943, No. 19931. [Class 9 (ii)] [Also in Group XXV] Relates to structures for releasably holding objects, particularly auxiliary fuel tanks, on aircraft, in which a pivoted hook is held in the engaging position by a latch, a trip lever so co-operating with the hook and latch that the hook is disengaged from the object, after being freed from the latch. According to the invention, the trip lever is pivoted on the hook, and after freeing the hook from the latch is adapted to move the hook positively into the disengaged position. In the engaged position, Fig. 3, the hook 6, pivoted at 3 between side walls 2 of a housing, grips the object against the upper part 8 of the slots 5 in the walls 2. The trip lever 10 has two V-shaped arms and is pivotally mounted 'on the hook at 9. A latch 15 consists of two levers pivoted at 16 and also joined together by a spindle 17. To release the object, the trip lever 10 is turned by a handle 14, Fig. 2, so that the upper parts of its arms pass under the spindle 17 and release catch pins 7, on the hook, from notches 18 in the latch. Further movement of the handle 14 turns the hook in an anti-clockwise direction, releasing the object and forcing it down the slots 5 by the ramps 21. Springs 11 are provided to prevent accidental release. An indicator arm 20 is visible below the housing when the hook is in the engaged position.