Month in the Patent Office

Aircraft arresting gear comprises a lifter strap normally connecting an actuator strap engageable by the forward part of a moving aircraft to an arresting cable through means releasable upon a predetermined pull on the lifter strap, the releasable means comprising two pieces of flexible material of unequal lengths, the longer attached at one end to the actuator strap and at its other end to a runway, and the shorter attached at one end to the actuator strap and releasably attached at its other end to the longer piece to form a loop around the cable. Two actuators straps 2, 3 are shown, though there may be any number, each piece of flexible material 6, 8 being attached to one actuator strap by a loop 5 and stitching 7. The actuator straps are stretched across the runway between stanchions (not shown) from which they are releasable by shearing pins. The piece 6 is attached to a grommet 12 on the runway, and is stitched at 15 and at 16 to itself, forming a loop 14, and the arresting cable 20 lies in a bight formed by a button fastener 18. The other piece 8 is stitched at 9 to the loop 14. In operation, a forward part of an aircraft engages the actuators straps 2, 3. The tension on the lifter strap raises the cable 20, and opens fastening 18. The stitching 9 is sheared, and the cable is flung upwardly through the gap so formed, to engage the aircraft. The actuator straps may be of nylon webbing or other woven synthetic or organic material.