Survival Systems International, Inc.

Russell Tuckerman

Roger Lopez

Sidney Medley

Tony Mora

Anthony Mora

A suspension system for a lifeboat comprises a pair of hook assemblies each adapted for connection at spaced locations to a lifeboat and for coupling to the lifting links of a pair of suspension cables. Each hook assembly has a hook member pivoted for movement between a closed setting and an open setting and is of a load over center design. A single control mechanism is provided for both hook assemblies and is connected thereto by way of a pair of flexible cables. A primary release mechanism is arranged to pull the cables and so move the hook members to their open settings when the lifeboat is floating. Under emergency conditions when the hook assemblies are heavily loaded, an emergency release mechanism is arranged to move the hook members to their open settings notwithstanding the relatively large load thereon.

Lifeboat suspension systems

A suspension system for a lifeboat comprises a pair of hook assemblies () each adapted for connection at spaced locations to a lifeboat and for coupling to the lifting links () of a pair of suspension cables. Each hook assembly has a hook member () pivoted for movement between a closed setting (FIG.) and an open setting (FIG.) and is of a load over center design. A single control mechanism () is provided for both hook assemblies and is connected thereto by way of a pair of flexible cables (). A primary release mechanism () is arranged to pull the cables and so move the hook members to their open settings when the lifeboat is floating. Under emergency conditions when the hook assemblies are heavily loaded, an emergency release mechanism () is arranged to move the hook members () to their open settings notwithstanding the relatively large load thereon. The emergency release mechanism has a significantly greater mechanical advantage as compared to the primary release mechanism.

The present invention provides a system for supporting and releasing a twin fall lifeboat, comprising a pair of hooks releasably engaged with a corresponding pair of lifting links; and a lifeboat release assembly. The lifeboat release assembly includes a release handle, a release arm, an emergency release shaft, a weighted rack, and a pair of flexible cables attached at first ends to the rack and attached at second ends to the hooks. The release handle attaches to the release arm at a pivot point. The release arm includes a wheel disposed within a wheel encasement attached to the weighted rack. The system includes an engaged configuration in which the lifting links are secured by the hooks. The release handle is pulled to release the lifting links from the hooks substantially simultaneously. An emergency ratchet lever engages with the emergency release shaft for releasing the twin fall lifeboat under load.

Lifeboat disengagement system

The present invention provides a lifeboat disengagement system for supporting and releasing a twin fall lifeboat, the system comprising a single lifeboat release assembly and a pair of hook assemblies for releasable engagement with a corresponding pair of lifting links. The lifeboat disengagement system includes an engaged configuration wherein the lifting links are secured by the hook assemblies, and a disengaged configuration wherein the lifeboat release assembly is employed to release the lifting links from the hook assemblies simultaneously. The lifeboat disengagement system provides positive locking under load including a load over center design such that a load of the lifeboat is in line with a center of hook rotation, thereby preventing the hook from opening inadvertently and eliminating the need for a hydrostatic device.

The present invention provides a system for supporting and releasing a twin fall lifeboat, comprising a pair of hooks releasably engaged with a corresponding pair of lifting links, and a lifeboat release assembly including a release handle, a release arm, a weighted rack, and a pair of flexible cables attached at first ends to the rack and attached at second ends to the hooks, wherein the release handle is attached to the release arm at a pivot point, wherein the release arm includes a wheel disposed within a wheel encasement attached to the weighted rack, wherein the system includes an engaged configuration in which the lifting links are secured by the hooks, and wherein the release handle is pulled by an operator, rotating the release arm about the boss, thereby lifting the weighted rack and pulling the flexible cables release the lifting links from the hooks substantially simultaneously. The hooks provide positive locking under load because of a load over center design, wherein the load is in line with the center of hook rotation, thereby preventing the hook from opening inadvertently and eliminating the need for a hydrostatic device.

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Escondido, CA, United States of America

Russell Tuckerman