A mechanically actuated cargo restraint system for a vehicle includes a rotatable reel in a frame, a first flexible tether, a base and a pawl. The frame includes a cog having a single tooth. The first flexible tether has a first end coupled to the rotatable reel and a second end capable of being coupled to one of a vehicle and a cargo item. The first flexible tether is windable around the rotatable reel. The base rotate with the reel. The pawl is pivotally connected to the base, and is biased in a first position that allows rotation of the pawl with respect to the cog. The pawl moves to a second position responsive to centrifugal force associated with a velocity of rotation of the rotatable reel exceeding a threshold. The pawl engages the cog in the second position to inhibit relative movement of the pawl with respect to the cog.

Seat belt web retractors having web locking mechanisms are described herein. In some embodiments, a seat belt web retractor includes an inertial locking mechanism operably coupled to a spool about which a seat belt web is wound. The web retractor further includes a web locking mechanism operably coupled to the inertial locking mechanism. The web locking mechanism can include a driving member that is actuated by engagement of the inertial locking mechanism with the web spool in response to rapid extraction of the web from the retractor. Actuation of the driving member drives first and second clamping portions toward each other, thereby clamping the web in between the clamping members and restraining the web from further movement out of the retractor.

Seat belt web retractors having web locking mechanisms are described herein. In some embodiments, a seat belt web retractor includes an inertial locking mechanism operably coupled to a spool about which a seat belt web is wound. The web retractor further includes a web locking mechanism operably coupled to the inertial locking mechanism. The web locking mechanism can include a driving member that is actuated by engagement of the inertial locking mechanism with the web spool in response to rapid extraction of the web from the retractor. Actuation of the driving member drives first and second clamping portions toward each other, thereby clamping the web in between the clamping members and restraining the web from further movement out of the retractor.

Apparatus and methods for supporting human external cargo from the hoist of a hoist-equipped helicopter are provided. The apparatus has at least one personal harness for supporting a user; and at least one harness segment with a top end point attachable to the helicopter hoist through an attachable fitting and at least one bottom end point directly or indirectly attachable to the personal harness. The harness segment, and the personal harness externally support the user from the helicopter hoist and allows the user to be safely suspended from the helicopter in order for work or rescue operations to be administered by the user.

Apparatus and methods for supporting human external cargo from the hoist of a hoist-equipped helicopter are provided. The apparatus has at least one personal harness for supporting a user; and at least one harness segment with a top end point attachable to the helicopter hoist through an attachable fitting and at least one bottom end point directly or indirectly attachable to the personal harness. The harness segment, and the personal harness externally support the user from the helicopter hoist and allows the user to be safely suspended from the helicopter in order for work or rescue operations to be administered by the user.

A parachute comprising:

a canopy;

a plurality of risers connected at each of their respective first ends to the canopy and connectable at each of their respective second ends to a harness; and

a panel extending between at least two of the plurality of risers,

configured such that when the parachute is deployed, a user's head is positioned generally between the plurality of risers and the panel is arranged behind the user's head to provide support thereto.

A parachute comprising:

a canopy;

a plurality of risers connected at each of their respective first ends to the canopy and connectable at each of their respective second ends to a harness; and

a panel extending between at least two of the plurality of risers,

configured such that when the parachute is deployed, a user's head is positioned generally between the plurality of risers and the panel is arranged behind the user's head to provide support thereto.

Disclosed is a restraint system for a vehicle. A crewmember or occupant is interconnected to the restraint system by way of a strap. The strap has two separate and independently operable release mechanisms. The strap permits the occupant to be either manually or automatically released from the associated restraint. The restraint can be mounted within any of a variety of land, sea, air, or space based vehicles. In one non-limiting embodiment, the first release mechanism is automatically activated in response to a triggering event and the second release mechanism is manually activated by the occupant pulling on a lanyard.

A body-conforming pouch for water-based human airlift lift operations.

A body-conforming pouch for water-based human airlift lift operations.