Hovering Aircraft Belly Bar Clasp

Abstract

A belly bar method and apparatus use to attach, carry and release external cargo from a hovering aircraft. The belly bar apparatus has articulated tubing tool connected to an airframe of the hovering aircraft at a first mounting end and at a second mounting end. The articulated tubing tool has a first external catch and a second external catch mounted on the articulated tubing tool. The first external catch is manually configured for optional attach, carry and release of the external cargo via the cyclic. The second external catch is electronically configured for optional attach, carry and release of the external cargo proximate the collective.

1 . A belly bar clasping apparatus for use to attach, carry and release an external cargo from a hovering aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
 an articulated tubing tool connected to an airframe of the hovering aircraft at a first mounting end and at a second mounting end;   wherein said articulated tubing tool comprises a first external catch on said articulated tubing tool and a second external catch on said articulated tubing tool; and   wherein said first external catch and said second external catch are respectively configured for optional attach, carry and release of the external cargo.   
     
     
         2 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said articulated tubing tool further comprises a bent shaft component continuing to a connector shaft component; and
 wherein said first external catch and said second external catch are mounted to the connector shaft component.   
     
     
         3 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a manually actuated cable connecting said first external catch to a cyclic located in the hovering aircraft; wherein said first external catch is configured for manual release activated by a manually actuated lever located on the cyclic; and a communication line for connecting an electronic hook actuator on said second external catch to a button proximate a collective located in the hovering aircraft. 
     
     
         4 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the external cargo is connected via a plurality of straps to said first external catch and said second external catch. 
     
     
         5 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the connector shaft component comprises:
 a pin for attaching to a first external catch mount proximate the first mounting end;   a mid-shaft component continuing to said pin;   a hook swivel adjacent the mid-shaft component; and   a lock collar for securing said hook swivel to the mid-shaft component.   
     
     
         6 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the connector shaft component further comprises a swivel stop collar attached to said bent shaft component and mounted in interfering relationship with said hook swivel. 
     
     
         7 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said hook swivel comprises:
 a journal which rotates on said bent shaft component;   a secondary hook attachment flange positioned on the journal; and   
       a first travel stop on the journal and in interfering relationship with said swivel stop collar. 
     
     
         8 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a hinge connected to a mounting end of said bent shaft component via a hinge pin; and a jackpoint pin for connecting the hinge to the hovering aircraft. 
     
     
         9 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a spacer for connection to said pin; and wherein the spacer is for connecting the articulated tubing tool to the hovering aircraft. 
     
     
         10 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the connector shaft component comprises:
 a pin continuing from the connector shaft component for attaching to a first external catch mount proximate the first mounting end;   wherein said second external catch is adjacent the connector shaft component;   a lock collar for securing said second external catch to the connector shaft component; and   wherein said first external catch is adjacent to the first external catch mount.   
     
     
         11 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the connector shaft component comprises:
 a connection for attaching to a first external catch mount proximate the first mounting end;   a mid-shaft component continuing to said connection;   a hook swivel adjacent the mid-shaft component; and   
       a lock collar for securing said hook swivel to the mid-shaft component. 
     
     
         12 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the connector shaft component comprises:
 a connection continuing from the connector shaft component for attaching to a first external catch mount proximate the first mounting end;   wherein said second external catch is adjacent the connector shaft component;   a lock collar for securing said second external catch to the connector shaft component; and   
       wherein said first external catch is adjacent to the first external catch mount. 
     
     
         13 . A belly bar clasping apparatus for use to attach, carry and release an external cargo from a hovering aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
 an articulated tubing tool connected to an airframe of the hovering aircraft at a first mounting end and at a second mounting end;   wherein said articulated tubing tool comprises a first external catch on said articulated tubing tool and a second external catch on said articulated tubing tool;   wherein said first external catch and said second external catch are respectively configured for optional attach, carry and release of the external cargo;   wherein said articulated tubing tool further comprises a bent shaft component continuing to a connector shaft component;   wherein said first external catch and said second external catch are mounted to the connector shaft component;   wherein the connector shaft component comprises a pin continuing from the connector shaft component for attaching to a first external catch mount proximate the first mounting end;   wherein said second external catch is adjacent the connector shaft component;   a lock collar for securing said second external catch to the connector shaft component; and   wherein said first external catch is adjacent to the first external catch mount.   
     
     
         14 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising a manually actuated cable connecting said first external catch to a cyclic located in the hovering aircraft; wherein said first external catch is configured for manual release activated by a manually actuated lever located on the cyclic; and a communication line for connecting an electronic hook actuator on said second external catch to a button proximate a collective located in the hovering aircraft. 
     
     
         15 . The belly bar clasping apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the external cargo is connected via a plurality of straps to said first external catch and said second external catch. 
     
     
         16 . A method of releasing an external cargo from a hovering aircraft, comprising the steps of:
 attaching a first external catch to the external cargo;   attaching a second external catch to the external cargo;   releasing a first external catch via a cyclic mounted controls in the hovering aircraft; and   releasing a second external catch via collective mounted controls of the hovering aircraft.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said step of releasing the first external catch is performed manually or electrically; and wherein said step of releasing the second external catch is performed electrically and/or manually. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said steps of attaching the first external catch and attaching the second external catch are accomplished via mounting a belly bar clasp below an airframe belly of the hovering aircraft.