A known survival system for an aviator includes an inflatable safety aid such as a life jacket. A life jacket provides buoyancy to an aviator in water and can protect the head and neck of an aviator landing on land. The aid can be inflated in one or both of two ways. Either it is inflated manually by the wearer at a time chosen by the wearer and/or it includes an automatic inflation system that is actuated by contact with water.

Relying on inflation in either of these ways is a problem. If the aviator is unconsciousness, then manual inflation is not possible. In addition, aviators wear suits that can sometimes keep them well above water level when the aviator lands in water. In this circumstance, a water actuated arrangement may not work, or may not work rapidly.

According to the invention there is provided a survival system for an aviator leaving an aircraft in the air comprising a survival system for an aviator leaving an aircraft in the air comprising an inflatable safety aid and a load associated with the inflatable safety aid, the load separating from the inflatable safety aid after leaving the aircraft to an extent limited by connecting means, the load, after said separation, causing the connecting means to activate inflation of the safety aid.

The following is a more detailed description of some embodiments of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a front elevation of part of a flying suit including a life jacket having an actuator cord connected to a webbing strap, with the webbing strap in an unextended position, Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 but with the webbing strap in an extended position, Figure 3 is a schematic view of an aviator on a first form of ejector seat including a personal survival pack with the aviator wearing a flying suit of the kind shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the webbing strap attached to the survival pack, Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show successive stages following operation of the ejector seat shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 shows an aviator in a second form of ejector seat with a personal survival pack attached to a webbing strap of the kind shown in Figures 1 to 3 and also attached to a belt of the aviator by a second strap and Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D shows successive stages following operation of the ejector seat of Figure 5.

Referring first to Figure 1, the flying suit 10 is shown only diagrammatically and may be of any suitable known kind. The flying suit 10 includes an inflatable life jacket 11 which extends over the shoulders and chest of a wearer. Again, the life jacket 11 may be of any suitable known type and incorporates an inflation system including a source of inflating gas 12 and an operating mechanism 13.

A locator beacon 14 of known type may be mounted on the front of the flying suit 10 and includes an actuating mechanism (not shown). A webbing strap 15 is connected at one end to a belt 25 and is folded in a zigzag configuration and is retained by a loop of Velcro 29. Adjacent turns of the zigzag configuration are inter-connected by elastic loops 16 for a purpose to be described below.

The other end of the strap 15 is connected to a first connector part 17 which is releasably connectable to a second connector part 18 which in turn is connected to one end of a lanyard 19. The lanyard 19 may be many metres in length.

Referring next to Figure 3, it will be seen that an aviator 20 wearing the flying suit 10 may sit on an ejector seat 21 of known kind in which a personal survival pack 22 is carried in a lower section of the seat 21. The personal survival pack 22 is connected to the other end of the lanyard 19 and the second connector part 18 is mounted on the seat 21.

In use, therefore, the aviator 20 dons the flying suit 10 with the life jacket 11 un- inflated and the first connector part 17 dangling by the side of the aviator 20. The aviator 20 then sits on the ejector seat 21 and connects the first connector part 17 to the second connector part 18 so connecting the lifejacket 11 to the survival pack 22.

Referring next to Figures 2 and 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, on ejection, the aviator 20 and the ejector seat 21 with the pack 22 leave the aircraft together and a parachute 23 is deployed (see Figure 4A). As the parachute 23 slows the aviator 20, the aviator 20 separates from the ejector seat 21 and the pack 22 (see Figure 4B). This causes the second connector part 18 to release from the ejector seat 21, and the lanyard 19 to extend. When the lanyard 19 reaches the limit of its extension, the load of the personal survival pack 22 is taken by the lanyard 19 and the strap 15. This causes the strap 15 to release from the loop 29 and straighten with the shock of the load formed by the personal survival pack 22 being taken by the elasticated loops 16 between the adjacent turns of the strap 15. This also separates the personal survival pack 22 from the seat 21 (see Figure 4C).

At the same time, the tension in the lanyard 19 and the strap 15 actuates the locator beacon 14, where provided, via a cord (not shown) and also imparts tension to the

actuating cord 24. This in turn actuates the operating mechanism 13 which opens the gas source 12 to inflate the life jacket 11. This is seen in Figure 4D.

Thus, when the aviator 20 lands in water, the life jacket 11 is already inflated. This overcomes two possible problems. The first is that, on occasions, the flying suit 10 can provide so much buoyancy that any water-operated actuating mechanism for the life jacket 11 never operates. In addition, if for some reason such as unconsciousness, the aviator 20 is not able to actuate the operating mechanism 13 manually, the life jacket 11 will still be inflated. When the aviator 20 lands on water, the aviator is able to float safely in the water, hauling the personal survival pack 22 using the strap 15 and the lanyard 19 and to access the contents of the personal survival pack 22. This may include survival items such as a life raft, provisions and other items. Such personal survival packs are well known. When the aviator 20 lands on land, the inflated lifejacket 11 protects the head and neck of the aviator 20.

Not all ejector seats have the configuration as shown in Figure 3. An alternative configuration is shown in Figure 5 and Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. In these Figures, parts common to these Figures and common to Figures 1 to 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are given the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

Referring to Figure 5, in this arrangement the flying suit includes a belt 25. The first and second connector parts 17, 18 are omitted with the strap 15 being connected direct to the lanyard 19. Instead, a pair of webbing connector straps, one of which is shown at 26 in Figure 5, are connected between the belt 25 and the personal survival pack 22.

Referring next to Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, when the ejector seat 27 is operated, the parachute 23 deploys as before-see Figure 6A. In this case, however, as seen in Figure 6B, as the parachute 23 slows the aviator 20, the aviator 20 separates from the ejector seat 27 along with the personal survival pack 22 by virtue of the connector

straps 26. The connector straps 26 are associated with a barometric switch 28 (see Figure 5) that releases the personal survival pack 22 from the connector straps 26 at a predetermined height. As seen in Figure 6C, this causes the personal survival pack 22 to separate from the aviator 20 to the end of the length of the lanyard 19 and the strap 15 as described above. When this occurs, the lanyard 19 and the strap 15 are tensioned to operate the locator beacon 14 and inflate the life jacket 11 as described above.

It will be appreciated that, while it would usually be advisable for the tension in the strap 15 and the lanyard 19 to operate a locator beacon 14, this is optional. They could be used simply to operate to inflate the life jacket 11. It will also be appreciated that it is not necessary to use a separate webbing strap and lanyard 19; and a single elongate flexible non-extensible member may be provided. While the arrangement has been described in relation to its use with an ejector seat, it need not be used with an ejector seat; it could be used in any circumstance where an aviator has to leave an aircraft in an emergency. The term"aircraft"is, of course, intended to include any form of machine that flies and includes powered aircraft, gliders and helicopters. The term"aviator"includes any person in an aircraft.

Although the load is described as formed by a personal survival pack, any suitable load could be used. The life jacket could be replaced by any suitable inflatable safety aid such as an inflatable stole. The strap 15 and the lanyard 19 could be replaced by any suitable connecting means such as linked rigid members.

It would be possible, in the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, to actuate the operating mechanism 13 when load is removed from the lanyard 19 and the strap 15. This might occur, for example, when the survival pack 22 first touches land or water as the aviator descends.