US 12,270,450 B1
Soft-to-hard goods connections with dynamic energy dissipation having offset connections
Paul V Cavallaro, Raynham, MA (US); Michael P Smith, Warwick, RI (US); Megan A Matson, Virginia Beach, VA (US); and Christine C Schleicher, Virginia Beach, VA (US)
Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
Filed by The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Newport, RI (US)
Filed on May 24, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/673,835.
Application 18/673,835 is a division of application No. 18/421,520, filed on Jan. 24, 2024, granted, now 12,104,674.
Int. Cl. F16M 13/00 (2006.01); E01D 15/20 (2006.01); F16F 9/32 (2006.01)
CPC F16F 9/32 (2013.01) [E01D 15/20 (2013.01); F16F 2230/105 (2013.01)] 3 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mechanical locking device for soft-to-hard connections, said mechanical locking device comprising:
a rigid structure;
a receiving component encompassed by said rigid structure, said receiving component having at least two mounting tracks offset from each other in parallel; and
an inflatable bladder having a first skin extension layer extending from a periphery of said inflatable bladder with said first skin extension having a first chord attached at a distal end and said first chord being perpendicular to said first skin extension layer wherein said first chord is engagable with one of said mounting tracks and said inflatable bladder having a second skin extension layer extending from the periphery of said inflatable bladder and positioned offset to said first skin extension layer wherein a second chord is engagable with another of said mounting tracks and said inflatable bladder;
wherein said receiving component includes a first opening capable of permitting said first chord to rotate about a longitudinal axis of said first chord within a limited range of motion;
wherein said receiving component includes a second opening offset in parallel from said first opening with the second opening capable of permitting said second chord to rotate about a longitudinal axis of said second chord within a limited range of motion;
wherein said first chord has a diameter that is oversized with respect to the first opening;
wherein said second chord has a diameter that is oversized with respect to the second opening.