Aeronautics and astronautics – Safety lowering devices – Parachutes
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-29
2001-12-11
Eldred, J. Woodrow (Department: 3644)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Safety lowering devices
Parachutes
C244S152000, C244S147000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328263
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to parachutes and is directed more particularly to a cross parachute exhibiting improved accuracy in landings.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There is a need for accurate airdrops of goods, such as disaster relief supplies and military supplies, by use of relatively inexpensive airdrop devices. Parafoils offer potential for accuracy, but are expensive and are complex to rig. Cross parachutes have been found to be the least expensive airdrop vehicles, but are lacking in pin-point accuracy.
It is therefore deemed desirable to provide a cross parachute which is sufficiently controllable to provide for accurate positioning of airdropped supplies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a cross parachute exhibiting improved controllability in descent and accuracy in landing.
With the above and other objects in view, a feature of the present invention is the provision of a parachute assembly comprising a canopy central panel of substantially square configuration and a rectangularly configured canopy outboard arm fixed to each side edge of the canopy central panel and extendible outwardly therefrom to form a cross configuration, each of the canopy outboard arms having two outboard corners. A suspension line is fixed to each of the outboard corners, the suspension lines being of equal length for initial deployment of the parachute assembly. A first of the suspension lines fixed to a first of the canopy outboard arms at a corner thereof is extendible. A second of the suspension lines fixed to a second of the canopy outboard arms at a corner thereof closer to the first suspension line is extendible. Means are provided for extending the first suspension line after deployment of the parachute assembly to initiate a spinning motion in, and to increase descent velocity of, the parachute assembly, and for extending the second suspension line, after extension of the first extension line, to selectively influence the spinning motion, the descent velocity, and horizontal velocity and direction.
The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular device embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2745615 (1956-05-01), Fogal
patent: 3104856 (1963-09-01), Knacke et al.
patent: 3602462 (1971-08-01), Slater et al.
patent: 4834323 (1989-05-01), Reuter
patent: 5678788 (1997-10-01), Hetzer et al.
patent: 5839695 (1998-11-01), Puskas
patent: 5893536 (1999-04-01), Lee et al.
patent: 6131856 (2000-10-01), Brown
Benney Richard J.
Brown Glen J.
Eldred J. Woodrow
Ranucci Vincent J.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
LandOfFree
Parachute assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Parachute assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Parachute assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2573409