Patent US3627232A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3627232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acquisition and retrieval method and apparatus for recovering ejectees from disabled aircarft
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1970-07-17
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Granted: 1971-12-14
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Expires: 1990-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for snaring the inflated parachute of an ejectee while descending from a disabled aircraft by an accompanying high-speed aircraft and towing the parachute and the suspended aircrewmen to a safe recovery area where the parachute and its load is released to resume its normal free descent into the safe area for rescue by conventional means.
Inventors
- 👤 James W Ramsay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:03
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of transporting by means of a recovery aircraft a parachuted load during descent, from one area to another area including the steps of: deploying a recovery package from said parachute during descent in said one area; transmitting a homing signal from said recovery package; firing a missile having a tethered line from the recovery aircraft capable of homing in on said signal; snaring the recovery package by said missile; and towing the recovery package and its associated appendages by said recovery aircraft to said another area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of transporting by means of a recovery aircraft a parachuted load during descent, from one area to another area including the steps of: deploying a recovery package from said parachute during descent in said one area; transmitting a homing signal from said recovery package; firing a missile having a tethered line from the recovery aircraft capable of homing in on said signal; snaring the recovery package by said missile; and towing the recovery package and its associated appendages by said recovery aircraft to said another area.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of rescuing by a recovery aircraft of an aircrewman having been ejected by parachute from a disabled aircraft from one area to another area including the steps of: deploying a recovery package that elevates above the parachute during descent in said one area; transmitting a homing signal from said recovery package; firing a missile having a tethered line from the recovery aircraft capable of homing in on said signal; snaring the recovery package by said missile; towing the recovery package and associated appendages by said recovery aircraft to said another area; severing the tethered line between the aircraft and the recovery package to enable the parachute to descend in said another area.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of rescuing by a recovery aircraft of an aircrewman having been ejected by parachute from a disabled aircraft from one area to another area including the steps of: deploying a recovery package that elevates above the parachute during descent in said one area; transmitting a homing signal from said recovery package; firing a missile having a tethered line from the recovery aircraft capable of homing in on said signal; snaring the recovery package by said missile; towing the recovery package and associated appendages by said recovery aircraft to said another area; severing the tethered line between the aircraft and the recovery package to enable the parachute to descend in said another area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
An in-flight recovery system for a parachute and its load during normal descent including the combination of: a recovery package adapted to be released from said parachute and its load; means for connecting the recovery package to said parachute; said package including an inflatable means having a tethered line to the parachute; means in said recovery package for generating a homing signal; a homing missile adapted to be fired at said recovery package from a recovery aircraft; a towing line connecting the missile to the aircraft; said missile having means for snaring said package, whereby said snared recovery package and appendages can be towed in flight by the recovery aircraft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
An in-flight recovery system for a parachute and its load during normal descent including the combination of: a recovery package adapted to be released from said parachute and its load; means for connecting the recovery package to said parachute; said package including an inflatable means having a tethered line to the parachute; means in said recovery package for generating a homing signal; a homing missile adapted to be fired at said recovery package from a recovery aircraft; a towing line connecting the missile to the aircraft; said missile having means for snaring said package, whereby said snared recovery package and appendages can be towed in flight by the recovery aircraft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein a line cutter is connected in said connecting means for severing the recovery package from the parachute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said line cutter is automatically operable on the absence of a predetermined tensile force on the towing line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said inflatable means is a second parachute connected to the tethered line by suspension lines.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said suspension lines provide the support for an antenna connected to the homing signal generating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein the snaring means on said missile comprises a plurality of spring-loaded fins normally biased to an extended position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-13 | 1975-06-14 | 1975-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-13 | 1979-06-14 | 1979-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-13 | 1983-06-14 | 1983-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |