Controlled multi-stage decreasing drag parachute

Claim 2

A controlled multi-stage decreasing drag parachute comprising: a canopy having a continuous surface; a vertical centerline connected at its upper end to the canopy apex and adapted at its lower end to be connected to a load; at least one set of suspension lines connected at their upper ends to spaced points about the canopy; means for restraining the lower ends of said suspension lines slidably about said centerline; means for transferring at least a portion of the load from the centerline to the suspension lines through said restraining means; said second named meaNs being separable upon the application of a predetermined force to unload the corresponding suspension lines and allow its restraining means to ride up the centerline toward the canopy apex to reduce the drag exerted by the canopy, the lower ends of the unloaded suspension lines being restrained from uncontrolled flailing about by said first mentioned means.

Claim 3

The parachute of claim 1 wherein: said restraining means is a ring-like member encircling said centerline; said centerline being provided with a bight portion adjacent said ring-like member; and said second same means being a break-cord connecting said ring-shaped member to the centerline to maintain said bight.

Claim 4

A controlled multi-stage decreasing drag parachute comprising: a canopy having a continuous surface; a single vertical centerline connected at its upper end to the canopy apex and adapted to be connected at its lower end to a load; a first set of suspension lines connected at their upper ends to the canopy at spaced points thereabout the hem of the canopy to form one canopy increment; a second set of suspension lines connected at their upper ends to the canopy at spaced points about its periphery intermediate the hem and the canopy apex to form another canopy increment; a first and second means for restraining the lower ends of the respective suspension lines of each set slidably about said centerline at spaced vertical positions; a first and second releasable means for connecting said respective restraining means to the centerline for transferring at least a portion of the load to the respective suspension lines; said first and second releasable means each being separable upon the application of a predetermined force to unload the respective suspension line set and allow the corresponding restraining means to ride up the centerline to reduce the canopy drag force on the respective canopy increment.

Claim 5

A controlled multi-stage decreasing drag parachute comprising: a canopy having a continuous surface; a single vertical centerline connected at its upper end to the canopy apex and adapted to be connected at its lower end to a load; a first set of suspension lines connected at their upper ends to the canopy at spaced points thereabout the hem of the canopy to form one canopy increment; a second set of suspension lines connected at their upper ends to the canopy at spaced points about its periphery intermediate the hem and the canopy apex to form another canopy increment; a first and second means for restraining the lower ends of the respective suspension lines of each set slidably about said centerline at spaced vertical positions; a first and second releasable means for connecting said respective restraining means to the centerline for transferring at least a portion of the load to the respective suspension lines; said first and second releasable means each being separable upon the application of a predetermined force to unload the respective suspension line set and allow the corresponding restraining means to ride up the centerline to reduce the canopy drag force on the respective canopy increment.

Claim 6

The parachute of claim 3 wherein said first named releasable means requires a smaller predetermined separation force than the second named releasable means to enable the sequential decrease in the parachute drag area.

Claim 7

The parachute of claim 3 wherein said second named restraining means is positioned closer to the canopy apex than the first named restraining means.

Claim 8

The parachute of claim 3 wherein said restraining means are ring-shaped members slidably encircling the centerline.

Claim 9

The parachute of claim 6 wherein said centerline is provided with a bight portion adjacent each of said ring-shaped members, and each of said releasable means comprises a pair of interconnected loops connected to the ends of the centerline adjacent the bight, one loop being connected to the respective ring-shaped member.

Claim 10

The parachute of claim 7 wherein said loop connected to the respective ring-shaped members is a break-cord designed to part upon the application of a predetermined force.