Low cost parachute
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorBruce Bonaceto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A parachute includes first strips of fabric configurable to define a pattern wherein the first strips are separated from each other and extend parallel to each other, and second strips of fabric configurable to further define the pattern wherein the second strips are separated from each other and extend parallel to each other and normal to the first strips, the number of first strips being equal to the number of second strips. The first and second strips cross each other to define vent holes. The ends of the strips are connected to suspension lines which are extendible to a confluence area for support of an article of cargo.
Claims18
A parachute comprising:
- a plurality of first strips of fabric adapted to define a pattern wherein the first strips are separated from each other and extend parallel to each other;
- a plurality of second strips of fabric adapted to further define the pattern wherein the second strips are separated from each other and extend parallel to each other and normal to the first strips, the number of the second strips being equal to the number of the first strips;
- said first and second strips crossing each other at center portions thereof and thereby defining vent holes, said first and second strips and vent holes being arranged for providing an opening of the parachute with low opening shock, and providing drag for a rate of descent;
- and
- ends of said strips being connected to suspension lines extendible to a confluence area.
A method for making a parachute, the method comprising the steps of:
- arranging a plurality of first strips of high tear resistant material extending parallel to each other and spaced from each other;
- arranging a plurality of second strips of the material extending parallel to each other and spaced from each other, and extending normal to the first strips, with central portions of the first and second strips extending across each other;
- attachably fixing the first and second strips together where the first and second strips extend across each other;
- wherein the first and second strips are of equal width and equal length and the spacings thereof define vents, said first and second strips and vents being arranged for providing an opening of the parachute with low opening shock, and providing drag for a rate of descent;
- and
- fixing suspension lines to ends of said strips, the suspension lines being extendible to a common confluence area;
- and wherein the fixing of the suspension lines to the ends of the strips comprises tying the suspension lines and the ends of the strips together with self-tightening knots.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.