Reefing assembly for a circular parachute

A reefing assembly for a circular parachute comprising a canopy having a skirt portion, and suspension lines attached at first ends thereof to the skirt portion, the assembly comprising:

• a tensionstructure bounding a central opening and having a plurality of substantially straight segments viewed in plan with the canopy open;
• a plurality of cords, each cord defining a loop having two ends, each end of a loop being fixed to one end of one of the tension structure straight segments;
• a plurality of rings slidably disposed on each of the loops, each of said rings being slidably connected to at least one of the suspension lines;
• wherein said rings are adapted for disposition clustered together at a central portion of their respective loops, and adapted, upon deployment of the canopy, to slide along their respective loops to become substantially equidistantly disposed on their respective loops;
• whereby to facilitate a restrained opening of the canopy and thereby reduce opening shock load.