Apparatus for releasing a parachute from its payload

A section of an apparatus for releasing a parachute from its payload upon ground impact by the payload wherein the apparatus comprises two such sections releasably secured together, the section comprising:

• an intermediate portion having a longitudinally extending axis and a spur receiving opening that extends through the intermediate portion and is transverse to the longitudinally extending axis;
• a first end portion attached to the intermediate portion and comprising a spur that extends in a generally lateral direction with respect to the longitudinally extending axis and which is angulated with respect to the longitudinally extending axis, a second end portion attached to the intermediate portion such that the intermediate portion is between the first and second end portions, a spring member attached to the intermediate portion and oriented so that it is compressed when the intermediate portion is pressed against the other section of the apparatus;
• means for attaching a lanyard to the section and;
• components to forcefully release the sections from each other when a payload linked to one of the sections impacts the ground;
• wherein each section has a threaded bore that extends through the intermediate portion and is transverse to the longitudinally extending axis and has an opening that confronts the other section, and wherein the components comprise:
• a threaded member screwed into the threaded bore;
• a contact member movably positioned in the bore;
• and
• wherein the spring member is interposed between the contact member and the threaded member so that as the threaded member is screwed into the threaded bore, the spring member becomes compressed thereby forcing the contact member to protrude from the opening of the bore and apply a force to the other section.

An apparatus for releasing a parachute from its payload upon ground impact by the payload, comprising:

• a pair of sections releasably secured to each other, each section comprising:
• an intermediate portion having a longitudinally extending axis and a spur receiving opening that extends through the intermediate portion and is transverse to the longitudinally extending axis,
• a first end portion attached to the intermediate portion and comprising a spur that extends in a generally lateral direction with respect to the longitudinally extending axis and which is angulated with respect to the longitudinally extending axis,
• a second end portion attached to the intermediate portion such that the intermediate portion is between the first and second end portions,
• a spring member attached to the intermediate portion and oriented so that it is compressed when the intermediate portion is pressed against the other section,
• means for attaching a lanyard to the section, and
• wherein the spur of one section is disposed in the spur receiving opening of the intermediate portion of the other section and the spring members are compressed between the sections thereby urging the sections away from each other;
• and
• a device engaging both sections to counter the urging force produced by the spring members and keep the sections compressed together, the device being responsive to the force produced by the opening of a parachute canopy such that upon the opening of the parachute canopy, the device disengages from the sections so that the spring members will be free to forcefully release the sections from each other upon ground impact by a payload that is supported by one of the sections;
• means for linking the canopy of the parachute to the device and;
• components to forcefully release the sections from each other when a payload linked to one of the sections impacts the ground;
• wherein each section has a threaded bore that extends through the intermediate portion and is transverse to the longitudinally extending axis and has an opening that confronts the other section, and wherein the components comprise:
• a threaded member screwed into the threaded bore;
• a contact member movably positioned in the bore;
• and
• wherein each spring member is interposed between a contact member and a threaded member so that as the threaded member is screwed into the threaded bore, the spring member becomes compressed thereby forcing the contact member to protrude from the opening of the bore and apply a force to the other section.