Parachute release system and method
OwnerRoy L Fox, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A parachute release system is configured to releasably couple a parachute to a payload. A parachute release mechanism is coupled to a suspension strap routed through a strap sleeve. The parachute release mechanism is configured to provide near-simultaneous separation of the suspension straps from the payload via operation of a rotatable hinge pin. The strap sleeve reduces the possibility of the suspension strap becoming entangled with the payload. With this system and method, larger payloads may be supported and/or the mass of the parachute release system may be reduced.
Claims17
A parachute release system, comprising:
- a parachute release mechanism configured to couple a parachute to a payload;
- a suspension strap coupled to the parachute release mechanism and configured to couple to the payload;
- and
- a collapsible strap sleeve configured to at least partially enclose the suspension strap,
- wherein the parachute release mechanism comprises:
- a rotatable strap hinge pin disposed between an outer main plate and an inner main plate, the rotatable strap hinge pin having a bolt passing therethrough to couple the rotatable strap hinge pin to the outer main plate and the inner main plate,
- wherein the parachute release mechanism is configured as a single-bolt, single-pin system wherein the bolt passes through only one rotatable strap hinge pin between the outer main plate and the inner main plate.
A parachute release system, comprising:
- a parachute release mechanism configured to couple a parachute to a payload;
- a suspension strap coupled to the parachute release mechanism and configured to couple to the payload;
- and
- a collapsible strap sleeve configured to at least partially enclose the suspension strap,
- wherein the parachute release mechanism comprises an outer latch plate having a hooked end.
A parachute release system, comprising:
- a parachute release mechanism configured to couple a parachute to a payload;
- a suspension strap coupled to the parachute release mechanism and configured to couple to the payload;
- and
- a collapsible strap sleeve configured to at least partially enclose the suspension strap,
- wherein the parachute release mechanism comprises a first extension arm and a second extension arm,
- wherein the first extension arm is coupled to at least two outer latch plates, and
- wherein the first extension arm is moved responsive to operation of an explosive bolt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.