AU2010100803A4

AU2010100803A4 - Parachute deployment bag

Info

Publication number: AU2010100803A4
Application number: AU2010100803A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Glenn Bolton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-28
Filing date: 2010-07-28
Publication date: 2010-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-07-28

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 Provisional Patent Specification Title: Parachute deployment bag Applicant(s): Glenn Gordon Bolton Inventor(s): Glenn Gordon Bolton Agent: © COTTERS Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys The following is a full description of the invention which sets forth the best method known to the applicant of performing it.

2 Parachute deployment bag Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a parachute deployment bag. In particular, the present 5 invention relates to an improved parachute deployment bag for ram-air type parachutes. Background of the Invention All modern parachutes utilize a Deployment Bag to ensure a proper sequential deployment of either the main parachute or reserve parachute. 10 During deployment of a parachute, either a ripcord type device or a hand deployed pilot chute is operated to initiate the parachute opening sequence. Once the pilot-chute is activated, the parachute is extracted out of the parachute container generally worn on the skydiver's back. 15 The current design of main deployment bag accommodates the parachute canopy generally within the confines of the deployment bag while the parachute suspension lines are stowed externally. Existing deployment bags are generally constructed of nylon cloth (420 denier), reinforced with a variety of Type 3 and Type 4 nylon tape as well as Type 12 nylon webbing. 20 When the parachute is packed, the canopy is folded as per the parachute manufacturer's instructions and placed inside the deployment bag. To close the deployment bag rubber bands attached to beckets on the outside of the deployment bag are passed through grommets in the closing flap and looped around bites of suspension line. The number of 25 closing stows varies between parachute container manufacturers design. The remaining length of the suspension lines is stowed externally with additional rubber bands on either side of the deployment bag. Once the parachute and lines are stowed the whole package is placed inside the main 30 parachute container of the harness/container system and that container closed as per the parachute container manufacturer's instructions.

3 The primary drawback to the current deployment bag system is the chance of line twists associated with uneven rubber band tension causing both minor and major parachute malfunctions which sometimes requires that parachute to be released from the harness and the reserve parachute deployed. One drawback with the current system is exposure of small 5 portions of the parachute cloth to damage from deploying suspension lines requiring repair and shortening parachute life. A still further disadvantage is line dump associated with poor quality rubber bands and stows causing parachute malfunctions and ensuing breakaway and reserve parachute deployment 10 In addition to the above disadvantages which elevate the skydiver's risk, the skydiver must continuously replace the rubber bands prior to the completion of each pack job. Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one is or more of the above disadvantages, or to provide a useful alternative and to improve the overall safety of parachuting. Summary of the Invention 20 In a first aspect, the present invention provides a parachute deployment bag comprising: a receptacle defining an upper opening adapted to receive a parachute canopy, a first engagement formation located on a first side of the receptacle adjacent to the opening; a closure flap formed on a second opposing side of the receptacle, the closure flap 25 including a second engagement formation adapted to engage with the first engagement formation to substantially close the opening; and a line stow flap extending away from a base region of the receptacle, the line stow flap including a third engagement formation adapted to engage with the second engagement formation, when the first and second engagement formations are engaged, to define a 30 pocket for receiving and stowing parachute suspension lines. The closure flap is preferably integrally formed with the second opposing side of the receptacle.

4 The first, second and third engagement formations are preferably magnets. In particular, the magnets are preferably rare earth magnets. The line stow flap and the closure flap are preferably integrally formed from a single piece of 5 fabric. The magnets are preferably round. The receptacle is preferably manufactured from two strips of fabric. 10 The parachute deployment bag is preferably manufactured from 500 Denier nylon CorduraTM. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of specific example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 depicts the deployment bag in an unpacked configuration; is Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing the main components of the deployment bag; Fig. 3 depicts a parachute canopy within the deployment bag of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 depicts a close up of the magnets; Fig. 5 depicts the stowing of the suspension lines; and Fig. 6 depicts the deployment bag of Fig. 1 in a packed configuration. 20 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments A parachute deployment bag 10 is shown in Fig. 1. The deployment bag 10 is manufactured from two sections of fabric 12, 30 of 500 denier grade nylon CorduraTM. The outer section 12 is manufactured as a continuous strip of fabric, as shown in Fig. 2. 25 The inner section 30 is sewn or otherwise attached to the outer section 12, to define a receptacle 32 for receiving the canopy 40 of the parachute. The outer and inner sections are connected along the corresponding seams X, Y and Z as identified in Fig. 2. The inner section 30 includes a first engagement formation defined by a row of four generally round, 30 rare earth magnets 34. In the orientation shown in Fig. 2, the magnets 34 are configured such that the north poles face out of the page. The outer section 12 has a line stow flap 14 at one end, and a closing flap 16 at the 5 opposing end. The closing flap 16 also includes a second engagement formation defined by a row of four generally round, rare earth magnets 20. In the orientation shown in Fig. 2, the magnets 20 are configured such that the south poles face out of the page. 5 The line stow flap 14 includes a third engagement formation defined by a row of four generally round, rare earth magnets 18. In the orientation shown in Fig. 2, the magnets 18 are configured such that the north poles face out of the page. Each of the rows of magnets 18, 20 34 is sown into the seams of the deployment bag 10, 10 beneath a layer of type 12 strengthening webbing. The rare earth disc magnets used in the deployment bag 10 are either 20mm diameter x 3mm thickness or 20mm diameter x 5 mm thickness. Preferably each row of four magnets 18, 20 34, utilises two of each size rare earth magnet per row. Fig. 4 depicts how the circular magnets are contained within the rims of the deployment bag 10. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that larger magnets, is or more magnets may be utilised on larger deployment bags, such as those used with tandem or military parachutes. The operation of the deployment bag 10 will now be described. When packing the parachute, the canopy is 40 is folded and placed in the receptacle 32. The closing flap 16 is 20 then placed over the inner section 30, such that the second row of magnets 20 engages with the first row of magnets 34, which have opposing polarity, such that the second row of magnets 20 engages with the first row of magnets 34. This stage of the packing operation is shown in Fig. 3. As depicted in Fig. 5, the parachute suspension lines are then placed in a "figure 8" pattern, on top of the inner section 30. The line stow flap 14 is then placed over 25 the suspension lines, and the third row of magnets 18 engages with the second row of magnets 20, in the configuration shown in Fig. 6. The deployment bag 10 is then placed in the main parachute container in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The parachute is then ready for use. 30 An advantage of the deployment bag 10 is that no extra flaps are sewn externally to the bag 10, as the line stow flap 14 and closing flap 16 are integrally formed from a continuous piece of fabric.

6 Advantageously, the deployment bag 10 is made from 500 Denier nylon Cordura' cloth which is more durable then the commonly used 420 Denier cloth. Advantageously, by employing a series of twelve magnets 18, 20 34, and a line stow flap 14, 5 to secure the parachute and stow the suspension lines, the need for rubber bands is eliminated. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other 10 forms.

Claims

1. A parachute deployment bag comprising: a receptacle defining an upper opening adapted to receive a parachute canopy, a first engagement formation located on a first side of the receptacle adjacent to the opening; a closure flap formed on a second opposing side of the receptacle, the closure flap including a second engagement formation adapted to engage with the first engagement formation to substantially close the opening; and a line stow flap extending away from a base region of the receptacle, the line stow flap including a third engagement formation adapted to engage with the second engagement formation, when the first and second engagement formations are engaged, to define a pocket for receiving and stowing parachute suspension lines.

2. The parachute deployment bag of claim 1, wherein the closure flap is integrally formed with the second opposing side of the receptacle.

3. The parachute deployment bag of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first, second and third engagement formations are magnets.

4. The parachute deployment bag of claim 1 or 2, wherein the line stow flap and the closure flap are integrally formed from a single piece of fabric.

5. The parachute deployment bag of claim 2, wherein the magnets are rare earth magnets.

6. The parachute deployment bag of claim 4, wherein the magnets are round.

7. The parachute deployment bag of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle is manufactured from two strips of fabric.

8. The parachute deployment bag of any one of the preceding claims manufactured from 500 Denier nylon Cordura'. 8

9. A parachute deployment bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments as that embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings. Glenn Gordon Bolton By Patent Attorneys for the Applicant ©COTTERS Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys