FR2614265A1 - Safety device for putting gliding aerofoils of the winged type into flight configuration for engaging in parascending and parapent - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device making it possible to stiffen the profile of a parachute of the flying wing type at will. It consists of an inflatable stiffening structure installed permanently over all or part of the aerofoil. A simplified removable device can also be adapted to all existing conventional equipment. The device according to the invention is intended to provide, on take off, the desired safety and reliability for engaging in parascending and parapent (descending flight).

Description

 The present invention relates to the installation of a flight configuration setting device on parachutes with a multicellular structure. It is a shaping on the ground, before takeoff, of the wing type planing wings, from gaseous fluid to ensure the safety and reliability of the practice of parasailing and slope (slope flight).

 Takeoff for these last two disciplines poses many problems, especially in the absence of wind, and frequently requires the help of two partners.

 For slope parachuting, the nature of the terrain, the elevation differences, the percentage or rate of slope, the reduced length of the momentum area are all risk factors for starting and setting the flight configuration of the wing. There is moreover the risk of rotation or of less lift at takeoff due to non-swelling of one or more end boxes or to an asymmetrical loss of surface. The risks of injuries are real. according to the invention, overcomes these drawbacks.

It consists of installing, in a definitive manner or on demand, inflatable compartments with large volumes or simply tubular fitted with valves. These compartments are to be filled with atmospheric air by blowing with breath or using a small pneumatic pump. (Valves of the tube type, air mattress, inflator for sports balls ...)
There is therefore use of gaseous fluid to create a hardening structure of sufficient rigidity.

 There are many variations.

 For a basic material to be created, the entire upper surface, the frame of the boxes and the front of the lower surface will be equipped with waterproof compartments to inflate. The compartmentalization essentially allows the zones to be inflated to be adjusted and modulated depending on aerological conditions (wind speed).

For materials already in service, the invention of tubular bands or inflatable braids in PVC, rubber, plastic or plastic material combining lightness, finesse and flexibility, allows, by fixing on demand using clips and flat clips incorporated to fix them on the entire leading edge or only on the front of the upper surface, depending on the conditions
aerological.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
FIG. 1 represents the take-off situation currently in force, in profile and from the front. The multicellular wing, in zero or very weak wind, rests on the ground (before the invention).

 FIG. 2 represents the solution currently used, before the invention, to ensure, in zero or weak wind, better takeoff. The help of two partners allows an elementary shaping of the wing without certainty of total deployment during the lift-off.

 FIG. 3 represents the situation obtained, in profile and from the front, according to the invention, even in light or no wind. The shaping of all the cells or boxes is ensured before takeoff. Safety is guaranteed.

 FIGS. 4 and 5 show the phenomena of loss of surface area or lift-off on take-off without using the device according to the invention.

 Figure 4: asymmetrical loss of surface which can cause a rotation of the wing.

 Figure 5: symmetrical loss of surface which can worsen and, above all, serious reduction in the lift of the wing.

FIG. 6 represents, in section views of the profile of the airfoil, the various embodiments and variants of the invention:
6a) Inflatable structures of the entire surface of the upper surface (l), that is to say, of the upper part of the wing in its thickness (a few millimeters to several centimeters).

The air mattress on the upper surface is completed by inflatable bands to stiffen around the leading edge (2) with the start of the partitions and the front of the lower surface (lower part of the wing). The hardening of the upper surface can also be reduced to longitudinal inflatable bands linked to the interwoven walls.

 6b) Structure which differs from the embodiment set out above only by the inflatable surface installed. The entire leading edge is inflatable but the upper surface is inflatable only on the front half or third. inflatable longitudinal bands would follow the same reduction.

 6c) Only the box or cell frame, that is to say the entire leading edge, is inflatable. A small inflatable strip or braid is integrated into the upper surface, lower surface and boxes .

 6d) A stiffening strip, or inflatable braid, is integrated into the leading edge on the upper surface in a reduced depth and over the entire length thereof.

 FIG. 7 represents a front 3/4 perspective view of a multicell parachute deployed with a stiffening and shaping device composed of integrated inflatable bands. These bands are integrated longitudinally along the interweave partitions and around the periphery. from the leading edge (upper surface, lower surface, partitions).

 Figure 8 shows a model of inflatable tubular band (braid, rib) (a) intended for the leading edge on the front of the upper surface. A valved system (4) with fixing clamps (5) for parachutes conventional ensures the tensioning of the leading edge.

 The same band can also be fixed on the front of the lower surface and smaller bands (b) can stiffen the interwoven partitions. These bands, fitted with clips, can be connected to the main bands (upper surface, lower surface) by lacing, pressure or hook and loop fastening straps (6).

 These elementary inflatable structures offer the safety advantages already stated by widely opening the leading edge on takeoff.

The basic equipment (figure 6a), more complete in its inflatable structures adds to the safety in the critical phase of takeoff a safety for landing on an aquatic reception area (ascensioonel on beach ...)
The handling and transport conditions after use are identical to those of current equipment after deflation of the compartments or bands.

 The market for slope (and ascending) flyers is growing more and more. This potential market is mainly of technical interest to manufacturers dealing with the manufacture of parachute sails. However, the realization of the simplified devices offered for an adaptation on the sails in service, can exceed the framework of the industrialists specialized in the parachuting.

Claims (5)

 1) Device for shaping, that is to say in flight configuration, a parachute wing type flying wing for takeoff in the context of the practice of parasailing or slope (slope flight) characterized in that the upper surface (1) comprises a thickness impermeable to gases ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters and which can benefit from compartmentalization.  2 Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the entire leading edge (2) comprises an inflatable edge.  3) Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it makes the airfoil rigid with moderately compressed air ensuring a relatively non-deformable structure to the material without removing its proper qualities of use, the swelling being carried out either at the mouth either by a simple pneumatic pump.  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inflation is carried out by means of a valve (or several) identical to that used in an inner tube of a tire, a sports balloon inflator. or, more simply, an air mattress.  5) Device for shaping a wing type wing wing characterized in that it comprises inflatable tubular strips with valves (FIG. 8) having different lengths for attachment by clips or flat clamps over the entire edge of attack of conventional equipment (upper surface, partitions, lower surface), this device having separate and removable elements which can be connected together by simple systems based on lacing, pressure or hook-and-pile connection.