GB552895A - Improvements in or relating to parachutes - Google Patents

Abstract

552,895. Parachutes. QUILTER, J. R. C. Sept. 26, 1941, Nos. 12499/41, 9483/42, and 12959/42. [Class 4] The canopy of a parachute is provided with a vent jormed by removing a substantial portion of a gore at one side through which air escapes in a substantially horizontal direction to stabilize and direct the the parachute. The effect may be increased by the provision of a curtain or lip extending around a part or the whole of the periphery of the parachute to direct additional air into the canopy. The aperture may be normally closed by an internal panel removable by the parachutist during descent. Fig. 1 shows a parachute in which one of the gores b is cut away to leave only narrow attachment strips b<SP>1</SP> thus forming a triangular aperture extending to the apex of the canopy which need not have a central vent. A curtain d is formed by a series of panels e braced to the shroud lines by lines f and radial panels g as described in Specification 531,884. The curtain d may extend only around a portion of the periphery on the side of the canopy opposite to the vent. A parachute without a curtain d and with a triangular aperture extending up to a ring surrounding a central vent is described, the aperture being covered normally by an internal panel secured by press studs. A cable extends from the apex of the panel to within reach of the parachutist to enable him to strip the panel from the aperture when required.