US1705909A - Parachute - Google Patents

Description

March 19, 1929. I DE wrr 1,705,909

PARACHUTE Filed Aug. 10, 1927 INVENTOR. Jennings Be )(l ff'.

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 19, 1929.

UNITED STATES JENNINGS DE win, or NEW YORK, 11. Y.

PARACHUTE.

Application filed August 10, 1927. Serial No. 211,876.

This invention relates to improvements in parachutes.

In effecting an emergency landing from an aerial body, by parachute jumping, it is neces- I sary to make this first part of the leap without attempting to open the parachute, so that the parachute shall not be entangled in the struts or fuselage of the air craft from which the landing is being made. Accordingly, the practice is to count off a predetermined time interval..before pulling the ring which releases the parachute. for opening. At the end of this measured time interval the persons body is falling through space at a 1 constantly accelerating speed, and a failure of the parachute reliably to respond means practically certain death. The causes of failure to respond are principally due to the folds in which the parachute material have been packed in order that it may be carried on the air craft, and to failure of atmospheric medium to secure entry into these folds to effect the opening of the device.

It is one important object of the invention to provide an improved construction of the edging of the parachute, to expedite entry of air into the folds.

According to this feature the edges are formed of a material relatively less flexible than the material of the intermediate portion of the sustaining area of the parachute, and are crinkled or crimped so as to provide conducting passageways for atmospheric medium.

Another important object of the invention relates to the provision of a plurality of superposed sustaining areas, having folds which register with each other respectively, thus reducing the number of folds required with a 'ven area of sustaining surface. As is evident from the foregoing, a reduction in the number of folds reduces correspondingly the danger of the parachute failing to open.

Other objects will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a parachute embodying features of the invention, in fully open position:

Fig. 2 is a view of the parachute at the commencement of opening:

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 and:

Fig. 4 is an enlar ed view of a portion of the border of one o the sustaining members of Fig. 1.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

In the following description and claims, parts of characteristic features and functions will be identified by specific means for convenience of expression, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts or equivalent construction as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawings there is provided a plurality of super osed sustaining sheets, shown three in numl fer as at 10, 11, 12. In the illustrated embodiment the upper sheet 10 is shown larger than the lower sheets, 11, 12, but it is understood that they may be interchanged in their relative positions or that a greater number may may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. The mid portion of each sheet; as at 13, 14 respectivel is formed of a good grade of silk of soft ne texture. border 15 formed of a material relatively less flexible such as binding tape or the like is secured to the body of the respective sheet as by be employed or that two a stitching 15 and is crinkled, crimpled or fluted. There is conducting passageways such through which air,can enter.

The parachute is folded so that the lower sheet or sheets are enfolded within the upper sheets. The folds of each sheet registering with the folds of the adjacent sheet (see Fi 3). The border 15 is sufliciently inflexible to hold its crinkled form under the pressure of compact folding.

The parachute includes a usual harness indicated diagrammatically at 20 and suspension ropes such as 21, 21 extending therefrom to spaced points on the peripheries of the sustaining sheets. Preferably, in order thus formed a plurality of as 17, 18

to secure greater strength each rope extends to the termination of a radial seam 22. In the illustrated embodiment the relative sizes of the" sheets are such that in the open position the ropes extend in a straight line as indicated in Fig. 1. A usual release ring 23 serves to release the parachute for opening, in a conventional manner.

In operation, the operator who isto make a parachute jump, straps himself in the harness '20 and leaps. After counting off a predetermined time interval he pulls the ring 23. This releases the parachute, and the sustaining sheets 10, 11, 12 commence to open. The crinkled border 15, having the passages 17,

18 provides a conducting space for air to get into the fields of the parachute immediately, thus insuring their opening. As the number of folds is reduced for the same wing area the danger of failure to open is correspond ingly reduced.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a parachute which will open reliably and that danger to the aviator is thus greatly reduced. A parachute of great sustaining wing; area with a minimum number of folds is provided. lhe aviator is thus assured that in case of emergency the parachute will open.

'lhe invention upon which this application based is broader than the specific embodimerits shown. and described for the purpose of inns rating at least some of the ways in which ray he employed. The scope of the invention is there-iota to understood as not hehy the present specific description, I intend no limitations other than those imposed by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A parachute having a plurality of relativelydifferently sized sustaining sheets, and an operators seat supported by the conjoint action of said sheets, each sheet having a fluted border to expedite the entry oi air into the folds of said sheets. P

2. A parachute having a plurality of su pet-posed sustaining members havin folds in register so that the lowermost mem er is enfolded within the upper member or members when folded, the edges of said members being relatively stiff and fluted to maintain conducting passages into the folds.

3. A parachute having a plurality of superposed sustaining members having folds in register so that the lowermost member is enfolded within the upper member or members when folded, the edges of said members having binding tape crinkled to form air pas sages.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 8 day of August A. D. 1927.

7 JENNINGS DE WITT.

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