US1882086A - Back pack - Google Patents

Description

Oct 11, 1932. E. H. NICHOLS BACK PACK Filed April 16. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l m ma w; MM m w F cU w A TTOR y Oct. 11, 1932. E. H. NICHOLS ssmsa BACK PACK Filed April 16. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1A VENTOR Erwin H N/c/rols.

BY M

ATTOREY Oct. H, 1932. E. H. NICHOLS BACK PACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April.16. 1929 INVENTOR Erwin H Niche);

Och 1932- E. H. NICHOLS 1,882,08

BACK PACK Filed April 16. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 E-FE- 5 /37 g I I llIIlEllill"\llllIIIHWINIIIIIIIIIIINRIH 11v VENTO firwin H Nichols.

BY w g y Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE EIRWIN H. NICHOLS, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO IRVING AIR CHUTE COMPANY, INC., OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION BACK PACK Application filed April 16, 1929. Serial No. 355,550.

(GRANTED UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED APRIL 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) pack which may be more conveniently and comfortably worn than the packs heretofore used.

A further object of the invention is the provision of back type parachute pack having a metallic pack frame incorporated therein which is bent to fit the approximate contour of the back of the aviator from the seat to 2a the top of the shoulders. Other objects have reference to details of construction which further the foregoing objects consisting in the provision in a pack of generally semi-rigid construction of a wire-like metallic frame which while of a substantially rigid construction has a resiliency which assists in speeding the opening of the parachute by quickly throwing its container open when released.

A pack of this type has an advantage over packs as heretofore used in that the aviator has more accessibility in moving about the plane, especially desired by observers and machine gun operators. 7

A pack of the type hereinafter to be described has the added advantage of resting upon the seat and thus relieves the wearer of its weight.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a view in perspective of the pack embodying my invention shown strapped to the back of an aviator.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to- Fig. 1 showing the pack free of the aviator and in the position the pack occupies in the aviators seat.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the pack con tainer in an inverted opened condition with parachute detached.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the pack with the container fully closed.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4. v

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the metallic frame embodying my invention, showing in full lines the position the frame occupies in the pack covering when the parachute has been released; the dotted line position indicating the flexed and tensioned packed position.

Fig. 8 is a front plan showing the cross bracing of the frame. Corres onding parts are designated by correspon ing numerals throughout the drawings.

The parachute pack of the present inven-. tion is designed to carry a parachute designated by numeral 10 ,which comprises the' main sustaining canopy 11 and its spring opened auxiliary or pilot parachute 12, connected by shroud lines 13 to straps 14 extending into the pack from the body harness on the person of the aviator. These provisions are of the standard well-known type, being 7;, shown in United States Patent #1,340,423,' and require no further explanation.

The packs heretofore used were arranged to be carried on the seat, lap,' and in certain instances on the chest and back of the wearer. These packs gave very little freedom of movement to the wearer and were otherwise awkward and cumbersome to wear.

The present invention provides a pack which from the manner in which it is worn, is called a form-fitting back type pack and is so constructed as to fit the approximate contour of the aviators body in a substantially rigid condition from the shoulder blades to the hips. To this end the'packincludes a metallic frame which is co-extensive with the pack and shaped to conform to the wearers body in such manner that it is under tension and partially encircles the body 'when the pack is in packed condition, whereupon the pack being released the frame tends to return to normal shape and in so doing the pack container flaps are thrown quickly back and the pilot and sustaining chutes are forcibly and automatically thrown out and into the air st "am to quicken the time of opening. Providid with a pack such as has been described, an aviator is enabled to climb into and out of the cockpit of an airplane without assistance and without extra effort, and to turn or stoop about in the cockpit with considerableease.

The parachute ack container 15 is made of any suitable exible. material which is preferably waterproofed and comprises a rectan lar portion 16 which constitutes the bac of the pack, end flaps 17 and 18, and side flaps 19 and which fold over the back portion 16 to retain the folded parachute. Each of the end flaps 17 and 18 and the side flaps 19 and 20 have elastics 21 extending between eyelets 22, 23, 24 and 25 in a manner familiar to the art. The end flaps 17 and 18 are provided with cones 26 to receive grommets'27 on the side flaps 19 and'20 when the flaps are folded over the folded parachute. A rip cord 28 having a wire end passed thru openin sin the cones 26 extends to a convenient point on the body harness where a ring 29 is provided to enable the aviator to release the parachute in the usual manner. The cones leave the grommets readily when the rip cord, holding the same, is withdrawn. This type of connection is comparatively insecure and for this reason, a narrow guard flap 30 is provided on the side flap 19 which is arranged to be folded over to cover the cones and grommets, and held by snap fastener 31- engaging on studs 32 to prevent accidental disengagement of the rip cord wire from the cones 26. The foregoing provisions for the most part, being shown in U. S. Patent #1,404,983, are in general use and are referred to merely as incidental to the details to be referred to hereinafter.

The straps 14 of the body harness extend into the pack thru suitable notches in the sides of the flap 17. The shroud lines 13 of the main parachute extend from the straps 14 and are laid back and forth withlooped ends tucked in pockets 33 provided in each of two pieces of webbing secured at intervals onto the rectangular portion 16 leaving slacked looped portions to serve as pockets. The shroud lines when packed in this manner are held securely against entanglement and that the remaining operations of foldiiig and packing the parachute are not hampered by loose shroud lines. The shroud lines are nevertheless very easily disengaged upon opening of the pack incidental to the pull of the distended pilot parachute. This arrangement further insures against entangling of the shroud lines either through careless packing or when the parachute'is released. It is broadly shown in U. S. Patent #1,554,192.

The folded main parachute 11 is packed on top of the shroud lines 13 and the lines from the pilot parachute 12 are laid over it. A partition is provided between the main parachute and the pilot parachute by two tongues 34 upon the flaps 19 and 20 arranged to overlap each other at their free ends and overlie the main parachute 10 as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. The pilot parachute, which usually has spring ribs to open automatically upon the release of the parachute is thus kept from entanglement either with the shroud lines or with the main parachute. The moment the flaps of the pack are released, by the pull exerted upon the rip cord, they are opened by spring tension of the pack frame and by their elastics 21, and the pilot parachute is then free to spring open. The tongues 34 being secured to the inner sides ofthe flaps 19 and 20 are moved out of the way to permit free exit of the main parachute from the pack.

The rectangular portion 16 of the pack container is reinforced with a wire-like frame 35 of a general rectangular form which defines the edges of the pack and comprises essentially side pieces 36 and end pieces 37. These pieces are of spring brass or the like to prevent rusting and are bent to fit the approximate contour of the back of the wearer from the hips to the top of the shoulder, as will be noted by observing Fig. 1. The frame is reinforced by diagonal wire corner strips designated by numeral 38 shown in Fig. 8. An intermediate transverse wire strip is secured at each-end to each of the side pieces 36 by divergent wire strips 50. All of these are bent to conform to the curvature of the body and fastened to the main frame work by brazing, welding, or other suitable means. The side pieces 36 have the lower ends thereof only slightly curved, but intermediate their ends they are bowed rearwardly with a forwardly facing concavity at their upper ends which receive the shoulder blades of the wearer. Of course these frame members are differently shaped if the pack is adapted for form fitting upon any other part of the body than the back. The framework is further strengthened by the addition of longitudinally ext-ending reinforcing strips 39 and 40 which are secured to the main framework and reinforcing strips 38 and 51 in the manner heretofore described. Reinforcing strips of spring steel are provided transversely on the frame construction, one of the strips being placed at a point adjacent the hips, as at 41 in Fig.8, another strip 42 being located at the small of the back, and a third designated by numeral 43 being located just under the shoulder blades. These strips are preferably rivetcd to the framework after being bent to conform to the shape of the frame structure 35 and the frame is sewed in a pocket between the layers of material forming the rectangular portions 16, generally after the manner shown in U. S. Patent #1,403,983.

When the container with frame inserted is in a released condition, the frame assumes the normal position indicated in full lines in Fig. 7 However, when the canvas flaps at the sides and ends of the packare brought together over the fabric of the parachute, the spring pieces 41, 42 and 43 and the wires of the frame are forced and flexed outward assuming a flatter form as shown in dotted line in Fig. 7 and open the frame so that it snugly fits the back of the aviator, the spring pieces being placed under tension in so doing.

Upon the pull of the rip cord, the container opens, and the frame is forced back by reason of its resilient spring action into its former curved position which functions to quickly open the container and throw the parachute out to speed its opening.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the construction of a pack as set forth will enable the main and pilot parachutes to become deployed and open quicker than is the case with parachutes in standard use. Furthermore, a pack such as described permits of its being comfortably worn upon the back of the aviator, and gives greater freedom to the wearer without liability of accidental opening.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention intoelfect, it is to be understood that varlatlons and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and'desire to'secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a parachute pack, a container, supporting harness straps extending from said container, a parachute packed in said container having shroud lines connected to said straps, and frame means for said container shaped to approximately fit the contour of the wearers back. v

2. In a parachute pack, a container adapted to approximately cover the back of the wearer, supporting harness straps extending from the corners of said container, a parachute packed in said container having shroud lines connected to said straps and a reinforced frame shaped to conform to the back of the wearer and disposed within the back portion of said container.

3. The combination with a parachute pack adapted to be worn upon the back of an aviator, of a flexible frame conforming to the shape of thelwearers back secured to and de- Y fining a wall of said pack.

4. The combination with a parachute pack adapted'to be worn upon the, back of. an aviator, of a flexible reinforcing frame conforming to the shape of the wearers back and forming a part of the body portion of said pack, said frame being co-extensive with and defining the shape of said body portion.

5. The combination with a parachute pack adapted to be worn upon the back of an aviator, of a semi-rigid frame secured to the back portion of said pack and conforming to the longitudinal and transverse curvature of the wearers back when said pack is in packed condition.

6. The combination with a parachute pack adapted to be worn upon the back of an aviator, of a semi-rigid pack shaping frame shaped to conform to the wearers back, and being relatively flexible laterally.

7. The combination with a parachute container comprising a flexible back portion having side flaps and end flaps, of a'laterally curved flexible frame co-extensive with and forming a part and defining the shape of said back portion.

8. In combination, a back type parachute pack compr1s1ng, a main parachute, and a container having a supporting frame, said frame comprising a plurality of flexible elements transversely disposed on said frame and adapted to be flexed so that the sides of sald frame conform to the body of the wearer, said elements being under tension when said parachute pack is in a packed cond1t1on.

9. In combination with a back type parachute, pack comprising a main parachute, and a pilot parachute, of a container having a form flt-tmg frame, said frame comprising a plurallty of relatively attached form definlng members secured to said container, and body conforming spring means attached to and transversely disposed on said frame and under tension when the container is packed to flex the side of said frame outwardly to assist in releasing the parachute when the container is opened.

1Q. As an article of manufacture a unitary flexlble parachute pack wire frame shaped tg slubstantiallybfit1 the contour of the part 0 e wearers o to which th be attached. y i3 pack 15 to 11. A parachute pack comprising a flexible container having a body portion upon which the pack is built, a unitary flexible wire frame co-extensive with the body portion shaped to substantially fit the contour of the part of the wearers body to which the pack is to be attached, a. parachute, and means for releasably packing the parachute on the body portion of the container and in the container in said body conforming relation with the frame;

12. In a parachute pack the combination of a container including a body portion of flexible material flaps secured thereto, cured to the body portion of the container shaped to substantially fit the contour of the part of the wearers bodyto which the pack is to be attached for holding the body portion of the container in body conforming relation upon an aviator, said frame being co-extensive with the finished pack, a parachute canopy, harness, means connecting the harness with the pack, and means to releasably hold the pack folded about the parachute canopy with the latter packed on the body of the container fitting relation.

13. In a parachute pack the combination of a container including a body portion of flexible material having flexible marginal flaps secured thereto, a resilient form-fitting frame secured to the body portion of the container for holding the body portion of the container in body conforming relation upon an aviator, said frame being co-extensive with the shape of the closed pack, a parachute canopy, harness,

means connecting the harness with the pack, operating means to releasably hold the flaps folded about the parachute canopy with the latter packed on the body portion of the container in a compact form-fitting relation, said operating means holding the flaps so that the wire frame is flexed and under tension when the pack is closed and in a body conforming relation.

14. A parachute back pack of semi-rigid construction, shallow in depth, and shaped to the contour of the back of the wearer, having a pack shaping frame substantially coextensive with the marginal outline of' the pack constructed of yieldable shape retaining material.

15. A parachute pack of semi-rigid construction, shallow in depth and shaped to fit the contour of the part of the body on which the pack is worn, said pack having a wire pack shaping frame co-extensive with the outline of the pack andshaped to inherently hold the body fitting wall of the closed back exteriorly in very close shape of the contour of that part of the body of the wearer upon which the pack is to be worn.

16. A free jump parachute pack of semirigid construction,

shallow in depth and shaped to the contour of the back of the wearer having manually operated releasing means, and a pack shaping frame substantially co-extensive with the marginal outline of the pack and constructed of shape retaining material formed to hold the pack in form fitting contour.

17. A parachute pack of the free jump type comprising a flexible container, a parachute for the flexible container, fastening means to hold the container closed, operating means having flexible marginal a reslhent frame se body against which the in a compact form-' lient wall shaped to releasing said fastening means and opening the container, and a yieldable shapin frame of wire shaped in a body fitting relation and holdmg the closed pack and an exterior wall of the container in a form-fitting contour.

18. In a parachute pack the combination of a-parachute, a container for housing the parachute therein including a wall shaped to fit the contour of that part of the wearers pack is to abut and of material having an inherent ability to maintain the wall in such shape when the parachute is packed in the container, flexible closure means as a part of said container, and

fastening means for the closure means to re-' leasably maintain the container shut with the parachute packed therein.

19. In a parachute pack the combination of a parachute, a container for packing the parachute therein including a yieldable resiform-fit the contour of that part of the wearers back to which the pack is to be abuttcd against, flexible closure means associated with said wall as apart of the container, and fastening meanstfor the closure means to releasably maintain the container shut with the parachute packed therein, said wall being under tension and in said form-fitting shape when the pack container is closed with the parachute packed therein, for quickly opening the closure means and imparting an ejecting action to the parachute upon release of the fastening means.

20. As an article of manufacture a unitary flexible parachute pack wire frame shaped to substantially fit the contour of that part of the wearers body against which the pack is adapted to abut, said frame having transverse resilient flexibility to inherently assume a curved" body form-fitting shape.

21. In a parachute pack the combination of a parachute, a container for packing the parachute therein having a flexible wire frame as a part thereof shaped to substantially fit the contour of that part of the wearers body against which the pack is to rest, said wire frame having transverse resilient flexibility to inherently assume a curved body formfitting shape, and fastening means to releasably maintain the container shut with the parachute packed therein upon said wire frame, the latter being under tension and in said form-fitting shape when the packed container is closed with the parachute packed therein, for quickly opening the container and imparting an ejectingaction to the parachute upon release of the fastening means.

In testimony whereof I aflix m'y 1 ature. ERWIN H. NicH o Ls. v

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