US2350480A - Parachute - Google Patents

Description

Patented `[une 6, 1944 i. 'Peter J. Swoiord. Fort Worth, Tex., assignor of one-sixteenth to Tina Brooker Fite and onesixteenth to J. B. Ho

Tex.

pson, both of Fort Worth,

Application January 12, 1942, Serial No. 426,531

2 Claims.

This invention relates to parachutes, and has for one of its objects the production of a simple and eicient parachute which is provided with vertically extending cross fins for facilitating maneuverability and preventing the parachute from oscillating.

A further object of this invention is the production of a simple and enlcient parachute which is so constructed as to prevent the entanglement of the shroud cords.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the parachute;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view through the cross ns, taken on line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional perspective view of the cross fins.

By referring to the drawing, it will be seen that I designates the skirt portion of the chute canopy 9 which is formed of the conventional fabric used in constructing parachutes. The skirt portion I0 depends from the outer edge of the flat top portion II, which flat top portion II is provided with a small central vent opening I2. As shown in Figure 2, the canopy 9 is preferably circular.

Elongated vertically extending fins I3 are arranged in crossed relation and depend from the flat top portion II. These fins I3 taper t0- ward their lower ends and are provided with cutout portions I4 directly under the central vent opening I2 and under the center of the flat top portion I I near their inner edges, These cutout portions I4 provide an opening at the center of the canopy to permit air to equalize under the canopy of the chute. The ns I3 are formed of fabric and connect at their lower edge with cords I5.

The ns I3 are preferably about twelve feet long and extend below the bottom of the canopy 9, as shown in Figure l. The fins I3 may be stitched or otherwise secured to the under face of theat top portion II. The cords I5 are secured at their lower ends to the harness IS. The at top portion II will give the chute additional lifting power to olf-set the weight of the additional material which is used in construction.

Suitable rings I9 are carried by the harness I5 and the lower ends of the cords I5 and shroud cords I1 are connected to the conventional harness I and rings I9 as shown. The operator of the chute may easily reach up and grip the cords I5 to facilitate steering and to control his landing to a great degree. Due to the fact that the ns I3 are arranged in crossed relation, the chute will not drift or oscillate but will drop in an approximately vertical line.

By providing the fins which are arranged in crossed relation, I eliminate the possibility of entanglement of the cords. By providing four ns extending in crossed relation this structure will eliminate oscillation of the chute and render the chute very maneuverable and act as a baille. Furthermore, the chute when opened will descend downwardly in a substantially straight direction. The at top which is provided will add greatly to the lifting power of the chute and will add more power than would be provided otherwise, and will compensate for the extra amount of material as stated above which may be required to produce the chute. Furthermore, the arrangement of the fins will prevent the chute from turning over or spilling air. It should be noted that the ns are connected under the center of the chute, or the center ring thereof, directly under the flat top and the skirt I0 of the chute when the chute is opened will depend from the edge of the flat top, as shown. Because of the fact that the ns I3 are secured to the under face of the hat top portion II, the flat top portion will be held in a flat position and the bulging thereof will be resisted, the weight of the operator of the chute pulling in a downward direction upon the shroud cords, and the lower ends of the fins.

The chute may be folded by folding the fins in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 2, and the portions of the canopy may be folded between these ns or the upper ends of the l'lns. I preferably provide three reinforcing cords I5 for each n. The at top portion is preferably approximately l5 feet in diameter, and the skirt I0 is preferably three and one-half or four feet wide, cut in the conventional manner to provide a proper tapering form for the canopy.

It should be understood that certain detail changes in the construction may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A parachute of the class described comprising a canopy having downwardly turned edges, said canopy having a centrally located vent opening, vertical ns depending from and secured to the canopy beyond the vent opening and arranged in cross relation relative to the ventopening, said flns having cut-out portions directly below the vent opening to direct air from between the ns and out through the vent opening at a point close to the under face of the canopy, thereby providing an air equalizer under the center of the canopy, said yh's being connected together directly below'the 'cut-out portions in spacedrelation to the vent opening, and harness-engaging means suspended from the canopy and fins.

2. A parachute of the class described comprising a canopy having downwardly turned edges, said canopy having a centrally located vent opening, vertical fins depending Vfrom and secured to the canopy beyond the vent opening and arranged in cross relation relative to the vent opening, said ns having out-out portions directly below thev vent opening to direct air from between the iins and out through the vent opening at a point close to the under face of the canopy, thereby providing an air equalizer under the center of the canopy, said hns-being connected together directly below the cut-out portions in spaced relation to the vent opening, harness-engaging means suspended from the canopy and fins, a

harness engaging theAharness-engaging means, and said ns terminating short ofthe harness. `PETER J. SWOFFORD.

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