USRE22859E - Paeachute - Google Patents

Description

April 1, 1947. A. P. ATHERTON PARAGHUTE Original 2392,J+8

7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 INVENTOR M flda/Lzm w- W ATTORNE S April 1, 1947. v p, ATHERTONQ Re. 22,859

PARACHUTE Q Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

ATM/P [Y5 April 1947. A. P. ATHERTON Re. 22,859

' PARACHUTB Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 1, 1947. A. P. ATHERTON PARAGHUTE Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Semen mum April 1, 1947. A. P. ATHERTON PARACHUTE Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 r 1 ATTORNEY April 1, 19 7- A. P. ATHERTON PARACHUTE l, 1944 7 Sheets-$heet 6 Original Filed Dec.

INVENTOR ATTORN s April 1, 1947. p, ATHERTON Re. 22,859

PARACHUTE Original Filed Dec. 1, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 u. INVENTOR F' M /M Reissued Apr. 1, 1947 hearts. noon:

PARACHUTE Archie P. Atherton, Glendale, Callf., assignor to Martin Steinthal and Augustus Steinthal, New

York, N. Y.

Original No. 2,392,448, dated January 8, 1946,

Serial No. 566,048, December 1, 1944. Application for reissue June 1, 1946, Serial No. 673,721

20 Claims. (01. 244-439) This invention relates to parachutes and more especially to a parachute for use in checking the descent of a disabled aircraft or an aircraft which has gotton out of control of the aviator.

An object of this invention is to provide an aircraft with parachute storage facilities of such nature that the parachute may easily and quickly be released by the aviator and brought into operating position without danger of the parachute becoming fouled in the aftergear of the aircraft.

A further object of this invention is a suitable connection between the aircraft and the parachute by means of which the aviator may release the parachute from the aircraft if, after a period of use of the parachute, the condition requiring its use has ceased to exist.

According to one embodiment of this invention, the parachute is stored in a box-like container arranged within the body of an airplane at approximately its center of gravity. The container is pivotally attached at one end to the airplane body through the medium of separable connecting means which may be disconnected by the aviator if so desired. The airplane body is provided with a pivoted cover overlying the container which normally is arranged completely within the wing and the cover is kept in closed position by a latch. A pilot parachute is stored in a compartment provided in a suitable part of the airplane such, for example, as in the rudder and a releasable cover for the compartment is held in place by suitable latch means. A cable connects the pilot parachute shrouds to the peak of the main parachute and is detachably anchored at a point near the rear of the airplane. The cover latch is connected to said cable. Means are provided for operation by the aviator to release the pilot parachute While retaining the cable in anchored condition. In the event that the aviator has released the pilot parachute because of a tailspin, the release of it may be sufficient to bring the airplane out of the tailspin and it may be unnecessary to release the main parachute. The pilot parachute rises above the airplane about the anchor point as a pivot and clears the aftergear of the airplane. Assuming that it is necessary to release the main parachute, the aviator disconnects the cable anchor by additional movement of the pilot parachute releasing means and the pilot parachute rises higher into the air about the main parachute cover edge as a pivot and effects release of the cover latch. The pilot parachute then draws out the main parachute and because of the elevation of the pilot parachute above the aftergear of the airplane the main parachute is lifted clear of said aftergear so that there is no possibility of the main parachute becoming fouled therein. The main parachute may be kept in operating position until the airplane has reached the ground or if the aviator regains control of the airplane, the parachute may be disconnected from the airplane by the means above referred to.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an airplane embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the pilot parachute released;

Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the plane with the main parachute partially withdrawn from its carrier;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of an airplane with the main parachute in fully open condition;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation similar to Fig. 1 partially broken away;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail View;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation partially broken away of the tail of the airplane;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front elevation of the rudder;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary central vertical sec tion through the airplane;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 11, and

Fig. 15 is a section on the line l5l5 of Fig. 14.

The airplane ID may be of any standard type but it is here shown as having a. single continuous wing H, a fuselage l2, a rudder l3 and elevators M. The main parachute P is arranged in a pivoted box-like container 15 mounted in a normally closed compartment in the wing H and the pilot parachute p is contained in a normally closed compartment l6 formed in the tail portion, the compartment being here shown in the rudder l3 but may be located elsewhere. A cable l'l leads from the ends of the pilot parachute shrouds to the peak of the main parachute, the shrouds of which are connected through the container is to the airplane substantially at its center of gravity by means subsequently to be described. The cable 11 preferably lies in a groove provided for it but may lie on the surface of the airplane. In either event, it is covered by a strip of fabric l8 attached to the airplane surface by suitable adhesive. Means, subsequently to be described, releasably mchor the cable l1 at a point near the rear of the fuselage.

Upon development of conditions requiring the use of a parachute, the pilot parachute p is released from the compartment 16 by means subsequently to be described in detail and after stripping ofi the required amount of the fabric I9, assumes the position shown in Fig. 2 with the cable l1 anchored to the fuselage near its rear end. In the case of tail spins, the pilot parachute may serve to correct the condition, thereby making unnecessary the release of the main parachute. However, in the event that conditions require the release of the main parachute P, the aviator releases the cable H from its anchor so that the pilot parachute rises from the position shown in Fig. 2, with concomitant stripping of the remaining fabric [8 from the plane body and releases the main parachute container l5 whereupon the main parachute is pulled by the pilot parachute through the position shown in Fig. 4 and into the position shown in Fig. 5. The plane I0 is thereupon supported by the main parachute P. Should the need for the main parachute cease, the aviator may release it as hereinafter described and again operate the plane in the normal manner.

In the embodiment herein disclosed, the pilot parachute compartment I6 is formed in the upper portion of the rudder. The rudder is hollow and a section of one side of it is made removable. This section consists of a panel closing an opening provided in one side wall of the rudder with a portion of the panel underlying a lip 2| formed in the rudder wall. The panel carries two separated pairs of spaced half-rings 22. The rudder carries two similar half-rings 22a with each half-ring 2211 being arranged to extend between a pair of half-rings 22 but facing oppositely to the half-rings 22. A rod 23 extends between each pair of half-rings 22 and associated half-ring 22a and when in position serves to attach the panel to the rudder in conjunction with the lip 2|. The pilot parachute p is arranged within the compartment in suitably folded condition and the cable l1 extends through a slot cut in the bottom edge of the panel 22. A line 24 is connected to the pins 23 and leads through suitable guides to a handle 25 in the airplane cockpit, the handle being arranged in a location convenient to the aviator. When the aviator pulls the handle 25, the line 24 disengages the pins 23 from the half- rings 22 and 22a to release the front edge of the panel 20 which is lifted away from the rudder by the stream of air flowing past the rudder and the pilot parachute p is released to be blown out into the position shown in Fig. 2 by the air stream.

The cable 11 is made up of two parts which are joined together by a connector 25 having an eye member 21. A bracket 28 anchored to the fuselage near its rear has an aperture receiving the eye member 21. A pin 29 extending through the eye member 21 engages the bracket 28 to anchor the cable IT to the rear end of the airplane fuselage. A line 39 leads from the pin 29 through suitable guides to a lost-motion connector 3| attached to the line 24. The design of the lost-motion connector 3| is such that ovement is not communicated from the line 24 to Cal the line 30 unti1 after the panel 20 has been released. The aviator, therefore, may release the pilot parachute p from its compartment while keeping the main parachute anchored as shown in Fig. 2.

The main parachute container I5 is in the form of a narrow box 32 which is hinged by pivots 33 to two brackets 34 having yoke portions 35. The box 32 is closed at its pivoted end and open at its remaining end. Each yoke portion 35 fits over a bar 35 extending between the front spar 31 and the rear spar 38 of the wing H. A block 39 closes each yoke 35 and has a portion shaped to fit the bar 35. Each block 39 is held in the relation just described by a pin 40 passing through openings in both legs of the yoke and in the block itself. Each pin 49 is connected by a link 4| with the end of an arm 42 extending from a vertical shaft 43 having an operating handle 44 arranged convenient to the aviator. Rotation of the shaft 43 is effective to withdraw the pins 40 to release the blocks 39 thereby permitting disconnection of the container 15 from the airplane. Each end wall of the box 32 is provided with a slot 45 in which is arranged a bar 46. Straps 41 connect the bar 46 to the shouds of the main parachute P and springs 48 oppose movement of the bar 46 in the slots 45.

The box 32 normally is arranged within the Wing I as shown in full lines in Fig. 11. Directly above the box 32, the airplane is provided with a cover 49 which is hinged to the wing II at 50 and is provided with a buffer 5| engaging the top surface of the box 32. A spring 52 urges the box 32 upwardly to engage the buffer 5| with the lid 49. A pin 53 extends through alined apertures in the bar 54 of the wing structure and the rear end of the cover 49 to retain the latter in closed position. A line 55 connects the pin 53 to the cable [1.

Upon release of the cable [1 by withdrawal of the pin 29 from the eye member 21, the pilot parachute p pulls the cable l1 to withdraw the pin 53 from looking relation to the cover 49 whereupon the cover and the box 32 move into the dot-dash position shown in Fig. 11, and the pilot parachute p begins to withdraw the main parachute P from the box 32. When the main parachute P has been completely withdrawn from the box 32 and has opened, the box 32 assumes the position shown in Fig. 4 and also in dotted lines in Fig. 9. The airplane I0 is now supported by the parachute P, as shown in Fig. 5. The initial shock occasioned upon opening of the parachute P is cushioned by the springs 48 and the airplane is supported from the parachute through the pivots 33, brackets 35, cross-rods 36 and spars 31 and 38. If at any time the pilot wishes to release the airplane from the parachute, he may do so merely by rotating the shaft 43 by actuation of the handle 44 to disengage the pins 40 from the blocks 39.

It is of course to be understood that variou modifications may be made in the apparatus herein described without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Also, while the invention has been disclosed as embodied in one type of aircraft, it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to other kinds of aircraft and that the particular embodiment herein disclosed is merely illustrative but in no way limitative of the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an airplane, a main parachute fastened SBBTCH mom thereto, a normally closed compartment for receiving said parachute in collapsed condition, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail for receiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasable cover for said last-named compartment, 9, cabe connecting the shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means releasably anchoring said cable to said airplane fuselage adjacent the airplane tail, and means operable by the aviator for successively releasing said cover and said cableanchoring means.

2. In an airplane, a main parachute fastened thereto, means for releasably retaining said main parachute in collapsed condition within the airplane, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail for receiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasable cover for said compartment, a cable connecting the shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means releasably anchoring said cable to said airplane adjacent the tail thereof, means operable by the aviator for successively releasing said cover and said cable-anchoring means, and means operable by said cable for releasing said main parachute-retaining means.

3. In an airplane, a main parachute fastened thereto, means for releasably retaining said main parachute in collapsed condition within the airplane, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail for receiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasable cover for said compartment, a cable connecting the shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means releasably anchoring said cable to said airplane adjacent the tail thereof, and means for successively releasing said cover, said cable-anchoring means and. said main parachuteretaining means.

4. In an airplane, a main parachute releasably connected thereto, means for releasably retaining said main parachute in collapsed condition within the airplane, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail for receiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasable cover for said compartment, 2, cable connecting the shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means releasably anchoring said cable to said airplane adjacent the tail thereof, means operable by the aviator for successively releasing said cover and cable-anchoring means, means operable by said cable for releasing said main parachute-retaining means, and means operable by the aviator for disconnecting the main parachute from the airplane.

5. In an airplane, a main parachute releasably connected thereto, means for releasably retaini said main parachute in collapsed condition within the airplane, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail for receiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasable cover for said compartment, a cable connecting the shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means releasably anchoring said cable to said airplane adjacent the tail thereof, means for successively releasing said cover, said cable-anchoring means and said main parachute-retaining means, and means operable by the aviator for disconnecting the main parachute from the airplane.

6. In an airplane, a main parachute fastened thereto, means for releasably retaining said main parachute in collapsed condition within the airplane, a pilot parachute, a compartment in the airplane tail for receiving said pilot parachute in collapsed condition, a releasabl cover for said compartment, latch means for said cover, a cable connecting the shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, latch means for anchoring said cable adjacent the airplane tail, 2. member connected to said cover latch means and movable by the aviator to release the same, and a lost-motion connection between said anchor latch means and said member.

7. In an aircraft, a compartment having a pivoted cover, a, latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, a box-like container within said compartment open at One end, means pivotally supporting said container at its closed end, a parachute stored in said container, shockabsorbing connections between the parachute shrouds and the container, and means controlled by the aviator for releasing said latch member and effecting withdrawal of said parachute from said container.

8. In the combination according to claim I, means for detachably connecting the container supporting means to the airplane, and means operable by the aviator for releasing said connecting means.

9. In an aircraft, a main parachute fastened thereto and stowed therein, a pilot parachute stowed in the aircraft, a cable connecting the shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means for releasably anchoring said cable to the aircraft at a point adjacent the stowage location of the pilot parachute, and means operable by the aviator for successively releasing said pilot parachute and said cable anchoring means.

10. In an aircraft, a main parachute fastened thereto and stowed therein, a pilot parachute stowed in the aircraft, a cable connecting the shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means for releasably anchoring said cable to the aircraft at a point adjacent the stowage location of the pilot parachute, means operable by the aviator for successively releasing said pilot parachute and said cable anchoring means, and means operable by said cable for releasing said main parachute.

11. In the combination according to claim '7, means operable by the aviator for releasing the parachute from the airplane.

12. In an aircraft, a compartment having a releasable cover, a latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, a box-like container within said compartment open at one end and attached at its closed end to the aircraft a parachute stored in said container, shock-absorbing connections between the parachute shrouds and said container, and means controlled by the aviator for releasing said latch member and effecting withdrawal of said parachute from said compartment.

13. In an aircraft, a compartment having a releasable cover, a latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, a box-like container within said compartment open at one end, means for detachably connecting said container to the aircraft, a parachute stored in and attached to said container, means controlled by the aviator for releasing said latch member and effecting withdrawal of said parachute from said container, and means operable by the aviator for releasing said connecting means.

14. In an aircraft, a first compartment having a releasable cover, a first latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, a main parachute stored in said compartment, 2. connection between the parachute shrouds and the aircraft, a second compartment having a releasable cover, a second latch member for retaining said lastnarned cover in closed position, a pilot parachute stored in said second compartment, a connection between said pilot an main parachutes, means operable by the aviator for releasing said second latch member, and means operable by said pilot parachute upon release thereof from said second compartment to release said first latch member.

15. In an aircraft, a first compartment having a releasable cover, a first latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, a main parachute stored in said first compartment, releasable connecting means between the parachute shrouds and the airplane, means operable by the aviator for releasing said connecting means, a second compartment having a releasable cover, a second latch member for retaining said lastnamed cover in closed position, a pilot parachute stored in said second compartment, a connection between said pilot and main parachutes, means operable by the aviator for releasing said second latch member, means operable by said pilot parachute upon release thereof from said second compartment to release said first latch member.

16. In an aircraft, a first compartment having a releasable cover, a first latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, a box-like container within said first compartment open at one end, means releasably connecting said container at its closed end to the aircraft, means operable by the aviator for releasing said container connecting means, a main parachute stored in said container, a second compartment having a releasable cover, a second latch member for retaining said last-named cover in closed position, a pilot parachute stored in said second compartment, a connection between said pilot and main parachutes, means operable by the aviator for releasing said second latch member, and means operable by the pilot parachute upon release thereof from said second compartment to release said first latch member.

17. In an aircraft, a first compartment havin a releasable cover, a first latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, a box-like container within said first compartment open at one end, means pivotally supporting said container at its closed end, a main parachute stored in said container, a connection between the parachute shrouds and the container, 3, econd compartment having a releasable cover, a second latch for retaining said cover in closed position,

a pilot parachute stored in said second compartment, a connection between said pilot and main parachutes, means operable by the aviator for releasing said second latch member, and means operable by said connection upon release of said pilot parachute from said second compartment to release said first latch member.

18. In the combination according to claim 17, means for releasably connecting the containersupporting means to the aircraft, and means operable by the aviator for releasing said connecting means.

19. In an aircraft, a compartment having a releasable cover, a latch member for retaining said cover in closed position, a box-like container within said compartment open at one end and attached at its closed end to the aircraft, a parachute stored in and attached to said container, means controlled by the aviator for releasing said latch member and effecting withdrawal of said parachute from said compartment, and means operable by the aviator for releasing the container from the aircraft.

2D. In an aircraft, a compartment arranged centrally thereof and having a releasable cover, a main parachute fastened to said aircraft and stowed in said compartment, a pilot parachute stowed in a compartment in the aircraft rudder, a releasable cover for said rudder compartment, a cable connecting the shroud ends of the pilot parachute to the peak of the main parachute, means operated by the aviator to release said last-named cover, and means operated by said cable to release the cover for said main para.- chute compartment for withdrawal of said main parachute therefrom by said pilot parachute.

ARCHIE P. ATHER'ION.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,823,758 Owens Sept. 15, 1931 1,367,483 Kennard Feb. 1, 1921 1,530,125 Kayfes Mar. 17, 1925 2,411,077 Andreopoulos Nov. 12, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 362,384 Italian Aug. 24, 1938 18,178 French Dec. 8, 1933 Addl. to 431,691

Images