US3822844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Parachute
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-06-25
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1993-06-25
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a parachute of the ram air canopy type wherein a canopy is made from a skin formed into a series of elongated, inflatable parallel cells disposed in side-by-side relation to constitute an airfoil when inflated. The inventive concept of the application is the formation of openings in the top and in the bottom wall of each of the cells to form an air passage. These air passages in the bottom and in the top walls of the cells are of greatest capacity in the two outside cells and become of progressively smaller capacity towards the centre of the airfoil. Adjacent cells in the airfoil are in communication with each other through a port in their common wall. The combinaion of passages in the top and the bottom wall of each cell as aforesaid and the port between adjacent cells greatly improves the stability of the parachute, especially under conditions of vertical descent.
Inventors
- 👤 S Sutton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:47
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D17/00; B64D17/02; B64D17/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
In a parachute, a canopy, suspension lines extending from said canopy, said canopy comprising a skin formed in a series of elongated inflatable parallel cells disposed in side by side relation to constitute an airfoil when inflated, said cells being open at their front ends whereby to provide for the admission of inflating air thereto in use, said front ends of said cells forming the leading edge of said airfoil, said cells each having a top wall and a bottom wall joined by side walls, said top wall of said cells forming the upper surface of said airfoil, said bottom walls of said cells forming the bottom surface of said airfoil, control means for controlling the height of the trailing edge of said airfoil in flight, said bottom walls being formed with an air passage, said top walls being formed with an air passage, said air passages in said bottom walls and said air passages in said top walls constituting passage for air through their respective cells effective under conditions of substantially vertical descent of said canopy to stabilize and retard the descent of said parachute, said air passages in said bottom walls being of greatest capacity in the two outside cells and becoming of progressively smaller capacity towards the centre area of the airfoil, said air passages in said top walls being of greatest capacity in the two outside cells and becoming of progressively smaller capacity towards the centre area of the airfoil, adjacent cells in said airfoil being in communication with each other through a port in their common wall, the air passages in the top wall and the bottom wall of said cells being spaced apart longitudinally of their respective cells in at least most of said cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
291 words
In a parachute, a canopy, suspension lines extending from said canopy, said canopy comprising a skin formed in a series of elongated inflatable parallel cells disposed in side by side relation to constitute an airfoil when inflated, said cells being open at their front ends whereby to provide for the admission of inflating air thereto in use, said front ends of said cells forming the leading edge of said airfoil, said cells each having a top wall and a bottom wall joined by side walls, said top wall of said cells forming the upper surface of said airfoil, said bottom walls of said cells forming the bottom surface of said airfoil, control means for controlling the height of the trailing edge of said airfoil in flight, said bottom walls being formed with an air passage, said top walls being formed with an air passage, said air passages in said bottom walls and said air passages in said top walls constituting passage for air through their respective cells effective under conditions of substantially vertical descent of said canopy to stabilize and retard the descent of said parachute, said air passages in said bottom walls being of greatest capacity in the two outside cells and becoming of progressively smaller capacity towards the centre area of the airfoil, said air passages in said top walls being of greatest capacity in the two outside cells and becoming of progressively smaller capacity towards the centre area of the airfoil, adjacent cells in said airfoil being in communication with each other through a port in their common wall, the air passages in the top wall and the bottom wall of said cells being spaced apart longitudinally of their respective cells in at least most of said cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
In a parachute as claimed in claim 1 in which said air passages in said bottom walls of adjacent cells are arranged in V shape with the apex of said V adjacent the rear of said airfoil and in which said air passages on said top wall of adjacent cells are arranged in a V shape with the apex of the V adjacent the front of said airfoil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |