Abstract: The rotorcraft escape system is deployed from a helicopter or gyroplane to provide clearance from the overhead rotor blades for occupants escaping from the aircraft in an emergency. Each occupant of the rotorcraft is provided with an escape container having a parachute and ejection device (rocket, spring, or combination of the two) therein. When escape from the rotorcraft occurs, each seat of the rotorcraft rotates to face laterally outward, and the ejection mechanism of the escape container is actuated to eject the container and the person wearing the container laterally from the rotorcraft. An inflatable stem extends from the escape container to a plurality of inflatable ribs in the canopy. A compressed air tank provided with the container rapidly inflates the pneumatic stem and ribs in the parachute canopy, thereby providing extremely rapid deployment of the parachute canopy with minimal loss of altitude for the escaping occupant.

Abstract: The mechanically opening parachute is a parachute that may be opened quickly at low altitudes, such as during an emergency exit from an office building, for example. The mechanically opening parachute includes a telescopic tube having opposed upper and lower ends. A harness adapted for releasably holding the user is secured to the lower end of the telescopic tube. The mechanically opening parachute operates similarly to a conventional umbrella, with the telescopic tube automatically opening upon actuation by the user, and with a conventional umbrella stretcher opening a plurality of ribs secured to a parachute canopy. Preferably, an annular skirt is fixed about the perimeter of the canopy. Suspension cords extend from the annular skirt to the lower end of the telescopic tube.

Abstract: The mechanically opening emergency parachute is a parachute that may be opened quickly at low altitudes, such as during an emergency exit from an office building. The parachute includes a tube having opposed upper and lower ends, with an upper end of a suspension cord being secured to the lower end thereof. An upper annular runner is resiliently mounted on the tube. First ends of a plurality of ribs are pivotally attached to the upper end of the tube. An upper stretcher is mounted on the upper annular runner and includes a plurality of supports, with each support extending therefrom to one of the ribs. A lower stretcher is secured to the lower end of the suspension cord and includes a plurality of risers radially extending therefrom. A canopy is secured to the ribs, and a plurality of suspension lines extend between the risers and the canopy.