Abstract: A sling release mechanism for releasing the sling of a drogue parachute from a descending aerially delivered cargo pallet. The sling release mechanism has a body, with which a pivot arm, an inner and an outer hinge plate articulate. The inner and outer hinge plates articulate in opposite directions when in use. The inner hinge plate has a cavity or receiver into which the end tip of the pivot arm may engage. The end of a parachute sling is placed over the pivot arm, and the pivot arm and inner hinge plate are articulated to engage the pivot pin end with the receiver of the inner hinge plate. The outer hinge plate is then articulated to engage the inner hinge plate, and is held in place with a releasable retainer. The parachute sling is released by releasing the retainer, allowing the outer and then the inner hinge plates to articulate, thereby releasing the pivot arm to articulate, after which the end of the parachute sling slides off the pivot pin.

Abstract: A parachute release apparatus for controllably and timely releasing a drogue parachute from a descending, aerially delivered cargo platform. The parachute release apparatus is comprised of a pendant body with multiple parallel plates. Cavities are defined between each two parallel plates of the pendant body. Latch mechanisms are disposed on either side of the pendant body. Each latch mechanism is comprised of an articulating outer and inner plate. Within each cavity is a pair of release arms which articulate with the pendant body. Either release arm engages with the inner latch plate of each latch mechanism. The latch mechanisms are maintained in a latched configuration by a cut loop attached to extension arms on either outer latch plate, and are released by a pyrotechnic cutter disposed on the cut loop. A plurality of suspension straps are coupled with the apparatus, which are enshrouded in a bifurcated sleeve.

Abstract: A novel parachute design is presented that is distinguished by having trapezoidal gores, producing a parachute having a unique shape, which can be, selectively, either ballistic or gliding and steerable, in addition to having a selectively variable rate of descent. The parachute is comprised of a canopy assembly having plurality of laterally-aligned canopy segments, each canopy segment shaped as an extended hexagon, formed by joining two isosceles trapezoidal gores along their respective longer bases to form a centerline span, and each canopy segment joined to adjacent canopy segments along a seam formed by the sides of adjacent gores. The canopy is completed with semi-circular end panels, forming a semi-cylindrical canopy assembly. Suspension lines are attached to the skirt of the canopy, which are joined at the lower ends in a pair of suspension risers.