Abstract: A parachute preferably of the ram-air type including a multi-cell canopy structure and at least one slat structure connected to the multi-cell canopy structure to be deployed forward of or above the leading-edge of the multi-cell canopy structure.

Abstract: A reinforced seam and method of sewing the seam for joining adjacent fabric panels in an assembled relationship using a conventional sewing machine wherein a first panel is folded over and stitched to a reinforcing cord which extends along at least a portion of the length of the seam after which an adjacent panel is folded over the stitched fold of the first panel and a second stitch is made through both panels and the reinforcing cord. The stitches are made so that all materials extend outwardly of the throat of the sewing machine thereby enabling numerous panels to be assembled in joined relationship to form such products as sea anchors, drogue chutes, parachutes and the like.

Abstract: Structures and methods for constructing sea anchors having body portions defined by at least three spaced corners or vertices wherein bail ropes are sewn to and extend diagonally inwardly from each corner toward the center of the body portion so that stresses applied to the stitching are distributed and absorbed by stretching the material along its diagonal lines. In one embodiment of the invention, a sail is disclosed which is reinforced by the method of the present invention and which thereby is capable of serving as a sea anchor during emergencies.

Abstract: A parachute assembly including a pilot chute, pilot chute suspension lines, a main chute, and a main chute suspension assembly. The main canopy has an inverted apex and has an inner section of panels and outer section of panels joined by a reinforced crown seam. The seams are secured with two parallel longitudinal stitchings with a relatively elastic thread and a zig-zag stitch with a relatively inelastic, stronger, heat-resistant thread. There are only half as many continuous panels in the inner section as compared to the outer section. Bands are connected to the lower lateral margin of the main canopy. The pilot chute is connected to the main chute by spaced, individual suspension lines which connect directly between the periphery of the pilot chute and the crown of the main canopy. The size of the pilot chute and the length of the suspension lines are coordinated so that the pilot chute is held near the top of the main canopy when the main canopy is fully deployed.

Abstract: A controlled opening shock parachute is made by dividing each gore of a cular parachute into two panels, an upper and a lower. The adjoining edges of the panels are of different lengths and left unjoined so an uneven slit is formed. During the parachute's opening sequence, air flows into the slits to open the upper panels. After the upper panels are inflated, air flows out of the slits as the lower panels open.

Abstract: In a parachute having a cap made of elongate, radially arranged cloth panels (6, 7) which are sewn together along their longitudinal edges, with the parachute being intended to rotate about its center axis during its descent, it is difficult to attach nozzle openings which direct the outgoing air in a tangential direction. A particularly simple parachute cap results if the cloth panels (6, 7) are cut asymmetrically in such a manner that they have side edges of different lengths and partial sections of the cloth panels, in their longitudinal extent, are left unsewn so as to form nozzle-shaped air exit openings (9) having curved edge regions (8). The cut piece of cloth may have the shape of a trapezoid with a scalene triangle attached to its base. Weights (12) may be attached in the edge region of the air exit openings (see attached Figure).

Abstract: A parachute assembly includes a canopy, a harness connected to the canopy by lines, the canopy having an apex and a basal perimeter. Envelopes in the canopy defined by a plurality of generally triangular inflatable gussets extend from adjacent the apex to adjacent the basal perimeter and taper outwardly towards the basal perimeter. The assembly includes a source of pressurized gas and flexible conduits connecting the gas source to the gussets. One or more valves for releasing the gas from the source through the conduits to the inflatable envelopes and manually operable valves to release the pressurized gas into the conduits and envelopes to inflate the gussets.

Abstract: A one-piece load line pocket (30) is disclosed for a hot air balloon (10). The load line pocket comprises an elongate fabric tape having a pair of opposing, longitudinally extending shoulders (31, 32). One of the pair of shoulders is adapted to be placed in overlapping relation, respectively, with an adjacent balloon envelope gore (24) and stitched thereto. The gores (24) are secured together in closely adjacent relation to each other but free of any direct interconnection therebetween. The tape also has a longitudinally extending, tubular pocket (34) intermediate to and integrally formed with the pair of shoulders (31, 32) for freely enclosing a load line (18) which extends from the top to the bottom of the balloon envelope (11) for supporting a balloon carriage (16).

Abstract: The outer airfoil surface portions of a forward gliding type parachute canopy are made from one-piece flexible panels secured to each other along seams extending in transverse intersecting relation to the seams connecting spaced ribs to the outer surface portions to form internal airflow channels. Each panel is substantially equal in length to the spanwise dimension of the canopy.

Abstract: A foldable kite has generally trapezoidal shaped top and bottom panels joined together along the side edges and along a plurality of securement lines generally equally spaced between the side edges. The kite has a single bridle having only two arms connected at the front corners of the kite.

Abstract: The air scoop opening at the leading edge of a flexible, ram-air inflated airfoil canopy, is framed between curved lip sections extending tangentially from the upper and lower surface members of the canopy to prevent airflow separation adjacent the leading edge and the drag producing effect thereof. A baffling curtain extends across the air scoop opening.

Abstract: A gliding parachute of the flexible, multi-cell airfoil type having a length to width ratio in the range of approximately 2:1 to 2.85:1, a maximum camber height to chord ratio in the range of approximately 0.1:1 to 0.2:1, a wing span to load attachment distance ratio of approximately 2:1, and an attachment point approximately 25% to 45% of the chord aft of the leading edge. The suspension lines and the fabric sections of the wing are dimensioned to impart a side to side curvature to the inflated wing. The gliding parachute has superior maneuverability and lift. A special pilot chute and bridle assembly are provided so that upon deployment of the main chute the pilot chute will automatically collapse to substantially reduce its drag, thereby improving the glide ratio of the main parachute.

Abstract: A balloon envelope is disclosed which has the ability to minimize and isolate destructive tears, and which comprises a latticework of interconnected vertical and lateral reinforcing tapes which form open areas therebetween, and with a fabric panel overlying and covering each open area. The fabric panels are sewn to the surrounding tapes in a manner such that there is no direct interconnection between adjacent fabric panels. The envelope is fabricated by a procedure wherein the vertical gores, which are each composed of a vertical array of the fabric panels, are initially formed by sewing adjacent side edges of adjacent panels to intermediate laterally directed tapes, and then sewing a vertical tape component along each side of the resulting array of panels. The vertical side edges of the thus formed gores are then sewn together to form a sphere-like configuration.

Abstract: A generally flat ram air parachute having a central recess with a high lower skin angle. The major suspension lines along the leading edge portion increase in length outwardly to either side of the center of the leading edge. The angle of the lower skin at the center portion of the canopy is greater than at the sides. The parachute is a single inflated cell with an improved interior support structure joining the upper and lower fabric skins.

Abstract: An airfoil structure including an elongate hollow container which, in use provides an airfoil cross-section between the longer edge regions of the container. A space is provided for so stiffening the leading edge region, that when the structure is in use the end regions of the container are permitted to deform out of the plane of the remainder of the width of the container - while this remaining part of the container width is kept substantially undeformed.

Abstract: This is an improvement in circular canopies of the flat, conical, or hemispherical type, some of which have extended skirts with the canopies being of gore construction. External additional gores of porous material cover selected canopy gores and are arranged to insure circular balance of the canopy. Each external gore covering is mounted on radial seams of the canopy gore which it covers beginning at a point above the canopy skirt and extending along the radial seams and across the apex hem to define a compartment for accepting external air flow turbulence existing on the elongated canopy prior to normal inflation. The external gore is closed at the top thereof and incorporates an anti-oscillation vent with the lower end thereof being open and terminating at an elevation of approximately 4 to 14 inches above and in spaced relation to the skirt of the canopy.

Abstract: A continuous ribbon parachute construction including a series of substantially triangular gores having a plurality of parallel arcuate horizontal ribbons which are joined to make up a circle whose center is on the axial center of the parachute. Each side edge of each gore includes a full radial strip therealong which, if extended upward, would intersect at the center of the chute canopy. A series of mini-radials extending part way up the gore from the base are positioned between the full radials. A fixture is provided for assembling the parachute by placing the horizontals across the fixture and the full radials and mini-radials along the fixture for attachment in their proper relationship to each other.

Abstract: A parachute comprising a non-porous canopy having an outer peripheral skirt and a substantially centrally located vent. The canopy includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes which are all spaced from the vent and which are confined within a zone of the canopy between 40 and 80% of the radial distance from the center of the vent to the skirt. The total area of the holes is between 10 to 25% of the total area of the canopy.

Abstract: A parachute canopy is formed of a plurality of gores with three types of gore configurations; a base gore having a multiplicity of cells; a rotational control gore having a crown cell and skirt cell; and a directional gore having a crown cell. The crown is inverted by use of a cell construction and a central cap is located at the top of the crown. This central cap is reinforced so a pilot chute can be attached thereto. A crown is also shown having triangular panels which can be opened.

Abstract: Maximum lifting force is achieved in a dome-shaped parachute by fabricating he canopy of upper and lower spaced canopy membranes. A plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially disposed, flexible rib sections are connected between the canopy membranes to form a plurality of ram air cells, each cell having a ram air inlet port at the canopy hem, and a ram air outlet port at a central vent at the canopy apex. The rib sections can be provided with porous sections to equalize the ram air pressure between adjacent cells. The bottom canopy wall in each ram air cell may also be provided with a porous section for admitting the positive air beneath the canopy into each cell. A pull down vent line can be connected to the canopy apex for changing the camber or angle of attack, and therefor the parachute drag.

Abstract: The multi-cell canopy of the gliding wing type comprises an upper wall and a lower wall interconnected by ribs forming partition wall defining parallel cells open on the leading edge of the wing. Parachute control lines are secured to the trailing edge for deforming a part of the latter which forms a plain flap. The canopy comprises in its upper wall at least one air outlet passage which has the shape of a rearwardly facing slot so as to direct a laminar current of air tangentially of the upper wall.

Abstract: A system for inducing turns in ram air canopy parachutes having a plurality of openings in the upper surface layer of the parachute canopy with the openings being equally distributed on opposite sides of the parachute centerline. Flaps are provided on the under side of the upper surface layer to close the openings. Control lines are attached to the flaps for selectively opening the flaps on one or the other side of the centerline to allow ram air to flow through the openings. This reduces lift and increases drag on one side of the ram air canopy parachute to induce a turn.

Abstract: An aerofoil structure which is inflatable by ram air when in use, includes a flexible multi-cell air fillable envelope having a readily removable flexible spar at its leading edge whose ends provide anchorages for a pair of operator control lines. In use the spar flexs to accommodate variations in air speed over the envelope.

Abstract: A parachute canopy formed of circumferential rings of stretch fabric which stretch in a circumferential direction only. The canopy is formed by a plurality of trapezoidal fabric panels. Subsets of these panels form a plurality of rings which extend from the crown to the skirt. The radially inboard rings are formed from the stretch fabric and are joined along their adjacent circumferential seams with a double row of zig-zag stitching. The radially outboard rings are of a non-stretch fabric such as nylon.

Abstract: A parachute comprises a canopy having front and rear sections and a base with shroud lines attached to the base at circumferentially spaced-apart locations therearound. A plurality of brake flaps are disposed below the canopy base and between the shroud lines at the canopy rear section and are selectively adjustable between an inactive position wherein the brake flaps are fully slackened and interfere minimally with the inherent flight characteristic of the parachute and an active position wherein the brake flaps are fully extended and effectively brake the forward velocity of the parachute to thereby increase the parachute angle of descent. A set of control lines attached to the brake flaps selectively and adjustably effect actuation thereof between the active and inactive positions to accordingly control the parachute angle of descent.

Abstract: The invention relates to parachutes, particularly to a parachute which is able to descend at large glide angles relative to the vertical. The parachute has a vertical plane of symmetry when deployed, and is of simple, economic design and novel shape designed to adopt an aerofoil-like cross-section in its plane of symmetry. Slits are provided in the canopy to allow guidance by the parachutist, and a flow detector over the central canopy vent provides forward thrust and boundary layer control over the rear of the canopy. A dividing wall, transverse to the axis of symmetry of the canopy, forms an open chamber behind the leading edge of the canopy, which is filled with air at near stagnation pressure to prevent collapse of the leading edge at large glide angles.

Abstract: A maneuverable, ram air inflated, flexible aerial wing includes a plurality of adjacent, forward facing air cells having first openings along the leading edge thereof and a control surface extending between the aforesaid cells and the trailing edge. Generally rectangular in overall shape the cells are of such size and so positioned, and include rearward facing second openings, as to displace the separation point of the relative airflow across the upper surface further toward the trailing edge than with known devices, and which therefore achieves a higher lift to drag ratio. Further, the control line system and a series of rear vents combine to reduce the force required to lower the surface and help prevent erratic flight.

Abstract: A parachute having a canopy defined by 24 gores, the crown of the canopy being drawn by means of a central shroud-line; the canopy being operated by valves with nozzles directing the air-flow off the center of the canopy and a group of vents to reduce dynamic loads at the moment of deployment of the parachute; the canopy having an arrangement of radial slots in its central section; to improve the parachute's reliability, the canopy is provided with nozzles directing the air-flow towards the center of the canopy; the canopy being operated by means of control shroud lines with one of the ends of the lines attached to free hems of the valves, while the other ends of the control shroud lines being provided with hand-grip knobs for operation by the user of the parachute.

Abstract: An aerial device in the form of a wing having upper and lower flexible layers and a leading edge and a trailing edge, a wall of the wing having an opening facing outward from the bottom or a side of the wing forming an inlet for flow of pressurized air into the wing, and a normally open flexible valve for the opening closeable by the air pressure to seal the opening when pressurized air is admitted to the wing.

Abstract: A series of fabric panels in the shape of turbine vanes or air foils are arranged end to end in a continuous ring with spaces between adjacent vanes to permit the passage of air from the interior of the parachute over the outer surface of the vanes. Suspension lines at the inner corners of the vanes join to the mid portion of suspension lines from the outer corners which converge concentrically to the attachment point to the load.

Abstract: .Iadd.A parachute for use in descents over water having upwardly facing pockets some of which fill with water as the parachute is dragged over the water to aid in the deflation of the parachute. .Iaddend.

Abstract: An aerial device in the form of a wing having upper and lower flexible layers and a leading edge and a trailing edge, a wall of the wing having an opening facing outward from the bottom or a side of the wing forming an inlet for flow of pressurized air into the wing, and a normally open flexible valve for the opening closeable by the air pressure to seal the opening when pressurized air is admitted to the wing.