Abstract: An automated pilotless air ambulance system. The system includes an air vehicle (AV) having a fuselage coupled to a stretcher for carrying a patient. The system is configured to fly the patient from a point of injury to a medical treatment facility. The system also has a plurality of air lift motors for vertically lifting the air vehicle. The system further includes a plurality of air-lift motors coupled to the fuselage forming a low profile. The air lift motors are centralized motors or de-centralized motors for vertically lifting the AV. The system also has an automated life support and monitoring patient suite having a plurality of life support and monitoring devices, including medical supplies. The system additionally has a bidirectional datalink coupled to the air vehicle for executing various functions such as communicating with a patient's or a first responder's mobile device.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for slowing the descent of an object in flight such as a baseball using a parachute are presented. A parachute assembly includes a canopy attached to a plurality of suspension lines converging downwardly to a corresponding number of attachment points on the surface of a ball. The attachment points are substantially equidistantly spaced apart along a line of substantially equal latitude. In one embodiment, each attachment point defines an opening to an interior channel extending to a central chamber. Each suspension line is inserted into an interior channel, through the central chamber, and out of the ball through a common shaft, where the lines are fastened together in a bundle and then withdrawn until the bundle lies in the central chamber, retaining the lines inside the ball.

Abstract: In respect of a balloon (10) having an illumination device (20), including a light emitting member, which is mounted onto the wall inside the balloon cavity, at least one sheet (22, 24) of flexible material is connected to the illumination device inside the balloon cavity to serve as a parachute for the illumination device (20) in the event of rupture of the wall of the balloon when in an inflated condition. In embodiments where the illumination device is provided with a projection (12) and is mounted to the wall of the balloon by an attachment element, such as elastic band (18), engaging said projection from outside the balloon, the or each sheet of flexible material (22, 24) serving as the parachute may be connected to the illumination device (20) and to the balloon wall by location over the projection (12) and engagement by the same attachment member.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is provided a lightweight delivery device, in order that children of all ages can experience the joy of watching payloads such as parachutes, confetti, and the like, being delivered to significant heights and returning slowly to the earth. This is accomplished by providing a hollow and visually interesting shape, which is first hinged open and filled with a desired payload. The device is then closed, bound with a cord and thrown high into the air. A flag, attached to the free end of the cord, causes the device to rotate, as it travels towards the apex of its flight, and allows the cord to unwind. Centrifugal force eventually opens the unbound device and the contents are ejected into the air.

Abstract: A reefing slider for providing improved line management and canopy deployment characteristics of a ram air inflated airfoil type canopy. During initial descent of the parachute the slider, secured by fastening elements, is held against the canopy in the upper reefing position where it mechanically restricts canopy deployment while giving the canopy time to achieve proper orientation following the drop from the launching aircraft. Upon sufficient air flow into the canopy cells, the fastening elements retaining the slider are broken, releasing the slider and enabling full opening of the canopy.

Abstract: A hand-thrown toy parachute has a canopy. A hollow stick is suspended from the canopy by a plurality of rigging lines substantially at the center of the canopy. A weight is enclosed in the hollow stick to be movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the stick under its gravity, and a guide line is connected to the top of the hollow stick at its one end and to the center of the canopy at its the other end.

Abstract: A hand-thrown toy parachute has a canopy. A hollow stick is suspended from the canopy by a plurality of rigging lines substantially at the center of the canopy. A weight is enclosed in the hollow stick to be movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the stick under its gravity, and a guide line is connected to the top of the hollow stick at its one end and to the center of the canopy at its the other end.

Abstract: A method for fabricating field emission arrays employs a single mask to define emitter tips, their corresponding resistors, and, optionally, conductive lines. One or more material layers from which the emitter tips and resistors will be defined are formed over and laterally adjacent substantially parallel conductive lines. The exposed surface of the layer or layers of emitter tip and resistor material or materials may be planarized. The emitter tips and underlying resistors are then defined. Substantially longitudinal center portions of the conductive lines may be exposed between adjacent lines of emitter tips, with at least a lateral edge portion of each conductive line being shielded by material that remains following the formation of the emitter tips and resistors. The exposed portions of the conductive lines may be removed in order to define conductive traces. Field emission arrays and display devices fabricated by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rectangular shaped parachute toy, designed to suggest a modern day parafoil, but constructed with a single fabric layer canopy, for simplicity and more rapid opening of the chute. This invention, incorporates the use of two oversized shrouds, each leading up to a section of lightweight mesh, which distributes the forces that each shroud imparts on the canopy, and thereby offers a child an easy to use parachute toy, that is nearly impossible to tangle, a problem commonly found in most parachute toys. The rectangular shape of the canopy and offset attachment of the shrouds results in a parachute toy, which is directional and easy to control. As the parachute descends, it travels forward in the direction that the figure is facing and turns in the direction of a shortened shroud.

Abstract: A rocket (10) is disclosed having a body (11) with a bay (13) therein and hatch (16) which is movable between a bay opened position and a bay closed position by a spring biased hinge (19). The hatch is coupled to a two stage catch (29). A parachute (23) is mounted to the hatch. Upon initial movement of the rocket the hatch is partially unlatched, the upon the near completion of forward movement the latch completely releases the hatch so as to pull the parachute from the bay for deployment.

Abstract: A parachuting stuffed toy defined by a body having a head disposed at the top end thereof, a pair of legs extending outwardly from the bottom end thereof, a pair of arms extending outwardly below said head, and having an external skin wrapped around an elastic filler material suitable for maintaining a defined outer peripheral surface after being squeezed or deformed, the figure having a pouch associated with the back side thereof for storing a parachute attached to the figure by a plurality of shroud lines.

Abstract: A toy rocket with velocity dependent chute release comprises an elongated generally cylindrical fuselage formed with a cavity along one side. The cavity is sized to receive and contain a folded parachute. An elongated hatch is hingedly attached to the fuselage and is movable at its hinged attachment between a first position covering the cavity and constraining the parachute therein and a second position displaced from and opening up the cavity for deployment of the parachute. A latch mechanism releasably secures the hatch in its closed position. A trigger assembly includes a flap that is presented to the wind during flight of the rocket and that has a first position securing the latch mechanism and a second position releasing the latch mechanism to open the hatch. The flap is oriented such that the force of the impinging wind urges the flap to its first position.

Abstract: A parachute game includes a hand-tossable parachute assembly that is held by a player and is tossed at a target hoop. The parachute assembly comprises at least one hemispherical canopy attached to a body portion by a number of conically arrayed cords. The body portion includes at least one ring at its top end for cord attachment. In one embodiment, the body portion includes axially-placed stabilizing vanes. At its bottom side, the body portion may have defined therein a concave depression to assist in retarding the free fall of the body as it travels through the air. The target may either be a single marker or may be a series of concentric markers. Alternatively, the target may be a sheet that appears to be a view of land and may include miniature vehicles, buildings, monuments, pools of water, natural elevations and the like. An announcing system may be provided to alert the player as to the scoring of points. The body of the assembly may have the shape of a space craft, a human or an imaginary alien.

Abstract: A parachute assembly is utilized in combination with a skate pair, wherein the skate pair is mounted by an individual and the individual supports the parachute assembly. The parachute assembly includes a flexible canopy, including a peripheral substantially annular edge, with a plurality of flexible cords mounted to the canopy. The cords are spaced from the canopy and terminate in a handle. A sleeve member is slidably mounted between the handle to encompass the cords, whereupon the sleeve member is slidably adjustable between the handle and the canopy to adjust effective length of the cords and thereby adjust effective opening available to the canopy.

Abstract: A parachute game includes a hand-tossable parachute assembly that is held by a player and is tossed at a target hoop. The parachute assembly comprises at least one hemispherical canopy attached to a body portion by a number of conically arrayed cords. The body portion includes at least one ring at its top end for cord attachment. In one embodiment, the body portion includes axially-placed stabilizing vanes. At its bottom side, the body portion may have defined therein a concave depression to assist in retarding the free fall of the body as it travels through the air.

Abstract: An amusement projectile device includes a hollow body and head and tail portions, characterized in that the hollow body is formed of a pair of body sections hinged together at one end for movement between closed and open positions. The body includes a pair of fins connected with the body sections adjacent the tail portion to assist in flight of the projectile device through the air. A plurality of colored streamers and a parachute connected with the body of the device are arranged in the hollow body with the body sections in the closed position. The projectile device is propelled into the air in the closed position. At the apex of its flight, the body sections open releasing the streamers and the parachute. The streamers randomly flutter to the ground and the projectile floats to the ground while suspended from the parachute providing amusement to the user.