US Government as Represented by the Secretary of the Army

USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

James E Sadeck

Calvin K Lee

Dale E Tabor

John C Brewer

Gary F Vincens

Donald Billoni

Kenneth J Desabrais

Hamid Johari

Archie Sanders

Justin Riley

James R Beck

A ram air canopy includes a top skin, a bottom skin, a plurality of ribs between the top skin and the bottom skin forming a plurality of cells. A leading edge of a cell includes an opening to allow air to enter the cell. A glide vent is disposed in the top skin to allow air the exit the cell.

Method to improve aerodynamic glide of a ram air canopy

Apparatuses and system are provided for securing loads. In one embodiment, a buckle system is provided that includes two buckle portions that are adapted to interlock with each other. Each of the buckle portions includes a spine, two longitudinal/long member connected to the spine, a neck connected to the spine and a V-shaped member, and two horizontal members connected to the V-shaped member. Each of the two buckle portions has a plurality of bends on its top surface. The plurality of bends one buckle portion corresponds with the plurality of bends on the other buckle portion. In various embodiments, each spine has at least one portion that has greater dimensions than at least one other portion on the spine, respectively.

Double adjustable, self locking, throw away cargo strap/webbing adjuster

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for securing/releasing material are provided. For example, in one embodiment of the invention a releasable seam system that includes a first textile material. The first textile material includes a plurality of edges. On at least one of these edges is a first plurality of loops. The system also includes at least one at least one other textile material. Each textile material in the at least one other textile material has at least one edge with a plurality of loops thereon. The plurality of loops on the at least one other textile material and the first plurality of loops are paired to form opposing loop pairs. Thereafter, a locking chord is interwoven through the opposing loop pairs to temporarily secure the first textile material to the at least one other textile material.

Quick releasable seam

Linear brake systems are provided. For example, in one embodiment, a baseplate having a linear brake housing mounted thereto is provided. A linear brake is partially disposed within the brake housing. The linear brake includes a braided cable; a collar attached to the proximal end of the braided cable; a member attached to the distal end of the braided cable; a rope having a portion that passes into a bore in the collar, through a tunnel formed by the braided cable and the collar, and exits the braided cable by passing between cable strands; and an interface mounted to the baseplate to extend the braided cable and constrict the braided cable upon the rope. The collar secures the proximal of the braided cable to the brake housing and the member secures the distal end of the braided cable to the interface.

Automatic rope brake and lowering device

A parachute canopy system includes a canopy having a skirt and a suspension line system, where each suspension line of the suspension line system is attached to the skirt. A pair of first line members is attached to the canopy, the pair of first line members extending in a substantially radial direction away from the skirt towards a center of the canopy. A first end of each line member in the pair of first line members is connected together to the suspension line at the skirt. A first end of the second line member is connected to adjacent second ends of adjacent pairs of first line members that extend towards the center of the canopy.

Method of improved load distribution over the surface of a parachute canopy

A flexible multi-load connection includes a coil of a flexible high strength cord having a loop end and two running ends, a releasable connection joining the two running ends, the releasable connection comprising a knot, and a connecting arrangement releasably joining the loop end and the two running ends.

High strength flexible connection method for multiple loads

Linear brake systems are provided. For example, in one embodiment, a baseplate having a linear brake housing mounted thereto is provided. A linear brake is partially disposed within the brake housing. The linear brake includes a braided cable; a collar attached to the proximal end of the braided cable; a member attached to the distal end of the braided cable; a rope having a portion that passes into a bore in the collar, through a tunnel formed by the braided cable and the collar, and exits the braided cable by passing between cable strands; and an interface mounted to the baseplate to extend the braided cable constrict the braided cable upon the rope. The collar secures the proximal of the braided cable to the brake housing and the member secures the distal end of the braided cable to the interface.

Method of improved distribution over the surface of a parachute canopy

A concentric peripheral canopy parachute having a canopy system including a number of peripheral, stacked, concentric, canopies, each superior canopy centered and spaced above the inferior canopy and having its skirt connected to the vent of the inferior canopy for generating an increased low pressure disturbance behind the canopy system for producing higher fluid drag.

Concentric peripheral canopy parachute

An apparatus for releasing a parachute from its payload upon ground impact by the payload. The apparatus has a pair of sections releasably secured to each other. Each section has an intermediate portion having a longitudinally extending axis and a spur receiving opening that extends through the intermediate portion and is transverse to the longitudinally extending axis, a first end portion attached to the intermediate portion and comprising a spur that extends in a generally lateral direction with respect to the longitudinally extending axis, and a second end portion attached to the intermediate portion such that the intermediate portion is between the first and second end portions. Each section is configured so that a lanyard can be connected to the section wherein in order to use the apparatus, a lanyard is attached to and between one section and a parachute, and another lanyard is attached to and between the other section and a payload.

Apparatus for releasing a parachute from its payload

A ground impact cargo parachute release mechanism includes a pair of interlocking release elements, one for connection to the parachute the other the cargo; each release element has a pawl and a notch for engaging the pawl of the other release element; a shear pin mounted in both the release elements shears upon parachute opening and enables the pawls and notches to engage; a bias device urges the elements apart upon impact of the load with the ground releasing the pawls from engagement with the notches.

Ground impact cargo parachute release mechanism

A flexible connection and release device which allows quick release while under load. The device includes a first link; a second link; a first sling having one end attached to the first link; a second sling having one end attached to the second link; a tab attached to the first sling; a grommet contained in the tab; a curved length of a first flexible cable connected between two fixed points in the first sling on either side of the tab; a second flexible cable; and a pin or a third flexible cable. The links are connected together with multiple turns of the second flexible cable which forms a loop at its center. The curved length of the first flexible cable is passed through the loop in the second flexible cable and through the grommet so that a part of the first flexible cable protrudes from the grommet. The pin or third cable is passed through the protruding part of the first flexible cable to lock the first flexible cable in place.

Flexible connection and release device and method

A flexible connection and release device which allows quick release while under load. The device comprises a first link; a second link; a first sling having one end attached to the first link; a second sling having one end attached to the second link; a tab attached to the first sling; a grommet contained in the tab; a curved length of a first flexible cable connected between two fixed points in the first sling on either side of the tab; a second flexible cable; and a pin or a third flexible cable. The links are connected together with multiple turns of the second flexible cable which forms a loop at its center. The curved length of the first flexible cable is passed through the loop in the second flexible cable and through the grommet so that a part of the first flexible cable protrudes from the grommet. The pin or third cable is passed through the protruding part of the first flexible cable to lock the first flexible cable in place.

Growing community of inventors

East Freetown, MA, United States of America

James E Sadeck