GB111498A - Improvements relating to Parachutes. - Google Patents

Abstract

111,498. Calthrop, E. R. Sept. 22, 1916. Parachutes.-To effect or assist the launching of a parachute from aircraft without the employment of an injector device, the relative wind is utilized to effect or assist the ejection of the parachute and its associated parts from a container in which they are normally nested, and also to assist the withdrawal of the aviator to whom the parachute is attached. Fig. 6 shows a parachute 10 housed in a forwardly inclined container 1 and connected by a cord 13 and shock-absorber 14 to the aviator's harness 15. The seat 12 and seat back 12' are hinged at 28 and are held in their normal positions by catches 29, 30 which are connected by rods 31, 32 to a control-lever 21. A rod 20 attached to the control-lever 21 is connected through the linkages shown to the valve 26 of a compressed-air reservoir 25 and to a catch 18 which normally holds in position a hinged section 16 in the floor of the fuselage. The aviator is normally secured to the seat by straps 33 having eyes 34 engaged by hooks 35 on the seat 12. When the lever 21 is moved, the eyes 34 are released, the seat 12 and seat-back 12<1> fall into the positions shown in dotted lines, compressed air is admitted to the container 1 from the reservoir 25, and the hinged section 16 falls so as to scoop up air into the container 1 and assist in the ejection of the parachute. The blast of air from the container 1 assists in the opening of the parachute when ejected and also in keeping the aviator clear of the fuselage as he is drawn out. Modifications are described in which hinged tubular extensions of the container 1 are used instead of the hinged section 16, and, in one case, the container 1 also slides in a pivoted ring so that its mouth is normally withdrawn into the fuselage. Specifications 21312/14 and 1077/15 are referred to.