WO2009112875A1

WO2009112875A1 - A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat

Info

Publication number: WO2009112875A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/000605
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stanislav Ivanov Djorov
Original assignee: Stanislav Ivanov Djorov
Priority date: 2008-03-14
Filing date: 2008-03-14
Publication date: 2009-09-17

Abstract

The system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat comprises an ejection device (17, 25), fixed on one side to an outer side of the seat (21) and equipped with a locking tool (11, 23), connected to a cord (10), and a parachute (1), located on the other side of the ejection device (17, 25). The parachute (1) is folded up and put in a container (2), which is embraced by a couple of lids (3) and (5), fixed to the seat and closed by a second locking tool (4). The locking tool is connected to a second cord (8), where the strings 6 of the parachute (1), located between the ejection device (17, 25) and the parachute, are combined in a single rope (7), fastened to the paraplane seat. In a first position the ejection device (17, 25) is in a static folded position and is fixed by the locking tool (11, 23) between the folded parachute (1) and the seat (21) and is in the immediate proximity thereof. In this position the two cords 8 and 10 are not subjected to tension. In a second position the cords (8 and 10) are subjected to tension, where the locking tools (4) and (11, 23) are released and the ejection device (17, 25) is in extreme unfolded position, and the unfolded parachute (1) is filled with air and located outside the container (2) at a distance from the seat (21), corresponding to the total length of the parachute strings (6) and the single rope (7).

Description

A System for Ejection of a Safety Parachute from a Paraplane Seat

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a system for ejection of a paraplane safety parachute from a container mounted to the seat, where the pilot sits during flight.

State of the Art

Presently there is a known way of using a paraplane safety parachute, which consists in manual throwing out of a container with a safety parachute folded in it, by the paraplane pilot. The pilot pulls a handle fixed to the container, wherein the safety parachute is folded, and by a sweeping movement of his hand he throws out the container with the parachute. So far no system has been disclosed that ensures ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, where it is not necessary to use the strength and skills of the paraplane pilot. The above described known way of manual throwing out of the container with the parachute does not offer certainty in the parachute opening and does not provide opening of the parachute within a short time. Technical Essence of the Invention

An aim of the present invention is the system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat to provide easy and guaranteed opening of the parachute. Another aim of the invention is to shorten the time interval between pulling the handle and the opening of the safety parachute, thereby increasing the possibility of saving the pilot.

The system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat comprises an ejection device, which is fixed on one side to the outer side of the paraplane seat. The ejection device is equipped with a locking tool, which is connected to a cord. The parachute is located on the other side of the ejection device, where the same is folded up and put in a container. The container together with the folded parachute is embraced by lids, which on one side are fixed to the seat and closed by a second locking tool. The second locking tool is connected to a second cord. The strings of the parachute are located between the ejection device and the parachute. At their ends the strings are combined in a rope. The rope is fastened to the paraplane seat. The system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat can move from a first position, where the ejection device is in a static folded position. In this first position the ejection device is fixed by the locking tool between the folded parachute and the seat, and is in the immediate proximity thereof. In this p osition b oth c ords are n ot subjected to tension. In a second position of the system the cords are subjected to tension, the locking tools are released and the ejection device is in extreme unfolded p osition, where the parachute is located outside the container and is filled with air. The parachute is at a distance from the seat, corresponding to the total length of the parachute strings and of the single rope, which is connected to the ends of the parachute strings. In an embodiment of the system, the ejection device is a spring. The ejection device is a spiral spring of cylindrical or preferably conical shape and is placed in a case. The case is in the shape of a cylinder with two bases. In the centre of each base of the case there is an opening. In each base of the case metal grommets are placed at the opening. The case is made of cloth or any other soft and plastic material. Through the opening between the grommets a non-elastic fiber is passed, which at one end is fastened to a washer. The washer diameter is larger than the diameter of each of the grommets. The other end of the non-elastic fiber forms a knot. The cords are non-elastic and are joined at one end in a common part to a pulling handle, and at their opposite end each cord is connected to one of the locking tools. In an embodiment of the system, pins are used as locking tools. One of the pins ensures the closing, respectively the opening of the lids of the seat. The second pin passes through the knot of the non-elastic fiber and ensures the locking in folded static position of the ejection device, respectively the unlocking of the ejection device in extreme unfolded position. The ejection device is fixed to the outer side of the seat by means of fasteners, preferably Velcro. The fasteners are placed on the base of the case, which is on the side of the seat, and on the seat. In another embodiment o f the system, the ejection device i s an inflatable b alloon, which is equipped with a compressed air bottle. The bottle is affixed to the seat of the pilot. The locking tool is a ring, which is attached to the respective cord and to the nozzle of the bottle. In the first position of the system the nozzle is closed and the inflatable balloon is in the immediate proximity of the parachute strings. In the second position the ring is removed, whereby the balloon is filled with gas from the bottle. The system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat is mounted on the outer back, bottom or lateral walls of the pilot seat. The system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat provides a considerably faster opening of the pilot's parachute compared to the time required for the opening of the parachute in the known way of using a paraplane safety parachute. Application of the system shortens the time interval between pulling the pulling handle and the opening of the parachute. Thus the paraplane pilots, whose seats are equipped with the new system, pulling the handle at lower altitudes have a considerably greater chance of surviving and much less risk of injury.

In the known way of using a paraplane safety parachute, in a situation of rapid rotation (spiral dive), as a result of the centrifugal forces, pilots cannot always do the sweeping movement with their hand and throw out the container with the parachute folded therein. Another advantage of the proposed system is that it requires only pulling of the handle, and the pilot does not need to throw out the parachute manually. This advantage results in c onsiderably e asier and more guaranteed use of the system by the pilot.

Description of the Figures in the Attached Drawings

The system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat is better illustrated in the attached drawings, namely:

Fig. 1 shows a version of the system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat.

Fig. 1.1 shows a detailed magnification of the ejection device from Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows a schematic drawing of a paraplane seat, equipped with a system for ejection of a safety parachute.

Fig. 3 shows a detailed magnification of the paraplane seat from Fig. 2 and the version of the ejection device from Fig. 1 mounted on the seat.

Fig. 4 illustrates the stages of the operation of the system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat:

Stage I - getting a grip on the pulling handle;

Stage II - pulling of the handle;

Stage III - release of the lids of the seat and the ejection device;

Stage IV - ejection of the container by means of the device;

Stage V - process of filling the parachute with air and falling of the container to the ground;

Stage V - continuation of the filling of the parachute with air until it is completely full.

Fig. 5 shows another version of the system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat.

Examples of Embodiments of the Invention

A version of a system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat is shown in Fig. 1. The parachute ejection is realized by means of an ejection device 17. The ejection device 17 may be a spring, a compressed air bottle or another type of device. The pilot pulls the handle, thereby releasing the device, which ejects the container with the folded safety parachute in it. The ejection device is a spiral conical spring 17, placed in a cloth case 19. The case 19 may be made of another material possessing plastic-elastic properties. The cloth case 19 is of cylindrical shape, and the two ends of the case are sewn on to the spring 17. Along the axis of the case 19 an opening 13 is formed, which runs through the two cylindrical bases of the case 19. In the openings of the two bases of the case 19 are placed metal grommets 14. On one of the outer sides of the case 19 on the side of the large base of the spring 17 Velcro 18 is sewn on, whereby the system for ejection of a safety parachute is fixed to the back of the seat, to the b ottom or lateral walls of the seat. When the spring 17 is folded, on the opposite side of the Velcro is placed a washer 16, which has a diameter larger than the diameter of the grommets 14. To the washer 16 is fastened a non-elastic fiber 15, which passes through both grommets 14. One end of the fiber is tied to the washer, and the other end of the fiber forms a knot 12.

After the spring 17 is fully folded, the fiber 15 is passed between the two grommets 14. The spring is locked by means of a pin 11, which passes through the knot 12. The pin 11 is preliminarily fastened to a non-elastic cord 10, which is connected to the pulling handle 9. The system for ejection of a safety parachute is fixed by means of the Velcro 18 to the back of the seat, to the bottom or lateral walls of the seat, depending on the selected type of disposition of the system. In front of the ejection device, on the side opposite the pin 11 and Velcro 18, is placed the safety parachute 1, which is folded up in a special cloth container 2. The container 2 is not fixed to the pilot seat. The safety parachute 1 is folded up so that it is located on the outer side of the seat, while the parachute strings 6 are located on the side of the ejection device 17. The ends of the parachute strings 6 are combined in a single rope 7, which is fastened to the seat. On the outer back side of the seat are formed lids 3 and 5, allowing the easy and problem-free exit of the container with the parachute folded therein. The lids are closed by means of the pin 4, which is connected by non-elastic cord 8 to the pulling handle 9. One end of the non-elastic cord 8 is connected to the pulling handle 9, while its other end is split in two, where pin 4 is attached to cord 8 and pin 11 is attached to cord 10.

Another version of the system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat is shown in Fig. 5. In this version the ejection device is a compressed air bottle (22). The compressed air bottle (22) is affixed to the outer wall of the pilot seat. To the nozzle (24) of the bottle (22) is mounted an inflatable balloon (25), which plays the role of ejection element.

Operation of the System for Ejection of a Paraplane Safety Parachute

In principle, the operation of the system is based on the ejection of the safety parachute by means of an ejection device. When the handle 9 is pulled, the non-elastic cord 10 is subjected to tension, which leads to release of the locking system pin 11 - knot 12 and to release of the spring 17. Since the non-elastic cord 10 is connected also to cord 8 and pin 4, the pulling of the handle leads to release of the outer lids 3 and 5 of the seat, and this release occurs earlier in time relative to the release of the sprint 17. After the release of the pin 11, the spring 17 extends, and as a consequence of the spring force, the container 2 with the folded parachute 1 in it is ejected out, in the direction of the spring extension. When the container leaves the seat, the rope 7 is stretched, the parachute strings 6 are unfolded, and as a result the parachute comes out of the container 2 and its filling with air starts. Since the container 2 is free (it is not attached to any of the described elements), it falls down to the ground. The safety parachute 1 is folded up and located on the outer side of the seat between the ejection device 1 7 and the lids 3 and 5 of the seat. The parachute strings 6 are located on the side of the ejection device 17. The ends of the parachute strings 6 are joined in a single rope 7, which is fastened to the seat 21. On the outer back wall of the seat 21 lids 3 and 5 are formed, which allow the easy and problem-free exit of the container 2 with the parachute 1 folded therein. The lids are closed by means of the pin 4, which is connected by non-elastic cord 8 to the pulling handle 9. One end of the non-elastic cord 8 is connected to the pulling handle 9, while its other end is split in two, where one is attached to pin 4, and the other is attached to pin 11 by means of cord 10.

Operation of the System for Ejection of a Paraplane Safety Parachute,

Using Compressed Air Bottle

Fig. 5 shows another version of a system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat. Unlike the version shown in Fig. 1, where the ejection device is a spring, here the device is a compressed air bottle. The compressed air bottle 22 is mounted on the inner wall of the pilot seat. To the nozzle 24 of the bottle 22 is mounted an inflatable balloon 25, which plays the role of ejection element

When the handle 9 is pulled, the non-elastic cords 8 and 10 are subjected to tension, which leads to removal of the ring 23 and the pin 4. When the pin 4 is removed, the lids 3 and 5 remain unlocked. The removal of the pin 4 occurs earlier in time relative to the release of the ring 23. By removing the ring 23 the gas is let out of the bottle, which leads to the rapid filling of the inflatable balloon 25. The gas-filled balloon 25 ejects the container 2 with the folded parachute 1 in it out of the seat 21. The preliminary unlocking of the lids 3 and 5 allows the container 2 to go across them easily and problem-free. One end of the non-elastic cord 8 is connected to the pulling handle 9, while its other end is split in two, where the pin 4 is attached to one of the split ends, and the ring 23 for opening of the nozzle 24 is attached to the other end by means of cord 10.

Claims

1. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, comprising an ejection device 17, 25, fixed on one side to an outer side of the seat 21 and equipped with a locking tool 11, 23, connected to a cord 10, and a parachute 1, located on the other side of the ejection device 17, 25, folded up in a container 2, embraced by lids 3 and 5, fixed to the seat and closed by a second locking tool 4, connected to a second cord 8, where the strings 6 of the parachute, located between the ejection device 17, 25 and the parachute, are combined in a single rope 7, fastened to the paraplane seat, where in a first position the ejection device 17, 25 is in a static folded position and is fixed by the locking tool 11, 23 between the folded parachute 1 and the seat 21 and is in the immediate proximity thereof, where the cords 8 and 10 are not subjected to tension, and in a second position the cords 8 and 10 are subjected to tension, where the locking tools 4 and 11, 23 are released and the ejection device 17, 25 is in extreme unfolded position and the unfolded p arachute 1 is filled with air and located outside the container 2 at a distance from the seat 21, corresponding to the total length of the strings 6 and of the single rope 7 of the parachute 1.

2. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ejection device 17 is a spring.

3. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the ejection device 17 is a spiral spring of cylindrical or preferably conical shape.

4. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, according to claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the ejection device 17 is placed in a case 19.

5. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, according to claim 4, characterized in that the case 19 is in the shape of a cylinder with two bases.

6. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, according to claim 5, characterized in that in the centre of each base of the case 19 there is an opening 13, and metal grommets 14 are placed at both ends of the opening 13 in each base.

7. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, according to claim 4, characterized in that the case 19 is of cloth or any other soft and plastic material.

8. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that through the opening 13 between the grommets 14 a non-elastic fiber 15 is passed, which at one end is fastened to washer 16 of diameter larger than the diameter o f the grommets 1 4, and at the other end the non-elastic fiber forms a knot 12.

9. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, according to claim 1, characterized in that the cords 8 and 10 are non-elastic cords and are joined at one end in a common part to a pulling handle 9, and at their opposite ends to the locking tool 4 and the second locking tool 11, respectively, to the pins 4 and 11₅ respectively.

10. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, according to claims 1 and 9, characterized in that the pin 4 ensures the closing, respectively the opening of the lids 3 and 5, and the pin 11, passing through the knot 12, ensures the locking in the folded static position of the ejection device 17, respectively the unlocking of the ejection device 17 in extreme unfolded position.

11. A system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ejection device 17 is mounted on the outer side of the seat 21 by means of fasteners, preferably Velcro, placed on the base of the case 19, which is on the side of the seat 21 and on the outer side of the seat 21.

12. A system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ejection device is an inflatable balloon 25, equipped with a compressed air bottle 22, affixed to the seat 21 of the pilot.

13. A system, according to claims 1 and 11, characterized in that the locking tool is a ring 23, attached to the cord 10 and keeping the nozzle 24 of the bottle 22 closed in the first position of the system, and in the second position the ring 23 is removed, whereby the balloon 25 is filled with gas from the bottle 22.

14. A system for ejection of a safety parachute from a paraplane seat, according to claim 1, characterized in that the same is mounted on the outer back, bottom or lateral walls of the seat 21.