841,077. Parachutes. QUILTER, Sir J. R. C. Sept. 8, 1958 [Sept. 9, 1957], No. 28362/57. Class 4. A parachute pack comprises auxiliary and main parachutes connected for sequential support of the load and released in two stages, the auxiliary parachute being extracted from the pack to afford an initial and relatively weak support of the load, to which it is connected through a delay-action mechanism operating after a relatively short period to disconnect the auxiliary parachute from the load, and the auxiliary parachute then operating to release the main parachute from the pack for descent with the load supported thereby. A parachute pack 10 is closed by flaps 11-14 secured by a frangible tie 16 which has a looped connection 17 with a static line 18 secured by a buckle 26 to the aircraft framework. The flaps enclose a container 15 housing an auxiliary parachute 40 and a delay-action mechanism 31 connected thereto, the delay-action mechanism being connected through a releasable fastening 39 and straps 19 to the airman's harness, by which he is supported during the initial part of the drop. After a predetermined time interval fastening 39 and straps 19 are released by the timedelay mehcanism so that the pull of parachute 40 is transferred to a lazy-line 33 which breaks a frangible tie securing flaps enclosing a container 21. The main parachute 41 is packed in container 21 and the restraint offered by parachute 40 will cause the falling airman to withdraw the main parachute from its container through the medium of main lift straps 22, the parachute 40, mechanism 31 and container 21 then falling away as shown in Fig. 10. The pack may have one closure flap over bag 15 containing the auxiliary parachute, below which there may be a loose flap covering the main parachute container 21, this loose flap being connected to lazy line 33. The pack may be used for supplies dropping. Provision is made for manual release of the closure flaps. Specification 564,794 is referred to.
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