Parachute supported aircraft with controlled wing collapse and inflation
First Claim
1. A parachute supported aircraft, which comprises:
- (a) a frame having at least one seat for carrying at least a pilot;
(b) a parachute forming a collapsible and inflatable wing;
(c) a plurality of riser lines connecting the parachute to the frame;
(d) at least one gathering device slidably surrounding substantially all the riser lines for gathering in substantially all the riser lines as the device and substantially all the riser lines slide relative to one another in a first direction and for releasing substantially all the gathered in riser lines as the device and substantially all the riser lines slide relative to one another in an opposed second direction, wherein the riser line gathering produced by the device provides controlled wing collapse during landing and the riser line releasing permitted by the device provides controlled wing inflation during takeoff; and
a control switch for allowing the pilot to selectively start and stop the relative sliding motion between substantially all the riser lines and the gathering device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a parachute supported aircraft having a frame and a seat for supporting at least a pilot. A parachute is coupled to the frame by a plurality of riser lines for allowing the parachute to inflate and form a wing for lifting the frame. A pair of upwardly extending masts are coupled to the frame. Each mast supports a vertically displaceable sleeve receiving a group of riser lines. Control cables connected to a winch raise and lower the sleeves to allow the pilot to selectively collapse and inflate the wing in a controlled fashion. A wing elevating cord can be used by the pilot to help pull the parachute from a generally vertical, partially inflated, lockout position into a generally horizontal, more inflated, flight position.
46 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A parachute supported aircraft, which comprises:
-
(a) a frame having at least one seat for carrying at least a pilot; (b) a parachute forming a collapsible and inflatable wing; (c) a plurality of riser lines connecting the parachute to the frame; (d) at least one gathering device slidably surrounding substantially all the riser lines for gathering in substantially all the riser lines as the device and substantially all the riser lines slide relative to one another in a first direction and for releasing substantially all the gathered in riser lines as the device and substantially all the riser lines slide relative to one another in an opposed second direction, wherein the riser line gathering produced by the device provides controlled wing collapse during landing and the riser line releasing permitted by the device provides controlled wing inflation during takeoff; and a control switch for allowing the pilot to selectively start and stop the relative sliding motion between substantially all the riser lines and the gathering device.
-
-
2. A parachute supported aircraft, which comprises:
-
(a) a frame having at least one seat for carrying at least a pilot, wherein the frame carries an engine and propeller; (b) a parachute forming a collapsible and inflatable wing having sufficient lift for self-sustaining flight when the engine and propeller are in operation; (c) a plurality of riser lines connecting the parachute to the frame; and (d) at least one sleeve supported for vertical movement upwardly and downwardly relative to the frame, the sleeve being located relative to the frame and the parachute such that the riser lines pass through the sleeve as the riser lines extend between the parachute and the frame, wherein the sleeve as it rises relative to the frame progressively gathers in the riser lines to thereby collapse the wing and the sleeve as it lowers relative to the frame progressively releases the riser lines to allow separation of the riser lines to permit the wing to inflate. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
24. A parachute supported aircraft, which comprises:
-
(a) a frame having at least one seat for supporting at least a pilot; (b) a parachute coupled to the frame by a plurality of riser lines for allowing the parachute to inflate and form a wing for lifting the frame; (c) a pair of upwardly extending masts coupled to the frame, wherein each mast supports a vertically movable sleeve receiving a group of riser lines; and (d) control cables connected to a winch to raise and lower the sleeves to allow the pilot to selectively collapse and inflate the wing in a controlled fashion. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
Specification