A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.

A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.

A neck protection system for a parachute assembly may comprise a head restraint, a first upper strap coupled to a first side of the head restraint, and a second upper strap coupled to a second, opposing side the head restraint. A first lower strap may be coupled to the first side of the head restraint. A second lower strap may be coupled to the second side of the head restraint. A first pull cord may be coupled to the first upper strap. A second pull cord may be coupled to the second upper strap.

A parachute riser assembly for a parachute comprises a left riser, a right riser, and a curtain. The left riser is configured to extend from a canopy and is configured to be coupled to a left attachment point of a harness worn by a user, according to various embodiments. Similarly, the right riser is configured to extend from the canopy and is configured to be coupled to a right attachment point of the harness, according to various embodiments. The curtain may be coupled to and may extend between the left riser and the right riser. In various embodiments, a portion of the curtain is configured to move along the left riser and the right riser from a furled state to an unfurled state in response to tensioning the left riser and the right riser.

A parachute riser assembly for a parachute comprises a left riser, a right riser, and a curtain. The left riser is configured to extend from a canopy and is configured to be coupled to a left attachment point of a harness worn by a user, according to various embodiments. Similarly, the right riser is configured to extend from the canopy and is configured to be coupled to a right attachment point of the harness, according to various embodiments. The curtain may be coupled to and may extend between the left riser and the right riser. In various embodiments, a portion of the curtain is configured to move along the left riser and the right riser from a furled state to an unfurled state in response to tensioning the left riser and the right riser.

A neck protection system for a parachute assembly may comprise a head restraint, a first upper strap coupled to a first side of the head restraint, and a second upper strap coupled to a second, opposing side the head restraint. A first lower strap may be coupled to the first side of the head restraint. A second lower strap may be coupled to the second side of the head restraint. A first pull cord may be coupled to the first upper strap. A second pull cord may be coupled to the second upper strap.

A parachute riser assembly for a parachute comprises a left riser, a right riser, and a curtain. The left riser is configured to extend from a canopy and is configured to be coupled to a left attachment point of a harness worn by a user, according to various embodiments. Similarly, the right riser is configured to extend from the canopy and is configured to be coupled to a right attachment point of the harness, according to various embodiments. The curtain may be coupled to and may extend between the left riser and the right riser. In various embodiments, a portion of the curtain is configured to move along the left riser and the right riser from a furled state to an unfurled state in response to tensioning the left riser and the right riser.

A parachute riser assembly for a parachute comprises a left riser, a right riser, and a curtain. The left riser is configured to extend from a canopy and is configured to be coupled to a left attachment point of a harness worn by a user, according to various embodiments. Similarly, the right riser is configured to extend from the canopy and is configured to be coupled to a right attachment point of the harness, according to various embodiments. The curtain may be coupled to and may extend between the left riser and the right riser. In various embodiments, a portion of the curtain is configured to move along the left riser and the right riser from a furled state to an unfurled state in response to tensioning the left riser and the right riser.

A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.

A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.