A system for translating a head restraint of a parachute assembly away from a head of an occupant supported by the parachute assembly may comprise a chord coupled to the head restraint and at least one of a control line configured to manipulate a canopy of the parachute assembly or a handle coupled to the control line.

A system for translating a head restraint of a parachute assembly away from a head of an occupant supported by the parachute assembly may comprise a chord coupled to the head restraint and at least one of a control line configured to manipulate a canopy of the parachute assembly or a handle coupled to the control line.

A vehicle recovery system includes a harness having a hub and a plurality of cords each including opposite first and second ends. The first ends are each coupled to the hub. The second ends are each configured to be connected to a fuselage of a vehicle. A tractor rocket includes a body and a bridle. The bridle includes a first end coupled to the body and an opposite second end. A parachute includes a riser, a canopy and a plurality of suspension lines. The suspension lines each include a first end coupled the canopy and an opposite second end coupled a first end of the riser. An opposite second end of the riser is coupled to the hub. The second end of the bridle is coupled to the first end of the riser.

A vehicle recovery system includes a harness having a hub and a plurality of cords each including opposite first and second ends. The first ends are each coupled to the hub. The second ends are each configured to be connected to a fuselage of a vehicle. A tractor rocket includes a body and a bridle. The bridle includes a first end coupled to the body and an opposite second end. A parachute includes a riser, a canopy and a plurality of suspension lines. The suspension lines each include a first end coupled the canopy and an opposite second end coupled a first end of the riser. An opposite second end of the riser is coupled to the hub. The second end of the bridle is coupled to the first end of the riser.

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

A device to orient a riser of a parachute. The device can include a twist body that is includes a slot through which the riser passes. The slot includes a twist to change the orientation of the riser from a relatively high-profile orientation to a relatively low-profile orientation. The device can also include a link to connect the riser to the suspension lines on the canopy.

A drone is operated by a sky diver. The drone is interfaced to a parachute pack worn by the sky diver. The sky diver has a device (e.g. smartphone, smartwatch) that communicates with the drone to initiate launch/lift and to release the sky diver. In some embodiments, after the sky diver is released, the drone maneuvers around the sky diver to capture pictures/video of the sky diver. In some embodiments, safety features are included to assure the drone has sufficient battery power to achieve a safe jump altitude above ground level and to assure the release is not made until the drone achieves that safe jump altitude.

A drone is operated by a sky diver. The drone is interfaced to a parachute pack worn by the sky diver. The sky diver has a device (e.g. smartphone, smartwatch) that communicates with the drone to initiate launch/lift and to release the sky diver. In some embodiments, after the sky diver is released, the drone maneuvers around the sky diver to capture pictures/video of the sky diver. In some embodiments, safety features are included to assure the drone has sufficient battery power to achieve a safe jump altitude above ground level and to assure the release is not made until the drone achieves that safe jump altitude.

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.