A shock absorber assembly, particularly for attenuating shocks transmitted to a person's body, especially to reduce shock to a paratrooper's body during a tethered cargo tandem jump. Specialized elastic absorber units are disposed between two connectors, such as carabiners, with a connector secured to a respective end of each absorber unit. Each absorber unit has a rupture length corresponding to its length when it is stretched to its maximum immediately before rupturing under tensile loading. A limiter strap also is secured between the connectors, with a connector on each end of the limiter strap. The limiter strap prevents the absorber units from breaking by preventing their stretch to their breaking point. A flap or bands are provided for temporarily maintaining the limiter strap folded in a compact bale until needed. In use, the complete shock absorber assembly is deployed between a cargo tether and a cargo harness.

A shock absorber assembly, particularly for attenuating shocks transmitted to a person's body, especially to reduce shock to a paratrooper's body during a tethered cargo tandem jump. Specialized elastic absorber units are disposed between two connectors, such as carabiners, with a connector secured to a respective end of each absorber unit. Each absorber unit has a rupture length corresponding to its length when it is stretched to its maximum immediately before rupturing under tensile loading. A limiter strap also is secured between the connectors, with a connector on each end of the limiter strap. The limiter strap prevents the absorber units from breaking by preventing their stretch to their breaking point. A flap or bands are provided for temporarily maintaining the limiter strap folded in a compact bale until needed. In use, the complete shock absorber assembly is deployed between a cargo tether and a cargo harness.

An air delivery barrel system is described, the air delivery barrel system includes a strap system that provides line stretch of the strap system when a force is exerted on the strap system, the strap system including a continuous strap, a first barrel, the first barrel being formed out of a cylindrically shaped wall and the cylindrically shaped wall including a channel that the strap system passes through, an end cap, the end cap being detachably connectable to a bottom end of the first barrel, the end cap protecting a bottom portion of the strap system, a lid, the lid being detachably connectable to a top end of the first barrel, the lid including a recess through which the strap system passes through, and a second barrel that can be situated within the first barrel and the cylindrically shaped wall of the first barrel protects the second barrel.

An air delivery barrel system is described, the air delivery barrel system includes a strap system that provides line stretch of the strap system when a force is exerted on the strap system, the strap system including a continuous strap, a first barrel, the first barrel being formed out of a cylindrically shaped wall and the cylindrically shaped wall including a channel that the strap system passes through, an end cap, the end cap being detachably connectable to a bottom end of the first barrel, the end cap protecting a bottom portion of the strap system, a lid, the lid being detachably connectable to a top end of the first barrel, the lid including a recess through which the strap system passes through, and a second barrel that can be situated within the first barrel and the cylindrically shaped wall of the first barrel protects the second barrel.

A shock absorber assembly, particularly for attenuating shocks transmitted to a person's body, especially to reduce shock to a paratrooper's body during a tethered cargo tandem jump. Specialized elastic absorber units are disposed in series in connection with a tether or strap to maintain the series configuration. A chain reactive shock absorption can be predetermined, and adjusted based on the expected shock(s) of a given jump. The adjustment is accomplished by selecting the number and type of absorber unit(s) provided an any of two (or more) series chains of the assembly. In use, the complete shock absorber assembly is deployed between a cargo tether and a cargo harness.

A shock absorber assembly, particularly for attenuating shocks transmitted to a person's body, especially to reduce shock to a paratrooper's body during a tethered cargo tandem jump. Specialized elastic absorber units are disposed in series in connection with a tether or strap to maintain the series configuration. A chain reactive shock absorption can be predetermined, and adjusted based on the expected shock(s) of a given jump. The adjustment is accomplished by selecting the number and type of absorber unit(s) provided an any of two (or more) series chains of the assembly. In use, the complete shock absorber assembly is deployed between a cargo tether and a cargo harness.

Methods of reducing wing type parachute opening shock during a parachute drop, and parachute systems with reduced opening shocks are disclosed, the opening force reduction is achieved by dynamic braking, i.e. dynamically adjusting the canopy control lines during the inflation stage of the canopy. Typically, the control lines are set to zero brake length when the parachute canopy is released from the deployment bag, and are at least shortened during the inflation stage, optionally all the way to full brake. Optionally the control lines are also lengthened prior to completion of the canopy inflation. Other features and parachute systems are also disclosed.

Methods of reducing wing type parachute opening shock during a parachute drop, and parachute systems with reduced opening shocks are disclosed, the opening force reduction is achieved by dynamic braking, i.e. dynamically adjusting the canopy control lines during the inflation stage of the canopy. Typically, the control lines are set to zero brake length when the parachute canopy is released from the deployment bag, and are at least shortened during the inflation stage, optionally all the way to full brake. Optionally the control lines are also lengthened prior to completion of the canopy inflation. Other features and parachute systems are also disclosed.

A parachute assembly may comprise a canopy and a plurality of suspension lines coupled to the canopy. Each of the suspension lines may include an elastomeric insert coupled between a first portion of the suspension line and a second portion of the suspension line. At least a portion of the elastomer insert may be located within an internal volume of the suspension line.

A parachute assembly may comprise a canopy and a plurality of suspension lines coupled to the canopy. Each of the suspension lines may include an elastomeric insert coupled between a first portion of the suspension line and a second portion of the suspension line. At least a portion of the elastomer insert may be located within an internal volume of the suspension line.