Parachute-folding tool and method to facilitate placement of a parachute into a deployment bag

Abstract

A method and apparatus for facilitating folding and packing of a parachute into a deployment bag is a planar, semi-rigid, horizontally oriented rectangular fabric panel that is seamed or scored to fold at four or more junctures.

Claims

1. An apparatus for folding a parachute comprising: a substantially rigid, rectangular center surface having a top, bottom, left and right edge; and a first rectangular middle surface; and a second rectangular middle surface; and the left edge of the rectangular center surface hingedly engaged with a long edge of the first rectangular middle surface; and the right edge of the rectangular center surface hingedly engaged with a long edge of the second rectangular middle surface; and a first rectangular outer surface; and a second rectangular outer surface; and the first rectangular outer surface hingedly engaged along one long edge with a long edge of the first rectangular middle surface; and the second rectangular outer surface hingedly engaged along one long edge with a long edge of the second rectangular mid-surface; wherein the apparatus engages with a parachute to aid in folding the parachute into an S-fold for properly inserting into a deployment bag.

2. The apparatus of claim one wherein all rectangular surfaces are of substantially the same height.

3. The apparatus of claim one wherein the first rectangular middle surface and the second rectangular middle surface are of a width that is half of said rectangular center surface.

4. The apparatus of claim one wherein the first rectangular mid-surface and the second rectangular middle surface are of a width that is half of said rectangular center surface; and the first rectangular outer surface and the second rectangular outer surface are substantially identical in dimension to the rectangular center surface.

5. The apparatus of claim one wherein the surfaces are made of fabric covered, die-cut plastic.

6. The apparatus of claim one wherein the surfaces are made of one contiguous piece of plastic material with living hinges between rectangular, hingedly engaged segments.

7. The apparatus of claim one wherein the surfaces are made of one contiguous piece of molded foam material with living hinges between rectangular, hingedly engaged segments.

8. An apparatus for folding a parachute comprising: a substantially rigid, rectangular center surface having a top, bottom, left and right edge; and a first rectangular middle surface; and a second rectangular middle surface; and the left edge of the rectangular center surface hingedly engaged with a long edge of the first rectangular middle surface; and the right edge of the rectangular center surface hingedly engaged with a long edge of the second rectangular middle surface; and a first rectangular outer surface; and a second rectangular outer surface; and the first rectangular outer surface hingedly engaged along one long edge with a long edge of the first rectangular middle surface; and the second rectangular outer surface hingedly engaged along one long edge with the remaining un-engaged long edge of the second rectangular middle surface; and a first rectangular terminal surface; and a second rectangular terminal surface; and the first rectangular terminal surface hingedly engaged along one long edge with a long edge of the first rectangular outer surface; and the second rectangular terminal surface hingedly engaged along one long edge with the remaining un-engaged long edge of the second rectangular outer-surface; wherein the apparatus engages with a parachute to aid in folding the parachute into an S-fold for properly inserting into a deployment bag.

9. The apparatus of claim eight wherein all rectangular surfaces are of substantially the same height.

10. The apparatus of claim eight wherein the first rectangular mid-surface and the second rectangular middle surface are of a width that is half of said rectangular center surface.

11. The apparatus of claim eight wherein the first rectangular middle surface and the second rectangular middle surface are of a width that is half of said rectangular center surface; and the first rectangular outer surface and the second rectangular outer surface are of a width that is half of said rectangular center surface.

12. The apparatus of claim eight wherein the first rectangular middle surface and the second rectangular middle surface are of a width that is half of said rectangular center surface; and the first rectangular outer surface and the second rectangular outer surface are of a width that is half of said rectangular center surface; and the first rectangular terminal surface and the second rectangular terminal surface are of a width that is half of said rectangular center surface.

13. A method for packing a parachute, the method comprising: placing a parachute on a flat surface; and folding the parachute into an elongate triangle; and placing a segmented template over the folded parachute; and folding the parachute over a center segment of the template; and folding the parachute again in the opposite direction of the fold over the center segment; and surrounding the folded parachute on three sides with remaining segments of segmented template; and placing the folded, surrounded parachute and template combination in a parachute deployment bag; and removing the template from the deployment bag; and packing the remaining portions of the parachute into the deployment bag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To assist those of skill in the art of making and using the disclosed anatomical reference guide, reference is made to the accompanying figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of the embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment shown placed atop a folded canopy, ready to assist in folding the canopy.

(4) FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view of the embodiment shown in use beneath a parachute canopy.

(5) FIG. 4 is a front, perspective view of the embodiment in use beneath a parachute canopy that has been folded.

(6) FIG. 5 is a front, perspective view of the embodiment in use as it is folded upon the parachute canopy.

(7) FIG. 6 is a front, perspective view of the embodiment in use, folded around the parachute canopy and being inserted into a d-bag.

(8) FIG. 7 is a front, perspective view of the embodiment inserted into the d-bag.

(9) FIG. 8 is a front, perspective view depicting the embodiment having achieved its use and removed from the the d-bag.

(10) FIG. 9 is a front view of an iteration of the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

(11) In FIG. 1 an example embodiment 100 shows its five segments 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118, which fold at hinges or seams 120, 122, 124 and 126. Hinges/seams fold in a forward or backward direction.

(12) FIG. 2, 100 shows a provided, a folded parachute canopy 128, with the parachute-folding tool 100 placed atop it and ready to begin folding. The five segments 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 are shown for reference. The d-bag 130 is shown for reference.

(13) In FIG. 3 the top of the folded parachute 128 is folded 132 over the parachute-folding tool 100, using the tool's edge to facilitate folding. This is the first fold of an S-fold. Segments 116 and 118 are shown for reference.

(14) In FIG. 4, the parachute canopy 128 is folded back on itself (as demonstrated by arrows 134), completing the S-fold The tool 100 remains stationary. The d-bag 130 is shown for reference. Segments 116 and 118 are shown for reference.

(15) In FIG. 5, The outer segments 116, 118 of the parachute-folding tool 100 are folded 136 inward around the parachute canopy 128. The d-bag 130 is shown for reference.

(16) In FIG. 6, the outer segments 116, 118 of the parachute-folding tool 100 have been folded. The parachute-folding tool 100 is completely folded about the parachute canopy 128 and is ready to insert 140 into the d-bag 130.

(17) In FIG. 7 the folded parachute canopy 128, contained in the parachute-folding tool 100, is shown inserted into the d-bag 130.

(18) FIG. 8, the parachute-folding tool, having achieved its use, has been removed from the d-bag 130, leaving the parachute canopy 128 folded within.

(19) In FIG. 9 an iteration of the embodiment 200 shows its seven segments 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 217 and 219 which fold at hinges or seams 220, 222, 224, 226, 228 and 230. Hinges/seams fold in a forward or backward direction. Seams 228 and 230 allow the entire apparatus to fold to the size of the center segment for packing the embodiment flat. One skilled in the art understands that folding at seams 222 and 224, and again at 228 and 230 in the opposite direction would fold the apparatus to the size of the center segment for packing the embodiment flat.

(20) The example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limiting.