Patent ID: 8256717
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for releasing a parachute from its payload upon ground impact by the payload, comprising: a pair of release elements releasably secured to each other, each release element comprising: wherein the pawl of one releasable element is disposed in the pawl receiving notch of the intermediate portion of the other releasable element and the spring members are compressed between the releasable elements thereby urging the sections away from each other; and a device engaging both releasable elements to counter the urging force produced by the spring members and keep the releasable elements compressed together, the device being responsive to the force produced by the opening of a parachute canopy such that upon the opening of the parachute canopy, the device disengages from the releasable elements so that the spring member will be free to forcefully release the releasable elements from each other upon ground impact by a payload that is supported by one of the releasable elements; the intermediate portion of each releasable element further comprising at least one additional opening that is located at a central axis of the spring member; wherein the device comprises a shear pin inserted through the at least one additional opening of each intermediate portion and solely connected with each intermediate portion.