Patent ID: 6607166
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: A62B,B64D

Abstract:
An apparatus for enabling a person or cargo to descend from an elevation higher than a landing area, wherein said apparatus is unfoldable and inflatable into a deployed configuration having a generally conical outer shape with a narrower nose end and a wider end opposite thereto and a hollow inner space, and wherein said apparatus in said deployed configuration comprises:an inflatable outer stabilizing ring at said wider end; a nose structure including an inflatable central pneumatic damping element at said narrower nose end; plural inflatable spoke struts extending conically between said nose structure and said outer stabilizing ring; a cover skin arranged on and spanning between said spoke struts to define at least a portion of said generally conical outer shape; at least one gas generator pneumatically connected to and adapted to inflate said outer stabilizing ring, said central pneumatic damping element, and said spoke struts; and a load support element that is adapted to receive the person or cargo thereon and that is arranged and secured in or on said nose structure at a location on or above said central pneumatic damping element in said deployed configuration.