Patent ID: 7195205
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
1. A parachute system, comprising: a canopy having a skirt and an apex; a plurality of reefing rings attached to the skirt; a plurality of suspension lines, each suspension line having a first end attached to the skirt near a corresponding reefing ring and a second end opposite the first end, all of the second ends of the suspension lines being connected together to define a confluence point; a center line attached to the apex of the canopy and the confluence point; a single reefing line cutter that is attached to the center line and which is activated after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed; a first reefing line extending through a first group of the plurality of reefing rings, the first reefing line having a first end attached to the single reefing line cutter and a second end attached to the skirt at a first predetermined location; a second reefing line extending through a second group of the plurality of reefing rings, the second group of reefing rings being generally opposite the first group of reefing rings, the second reefing line having a first end attached to the single reefing line cutter and a second end attached to the skirt at a second predetermined location that is across from the first predetermined location; and whereby when the parachute system is deployed, the canopy opens to an initial circumference that is determined by the summation of the lengths of the first and second reefing lines and whereby when the single reefing line cutter is activated, the reefing line cutter releases the first and second reefing lines so as to allow full inflation of the canopy.