Patent ID: 6164594
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
A brake device for braking the fall of a load, the device comprising:(a) a flexible fabric structure comprisinga central hub connected to at least two radial blades adapted to impart rotary motion to the structure; and(b) suspension rigging connecting the flexible fabric structure to the underlying load, each blade being made up of a top wall and a bottom wall connected together at a trailing edge but spaced apart at a leading edge so as to form an inlet passage at the leading edge through which air can penetrate into the ""blade"", wherein the central hub of the flexible fabric structure is constituted by a parachute or downwardly-open pouch, and the radial blades are made of inflatable canopies whose inside volumes communicate with the central hub so that the radial blades of flexible fabric are inflated and deployed by a flow of air coming from the central hub.