Abstract:
A parachute carrying device comprising a folding mat and a cover connected through a flexible strip, as well as cut outs for pulling out shoulder harnesses, allows to both pack a parachute and carry it securely while traveling.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a parachute carrying device that allows to both pack the parachute and carry it securely while traveling. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A skydiver&#39;s life and survival depend on correctly packing a parachute and keeping the packed parachute secure until it is deployed. One of the rules that must be strictly followed when packing a parachute is aligning the risers, i.e. the lines that attach the parachute canopy to the harness/container attached to the body of the skydiver. This is done by way of a folding mat that allows aligning the risers and securing them together. After packing is done, the folding mat is removed. However, carrying a folding mat while traveling is inconvenient. Further, traveling with a packed parachute in its own container leaves expensive parachute equipment vulnerable to snags and other hazards, including the emergency handles being accidently pulled during airport security inspections. What is needed is a parachute carrying device that allows to both pack the parachute and carry it securely while traveling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention satisfies this need. It comprises a folding mat and a cover connected by a flexible strip, as well as cut outs for the parachute shoulder harnesses. This allows enclosing the packed parachute inside a parachute container between the folding mat and the cover, pulling the parachute shoulder harnesses out through the cutouts and placing the parachute carrying device over a user&#39;s shoulders for carriage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a parachute carrying device according to the preferred embodiment of this invention in an open position with an outer side and a back side facing up. 
         FIG. 2  shows a plan view of a parachute carrying device according to the preferred embodiment of this invention in an open position with an inner side and a business side facing up. 
         FIG. 3  shows a parachute carrying device according to the preferred embodiment of this invention in a closed position worn by a user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     This invention will be better understood with the reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 . The same numerals indicate the same elements in all drawing figures. 
     Viewing, simultaneously,  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 , numeral  10  indicates a substantially U-shaped cover. U-shaped cover  10  comprises a tail end indicated by numeral  10   a , a head end indicated by numeral  10   b , an inner side indicated by numeral  10   c  and an outer side indicated by numeral  10   d.    
     Numeral  20  indicates a substantially rectangular folding mat. Folding mat  20  comprises a proximal end indicated by numeral  20   a , a distal end indicated by numeral  20   b , a business side indicated by numeral  20   c , a back side indicated by numeral  10   d . There is also a longitudinal axis between spanning between proximal end  20   a  and distal end  20   b.    
     In the preferred embodiment, U-shaped cover  10  and folding mat  20  are made from durable lightweight fabric, such as nylon. 
     Numeral  30  indicates a flexible strip. Flexible strip  30  connects tail end  10   a  to proximal end  20   a.    
     Numeral  40  indicates a plurality of first fastening means. First fastening means  40  are disposed along the periphery of cover  10  on outer side  10   d . Numeral  50  indicates a plurality of corresponding second fastening means. Second fastening means  50  are disposed along the periphery of folding mat  20  on back side  20   d.    
     The parachute carrying device can be placed in a closed position by engaging the corresponding first fastening means  40  and second fastening means  50  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The parachute carrying device can be placed in an open position by disengaging the corresponding first fastening means  40  and second fastening means  40  and spreading the cover and the folding mat on a flat surface as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In the preferred embodiment, first fastening means  40  and second fastening means  50  are clip fasteners. 
     There is provided an alignment means disposed on business side  20   c  near distal end  20   h  for aligning and fixing parachute risers while packing a parachute. In the preferred embodiment, the alignment means comprises a pair of straps indicated by numeral  60   a  and a pair of ties indicated by numeral  60 . 
     Straps  60   a  are disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis. Each strap  60   a  comprises a first end and a second end. The first end is affixed to business side  20   c  and comprises a female button fastener. The second end comprises a male button fastener. Straps  60   a  secure the parachute risers by placing straps  60   a  over the parachute risers and engaging the male button fastener with the female button fastener. 
     Ties  60   b  are affixed to business side  20   c  substantially on the longitudinal axis. Ties  60   b  are used for tying the parachute risers together. Either straps  60   a  or ties  60   b  can be used for aligning and fixing parachute risers while packing a parachute, depending on a user&#39;s preference. 
     Numeral  70  indicates a cutout. A pair of cutouts  70  are disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis in folding mat  20  near proximal end  20   a . When the parachute carrying device is placed in the closed position encasing the packed parachute inside a parachute container between inner side  10   c  and business side  20   c , parachute shoulder harnesses indicated by numeral  140  are pulled through cutouts  70  and placed over a user&#39;s shoulders for carriage, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Numeral  80  indicates a cord. A pair of cords  80  are affixed to the periphery of cover  10 . Cords  80  are disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis near tail end  10   a.    
     Each cord  80  comprises a sleeve indicated by numeral  90 . 
     Sleeve  90  is affixed to the end of cord  80 . Each sleeve  90  is made from a stretchy material and sized to be wrapped around an emergency handle of the parachute by engaging a plurality of corresponding male and female button fasteners disposed lengthwise on edges of sleeve  90 . The emergency handles are pulled in case the main parachute does not work correctly and must be cut away and a reserve parachute must be deployed by pulling on the emergency handles. Sleeves  90  are used to cover the emergency handles in order to protect them from getting snagged or accidently pulled while traveling. 
     Numeral  100  indicates a handle. A pair of handles  100  are disposed on head end  10   b  and distal end  20   b.    
     Numeral  110  indicates a wrap-around handle extension. Wrap-around handle extension  110  is affixed to either one of handles  100 . Wrap-around handle extension  110  is made of a flexible material and has corresponding velcro fasteners disposed lengthwise on wrap-around handle extension  110  for wrapping around and securing wrap-around handle extension  110  over handles  100 . 
     Numeral  120  indicates a rectangular flap. Rectangular flap  120  extends from distal end  20   b  and has a plurality of button fasteners on its outer edge engaging with corresponding button fasteners disposed on head end  10   b  when the parachute carrying device is placed in the closed position. 
     Numeral  130  indicates a pocket. A plurality of pockets  130  are disposed on outer side  10   d . Pockets  130  are used for carrying small items while traveling. 
     While the present invention has been described and defined by reference to the preferred embodiment of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled and knowledgeable in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described preferred embodiment of the invention is exemplary only, and is not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.