Parachute inspection arch

An inspection aid for use in the visual inspection, repair and repacking of parachutes including a pair of large opposed spaced side frame members of light tubular material having a shape approaching that of a cardioid. The frame members are parallel to each other and joined by a series of spaced transverse cross members which serve to maintain the shape and rigidity of the arch. In use, the parachute canopy is billowed open with a pedestal fan and the arch is carried into the open canopy and turned to the side. A person can then enter the open parachute and visually examine the canopy fabric and make required repairs after which the parachute is folded and reefed. The remaining gores are inspected and folded, the inspection arch is removed and the reefing is completed in the usual manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a parachute inspection aid structure and, more 
particularly, the invention is concerned with providing an arch shaped 
frame which can be placed inside an open parachute allowing a person to 
step inside and inspect and repair the canopy where necessary. The frame 
also serves to simplify the folding and reefing of the parachute after 
inspection. 
The present method of inspecting, airing and folding of G-11A and G-12D 
cargo parachutes is tedious and requires a good deal of physical 
dexterity. Visual inspection of the canopies requires two men on the G-12D 
chute and three men on the G-11A chute. Small holes in the canopies are 
difficult to detect while inspecting by the conventional method because of 
the layers of fabric under the section being inspected. If a hole is 
detected, one man must enter the canopy and make the repairs with an 
adhesive nylon patch provided the holes are within the limits allowed. 
After the inspection phase on the G-11A, the canopy is billowed using a 
pedestal fan. The canopy is then reefed and folded using one or two man to 
hold the skirt while another man routes the reefing line through the 
reefing line loops. Thus it can be seen that the inspection of the 100 
foot diameter G-11A parachute is a tedious operation requiring 
considerable physical exertion because the canopy must be held open and 
folded or the lines have to be retained by the necks of the individuals in 
order to retain line group separation. 
The hereinafter described invention overcomes the aforementioned 
disadvantages by enabling the parachute riggers to make a more thorough 
inspection while making the long folds. Fewer men are required to handle 
the parachute during the inspection procedure. Complete preparation for 
the repacking of the G-11, G-12 and drone aircraft recovery parachutes can 
be accomplished with greater ease and speed. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is concerned with providing a parachute inspection 
arch for use in the visual inspection, repair and repacking of large cargo 
parachutes. A pair of large opposed spaced side frame members in the shape 
of a cardioid are formed of light tubular material such as aluminum or 
plastic. The frame members are held parallel to one another by a series of 
spaced transverse cross members maintaining the shape and rigidity of the 
arch. The arch is carried into the open canopy which is billowed open by a 
pedestal fan and then turned to the side. The open parachute can then be 
entered and examined visually for tears and small holes. After the 
required repairs are made, the parachute can be foled and reefed and the 
arch removed so that the reefing can be completed in the usual manner. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a parachute 
inspection and folding arch which will enable parachute riggers to make a 
more thorough inspection of the chute while making the long folds therein. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a parachute inspection aid 
which can be used to prepare the parachutes for machine sewing and/or 
making repairs using adhesive nylon. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide a parachute inspection 
aid which can be manufactured out of any suitable lightweight tubular 
metal or plastic that will maintain a specific shape when inserted into a 
parachute which has been billowed open by a pedestal floor fan. 
A further object of the invention is provide a parachute inspection and 
folding arch having a shape approaching that of a cardioid with a series 
of spaced transverse cross members disposed between a pair of parallel 
frame members. The lowermost portion of the frame, where it comes in 
contact with the floor is covered with plastic to prevent possible damage 
to the parachute canopy. 
A still further object of the invention is to provide a parachute 
inspection aid which allows inspection, repair and replacing of the 
suspension lines as well as checking line sequence in an easier and faster 
manner with fewer men and with less chance of error. 
These and other objects features and advantages will become more apparent 
after considering the following detailed description taken in conjunction 
with the annexed drawing and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawing, there is shown the cargo chute inspection and 
folding arch in the completely assembled condition. The arch includes two 
identical parallel frame members 13 and 15 which are substantially 
cardioid in shape and constructed of a lightweight tubular material such 
as aluminum or plastic. A series of transverse cross members 17 and 15 
serving to maintain the shape and rigidity of the arch. The lowermost 
portions of each of the frame members 13 and 15 are covered with plastic 
boots 19 to prevent possible damage to the parachute canopy during 
insertion of the arch therein and removal therefrom. 
In use, the arch which stands approximately 10 feet high and 10 feet long 
by 3 feet wide is constructed of lightweight tubing. The height should be 
within reach of the average person. All rough edges should be smoothed by 
sanding to prevent snagging of the parachute during use. 
To prepare the G-11A or G-12 cargo parachutes to receive the parachute 
inspection aid, the reference lines plus four adjacent lines are inserted 
into a line retainer (not shown) which is single slotted and includes a 
high end and a removable low end. The high end stops and guides oncoming 
lines to the retainer slot and the low end of removable in order to make 
it easier to remove the retainer without disturbing the lines. The use of 
the parachute inspection aid enables folds to be made continuously in one 
direction, hence only a single slot line retainer is required. 
After certain of the lines are inserted into the line retainer, other lines 
are placed over the top of the inspection arch which is placed in front of 
the parachute. A pedestal fan is placed about 10 feet from the canopy 
pointing at the partially opened skirt. The parachute inspection arch is 
then carried and slipped into the open canopy with the lines still over 
the top. The arch is then rotated to the side to facilitate folding and 
reefing. 
Spot drying of canopies can be accomplished in this manner. Small holes and 
tears can be easily seen from the inside of the canopy using existing 
overhead lights. Holes within the scope of repairing with adhesive nylon 
patch can easily be made. Cutting and basting for machine sewing is 
simplified using the inspection arch. After the inspection procedure is 
completed, the reefing line is inserted through the rings while folding 
action is provided by pulling the canopy, causing it to fall into long 
folds with the lines falling into the retainer. The right line group is 
tied when the line 61 cutter is reefed. After reefing cutter on line 61, 
folding is continued in the same direction. The remaining gores are 
inspected and the parachute inspection aid is removed when all of the 
loose gores are folded. The remaining gores are folded and reefed and, 
after apex inspection, the reefing is complete and the left and right 
gores are separated and tied. 
Although the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawing and 
described in the foregoing specification in terms of a preferred 
embodiment thereof, the invention is not limited to this embodiment or to 
the preferred configuration shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in 
the art that my invention could have extensive use in other operations 
where it is necessary to prepare parachutes for repack such as drone 
aircraft recovery parachutes, space capsule recovery parachutes or any 
large chutes used in aerial delivery facilities.