Patent ID: 7461817

Claim:
A cargo parachute apparatus for releasing cargo from a parachute when the cargo impacts ground or water, the cargo parachute apparatus comprising: a) a mechanical assembly attached to the cargo and the mechanical assembly releasably connected to the parachute, b) an electronic assembly including a sensor responsive to impact of the cargo with the ground or water which provides a signal when impact is detected and motive means and a circuit for activating the motive means to release the parachute in response to the signal from the sensor indicating impact of the cargo with the ground or water, c) wherein the mechanical assembly has a hinged member having at least one release pin receiving formation with a bore and the electronic assembly has at least one release pin positioned in the bore when the hinged member is in a closed position, and wherein the hinged member is connected to an assembly plate, and d) wherein the assembly plate has at least one first race and the hinged member has at least one second race and when the hinged member is in the closed position a slot is formed between the hinged member and assembly plate and the slot extends to the at least one first race and the at least one second race a parachute riser attachment component having a ball portion and a riser portion and when the hinged member is in the closed position the ball portion is positioned in the at least one first race and the at least one second race and the riser portion is positioned in the slot, and the parachute riser attachment component is connectable to the parachute, and the electronic assembly includes a microprocessor for sending the signal to the circuit in order to actuate the motive means and retract the at least one release pin from the bore such that the hinged member opens to an open position to release the parachute riser attachment component to detach the parachute from the mechanical assembly and prevent the parachute from dragging the cargo on the ground or water.