Patent ID: 8328141

Claim:
A method for stowing suspension line to pack a parachute, the method comprising: providing a suspension line tool having an expander member extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end of the suspension line tool for positioning an expandable band member around a band receiving member; inserting a first portion of the first end of the suspension line tool into a loop of the expandable band member; expanding a perimeter of the loop by moving the loop along a ramp portion of the suspension line tool, wherein the ramp portion has a first outer surface expanding in perimeter shape along the longitudinal axis from generally the first end towards the second end; inserting the band receiving member in a channel defined by inner surfaces of the expander member and extending along the longitudinal axis from an opening in the expander member at the second end toward the first end; and transferring the loop onto the band receiving member by disengaging the loop from the second end of the expander member so that the loop contracts around a portion of the band receiving member.