FIELD

The present disclosure relates to parachutes, and more specifically, to parachute assemblies having a neck protection system on the parachute and methods of assembling the same.

BACKGROUND

Ejection seats are designed to eject pilots from an aircraft, with the pilot oriented in a generally upright, sitting position. Conventionally, the pilot is released from the ejection seat in response to deployment the ejection seat's main parachute assembly. As the canopy of the parachute assembly catches wind, the pilot may be rotated to orient the pilot in the direction of canopy line stretch. As the pilot is suddenly oriented in-line with the force provided by the canopy, there is an increased risk of neck hyperextension and injury due to the change in orientation forcing the pilot's head rearward.

SUMMARY

A neck protection system for parachute assembly is disclosed herein. In accordance with various embodiments, the neck protection system may comprise a head restraint, a first upper strap coupled to a first side of the head restraint, and a second upper strap coupled to a second side the head restraint. The second side may be opposite the first side. A first lower strap may be coupled to the first side of the head restraint. A second lower strap may be coupled to the second side of the head restraint. A first pull cord may be coupled to the first upper strap. A second pull cord may be coupled to the second upper strap.

In various embodiments, a first releasable restraint may be coupled to the first lower strap. A second releasable restraint may be coupled to the second lower strap. In various embodiments, the first lower strap, the first upper strap, the second lower strap, and the second upper strap may each form a loop configured to receive a riser of the parachute assembly.

In various embodiments, the head restraint may comprise at least one of a net or a mesh. In various embodiments, a distance between the first upper strap and the first lower strap may be configured to increase in response to deployment of the parachute assembly.

In various embodiments, the head restraint may comprise an elastic material. In various embodiments, the distance between the first upper strap and the first lower strap may be configured to decrease in response to a separation of the first releasable restraint.

A parachute assembly is also disclosed herein. In accordance with various embodiments, the parachute assembly may comprise a first riser, a second riser, and a neck protection system coupled to the first riser and the second riser. The neck protection system may include a head restraint, a first upper strap coupled to the head restraint and the first riser, a second upper strap coupled to the head restraint and the second riser, a first lower strap coupled to the head restraint and the first riser, a second lower strap coupled to the head restraint and the second riser, a first pull cord coupled to the first upper strap and the first riser, and a second pull cord coupled to the second upper strap and the second riser.

In various embodiments, the neck protection system may further comprise a first releasable restraint coupled to the first lower strap and the first riser, and a second releasable restraint coupled to the second lower strap and the second riser. In various embodiments, a canopy may be coupled to the first riser and the second riser. The first upper strap may be located closer to the canopy as compared to the first lower strap.

In various embodiments, the first riser may be located through the first lower strap and the first upper strap. The second riser may be located through the second lower strap and the second upper strap. In various embodiments, a distance between the first upper strap and the first lower strap may be configured to increase in response to deployment of the parachute assembly.

In various embodiments, the head restraint may comprise an elastic material. In various embodiments, the distance between the first upper strap and the first lower strap may be configured to decrease in response to a separation of the first releasable restraint.

In various embodiments, the first releasable restraint may comprise at least one of a frangible thread or hook and loop fasteners. In various embodiments, the first pull cord may be coupled to the first upper strap and a first attachment point on the first riser. The first attachment point may be configured to translate away from the first lower strap in response to deployment of the parachute assembly.

In various embodiments, the second pull cord may be coupled to the second upper strap and a second attachment point on the second riser. The second attachment point may be configured to translate away from the second lower strap in response to deployment of the parachute assembly.

A method of assembling a parachute assembly is also disclosed herein. In accordance with various embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of coupling a first upper strap to a first riser and a head restraint, coupling a second upper strap to a second riser and the head restraint, and coupling a first lower strap to the first riser and the head restraint, coupling a second lower strap to the second riser and the head restraint. The method may further include the steps of coupling a first pull cord to the first upper strap and a first attachment point on the first riser and coupling a second pull cord to the second upper strap and a second attachment point on the second riser. The first attachment point may be configured to translate away from the first lower strap in response to deployment of the parachute assembly. The second attachment point may be configured to translate away from the second lower strap in response to deployment of the parachute assembly.

In various embodiments, the step of coupling the first lower strap to the first riser and the head restraint may comprise attaching a releasable restraint to the first lower strap and the first riser. In various embodiments, the head restraint may comprise an elastic material, and a distance between the first upper strap and the first lower strap may be configured to decrease in response to separation of the releasable restraint.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.

