3-ring parachute release system - GIF, video, patent

A 3-ring parachute release system. Also called a "3-ring circus", it's used to reliably release a malfunctioning main parachute so that the reserve chute can be safely deployed.

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46-second video showing the 3-ring release mechanism in real-time, and again at 1/20th speed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AItz8GcYx60

Awarded patent #4337913 in 1982, to inventor William R. Booth.

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More:
https://www.google.com/patents/US4337913
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malfunction_(parachuting)

Nice, thanks for posting.

Ralph

Made me cringe to see how easily that one little element gets pulled free to release the whole thing!!!

I realize when you get into trouble, you need to be able to get the release quick and easy, but you sure don't want it to get pulled by mistake.

How is that release mechanism secured, to prevent accidental release, yet still be easily accessed when needed?

At first glance it would appear that the middle ring isn't needed. The large ring could be directly restrained by the small ring.

However there's a lot of force (weight) pulling on the large ring and that force would be trying to pull the small ring loose from its restraint. Adding the middle ring seriously reduces the force on the small ring. Each of the two bigger rings pushes on the ring above it near the point about which that ring can pivot, its fulcrum. This purposely inefficient placement of the force near the fulcrum reduces the force with which the ring being pushed can push on the one above it.

The rings must be circular. Any other shape runs the risk of hanging up and not sliding through the ring below when it comes free from its restraint.

The design is exceptional. It's simple yet effective and easily constructed. It should be awarded some sort of design prize.

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Originally Posted by mklotz

The design is exceptional. It's simple yet effective and easily constructed. It should be awarded some sort of design prize.

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Good call!

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More parachute-themed inventions from this same guy:

Skyhook reserve parachute deployment system
Means for releasably attaching strands
Retractable safety ripcord

More about the inventor Bill Booth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Booth

Interestingly, Booth coined a rule about how risk increases with implementation of safety gear, here written about in the Harvard Business Review:

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...stasis_hbr.jpg

This is a controversial theory known as Risk Homeostasis. If you've ever driven a vehicle faster when wearing a helmet, you've experienced this.

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Originally Posted by Jon

1.A 3-ring parachute release system. Also called a "3-ring circus", it's used to reliably release a malfunctioning main parachute
2.so that the reserve chute can be safely deployed.
3.Awarded patent #4337913 in 1982, to inventor William R. Booth.
4........

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Even with tradition of hollering a funny name to initiate a jump, I'd still need more than 3 reasons to fall out of a perfectly good plane...

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Originally Posted by Toolmaker51

Even with tradition of hollering a funny name to initiate a jump, I'd still need more than 3 reasons to fall out of a perfectly good plane...

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The stories about the origin of the cry, Geronimo, are fun to read...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo_(exclamation)

I never cease to be amazed; you can find the answer to any question that has a legitimate answer on the web.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mklotz

The stories about the origin of the cry, Geronimo, are fun to read...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo_(exclamation)

I never cease to be amazed; you can find the answer to any question that has a legitimate answer on the web.

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A ton of interesting accounts, all connected to a real figure. Rabbit holes and parachutes make a good combination.
So right Marv. Our web's a source of unimaginable breadth. How deep is anyone's guess. Compared to schooling by means known filtered, revisionist, incomplete, or ignored; cannot generate thinkers fractionally a degree superior. I'd rather sift 10 answers, often more, to a question. If learning is a pyramid, broad foundations support conclusions better than a mere piling. Too many things are fed us, making an improper diet.
It's something akin to better directors of 'B' movies, ie Ed Wood. He envisioned things clearly, and accomplished what he could with limited resources, unrestrained by corporate interests. His supply of unbound imagination makes his work still fun to experience decades later. It's said he never directed a shot he didn't like. The fact Tim Burton assembled a distinctive cast to tell and sell his story, rated 7.9/10, proves it.

It's been awarded heartfelt thanks, from anyone who's ever had to fight an old-style parachute release buckle that got stuck. And usually required serious wrenching — side to side, with two thumbs — just to get it to release.

The previous system was called a “Cape well” system. It worked kind of like an early automobile seat belt buckle placed at your shoulders. In the late 1970's 4-6 airmen on my flight simulator maintenance crew decided to go out on weekends joining a skydiving club at the local civilian airport and learned to parachute. One Monday everyone in my crew was talking about how 1 airmen "had to take a RESERVE RIDE" over the weekend. The airman named "Pete" told us all how his first parachute had become a "streamer" and he had to release it by "pulling his Cape Wells" before he could release his "belly pack". The first Cape Well released OK but the second took a little more work. Pete said it felt like it took a couple hours to get it released. He did get it released and quickly released his smaller "reserve" chute. The other airmen talked about Pete beating them to the ground.

That's where the old expression "Watch that first step - it's a doosy" came from.

You haven't really ever had an adrenaline rush until you've stepped out of a perfectly good airplane at several thousand feet.

Capewells require a two step process for release - first the protective covers have to be pulled open, exposing the lanyard loops which you then stick your thumbs into and yank to release the fluttering garbage above. Then it's on to finding that all purpose handle on your belly pack and yanking it (and if you don't hang onto it after pulling it the rigger will get really pissed and let you know how intelligent you are).