FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvement in parachutes. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When a conventional parachute is opened there is a delay between pulling of the rip cord and the opening of the canopy. Also, the canopy does not always open fully. The present invention seeks to improve this.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An inflatable parachute according to the invention has a canopy of parachute fabric and an airtight inflatable tube around the edge of the canopy, an inflating device in communication with the tube and a means for triggering the inflating device, the arrangement being such that when the inflating device is triggered the tube inflates and the parachute opens.

Preferably the inflatable tube is enclosed in the parachute fabric of the canopy.

Further preferably the inflating device is triggered by a cord. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a round parachute.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view from the top of a round parachute. Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of a rectangular parachute.

Figure 4 shows a schematic view from the top of a rectangular parachute. Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of the parachute in Figure 3 from another angle.

Figure 6 shows a schematic plan view of a round parachute with a section of the perimeter cut away and a detail of the cut away section.

Figure 7 is a similar illustration to Figure 6 but for a rectangular parachute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show a round parachute having a canopy 3 made of parachute fabric carrying an object 4 which is to be dropped. All around the edge or circumference of the canopy and enclosed in the parachute material is an airtight inflatable tube 2. Communicating with the inflatable tube 2 is an inflating device 1 which is a gas bottle 7 triggered by a cord 5 and having a valve 6.

In use the cord 5 is pulled as soon as the parachutist jumps and the inflating device 1 will immediately inflate the tube 2 and cause the canopy 3 to open to its full extent.

This will reduce the time taken to open the parachute and decrease the height above the ground at which the parachute can be deployed safely.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a rectangular parachute having an inflatable tube 2 and an inflating device 1 at the perimeter of its canopy 3. This parachute will operate in the same manner as the round parachute described above.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a detail showing the inflating device 1 with gas bottle 7, valve 6 and cord 5. The inflating device 1 is in communication with the tube 2 which is sewn into the parachute material around the edge of the canopy 3.

The principle can also readily be applied to parachutes of other shapes.