A multi-layer bladder construct consisting of a non-stretchable outer covering and a stretchable inner bladder. The outer covering has an inner surface and is made from woven polymer fibers having a warp direction and a weft direction. The inner bladder is made from a bi-axially oriented polymer film. The inner bladder has an outer surface area that is smaller than the inner surface area of the outer covering. Upon inflation, the inner bladder stretches and expands until the outer surface of the inner bladder engages the inner surface of the outer covering, whereby a portion of tensile force loading on the outer covering is shared with the inner bladder. The multi-layer bladder was developed for use in air-inflated kites used in the sport of kiteboarding, but has broader potential application.

A method of loading a bladder into an outer envelope of an inflatable kite involves inserting the bladder through a valve opening in a portion of the outer envelope of the inflatable kite until a valve of the bladder is positioned in the valve opening. The preferred manner of inserting the bladder into position is accomplished by securing a line to a remote end of the bladder and using the line to draw the bladder through the valve opening.

A method of loading a bladder into an outer envelope of an inflatable kite involves inserting the bladder through a valve opening in a portion of the outer envelope of the inflatable kite until a valve of the bladder is positioned in the valve opening. The preferred manner of inserting the bladder into position is accomplished by securing a line to a remote end of the bladder and using the line to draw the bladder through the valve opening.

An improved inflatable wing and kit including an inflatable airframe, a center strut connectable to the airframe, a wing panel connectable to the airframe and to the center strut, and a handle. The handle may have first and second ends, each configured to removably connect to the center strut via connection devices on the center strut which are configured to receive the first and second ends of the handle.

An improved inflatable wing and kit including an inflatable airframe, a center strut connectable to the airframe, a wing panel connectable to the airframe and to the center strut, and a handle. The handle may have first and second ends, each configured to removably connect to the center strut via connection devices on the center strut which are configured to receive the first and second ends of the handle.

A self-contained traction wing which is intended to be used in combination with a gliding device capable of interacting with the feet of a user, is controlled by the user via manual gripping mechanism placed on the wing, and has a structure having a sail defined by a leading edge formed by an inflatable tube, and a trailing edge, the structure being symmetrical in relation to a central batten. The half wings located on either side of the central batten, each comprise at least one additional transverse batten between the central batten and the end of the wing. The additional transverse batten is closer to the end of the wing than to the central batten and comprises an inflatable tube structure, having a length provided to create a positive trailing edge.

A self-contained traction wing which is intended to be used in combination with a gliding device capable of interacting with the feet of a user, is controlled by the user via manual gripping mechanism placed on the wing, and has a structure having a sail defined by a leading edge formed by an inflatable tube, and a trailing edge, the structure being symmetrical in relation to a central batten. The half wings located on either side of the central batten, each comprise at least one additional transverse batten between the central batten and the end of the wing. The additional transverse batten is closer to the end of the wing than to the central batten and comprises an inflatable tube structure, having a length provided to create a positive trailing edge.

A kite includes a frame including a leading edge support and a plurality of struts extending rearward from the leading edge support, a flexible main canopy attached to the frame and at least one flexible kite sizing section adjustably attached to the flexible main canopy. The at least one flexible kite sizing section is adjustable to change an area of the kite, including an area of at least a first wing tip section of the kite.

A kite includes a frame including a leading edge support and a plurality of struts extending rearward from the leading edge support, a flexible main canopy attached to the frame and at least one flexible kite sizing section adjustably attached to the flexible main canopy. The at least one flexible kite sizing section is adjustable to change an area of the kite, including an area of at least a first wing tip section of the kite.

A hand-held wing rig includes an inflatable front tube forming a leading edge and a rigid or inflatable center strut which together span a canopy. A radially projecting spoiler profile is formed approximately in the lower region of the leading edge. In use, the spoiler profile is tangentially flowed against, facing a user. Further disclosed is a kite including a spoiler profile formed approximately in the lower region of the leading edge, which is tangentially flowed against.