Kite control bar with integrated line adjustment means

Abstract

A kite control bar having a line guide extending with a fixed pawl towards one end. A reel is pivotally mounted towards one end of the control bar and extending into the line receiving channel. The reel has a fixed shaft with a knob on the shaft to enabling manual rotation of the reel. The reel has a ratchet gear. The reel is pivotally movable from an engaged positioned in which the ratchet gear of the reel is engaged with the pawl on the control bar thereby preventing rotation of the reel and a disengaged position in which the ratchet gear of the reel is disengaged from the pawl on the control bar thereby allowing rotation of the reel. The reel is biased into the engaged position. The reel is moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position by pushing the knob away from a center of the control bar.

Claims

1. A kite control bar comprising: a control bar body having a line guide along an exterior surface of the control bar with a fixed pawl towards one end; a reel pivotally mounted towards the one end of the control bar body, the reel having a shaft with a knob on the shaft to enable manual rotation of the reel, the reel having a ratchet gear, the reel being pivotally movable from an engaged position in which the ratchet gear of the reel is engaged with the pawl on the control bar body thereby preventing rotation of the reel and a disengaged position in which the ratchet gear of the reel is disengaged from the pawl on the control bar body thereby allowing rotation of the reel; and at least one control line passing along the line guide of the control bar body and engaged with the reel, the reel being biased into the engaged position, the reel being moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position by pushing the knob away from a center of the control bar body.

2. The kite control bar of claim 1, wherein the reel has a lever arm with a spring element that exerts a force upon the lever arm to urge the reel into the engaged position.

3. The kite control bar of claim 1, wherein the reel has a flange with holes and the control line is woven through the holes, such that line adjustment may be made manually by pulling a loop of excess control line through the holes.

4. The kite control bar of claim 1, wherein the line guide is comprised of intermittent spaced line retainers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view that depicts a kite with its control system, featuring a bar providing simultaneous length adjustable control lines according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2a is a front elevation view, in section, of a kite control bar provided with a control line adjustment system comprising an array of receiving pockets.

(4) FIG. 2b is a bottom perspective view of a kite control bar provided with a control line adjustment system comprising an array of receiving pockets.

(5) FIG. 3a is a front elevation view, in section, of a kite control bar provided with a control line adjustment system comprising a reel with ratchet gear.

(6) FIG. 3b is a bottom plan view of the reel of FIG. 3a with the ratchet gear in an engaged position.

(7) FIG. 3c is a bottom plan view of the reel of FIG. 3a with the ratchet gear in a disengaged position.

(8) FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of an end of a control bar.

(9) FIG. 5 is a detailed section view of an end of a control bar, with the reel in the engaged position.

(10) FIG. 6 is a detailed section view of an end of a control bar, with the reel in the disengaged position.

(11) FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a control bar with control lines uneven prior to adjustment.

(12) FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of a reel with control line adjustment.

(13) FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a control bars with control lines even after the control line adjustment of FIG. 8.

(14) FIG. 10 is a front elevation view, in section, of a control bar.

(15) FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of a first alternative embodiment of control bar.

(16) FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a second alternative embodiment of control bar.

(17) FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a third alternative embodiment of control bar.

(18) FIG. 14 is a section view taken long section lines A1-A1 of FIG. 11.

(19) FIG. 15 is a modified section view taken along section lines A1-A1 of FIG. 11

(20) FIG. 16 is a section view taken along section lines A2-A2 of FIG. 12.

(21) FIG. 17 is a modified section view taken along section lines A2-A2 of FIG. 12.

(22) FIG. 18 is a section view taken along section lines A3-A3 of FIG. 13.

(23) FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of a fourth alternative embodiment of control bar.

(24) FIG. 20 is a section view taken along section lines A4-A4 of FIG. 19.

(25) FIG. 21 is a section view taken along section lines A5-A5 of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(26) Referring to FIG. 1a, a kite 1, with anchoring means 2 (typically an anchor ring to which a harness attaches), is provided with a typical 3-point control system which has multiple lines 3 attached to the forward edge which converge in to a central load hearing line 4 which attaches to the anchoring means 2 (anchor ring), where the length of the lines 3 and central load bearing 4 together define length A, and two control lines 5L and 5R, attached to both ends of the trailing edge, with length B, each having access to a control bar according to the present invention 6 through means for sliding access 7. The bar is further provided with a centrally placed hole 8 through which the central load bearing line 4 can slide.

(27) In general use, the flying kite is controlled by movement of control bar 6 relative to the anchoring means 2 (anchor ring). Sliding control bar 6 over the central load bearing line 4 in a direction away from the anchoring means 2 (anchor ring) results in kite 1 assuming a position with less projected area towards the wind, while pulling control bar 6 towards the anchoring means 2 (anchor ring) gradually increases the projected area towards the wind, giving kite 1 more lift and therewith more tension on the lines 4 and 5. Holding control bar 6 skewed shortens one of the control lines 5 relative to the other, which results in the kite turning in the air. The total sliding movement of control bar 6 relative to the anchoring means 2 (anchor ring) over the central load bearing line 4 needed to fully control flying of kite 1 defines the bar stroke.

(28) The start and end position of the bar stroke relative to the central load bearing line 4 can vary with the wind conditions, as well as kite size and riding style. To adjust the start and end position of the bar stroke in order to provide safe and comfortable operation, and to allow for specific riding styles, control bar 6 according to the present invention allows for adjusting of the lengths of the control lines 5 simultaneously.

(29) FIGS. 2a and 2b show a kite control bar 6 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention providing an array of locking means 9, as will hereinafter be further described, each of which can accept a stopper 10. The stopper is provided with a tab 11 for convenient adjusting of the control lines length. FIG. 2a is a longitudinal cross section view, FIG. 2b a view at the arrangement of the stopper 10 and the locking means 9.

(30) In FIG. 2a the means for sliding access 12, which will hereinafter be further described with reference to FIG. 4) by which the control lines 5 enter the bar, and the redirecting sliding means 13, 14 (sheaves) and 15 (post) are shown.

(31) Further, the arrangement of the control lines 5 and elastic cords 16 and 17 inside control bar 6 is shown. For a better understanding of this embodiment of the present invention, the routing of the control lines 5 can be followed. Coming from the kite 1, each control line 5L and 5R access the bar 6 at the means for sliding access 12. The control lines 5 are then redirected towards the center of the bar by the redirecting sliding means 13 and 14 (sheaves), which in this embodiment are sheaves in order to reduce friction and therewith the force needed to operate the bar, as well as wear of the lines and components in the bar.

(32) This figure depicts an arrangement of the bar according to the invention in a typical right handed setup with the array of locking means located to the right, however the bar is constructed in such a way that upon user preference it can be used reversed, with the locking means on the left side.

(33) Control line 5R runs from the right redirecting sliding means towards the stopper 10. From the left redirecting sliding means 13 (sheave), control line 5L runs all the way across bar 6 to the right redirecting sliding means 14 (sheave), where it meets control line 5R. By running across control bar 6, control line 5L needs to by-pass the central hole 8 in bar 6. This is done by routing the control line 5L through a smooth by-pass channel 19.

(34) From the right redirecting sliding means 14 (sheave) control line 5L goes on to stopper 10, inside of which it is joined with control line 5R. This joined may be a knot that ties the control lines 5L and 5R together, but these line might just as well made from one single length of line, locked inside the stopper with a half hitch knot. This has two benefits: Even if the knot slips, the control lines still run from the bar towards the kite, thus eliminating the risk of a line slipping out of control bar 6. The other benefit is that the half hitch knot is very compact, allowing for a very compact design of stopper 10. The stopper can be inserted in any of the locking means 9, and will be pulled in to the locking means by the tension on the control lines. Thus, a secure and easy to operate control line length adjustment system is achieved with multiple discrete locking positions.

(35) A significant aspect of the present invention is that no lines can dangle from the bar when the kite is flying, as this is very annoying for the rider and even dangerous as loose line can wrap around limbs and pieces of equipment. The arrangement of locking means 9 and stopper 10 has no excess line so there is nothing dangling from the bar.

(36) From the stopper towards the center of the bar runs an elastic retaining cord 16. Close to the center the elastic retaining cord 16 is redirected by redirecting means 15 (towards point C on control line 5L, where retaining cord 16 is joined to control 5L thus forming a trim loop. The retaining cord assists in keeping the stopper 10 against the bar and in to a locking means when the rider lets go of the stopper 10 when it is outside of a locking means. By pulling stopper 10 towards the center of bar 6, the trim loop turns clock-wise and the control lines 5L and 5R are pulled into the bar and therewith shortened. As such, locking stopper 10 in a locking means close to the center of the bar 6 powers the kite up while locking stopper 10 in a locking means towards the right hand end of bar 6 de-powers the kite.

(37) A second elastic cord 17 is attached to control 5L proximate to point C, and runs from there passed the center of bar 6 through a by-pass channel 20 to fixing point 18. This elastic ensures there is tension in the section between point C and stopper 10 in control line 5L, which keeps stopper 10 locked securely in the locking means it has been set in, even if there is no tension on the control lines 5.

(38) This embodiment of the bar according to the present invention thus provides a quick, reliable and comfortable method of adjusting the length of the control lines of a kite with a 3-point control system.

(39) A second embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c.

(40) This embodiment comprises a bar 21, adapted with a reel assembly, comprising a shaft 22, a reel 23, a ratchet gear 24, a sliding pulley 25 and a knob 26, all solidly fixed together in a way that does not allow spinning of the parts relative to each other. The reel assembly is in this embodiment placed towards the end of bar 21, with the knob 26 protruding from the bar in a way the user can easily access it when maneuvering the kite. The reel assembly is attached to the bar on the end of the shaft 22, for instance by a screw 27 in a slightly over-sized hole 28 in a rigid part of the bar, such that the shaft assembly can both rotate about its axis, as well as pivot about the over-sized hole 28. Arrow D indicates direction and amount of pivoting.

(41) Similar the first embodiment, the control lines 5L and 5R have access to the bar 21 by means for sliding access 12, and are redirected towards the center by redirecting sliding means 29 and 30. Control line 5L is guided passed the center of bar 21 towards the reel assembly, and Control line 5R is redirected by a redirecting sliding means 31 located close to the center of bar 21 towards the reel assembly. Both control lines 5L and 5R can be wound on the reel jointly, or they can be joined to a reel line in order to be able to wind more line on a compact reel. Thus, the length of the control lines 5 can be adjusted by turning the reel assembly, meeting the important aspect of the present invention that no line length is left to dangle from the bar.

(42) In order to lock the line length securely while keeping operation of the reel easy, the ratchet gear cooperates with a fixed tooth or pawl. Usage conditions of kite control bars do not allow for sensitive mechanisms, hence the sheer simplicity of this embodiment. The FIGS. 3a and 3b depict how the ratchet gear 24 is moved to and away of a tooth or pawl 32. As tooth or pawl 32 is located towards the pulling direction of the joint control lines 5 according to arrow D, the gear will automatically lock on to tooth or pawl 32 as long as there is tension on the control lines 5.

(43) Arrow F depicts the winding direction. As the ratchet gears teeth are slanted to one side, they can push the reel assembly to pivot in the direction of arrow D, so to unlock the ratchet gear from the tooth or pawl. The pivoting motion is limited to a direction longitudinal to the bar by bracket 33.

(44) Unwinding the control lines 5 from the reel 23 is only possible when the reel assembly is pivoted away from the tooth or pawl along arrow D, easily done by the rider by pushing the knob 26 away from the center of bar 21. The reel assembly is then free to turn in the direction of arrow E.

(45) FIG. 4 shows a close up of a bar end adapted with means for sliding access 12 which can be shifted to two positions G and H. Shifting of the means for sliding access of a control line 5 increases or decreases the effective length of the bar and therewith the amount of control when one side of the bar is pulled. To shift the means for sliding access of a control line 5, a U shaped bracket 34 with two parallel segments can be pulled from two sliding channels 35 by a short webbing tab 36, and against an elastic cord 37, such to open a slot 38 and allow the control line 5 to traverse from one extreme position in slot 38 to another, from G to H to decrease the effective length of bar 6, or from H to G to increase the effective length of bar 6. By releasing the webbing tab, the U shaped bracket 34 can slide back in to its starting positions assisted by elastic cord 37, thus embracing control line 5 in another position.

Further Details Relating to Commercial Embodiments

(46) In order to describe the best mode, there will now be described with reference to FIG. 5 through FIG. 21, improvements made to the commercial embodiment.

(47) In the commercial embodiment an improvement has been made to the manner that reel 23 is biased into an engaged position in which ratchet gear 24 is engaged fixed tooth or pawl 32. It was described above that reel 23 has an associated ratchet gear 24. It was also described above that reel 23 pivoted between an engaged position in which ratchet gear 24 engaged fixed tooth or pawl 32 preventing rotation of reel 23 and a disengaged position in which ratchet gear 24 was disengaged from fixed tooth or pawl 32 so that reel 23 rotated freely. This pivoting movement was made possible because reel 23 was mounted by screw 27 which was positioned in an oversized hole 28 provided on control bar 21. It was also described that the tension in control line 5R and 5L tended to urge reel 23 into the engaged position. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in the commercial embodiment a lever arm 52 has been provided. An O-ring 48 extends from lever arm 52 and to a connection point at the end of control bar 21. O-ring 48 serves as a spring element and provides tension to urge reel 23 into the engaged position in which ratchet gear 24 engages fixed tooth or pawl 32. FIG. 5 shows reel 23 in the engaged position. FIG. 6 shows reel 23 in the disengaged position. As described above, to depower, the user nudges the winder knob 26, which disengages the ratchet gear 24 from the fixed tooth or pawl 32. The reel 23 will then spin due to the torque created as line (shown as 5R) is pulled by kite 1. When the pressure on winder knob 26 is released, ratchet gear 24 and fixed tooth or pawl 32 will re-engage because of the tension created by O-ring 48 and lever arm 52 creating a moment about screw 27 in oversized hole 28. Reel 23 is prevented from over-pivoting by bracket 33.

(48) In the commercial embodiment an improvement has been made to the manner of trim line adjustment using reel 23. FIG. 7 shows kite control bar 21 with a single control line extending from opposed ends of control bar 21 and identified as 5L (left) and 5R (right). It is to be noted that the two control line ends 5L and 5R extending from control bar 21 are uneven in length. This condition is undesirable as it will cause the kite 1 to fly erratically causing a potential for bodily harm. Referring to FIG. 8, oversized hole 28 has been positioned on a reel support 75 attached to reel 23. Reel 23 has been provided with a flange 77 that has holes 78. By weaving control line 5R through holes 78 on flange 77 control line 5R can be easily adjusted to equalize the lengths 5L and 5R. For this purpose, reel 23 can be temporarily removed from the kite control bar 21 by sliding oversized hole 28 on reel support 75 off of screw 27 that retains it. The control line 5R can then be adjusted by pulling it through holes 78 on flange 77 until control line 5R is equal in length to control line 5L. Any portion pulled through holes 78 in one direction serves to lengthen 5L, while shortening 5R. Any portion pulled through holes 78 in the other direction serves to lengthen 5R, while shortening 5L. The loop illustrated in FIG. 8 only exists temporarily, in order to complete the adjustment through the adjusted length represented by the loop is pulled through holes 78 in flange 77 until control line is again resting against flange 77. The adjusted length that formerly was represented by the loop has been used to lengthen either 5L and 5R. FIG. 5 shows a kite control bar 21 with 5L and 5R being of equal lengths, an adjustment having been made as described above.

(49) In the commercial embodiment an improvement has been made to the routing through control bar 21 of a single control line 5. Referring to FIG. 10, a routing path for a single control line 5 is shown. Single control line 5 has a right portion 5R that extends from right end 64 of control bar 21 and a left portion 5L that extends from left end 65 of control bar 21. Right portion 5R of single control line 5 enters the kite control bar 21 through right bar end 64 where it is routed around a roller 68. Roller 68 directs the right portion 5R of single control line 5 so that it wraps around and is attached to the reel 23, right portion 5R then weaves through holes 78 on flange 77 this locks the control line in place on the reel before exiting reel 23. After exiting reel 23 single control line 5 is routed along a right side line fairing 70. After this, the single control line 5 is routed through a tubular cavity 74 created between the centre hole liner 76 and the kite control bar 21. This enables the single control line 5 to pass by the control bar's centrally placed hole 8. Single control line 5 then passes along a left side line fairing 71, and exits control bar 21 as control line 5L the bar through the left end 65 of control bar 21.

(50) As described above, the partly U-shaped cross section of previously described control bar 21 allows for draining of sand and debris. Various commercial embodiments have been developed for testing with differing structures. In order to differentiate the new control bar configuration, from previous control bar configuration 21, each embodiment has been identified by a different reference numeral. Referring to FIG. 11, control bar 121 is illustrated. Control bar 121 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 14 and as a variation in FIG. 15. Referring to FIG. 12, control bar 221 is illustrated. Control bar 221 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 16 and as a variation in FIG. 17. Referring to FIG. 13, control bar 321 is illustrated. Control bar 321 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 18. Referring to FIG. 19, control bar 421 is illustrated. Control bar 421 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21. In the illustrated embodiments, a trimline 62 has been shown which connects to control line 5L and 5R.

(51) FIG. 14 shows a cross section view taken along section lines A1-A1 of FIG. 11. This section view shows control bar 121 as being cylindrical with an exterior surface 80 and an interior surface 82. Attached to the exterior surface 80 is an open channel 84 where a trimline 62 is routed. The open channel 84 can be located anywhere around the circumference of the exterior surface 80. The trimline 62 is routed here to allow easy replacement and maintenance as well as preventing unwanted sand, salt and debris build up. FIG. 15 shows how control bar 121 can be reinforced with interior support material 88. This material could be an open cell or closed cell foam, neoprene, rubber, etc. The material could be selected for the purpose of buoyancy or other properties.

(52) FIG. 16 shows a cross section view taken along section lines A2-A2 of FIG. 12. This section view shows control bar 221 could be described as being generally triangular with an exterior surface 80 and interior surface 82. Attached to the exterior surface 80 is an inverted U-shaped open channel 84 where the trimline 62 is routed, such that the combination of control bar 221 and open channel 84 forming an A-shape. The trimline 62 is routed here to allow easy replacement and maintenance as well as preventing unwanted sand, salt and debris build up. The A-shaped cross section creates a comfortable grip for a rider using this kite control bar 221. FIG. 17 shows how control bar 221 can be reinforced with interior support material 88. This material could be an open cell or closed cell foam, neoprene, rubber, etc. The material could be selected for the purpose of buoyancy or other properties.

(53) FIG. 18 shows a cross section view taken along section lines A3-A3 of FIG. 13. Control bar 321 in the shape of an I-beam with exterior surface 80. There is an open channel 84, attached to the exterior surface 80 of the control bar 321. The trimline 62 is routed here to allow easy replacement and maintenance as well as preventing unwanted sand, salt and debris build up. The open channel 84 can be located anywhere along the exterior surface 80, but is shown located on the bottom of the control bar 321.

(54) FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 shows cross section views taken along section lines A4-A4 and A5-A5 respectively of FIG. 19. In this embodiment there is not a continuous channel, Referring to FIG. 19, there is illustrated trimline 62 being routed through axially spaced line retaining components 92 disposed along control bar 421. FIG. 20 shows where trimline 62 runs externally of control bar 421. FIG. 21 shows the trimline 62 is contained within line retaining component 92. Trimline 62 is routed through line retaining component 92 on the exterior surface 80 of hollow control bar 94 to allow easy replacement and maintenance as well as preventing unwanted sand, salt and debris build up.

(55) In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

(56) The scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments set forth as examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with a purposive construction of the claims in view of the description as a whole.