KITE AND WING RIG

Abstract

The invention relates to a support structure of a kite or wing rig, wherein portions of at least one strut are made of a material different from that of a front tube/leading edge or of another strut.

Claims

1. A kite or wing rig with an inflatable support structure which comprises a leading edge and at least one strut attached thereto and which puts up a canopy, characterized in that at least a partial region of an outer skin of a strut is manufactured of a different material, preferably a lighter material with a lower area weight, than the material of the leading edge or of other struts.

2. The kite or wing rig according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of struts consisting of materials with different area weights.

3. The kite or wing rig according to claim 1, wherein a center strut is manufactured of a material with an area weight higher than that of external struts.

4. The kite or wing rig according to claim 3, which is made with five struts, wherein a center strut and quarter struts are made of a material heavier than that of trip struts.

5. The kite or wing rig according to claim 3, wherein at least portions of the center strut or the quarter strut are made of the same material as that of the leading edge.

6. The kite or wing rig according to claim 1, wherein the heavier material of the outer skin has an area weight of more than 120 g/m.sup.2, preferably more than 130 g/m.sup.2, and the lighter material has an area weight of less than 100 g/m.sup.2, preferably less than 90 g/m.sup.2.

7. The kite or wing rig according to claim 5, wherein the heavier material is Dacron® and the lighter material is a cloth/laminate commonly used for canopies/spinnakers.

8. The kite or wing rig according to claim 7, wherein both materials are made on a polyester basis.

9. The kite or wing rig according to claim 1, wherein, in the binding region to the leading edge, the strut is formed of a heavier material than the material of the strut used in the region of a trailing edge.

10. The kite or wing rig according to claim 1, wherein the leading edge is formed of a lighter material toward the tips than in a middle region.

Description

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in detail in the following by means of a schematic drawing.

[0025] The only FIGURE shows a three-dimensional front view of a kite optimized for freeride use.

[0026] Such a kite 1 has a support structure 2 consisting of a front tube or leading edge 4 and five transverse struts formed transversely thereto, in the following called struts 6, which put up a canopy 8 together. The filling of the leading edge 4 is performed by means of a valve (not illustrated) formed at the leading edge 4 and also enabling the filling of the struts 6 via a one-pump-system. The FIGURE illustrates the model Rebel® where five struts 6 are used. In the middle region of the leading edge 4 (front tube) a center strut 10 is provided, adjacent thereto two quarter struts 12a, 12b are provided, and for the stiffening of tips 15, 16, tip struts 14a, 14b are provided in the region thereof. As illustrated in the FIGURE, the diameter of the leading edge 4 decreases toward the two tips 15, 16. Correspondingly, the struts 6 also taper away from the leading edge 4 toward the trailing edge 18 positioned aft in the direction of inflow.

[0027] As explained above, the outer skin of the leading edge 4 and of the struts 6 is made of a comparatively wear-resistant material and surrounds a bladder (not illustrated) which may be inflated via the initially-mentioned valve. This bladder merely contributes to the air tightness of the support structure 2 and is accordingly designed with a view to the pressure strength. In the case of conventional kites the struts 6 and the leading edge 4 are—apart from the necessary reinforcements—made of Dacron®. This material is, for instance, also used for the manufacturing of sails. Such Dacron® material has usually an area weight of more than 120 g/m.sup.2.

[0028] In accordance with the invention it is provided to design the outer skin of at least portions of at least one strut 6 from a material having a lower area weight. This “lighter” material is then made with an area weight of less than 100 g/m.sup.2, preferably less than 90 g/m.sup.2, for instance. In recent times, also materials have been available in the market which have, with a strength/stiffness and wear resistance comparable to Dacron®, an area weight of approx. 70 g/m.sup.2.

[0029] Such material is, for instance, offered under the trade mark Aluula®. It is particularly preferred if the material used for the strut 6 has an area weight between 90 g/m.sup.2 and 70 g/m.sup.2, whereas the material of the outer skin of the leading edge 4 and/or the other struts 6 has an area weight between 130 g/m.sup.2 and 160 g/m.sup.2.

[0030] In the case of a kite 1 with five struts 6, for instance, the center strut 10, the leading edge 4 and possibly also the two quarter struts 12a, 12b may be manufactured of

[0031] Dacron® with a comparatively high area weight, whereas the tip struts 14a, 14b are made of a lighter material, for instance, Aluula®.

[0032] Basically, it is also possible to manufacture the quarter struts 12a, 12b from a material whose area weight ranges between that of the center strut 10 and the trip struts 14a, 14b, so that the tip region is optimized with respect to flexibility. In other words, in the middle region of the kite 1 a comparatively stiff, heavy material is used, whereas the tip regions are manufactured of a light, soft, flexible material.

[0033] As indicated in the FIGURE, a leading edge-side region A of a strut 6, for instance, the center strut 10, may be manufactured of the same material as the leading edge 18. This region A of a comparatively heavy, stiff material (Dacron®), may, for instance, extend over 10 cm to 20 cm. In the region marked with B the material is then designed with a lower area weight, so that the trailing edge-side portions of the respective struts 6 may be formed flexibly from a soft material. This enables, for instance, to design the trailing edge-side portion of the strut 6, with a low weight, with a somewhat larger diameter than with conventional solutions for optimizing stiffness.

[0034] A corresponding concept may also be provided for the leading edge 4. Thus, for instance, the middle region M of the leading edge 4 may be manufactured of the heavier material, whereas tip-side regions R are then made of a lighter material.

[0035] It is to be understood that the zones indicated in the FIGURE may also be of different design. Basically, it is also possible to design more than two regions of a strut 6 or a plurality of struts 6 with different materials. The same also applies, of course, to the leading edge 4.

[0036] In the FIGURE reference number 22 designates the regions provided with a reinforcement. This reinforcement 22 may, for instance, also be made of a heavy Dacron® material. Basically it is, however, also possible to form at least tip-side reinforcements by the doubling of lighter materials, so that sufficient protection is guaranteed with low weight.

[0037] In the Table below some materials are mentioned which are used for forming the leading edge 4 and/or the struts 6. The designations used here are well-known to the person skilled in the art.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE strut materials LE materials Aluula (70 g) DLE 130 DLE140 T77060 DLE 160 STW70 (90 g) Aluula (70 g) x x DLE 130 (130 g) x x DLE 140 (140 g) x x T 77060 (160 g) x x DLE 160 (160 g) x x

[0038] In the case of light wind kites with one single center strut 10, for instance, (see the model Mono®, for example), this one may correspondingly be designed of a lighter material than at least partial regions of the leading edge 4. Since such light wind kites are designed with a large face and accordingly the center strut 10 is comparatively long, it is convenient to make at least portions thereof of a very light material such as, for instance, the Aluula® material, wherein, in the binding region to the leading edge 4, a stiffer, heavier material such as, for instance, one of the Dacron® materials in accordance with the above Table may be used. In the case of such a light wind kite the trailing edge 20 may then be manufactured from Dacron® throughout, or else from the afore-described material mixture.

[0039] However, the invention is by no means restricted to the use of conventional Dacron®/spinnaker materials or cloths. Basically, laminates, films, or the like which are suited for use as an outer skin of kites may also be used.

[0040] Basically, wing rigs may also be designed in the afore-described manner.

[0041] The invention relates to a support structure of a kite or wing rig, wherein portions of at least one strut are made of a material different from that of a front tube/leading edge or of another strut.

[0042] List of Reference Numbers:

[0043] 1 kite

[0044] 2 support structure

[0045] 4 leading edge

[0046] 6 strut

[0047] 8 canopy

[0048] 10 center strut

[0049] 12 quarter strut

[0050] 14 tip strut

[0051] 15 tip

[0052] 16 tip

[0053] 18 trailing edge

[0054] 22 reinforcement