Integrated kiteboarding canopy self launching and landing safety systems

Abstract

An integrated Kiteboarding canopy self-launching and landing safety system is presented. The system includes a base. The system also includes an attachment mechanism configured to attach to the base, wherein the attachment mechanism is structured to capture a kiteboarding canopy. The system additionally includes a release mechanism positionable on the base, wherein the release mechanism is arranged to be able to release a kiteboarding canopy upon actuation. Further, the system includes a securing mechanism configured to connect with the base, wherein the securing mechanism is configured to secure a kiteboarding canopy upon landing. And, the system also includes a manual and automatic device to control both landing and launching evolutions.

Claims

1. An integrated kiteboarding canopy self-launching and landing safety system comprising: a base; an attachment mechanism configured to attach to the base, wherein the attachment mechanism is structured to capture and to release an inflatable kiteboarding canopy edge; wherein the attachment mechanism comprises two opposing longitudinally oriented pivoting arms; longitudinal inflatable tubes mounted on the opposing longitudinally oriented pivoting arms; and wherein the longitudinal inflatable tubes are configured to interact with the inflatable kiteboarding canopy edge to form a cooperating interface such that the system can capture and release an inflatable kiteboarding canopy edge; a release mechanism positionable on the base, wherein the release mechanism is arranged to be able to release a kiteboarding canopy upon actuation, wherein the release mechanism includes an incorporated spring release; a securing mechanism configured to connect with the base, wherein the securing mechanism is configured to secure a kiteboarding canopy upon landing wherein the securing mechanism includes solenoids and spring mechanisms to actuate the securing mechanism to cradle the kiteboarding canopy leading edge with and the longitudinal inflatable tubes mounted the two opposing longitudinally oriented pivoting arms; and a manual and automatic device to control both landing and launching evolutions, wherein the manual and automatic device includes a lanyard and wireless actuators.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments given below is considered in conjunction with the figures provided.

(2) FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a secured canopy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a canopy approaching a landing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a secured canopy after landing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a canopy securing mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a is a side view of canopy securing mechanism displaying anchors in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side view of a canopy clamping device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

(8) FIG. 7 is a side view of a canopy clamping device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

(10) In an embodiment of the invention, an integrated kiteboarding self-launching and self-landing safety system is displayed.

(11) As shown in FIG. 1, a sole kiteboarding operator 102 is above grade over media 104 and is tethered with lines 106 to a canopy 108. A leading edge 110 of the canopy 108 is held in place with a canopy securing device 112. As seen in FIG. 1, the operator 102 has the canopy 108 held in place with the canopy securing device 112 prior launching.

(12) As best seen in FIG. 2, the operator 102 is approaching the canopy securing device 112 while tethered to the canopy 108. The operator will actuate the canopy securing device 112 when the leading edge 110 of the canopy 108 is within clamping range of the canopy securing device 112.

(13) Turning to FIG. 3, the operator 102 is shown having the leading edge 110 of the canopy 108 held in place by the canopy securing mechanism. It is at this point that the operator 102 can safely begin to remove the kiteboarding gear.

(14) Referencing FIG. 4, a side view of a canopy securing mechanism 112 is shown on a surface 114 of the media 104.

(15) FIG. 5 displays a base 116 of the canopy securing mechanism 112 on top of the surface 114 of media 104. The base 116 is held in place with anchors devices 118. In embodiments not shown the anchor devices can include augers, stakes, spikes, screws, pins with retractable barbs, and/or anchors with teeth. The anchor devices configured to hold the base 116 of the canopy securing mechanism fixed to the surface 114 of the media 104.

(16) FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing a canopy clamping apparatus 120 mounted on a base 116 of a canopy securing mechanism 112. The canopy clamping apparatus 120 can include clamps 122, the clamps 122 configured to hold the leading edge 110 of the canopy 108 in place, as seen in FIG. 3. The apparatus 120 can include longitudinal inflatable tubes 124 mounted on the opposing longitudinally oriented pivoting arms 122 wherein the longitudinal inflatable tubes 124 are configured to interact with the inflatable canopy kiteboarding canopy edge. As seen in FIG. 6, the canopy securing mechanism is in open or ready for engagement mode. In embodiments not shown the canopy clamping apparatus 120 can include one or a plurality of arms and/or clamps. The one or plurality of arms arranged to act in concert to hold in place the leading edge 100 of a canopy 108 when the canopy securing mechanism is in closed or locked mode. In embodiments not shown the canopy securing mechanism can include a computer and/or processor with control platforms to actuate the securing mechanism with the computer. Further, the securing mechanism can include control platforms wherein the control platforms control the opening and closing of the canopy securing mechanism. The canopy securing mechanism can be actuated automatically using distance sensors, proximity sensors, SONAR, pressure transducers, lasers, LIDAR, and/or radar.

(17) In embodiments not shown the opening and closing of the canopy securing mechanism can occur from receiving a wireless signal from the operator from a wrist band, mobile application, mobile device, and/or a worn device.

(18) In embodiments not shown the system can include algorithms controlling computers to actuate the system to open and/or close.

(19) In embodiments not shown the system can include pressure sensors, the pressure sensors configured to close the canopy securing mechanism when pressure from the leading edge 110 of the canopy 108 is felt on a surface of the canopy securing mechanism 112 when the canopy securing mechanism 112 is in the open position.

(20) In some embodiments, the method or methods described above may be executed or carried out by a computing system including a tangible computer-readable storage medium, also described herein as a storage machine, that holds machine-readable instructions curable by a logic machine (i.e. a processor or programmable control device) to provide, implement, perform, and/or enact the above described methods, processes and/or tasks. When such methods and processes are implemented, the state of the storage machine may be changed to hold different data. For example, the storage machine may include memory devices such as various hard disk drives, CD, flash drives, cloud storage, or DVD devices. The logic machine may execute machine-readable instructions via one or more physical information and/or logic processing devices. For example, the logic machine may be configured to execute instructions to perform tasks for a computer program. The logic machine may include one or more processors to execute the machine-readable instructions. The computing system may include a display subsystem to display a graphical user interface (GUI) or any visual element of the methods or processes described above. For example, the display subsystem, storage machine, and logic machine may be integrated such that the above method may be executed while visual elements of the disclosed system and/or method are displayed on a display screen for user consumption. The computing system may include an input subsystem that receives user input. The input subsystem may be configured to connect to and receive input from devices such as a mouse, keyboard or gaming controller. For example, a user input may indicate a request that certain task is to be executed by the computing system, such as requesting the computing system to display any of the above described information, or requesting that the user input updates or modifies existing stored information for processing. A communication subsystem may allow the methods described above to be executed or provided over a computer network. For example, the communication subsystem may be configured to enable the computing system to communicate with a plurality of personal computing devices. The communication subsystem may include wired and/or wireless communication devices to facilitate networked communication. The described methods or processes may be executed, provided, or implemented for a user or one or more computing devices via a computer-program product such as via an application programming interface (API).

(21) Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

(22) The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it should be noted and understood that various modifications and variations can be crafted by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure should be interpreted as illustrative only and is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. Further it is intended that any other embodiments of the present invention that result from any changes in application or method of use or operation, method of manufacture, shape, size, or materials which are not specified within the detailed written description or illustrations contained herein are considered within the scope of the present invention.

(23) Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.

(24) Although a very narrow claim is presented herein, it should be recognized the scope of this invention is much broader than presented by the claim. It is intended that broader claims will be submitted in an application that claims the benefit of priority from this application.