Release connectors (quick release pull tab)

Abstract

This device is a pull release tab in a connection between two lines to be placed under tension. The first line forms an loop by passing one end of the first line through a looplet at the other end. The looplet has a tab affixed to it. The second line has a knot at one end that passes through the loop formed by the first line. When tension is applied to the first and second lines, the loop closes and releasably engages the knot, thus forming a connection between the two lines. To disengage the first line from the second line, the tab is pulled to enlarge the loop to allow the knot to disengage from the loop.

Description

The quick release pull tab is simple addition to the current state of the art for kitesurfing flying line tips. This invention helps the user disconnect the flying lines from the kite. It is designed to break the grip that the knot in the flying line has on the attachment point on the kite. To operate the quick release pull tab you simply pull the tab and the attachment point on the kite in opposite directions and the knot opens up.

FIG. 1 shows:

1. Locations of quick release pull tabs

2. Front flying lines

3. Rear flying lines

4. Kite canopy

5. Leading edge bladder

6. Inflated body strut

FIG. 2 shows:

1. Quick release pull tab

2. End of flying line

3. Knot on the end of flying line connector

4. Flying line connector

5. Attachment point on kite for flying line connector

FIG. 3 shows:

1. Direction of pull needed to release the knot

2. Quick release pull tab

3. Flying line tip

4. Flying line connector

5. Line connector stop knot

6. Attachment point on kite for line connector

FIG. 4 shows:

1. Pull tab on end of loop

2. Pull tab on shaft of flying line tip

3. Shaft of flying line tip

4. Line connector on kite

5. Stop knot on the end of the line connector

6. Attachment point on kite for line connector

7. Direction of pull that the kite exerts

8. Direction of pull that the rider exerts

FIG. 5 shows:

1. Line connector

2. Stop knot on end of line connector

3. Shaft of flying line tip

4. Attachment point on kite for line connector

5. Pull tab on shaft of flying line tip

6. Direction of pull for shaft pull tab

7. Direction of pull for pull tab on end of loop

Claims

1. A device for forming a pull release tab in a connection between two ropes to be placed under tension, comprising:

a first line having a looplet at a looplet end and a user end, said looplet end and said user end defining a first line length, wherein said user end can pass through said looplet, whereby said first line length is slidably retained by said looplet, whereby said first line forms a loop;

a tab affixed to said first line near said looplet end;

a second line having a knot end having a knot formed near said knot end;

wherein when said knot is passed through said loop and tension is applied to said first line and to said second line, said loop releasably engages said knot, whereby said first line releasably engages said second line;

whereby pulling said tab towards said user end slidably enlarges said loop;

whereby said first line can be disengaged from said second line.

2. A kite device, comprising:

a kite structure having a leading edge and a trailing edge, each edge having right and left sides;

right and left front flying lines having front looplet ends and front user ends defining front flying line lengths, said right and left front flying lines each having a looplet at said looplet end, wherein each of said front user ends can pass through each of said respective looplets, whereby said front flying line lengths are slidably retained by said looplets, whereby said front flying lines form loops;

right and left front flying line connectors having front kite ends and front knot ends, each of said front flying line connectors having a front knot formed near each of said front knot ends, said front kite ends attached near said right and left sides of said leading edge, wherein each of said front knots correspond to each of said loops formed by said front flying lines;

right and left rear flying lines having rear looplet ends and rear user ends defining rear flying line lengths, said right and left rear flying lines each having a looplet at said rear looplet end, wherein each of said rear user ends can pass through each of said respective looplets, whereby said rear flying line lengths are slidably retained by said looplets, whereby said rear flying lines form loops;

right and left rear flying line connectors having rear kite ends and rear knot ends, each of said rear flying line connectors having a rear knot formed near each of said rear knot ends, said rear kite ends attached near said right and left sides of said trailing edge, wherein each of said rear knots correspond to each of said loops formed by said rear flying lines;

a tab affixed to each of said flying lines near said loop ends;

wherein when said knots are passed through said respective loops and tension is applied to said flying lines and said flying line connectors, said loops releasably engage said respective knots, whereby said flying lines releasably engage said respective flying line connectors, and said knots are releasably retained by said corresponding loops;

whereby pulling each of said tabs towards said respective user ends slidably enlarges said loops and releases said knot ends of said flying line connectors;

whereby said flying lines can be disengaged from said flying line connectors.

3. A device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said looplets are integrally formed with said flying lines.