Abstract: A device which lifts itself into the air and either itself carries a windmill for the extractions of power from the wind, or traverses a oscillatory path back and forth across the wind such that the action of the tethering lines for the device can be used to generate useful power such as electricity is disclosed. A series of airborne structures, an autogyro-helicopter, the paramill, and a sail plane are all disclosed as the self-erecting structures. Power is extracted either within the airborne structure, preferably by electric generators, or from the tethering lines through the use of certrifugal or other pumps, or electric generators. Stability and control of the self-erecting structure is accomplished via the use of servomotors or control lines directed from the energy extracting site through the tether to the erectable member.

Abstract: An inflatable kite exhibiting excellent lift and stability characteristics without an auxiliary tail and comprising an inflatable body member provided with a rounded leading edge and having a substantially teardrop shape, two inflatable opposing rearwardly projecting side members attached to said body member and together forming a single inflated volume, a web of flexible sheet material connected between each side member and said body member and extending over at least about 50% of the area defined by said body member, the side member and a straight line joining the rear extremities of said body member and said side member, and a line attachment member bonded to said body member; the ratio of the maximum width to the length of the inflated kite being about 0.5 to 1.5.

Abstract: A box-like kite formed of a single strut on which a pair of airfoils are pivotally connected in spaced relation. Each airfoil is constructed of a rectangular sheet of formed plastic folded into a generally triangular, hollow, open-ended box having curved walls.

Abstract: A kite is disclosed having a main body portion fabricated of a flexible material and having a pair of leading edges diverging generally rearwardly from a forward apex, with a strut fixed to each edge to hold it rigid. The body portion is folded to provide a central longitudinal double-ply pleat, and another central strut is disposed and fixed along the pleat. The pair of diverging struts each have a pocket wherein the respective end of a cross-strut is disposed. The cross-strut is secured to the central strut at the point where the two cross. For added strength with decreased weight the portions of the kite are held together with a suitable adhesive tape.

Abstract: A kite including a lightweight sheet material and a support structure. The sheet material is secured to the support structure. The support structure has at least one end thereof provided with a threaded profile. A threaded fastener is rotatably positionable on the support member to thereby balance the weight of the kite.

Abstract: A kite comprises sheeting spread by a longitudinal spar and a lateral spar disposed one on each side of the sheeting. The lateral spar is formed in two spaced parts which are connected by a spring wire attached to the longitudinal spar. The outer ends of the lateral spar are attached to bracing members extending along the leading edges of the kite and the spring wire acts to control the relative inclination of what amounts to two wings of the kite.

Abstract: An inflatable kite exhibiting excellent lift and stability characteristics without an auxiliary tail, even in small size kites from about 12 to about 18 inches long. The kite of this invention comprises an inflatable body member provided with a rounded leading edge and having a substantially teardrop shape, two inflatable opposing rearwardly projecting side members attached to said body member and together forming a single inflated volume, a web of flexible sheet material connected between each side member and said body member and extending over at least about 50 percent of the area defined by said body member, the side member and a straight line joining the rear extremities of said body member and said side member, and a line attachment means bonded to said body member, the ratio of the maximum width to the length of the inflated kite being about 0.5 to 1.

Abstract: A construction for a keeled kite wherein the keel is a flexible tubular member fixed to the underside of a kite canopy and is open at its leading end and closed at its trailing end so as to be inflated by the oncoming wind to stabilize the kite under varying wind conditions which would cause kites having conventional flat keels to power loop or crash, either because of excessive wind velocity or because of low wind velocity.

Abstract: A kite having a prism-shaped three dimensional frame, spanned by aerodynamic surfaces on its two downward disposed faces. The top or upward disposed face is spanned by a novel aerodynamic surface called an air dam which operates to stabilize the flight of the kite while greatly increasing the lift. A tail consisting of struts spanned by an aerodynamic surface is also provided. The frame is built from a number of identical struts and identical connectors. Each aerodynamic surface consists of two unitary congruent sheets positioned facewise against each other and joined together along their edges. The struts are inserted between the sheets along the edges where the sheets are joined together. This simple basic structure facilitates assembly and reduces cost while providing a high strength-to-weight ratio and stable flying qualities. Combination kites may be assembled by joining several basic kites in various ways.

Abstract: A toss-type flying device which can be easily assembled from a pair of rectangular strips of material, two rubber bands, and an ordinary drinking straw. The pair of rectangular strips are manually formed into circular aerodynamic members, which are attached to either end of the drinking straw by the rubber bands. It is contemplated that the rectangular strips and rubber bands will be furnished as a premium to a customer purchasing a soft drink with a straw, such that the customer can readily and manually construct the toy flying device.

Abstract: A tetrahedral kite having a sail formed by a pair of sheets of rhombus shape that lie facewise against one another and are joined together along their edges. The middle of the rhombus-shaped sail is folded about an edge of the tetrahedral kite frame so that the sail portions one either side of the middle line cover one surface of the tetrahedron, the edges of the sail being held by struts of the kite frame that lie sandwiched between the two sheets of the sail along the edges thereof.

Abstract: A highly aerodynamically stable kite having a flexible statically indeterminate face which during flight forms a curvilinear airfoil that is maintained in the center and top edges by rigid linear stiffeners removably retained in a novel nosepiece. The nosepiece is a rigid three dimensional structure formed by folding a thin flat pattern. A novel tail member aids kite stability by providing plural aerodynamically rotatable elements spacedly depending beneath the kite upon a common flexible line.