Abstract: A kite leading edge has a tubular structure having a first curve in a span-wise direction and a second curve a chord-wise direction. The tubular structure is formed by a plurality of panels joined together at seams including at least a first longitudinal seam running in the span-wise direction of the tubular structure. At least a portion of the first longitudinal seam defines a first partial helical path about the circumference of the tubular structure.

Abstract: A hookless coupling device for releasable connection to a sports harness includes an elongate body having a connector end for connection with the sports harness, an engagement end, and an elongate aperture extending between the connector end and the engagement end for engaging an engager. The aperture is wider at the connector end than at the engagement end. The sports harness includes a band for surrounding the waist or hips of a person, and the elongate body. A sports device, releasably engagable to the harness, has a spherical engager tethered with a line. The aperture passes the spherical engager though the engagement end and the engager is moved to the connector end. A sports kite includes a canopy, a traction line having a first end tethered to the canopy, and a second end to which the spherical engager is connected.

Abstract: A device for coupling a pair of kite lines to a kite harness loop has a first releasable coupling rotatably attached to the harness loop for securing a first kite line to the harness loop and a second releasable coupling rotatably attached to the harness loop for securing a second kite line to the harness loop. The first and second couplings are rotatable about a common axis. An attachment point for a third line is provided. The attachment point is also rotatable about the common axis.

Abstract: A control system for a traction wing includes a control bar having first and second ends. A first fixing arm is connected to each end of the bar. Each fixing arm has a fixing point for attachment of a respective wing control line. At least one of the fixing arms is an articulated arm that is pivotally connected to its end of the bar and is pivotable between a first position defining a first effective control bar length and a second position defining a second effective control bar length.

Abstract: A control system for a traction wing includes a control bar having first and second ends. A first fixing arm is connected to each end of the bar. Each fixing arm has a fixing point for attachment of a respective wing control line. At least one of the fixing arms is an articulated arm that is pivotally connected to its end of the bar and is pivotable between a first position defining a first effective control bar length and a second position defining a second effective control bar length.

Abstract: A control system for a traction wing or a surfing kite includes a bar that is gripped by a person carried in the wind by the wing or kite. Fixtures on the opposed ends of the bar are connected to respective lines that are attached to the wing. A central line attached to the wing passes through a hole located in the bar and divides into two lines that are connected to the user. A grip slides along the central line and the grip is biased toward the bar.

Abstract: A bicycle stern has a steering tube clamp with a bore for receiving a steer tube and a pair of parallel spaced arms each having an elongate slot at a distal end. An extension has a proximal end, receivable between the clamp arms, and a bore extending transversely through its proximal end. A pin, extends through the elongate slot in each arm and through the bore in the extension for securing the extension to the steering rube clamp. The pin slots and bore are in non-rotational engagement to prevent rotation of the extension relative to the clamp, and the pin is selectively movable longitudinally within the slots for adjusting reach of the extension.

Abstract: A board for water or snow activity includes a planar body having an edge joining vertices of the planar body, and a rail member defined by one or more flexible strips that continuously engage an edge portion of the board, adjacent to the vertices. A protective rail for protecting a water or snow activity board includes elongated flexible strips bent around an edge portion of the board, adjacent a vertex of the board, continuously engaging an edge portion of the board at the vertex. A method for attaching a protective rail to a water sport or snow sport activity board includes engaging an edge of the sports board with flexible protective strips and bending the strips around a vertex of the board, to continuously engage an edge portion of the board, adjacent the vertex of the board.

Abstract: A paddle has a first shaft portion with a handle and a second shaft portion with a blade. The first and second shaft portions are telescopically engageable to provide a variable length paddle shaft. The shaft portions include engager connection features and engageable connection features that cooperate for selectively securing the handle and the blade in at least two different rotational orientations. The shaft portions also include two 90-degree offset locking cams that rotate between locked and unlocked conditions.

Abstract: A device for coupling a pair of kite lines to a kite harness loop has a first releasable coupling rotatably attached to the harness loop for securing a first kite line to the harness loop and a second releasable coupling rotatably attached to the harness loop for securing a second kite line to the harness loop. The first and second couplings are rotatable about a common axis. An attachment point for a third line is provided. The attachment point is also rotatable about the common axis.

Abstract: A control system for a traction wing or a surfing kite includes a bar that is gripped by a person carried in the wind by the wing or kite. Fixtures on the opposed ends of the bar are connected to respective lines that are attached to the wing. A central line attached to the wing passes through a hole located in the bar and divides into two lines that are connected to the user. A grip slides along the central line and the grip is biased toward the bar.

Abstract: A bicycle seat height and alignment device has a first collar for affixing on the top of a bicycle seat tube of a bicycle frame and a second collar for affixing on a bicycle seat post to which a bicycle seat is affixed. The collars each have a complementary circumferentially extending abutting face. The faces are abuttable in only one possible orientation so as to align a bicycle seat affixed to the seat post with the bicycle frame when the seat post is located on the seat tube such that the collars are contiguous.

Abstract: A wetsuit has a trunk portion having a pair of arm openings and a neck opening that fits about the torso of a wearer. The neck opening includes an area of reduced thickness that is folded to form a soft flexible edge. The neck opening is made by forming a channel of reduced thickness in a piece of material to surround the neck opening in the wetsuit, and folding the material along a centerline of the channel to form the soft flexible edge.

Abstract: In a battened sailboard sail a sail attachment device is attached to the leading edge of the sail and the sail attachment device is connected to a camber-inducer by a line that is acted on by a batten to evenly distribute the batten tension load between the sail and camber-inducer. The batten is able to move chordwise relative the camber inducer when the sail is rotating about the mast.

Abstract: A wetsuit has a trunk portion having a pair of arm openings and a neck opening that fits about the torso of a wearer. The neck opening comprises an area of reduced thickness that is folded to form a soft flexible edge. The neck opening is made by forming a channel of reduced thickness in a piece of material to surround the neck opening in the wetsuit, and folding the material along a centerline of the channel to form the soft flexible edge.

Abstract: A safety release device for a kite line has a first fastening member with an attachment point for a first line portion and a second fastening member with an attachment point for a second line portion. In a fastened position the second fastening member engages through an aperture of the first fastening member. A release member is movably positioned on the first fastening member and is movable between a secured position holding hold the release device in the fastened position and a released position in which a line attached to the release device pulls the second fastening member out of engagement through the aperture. A releasable locking member is provided on the release member for locking the release member in the secured position so as to prevent it being moved to the released position.

Abstract: A control device for a kite comprises an elongate rigid control bar extending either side of a central region to provide separated hand-grippable regions for a kite user and anchor points for first and second control lines of a kite. A third control line for the kite is attached to a harness loop at one end and extends from the harness loop towards the kite. A stopper is rigidly fixed to the third control line adjacent the harness loop. The stopper is wedge shaped in a predetermined plane. A body is attached to the central region of the control bar. The body has a cavity for releasably receiving the stopper and an opening in a wall of the cavity. The cavity is wedge shape towards the opening for rotating the stopper to the predetermined plane when it engages against the inner walls of the cavity.

Abstract: A sailor's vest is provided with externally exposed padding A formed by an open sieve like mattress. This padding serves to reduce or absorb impacts experienced if the sailor falls into water at high speed, for example. The vest has pockets for slidingly receiving and holding respective body support modules.

Abstract: A control device for a surfer's sports kite has a hand-holdable elongate control bar for steering the kite. A central control line is used for changing the effective curvature of the kite and therefore the power generated by the kite. The control device includes an open-top body mounted at the center of the control bar and attached to a harness loop. The harness loop is arranged to be attached to a harness hook of the surfer in use. A stopper fixed on the control line fits in the body. On the one hand, the stopper is shaped to maintain the line (and hence the harness loop) in particular orientations for ease of fitting the loop to the hook. On the other hand, when the ball is moved to the right in the Figure, the ball is free to rotate to allow the surfer to untwist the control lines, when required.

Abstract: A locking device for a hooked spreader bar includes first and second locking members. The locking member has a shaped nose to fit serrations in a strap to prevent longitudinal movement of the strap. To release the strap the second member is rotated clockwise so that initially a surface lifts away from a side of the nose, Thereafter further rotation of the second member abuts the first member and causes the first member to rotate (clockwise) and lift the nose away from the serrations. During closing of the locking device, the first member is rotated anti-clockwise and pushes against and rotates the second member, which is fully closed by downward manual pressure on its top surface.