Safety system for a kite user that allows rotational independence of the user in relation to the flying control bar and the kite. The system also induces stable and powerless descent of the kite when safety system is activated. Easy and quick recovery prior to re-launching the kite

Abstract

This device is a safety system for a kite use that allows rotational independence of the user in relation to the flying control bar and the kite. This safety system also induces stable and powerless descent of the kite when safety system is activate. Easy and quick recovery prior to re-launching the kite is another benefiting feature to this safety system device.

Description

[0001] This device includes:

[0002] Trim line (1)—known as (center line), which constructed as a flexible tube or a hose and has a hollow passage through the center. The centerline is designed to have sufficient strength, so it can hold longitudinal dynamic stress. The specific construction of the centerline also assures that longitudinal load does not affect the diameter of the center hollow passage therefore safety flying line (10) never gets jammed in the tubular passage.

[0003] The upper stopper (2) mounted on to the end of the trim line facing the kite and a lower stopper (3) mounted on to the lower end of the line facing the rider. These stoppers are constraining flying control bar for sliding over the trim line within predetermined distance (N). This distance (the length of the trim line) can vary on ergonomics of the user, the riding style of the user and size of the projected area of the kite.

[0004] This safety system includes two swivels, first swivel mounted directly to the lower end of trim line which is referenced as outer swivel (4) and a second swivel mounted on to lower end of safety line (10) which is referenced as inner swivel (5). These two swivels are sharing same one axis of rotation, which is only possible if safety line (10) passing through the center channel of the trim line (1). This way neither one of the lines are constrained by each other and have both of them have independent freedom for longitudinal motion as well as rotational.

[0005] Outer swivel (4) assembled out of components (32 and 33). This swivel is constructed with a hollow pass through the center of the swivel, so indeed the swivel has tubular design where component (32) is rotationally independent from component (33). Swivel (4) is mounted to the lower end of the trim line and constructed with sufficient strength, so it can hold longitudinal dynamic stress.

[0006] Component (33) is attached to trim loop (30). This assembly allows trim loop (30) to be rotationally independent from the device to which it is connect with the swivel (4). Under normal (most common) circumstances of operating the kite the user (rider) is hooked in with a harness hook (8) in to the trim loop (30) this enables user (rider) having rotational independence from the flying control bar and the kite.

[0007] The safety flying line (10), which is made out of three segments: (10a; 10b and 10c) with alphabetical sequence of the assembly. At the upper end of the safety line (10) is attached to the extension (15) mounted at the midpoint of the inner arch of the leading edge of the kite (20). At the lower end the safety line (10) is attached to the user (rider) with detachable link (7).

[0008] The first (upper) segment (10a) is made out of relatively similar or same cord as normal flying lines. The upper end of the segment (10a) is attached to extension (15) mounted at the midpoint of the inner arch of the leading edge of the kite (20). The lower end of the segment (10a) is attached to upper end of the segment (10b).

[0009] The second (middle) segment (10b) of the safety flying line (10) is made out of stretchable cord (bungee) with predetermined length of elongation equal to distance (L1). Elongation distance (L1) is needed to keep safety flying line from slacking. Elongation (L1) of the cord (10b) also needed in case if user's (rider's) riding style demands for an operating of the kite with being not hooked in to the trim loop (30), while safety flying line stays attached to the user (rider). Safety flying line (10) should always be attached to the user (rider).

[0010] The third-lower segment (10c) is made out of wear resistant cord withstanding constant friction over the inner surface of the hollow passage of the trim line (1).

[0011] The lower end of the segment (10b) is attached to upper end of the segment (10c) and has a stopper (6).

[0012] The total length of the segment (10c) acceding the combined lengths of trim line (1) and mounted to its upper end adjustable strap (55) by predetermined length (L1).

[0013] The stopper (6) is purposely bigger than ring passage (53).

[0014] The safety flying line is designed and constructed such way that it is not influencing the performance of the flying kite under normal operating conditions. After safety system is activate, safety-flying line becomes the only line, which takes tension load over connection of the rider to the kite. Since safety-flying line is attached to the extension (15) mounted at the midpoint of the inner arch of the leading edge of the kite (20), the air foil of the kite is not longer supported at the tips of the arch. This why kite stops producing lift and air foil gets in to stall and starts descending. Attachment of the safety flying line to the midpoint of the inner arch of the leading edge of the kite (20) benefits to stable and gradual lending of the kite, what improves safety and gives additional time for rider to regroup and decide on the next action.

[0015] Control flying bar (50) has circular or elliptical hole in the middle, which has radius to its edges, designed to ease sliding of the trim line (1) through the hole.

[0016] Control bar equipped with left and right flying line extensions (51) and (52).

[0017] Adjustable strap (55) with flying line extensions (66) and (67).

[0018] Adjustable strap (55) is used to change the angle of attack on the air foil of the kite, what affecting the amount of the lift produced by the kite. Adjustable strap (55) has locking buckle (54).

[0019] Above described safety system can be equally affective to use with kite systems equipped with two or more flying lines.

Claims

1. A kite device, comprising:

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

a plurality of flying lines having kite ends and bar ends, said kite ends being attached near said right and left sides of said kite and said bar ends being attached to a control bar that is controllable by a user;

a safety line having an upper segment and a lower segment, said upper segment of said safety line being attached to said leading edge and said lower segment being rotatably attached to said user;

whereby said safety line is rotationally independent from said flying lines;

whereby when said user releases said control bar, said safety line remains attached to said user, said safety line collapses said leading edge and said kite is depowered.

2. A kite device, comprising:

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

a control bar having a central hole and right and left ends;

right and left rear flying lines having kite ends and bar ends, said kite ends of said rear flying lines being attached near said right and left sides of said trailing edge and said bar ends being attached near said right and left ends of said control bar;

an adjustable strap having a top end and a bottom end;

right and left front flying lines having kite ends and strap ends, said kite ends of said front flying lines being attached near said right and left sides of said leading edge and said strap ends being attached near said top end of said adjustable strap;

a trim line having a hollow passage, said trim line being attached near the bottom end of said adjustable strap and having a user end extending through said hole in said control bar and beyond said control bar and being removably attached to said user;

a safety line having an upper segment and a lower segment, said upper segment of said safety line being attached to said leading edge and said lower segment extending coaxially through said hollow passage;

a rotatable retainer that retains said lower segment of said safety line to a user;

whereby said safety line is rotationally independent from said trim line and said retainer;

whereby when said trim line is detached from said user, said safety line remains attached to said user, said safety line collapses said leading edge and said kite is depowered.