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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 17, 2011
Date of Patent:
August 26, 2014
Assignee:
Neil Pryde Limited
Inventors:
David Robert Hastilow, Patrick Stuart Goodman
Abstract: A carrying strap for transporting the leading edge inflatable traction kite from a vehicle to the edge of the water as well as to and from the location to which the leading inflatable traction kite will be used is disclosed. A hands-free device and method for tethering a leading edge inflatable traction kite includes a quick release catch for attaching an end of a leash to a user while a second end of the leash is attached to the kite.
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 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 kite sailboard system for a person includes a sitting board having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a cavity. The cavity has an opening on the upper surface where the person sits. The cavity has a sitting surface for the person to sit upon, located at the bottom of the cavity. A kite provides a motive impulse force to the person and the sitting board. There are one or more tether lines attached to the kite.
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: An economical kite control that allows a user to quickly and easily modulate the angle of attack of the kite without interfering with the user's ability to quickly and simultaneously steer the kite and without fatiguing the user. The kite control is preferably an elongate, substantially straight, control rod for simultaneously steering and controlling the angle of attack of the kite, and is preferably used in the sport of kiteboarding. In particular, left and right steering lines on the kite, which also serve as power and depower lines, are secured to respective ends of the rod such that rotation of the rod in a first direction along its longitudinal axis causes these lines to wrap around the rod, thereby shortening them with respect to respective depower lines extending from the rod to the kite. In a preferred embodiment, the control rod is operably harnessed to the user.