Abstract: A kite or flying device comprising a substantially ring-shaped body member formed of foam plastic, the normally upper surface of said body member being flat, the normally lower surface of said body member being part of the surface of a sphere, the ring-shaped body member being bounded by a radially outer circumference and by a radially inner circumference, diametrically opposite portions of said outer circumference respectively defining the leading edge and the trailing edge of the kite body, an open area bounded by and lying radially inwardly of said radially inner circumference, a bar-like member carried by the kite body and lying on a diameter of said kite body, said diameter extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, the bar-like member being in bridging relation to the open area, the bar-like member being provided with apertures permitting attachment of a kite string or towline to the bar-like member, and rudders carried by the kite body contiguous the trailing edge of the kite body.

Abstract: A flexible message sign particularly intended for highway or roadway applications, and having improved corner brackets. Each corner bracket is made of rigid members which sandwich and securely engage corners of the flexible fabric or other material from which the sign is made. Each corner bracket provides a channel for removably holding ends of frame members which maintain the flexible message panel in message displaying configuration. The frame-receiving channels maintain the frame ends out of contact with the flexible message panel, so that the panel cannot become ripped or torn by engagement with the frame ends.

Abstract: A kite made of sheet foam material with a hinged airfoil which is resiliently biassed closed, or flat, and constructed so that it is opened by the wind, the amount of opening depending on the strength of the wind; the preferred embodiment includes a keel where the connection between the keel and the airfoil is made by thrusting rods through holes in the keel and holes are reenforced with a bent stiffening member.

Abstract: A kite of the winged and canopy type includes a central section of substantially arrow-head configuration, triangular-shaped wings extending along the sides of the central section, and triangular-shaped keel sections also extending along the central section sides. A spar extends across the kite from the apex of the wings and through the keel sections. A spar pole extends between the spar and central longeron to form a canopy of the central section and means to secure the spar, central longeron, and spar pole together when the kite is assembled.

Abstract: The disclosed kite comprises two right-angled triangular frameworks symmetric with respect to a common side which forms a right angle with another side of each triangle. The triangular frames are pivotably interconnected through that common side, and a bilateral symmetric wind-bearing surface is carried by the frameworks. An arcuate resilient member connects the free ends of the other sides of the triangles to each other and has a spring constant greater than five times the weight of the kite divided by a distance between a point of attachment of a line to the kite and a point of attachment of the resilient member to one of the triangular frameworks and less than one half a tensile strength of the line attached to the kite.

Abstract: A frame connecting member of a kite formed as a unitary body and of an elastic material comprises a main body whose front and rear ends are formed as projections provided with kite string mounting holes and whose center is formed as a base with a through hole in the longitudinal direction for a longitudinal frame member; and supports provided respectively at the right and left outer sides of the base on the same straight line in the direction which perpendicularly intersects the axis of the main body. The supports can be tilted to a certain angle with respect to the straight line and are provided with holes into which are inserted lateral frame members which perpendicularly intersect the through holes. The corners on the main body side of the supports come in contact with the main body so as to prevent any further tilting. The kite string mounting holes are directed in the same direction as that of the through hole of the base.

Abstract: An airfoil structure including an elongate hollow container which, in use provides an airfoil cross-section between the longer edge regions of the container. A space is provided for so stiffening the leading edge region, that when the structure is in use the end regions of the container are permitted to deform out of the plane of the remainder of the width of the container - while this remaining part of the container width is kept substantially undeformed.

Abstract: This miniature, but fully operable kite is made of a starter piece of thin material in a accordion style of construction, and when the starter piece is collapsed to its minimum dimension, in one embodiment, it is substantially circular in shape and is small enough to fit into and under the bottom of a typical paper drinking cup. In another embodiment, the starter piece is rectangular or is rectangular initially but may include partially cut out circular pieces that are punched out manually to form the starter piece comprised of a plurality of generally circular disks.

Abstract: A keel kite including brackets slidably mounted on wing sticks thereof. The brackets are spanned by a cross brace telescopically mounted in and connecting the brackets. The brackets can be held at selected positions along the wing sticks. A kite string is attached to the keel. An opening in the keel receives an air activated sound making device mounted on a central keel stick of the kite. The sound making device is actuated by air passing the keel as the kite flies. The sound making device includes a spinner rotatably mounted in the opening in the keel. The spinner is of light reflective material. The body is transparent so that sunlight can be reflected from the spinner in a flashing or sparkling effect.

Abstract: A generally toric lighter-than-air gas bag-type airfoil is tethered to the ground at a plurality of angularly widely distributed points about the periphery of the gas bag. A wind turbine is mounted at the entrance to the axially central vent. The tether lines are entrained about individually operable power winches, preferably controlled by a microprocessor which takes in wind direction and tether line tension data and operates the winches and inflation gas inlet and outlet valves to orient the wind turbine into the wind for maximum power output.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved spinnaker which is lighter-than-air and designed to float ahead of the boat and to retain its shape when subject to wind variations.

Abstract: A kite-like flying device includes a sail, a keel stick with a larger resilient member at its leading end, and wing sticks connected to the opposide ends of a smaller resilient member the midportion of which extends laterally through the larger member to provide a resilient resistance to forward movement of the keel stick. A cross stick is flexed and received by sockets which are slightly inclined relative to each other in connector blocks slidably mounted on the wing sticks. Two strings extend from the operator to a control rod which is connected by a string harness to the kite. The connectors for connecting the strings to the control rod each include three bores through which the strings pass back and forth to provide on each side thereof a loop and an extending string portion which passes through the loop so as to be frictionally retained when tension is applied to the opposite extending string portion.

Abstract: A plurality of wind turbines are supported aloft on the same tethered airfoil which is provided with devices for orienting the wind turbines into the wind. Various ways and devices are described for converting the wind energy into electrical power and for connecting and providing the plural outputs to the same electrical power grid. The principles are applicable whether there are a small number of relatively large wind turbines, a large number of relatively small wind turbines or some of each.

Abstract: A glider formed from a multi-sided tube open at its ends is disclosed. The body and lifting surfaces of the glider comprise a multi-sided tube including a top wall of planar configuration; a pair of opposed upper side walls of planar configuration integral with the top wall extending downward and outward a distance; a pair of opposed vertical side walls of planar configuration integral with the upper side walls; a pair of opposed lower side walls of planar configuration integral with the side walls extending downward and inward to a point inward of a vertical extension of the top wall and upper side wall intersections; a bottom wall extending between lower end walls and integral therewith enclosing the structure. The bottom wall includes a pair of upward extending planar sections meeting at a mid point between lower end walls to form a ridge.

Abstract: A kite of the swallowtail sled type, comprising a central panel, or canopy of light-weight sheet material, such as paper or thin plastic film, generally in a rectangular shape. It has two long parallel sides, with shorter leading and trailing edges. The leading edge is similar to a shallow isosceles triangle. The trailing edge is cut away also in the form of an isosceles triangle but with the height of the triangle greater than that of the leading edge. Two triangular lateral panels are attached, one to each of the sides of the central panel. At least three slender stiffening battens are attached, one to each of the long sides of the central canopy and one along the center line. A tension cord means or halter, shorter than the width of the central panel is tied between the trailing ends of the two battens.

Abstract: In a collapsible kite structure, a snap lock connecting assembly comprising at least two suitably rigid sticks or struts and at least one detachable bracing stick or strut, in combination with a snap lock connecting unit. The snap lock includes a fastening body portion attached to a stiffening stick, such as a wing stick of said kite, and a resilient, flexible, hollow retainer body portion configured to securely receive and resiliently hold an end part of a bracing strut. The retainer body portion of the snap lock has a longitudinal slot through the side thereof for forced passage therethrough of an end part of the bracing stick whereby the end of the bracing strut may be detachably retained in a secure position within said hollow retainer body. In a preferred embodiment the retainer body portion of the snap lock has a bead or other interengaging structure to enhance the secure retention of the end of the detachable bracing stick within the retainer body.

Abstract: A kite with a crossed-stick frame has a bracket secured to the sticks and which supports the kite skin in an aerodynamic configuration. The bracket has a folded body that wraps around one frame stick and seats another in holes on either side of the fold. Webs on the bracket span from this engagement with the frame to deflect the kite skin away from the frame into a desired aerodynamic configuration.

Abstract: In a skate sail assembly of the type having a T-configured frame including a boom and a resiliently flexible mast detachably mounted thereon, and a generally sector-shaped sail supported in a taut condition by the frame, the boom has a U-shaped resilient portion intermediate its ends, which portion imparts flexibility to the boom in the longitudinal direction and additionally serves as a handle for the user. The flexibility imparted by the U-shaped resilient portion of the boom and the mast enables the device to be more easily assembled and dismantled, and is essential in order that the sail may function satisfactorily as an airfoil.

Abstract: A kite of the winged and canopy type includes a central section of substantially rectangular configuration, triangular-shaped wings extending along the sides of the central section, and triangular-shaped keel sections also extending along the central section sides. A spar extends across the kite from the apex of the wings and through the keel sections. A spar pole extends between the spar and central longeron to form a canopy of the central section and means to secure the spar, central longeron and spar pole together when the kite is assembled.

Abstract: A hooded kite, which is an improvement over the conventional sled type kite, comprises a central panel, or canopy, of light-weight sheet material, generally in a rectangular shape. It has two long sides. A hood is provided which is generally made of the same material as the canopy, and is in a trapezoidal shape. The long edge is equal in length to, and is attached to the leading edge of the canopy. The shorter edge is less in length than the width of the central canopy at a distance back from the leading edge, corresponding to the width of the hood. The two short ends are tapered and are attached to the longitudinal edges of the canopy. The shorter base is not attached to the canopy, so that in flight there is a wedge of air space between the hood and the canopy.

Abstract: A kite simulating an actual flying thing such as a bird comprises a central body of light material and a pair of wings easily attached to and detached from the central body, each of the wings being provided with two projections orthogonal with respect to each other so that one is inserted into the body in a direction substantially traversing the longitudinal axis of the body and the other is inserted into the body in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body for fixing the wing to the body. The skeleton of the wing is constructed of flexible material so that it flaps during its flying operation.

Abstract: A kite for continuous and reliable flight without configuration change in winds ranging from light breezes to the strongest natural winds consists of a wind formed lifting surface in tension stabilized by a long thin trailing filament, such as a thin weighted cord or a thin metallic wire, the motions of which are damped by a minimum number of free-trailing flexible streamers.

Abstract: A keel kite is disclosed having an increased range of flight speeds and an improved ability to withstand gusty winds, consisting of a mass-balanced sail portion eliminating the center line spar either entirely or over the rear central portion of the sail, and a separately mass-balanced keel portion supported by a spar along its lower edge, aerodynamically balanced, able to pivot somewhat in yaw, and employing an adjustable trimming surface.

Abstract: A saucer shaped throwing disc with a flexible tail and pivot means for attaching one end of the tail to the disc at its central vertical axis. When the disc is rotating in flight, the tail trails while remaining extended in the direction opposite the direction of flight. The tail has an aperture near one end for attachment purposes and other apertures which aid in securing the tail in folded or rolled condition.

Abstract: A box-type kite constructed of unitary polygonal end frames having interior corners and with passages in the interior corners subtending more than 180.degree.. Struts carrying sails thereon and equal in number to the corners, having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the openings to the passages are received in the passages to provide a polygonal box-type kite which requires no cross bracing for rigidity.

Abstract: A flexible airframe flying wing, such as used for hang gliding, includes a central rib to which is perpendicularly connected two flexible spars. In turn, a plurality of floating ribs are releasably connected to the flexible spars, and extend generally parallel to the central rib. A flexible membrane envelops the central rib, the floating ribs, and the flexible spars in such manner as to bias the flexible spars in an arcuate configuration to define the leading edge of the flying wing. By virtue of the components thereof, and the flexible interconnection therebetween, the resulting flexible airframe flying wing is autostable and will adapt itself a various flight attitudes and conditions.

Abstract: A ball joint is affixed to the harness of a kite and a kite string is tied at its first end to the ball joint. A kite tethering device is affixed to the frame of a bicycle for affixing the second end of the string to the bicycle. The kite tethering device comprises an elastic cord affixed at its first end to the second end of the kite string. A tubular member has a ball joint seat formed in a first end thereof for accommodating the ball joint. The elastic cord passes through the tubular member and out of such member at the second end thereof. A clamp affixed to the second end of the elastic cord is clamped to the frame of the bicycle between the seat and the rear wheel thereof whereby when the kite is not borne aloft, the elastic cord maintains the ball joint seated in the ball joint seat of the tubular member.

Abstract: A skate sail is rigged with leading edge spars set by manipulation of a cruciform frame. The sail and frame assembly is suitable for mounting on a boat or vehicle as well as for being hand held, and is collapsible for compact stowing. When provided with a cinch line the sail assembly can be used for hang gliding. Rigging is set by joining separable lengths of a mast and advancing a transverse brace along the mast toward the mast head to deploy by toggle-like action head spars to which the sail is lashed thereby spreading and drawing taut a trapezium configuration of sail foil which is anchored to the foot of the mast. Laterally extendable wings may be provided and deployed separately to provide troughs which catch air spilling from the main sail foil and ease handling of the sail and enhance the ability of a user to trim the sail readily.

Abstract: A self propelled kite having a frame including a nose piece, a stringer backwardly extending from the nose piece, and two spars attached to the nose piece equidistant and outwardly diverging in an upward inclination from the stringer. A substantially V-shaped fairing is connected between the spars and beneath the stringer. A propeller driven by a small internal combustion engine is the prime mover, being located above the fairing and mounted to the stringer. The kite may also have a rudder with rudder control mounted above the stringer and rearward to the propeller. The kite may also contain landing struts, air intake ports for unassisted take off, and cargo carrying apparatus.

Abstract: A toy glider kite capable of effectively functioning as a kite when held by a tow line and as a glider when released for free flying. The glider kite comprises a pair of flexible wing sections which are pivotal relative to one another between kite and normal glider modes of operation. In the kite mode of operation, the wing sections pivot to form a dihedral angle of one value in relation to a reference plane. In the normal glider mode of operation, the wing sections pivot to form a dihedral angle in relation to the reference plane which is smaller than the one value.

Abstract: In a ready-to-fly kite having a central, longitudinal stiffening element and a flexible kite body that defines a pair of flexible wings, the axial stiffening element is comprised of a plurality of elongated stiff sections. These sections are connected together to fold relative to one another at a joint from an extended position in which the sections are axially aligned, end to end, to a folded position in which the sections lie side by side. The respective sections of the flexible kite body that correspond to the stiffener sections are free from axial restraint to permit folding of the flexible kite body sections with the stiffener sections. Also the flexible kite body sections are free from lateral restraint to permit rolling of the kite body sections together about the folded group of stiffener sections to provide a compact portable collapsed kite package.

Abstract: A toy kite has the general form of a hang glider and has a tow line which is releasable from the kite when in flight by slackening the tension in the tow line. Spars of the kite frame are hinged together by unitary plastic hinges and the frame can be folded and erected by moving a slider along a main spar. A pilot figure suspended in a harness below the kite is adjustable to alter the trim.

Abstract: An aerofoil structure which is inflatable by ram air when in use, includes a flexible multi-cell air fillable envelope having a readily removable flexible spar at its leading edge whose ends provide anchorages for a pair of operator control lines. In use the spar flexs to accommodate variations in air speed over the envelope.

Abstract: Method and apparatus using parakites, or modified parachutes, for capturing wind energy and for converting the consequent wind-induced linear motion to shaft rotation. The parakite apparatus includes a plurality of trains of parakites, with each train comprising a power line having a plurality of serially coupled parakites secured thereto. The power lines are of sufficient length to allow the parakites to reach an altitude above the earth at which prevailing winds are stronger and more uniform than at the earth's surface. Each train is secured at its earthbound end to a drum or windlass selectively rotatable in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions to either reel in the power lines attached thereto, or to enable the power lines to be pulled upwardly and outwardly by the action of the winds on the parakites. Provision is made, including canopy lines, to selectively collapse the parakites on selected power lines to facilitate the reeling-in procedure.

Abstract: A kite is disclosed having a main body portion fabricated of a flexible material consisting of two substantially triangular panels joined along one edge, and joined again, in an aerodynamic curve, adjacent to, and roughly parallel with, the original join, forming a keel foil enclosing roughly one quarter of the sail area. This keel foil, being double fabric, forms a pocket to hold the mast which maintains it stiffened along it's outer edge for the whole of it's length. The two remaining wing foils are stiffened with spars for roughly three-quarters of their length being unsupported towards the nose of the kite. The cross-stay is disposed across the back of the kite and is pivotally secured to the wing-spars ahead of half of their length. A single fulcrum on the mast holds the line. There is no central stiffening member so the kite is flexible.

Abstract: A kite is described in which a wing of flexible material is disposed symmetrically about a central line; a wing spreader is structurally associated with the wing for providing equal and opposite extension forces operable at the central line; and an improved stabilizer is provided. The stabilizer has a keel depending from and structurally associated with the lower surface of the wing being attached thereto along one end of the central line, an apertured elevating cell through which air is drawn while kite is in flight with two side walls and upper and lower walls, the cell depending from and structurally associated with the lower surface of the wing along the other end of the central line, and a stabilizer strut for holding open the apertured elevating cell during flight being disposed between the keel and the lower wall of the apertured elevating cell.

Abstract: The aerodynamic surface of the kite consists of a single sheet of stiff material arched about a longitudinal axis, being more highly arched at the front end than at the rear and having an aperture located predominantly on the rearward half. In a preferred embodiment, the kite is die cut from a sheet of foamed plastic, and laterally-extending tension members are used to hold the sheet in the arched shape. The flying string is attached directly to the kite for flying it with the concave side upward. Other embodiments can be flown with the concave side down if a bridle is used.

Abstract: A kite is provided with a streamer in the form of an elongated, inflatable, flexible tube of, for example, polyethylene. The streamer is attached to the main spar of the kite and has an open mouth positioned beneath the kite sheeting so that, in flight, the streamer is filled with air.

Abstract: A buoyant sail or wing tethered to a line an appreciable distance above the surface where the winds are at higher speed than at ground level is provided with wind velocity gradient sensing members to guide movement of the buoyant sail to the elevation of greatest wind velocity, the other end of the line is attached to an electric generator. A series of sails are utilized with one being retracted while at least one other sail is positioned to catch the wind away from the generator. The wings may have dividers to increase the amount of flow disruption of the wind and increase the drag coefficient and hence the amount of energy extracted, and a pulley system may be utilized in lieu of a single pass tether line.

Abstract: A kite bracket is disclosed whose shape is the combination of an open channel and a triangular pocket. The bracket is used on a kite having a main body formed of a thin flexible material with two leading edges which diverge rearwardly and with a strut attached to the main body adjacent to each leading edge. A longitudinal strut is attached to the main body, located symmetrically between the two leading edges, and a keel is attached to the lower side of the main body, essentially in line with the longitudinal strut. Two brackets are attached to the main body, one adjacent to each leading edge strut. The novel shape of the brackets is intended to receive and support the ends of a cross-strut which holds the kite open in position for flying, as well as to transmit a compressive force from the leading edge struts to the cross-strut.

Abstract: A kite made out of a box top of the type of box formed of a light weight rigid plastic foam material, such as the substantially rectangular Polystyrene boxes used in dispensing hot food, particularly the type of such boxes having tops provided with a peripheral lip and a longitudinal slot in one longitudinal lip, midway of the ends of the box. A 1 inch tape, such as the tape commonly known as Engineer's flagging, of approximately 30 feet in length, is secured to the box top for a tail and a pigtail, and a string is attached to the flagging on the opposite side of the box top and the kite is ready to fly.

Abstract: An inflatable delta wing kite having a single air chamber formed of a bulbous nose portion and three frusto conical shaped tubular portions forming structural beams, one beam extending along the central longitudinal axis, and the other two forming the leading edges of the kite, the terminal end of the central beam forming a filler tube; generally triangularly shaped, uninflated sections forming airfoils are located between the central and edge beams. The kite has a laterally extending string attaching member having a plurality of string locations, and a pendulum-like gravity stabilizer attached to the terminal end of the central beam. A method for fabricating the kite is also disclosed.

Abstract: A maneuverable, deltoid-shaped, inflatable kite having, when inflated, a bulbous nose portion, a central air beam, two diverging side air beams and an uninflated airfoil between the central air beams and each side air beam. Three control line anchors, one on the central air beam approximate the flying point and one on each of the side air beams; a control bar; control lines extending from each control line anchor to the control bar; and two maneuvering strings extending in a parallel path from the control bar to the kite flyer provide means for maneuvering the kite.

Abstract: A kite has three hollow, tubular frame members joined together at the forward end of the kite by a nose piece having radial lugs receiving the frame tubes thereover. A flexible sheet such as plastic is affixed between a central tube and each of two side tubes to form a delta shaped lifting surface which may have dihedral between two halves thereof. A triangular keel surface is attached to the central tube and extends below the kite. Affixed to a lower-most portion of the keel is a string attachment plate for attachment of a string used to tether the kite during flight. The plate has three longitudinally-spaced attachment points or holes, each adapted to receive the string selectively depending upon wind strength conditions. Each attachment point or hole provides a different preferred angle of attack to the kite in various wind conditions and hence facilitates obtaining optimum performance from the kite.

Abstract: A kite having separate forward and aft sails, each arched about a common longitudinal kite axis and each sail disposed concave downward in flight. The concave shape of the sail funnels the wind through the kite. Lift is derived from the central portions of the sail while the lateral portions of the sail, which are nearly vertical and are parallel to the wind direction, provide lateral stability. The proportional lift and weight balance provided by the aft sail, in combination with the bridle arrangement, provide longitudinal stability.

Abstract: A kite comprising a kite body in the form of a plane sail supported by spars and a rudder formed integrally with the kite body. Two control strings are coupled to the rudder by way of a bridle, the control strings controlling movement of the rudder with respect to the kite body by causing the rudder to be in operation turned into the airflow supporting the kite body thereby to control the attitude of the kite body relatively to the airflow.

Abstract: A kite having a flying surface of flexible plastic sheet material supported from a single vertical rib and one or more cross-ribs. The ribs are attached to the sheet material at the left, right, upper and lower terminal portions of the sheet material by pockets of flexible material that are bonded to the sheet material. The cross-rib is a solid aluminum rod of uniform diameter which is biased into a symmetrical bend. An adjustable bridle is provided comprising upper and lower bridle members. The upper bridle member also serves as a point of attachment for the cross-rib to the vertical rib. The bridle incorporates centering beads on the end loops of the bridle members. The end loops are received over the vertical rib. The centering beads act to equalize and align the forces transferred to the kite string.

Abstract: A remote elevated platform (REP) for positioning a payload from an aircraft nd maintaining its position unattended, comprises a lifting body, a payload designed to be suspended from the lifting body, a tether line and a mooring system. The platform is dropped from the aircraft and the lifting body is deployed by opening it up by means of a static line or a barometric device. The mooring system is then released and it starts falling freely but attached to the tether line. The mooring line then strikes the surface and fixes itself in the ground. In a body of water, a float and sea anchor is deployed instead.

Abstract: A stunt kite comprising a first horizontal spar member, a second vertical spline member, third and fourth diagonal spar members, the members being formed into a fixed frame, a covering disposed on the frame and having a lateral dimension which is greater than its dimension corresponding to its longitudinal axis and being symmetrical in shape about the longitudinal axis, a bow string forming the first member into a bowed shape such that the covering is bowed into a generally convex configuration, a pair of bridles each symmetrically connected between the third and fourth members on opposed sides of the second member and extending outside the covering, the substantial midpoint of each bridle forming an attachment point which lies a predetermined distance above the center of gravity of the kite, and first and second tails connected to the bottom ends of the third and fourth members, respectively, for providing substantially equal stabilizing drag forces at the bottom corners of the covering, such that when lengt

Abstract: A stunt kite comprising a first horizontal spar member, a second vertical spline member, third and fourth diagonal spar members, the members being formed into a fixed frame, a covering disposed on the frame and having a lateral dimension which is greater than its dimension corresponding to its longitudinal axis and being symmetrical in shape about the longitudinal axis, .[.a bow string forming the first member into a bowed shape such that the covering is bowed into a generally convex configuration,.].