Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02206239 1997-06-10
The present invention is a sporting apparatus primarily designed for
sky divers. This invention increases the maneuverability and flight time of
the sky diver by using a wing and a pair of foot bindings.
This invention relates to a relatively new sport called "Skysurfing", in
which a sky diver uses a snowboard type apparatus to provide
maneuverability and lift. This crude type of apparatus provides marginal
capabilities, as the boards are not designed for flight. This invention uses a
wing as a platform for a sky diver to stand on. The sky diver rides this
o apparatus much like a surfer uses a surfboard to ride the waves. The
amount of time the sky diver can stay in the air is significantly increased,
and/or the maneuverability can be significantly increased. This innovation
can be tailored to provide the best desired performance of the sky diver.
The wing geometry can follow standard aerodynamic design
principles. For example: if a long flight time ( the amount of time the sky
diver is in the air ) is required by the sky diver the sport wing can be
designed to fit the required considerations by having: a large aspect ratio, a
high lift to drag ratio aerofoils, wingtips and a rectangular wing span shape.
If the sky diver wishes maneuverability, the design considerations for the
sport wing could include: a small aspect ratio, elliptical or swept back wing
span and multiple aerofoils. The aerofoils are easily derived from many
sources, such as: National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA
Standard), computer generated aerofoils (from computational algorithms),
Wortmann and Gottingen series.
The prototype was designed for extended flight time, instead of
maneuverability, therefore the prototype design parameters consisted of a
large aspect ratio, rectangular wing span and a single NACA 6XXX airfoil.
The prototype sport wing was constructed out of fiber reinforced plastic on
a polyurethane foam core. With reinforcements under the foot platform.
The construction should be sufficiently strong to withstand cyclic loading,
yet light enough not to hinder performance. An alternative construction
method may include a light weight sheet metal of a monocoque design, or a
reinforced inflatable design similar to air mattress construction.
Quick fixing and releasing foot bindings are incorporated on the top
of the wing surface. This allows the sky diver to quickly fasten his or her
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feet to the wing when jumping out of the aeroplane and conversely releasing
his or her feet from the wing when he or she is about to land. The feet could
be mounted longitudinally like a snowboard or mounted transversely like
skis.
This invention has its own fastening method using a foot platform on
the wing, feet bindings, a cleat, a ball and socket, and a forked clasp
mechanism operably connected to the feet of the sky diver. The method of
fastening the sky diver to the wing is a complex subject onto itself.
o Modified ski bindings, or similar systems could be modified for this
application. In the binding system the question of quality and safety must
be addressed. Whatever system used, the system must be able to quickly
engage and disengage, whereby a failure, will not endanger the sky diver
and can be compensated for.
In other embodiments the sky diver may fasten his or her self to the
wing similar to a hang glider, wearing a harness with hooks that quickly
connect to pad eyes. The sky diver hooks into the pad eyes and hangs
perpendicular to the bottom of the wing. Hand straps are mounted at the
bottom of the board and the sky diver uses these straps to maneuver thereby
controlling the direction of the wing.
In other embodiments, there may be a seating surface on the top of
the wing where the sky diver mounts into. To maximize portability and ease
of handling, modifications can be added to the wing such as; telescoping or
folding wings. The wing could be of a multi wing design; such as a biplane.
The wing may also contain a parachute so that when the sky diver
dismounts from the wing, the parachute will deploy causing the wing to
gently fall to the ground.
The present invention consists of a sporting apparatus for increasing
the airtime and maneuverability of a sky diver. In one aspect of this
invention the apparatus consists of a wing and a foot clasping mechanism.
The wing may be designed to the suit the desired performance
characteristics of the sky diver, for example if a long flight time is required
the wing design parameters may include a high lift airfoils, large aspect
ratio and rectangular wings. In this aspect of the invention the design
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parameters are optimized for the terminal velocity of the sky diver and wing
combination.
The sky diver carries the wing into the aeroplane, he or she may
jump out of the aeroplane with the wing attached, if it is safe to do so.
Otherwise, the sky diver can jump out while lying on the wing. In this
aspect while in free fall, the sky diver mounts his or her feet to the top of the
wing. The feet are supported by foot bindings which use straps to hold the
foot into the bindings. While in free fall the sky diver can slowly crouch
into a kneeling position while holding the straps on the wing for support.
This maneuver can also be accomplished while inverted in free fall.
Detachable wrist lanyards help secure the sky diver to the wing during this
operation. One foot at a time is placed into the foot platform on the wing.
The foot bindings are put into the foot platform heel first where a
cleat on the heel of the bindings fastens to a transverse slot at the rear of the
foot platform. There is a longitll~lin~l member on the foot platform that
mates to a corresponding channel in the bindings, which also act as a guide
and brace to support the bindings from the yawl motion of the wing. The
foot is rotated down guided by the channel into the correct position, so that
the bindings can be fastened to the wing by the ball and socket mechanism.
The front of the bindings has a socket and a forked clasp release mechanism
that is mounted in the binding, perpendicular to the bore of the socket. The
forked clasp translates into and out of the side of the bore of the socket.
The foot platform has a ball mounted on a bar near the toe of the foot
platform, the bar connect the back of the ball to the platform. Inside the
socket of the bindings, there is an ejector plate that is connected to the top
of the socket by a compression spring. When the foot rotates down after
fastening the heel to the slot the front of the foot is guided by the channel
over the ball. The ball then is pushed into the socket, moving the ejector
plate up. When the ball is fully inserted into the socket the spring loaded
forked clasp translates into the bore of the socket thereby, holding the ball
from behind.
The operator controls the wing by using weight shifts, ankle
articulation, leg control and air resistance. Flight direction can be
controlled by weight shifts which change the relative positions of the centre
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of gravity to the centre of lift. The lift characteristics can be adjusted by
ankle articulation which adjusts the angle of attack of the wing. Flight
speed can be adjusted by leg rotations which changes the position of the
wing to the air flow. Air resistance can be manipulated by the divers body
and appendages to control the flight characteristics of the wing. These
inputs provide a challenging and exciting sporting environment to the sky
diver.
o In this aspect to separate the sky diver from the wing, a release pulley
is pulled. The sky diver releases the parachute, and when he or she
approaches the ground, the release pulley for the wing is pulled. The
tension on the pulley cable causes the retraction of the forked clasp, thereby
releasing the ball. The spring pushes on the ejector plate thereby pushing
the ball out of the socket. The foot is rotated up and dynamic pressure
forces out the cleat from the transverse slot; then the wing can glide to the
ground. In this aspect if there is a failure in the forked clasp, the sliding orcam buckle straps will quickly remove the feet from the bindings.
The invention as exemplified by the preferred embodiments, are
described with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is the perspective view of the wing assembly;
Figure 2 is a sectional side view with the foot bindings being
engaged into the foot platform;
Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the foot bindings locked into the
foot platform;
Figure 4 is a top view of Section A-A, the foot bindings located into
the foot platform of the wing
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Figure 5 is a front view of another embodiment of the wing assembly.
Referring to the drawings Figure 1 to Figure 4, this embodiment of
the invention shows: a wing 2, a pair of foot platforms 4 mounted on the
top of the wing and a pair of foot bindings 6 that mounts into the foot
platform. A quick release and locking mechanism is incorporated into the
bindings and platform design. The hand hold straps 3 located next to the
foot bindings, support the sky diver and assist in engaging the bindings to
the foot platform. Part of the locking mechanism consists of: a ball 10 and
socket 12. The ball 10 is connected to foot platform 4 by a circular bar
lO element 16. The socket 12 is part of the bindings 6. At the rear of the foot
platform there is a transverse slot 18 that a cleat 22, onto which the foot
bindings 6 fastens to.
The bindings consist of a lower sole plate 24 that contains the locking
and release mechanism and a shell 26 which connects to the plate to
support the foot. Straps 28 mounted on the shell, holding the operators'
shoe 8 into the bindings 6. The locking and release mechanism consists of
a tapered forked clasp 30 that slides in a channel 31 and fastens the bindings
to the platform. A compression spring 32 holds the forked clasp 30 against
the bar element 16. A release pulley 34 is connected to the back of the
forked clasp 30. In the socket 12 there the compression spring 14 that is
connected to an ejector plate 15.
If the sky diver jumps from the airplane without the feet fastened to
the wing, he or she jumps out of the plane while lying on the wing and
holding to the hand straps 3. The sky diver then maneuvers onto his or her
knees. Then in a crouched position places the cleat 22 of the bindings 6 in
the transverse slot 18, the longitudinal location channel 20 mates with
member 21; to guide the socket 12 over the ball 10. The foot is rotated
down to fully insert the ball 10 into the socket 12, overcoming the force of
the compression spring 14 and ejector plate 15 assembly. When the ball is
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fully inserted into the socket the compression spring 32 forces the forked
clasp 30 into the sockets, to lock against the bar element 16; thereby
fastening the bindings to the foot platform.
The sky diver dismounts from the wing by using a release pulley 34.
The sky diver pulls on the releases pulley whereby the tension causes
retraction of the forked clasp 30 into the channel 31, thereby unclasping the
ball 10. The compression spring 14, forces the ejector plate 15 down
thereby pushing out the ball 10 from the socket 12. The sky diver then
rotates up the foot, that causes the cleat 22 to unfasten from the transverse
o slot 18, dynamic pressure pulls the wing away from the foot.
Referring to Figure 5, another embodiment of the invention shows a
wing 2, a bolstered seating platform 5 mounted on top of the wing. The
seatbelts 7 are used to fasten the operator into the seat. The straps 3 are
used as handholds to support the operator. The locking hinges 9 are used to
fold the wing for easy of portability and deployment. Wing tip motors 11
are added to increase the flight time of the sky diver; converting the
embodiment into an ultralight.
Although only several embodiments of the present invention has been
described and illustrated, the present invention is not limited to the features
of this embodiment, but include all variations and modifications within the
scope of the claims.
