Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02414923 2002-12-20
INTEGRATED KITE CONTROL. BAR AIVO
CONTROLLI~D TENSION RELEASE SAFETY DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]This invention is directed to a novel integrated kite control bar and
con-
trolled tension release safety device for use in kite boarding. More
particularly, this
invention pertains to an integrated kite control bar and controlled tension
release
safety device which can be activated by a kite boarder by moving the control
bar
against a safety release device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]The sport known as kite boarding has developed rapidly in popularity
over
the past two decades. In one aspect, kite boarding involves a kite boarder who
stands on a surf board on water, in reasonably windy conditions, and has a
harness
fastened around his or her waist and buttocks or chest. A control bar is
attached to
the harness at the rear end and at the front end it is al:tached by front and
back lines
to a kite, which can be any suitable line traction kite. The kite boarder then
launches the kite into the air by pulling on the front and back lines so that
the wind
inflates the kite and pulls the kite boarder and surf board over the surface
of the
water. If the wind is strong enough, the kite boarder can actually launch
himself or
herself into the air for a brief period of time. The kite boarder can also
perform
assorted tricks and maneuvers while being pulled by the kite. Kite boarding
can
also be performed on land, ice or snow.
[0003]High performance kite flying and kite boarding on land/snow/ice/water
require in some instances a kite with multiple control lines (two to four, and
potentially more) for performance and practical reasons. Use of multiple
control
lines is required to provide control, stability and the capability to fly
kites in
weather conditions where control of the leading and/or trailing edges of the
kite is
desirable and important. 'These higher performance kites also generally now
require
the use of a control bar anal safety device for line attachments for the kite
control
and for wrapping lines on as they can approach 50 meters in length. To date,
the
preferred methods of attaching a safety device have been through wrist to line
attachments that are activated when the user releases the control bar and the
kite is
then held to the user effectively by a single line attached to the kite edge.
Releasing
all but one line effectively collapses and de-powers the kite. Several
existing
CA 02414923 2002-12-20
-2-
modifications of this simple principle have been developed, and at least one
concept
has been patented.
[0004]French Patent No. FR 2698847, Legaignoux, published June 10, 1994,
discloses a flexible wing line system, comprising supporting and control
lines, with
control lines which can be located inside hollow supporting lines for most of
their
length. The lines, especially for a flexible aerodynamic wing in the shape of
a
section of a sphere, are in the form of two supporting lines for the load,
connected
to pointed tips of equal length, and a pair of control lines which also
support the
load and are connected to the wing's leading or trailing edge at the sides of
the
wing. In a variant of the design, the lines can incorporate an additional pair
of
control lines, attached to the opposite edge of the wing to the first pair.
The main
supporting lines can be hollow, with the control lines located inside them for
the
greater part of their length, and both the supporting and control lines can be
made
from a material with a love friction coefficient, preferably of polyethylene.
The
control lines can be equipped with handles to facilitate their operation.
[0005]U.S. Patent No. 4,708,078, Legaignoux et al., issued November 24, 1987,
discloses a dual layer light wing, configured like a spherical segment, which
is
intended to be used in the traction and lift of various loads. The wing
includes a
leading edge and a trailing; edge and an inflatable armature covered by the
exterior
and interior sheets of the flexible envelope. The surfaces of the wing are
config-
ured in the shape of an aircraft wing profile and the edges of the wing curve
in two
planes. The leading and trailing edges of the wing are oriented to intersect
near the
tips of the wing, and each of the tips of the wing receives a control rope via
an
adjusting plate. The conto~ol rope is passed through a pulley mounted on a
craft to
be displaced by a person through a harness. The wing can be used in sliding
sports, yachting and gliding.
[0006]French Patent No. FR 2762583, Legaignoux, published October 30, 1998,
discloses a control system for the angle of incidence and direction of an
ellipsoidal
sail in the shape of a spherical Iune comprising four lines, two at each
distal end.
One of the two lines is fixed in front of the optimum centering point of the
sail and
the other line is fixed behind this point. The shape of the sail is modified
by
displacement of its distal ends into the shape of points relative to the
centering
point. The leading edge formed by an inflatable spar has a cut out crescent
shape at
its ends. The control has a reduced number of lines compared with prior
versions.
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SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007]The invention is directed to a kite control bar and safety release
device
comprising: (a) a kite control bar; (b) a centre line associated with the kite
control
bar and having a first end and a second end; (c) a safety release device
associated
with the first end of the cewtre line on a first side of the control bar; and
(d) a hook
engaging loop associated with the sec~nd end of the centre line, on a side of
the
control bar opposite to the safety release device, and being linked to the
safety
release device, the loop being operable when the control bar is impinged
against the
safety release device at the first end of the centre line.
[0008]The safety release device can be linked to the hook engaging loop by a
trigger line which passes through the interior of the centre line, which can
be
hollow, or alternatively, external of the centre line. 'When the trigger line
is pulled
by the safety release device being contacted by the cantrol bar, it can
activate a
release mechanism which enables the hook engaging loop to be opened by being
separated at one end from the centre line.
[0009]The trigger line, when activated by the safety release device, can
unfurl a
hook and pile fastener or a snap and pin fastener, which secures a free end of
the
hook engaging loop, thereby enabling the loop to be opened. Alternatively, the
free
end of the hook engaging loop can be connected to the second end of the centre
line
by means of a pin and loop combination. The centre line and the trigger line
can be
housed in a hollow tube.
[0010]The safety release device at the first end of the centre line can be a
collar or
sphere which can be connected to a first end of the trigger line which can
pass
through the interior of the hollow centre line.
[0011]On a first end of thf: safety release trigger device, there can be a
resistance
mechanism that controls the amount of force that is required to activate the
release
device thereby enabling the user to adjust the force that is required to
activate the
safety release device. In one aspect, the resistance mechanism can be a
plastic
tubing that has slits on a part of its sides covered with a flexible tube.
CA 02414923 2002-12-20
-4-
[0012]A second end of the trigger line can be secured to the hook and pile
fastener
which when unfurled by tension applied by the trigger line, can enable the
loop to
separate at its free end.
[0013]A manual release lever can be included with the hook and pile fastener
or
other fastener to enable the hook and pile or other fastener to be unfurled if
it is not
activated by tension on the trigger line. The release mechanism can be a tube
and
pin combination, and the trigger line can pull the tube off the pin and
release the
pin, thereby enabling the loop to be opened. An adjustable compression or
tension
device can be included with the tube and pin to adjust the release force.
[0014]The adjustable compression or tension device ran be a spring or a
resilient
polymer.
[0015]The invention is also directed t~ a method of releasably securing a kite
boarder to a kite which comprises fitting the kite boarder with a harness, the
harness
being connected to front and back lines of the kite, aJld a control bar and
release
safety device being positioned between the harness and the front and back
lines of
the kite, said control bar and safety release device comprising: (a) a kite
control
bar; (b) a centre line passing through the kite control bar and having a first
end and
a second end; (c) a safety release trigger device associated with the first
end of the
centre line on a first side of the control bar; and (d) a hook engaging loop
associated
with the second end of the centre line, on a side of the control bar opposite
to the
safety trigger release device, and being linked to the safety release trigger
device,
said loop being openable when the control bar is impinged against the safety
release
device at the first end of the centre line.
[0016]The kite boarder can release himself or herself from the front and back
lines
of the kite by contacting the safety release device with the control bar,
thereby
enabling the loop to be detached from the harness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTI(7N OF DRAWINGS
[0017] In drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention, but
which should not be construed as restricting the spirit: or scope of the
invention in
any way:
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-5-
[0018]Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a kite boarder standing on a
surf
board and being pulled over the water by a kite, with front and back lines
secured to
a control bar and a harness fitting around the waist and buttocks of the kite
boarder.
[0019]Figure 2 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the integrated
kite
control bar and controlled tension release safety device.
[0020]Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of a harness equipped with a
hook.
[0021]Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a depower grim loop as it appears
when
released by activating a trigger line.
[0022]Figure 5 illustrates a front view of an integrated kite control bar and
controlled tension release safety device when activated by moving the control
bar
against a safety release ball which activates a trigger line.
[0023]Figure 6 illustrates a front view of an alternative embodiment of
release
mechanism.
[0024]Figure 7 illustrates a front view of a third embodiment of release mecha-
nism.
[0025]Figure 8 illustrates a front view of a fourth embodiment of release
mecha-
nism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026]Throughout the following description, specific details axe set forth in
order
to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the
invention
may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known
elements
have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring
the
invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in
an
illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
[0027]Kite boarding is a recently developed exciting and thrilling sport
which.
combines the use of a surf board and a kite which when powered by the wind
draws
the kite boarder and the surf board rapidly over the water. The subject
invention
CA 02414923 2002-12-20
-6-
recognizes that the sport of kite boarding is greatly advanced by enhancing
its
safety. All aspects of the kite/lines/control system can be integrated to
provide the
user with a system that is controllable and capable of releasing the kite
under the
most severe circumstances. The current invention enables the control bar to
have an
integrated kite and lines safety release mechanism.
[0028]Kite boarding can be a dangerous sport because gusts of wind can cause
the
kite to accelerate rapidly and in certain cases, if the gust is sufficiently
strong, the
kite can actually pull the kite boarder and the surf boarder off the surface
of the
water and dangerously high into the air, or alternatively, drag the
surfboarder
underwater, or across the ground if on land. In such cases, the kite boarder
may
find himself or herself in a dangerous or hazardous situation and will want to
release himself or herself from the control bar and the kite. Existing control
bar
and harness designs have a manual release knob. However, use of the manual
release knob in rapidly escalating danger situations is not usually convenient
because
the kite boarder must let go of the control bar with one hand in order to grab
the
manual release knob. Control of the control bar is not easy with only one hand
so
the control bar, by being pulled strongly by the kite, can lose control,
thereby
exacerbating the hazardous situation.
[0029]The following description involves a four line kite, which is common,
but it
may be applicable without restraint to other configurations. In normal use,
the user
places an open-hook harness (attached as shown to the user's body) (see
Figures 1
and 3) into a mid-loop that is attached to the control lines. Use of this mid-
loop
allows the user to directly power and de-power the kite by effectively
modifying the
pull on the control lines, and changing the air-foil characteristics of the
kite. This
will be referred to hereinafter as the line-control loop. A second harness
loop may
be used and directly attaches to the control bar, as shown, with the result
that the
power from the outermost two control lines is transferred to the user through
the
harness, and not through the user's arms. This will be referred to hereinafter
as the
bar-control loop. This is preferentially used under highly controlled and
stable
kiting situations. Use of the line-control loop only is typical under high-
perfor-
mance situations, including using large kites (relativf; to the wind speed),
and in
jumping, etc.
[0030]A traditional method of safety is to release the kite bar, which implies
unhooking from the bar-control loop, as well as the line-control loop, and
releasing
CA 02414923 2002-12-20
_ 7 -
the control bar. At this point, the control bar is free to be pulled away from
the
user, and a secondary safety line, attached to a wrist leash on the user and
further
attached to a single control line, is activated. This has the effect of
supporting the
kite from one point only (although other situations may be envisioned whereby
the
wrist leash safety line has other attachments). The kite will then collapse
freely
under the wind load with no more effective foil shape being retained by the
lines,
hence providing a safety escape for the user.
[0031]In a situation where the user is out of control and is still hooked into
the
harness loops, letting go of the bar may have little effect in that the lines
are still
active in flying the kite, and de-powering may not occur. An example of this
is
where there is so much wind force in the kite pulling the user, that the
persozi is
unable to physically draw the kite in and provide enough slack to the harness
lines
to then allow release of the lines from their harness hook. In other cases,
release of
one hand from the control bar can cause the kite to lose control. It is in
these very
situations that most of the injuries occur in today ° s kite boarding
activities. Existing
state-of-the-art is deficient: in addressing the safety situation in that it
only addresses
the situation in which the user is already free of the harness lines (see, for
example,
U.S. Patent No. 6,273,369, Nishimura, and references therein.)
[0032]According to the present invention, a mechanism is provided whereby the
user can release himself or herself from the line-control loop, and also the
bar-
control loop, under severer situations. Two independent but common acting
devices
are provided, one a safety release governed by actions on the kite control
bar, and
the other a direct release manual system that can be activated if the kite bar
is out of
the user's control.
[0033]The bar action mechanism is initiated by a firm push forward by the user
on
the control bar against a release device. The safety release device has a
defined and
controllable minimum activation load (greater typically than any flying loads)
and is
positioned along the contr°al lines such that when the load is greater
than a pre-set
load, it pushes the release device forward. This release device is connected
mechanically to a release pin or other mechanism, which when pulled, allows
the
line-control loop to be opened and thus frees the user from the harness line
to the
line-control loop connection. The control bar can also be released and other
traditional leash-type safety devices are then free to work correctly. Similar
activation may be provided on the bar-control loop. This release mechanism
CA 02414923 2002-12-20
according to the invention is independent of how the line and bar control
loops are
directed/attached at the kite boom, and several easily envisioned embodiments
of
the invention will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. The invention
is not
directly dependent on the use of a four line kite, but applicable to any
number of
kite control lines.
[0034]Additionally, it is provided that a second independent, but commonly
acting
device is provided to allow the user to activate the release pin without
pushing on
the control bar. This is discussed below in the form of a manual device acting
at
the same point as the above release pin, to allow the user to release the loop
manually. The combination of these two operations enhances safety in all
situations
where the user is fixed into the harness lines and cannot properly release the
tension
and pull from the kite.
[0035]Figure 1 shows a typical configuration of a harness, kite control bar,
kite
lines and kite especially as used by water, snow, or land kite-surfers, etc.
It is
easily envisioned that a user, hooked into this bar control at either the line-
control
or the bar-control loop, may not be able to release thf: bar under the tension
from
control lines, given kite power, user fatigue, etc. Figure 2 shows the key
features
of a first embodiment of the invented system which allow the user to release
from
the kite under severe conditions. By pushing forward on the bar, the user
activates
the lower end of the release activator. An adjustable system is added to allow
control of the activation loads for different users and kite sizes, and is
embodied
here by one such system (among many obviously possible) as a spring with com-
pression loading. A simple screw threaded barrel can be used to provide
adjustable
spring compression as desired to modify release activation forces. It is
obviously
undesirable for the bar to release the loop under normal sailing situations
and loads,
so the user can be provided with an adjustment mechanism based on the
particular
conditions they are in.
[0036]We have invented a safety release system which is relatively simple in
concept and extremely easy for the kite boarder to use. It takes advantage of
the
natural inclination of the kite boarder in a hazardous situation to push the
control
bar forward with both hands in a responsive effort to rid himself or herself
of the
control bar and the kite in a hazardous situation. Referring to Figure 1,
Figure 1
illustrates a perspective vif:w of a kite boarder standing on a surf board and
being
pulled over the water by a kite with front and back lines secured to a control
bar
CA 02414923 2002-12-20
-9-
and a harness fitting around the waist and buttocks of the kite boarder. As
seen in
Figure 1, the kite boarder 2 stands over a surf board 4 which rides on the
surface of
the water 5. The kite boarder 2, by means of a control bar 14, and a pair of
front
lines 10 and back lines 12., is attached to a kite 6 which includes a series
of air
inflated stiffener struts 8. The inflated stiffener struts 8 serve two
purposes,
namely, maintaining the concave shape of the kite 6 so that it has maximum
efficiency in catching the wind and keeping the kite 6 afloat when it lands on
the
water 5. While a parabolic type kite is shown in Figure l, it is understood
that the
safety device according to the invention can be used on all types of traction
control
kites including a kite identified with the trademark Ram-Air, framed kites,
and dual
membrane kites.
[0037]The control bar 14 is moved forward and backward along a centre line 20,
which is secured to a depower trim loop hook 18, which in turn is secured to a
harness 16 which is worn about the waist and buttocks of the kite boarder 2.
The
pair of front lines 10 are secured to a loop at the front end of the centre
line 2Ø
The pair of back lines 12 are secured to each arm of the control bar 14. By
moving
the control bar 14 forwardly or rearwardly on the centre line 20, the kite
boarder 2
is able to control the back lines 12 and hence the pitch of the kite 6 and in
turn
control the lift of the kite 6. The kite 6 shown in Figure 1 is manufactured
from a
single ply sheet, rather than a double ply or double surface kite as available
on the
market, but it is understood that the invention can be used with double ply
kits or
other designs of traction kites.
[0038]Referring to Figure 2, Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the
integrated kite
control bar and control tension release safety device. As seen in Figure 2,
the
integrated kite control bar and controlled tension release safety device is
constructed
so that the control bar 14 c:an be moved upwardly or downwardly (forwardly or
rearwardly) on the centre line 20. The control bar 14 can also be rotated
about the
centre line 20 to enable the kite boarder to control the lateral slant of the
kite. The
control bar 14 has at each and a pair of forwardly extending arms 15 with a
pair of
back line rings 17 each end. The centre line 20 is hollow and has at the top
end
thereof a front line loop 22 which is used for securing the loop 22 to the
pair of
front lines 10 (see Figure 1). A trigger ball 30 and the top end of a trigger
line 28
are also located at the top end of the centre line 20 above the control bar
14. 'The
trigger ball 30 includes an adjustable force resistance ~~nechanism 29 between
it and
the loop attachment 22 to the kite lines. The resistance mechanism 29 on the
first
CA 02414923 2002-12-20
-10-
end of the safety release trigger device controls the amount of force that is
required
to activate the release device. The resistance mechanism can be a metal spring
or
plastic tubing that has slits on a part of its sides covered with a flexible
tube. The
resistance mechanism 29 ensures that the control rod 14 when it hits ball 30
with
minimum force does not prematurely release the loop 19. The centre line 20,
being
hollow, enables the trigger line 28 to pass down the interior of the centre
line 20
and appear at the lower end of the centre line 20 in association with the
depower
trim loop 19. The depowr:r trim loop 19 is flexible and is secured to one side
of a
stiff triangle 24 which is firmly secured to the bottom of the centre line 20.
A hook
and pile fastener 32 (Velcro) is wrapped around one side of the triangle 24.
)fit is
understood that other designs of release devices can be used, such as a snap
and pin
device. The bottom end of the centre trigger line 28 emerges from the bottom
end
of the centre line 20 and at its bottom end is secured to the hook and pile
fastener
32. Figure 2 also illustrates as a secondary back-up release feature, a
manual'. safety
release 26 which is pivotally connected to the triangle 24 and when pulled
downwardly, pulls on the trigger line 28, which in turn unfurls (unwraps) the
hook
and pile fastener 32, thereby enabling the depower trim loop 19 to open.
[0039]Figure 3 illustrates ,an isometric view of a harness equipped with a
loop hook
18. As seen in Figure 3, the harness 16 includes a series of buckle adjustable
belts
21 and metal loops 23 which enable the harness to be securely wrapped around
the
waist and buttocks of the kite boarder. The belts 21 and steel loops 23 also
are
secured to a steel cross ban 25 with a loop hook 18 which is constructed of a
strong
metal such as steel.
[0040]Figure 4 illustrates ;~ front view of a depower trim loop 19 as it
appear:9
when released to an open position by activating a trigger line. As illustrated
).n
Figure 4, the depower trim loop 19 has been opened in the following manner.
The
trigger line 28 emerging from the bottom end of the centre line 20 and the
triangle
24 has been pulled to unfurl the hook and pile fastener (Velcro) 32. Unfurling
the
hook and pile fastener 32 releases the pivotal steel pin 38 and the release
loop 34.
Normally, when the loop 19 is closed, the pin 38 and loop 34 engage the hook
loop
36 at the end of loop 19. wVhen opened in this manner, the depower trim loop
19
releases from the depower trim loop hook 18 of harness 16 which in turn
enables
the kite boarder to be disengaged from the kite 6.
CA 02414923 2002-12-20
-11-
[0041]Figure 5 illustrates a front view of an integrated kite control bar and
controlled tension release safety device when activated by moving the control
bar
upwardly against a safety release ball which activates a trigger line. As seen
in
Figure 5, the control bar 14 has been pushed upwardly by the kite boarder as
indicated by the arrows. The control bar 14, when pushed upwardly by the kite
boarder, hits the trigger ball 30, which in turn yanks the trigger line 28
which
extends downwardly through the interior of the centre line 20. Since the
bottom
end of the trigger line 28 is secured to the hook and pile fastener 32, it
causes the
Velcro fastener 32 to unfurl and unwrap from around the one arm of the
triangle
24. Since there is a rearward (downward) tension exerted on the depower trim
loop
19 by the loop hook 18 of the harness 16, the depower trim loop 19 is pulled
downwardly which in turn. causes the depower trim hook loop 36 to disengage
from
the release loop 34 and enable the steel pin 38 to pivot downwardly to an open
position, as indicated by the dotted arrow. In this way, the depower trim loop
19
opens and is released from the depower trim loop hook 18 of the harness 16 so
the
kite boarder is thereby able to release himself or herself from a potentially
danger-
ous or hazardous situation, such as in the case where the wind gusts strongly
and the
kite 6 pulls the kite boarder off the surface of the water to an elevation at
which he
or she is not comfortable, or under the water.
[0042]Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of release mechanism. As seen
in
Figure 6, the trigger line 28 and semi-sphere 30 are connected through the
interior
of the centre line 20 to a semi-sphere 40, spring 42 and hollow pin release
catch 44
at the lower end of centre line 20. Hitting the semi-sphere 30 with the
control bar
14 raises the trigger line 28 and pulls the pin release catch 44 upwardly
against the
spring 42 and off the release pin 46. This enables the pivotal release pin 46
to
open, thereby releasing the end of the depower trim loop 19 so that it assumes
an
open position. If desirable, the hollow pin release catch 44 can be threaded
on the
interior, or equipped with some other adjustable movement mechanism, so that
it
can be moved relative to tlae centre line 20, thereby adjusting compression
force on
the spring 42. In this way, the kite boarder can adjust the releases tension
of the
overall release mechanism. This prevents premature opening of the release
mecha-
nism, but ensures the release catch 44 opens when an unacceptable level of
force is
exerted on it.
[0043]Figure 7 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention and shows a
barrel
46 and clip 48 style release: mechanism, which permits the user easy access to
CA 02414923 2002-12-20
-12-
reconnecting the lines into their loops. The barrel 46 and clip 48 are
activated by
the control bar 14 being raised upwardly so that it hits the collar 52 and
pulls on
tension line 50, as described above, acting upwardly on the barrel 46. The
barrel
46 is raised upwardly which releases pin 48 and enables loop 54 to open.
Although
a clip 48 is shown here, mating to the barrel 46, any of several suitable
styles of
mechanisms as conventionally used in various lock and harness systems can be
incorporated to perform the release function. By encapsulating the clip 48 in
a soft
polymer, it can be made impervious to sand or other contaminants. The use of a
soft polymer encapsulant also allows the clip mechanism to act as an effective
spring, which can be used to provide a specific resistance so the clip will
not release
prematurely. Reattachment of the control loop 54 is accomplished by moving the
pin 48 to an upright position and moving the barrel 46 over the clip mechanism
48,
which is the position shown in Figure 7.
[0044]Figure 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention and shows a
ball 56
and pin 64 release mechanism which provides a very effective and simple
release.
This mechanism allows the user, by incorporation of a compression spring 61),
to
grab the ball 56 and force it upwards and thereby through actuator bar 58, to
raise
release barrel 62 upwardly so it releases pin 64. This release system, for
pu~_poses
of understanding, demonstrates use of a compression spring 60. However, in
practice, a cellular urethane rubber spring or other similar device can be
used
instead of a spring to provide improved functionality.
[0045]As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the
foregoing
disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of
this
invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the
scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance
defined
by the following claims.
