Patent Application
20110174912
This invention relates to the sport of kite surfing, and more specifically to a device for deploying and retrieving the tethers (wires) which connect the kite to a spot located some distance away from the kite.
Examples of kite surfing are detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,954 B1. In kite surfing, as well as other sports in which kites are used (skateboards, sand buggies, snow kiting, surfboards to snowboards, and kayaks to cruise ships) a kite is maneuvered by a number of tethers controlled by the kite-flyer or surfer.
While preparing the gear for use (surfing or flying the kite), the user must deploy tethers from the bar, a kite control device to which Tethers are permanently attached, and connect each tether to its unique adequate place on the kite, making sure there are no tangles or rotations among tethers, that is, each tether is stretched between the bar and the kite without crossing another tether in its course.
When packing the gear, the user (surfer) usually disconnects tethers from the kite, takes the bar (to which tethers are permanently attached) and pulls tethers together while winding them around the bar. While doing so, tethers are un-separated and tend to entangle among themselves, and thus on the next deployment (unwound from the bar), tethers are not separated (bounded with each other) and therefore must carefully be separated and all tangles must untied.
Tethers may be about 25 to 30 meters long; thus disentangling them may be problematic.
Therefore, preparation of the gear becomes awkward, time consuming and uncomfortable.
The present invention reduces the retrieving of the tethers (while packing the surfing gear) as well as deploying them (while preparing for surfing), by enabling winding and unwinding of the tethers (simultaneously or differentially) while keeping them separated, tangle-free and kept within their relative order (for example left rear tether, left forward tether, middle, right forward tether, right rear tether).
In that way, packing the gear at the end of the surfing, as well as preparing the gear in preparation for surfing becomes more comfortable, easier, more efficient and faster.
In prior art, in many (if not all) bars, tethers are connected permanently, and in order to keep them tangle-free and in the same relative order, collecting and deploying them can be done by rolling the whole bar around its axis, an awkward operation. The present invention allows collecting, storing and deploying tethers in accordance with bars in use.
It is an object of the invention to provide the user a device to which he connects tethers in a certain order, and wind them simultaneously or differentially. Thus, when tethers are unwound from the device they are kept in the same order, and are unbound with each other, separated and tangle-free. The invention may include an electronic battery-operated winder to rotate and wind or unwind the tethers.
It is also an object of the invention to allow using the device with different thickness and number of tethers.
It is also an object of the invention to be used in different types of sport using kite like skateboards to sand buggies, surfboards to snowboards, and kayaks to cruise ships.
The invention includes a coiling element rotatably mounted on an axis shaft, which allows the coiling element to rotate around its axis. Tethers are connected to the coiling element by a tethers-engaging element which is located on the coiling element and can be a removable panel. Once the coiling element is rotated around its axis (using a handle or an electronic battery-operated winder) tethers are wound onto the coiling element.
In a similar way, rotating the coiling element in the opposite direction unwinds the tethers and deploys them away from the device. A stopper or brake mechanism can lock the coiling element and prevent its rotation relative to mounted sleeves.
Optionally, tethers connected to the device can pass through the collector, a mechanism which directs tethers to be wound onto the coiling element while it rotates around its axis.
The invention discloses a device used for deploying and retrieving tethers. The device includes one or more coiling elements, on which tethers are wound on or from. A tethers-engaging panel is an element to which tethers are connected and held. The panel is located on the coiling element, and can also be removable. In that way tethers can initially be attached to the panel, and only after that the panel is put on the coiling element. Similarly, after deploying tethers, the panel can be detached from its place on the coiling element and after that tethers can be detached from the panel and attached to the kite.
Optionally, the coiling element can be removable. When tethers are connected to the tethers-engaging-panel and the panel is attached to the coiling element, rotating the latter around its axis wound the tethers around it. When rotating it to the opposite direction tethers can be deployed away from the device. Before engaging the coiling element tethers can pass through a collector, which directs tethers onto the coiling element. Rotating the coiling element can be done by a handle.
Optionally, an electronic battery-operated winder rotates the coiling element around its axis. The invention may also include a stopper. When activated, the stopper prevents the rotation of the coiling element. When the stopper is neutralized the coiling element can rotate freely around its axis, thus allowing the deployment and retrieving of the tethers. The coiling element is rotates within a plastic frame, which allows the user holding the device in a comfortable way.
Referring to
The system may be thus spread on the ground, either before surfing, or at the end of a kite surfing session, when it has to be dismantled.
The user should ensure that the tethers are not entangled therebetween or crossing each other.
The sequence of
In
Each of the tether wires 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e is attached to the kite 15 using one of the tether ends attaching means 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, respectively.
The end of tether 2e is removed from means 15e on the kite 15 and attached to means 41e on the tether deployment and retrieving device 1.
Similarly, the end of each of the other tethers is removed from its specific location on the kite and attached to its specific location on the device, this to the last tether 2e in this example, which is removed from means 15e on the kite and attached to means 41e on device 1.
The coiling element 4 (the rotatable part of the device 1) is rotatably connected to the frame 9 through the frame axis 3.
The frame 9 is the fixed part of device 1, used for holding the device while in use.
The element 4 has a handle arm 7 which allows to rotate it to wrap the tethers thereon. Element 4 further includes coiling element arms 4a, 4b for holding the wrapped tethers therebetween.
As the user moves toward the bar 1a in the direction 92 while rotating the rotatable part 4 of the device in the direction 91 as shown, the tethers 2a-2e are collected off the ground and are wrapped onto the rotating part 4.
The user holds the device 1 by its frame 9, while using the handle arm 7 to rotate the coiling element 4—this is the rotatable (coiling) part of the device.
Part 4 includes two coiling element arms 4a, 4b, for holding the wrapped tethers therebetween.
The device includes a frame 9 (the fixed part)and a coiling element 4—this is the rotatable part of the device.
Element 4 includes a coiling element axis hub 4M, which rotates about axis 3 in the frame 9 (see
The handle 7 is used to rotate element 4.
The upper tethers docking slot 5a and the lower tethers docking slot 5f are used to attach the end of tether 2a to element 4 of the device; additional slots are used for the other tethers.
Frame and Collectors
Frame 9 may be shaped as a one side open frame, made of plastic, aluminum or a similarly stiff but flexible material.
At the upper side of frame 9 is located (see
Frame axis 3 is a shaft attached to frame 9, and located in between its upper and lower sides. Near its end it has spring locking pins 3a.
Coiling Element—Engaging Elements
Coiling element 4 is designed to wound and unwound kite tethers 2a-2e, while it rotates around its axis. Coiling element-axis hub 4M is a circular hub located at the center of coiling element 4.
The coiling element 4 can be connected to frame 9 by threading Coiling element-axis hub 4M onto Frame axis 3, and thus allowing Coiling element 4 to rotate around its axis in relative to frame 9.
Once Frame axis 3 is threaded onto Coiling element-axis hub 4M, the Spring locking pins 3a lock and prevent coiling element 4 from being pulled out of frame 9. This locking mechanism can be neutralized by pushing the Spring locking pins 3a, and pulling out and away coiling element 4 from frame 9.
On coiling element 4 there are designated Upper Tethers docking slots 5a-5e and Lower Tethers docking slots 5f-5j to which kite tethers 2a-2e can be connected. Both Upper and Lower Tethers docking slots 5a-5j are located on tethers engaging panel 5 which is threaded onto coiling element 4. Tethers engaging panel 5 can optionally be removable and can be detached from coiling element 4.
When coiling element 4 is wounded upon frame 9, it can rotate around its axis. Handle 7 is attached to coiling element 4 at its side. Optionally, handle 7 can be removed from coiling element 4, or can be slide through coiling element 4 and through frame 9, so it prevents rotation of coiling element 4 relative to frame 9, and thus functions as a stopper mechanism 10a.
Stopper 10a is a pin located on frame 9. Once it is pushed to be inserted into both frame 9 and into coiling element 4, it prevents coiling element 4 from rotating in relative to frame 9 and thus functions as breaking mechanism.
Optionally, the cross section of Frame axis 3 and Coiling element-axis hub 4M allow coiling element 4 to move in parallel to its axis of rotation while rotating around its axis. Thus, while tethers 2a-2e are wound on the coiling element 4 it moves from right to the left and back alternately, making tethers 2a-2e to be tightly wound, next to each other and not on top of each other.
The device includes a frame 9 with frame pins 9a, 9b; an upper grasp handle 8a and lower grasp handle 8b, collector element 6 with collector entry 6a, stopper 10a and frame axis 3. The spring locking pins 3a may be used to lock element 4 in place, while allowing its removal when a suitable force is applied.
The structure of collector element 6 causes the tethers to wrap close to each other on the rotating part, rather than spreading away, or laterally.
Furthermore, an opening 6a in its upper part enables the user to insert tethers therethrough using one hand, in one continuous motion.
The opening 6a is located as shown at one end of the part 6; the part 6 is preferably held in such an orientation that opening 6a is in its upper part.
The spring locking pins 3a enables to releasably lock the coiling element 4 to the axis of the frame 9.
The frame 9 has three sides rather than four, thus forming an open frame. This enables the user to hold the device (actually the frame 9) in one hand, while holding the tether with the other hand and, in one continuous motion, inserting it into one of the slots in the rotating part.
The structure of the frame 9 enables the following method of use:
1. For collecting the tethers: placing the lower grasp handle 8b on the abdomen, holding the upper grasp handle 8a to stabilize the device, and rotating the handle arm 7 to collect the tethers.
2.For releasing the tethers: holding the upper grasp handle 8a and walking away from the handle bar, while allowing the tethers to spread on the ground, away from the device.
Preferably, after attaching the end of each tether to its designated slot, the tethers are collected together in one bundle, and are spread the same way.
While collecting tethers, the coiling element 4 rotates about its axis, and the tethers are wound on it.
The coiling element arms 4a and 4b cause the tethers, while being collected on the device, to settle together on the rotating part, rather than spreading laterally.
The upper tethers docking slots 5a-5e, and the lower tethers docking slots 5f-5j, are generally V-shaped as shown, having a narrowing width, to accommodate tethers of various width and lock them in.
Other tether locking means may be used; it is important to secure each tether end in a fixed place on the rotating part 4, so that while the latter rotates around its axis tethers would wound along with it. to allow its collection and, during a subsequent releasing stage, to connect each tether end to its specific, designated place on the kite—the same place on the kite, that that tether end was attached to before it was separated from the kite and attached to the collecting device.
Other locking means may be used, for example a S-shaped slot, a one-directional valve mechanism.
A device including a different number of slots may be used, rather than five slots as shown in the above embodiment.
The part including the slots 5a-5j may be detachable. This is the tether engaging panel 5.
Another embodiment of the device may only include slots on one side of the device, for example only slots 5a-5e or only slots 5f-5j.
Optionally, an electric motor may be used to rotate the coiling element 4, rather than manually rotating it using the handle arm 7.
The handle arm 7 may include means for its rotation about its longitudinal axis. The handle 7 may include means for it to be pushed and inserted into a suitable hole in the frame 9, thus serving as a stop and locking device to prevent the rotating part from rotating.
Method of Use A
In order to use device 1 to retrieve the kite tethers, tether 2e should be disconnected from the kite 15, and then be attached to its designated Lower Tethers docking slot 5j and to its designated Upper Tethers docking slot 5e.
Other tethers 2a-2d should be connected in the same way and thus be attached to coiling element 4. Tethers 2a-2e should be connected to Lower Tethers docking slot 5a-5e and Upper Tethers docking slot 5f-5j in the same relative order and without crossing each other.
Further important points relating to the use of the device:
The present invention (device) can be implemented using various embodiments. There also are various methods for using the device, for example depending on where the user stands with respect to the kite, whether the bar is held upright or upside down, whether the user is right-handed or left-handed, etc. Various users and persons skilled in the art will understand the various embodiments and ramifications upon reading the present disclosure and the related drawings.
Method 1 for Collecting the Tethers (a Simple Method)
After landing the kite 15, the user places the bar la on the ground, see
The user stands near the endings of tethers 2a-2e, facing the bar.
The user holds the device 1 (see
The user locates the leftmost tether 2e connected to the bar 1a (leftmost as seen by the user), and connects it to the leftmost lower and upper slots 5e and 5j in the device 1.
Similarly, the user locates the second tether 2d from left of the bar and connects it to the second pair of slots 5d, 5i—this, without crossing the other wires.
The operation is repeated until all the tethers are connected to device 1, each tether to a separate pair of slots. The last tether 2a is connected to slots 5a and 5f.
Method 2 for Collecting the Tethers (a More Complex Method)
In this description, the directions Left and Right, Forward and Back are defined to be as used and understood while surfing.
After landing the kite 15, the user places the bar 1a on the ground, see
The second tether 2b is connected to the forward left side of the kite 15. Optionally the middle tether is connected to the middle forward part of the kite, and the rightmost tether 2e is connected to the right back side of the kite. The user ensures the tethers do not cross each other.
Afterwards, the user points towards the bar 1a, holding the device 1 so that its upper grasp handle 8a (
The user locates the leftmost tether 2e connected to the bar la (leftmost as seen by the user), disconnects it from its attachment means 15e on kite 15 and connects it to the leftmost lower ad upper slots 5e, 5j in the device 1.
Similarly, the user locates the second tether 2d from left of the bar, disconnects it from its attachment means 15d and connects it to the second pair of slots 5d, 5i—this, without crossing the other wires.
The operation is repeated until all the tethers are connected to device 1, each tether to a separate pair of slots. The last tether 2a is connected to slots 5a and 5f.
1.Since tethers engaging panel 5 can be removed from coiling element 4, connecting tethers 2a-2e to upper Tethers docking slot 5a-5e and lower Tethers docking slot 5f-5j and detaching them can be done either when the tethers engaging panel 5 is attached to the coiling element 4, or held separately from it.
2. In another embodiment, the slot pairs 5a-5e, 5f-5j are located on a detachable panel. This allows to firstly attach the tethers to the slots, then secondly to mount the panel in the device 1.
After all tethers 2a-2e are attached to coiling element 4 from one side and to Bar 1a from their other side, rotating the coiling element 4 around its axis (by holding the handle arm 7 or using a mechanic or electronic motor) would wound tethers 2a-2e onto coiling element 4. Rotating coiling element 4 around its axis in the opposite direction, (as well as pulling tethers 2a-2e away from device 1 and making coiling element 4 rotate around its axis) will deploy tethers 2a-2e away from the device 1.
When tethers 2a-2e are attached to coiling element 4 they can be led into Collector entry 6a so that they pass between Collector element 6 and Upper grasp handle 8a. This ensures that, while tethers are being retrieved onto the coiling element 4, they would be directed between coiling element arm 4a and 4b, and also between coiling element arm 4c and 4d.
3. After securing the ends of the tethers to the rotating part 4 of the device (for example by attaching these ends to the slots 5a-5j), rotating part 4 forward towards the bar la will cause the tethers to be collected in the device 1.
4. After securing the ends of the tethers to the rotating part 4, taking the tethers bundle and inserting them through the collector entry 6a, so that their path from the bar 1a will pass through the gap under the upper grasp handle 8a, and over the collector element 6, between the coiling element arms 4a and 4b, and between 4c and 4d. Similarly, when rotating at opposite direction and deploying tethers 2a-2e away from the device 1, they would exit device 1 and not engage with the coiling element 4 when it rotates around its axis.
Coiling element arms 4a-4d have such a cross section so that they lead tethers 2a-2e in-between coiling element arm 4a and 4b and in-between coiling element arm 4c and 4d.
5. The gap between Upper grasp handle 8a and the Collector element 6 enables the tethers to enter, either each one separately or when several tethers are unite together or divide into separate wires.
6. The user rotates the coiling element 4 forward using for example the handle 7, in the direction of movement toward the bar 1a. In the process, tethers are collected around the coiling element 4, as they pass under the Upper grasp handle 8a and under the Collector element 6, and between Coiling element arms 4a-4d.
7. As the user approaches the bar 1a, when the distance to bar 1a is too small to collect the tethers into one bundle to be collected on coiling element 4, the user will attach the device 1 to the bar such that bar 1a and device 1 are generally in parallel to each other, so the two can be packed together.
While retrieving (or deploying) tethers 2a-2e onto (away from) device 1, the user can put his arm on Upper grasp handle 8a and lower grasp handle 8b against his body in order to hold device 1 steady. After retrieving kite tethers 2a-2e, device 1 can be attached in parallel to kite-bar 1a, by passing a rubber or similar elastic material strap around device 1 and the kite-bar 1a together, using frame pins 9a and 9b to secure it.
The tethers deployment methods detailed below can be used if the tethers were previously collected as detailed above.
Method 3 for Deploying the Tethers (a Simple Method)
This method corresponds to the simple method 1 for collecting the tethers, assuming that the tethers were previously collected as detailed above.
The user separates the device 1 from the bar 1a. The bar is placed on the ground, in the same orientation which was previously used to collect the tethers.
The user stands with his back to the bar, holding the device 1 so that Upper grasp handle 8a is up, and the opening 9 is on the left side, as seen by the user, and the tethers pass in their path from the bar through the space below Upper grasp handle 8a, above the Collector element 6, between the Coiling element arms 4a-4d and on the coiling element 4.
The user starts walking, so that the coiling element 4 rotates and the tethers unwrap and lay on the ground. He continues walking until there is are no more tethers wrapped on the coiling element 4.
Starting from tether 2a, the ends of tethers 2a - 2e are disconnected from element 4 and are laid on the ground, this resulting in all the tethers being spread on the ground, from the bar 1a to their other ends, without being entangled with each other.
The tether ends can now be connected to their respective places on the kite.
Method 4 for Deploying the Tethers (a More Complex Method)
This method corresponds to the method 2 for collecting the tethers, assuming that the tethers were previously collected as detailed above.
The user separates the device 1 from the bar 1a. The bar is placed on the ground, in the same orientation which was previously used to collect the tethers.
Similarly the kite should be put in the same relative orientation and direction to the bar when it was previously used to collect the tethers.
The user stands with his back to the bar, holding the device 1 so that Upper grasp handle 8a is up, and the opening in the frame 9 is on the left side, as seen by the user, and the tethers pass in their path from the bar through the space below Upper grasp handle 8a, above the Collector element 6, between the Coiling element arms 4a-4d and on the coiling element 4.
The user starts walking, so that the coiling element 4 rotates and the tethers unwrap and lay on the ground. He continues walking until there is are no more tethers wrapped on the coiling element 4.
The user then stands on the right side of the kite 15, and afterwards turns to face the bar 1a, without rotating or inverting the device 1 with respect to the bar or kite, and holds the device 1 so that Upper grasp handle 8a is up, and the opening in the frame 9 is on the right side, as seen by the user
The tether 2a which is located closest to the opening in frame 9 is taken out of the slots 5a, 5f and disconnected from the slots, and it attached to the left and rear part of the kite 15a.
Similarly, the ends of each of the tethers 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e are one by one disconnected from their corresponding slots and attached to their corresponding locations 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e on the kite 15.
Ball bearings may be used, for example, to attach the handle 95 to element 4, while allowing both to hold the device 1 and to rotate its part 4.
The rotation is performed with the handle arm 7 for example.
As the part 4 is rotated, the tethers 2a - 2f are collected on part; if rotated in the opposite direction, the tethers are released from the device.
The present disclosure and the related drawings illustrate a tether deployment and retrieving device which allows a user to retrieve tethers and deploy them tangle-free, and therefore saves time in preparing and packing his/her gear.
A method is illustrated for using the device.
Several preferred embodiments of the device and method are presented.
Note
In
The same consideration applies to
This description of embodiments should not limit the scope and spirit of the invention. Rather, various other possible embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to users of such devices and persons skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure and drawings.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61296541 | Jan 2010 | US |
