Aeronautics and astronautics – Kites – Accessories
Utility Patent
1998-11-05
2001-01-02
Barefoot, Galen L. (Department: 3644)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Kites
Accessories
C362S253000, C362S800000, C362S806000
Utility Patent
active
06168115
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to kites and more particularly pertains to a new illuminated kite system for illuminating a kite with both chemilluminescent and electrical lights.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of kites is known in the prior art. More specifically, kites heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,402; U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,506; U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,564; U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,039; U.S. Pat. No. 1,821,465; and International Applications EP 0 358 00 and WO 93/06905 A1.
In these respects, the illuminated kite system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of illuminating a kite with both chemilluminescent and electrical lights.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of kites now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new illuminated kite system construction wherein the same can be utilized for illuminating a kite with both chemilluminescent and electrical lights.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new illuminated kite system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the kites mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new illuminated kite system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art kites, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention is adapted for use with a kite including a sail portion having a pair of resilient linear rods coupled at central extents thereof and in perpendicular relationship. A planar flexible sheet is mounted on the linear rods for catching wind during use. The kite further includes a nylon guide string having a first end coupled to the central extents of the linear rods. The guide string depends downwardly from the sail portion for being held by a user. The kite also has a twirling assembly defined by a hemispherical chute. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the hemispherical chute is equipped with a peripheral edge having a plurality of nylon support strings coupled thereto and extending therefrom in a converging manner. Such support strings are coupled with an end of one of the linear rods of the sail portion. The hemispherical chute has an interior surface lined with a plurality of resilient arcuate rods coupled between the peripheral edge of the hemispherical chute and an apex thereof. During use, the twirling assembly serves to rotate about an axis associated with the resilient rod to which it is attached. As shown in
FIGS. 5 & 6
, a plurality of chemilluminescent light units are provided each including a flexible cylindrical container with a top face, a bottom face and a side wall for defining a closed interior space. Such interior space contains a chemilluminescent material that is activated upon the bending of the container. This may be accomplished by including a glass vial within the container. The top face of the container has a disk coupled thereto with a diameter equal to that of the container and a height about ¼ that of the container. The aforementioned disk has a diametrically disposed bore formed therein. Associated therewith is a T-shaped post fixedly coupled to a center of a top surface of the disk. In use, the guide string of the kite is adapted to be slid through the diametrically disposed bore. Thereafter, the guide string is attached about the T-shaped post for spacedly fixing the chemilluminescent light units with respect to the guide string along a length thereof. Note FIG.
6
. Next provided is a plurality of electrical light modules each including a housing having a ellipsoidal configuration. The housing of each light module is halved to define a pair of halves each having an arcuate exterior surface, a planar interior surface and a periphery formed therebetween. As shown in
FIG. 7
, the halves are hingably coupled along first side edges of the peripheries thereof. Further included is a pair of locking couples mounted on second side edges of the peripheries thereof. Such locking couples serve for allowing the halves to be opened and closed. One of the halves of each electrical light module includes a coupling tube mounted along the exterior surface thereof. Such tube may be dimensioned and adapted for frictionally receiving the guide string, the linear rods or the arcuate rods of the kite. Each of the halves preferably have a pair of differently colored lights mounted on the planar interior surface thereof. In use, the lights of the electrical light modules are adapted for illuminating intermittently upon actuation. As shown in
FIG. 7
, one of the halves has a battery mounted on a central extent thereof. Coupled between the battery and the lights is a toggle switch for selectively actuating the lights.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new illuminated kite system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the kites mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new illuminated kite system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art kites, either alone or in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new illuminated kite system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new illuminated kite system which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new illuminated kite system which is susceptible of a low cost of manu
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