Aeronautics and astronautics – Kites
Patent
1994-05-31
1995-09-12
Kashnikow, Andres
Aeronautics and astronautics
Kites
244155R, B65C 3106
Patent
active
054491355
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to kites and more particularly to a readily collapsible, foldable and packagable kite.
At present kites are manufactured from rigid frame members and a sail constructed from a sheet material which is cut to a desired shape. From the bottom of the sail a tail or the like members extends. The frame normally consists of crossed members fixed relative to the sheet material by a variety of means, for example, by sleeves formed across or up and down on the sail. The kite includes a connection or connections for a tether line(s) by which the kite is controlled during flight.
A disadvantage of existing constructions of kitesis that when stored or packaged their size is constrained by the length of the rigid frame members.
A further disadvantage of existing kites is that prior to flight a preflight assembly operation is required.
An object of the invention is therefore to provide a readily collapsible, foldable and packagable kite the size of which is relatively small so that a convenient kite package is produced.
A further object of the invention is to provide a readily collapsible, foldable and packagable kite which offers a useful alternative choice.
According to a broadest aspect of the invention there is provided a collapsible and foldable kite including frame members, a keel member, spreader supports and a sail, the frame members being fixed to the sail with the keel member and spreader supports either fixed to the sail and/or frame members to brace the sail while flying, at least one of the frame members being hinged to allow the frame members and sail to be folded or rolled into a small package.
The frame members can be manufactured from wood or a plastics material which is formed, extruded or injection molded with a hinged joint therein.
The sail can be glued or if constructed from a plastics material can be heat welded or fixed with a self-adhesive tape to the frame members. The sail and frame members can be formed from the same material.
Further aspects of the invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.
An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from the front of an example of kite according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a side view of a keel of the type fitted to the kite shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows a side view of a spreader member of the type fitted to the kite shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows a schematic front view of a sail for the kite shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 shows a front view of the frame members for the kite shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 6A and 6B each show a detail on an enlarged scale of an example of the connection in the frame members at circles 6A, 6B respectively in;
FIG. 5 for the kite of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of an example of molded connection for joining the members together;
FIG. 8 shows a view similar to that of FIG. 7 and showing the connection and attached frame members in a partly folded configuration;
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the kite show in FIGS. 1 to 6 in a folded and collapsed position;
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a connection suitable for joining the frame members at the point circle 6A in FIG. 5; and
FIG. 11 shows a view similar to that of FIG. 10 with the frame members hinged from their erect position.
The example of the kite shown in the drawings is a conventional shape of kite which folds down to a size of 240 mm long by 25 mm round. It is however to be appreciated that with minor modifications the overall size of the kite and its shape can be varied. For example the kite can be square, round, oblong or diamond shaped all of which are foldable by providing appropriately shaped and dimensioned frame members, keel member and spreader members.
The kite shown in the drawings is 645 mm long, 480 mm wide with a 2.5 mm wide by 2000 mm long plastic tape tail (not shown) when opened and ready to fly.
The kite has a main fr
REFERENCES:
patent: 294526 (1884-03-01), Stumpp
patent: 1690362 (1928-11-01), De Witt
patent: 3314630 (1967-04-01), Lewis, Sr.
patent: 3315922 (1967-04-01), Hull
patent: 3570790 (1971-03-01), Christoffel et al.
patent: 4216929 (1980-08-01), Holland
patent: 4461438 (1984-07-01), Pook et al.
patent: 4658843 (1987-04-01), Raymond
patent: 5152481 (1992-10-01), Cote et al.
Kashnikow Andres
Mojica Virna Lissi
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