Abstract:
A kite is particularly adapted for acrobatic flight maneuvers in preferred embodiments by a protruding nose section that extends outwards from a frame covered by a tensioned lightweight skin. In competitive combative flight with similar kites, a diving maneuver is used to drive the nose section downward to puncture the skin of the opposing players kite, thus downing it.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to kites, and in particular highly maneuverable acrobatic kites. 
         [0003]    A kite is light weight assembly of one or more wing like surface that is teathered to the ground. The lift necessary to fly the kite, which would otherwise fall being heavier than air is generated when air flows across the wing like surface. The air flow from wind creates low pressure above the kite and high pressure below it, providing the necessary lift. The air flow from the wind, in addition to generating lift, also produces a horizontal drag along the direction of the wind, producing tension on the tether line that is generally held by the operator to control the kite and prevent it from flying away. 
         [0004]    Kites and kite flying are truly an ancient form of art, yet still remains a vibrant game for children, as well as a sport and form of entertainment for many people and cultures around the world. However the sport of kite flying is generally limited to days and locations with high enough winds. Generally, the lighter the wind the more skill is required to launch and fly a kite, which can be very frustrating for younger or smaller children. Moreover, owing to the limited maneuverability of kites that are less expensive and easier to fly, wide open spaces are required, least the kite became ensnarled and damaged in trees and building or utility infrastructure. Such suitable areas for kite flying are becoming increasingly scarce in urban areas, where the kite flyer increasing competes for spaces with others seeking different forms of recreation. 
         [0005]    While kites have been used in warfare as signal means, the principle modern uses are recreation, as well as art in the form of aerial ballet art. Modern kites include may include multiple tether line for steering and control, depending on the complexity of the wing assembly and shape. Multi-line steerable kites that generate excess force have been developed for the sport of kite surfing, kite landboarding or kite buggying. 
         [0006]    Such power or acrobatic kites may use two or four lines to delicately control the kite&#39;s angle to the wind. Also known are traction kites that have an additional line to de-power the kite and act as a quick-release mechanism for emergency situation to release the kite from the flyer. 
         [0007]    The sport of kite fighting though ancient remains popular in Asia. Kites for such combat tend to be small and flat and generally diamond shaped. They are typically constructed of bamboo and paper, with a tapered bamboo spine and a balanced bow. Tails while common on recreation kites for stability, are omitted to enhance agility. A portion of the tether is coated with an abrasive composition sufficient to cut the tether of another cut. Thus, the object of such combat is to maneuver the kite such that cutting section of the tether rubs against that of the opponent flat kites have a length of cutting line coated with an abrasive attached to the bridle, which is then tied to a light cotton flying line. Presumably, such kites are capable of generating high enough speed or force during flight such that the abrasive on one tether can cut through the other tether. However, in such combat the cutting the opponents cord will likely lead to the kite being carried away by the wind in which case it can easily be either lost or seriously damage in an uncontrolled landing 
         [0008]    It would be desirable to have other means of kite fighting for recreation and competitive sport. It would be desirable to have fighting kites that are highly maneuverable, in which the mode of combat depends on the users flying skills, but that are relatively simple to in construction such that they can be either of low cost or readily repaired, as such combat inherently results in some damage to the kite. 
         [0009]    It would also be desirable to have a form of kite combat wherein the kite is not lost or totally damaged when the opponent is victorious. 
         [0010]    It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a kite that is easier to fly and control in light winds, 
         [0011]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a kite that is highly maneuverable yet of simple construction such that it can be flown in complex acrobatic maneuvers with a single string. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a kite compatible with an alternative means of fighting or combat with similar kites as sport wherein the kite is less likely to be totally destroyed or lost, and can be readily repaired. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0013]    In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing a kite with a substantially flat frame portion, a lightweight skin covering at least a portion of said substantially flat frame portion, and a narrow nose portion protruding outward from the forward end of said substantially flat frame. 
         [0014]    A second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the kite also has a substantially flat frame portion has a concave shaped aft portion opposite said narrow nose. 
         [0015]    A third aspect of the invention is characterized in that the kite also has an opening in the skin just forward of the concave aft section that is preferably sickle or falcate shaped. 
         [0016]    The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a plan view of the frame of the kite. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a front elevation of the frame of the kite. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1C  is side elevation of the spline of the kite. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view from above the kite of  FIG. 1  showing the portions of the skin attached to the frame. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view from below the kite of  FIG. 1  showing the portions of the skin attached to the frame. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view from the ground of a downward attack by the upper kite on the lower kite. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view from mid air between the lower and upper kite of an upward attack by the lower kite. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  is plan view of an embodiment of the nose section of the kite 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B  is a side elevation of the nose section of the kite in  FIG. 5A   
           [0026]      FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional elevation of the kite in  FIG. 5A  taken at section line C-C. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6A  is a plan view of the frame of another embodiment of the kite. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6B  is a front elevation of the frame of the kite in  FIG. 6A   
           [0029]      FIG. 6C  is side elevation of the spline of the kite in  FIG. 6A   
           [0030]      FIG. 7  A is a plan view from above another embodiment of the kite. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7B  is a side elevation view of the spline of the kite in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 8A  is plan view of an embodiment of the nose section of the kite 
           [0033]      FIG. 8B  is a side elevation of the nose section of the kite in  FIG. 8A , but with the portion corresponding to section line B-B in  FIG. 5A  being a cross-section. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8C  is a cross-sectional elevation of the kite in  FIG. 8A , taken at section line C-C. 
           [0035]      FIG. 9A  is plan view of an embodiment of the nose section of the kite, 
           [0036]      FIG. 9B  is a side elevation of the nose section of the kite in  FIG. 9A , but with the portion corresponding to section line B-B in  FIG. 5A  being a cross-section. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9C  is a cross-sectional elevation of the kite in  FIG. 9A  taken at section line C-C. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 9 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved kite capable of fighting maneuvers with like kites, generally denominated  100  herein. The basic structure of the kite will be described with respect to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 - 9 , whereas the means and methods of combat will be described with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0039]    In accordance with the present invention, fighting kite  100  comprises a frame  110 , with a lightweight skin  120  extending over at least a portion of the frame  110 , and a protruding nose section  130 . 
         [0040]    Frame  110  is formed in part preferably from an oval loop  102  and a linear spline  103 . The spline  103  bisects the principle axis of the oval loop  103 . Moreover, as can be seen in the elevation of the spline in  FIG. 1C , the spline  103  is preferably curved at the rearward portion, with the front portion of the spline  103  being flatter and forming the protruding nose section  130 . Generally the spline should curve at least about 2.5″, but is more preferably about 3.5″. 
         [0041]    The protruding nose section is used for combat with other kites having the same capability, as will be discussed in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . It should noted in the plan view of the frame in  FIG. 1A , and the more detailed drawings of the nose in  FIGS. 5 ,  8  and  9 , that the spline is wider at the nose section but then narrows. Thus, the nose is more rigid than the other portions of the spline  103 . In the preferred embodiments the spline is bamboo and the wider nose portion thereof is about 30 mm wide by about 4-5 mm thick (an aspect ratio of about 6 to 8:1), in a kite with a span of about 36 in. (91 cm) perpendicular to the direction of the nose  130 . The mid section of the spline  103  is about 10 mm wide and 4 mm (an aspect ratio of about 2.5:1) whereas the curved aft section of the spline opposite the nose is about 9 mm wide and 1 mm thick (an aspect ratio of about 9:1). It should thus be appreciated that the aft section of the kite is more flexible than other portions owing to the above tapering or variations in the spline  103  starting from the nose  130 . Thus, the spline  103  is preferably curved to provide a concave shaped aft portion  103   c  of the frame for the highest performance. 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that largely suitable alternatives to bamboo for constructing the frame are likely to include one or more of fiberglass, plastic, carbon fiber reinforced resin and the like, for at least some if not all of the frame structure. 
         [0043]    The aft section of kite  100  is formed by a first arcuate segment  141  extending from the rearward portion of the oval loop  102 . A second arcuate segment  142  extends rearward past the first arcuate segment  141 . Each arcuate segment is connected to the corresponding intersection with spline  103 , preferably with a combination of multiple wraps of strong twine or thread and adhesive or resin encapsulating the same. 
         [0044]    The lightweight skin  120  is formed of a first portion  121  that covers at least the oval loop  102  and a second portion  122  that cover the portion of the frame  110  between the first arcuate  141  and the second arcuate segment  142 , leaving an aperture  145  there between. The aperture  145  in the skin just forward of the concave aft section is preferably sickle shaped (falcate), owing to the curvature of arcuate segments  141  and  142 . A presently preferred material for forming skin  120  is polyester film, with alternatives including metallized polyester film, paper, rice paper, tightly woven fabric and the like. 
         [0045]    Oval loop  102  is preferably formed by bending a flexible flattened rod or stick of a strong lightweight material, such as bamboo, in the axis perpendicular to the width of the rod. More preferably a string  105  is used to form oval loop  103  by bending a flattened strip of bamboo from the midsections to join the ends. Thus string  105  extends across to the width of the oval  102  and is tied to both the midpoint  102   a  and the connected ends  102   b . Most preferably, the string  105  is also wrapped around the intersection  105   a  with the spline  103  in the center of the oval  102  to form a strong connection thereto. Tensioning the oval  102  portion of the frame with the segments of string  105  on opposite sides of spline  103  results in a slight upward concavity transverse to the spline  103 , as can be seen in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0046]    Preferably, the skin  120  also has a deltoid forward section  123  that extends forward from the fore portion of oval loop  102  and extends to diagonal struts  132  and  133  that extend from about the mid section of nose  130  until the point of connection with the neighboring portion of the oval loop  102 . 
         [0047]    On the bottom side of the kite  100  are strings  151  and  152  that meet at a common junction that is attached to the tether or fly wire  150 . It is preferred that the lateral position of this junction is at the center of gravity of kit  100 . Tether  150  then extends to the ground and is held by the handler/flyer. It is preferable to use a rather strong 80 lbs. (36.3 kg) test line for the tether. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 6A , B and C illustrates the frame of another embodiment of the kite. It should appreciated that as the spline is not curved in this embodiment the kite is not stable in very light winds and is not capable of the maneuvers and control with one string described with respect to the other embodiments. However, this kite being generally more stable in higher winds, requires less skill and experience to fly. 
         [0049]    While the shape of the frame  102  is preferably fan shaped or flabellate, alternatively it can be deltoid shaped as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this non-limiting embodiment the nose  103  is at least partly covered by the wing like skin portion. 
         [0050]    It is also preferred that the nose is heavier than other portions of the spline. This can be accomplished in a number of alternative ways, the description of which is not intended to be non-limiting as to the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0051]    First, it should be appreciated that depending on the dimensions of the nose versus the rest of the spline  103  and the materials of construction, this may readily provide a heavier nose. As for example the nose may be constructed, of a denser material than the remainder of the spline  103 . Alternatively, weights  500  may be added to the nose as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  8  and  9 . Such weights  500  may be glued or adhered to the nose, or embedded in the nose. In  FIG. 8 , one or more weights  500  optionally are placed and held in a pocket  510  formed in the front of the nose. In any of the other embodiments, the weights  500  may be held in place either permanently or temporarily with glue, tape, adhesive, mechanical fasteners and the like 
         [0052]    It is more preferable that the quantity of weights in the nose is variable. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , it is most preferable that the weights are held onto the tip of the nose in an elastic rubber sleeve  900  that fits over the tip nose  103  and tightly secures an inserted weight, such as one or more coins, tokens or washers and the like, to the nose  103 . The cylindrical open portion  910  of sleeve  900  is elastic such that contracts around the portion of nose  103  housing weights  500 , securing them in place, Optionally, the front of sleeve has a foam or resilient padding  910  soft that it is optionally soft, but depending on the anticipated usage and the skin material of other kites that it is intended to tear or fracture in combat. 
         [0053]    For a bamboo kite according to the dimension describe above an appropriate range of weight is about 1.5 to 3 additional grams, which is easily provided with one or more metal washers about 1 mm thick with an outer diameter of about 20-25 mm and an inner diameter of about 10 to 15 mm respectively. It should be appreciated that the nose itself may include weights or be deliberately constructed to provide additional weight. 
         [0054]    A kite constructed according to the description and drawings of  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5 - 7  has numerous aerodynamic advantages with respect to the recreational capabilities as well as the suitability for the combat mode of play described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Moreover, owing to the inherent unpredictability of predetermining the largely wind driven flight characteristic of an un-propelled aerial vehicle such as a kite, the stability and maneuverability described below were surprising unexpected. 
         [0055]    First, the kite  100  is capable of relatively low level flight, which coupled with the characteristic that it can be flown on a very short cords, simplifies launching for children, novices or those with limited fitness. It is also permits the kite  100  to be used in what would be consider less than ideal conditions, closer to trees and building, it being suitable for small spaces. 
         [0056]    The kite  100  is also capable of flight in lighter winds, typically as low as about 5 to 10 mph, expanding the opportunities for recreation to almost all weather conditions. Conventional diamond shapes kites requires winds of at least 10 mph, preferably about 15 mph. Box kites, such as those used in traditional kite fighting in Asia require a minimum wind speed of about 15 mph. The kite  100  is also capable of horizontal and vertical flight. That is the kite can fly parallel to the ground with the wings pointed vertically. 
         [0057]    Kites with thicker and less flexible bamboo in the oval section are inherently less stable which is actually desired when the kite is intended to be used for fighting. Such instability enables full control with a single string or tether. Kites made with thinner or more flexible bamboo in the oval portion tend to be more stable. When the various embodiments of the invention are implemented to provide a fighting kite, generally the bamboo in the oval section preferably has a thickness of about 0.5 mm, reducing the thickness by about 25% to about 3.5 to 4 mm improves the kite stability. Such a kite being more stable requires less skill to fly, but is also less maneuverable. 
         [0058]    Further, and of great significance for aerial combat with other kites, the fighting kite having the more rigid oval can be controlled with a single string Further, the kite is readily steering by first pulling on the tether which causes the nose to tilt upward. Then, partially releasing the tether so that it is slack causes the nose to sway or wobble between left and right orientation. When the nose is pointed in the desired direction tone then pulls on the tether causing the kite to stabilize and then fly in the direction it is pointed. Thus, a jerking motion on the string, followed by a rapid release causes the kite  100  to dive as shown in  FIG. 3 , to attack a lower kite. 
         [0059]    Further, the selected of the weight on the nose provides for variable controllability appropriate to skill level, the more maneuverable kite with a greater weight on the nose being less stable and hence requiring more practice and skill to fly. This provides the opportunity for owner or user of the kite to continuously develop a higher skill level by adding weight as they gain mastering of the kite with lower weights when it is more stable, but less maneuverable. 
         [0060]    Further, as the method of combat largely merely punctures the skin, causing the kite to loose lift and gently fall, the kit is not lost, and can generally be landed safely in an open area when the user is alert. Depending on the extent of the damage, the user can repair the kite themselves. Further, as the kite has a simple construction it is less costly to replace or repair. 
         [0061]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.