Abstract:
A Kite Control Bar with Ninety-Degree Handles and Fail-Safe Release System is disclosed. The kite control bar utilizes a metal bar with removable metal handles that are attached to the kite control bar at a ninety-degree angle. The kite control bar also incorporates a release system that is a pull pin located on the kite control bar. If required to de-power the kite, the release system will release the kite control lines which will deflate the kite and negate the kites strong pull force. The metal handle attached to the kite control bar at ninety-degrees in conjunction with the release system will significantly improve the control of the kite when performing the sport of kite surfing or kite boarding.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Provisional Application No. 60/350,929, dated Jan. 25, 2002 for “Kite Control Bar with Ninety-Degree Handles”. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to kite control bars in general and more particularly to a kite control bar with handles that are attached ninety degrees to the kite control bar longitudinal axis and a pull pin release system located on the kite control bar.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Recently there has developed a new sport that is a follow-on from what is known as windsurfing. Wind propulsion has also propelled iceboats and land craft. The new design of kites and related equipment has led to a sport called kite surfing or kite boarding that involves a person manipulating a large kite to power a surfboard. The kites used in this sport generates large forces which can lift a person attached to a surfboard off the water, whereby the person can do fancy stunts, completely in the air, and land safely back on the water in a surfing position. The person doing kitesurfing and stunt maneuvers in the air needs controls to maneuver the kite for convenience and safety.  
           [0006]    The method of maneuvering a kite while kitesurfing is by control lines attached to the kite on one end and the control lines are attached to what is known as a kite control bar on the other end. There are two-line inflatable kites and four-line inflatable kites. The kite control bar describes by the present invention is for a four-line kite although the kite control bar could easily be adapted for a two-line configuration.  
           [0007]    The present configuration also incorporates a fail-safe system that, when activated, will release the control lines and de-power a kite.  
           [0008]    In the past kite boarders or kite surfers have been severely injured or killed when they have been unable to release themselves from their kite control bar during unforeseen dangerous situations. For example, these situations may occur when launching from land in gusty, unpredictable wind conditions while being hooked into their static or dynamic harness line. If kite control is lost during this period, the user may be dragged across objects or pulled under water for prolonged periods of time because they cannot release themselves from the pull of the powerful kite resulting in severe bodily injury or death. Thus, it is imperative that the user have a fail-safe release system that will de-power a kite for a kite boarder or kite surfer.  
           [0009]    There are a number of systems available while kite surfing or kite boarding. These include quick release systems that are necessary when de-powering a kite.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,369 B1 by Nishimura describes a kite control and quick release system. This patent attaches to the control lines to a specially designed end cap fastened at the end of the kite control bar. If the kite and/or user forces are not directed through the center of the longitudinal axis of the control bar, the bar will proceed to load up with torque and twist. The combination of these forces will reduce kite control, steering comfort and will require energy and effort to counter any out-of-balance forces. The Nishimura&#39;s kite release mechanism requires the user to let go of the kite control bar to diminish the pulling power of the kite but does not address the dilemma if the user is unable to release themselves from the kite control bar while being hooked into the harness line.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,271 to Carter is directed to a stunt kite string winder. The kite surfing requires long lines between the control bar and the kite. Keeping the lines from becoming entangled when storing the kite has been a problem to kite surfing. Cater provides a device which is capable of rapidly and simultaneously winding a pair of stunt kite lines on to a pair of line handles.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,289 to Barresi describes a framed airfoil kite having two control handles with control lines attached to the framed airfoil kite.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,401 to Nakashima discloses an apparatus for controlling quad-line stunt kites of a type having a pair of handles with lines connected to each end of each handle.  
           [0014]    Another release mechanism demonstrated in the kite boarding industry offers a quick release mechanism along the length of the harness line. The mechanism is a folded over pin design and is located along the length of the harness line. When actuated the folded over pin is allowed to straighten out and release the closed loop, releasing the user from being “hooked in”, allowing the kite control bar to fly away from the user. The release mechanism is located along the length of the harness line in the form of a flat ribbon or rope tether. It is free to flap in the wind and may be difficult or impossible to locate quickly during an out of control situation. When successfully employed this release mechanism allows the user to become detached from the kite, but allows the kite and kite control bar to fly out of control. The kite, the kite control bar and or kite lines may be significantly damaged during flight or an innocent bystander may be injured before the kite comes to a final rest when this method of kite release is utilized.  
           [0015]    All of the above patents and descriptions do not address the advantages of having a kite control handle that is ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis of the control bar nor do they address a fail-safe release system which, when activated, will release the control lines and de-power for a kite boarder or kite surfer.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    It is object of the present invention to provide a tubular metal kite control bar that is sealed on each end.  
           [0017]    It is another object of the present invention to include metal cross tubes welded in the tubular bar.  
           [0018]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide removable metal control handles inserted in the cross tubes whereby the metal control handles are ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis of the control bar.  
           [0019]    It is yet another object of the present invention to pass the control lines through the hollow tube of the ninety-degree handle where the control lines are secured at the end of the hollow tube of the ninety degree handle.  
           [0020]    It is another object of the present invention to provide control handles that will significantly improve the controlling of the kite when performing the sport of kite surfing.  
           [0021]    It is yet another object of the present invention whereby the ninety-degree handles provide a device to wind and store the control lines.  
           [0022]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fail-safe release system that will release the control lines from the control bar and de-power the kite for a kite boarder or kite surfer.  
           [0023]    Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a metal kite control bar that has removable hollow metal handles fitted ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis of the metal kite control bar. The kite control lines pass through the removable hollow metal tube of the control handle and the control line is secured to the kite control bar.  
           [0024]    Also briefly, in accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a release system that is fitted with a special pull pin release mechanism attached to the kite control line loop on the kite control bar. The pull pin release mechanism line is threaded through a loop in the kite control lead lines. The pin release mechanism line that is preferably made of multi-strand wire is trapped inside of the kite control bar guide tubes which are attached to the kite control bar. When a release handle, located in the middle of the kite control bar, is pulled or actuated, the strong pulling power of the kite will be released suddenly without having to let go of the kite control bar. This kite release mechanism located in the center of the kite control bar, will greatly improve the change of the user quickly releasing the power of the kite in out of control, hooked in situations and may avoid the change or injury or death. The release mechanism handle can be located quickly and activated with either or both hands. Because of its central position on the kite control bar, the release handle can be quickly located without the need for the user to visually see it during out of control spinning maneuvers or while being dragged under water.  
           [0025]    Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and appended claims taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BFIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is prior art that is a two-line kite control bar, with slip on kite line and harness line/loop attachment.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is prior art that is a two-line kite control bar end fittings where kite control lines are attached.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a four-line control bar and kite with through the bar control lines, a brake line, a harness line and loop and a dynamic brake line and loop attachment.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 shows a metal cross tube welded in the metal kite control bar. This figure also shows a metal end cap welded on the metal control bar.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 shows a control bar for the present invention with five welded cross control tubes, control bar handle, control lines, dynamic brake line and loop and static harness line and loop.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 shows five cross tubes welded in place with the kite bar assembly in an exploded view.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 shows the elements of the kite bar assembly in place.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is a cross section of a finished ninety-degree handle showing the elements of the ninety-degree handle.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9 shows the fail-safe release system attached to one end of the kite control bar that will release the control lines.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 10 shows the fail-safe release system attached to both ends of the kite control bar with the release line threaded along the kite control bar.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 11 shows the fail-safe release system attached to both ends of the kite control bar and also shows the release mechanism that will simultaneously release the static harness line loop. 
     
    
       [0037]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon detailed consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0038]    Turning now to FIG. 1 there is seen a prior art view of a kite control bar designated as  1 , the steering control lines  2  and the attachment  3  of the control lines  2 . The harness line and loop is shown as  4  and the kite safety release line and wrist leash is given as  5 .  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2 provides another prior art configuration where the control bar is given as  6 , the control bar end caps  7 , the steering and control lines as  8  and the static harness line and loop is  9 .  
         [0040]    It should be noted that the harness line and loop which is common to all kite surfing bar assemblies is mated with a hook (not shown) located on the kite surfer&#39;s belt (not shown) to provide relief when holding the kite control bar is too much of a strain on the hands. In this prior art view of FIG. 2, the kite safety release line and wrist leash is given as  10 . In this configuration the control lines are attached to an elongated end cap and is designated as  7 . This type of end cap will place a rotational force on the end cap, which may cause the end cap to be pried off the control bar. This could result in catastrophic results.  
         [0041]    Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of a kite and control system  12 , which shows a four-line kite control system. This figure discloses the preferred embodiment of the present kite control system. The two brake lines  14  have been merged into one line  16 . Item  18  is a static brake line adjustor and connector which can be used to adjust the kite angle of attack. In this view there is seen the kite  20  having a leading edge  22  and a trailing edge  24 . The kite control bar  26  is made out of metal and has welded ends  28  to prevent moisture from entering the kite control bar  26 . In the preferred embodiment the kite control bar  26  will be made from either titanium or stainless steel. Also seen in this view are the removable control line ninety-degree handles  30 . These control lines handles  30  will be detailed more fully further on in this application. Also seen in this view is a static harness line loop  32 , which also includes lower ninety-degree handles  34 . The dynamic brake line loop  38  (also known as a chicken loop) will be detailed more fully further on in this Application. FIG. 3 also shows the control lines  40  that are connected to the kite trailing edge  24 . The control lines  40  have connectors  42  to be able to disconnect the kite from the kite control bar  26 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 shows a portion of the metal kite control bar  26  where a short metal cross tube  44  is placed in the metal kite control bar  26 . The short metal cross tube  44  is welded on to the metal kite control bar  26  by weld  46 . The short metal cross tube is also welded on the other end (not shown) to the metal kite control bar  26 . The preferred embodiment has five of these cross tubes  44  (not shown) welded thereon to the metal kite control bar  26 . Also seen in this view is metal end cap  28  welded to the metal kite control bar  26  by weld  50 . Both ends of the kite control bar  26  have metal end caps welded thereon.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 5 shows the kite control system without the ninety-degree handles installed. This view shows control lines  40 , kite control bar  26 , end cap  28 , brake line  16 , dynamic brake line and loop  38  and static harness line and loop  32 . This figure also shows the manner, which the lines are fastened to the kite control bar  26 . The lines that pass through the kite control bar  26  also pass through a metal washer (not shown) and then have a knot tied on the line designed as  52 . It should be noted that the static harness line and loop  32  and the dynamic brake line and loop  38  are encased in plastic tubing  56 . The brake line  16  is attached to brake line and loop  38  and has a stop  54  that prevents brake line and loop  38  from passing through the short metal cross tube  44 . This figure also shows all five metal cross tubes  44  as dashed lines.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment. In this view there is seen short cross tubes  44 , the control lines  40 , the ninety-degree handle metal inserts  58 , rubber covering  60  for the metal inserts  58 , the kite control bar  26 , the brake line  16 , static harness line and loop  32  and the dynamic brake line and loop  38 . It should be noted that the ninety-degree handle metal inserts  58  are tapered on one end. This tapered portion when pressed into the holes in the short cross tubes  44  will make a firm fit. The rubber covering  60  that is encased on metal inserts  58  that are fitted on the static harness line  32  is not shown in this view.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 7 shows a complete kite control system with ninety-degree handles  30  covered on the end of kite control bar  26  and ninety-degree handles  34  fitted on the static harness line and loop  32 . The ninety-degree handles  34  fitted on the static harness line and loop  32  will provide another means of maneuvering the kite control system. It is noted that control lines  40  have a connector  55  prior to entering the ninety-degree handle tubes  58  (not shown). This allows the control lines  40  to be disconnected from the kite control bar  26  to facilitate storage.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 8 provides a cross section of the ninety-degree handles  30  and the covering that provides comfort for the gripping of the ninety-degree handles  30  with the hands. It is noted that  40  is the control line,  56  is the protective plastic tubing,  58  is the metal tubing forming the ninety-degree handles and  60  is foam rubber cushion material to make the grip softer for the hands.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 9 shows an isolated view of the fail-safe release mechanism on one end of the kite control bar  26 . In this view there is seen the cross tube  44  welded in the kite control bar  26  and the ninety-degree handle metal inserts  58 . The control line  40  in lieu of a knot as shown in FIG. 7 has a loop on the end of the control line given as  62 . The control line loop  62  has a metal pin  64  that is captured in a metal tube  66  welded on the kite control bar  26 . The metal pin  64  is fitted into the metal tube  66  such that it is a close fit that requires a steady pull on the multi-strand wire  70  to release pin  64 . It is noted that the metal tube  66  has an end cap  68  to prevent the pin  64  from going through the tube  66 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 10 shows the preferred embodiment having the ninety-degree handles  30 , the dynamic brake line and loop  38  and the static harness line and loop  32 . In addition, this view shows guide tubes  74 . Guide tubes  74  are welded to kite control bar  26  to guide the multi-strand wire  70  to pin  64 . Also seen in this view is handle  72  that is connected to the multi-strand wire  70 . The handle  72  when pulled by the kite boarder or kite surfer will release the control lines  40  by pulling pin  64  out of loops  62  and the de-power the kite  20 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 11 shows a different embodiment for a release mechanism if it is desired to release the control lines  40  and the static harness line and loop  32  simultaneously. A metal pin  64  is fitted into a metal tube  66  that is welded to the kite control bar  26 . The guide tubes  74  are welded to kite control bar  26  whereby the guide tubes  74  have a multi-strand wire  70  running therethrough. A metal pin  64  is fitted into the metal tube  66  such that it is a close fit that requires a steady pull on the multi-strand wire  70  to release pin  64 . When both the control lines  40  and static harness line and loop  32  is released by pulling pins  64  out of loops  62  and if the kite boarder or kite surfer is hooked into the static harness line and loop  32 , the kite control bar  26  will be free of the kite boarder or kite surfer and they may hold on to the kite control bar  26  with the hands or let the kite control bar  26  go with the de-powered kite. This configuration shown in FIG. 11 may provide more safety if desired by some kite boarders or kite surfers.  
         [0050]    Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention, a kite control system and a fail-safe release system that fully satisfies the objectives, aims, and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and the scope of the appended claims.