Kite control bar with integrated back trim line tensioning means

A kite control bar having a tensioning member anchored to the bar end float and secured to the trim line. The tensioning member is capable of expanding and contracting. The tensioning member has a default state which is either an expanded state or a contracted state. When an adjusting force is exerted upon the trim line, the tensioning member is drawn into another of the expanded state or the contracted state. When the adjusting force is released, the tensioning member tends to return to the default state. This biases the trim line to force excess trim line out of the bar end float.

FIELD

The field of this innovation is a kite control bar used for kite boarding.

BACKGROUND

Kite control bars that are used for kite boarding have front flying lines that connect to the leading edge of the kite and back flying line that connect to the wingtips of the kite near the trailing edge. By varying the length of the back flying lines in relation to the front flying lines the angle of attack of the kite can be adjusted. Lengthening the back flying lines will lower the angle of attack of the kite thus reducing the power that the kite can produce. Shortening the back flying lines will increase the angle of attack of the kite thus increasing the power that the kite can produce.

Trim systems can be integrated into the kite control bar so that the length of the back flying lines can be adjusted by the user. These trim systems can be, but not limited to, winders, winches, ropes and cleats and any other system that allows for the length of the back flying lines to be adjusted.

When the kite is in flight the front flying lines and back flying lines are under tension so when the trim system is adjusted to reduce the power in the kite, by lengthening the back flying lines, the excess back trim line that is inside the bar and bar end floats is pulled tight out of the top of the bar end float.

When the kite is not in flight it is important for the user to be able to set the trim of the kite, for more or less power, before launching the kite into the air. Launching the kite with the incorrect power trim setting could result in an accident. When reducing the power by lengthening the trim system, the excess back trim line is not pulled out of the end of the bar end float, as the kite is not pulling on the back flying lines. As a result of this, the excess back trim line gathers inside the kite control bar and bar end float. This can potentially cause the back trim line to tangle thus disabling the trim system. As the back trim line is not pulled out of the end of the bar end float, the user is unable to tell exactly what the trim setting is before launching the kite.

SUMMARY

There is provided a kite control bar having a bar end float through which a trim line passes. A tensioning member is anchored to the bar end float and secured to the trim line. The tensioning member is capable of expanding and contracting. The tensioning member has a default state which is either an expanded state or a contracted state. When an adjusting force is exerted upon the trim line, the tensioning member is drawn into another of the expanded state or the contracted state. When the adjusting force is released, the tensioning member tends to return to the default state. This biases the trim line to force excess trim line out of the bar end float.

Adding a tensioning member that forces the excess back trim line out of the top of the bar end float, when there is no tension on the back flying lines from the kite, will prevent excess back trim line from gathering inside the kite control bar and bar end float ends. Since the excess back trim line is forced out of the top of the bar end floats, the user is able to see and gauge the trim setting before launching the kite.

The tensioning member can be an elastomeric material such as, but not limited to, shock cord, surgical tubing, elastic band or neoprene.

The tensioning member can be a compression spring made from a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, spring steel, plastics or nylons.

The tensioning member can be located internally inside the bar end float or externally above the top of the bar end float.

The back trim line and or the plastic tubing, that covers the back trim line, can have calibration markings so that the user can visually tell what the trim setting is.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a rear elevation view of a kite control bar2with an integrated back trim line winder6that allows for the length adjustment of the back flying lines18. Winding or unwinding the winder6shortens or lengthens the back trim line24, which is connected to the back flying lines18via a back trim line to back flying line connection26. The back trim line24exits the control bar2at the top of the bar end float44. A tensioning member28, located in the bar end float4, tensions the back trim line24so that when the length of the back trim line24is increased, the excess length is forced out of the top of the bar end float44. The front flying lines16transition into a front power line20, with a bar stopper22at the transition point. The front power line20passes through the control bar2and then terminates at the front line connection assembly12. The front line connection assembly12has a connection loop14that attaches to a harness worn by the user.

FIG. 2is a rear elevation view of a kite control bar2with an integrated back line trim rope8and trim cleat10that allows for the length adjustment of the back flying lines18. Cleating or uncleating the back line trim rope8shortens or lengthens the back trim line24, which is connected to the back flying lines18via a back trim line to back flying line connection26. The back trim line24exits the control bar2at the top of the bar end float44. A tensioning member28, located in the bar end float4, tensions the back trim line24so that when the length of the back trim line24is increased, the excess length is forced out of the top of the bar end float44. The front flying lines16transition into a front power line20, with a bar stopper22at the transition point. The front power line20passes through the control bar2and then terminates at the front line connection assembly12. The front line connection assembly12has a connection loop14that attaches to a harness worn by the user.

Before describing tensioning member28, the Prior Art will first be described with reference toFIG. 3andFIG. 4.FIG. 3is a front cross sectional view showing the control bar2and bar end float4, without a tensioning member28and the back trim line24shortened. The back trim line4extends through the control bar2, bar end float4and the exits at the top of the bar end float44. The back trim line24connects to the back flying line18at the back trim line to back flying line connection26. This drawing shows that when the back trim line24is shortened, the back trim line to back flying line connection26is located close to the top of the bar end float44.FIG. 4is a front cross sectional view showing the control bar2and bar end float4, without a tensioning member28, as shown inFIG. 3, with the back trim line24lengthened and no load on the back flying lines18. The back trim line4extends through the control bar2, bar end float4and the exits at the top of the bar end float44. The back trim line24connects to the back flying line18at the back trim line to back flying line connection26. This drawing shows how when the back trim line24is lengthened, without a tensioning member28and with no load on the back flying lines18, the excess back trim line46gathers inside the control bar2and bar end float4. The back trim line to back flying line connection26remains close to the top of the bar end float44.

Structure and Relationship of Parts:

In each embodiment, there is provided a kite control bar2having a hollow bar end float4through which a trim line24passes. A tensioning member28is anchored to the bar end float4and secured to the trim line24. The tensioning member28is capable of expanding and contracting. The tensioning member28has a default state which is either an expanded state or a contracted state. When an adjusting force upon trim line24draws the tensioning member28into another of the expanded state or the contracted state, the tensioning member28tends to return to the default state when the force is released. This biases the trim line24to force excess trim line24out of the bar end float4.

There will hereinafter be described various embodiments of tensioning member28. The first embodiment of tensioning member28illustrated inFIG. 5andFIG. 6discloses a tensioning member28in the form of an elastomeric shock cord30. Referring toFIG. 6, the default state for the elastomeric shock cord30is a contracted state. Referring toFIG. 5, when the trim line24is adjusted, the elastomeric shock cord30is drawn into an expanded state. Referring toFIG. 6, when the elastomeric shock cord30returns to the contracted state the biasing force on the trim line24forces excess trim line24out of the bar end float4. It will be appreciated that a tension spring could be made to function in a like manner to elastomeric shock cord30.

In the second embodiment of tensioning member28illustrated inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, a portion of trim line24is encased in a length of plastic tubing38. Plastic tubing38serves to protect trim line24against chaffing during adjustment. The second embodiment functions in a similar manner to the first embodiment. Tensioning member28is in the form of an elastomeric shock cord30. Referring toFIG. 8, the default state for the elastomeric shock cord30is a contracted state. Referring toFIG. 7, when the trim line24is adjusted the elastomeric shock cord30is drawn into an expanded state. Referring toFIG. 8, when the elastomeric shock cord30returns to the contracted state the biasing force on the trim line24forces excess trim line24out of the bar end float4.

The third embodiment of tensioning member28illustrated inFIG. 9andFIG. 10discloses a tensioning member in the form of a compression spring40and a portion of trim line24is encased in a length of plastic tubing38. Referring toFIG. 10, the default state for the compression spring40is an expanded state. Referring toFIG. 9, an adjusting force upon the trim line24compresses the compression spring40into a contracted state. Referring toFIG. 10, when the adjusting force is released, the compression spring40returns to the expanded state forcing excess trim line24out of the bar end float4.

In the fourth embodiment of tensioning member illustrated inFIG. 11andFIG. 12, compression spring40is positioned externally of bar end float4. This fourth embodiment functions in a similar manner to the third embodiment. Referring toFIG. 12, the default state for the compression spring40is an expanded state. Referring toFIG. 11, an adjusting force upon the trim line24compresses the compression spring40into a contracted state. Referring toFIG. 12, when the adjusting force is released the compression spring40returns to the expanded state forcing excess trim line24out of the bar end float4.

The fifth embodiment of tensioning member illustrated inFIG. 13discloses modified version ofFIG. 6, with the back trim line24having calibration markings48that enable the user to visually gauge the trim setting.

The sixth embodiment of tensioning member illustrated inFIG. 14discloses modified version ofFIG. 8, with the plastic tubing38having calibration markings50that enable the user to visually gauge the trim setting.

The various embodiments will now be described in greater detail.FIG. 5is a front cross sectional view showing the control bar2and bar end float4, with a tensioning member28and the back trim line24shortened. The back trim line24extends through the control bar2, bar end float4and the exits at the top end44of the bar end float4. The back trim line24connects to the back flying line18at the back trim line24to back flying line connection26. The tensioning member28is an elastomeric material such as a length of shock cord30. One end of the shock cord30is attached near the top end44of the bar end float4with a shock cord to bar end float connection32, and the other end of the shock cord30is attached to the back trim line24at a shock cord to back trim line connection34. This drawing shows how when the back trim line24is shortened, the shock cord30is stretched thus putting a tension force onto the back trim line24. The back trim line to back flying line connection26is close to the top end44of the bar end float4.

FIG. 6is a front cross sectional view showing the control bar2and bar end float4, with a tensioning member28, as shown inFIG. 5, with the back trim line24lengthened and no load on the back flying lines18. The back trim line24extends through the control bar2, bar end float4and the exits at the top end44of the bar end float4. The back trim line24connects to the back flying line18at the back trim line to back flying line connection26. The tensioning member28is an elastomeric material such as a length of shock cord30. One end of the shock cord30is attached near the top end44of the bar end float4with a shock cord to bar end float connection32, and the other end of the shock cord30is attached to the back trim line24at a shock cord to back trim line connection34. This drawing shows how when the back trim line24is lengthened, the shock cord30retracts thus putting a tension force onto the back trim line24. The back trim line24is forced out of the top end44of the bar end float4and so the back trim line to back flying line connection26is pushed away from the top end44of the bar end float4. Arrow36shows the direction of movement of the back trim line24.

FIG. 7is a front cross sectional view showing the control bar2and bar end float4, with a second embodiment of the tensioning member28and the back trim line24shortened. The back trim line4extends through the control bar2, bar end float4and the exits at the top end44of the bar end float4. The back trim line24connects to the back flying line18at the back trim line to back flying line connection26. The tensioning member28is an elastomeric material such as a length of shock cord30. One end of the shock cord30is attached near the top end44of the bar end float4with a shock cord to bar end float connection32, and the other end of the shock cord30is attached to the back trim line24at a shock cord to back trim line connection34. The back trim line24, between the shock cord to back trim line connection34and the back trim line to back flying line connection26, is encased in a length of plastic tubing38. This drawing shows how when the back trim line24is shortened, the shock cord30is stretched thus putting a tension force onto the back trim line. The back trim line to back flying line connection26is close to the top of the bar end float44.

FIG. 8is a front cross sectional view showing the control bar2and bar end float4, with second embodiment of the tensioning member28, as shown inFIG. 7, with the back trim line24lengthened and no load on the back flying lines18. The back trim line24extends through the control bar2, bar end float4and the exits at the top end44of the bar end float4. The back trim line24connects to the back flying line18at the back trim line to back flying line connection26. The tensioning member28is an elastomeric material such as a length of shock cord30. One end of the shock cord30is attached near the top end44of the bar end float4with a shock cord to bar end float connection32, and the other end of the shock cord30is attached to the back trim line24at a shock cord to back trim line connection34. The back trim line24, between the shock cord to back trim line connection34and the back trim line to back flying line connection26, is encased in a length of plastic tubing38. This drawing shows how when the back trim line24is lengthened, the shock cord30retracts thus putting a tension force onto the back trim line24. The plastic tubing38transfers the retraction force of the shock cord30at the shock cord to back trim line connection34to the back trim line to back flying line connection26thus the back trim line24is forced out of the top end44of the bar end float4and so the back trim line to back flying line connection26is pushed away from the top end44of the bar end float4. Arrow36shows the direction of movement of the back trim line24.

FIG. 9is a front cross sectional view showing the control bar2and bar end float4, with a third embodiment of the tensioning member28and the back trim line24shortened. The back trim line24extends through the control bar2, bar end float4and then exits at the top end44of the bar end float4. The back trim line24connects to the back flying line18at the back trim line to back flying line connection26. The tensioning member28is a compression spring40. The lower end of the compression spring40bears against a bearing plate42that is located at the base of the bar end float4and the upper end of the compression spring40bears against a bearing plate42, which is positioned at the base of a section of plastic tubing38. The back trim line24runs through the compression spring40, bearing plates42and the plastic tubing38. This drawing shows how when the back trim line24is shortened, the compression spring40is compressed between the bearing plates42thus putting a tension force onto the back trim line. The back trim line to back flying line connection26is close to the top end44of the bar end float4.

FIG. 10is a front cross sectional view showing the control bar2and bar end float4, with third embodiment of the tensioning member28, as shown inFIG. 9, with the back trim line24lengthened and no load on the back flying lines18. The back trim line24extends through the control bar2, bar end float4and then exits at the top end44of the bar end float4. The back trim line24connects to the back flying line18at the back trim line to back flying line connection26. The tensioning member28is a compression spring40. The lower end of the compression spring40bears against a bearing plate42that is located at the base of the bar end float4and the upper end of the compression spring bears against a bearing plate42, which is positioned at the base of a section of plastic tubing38. The back trim line24runs through the compression spring40, bearing plates42and the plastic tubing38. This drawing shows how when the back trim line24is lengthened, the compression spring40expands, thus putting a tension force onto the back trim line24. The plastic tubing38transfers the expansion force of the spring40to the back trim line to back flying line connection26thus the back trim line24is forced out of the top end44of the bar end float4and so the back trim line to back flying line connection26is pushed away from the top end44of the bar end float4. Arrow36shows the direction of movement of the back trim line24.

FIG. 11is a front cross sectional view showing the control bar2and bar end float4, with fourth embodiment of the tensioning member28and the back trim line24shortened. The back trim line24extends through the control bar2, bar end float4and then exits at the top end44of the bar end float4. The back trim line24connects to the back flying line18at the back trim line to back flying line connection26. The tensioning member28is a compression spring40that is positioned externally at the top end44of the bar end float4. The lower end of the compression spring40bears against a bearing plate42that is located at the top end44of the bar end float4and the upper end of the compression spring40bears against the back trim line to the back flying line connection26. The back trim line24runs through the compression spring40and bearing plate42. This drawing shows how when the back trim line24is shortened, the compression spring40is compressed between the bearing plate42and the back trim line to back flying line connection26thus putting a tension force onto the back trim line. The back trim line to back flying line connection26is close to the top end44of the bar end float4.

FIG. 12is a front cross sectional view showing the control bar2and bar end float4, with fourth embodiment of the tensioning member28, as shown inFIG. 11, with the back trim line24lengthened and no load on the back flying lines18. The back trim line24extends through the control bar2, bar end float4and then exits at the top end44of the bar end float4. The back trim line24connects to the back flying line18at the back trim line to back flying line connection26. The tensioning member28is a compression spring40that is positioned externally at the top end44of the bar end float4. The lower end of the compression spring40bears against a bearing plate42that is located at the top end44of the bar end float4and the upper end of the compression spring40bears against the back trim line to the back flying line connection26. The back trim line24runs through the compression spring40and bearing plate42. This drawing shows how when the back trim line24is lengthened, the compression spring40expands between the bearing plate42and the back trim line to back flying line connection26thus putting a tension force onto the back trim line24and so the back trim line to back flying line connection26is pushed away from the top end44of the bar end float4. Arrow36shows the direction of movement of the back trim line24.

FIG. 13is a front view of a kite control bar2and bar end float4with a fifth embodiment of tensioning member28. Back trim line24exits bar end float4at the top end44of the bar end float4and extends to back trim line to back flying line connection26. This is a modified version ofFIG. 6, with the back trim line24having calibration markings48that enable the user to visually gauge the trim setting.

FIG. 14is a front view of kite control bar2and bar end float4with a sixth embodiment of tensioning member28. Plastic tubing38exits bar end float4at the top end44of the bar end float4and extends to back trim line to back flying line connection26. This is a modified version ofFIG. 8, with the plastic tubing38having calibration markings50that enable the user to visually gauge the trim setting.

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments set forth as examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with a purposive construction of the claims in view of the description as a whole.