Patent Publication Number: US-2005127244-A1

Title: Kite with planar aerodynamic surface

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      The popularity of kites has boomed in recent decades, and novelty kites are particularly in demand since many consumers want kites that are unique, that stand out from the rest of the kites, and that constitute a personalized expression that consumers want to make.  
      Very few flying toys include a substructure and make it appear as though the flying toy is imitating the movements of a similar real world device and/or person. Even fewer may include a toy human figure or other weighted mass suspended from the toy that change the flight characteristics of the toy and imitate the movements of a real person would appear on a similar real-world device.  
     SUMMARY  
      A kite system including a base, a substantially exposed substructure coupled to the base, and one or more sails coupled to the base, is provided.  
      Furthermore, the kite system may include a ballast that may be configured to be selectively, positionally couplable to the kite system, and may move relative to the kite during flight. The ballast may be in the form of a human, an animal, a fanciful creature, or even an inanimate object.  
      In an exemplary embodiment, the kite system may be similar to a surfer and surfboard or sailboard. According to another exemplary embodiment, the kite may be similar to the form of a vehicle with wheels, such as a skateboard and skateboarder. In another exemplary embodiment, the flying toy may be similar to the form of a golf putting green with a golfer. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flying toy in the form of a sailboard kite, including a sub-structure and ballast in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the kite of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a flying toy in the form of a skateboard kite according to an exemplary embodiment.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a flying toy in the form of a golf putting green and golfer kite according to an exemplary embodiment.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a ballast according to an exemplary embodiment.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment.  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
       FIG. 1  shows a flying toy system according to one exemplary embodiment, generally at  10 . System  10  may include a kite portion  12  and ballast  62  coupled to the kite portion  12 . Kite portion  12  may include a base  14 , masts  30  that are coupled to the base  14 , and sails  40  that may be coupled to masts  30 . Base  14  may include a frame  16  that may be coupled to an inner body portion  18  to form base  14 . Base  14  may be formed such that it may be folded to reduce its size for shipping, storage, and display.  
      Furthermore, sails  40  may be detachable from the system, and foldable for ease of transportation, packaging, shipping storage and display. With this configuration, the system may be enclosed in a smaller package, such that more can be shipped at one time and retailers would be more likely to carry the product.  
      System  10  also may include a substructure  20  that may be configured to couple to base  14  at opposite ends of base  14 , such that the kite portion may be stabilized for flight, and such that the flight characteristics may be changed. Substructure  20  also may couple to masts  30 , which may extend through inner body portion  18  of base  14  to further stabilize the system. Masts  30  may couple to base  14  or may pass through orifices  26  in body portion  18 , as desired. Substructure  20  may be configured to flex base  14 , and may alter the flight characteristics of the system.  
      Kite portion  12  further may include rigging  70  that may be coupled to masts  30  and base  14 . Rigging  70  may provide tension to bend, flex or alter the configuration of base  14 , and may also be utilized to stabilize the system. Rigging  70  may be coupled to base  14  at opposite sides, near where substructure  20  is coupled, such that they may be similar to real world mast stays. However, it will be appreciated that rigging  70  may be coupled to masts or other portions of base  14  such as the sides, such that they may be similar to shrouds of a real sailing vessel. Rigging  70  may be made out of string, rope, or other material that may be utilized for this purpose. Rigging  70  and/or substructure  20  may flex base  14  in varying amounts to change the flight characteristics of the system, as desired.  
      System  10  may further include sails  40 , which may include poles  42  that may be coupled to a sail portion  44  and also coupled to masts  30  via a mast connector  46 . Sails  40  may provide lift for the system and add to the aesthetic appearance of the system. Although two sail portions are shown, it will be appreciated that any number of sails may be utilized, as desired, including one or more sail portions  44 . Masts  30  may be plastic rods, but may be made of other materials, as desired. Masts  30  may couple to sails  40 , extend through base  14 , and connect to substructure  20  via a rubber-like connector, or other connector such as those used in kite making. However, it will be appreciated that other connection methods and structures may be utilized as desired.  
      Kite portion  12  also may include lateral supports  60  that may couple to masts  30  and to base  14 . Lateral supports  60  may connect to base  14  on opposite sides and masts  30  between lateral supports  60 , however, other configuration may be utilized, as desired. Lateral supports  60  may couple to masts  30  via lightweight rubber-like connectors, or other connectors. However, it will be appreciated that other methods of coupling lateral supports to masts and to base may be utilized, as desired.  
      Base  14  may be configured such that it may be folded or otherwise made into a smaller configuration such that it will take up less space in packaging, shipping, storage and display.  
      Additionally, the system  10  may have string segments  88  which may be approximately 10-30 inches in length, which may connect to the front and rear of the substructure, however, they may also connect to other portions of the system, as desired. The string segments may be joined at a common point, which may include a connecting structure  90  as shown in the figure, for connection to a third long string (not shown) held by the user. Connecting structure  90  is shown as a ring-type connector, however, it will be appreciated that other connecting structures may be utilized, as desired. It will be appreciated, however, that other configurations and materials may be utilized, as desired.  
      System  10  also may include a ballast  62 , which may be selectively positionally couplable to kite portion  12 . Ballast  62  is removably, selectively, positionally coupled to kite portion  12  to alter the appearance, and the flight characteristics of the entire system, when in flight. Ballast  62  may be coupled to kite portion  12  above base  14 ; however, other configurations may be utilized, as desired. Ballast  62  may also move continually or intermittently when in flight, thereby changing the flight characteristics of the system  10 . The flight characteristics include, but are not limited to, the center of gravity, the altitude and direction the kite is flying, and the airspeed of the kite, among others.  
      This configuration may therefore make the system imitate a real world surfer and surfboard riding on water, bouncing over waves, and the like. Ballast  62  also may include coupling structures that allow it to couple to itself or the kite in many different positions throughout the system. With this configuration, ballast  62  may be coupled to the kite portion  12  in many different positions and configurations to alter the appearance and the flight characteristics of the system when in flight, as desired. The coupling structures  52  may be located at many positions on the surfaces of ballast  62 . For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates coupling structures  52  located on the hands and feet, as well as other locations of a ballast  50  in the form of a human windsurfer. The present invention also contemplates many other forms of the ballast and many other locations for the coupling structures  52 , such as in the seat area of a human or animal figure for the effect of emulating sitting, or the back area for emulating a soaring effect by the figure. Kite portion  12  may be made from nylon, fabric, and plastic and rubber-like compounds, but also may be made from other materials, as desired.  
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the flying toy system of  FIG. 1  generally at  10 . Again, system  10  may include a ballast  62  and a kite portion  12 . System  10  may again include sails  40  which may include poles  42  which may be sewn into the body of sail portions  44 . Poles  42  may couple to masts  30  and to sails  44 .  
      System  10  also may further include rigging  70  that may be coupled to masts  30  and/or sails  40 . Kite portion  12  again may include a base  14  which may be made up of a frame  16  and a body portion  18 . Masts  30  may extend through orifices  26  and body portion  18  and may couple to a substructure  20 . Substructure  20  again may provide stability and may provide a force that bends, flexes or deforms base  14  along with rigging  70 . This may change the flight characteristics of the overall system and may be modified, as desired.  
      System  10  also may include lateral supports  60  that may be coupled to masts  30  and to base  14  at frame  16 . Lateral supports  60  may provide support for the overall system and may add rigidity and strength to alter the flight characteristics also.  
      In this exemplary embodiment, ballast  62  is in the form of a human or surfer, and may be coupled at many points of the system, as desired.  
      System  10  also may include string elements  88  that may be coupled to the base structure or substructure or other location of system  10  such that they may connect to connecting structure  90  that may be configured to couple to a kite string held by the user.  
       FIG. 3  depicts another exemplary embodiment of a flying toy system generally at  100 . System  100  may include a kite portion  102  and a ballast  130 , similar to an earlier exemplary embodiment. System  100  may again include a base  104 , which may include a frame  106  and a body  108 . Masts  120  may be coupled to sails  122  and extend through orifices  110  in body  108  and couple to substructure  112 . In this embodiment, system  100  may include wheels  116 , which may couple to substructure  112  and/or to masts  120 , such that the system looks similar to a skateboard with sails, or the like.  
      Sails  122  again may include poles  124 , which may be coupled to sail portions  126 . Poles  124  may couple to sail portions  126  by being hemmed into them, however other configurations may be utilized, as desired. Sails  122  may also couple to masts  120 , which may provide lift for the entire system.  
      System  100  also may include rigging  134  that may be coupled to masts  120  and base  104 , but may be coupled to other portions of the system including sails, and the like. System  100  may further include lateral supports  138 , which may couple to masts  120  and to frame  106  and may add stability to the system.  
      Wheels  116  may be for ornamental purposes, and/or may change the flight characteristics of the system. Furthermore, configurations other than wheels may be utilized to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of the system, as desired. Ballast  130  may be in the shape of a human, such as a longhaired skateboarder dude, but may be other forms, as desired.  
       FIG. 4  is an exemplary embodiment of a flying toy system, shown generally at  150 . System  150  may include a kite portion  152  and a ballast  180 . System  150  further may include a base portion  154 , which may include a frame  156  and a body  158 . In this exemplary embodiment, the base takes the form similar to a putting green with ballast  180  being similar to that of a golfer. Further included in this embodiment are a club  168 , a ball  164 , and a flag  166  simulating a golf club, golf ball, and a flag stick, respectively. It will be appreciated that these novelties may be other forms depicting other sporting equipment and playing fields, and the like. System  150  also may include sails  172 , which may include poles  174  and sails  176 , which may be coupled to the other. Sails may be coupled to masts  170 , which may extend through orifices  160  and may connect to substructure  162 .  
      Again, substructure  162  and rigging  184  may be utilized to provide flexure to the base and add stability to the overall system, such that desirable flight characteristics may be achieved. System  150  also may include a base portion  154 , which may include a frame  156  and a body  158 , similar to previous embodiments. System  150  also may include lateral supports  188  which may couple to masts  170  and to frame  156  to add stability and support for the overall system.  
       FIG. 5  is a ballast  50  according to an exemplary embodiment. Ballast  50  may include coupling structures  52  located at various portions of ballast  50 . Coupling structures  52  may be hook-and-loop coupling structures such that they may couple to themselves and each other, and they may couple to other coupling structures located throughout the system. With this configuration, ballast  50  can be coupled in an infinite number of positions to simulate the movements of an actual sailboarder, skateboarder, golfer, or the like.  
      Ballast  50  may include a shell  54  and mesh portions  56  such that air will pass through mesh portions  56  to inflate the ballast  50  when in flight. Ballast  50  also may include fill material  58  on the interior of shell  54  that may assist in keeping the shape of ballast  50  when not inflated.  
      Shell  54  may be configured to catch air, to deflect air, and to change the characteristics of the ballast  50 , and consequently the flight characteristics of the overall system when in flight. Mesh portion  56  may allow air to pass through to inflate ballast  50  and to allow shell  54  to deflect air. In this figure mesh portions  56  are shown as the eyes and near the knees of the human-like figure, as well as a sash running across the chest of the human figure. It will be appreciated that other configurations may be utilized to change the characteristics of ballast  50 , and the system, as desired.  
      The figure, as shown in  FIG. 1 , alternatively may be constructed not to include a mesh portion. The ballast or figure may be configured in part or entirely of a flexible material and filled with a fill material that will allow the ballast to keep its shape without resorting to mesh air-intake portion. This embodiment may be configured to allow a substantial amount of air to pass through it to inflate the ballast.  
      Ballast  50  may include coupling structure  52  that may allow it to couple to kite portion  12  in many different positions and locations. Coupling structure  52  may be a hook-and-loop configuration such that it may couple to itself or to the kite portion, such that ballast  50  may be coupled around, or to, any portion of the system  10 . It will be appreciated, however, that other coupling structures may be utilized, as desired. It will also be appreciated that, although certain locations on ballast  50  for coupling structure  52  are shown in  FIG. 4 , numerous locations for coupling structure  52  may be utilized, including most or all of ballast  50 , as desired. For example, the hands of the figure may be coupled at low points of the kite, such that the figure appears to be bending. Additionally, the figure may be formed with slightly bending knees to more closely resemble the form of a human operating a sailboat, sailboard, skateboard, or the like.  
      Ballast  50  may be made of lightweight material such as nylon, plastic, or rubber-like materials, that are flexible, but may also be rigid, or partially rigid, or combinations thereof. With this configuration, ballast  50  may be connected at certain points of ballast  50  to kite portion  12  such that the remainder of ballast  50  will move continually or intermittently during flight of the system with respect to kite portion  12 . Furthermore with this configuration, different points of ballast  50  may be connected to numerous different points of kite portion  12 , as desired. The ballast  50  may include slightly bent knees and may be approximately 12-20 inches tall and may have average head and body diameters of approximately 1-4 inches, and weigh about 0.4-2.0 ounces. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention equally contemplates systems and elements that are other sizes, including but not limited to, fractions of an inch to many feet in size, as desired.  
      Ballast  50  also may include fill material  58  to add weight to the system as well as to keep the form of ballast  50 . Fill material is typically foam, or other lightweight fill material. It will be appreciated that other materials may be utilized such as cotton, feathers, or synthetic filling, typically used for stuffing plush animals, pillows, and the like, which may aid in maintaining the shape of ballast  50 , as desired.  
      The size and weight of the ballast may be comparable to that of the kite and/or system, such that the ballast may be weighted sufficiently to affect the flight characteristics of the kite, whereby movement of the ballast during flight and/or wind effects on the ballast itself may cause significant changes in the kite&#39;s flight characteristics.  
       FIG. 6  is an exemplary embodiment of a system, which may be of the likeness of a motorcycle and rider, generally at  210 . System  210  may include a kite portion  212  and a ballast portion  250 . Here the system may be in a form similar to a motorcycle and rider. Similarly, the system may be in the form of a bicycle, unicycle, Segway-type device, or other device with, or without a rider. Kite portion  212  may include sails  240  and masts  230 , which may provide stability and lift for the system.  
      System  210  may include substructure  220 , which may be all, partially or not exposed. System  210  may include wheels  222 , which may alter the flight characteristics of the system, and/or may add to the aesthetic appeal of the system. Furthermore, substructure  220  may add stability to the system, which may allow the system to operate better and more consistently.  
      Ballast  250  may be in the form of a rider, but could be other configurations as desired. Ballast  250  may or may not include mesh, which may alter the characteristics of the ballast and system, as desired.  
       FIG. 7  is an exemplary embodiment of a system, which may be of the likeness of a pickup truck, generally at  310 . System  310  may include a kite portion  312 . Here the system may be in a form similar to a large pickup truck or monster truck, with or without a driver/rider. It will be appreciated that the system may be in the form of a other vehicles, including, but not limited to, sports cars, race cars, classic cars, other type of truck, and the like. Kite portion  312  may include sails  340 , which may provide stability and lift for the system.  
      System  310  may include substructure  320 , which may be all, partially or not exposed. System  310  may include wheels  322 , which may alter the flight characteristics of the system, and/or may add to the aesthetic appeal of the system. Furthermore, substructure  320  may add stability to the system, which may allow the system to operate better and more consistently.  
      It will be appreciated that although the system is shown as a boat, sailboard, golf green, motorcycle and rider or other vehicles, many other designs may be utilized, as desired. Besides being in the form of a human, the ballast may also be in the form of an animal, fanciful or whimsical creature, or inanimate object. Furthermore, the kite itself may be in the form of various vehicles and other objects, including fanciful vehicles and objects, which may incorporate a figure including a ship, airplane, car, monster truck, surfboard, snowboard, skateboard, house, etc. Additionally, more than one ballast in accordance with the exemplary embodiments may be attached to a single kite and/or system.  
      While the examples described herein illustrate a ballast positioned above or atop the surface of the kite, it should be understood that embodiments wherein a ballast(s) are positioned below the kite surface are also contemplated by the present invention. Such embodiments may be advantageous in that the figure may be more readily seen by viewers on the ground, including the user. Additionally, a flexible figure in accordance with the exemplary embodiments may be attached to other flying toys such as gliders, and the like, as desired.  
      In closing, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof.