Patent Publication Number: US-5024401-A

Title: Control apparatus for quad-line stunt kites

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a control apparatus for quad-line stunt kites and more particularly to such a control with a quick pay-out and pick-up feature. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A typical control for a quad-line stunt kite is the use of two elongated handles, one held in each hand and movable independently and having a line attached to each end of each control handle leading to and connected to the kite. This type of control system is an extremely good one in the hands of an experienced quad-line stunt kite person. The problems with this type of system relate mainly to being unable to let out all or pay-out the quad lines together (4 lines) before flying, wind up or pick-up the lines after the kite is landed. Since this problem has not heretofore been solved, there existed a need for a good solution to it. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to 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. This is essentially all the control that is used during the normal kite flying procedure, pick-up and/or pay-out structures are used in conjunction with the control handles before flying the kite and after landing the kite. 
     Specifically this pick-up and pay-out structure includes a first rod which extends through a pair of openings in the top of each of the control handles respectively and has a crank portion on one end thereof. A second rod extends through a pair of aligned openings in the lower portion of each of the control handles respectively. An axle, which is adapted to be rotated about an axis, is attached to one end of the first and the second rod and a tubular member is adapted to slide over the axle so that a person can grasp the tubular member in one hand and the crank in the other hand to rotate both rods and both handles about the axis. 
     A guide rod structure with four partial loops therein is attached to the tube and is adapted to receive one of the lines in each one of the respective partial loops so that during the aforementioned rotation of the handles and rods, the four lines will be wound evenly onto or off of the first and second rods. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an improved control apparatus for a quad-line stunt kite. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a control apparatus of the aforementioned type which allows the line to be easily and quickly picked-up or paid-out. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved quad-line control apparatus which prevents tangling of the lines during the pick-up and pay-out procedure. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved quad-line stunt kite control apparatus which can be removed from the control handles so that it does not interfere with the control of the kite during normal operation thereof but which can be quickly added to the control handles when it is decided to pick-up or pay-out the line. 
     Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in use for the pick-up or pay-out of the four lines of a quad-line stunt kite; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the control apparatus of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the control apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 4 is a view of the control apparatus from the perspective of someone using it, except that the person&#39;s hands are not shown attached to the handles thereof. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a control apparatus (10) constructed in accordance with the present invention in use for controlling a quad-line kite (11). Four lines (12), (13), (14) and (15) are connected to the kite (11) and to handles (16) and (17) by tying them to the openings (18) and (19) of handle (16) and openings (20) and (21) of handle (17). These handles (16) and (17) have an intermediate bend therein and foam rubber hand gripping portions (22) and (23) respectively. Optional caps (24), (25), (26) and (27) are also provided for the ends of the handles (16) and (17). 
     Openings (30) and (31) are provided in the top of the handles (16) and (17) for reception of a first rod (32) and openings (34) and (35) in the bottom portion of handles (16) and (17) are provided for selective reception of a second rod (33). 
     An axle (38) can be formed in one piece with the rods (32) and (33) if desired and are interconnected by portions (39) and (40) to the rods (32) and (33). Enlarged joints (41) and (42) are provided partially as stops for the rods (32) and (33) when received through openings (30), (31), (34) and (35). Crank handle (28) is an extension of rod (32). 
     A tubular handle member (45) has an opening (46) therethrough. A rigid extension bar (47) is bent on the end thereof and has a series of partial loops (48), (49), (50) and (51) therein for receiving lines (12), (13), (14) and (15) therein as is shown in FIG. 1. 
     In operation, when it is desired to use the control apparatus (10), the kite (11) would normally be in the act of flying as is shown in FIG. 1, except that the handle (45) would be removed along with the string guide therefor and the rods (32) and (33) and rigidly connected thereto would be removed. 
     When the user decides to pick-up the string (12-15), then the rod (32) would be placed through aligned openings (30) and (31) and the rod (33) would be placed through aligned openings (34) and (35) as is shown in FIG. 1, for use by a right-handed person. Then the tubular member (45) would be slid onto the axle (48) and a cotter key (37) would be placed through an opening (36) to keep the handle (45) from slipping off of the axle (38). The string or line (12-15) would then be placed into the guide loops (48-51) as is shown in FIG. 1. The lines (12-15) can then be wound up by winding in the rotary direction shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 or, alternatively, the lines (12-15) can be let out or paid-out by rotating the apparatus in the direction shown by the arrow in dashed lines in FIG. 1, whereby the entire apparatus rotates around an axis (58). A mark or index (29) on the rod (32) allows the user to know the approximate spacing to be used between the handle (16) and (17) when on the rod (32). 
     If a left-handed person desires to use the apparatus (10), then the rods (32) and (33) and axle (38) are merely put in from the other side as is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 and, similarly, the tubular member (45) and the guide loops (48-51) are similarly reversed as is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2. 
     Accordingly it will be appreciate that the preferred embodiment disclosed herein does indeed accomplish the aforementioned objects. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.