Patent ID: 8167246

Claim:
A tethering system for controlling an inflatable airfoil, the inflatable airfoil having a horizontal center line defining a top surface and a bottom surface and a vertical center line defining a front surface and a rear surface, the tethering system comprising: an airfoil wing having a connecting edge, a first leading edge, and a second leading edge, the connecting edge secured to the inflatable airfoil; a first forward attachment ring secured to the inflatable airfoil; a second forward attachment ring secured to the inflatable airfoil; a rear attachment ring secured to the inflatable airfoil; a center attachment ring secured to the inflatable airfoil; a first airfoil reinforcement strap secured between the first forward attachment ring and the center attachment ring; a second airfoil reinforcement strap extends between the second forward attachment ring and the center attachment ring; a third airfoil reinforcement strap extends between the rear attachment ring and the center attachment ring; a surface reinforcement strap secured to the airfoil wing from the intersection of the first leading edge and the second leading edge across the airfoil wing to the proximate center of the connecting edge, the intersection of the first leading edge and the second leading edge forming a tether line attachment point, the surface reinforcement strap extending beyond the connecting edge to the rear attachment ring; and control means for controlling the inflatable airfoil during flight.