Single surface display kite

#This invention relates generally to kites, and more particularly concerns kites ranging from approximately four to approximately sixty feet or more in width.

#Improved kites in the range of up to sixty feet in width were disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,059 which is herein incorporated by reference. Those kites, beginning with a width of approximately seven feet or more, fly quite stably under most meteorological conditions. However, kites in the range of approximately four to seven feet in width made according to the same teachings tend to roll to an undesirable degree. Furthermore, even the larger kites ranging from approximately fifteen to sixty feet in width have a tendency to roll, though within far more tolerable limits.

#It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved stable design for kites in the range of approximately four to sixty feet or more in width.

#Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a rectangular embodiment of the kite illustrating the leading edge in comparison to the total surface area of the improved kite and the placement of the keels and rigid supports;

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the kite of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship between the outermost keels and the interior keels of the improved kite; and

#While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a kite consisting of one large rectangular sheet of material 10 such as plastic, nylon, or the like, extending from a leading edge 12 to a trailing edge 14 with a narrow band 16 along the leading edge 12 which provides most of the lift for the kite. As seen more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the leading edge 12 includes the band 16, interior keels 18 and spars 20 and outermost keels 22 and spars 24. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the interior keels 18 have a leading edge substantially perpendicular to the spars 20 while the outermost keels 22 have a leading edge that angles to a point approximately 1/4 to 1/2 the length of the spars 24 toward the trailing edge 14 of the kite. FIG. 3 also illustrates the bridle lines and their place of attachment on the lower forward tips 26 and 28 of the interior and outermost keels 18 and 22, respectively. A first set of bridle lines 30, all the same length, are attached between adjacent keels, including the interior and outermost keels 18 and 22. Another set of bridle lines 32, all the same length, are attached approximately to the centers of the first set of bridle lines 30. The interior spars 20 have a parallel relation to each other and the outermost spars 24 are substantially parallel but may be at least slightly farther apart at the leading edge 12 of the kite to provide some taper inwardly toward the trailing edge 14 of the kite. The second set of bridle lines 32 are typically extended to a length one and one half times the width of the leading edge 12 and are joined at a single union 34 as seen in FIG. 3. The taper of the outermost keels 22 may be minimized for kites approximately four to seven feet in width so that the interior and outermost keels 18 and 22 approach parallel and may be increased for larger kites of up to approximately sixty feet in width. The distance that the tips of the outermost keels 22 are displaced toward the trailing edge 14 of the kite will be increased as the taper is reduced to minimize roll without allowing the kite to collapse.

#Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, an improved single surface display kite that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit of the appended claims.