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US 6,581,879 B2Granted
Kite control systems
OwnerJohn D. Bellacerainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, including apparatus and methods, for controlling a power kite. The systems may include a variable-line kite controller with a rotatable spool bar carrying plural spools, or a fixed-line controller. The systems also may include deployment mechanisms, sheeting mechanisms, cleating mechanisms for the sheeting mechanisms, safety releases, line protectors, and kiteboards, among others, for use with variable- and/or fixed-line controllers.
Claims23
A device for controlling a power kite, comprising:
- a graspable handle portion;
- a deployment mechanism adapted to hold and deploy at least three control lines that operatively tether the handle portion to separate positions on the kite, the deployment mechanism including a plurality of control spools for holding the three control lines;
- and
- a sheeting mechanism adapted to positively and negatively adjust the deployed length of a subset of the at least three control lines, independent of the deployed length of the remaining control lines, where the sheeting mechanism is functional while all of the control spools are stationary.
1 more element
A method for controlling a power kite, comprising:
- providing a control device adapted to hold and deploy at least three control lines on a plurality of control spools to operatively tether the handle portion to separate positions on the kite, the control device having a sheeting mechanism adapted to positively and negatively adjust the deployed length of a subset of the at least three control lines, independent of the deployed length of the remaining control lines;
- connecting the control device to the kite using the at least three control lines;
- launching the kite into the air;
- and
- adjusting the deployed length of the subset of the at least three control lines with the sheeting mechanism while the control spools are all stationary, thereby controlling the kite.
2 more elements
A device for controlling a power kite, comprising:
- a graspable handle portion;
- means for holding and deploying at least three control lines that operatively tether the handle portion to separate positions on the kite;
- and
- sheeting mechanism means or positively and negatively adjusting the deployed length of a subset of the at least three control lines, independent of the deployed length of the remaining control lines, while the holding and deploying means is stationary.
1 more element
A device for controlling a power kite, comprising:
- a graspable handle portion;
- a deployment mechanism adapted to hold and deploy at least three control lines that operatively tether the handle portion to separate positions on the kite;
- and
- a sheeting mechanism adapted to positively and negatively adjust the deployed length of a subset of the at least three control lines, independent of the deployed length of the remaining control lines, the sheeting mechanism including a sheeting regulator having an end portion, the sheeting regulator controlling the sheeting mechanism by translational movement of end portion.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.