In-flight kite deflation and control systems
AssigneeOcean Rodeo Sports Inc.
InventorsPeter G. Berrang, Ross D. Harrington, Richard K. Myerscough
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A massive de-powering system for a kite wing used in kite boarding comprises a deflation control line that connects to a valve on the kite wing's leading edge bladder. In the preferred embodiment, disengaging the tether line from the harness causes the deflation control line to tension and to open the valve, thereby deflating the bladder. Tension along the deflation control line may also act to draw in spaced portions of the wing thereby collapsing it and further reducing the power generated by the wing.
Claims16
In a kite board system having a kite wing with an inflatable leading edge bladder to provide an aerodynamic shape to the kite wing when inflated, a control bar, a plurality of elongated outer steering lines and at least one elongated inner tether line for tensioned tethering of said kite to a harness to be worn by a user, a kite de-powering system comprising:
- a valve for selectively releasing air from said bladder;
- and,
- a deflation control line connectable to selectively open said valve and deflate said bladder, one end of said deflation control line terminating within three meters of said harness.
A method for a rider of a kite board to rapidly de-power a kite wing while said kite wing is under power, said kite wing having an inflated leading edge bladder, said kite wing being tethered to a harness worn by said rider by means of at least one tether line and said kite wing being connected by outside steering lines to a control bar held by said rider, said method comprising a step of causing a valve on said bladder to open and release air from said bladder.
A method for a rider of a kite board to rapidly de-power a kite wing while said kite wing is under power, said kite wing having an inflated leading edge bladder, said kite wing being tethered to a harness worn by said rider by means of at least one tether line and said kite wing being connected by outside steering lines to a control bar held by said rider, said method comprising steps of:
- releasing said control bar;
- and,
- disengaging a chicken loop connecting said tether line to said harness whereby to cause said kite wing to tension a deflation control line secured to said harness and attached to a valve on said bladder, causing said valve to open and allowing said bladder to deflate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.