74results about "Marine propulsion" patented technology

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 kite boards, among others, for use with variable- and/or fixed-line controllers.

A control device for use with an aerodynamic wing including a bar having a fixed trim adjustment located between the bar and the user. The invention also includes a stopper that permits the user to quickly adjust the range of available dynamic trim. Preferably, the stopper does not lock until it engages the control bar, allowing the user to slide it quickly and easily to the desired location. The control systems of the invention provide a safety depower function when the end of the fixed trim is secured to a safety line.

A kite control system having a control bar adapted with an internal sheeting system that provides trim/sheeting control by adjustment of outer steering lines which are attached at or near the rear corners of the kite. A tubular control bar is adapted such that the outer steering lines are routed through the interior of the control bar through openings at each opposing end. The outer steering lines are each joined to a sheeting control line which extends back out one of the opposing ends in either a left hand actuated or right hand actuated embodiment. A fixed pin located approximately mid-length within the control bar provides a fixed structure about which one of the outer lines and/or sheeting control line is routed in U-turn fashion. By pulling the sheeting control line from the end of the control bar, the rider can shorten the effective length of the outer steering lines thereby increasing the angle of attack so as to power up the kite. By releasing the sheeting control line such that it is drawn into the control bar, the ride can allow the outer steering lines to fully deploy thereby reducing the angle of attack so as to depower the kite. The control bar is equipped with means for selectively fixing the sheeting control line so as to achieve a desired angle of attack.

A rope tensioning device configured to prevent unintentional disengagement of the device from the rope. A jam-cleat arrangement coupled with a closed or semi-closed passageway enables the device to function as a tensioning aid while the user may release the device without it falling off the rope.

A lightweight stretch resistant laminated material has a layer of thin flexible film laminated to a layer of stretch resistant reinforcing material. A kite or wing, which is known in the art to comprises a plurality of assembled panels, can have at least one such panel made from the lightweight stretch resistant laminated material.

A kite control system including an aerodynamic wing with a leading edge and first and second opposing wingtips, a control device, a first steering line secured to the first wingtip and the control device, a second steering line secured to the second wingtip and the control device, and a trim line secured to the leading edge substantially between the opposing wingtips, wherein the trim line has a user adjustable length device that allows the user to adjust and mechanically fix the length of the trim line while the aerodynamic wing is in flight.

A buoyancy harness for connecting a rider to a water sport apparatus, including sailboards, boats, and boating accessories, the harness comprised a body portion, a fastener, and a connector. The body portion may take the form of a waist or seat harness that is configured to encircle at least a portion of the lower abdomen of the rider and possibly a portion of the pelvic region. At least a portion of the body portion is comprised of at least one layer of buoyant material. The body portion may also include a water permeable material that permits trapped water to pass through the harness. The fastener is operably connected to the body portion and is configured to secure the body portion to at least a portion of the rider. The connector is also operably connected to the body portion and is configured for operable attachment to the water sport apparatus.

A control apparatus for a kite powered conveyance device. Port and starboard kite leads (28,32) and/or port and starboard kite control lines (30, 36) connect ends of a control bar (26, 26′) to port and starboard ends of a kite (12). A tether guide (34, 34′, 34″) is connected to one end of the control bar (26) or to one of the kite leads (28, 32). A harness (12) with a spreader bar (18) is adapted to be worn by a user of the kite powered conveyance device. An arm (20, 20′) is connected to the spreader bar (18). A tether connector (42, 42′) and a hook (22, 22′) are rotatably mounted on the arm (20, 20′) for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the arm (20, 20′). The hook (22, 22′) is hooked to the control bar (26, 26′) to connect the control bar (26, 26′) to the spreader bar (18). A tether (38) passes through the tether guide (34, 34′, 34″) and has its first end connected to the tether connector (42, 42′) and its second end connected to one of the Kite control lines (30, 36).

A control and safety device of a kite wing comprises a stiffening member 11 arranged at each tip of the wing 1 between sliding means 9 A, 9 B to allow a sliding pre-line 8 A to pass through and to maintain a predetermined distance between the front and rear attachments 5 A, 5 B regardless of the tension applied to the ends of said pre-line.

A leading edge inflatable traction kite wherein the leading edge structure includes a plurality of spaced segments that are fabricated from a material with a higher elasticity, thus allowing for a greater amount of twisting and bending. The inflatable leading edge includes a series of elastically deformable segments disposed throughout the length thereof to facilitate selective torsional deformation of the leading edge and resulting overall angle of attack of the kite. These elastically deformable segments are preferably integrally formed as part of the leading edge support and are comprised of a material with a high elasticity, namely a higher elasticicity than the remaining leading edge segments. Providing elastically deformable segments of high elasticitity dispersed along the leading edge combined with regions of lower elasticity maximizes responsiveness and control by allowing leading edge deformation in response to user applied force, while the providing sufficient support to maintain kite stability.

An aerodynamic wing with a leading edge inflatable strut and at least one inflatable rib strut, wherein the struts are provided with a connection air pathway that allows the leading edge strut to act as a manifold for the inflation of the connected rib struts. Preferably, the connection air pathway is provided with a valve mechanism for selectively isolating the connected rib strut from the leading edge strut.

An improvement to kite control systems for power kites, comprising at least one proportional redirection mechanism, which balances the forces of the main lifting force of the kite and the control handlebar, thus assisting with steering the kite and significantly reducing the effort needed to hold or pull the control handlebar, without taking away the flexibility to instantly depower the kite. A compound pulley system can be used as a proportional redirection device as described in one embodiment, or levers can used as shown in an alternative embodiment.

An aerodynamic wing formed by a flexible canopy with an internally routed canopy line for controlling the canopy profile. Preferably, the canopy line is routed through a gatherable tube secured to the trailing edge of the canopy. Tensioning the canopy line alters the canopy profile to facilitate launching the kite.

A control device for use with an aerodynamic wing including a bar having a safety system that restrains one of the flying lines by routing an attachment through an aperture on the bar. Preferably, the system includes a stopper housing that engages an increased diameter element of the flying line. During normal operation, the increased diameter element is secured by the stopper housing, preventing the flying line from being pulled beyond the stopper housing. When the safety system is deployed, the increased diameter element is pulled from the stopper housing and slack is developed along the remaining flying lines to depower the kite.

What is disclosed is a tube kite comprising two front lines which are combined into a tug line and adapted to be releasably secured to the surfer, and comprising two back lines which are adapted to be secured to a bar, wherein a supplementary line serving as an additional front line during the flight phase is provided.

A device is provided for the management of multiple lines attached to a bar, of the type used in power kites for kiteboarding. The device is formed of an elongate body having a shaft region, a spool region adjacent the shaft region and distal thereto, and a line retaining region distal to the spool region. The shaft region has a hollow body having a longitudinal groove running from a proximal opening to a distal end point, and a bar retaining means for retaining a bar against rotational or axial movement. The spool region has a spool shaft defined by proximal and distal containment means for retaining spooled lines wound about the spool shaft. A line retaining region has a means for separately retaining one or more lines of a plurality of lines.

The present invention is a safety system for use in conjunction with a control bar for a kite wherein the two front lines are secured by a front line swivel positioned between the bar and the kite. One front line terminates at the swivel and one extension of the other front line, the center line, travels through a central aperture in the swivel. The center line is then routed through an aperture on the control bar and terminated with an end that can be secured to the user either manually or by a leash arrangement. The swivel allows any twists that may form in the front lines to unwind. An increased diameter element located proximally of the swivel is configured to engage the center swivel, but is configured to pass through the aperture on the control bar. When the bar is released, sufficient slack is imparted into the remaining flying lines to effectively depower the kite while retaining attachment to the kite through the restrained front line.