Wing rig

Abstract

Hand-supported wing rig (1) for wing foiling, which is designed to be held by a surfer (4) standing on a foilboard only by the hands during the exercise of the sport and to be angled relative to the wind depending on the desired direction of travel of the foilboard, with an inflatable leading edge (6) along which a sailcloth (14) extends to a trailing edge (12), wherein the leading edge (6) is curved on both sides from a crown area (20) away to a trailing edge (12) of the sailcloth (14), characterized in that - at least the leading edge (6) in the non-flowing / loaded state, viewed in the direction of flow, has a V or U shape that opens upwards away from the surfer (4), with an inclination angle (β) being maximum in the apex region (20) of the leading edge (6) and decreasing towards both ends (8, 10) of the leading edge (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hand-supported wing rig for wind-powered sports, for example foil surfing, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Such a wing rig is described on the Internet under the name “Slingwing”, see: - instagram.com logosz; May 10, 2015 URL: https: / / www.instagram.com / p / 2gmahyOAQ1 / ?taken-by=logosz - Instagram.com logos; 11 / 16 / 2015 URL:https: / / www.instagram.com / p / -ljGSeOASj / - instagram.com logosz; November 16, 2015 URL: https: / / www.instagram.com / p / -1e3jFOAc8 / ?hl=fi.

[0003] It's essentially a kite with a leading edge and a single inflatable strut. The center strut and the leading edge each have straps that allow the user to hold the inflatable wing rig during use, for example, when foiling, ice skating, or skiing.

[0004] This inflatable wing rig, which is adapted to the aerodynamics of kites, is severely deformed during use, especially at the high speeds reached during foiling, thus impairing the aerodynamics.

[0005] US Pat. No. 4,563,969 A shows a rigid wing rig in which the leading edge and boom are formed by a complex tubular structure supporting a canopy. The leading edge is curved in a plan view. The boom is supported by a plurality of struts at the leading edge. These struts are designed in such a way that, viewed from the front—i.e., viewed in the direction of flow toward the wing rig—they impart a concave structure to the leading edge, according to which the end sections (tips) of the wing rig are flared upward from a central apex of the leading edge.

[0006] A disadvantage of this solution is that the complex structure of the boom and leading edge results in a very high overall weight of the wing rig, making its use in water sports only possible with appropriate buoyancy aids. Another disadvantage is that setting up and dismantling the wing rig is time-consuming due to the complex tubular structure. This hard tubular structure of the leading edge and boom also poses a significant risk of injury to the user in the event of a catastrophic fall.

[0007] A similar rigid wing rig, which is held and guided by the athlete's hands while practicing the sport, is shown in WO 95 / 05 973 A1 and DE 694 14 856 T2, which has the same content. In this solution, too, the leading edge and the boom are formed by a complex tubular structure. The design exhibits the same disadvantages as the wing rig according to US Pat. No. 4,563,969 A discussed above.

[0008] Document US 5 448 961 A describes a flat wing rig with a closed frame structure - such a solution is also unsuitable for water sports due to its high weight, time-consuming assembly / disassembly and the risk of injury.

[0009] Also known from DE 31 40 685 A1 is a freely portable hand sail which consists of two profiled wing surfaces inclined at an angle of 120° to each other, with the leading edges of the hand sail also enclosing an angle of 120°.

[0010] From DE 20 2007 018 167 U1 and DE 10 2015 117 708 A1, surf or sailing rigs are known which basically consist of a mast and a sail, with a profile body attached in the transition area from the mast to the sail, which is designed to be inflatable.

[0011] In contrast, the invention is based on the object of creating a hand-supported wing rig that allows for simple construction and maintains an aerodynamically optimized profile even at high speeds.

[0012] This object is achieved by a hand-supported wing rig having the features of patent claim 1.

[0013] Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0014] The hand-supported wing rig according to the invention is suitable for wind-powered sports, for example, foil surfing and the associated high speeds. The wing rig has a leading edge, preferably inflatable, from which a boom extends, with the leading edge and boom supporting a sailcloth. The leading edge is curved from a boom connection toward the leech of the sailcloth. Furthermore, when viewed in the frontal direction of the sail, when not exposed to airflow or under load, the leading edge is approximately V- or U-shaped, with this profile converging toward the boom. In other words, the V- or U-profile opens upwards, away from the rider, during use.Surprisingly, it was found that such a pronounced V- or U-profiling creates an aerodynamically optimized profile even at high wind and speed conditions. This profile opens automatically in gusts, thus reducing the resulting pressure required by the user, and also generates low aerodynamic drag even at high speeds. By adjusting the wing rig accordingly, depending on the wind direction, a maximum travel speed or maximum lift for jumps or similar activities can be generated. According to the invention, the boom is designed as a rigid, non-inflatable component.

[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the approximately V- or U-shaped profile extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the sailcloth. This means that the entire wing rig profile is profiled so that it opens upwards when viewed from the front (in the direction of airflow).

[0016] The efficiency of the wing rig is further improved when the V- or U-angle is maximum in the boom connection area and decreases towards the ends. It is preferred if the inclination to the horizontal (parallel to the connecting line through the ends) in the apex area is between 10° and 30°, preferably more than 15°, and particularly preferably approximately 20°. The "inclination" refers to the angle that the respective area of ​​the leading edge assumes to the horizontal (inclination = 0°) when the wing rig is positioned parallel to the water surface / usable surface.

[0017] The aerodynamics are further improved if the inclination in the final region is between 0° and 20°, preferably more than 1°, preferably about 5°.

[0018] In a variant of the invention, the wing rig is designed so that the average inclination, ie the inclination from the apex of the leading edge to the respective end, is 5° to 20°, preferably about 10°.

[0019] To accommodate multiple wing rig sizes, the boom can be made telescopic.

[0020] The technical effort required is particularly minimal if the boom is attached to the leading edge and the sailcloth using a removable bracket. This allows a single boom to be used for multiple wing rigs.

[0021] To minimize weight, it is advantageous to make the tree tubular.

[0022] The flight stability of the wing rig is further improved if the boom mount is designed in such a way that it prevents rotation of the leading edge.

[0023] It is particularly preferred if the holder encompasses the front edge in sections and thus prevents rotation.

[0024] An alternative solution is to have the bracket extend through the front edge. In this case, appropriate receptacles for the bracket or boom must be provided on the front edge. Furthermore, a channel should be provided into which the bracket or boom can be inserted.

[0025] In a particularly preferred variant of the wing rig, the boom is unbraced. This solution is both weight-optimized and allows the user to adjust the boom and thus the wing rig to their desired height depending on the maneuver and the environmental conditions.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the wing rig, the center of gravity (center of canopy) is at least 30 percent, preferably more than 40 percent of the distance between the apex of the leading edge and the trailing edge (leech) from the leading edge.

[0027] To further optimize the flow profile, the leading edge and / or the sailcloth can be stiffened using stiffening elements, such as sail battens.

[0028] These sail battens can in turn be curved and / or tapered to profile the wing profile.

[0029] To simplify handling, a handle can be provided in the connection area of ​​the tree.

[0030] To prevent separation from the user in the event of a fall, the wing rig is equipped with a safety line.

[0031] The bracket for connecting the boom to the front edge can, for example, be formed by a profile piece that encompasses the front edge in sections and is attached to the front edge using suitable fasteners. The boom is then inserted into the profile piece or connected to it in some other way.

[0032] An alternative solution involves a boom support at the front edge using profiled parts or canvas. These profiled parts, in turn, enclose the front edge in sections, preventing rotation of the front edge during use.

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a wing rig used to drive a foil board; Fig. 2 a plan view of a wing rig according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a side view of the wing rig according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a front view of a wing rig according to the Fig. 1 to 3; Fig. 5 a side view of another embodiment of a wing rig; Fig. 6 a detailed view of the wing rig according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 a partial view of a third embodiment of a wing rig and Fig. 8 a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a wing rig according to the invention.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the use of a wing rig 1 according to the invention for propelling a foil board 2. A surfer 4 holds the wing rig 1 only with his hands and adjusts it with respect to the wind depending on the desired direction of travel (upwind, beam reach, downwind) or the desired lift, for example, when jumping or adjusting the ride height.

[0035] The wing rig 1 has an inflatable leading edge 6, which is approximately arched in plan view and extends with its ends 8, 10 to a trailing edge 12 of a sailcloth 14 of the wing rig 1. As explained below, this sailcloth 14 is supported on the one hand by the leading edge 6 and on the other hand by a boom 16, which will be explained in more detail below (see Fig. 3). The surfer 4 holds the wing rig 1 only by the boom 16, which is pointing downwards (view from Fig. 1). As explained below, the front edge 6 is projecting both in plan view ( Fig. 2) as well as in a front view - seen in the direction of flow - (see Fig. 4) V- or U-shaped, with the V / U extending upwards in the front view, ie, away from the Surfer 4. How Fig. 1, the rear edge 12 and thus the entire sailcloth surface 14 is V-shaped in the front view.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the wing rig 1 according to Fig. 1. This illustration shows the approximately arched or delta-shaped leading edge 6, which extends to the trailing edge 12 of the sailcloth 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the leading edge 6 is formed in the manner of a kite by a front tube in which a bladder is accommodated, which is inflated via a valve. The pressure is selected such that the structure of the wing rig 1 is maintained even at high wind speeds and at high wind speeds.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the leading edge 6 is formed by a plurality of tube segments 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e (for the sake of simplicity, only one half of the trailing edge 12 is provided with reference numerals), the sweep α in Fig. 2, ie, for example, increases towards a connecting line between the two ends 8, 10 from a vertex 20 to the ends 8, 10. This apex α is shown as an example for the tube segment 18a. The center of canopy is identified by reference number 22. This center of canopy 22 is offset from the vertex 20 by at least 40 percent of the distance between the vertex 20 and the corresponding vertex 24 of the trailing edge 12. The distance between the vertices 20, 24 is in Fig. 2 is designated by the reference symbol a. Accordingly, the distance b between the vertex 20 and the centroid 22 is at least 40 percent of the distance a.

[0038] This center of gravity 22 is selected so that the surfer 4 can optimally grasp the boom 16, which will be explained in more detail below, and thus support the acting wind forces in order to, for example, sail an optimal upwind course.

[0039] In the side view according to Fig. 3 you can see the front edge 6 with the Fig. 2 left end 10 and the boom 16 engaging in the area of ​​the apex 20 at the leading edge 6. As explained, the tube forming the leading edge 6, together with the boom 16, stretches the sailcloth 14, with the boom 16 engaging the apex 24 of the trailing edge 12 of the sailcloth 14. As further Fig. 3, the front edge 6 is also perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 2. Specifically, the front edge 6 is V-shaped from the apex 20 to the ends 8, 10, with the V - as in Fig. 1 - upwards, ie, away from the boom 16. This V-profile is also formed accordingly in the area of ​​the sailcloth 14. This is achieved, among other things, by the boom 16 opening the apex 24 in the illustration according to Fig. 3 downwards, ie, away from the ends 8, 10 and thus forms the V-shape.

[0040] The V-shape is particularly evident in the front view according to Fig. 4. In this illustration, the front edge 6 formed by the tube is positioned facing the viewer. The sailcloth 14 is accordingly V-shaped. As in Fig. 4, the inclination β of the leading edge 6 is maximum in the region of the apex 20. In the illustrated embodiment, this inclination β, i.e. the angle between the horizontal (parallel to the connecting line of the ends 8, 10) and the tube segment 18a, is, for example, approximately 20°. The next tube segment 18b is then somewhat flatter, so that the inclination β is, for example, 15°. The inclination β of the following segments 18c, 18d, 18e is then again flatter, whereby the inclination β in the region of segment 18c can be, for example, 5°. The average inclination γ seen over the entire wing rig 1 is, for example, 10°.

[0041] In all described embodiments, the boom 16 is designed without braces—this is a significant difference from the complex constructions described above, in which the boom is designed with a multitude of transverse and diagonal braces. In the solution according to the invention, the boom 16 can be releasably attached to the apex 20 of the leading edge 6 via a bracket 25.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 25 has a support bracket 26, which is shaped to correspond to the outer contour of the apex 20 and encompasses it in sections. This encompassing action occurs in such a way that, at comparatively high wind pressure, rotation of the tube, i.e., the tube segments 18a forming the apex 20, in the direction of the arrow, and thus twisting of the profile, is reliably prevented.

[0043] Adjacent to the support bracket 26 in the direction of the boom 16 is a receptacle 28 into which the boom 16 is inserted. The end sections of the support bracket 26 and the receptacle 28 are connected via an arcuate handle 30, which makes it easier for the surfer 4 to handle the wing rig 1 before and after use. For example, when not in use, the wing rig 1 can be held by the handle 30 to allow it to blow away in the wind. The bracket 25 and the boom 16 are preferably made of a lightweight material, for example aluminum, fiber-reinforced plastic, carbon fiber materials, or other high-strength lightweight materials. Due to the simple structure of the boom 16, it has a negligible impact on the overall weight of the wing rig 1.

[0044] Fig. 5 shows a side view of a variant of the previously described embodiment of a wing rig 1. The view corresponds approximately to that of Fig. 3. This means that in this view the end 10 is visible with the V-shaped front edge 6, which has its lowest point in the area of ​​the apex 20. The apex 24 of the rear edge 12 is guided downwards by the tree 16 (view from Fig. 5). The holder 25 of the tree 16 has a receptacle 28 into which the tree 16 is inserted or which is connected to the tree 16 in some other way. The apex 20 is supported according to Fig. 6 at the top of the receptacle 28. Extending away from the receptacle 28 is a lightweight, approximately U-shaped handle 32, the end portion 34 of which engages the apex 20 formed by the tube segments 18a at a distance from the support of the apex 20 on the receptacle 28, i.e., offset toward the sailcloth 14. By spacing the support of the apex 20 on the receptacle 28 on the one hand and the end portion 34 of the handle 32 on the other hand, the above-described rotation of the front edge 6 (front tube) is also prevented.

[0045] Due to the U-structure of the handle 32, the wing rig 1 can be easily held for blowing out. As shown in particular in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the handle 32 is designed as a lattice structure. The connection of the receptacle 28 and the end section 34 to the apex 20 can be achieved via suitable fixing elements on the tube segments 18a. These fixing elements are preferably designed such that the handle 30 is detachably connected to the front edge 6 (front tube).

[0046] Fig. 7 shows an embodiment in which the holder 25 is designed as a flat body which is designed to encompass the front edge 6 or the tube segments 18a in sections.

[0047] This flat holder 25 can, for example, be designed as a molded body. In a particularly simple embodiment, the holder 25 is made of canvas that is connected to the apex 20 of the leading edge 6 and, if necessary, stabilized by suitable stiffening elements. The boom 16 can then be inserted into this holder 25. In this embodiment, the holder 25 is also designed such that rotation of the tube (leading edge 6) in the direction of the arrow is prevented by the support provided by the boom 16.

[0048] In the previously described embodiments, the front tube is designed with a continuous bladder, as explained. In the embodiment according to Fig. 8, a separate bladder is preferably used for each wing rig half, with a gap between these two bladders as shown in Fig. 8, a support channel 36 remains, into which the boom 16 is inserted. This support channel 36 can, for example, be formed by a piece of pipe that passes diametrically through the front tube. This support channel 36 is formed between the two bladders of the two wing rig halves (left, right). For further stabilization, a bearing ring 40 is formed on an outer shell 38 of the front tube (leading edge 6), which runs as an extension of the support channel 36 and through which the boom 16 passes. This bearing ring 40 absorbs the compression forces and is designed similarly to the support rings of commonly used kite valves.

[0049] A similar support ring 42 is provided opposite the bearing ring 40 on the inside of the outer shell 38, on which the Fig.8 left end section of the boom 16 is supported. This means that the boom 16 is connected to the outer shell 38 in a force-locking and form-locking manner, so that the apex 20 and thus the front tube are prevented from twisting in the direction of the arrow. As explained, the tubular support channel 36 is connected to the bearing ring 40 on the one hand and the support ring 42 on the other, so that the boom 16 is reliably fixed in position.

[0050] Such a solution has the advantage that the bearing rings 40 and the support rings 42 can be used for virtually any front tube diameter—only the length of the support channel 36 needs to be adjusted. With such a solution, the boom 16 is very stably supported, so that the holding forces introduced by the surfer 4 and the compression forces transmitted by the front tube are reliably absorbed without excessively deforming the boom 16. The support channel 36 and the rings 40, 42 are preferably designed as plastic injection-molded parts.

[0051] In all of the above-described embodiments, the sailcloth 14 can be stabilized using sail battens or the like. These sail battens can be conical or profiled to optimize the airflow profile of the sailcloth 14. Similarly, the leading edge 6 can also be stiffened using suitable stiffening elements, so that the wing rig 1 maintains the aerodynamically optimized shape shown even under high loads.

[0052] These sail battens or stiffening elements can also be designed as carbon fiber tubes or the like.

[0053] In one embodiment, the sail battens are profiled such that they are initially adapted to the diameter of the leading edge 6 (front tube) and then support the sailcloth 14. Of course, additional or alternative sail battens can be inserted into the sailcloth 14 from the trailing edge 12.

[0054] In order to prevent the wing rig 1 from drifting away in the event of a fall, it is connected to the surfer 4, in particular to his arm, via a safety line 44.

[0055] Disclosed is a hand-supported wing rig, which is preferably designed with an inflatable leading edge, which is V-shaped in the direction of flow and widens upwards (away from the surfer). List of reference symbols: 1 wing rig 2 foil boards 4 surfers 6 Leading edge / front tube 8 End 10 End 12 trailing edge 14 Canvas 16 tree 18 tube segments 20 apex of the leading edge 22 Center of gravity 24 apex of the trailing edge 25 bracket 26 Support bracket 28 recording 30 handle 32 Grab handle 34 final section 36 support channel 38 Outer shell 40 bearing ring 42 support ring 44 Safety line α arrowhead β slope γ mean slope

Claims

[1] Hand-supported wing rig (1) for wing foiling, which is designed to be held by a surfer (4) standing on a foil board only with the hands while practicing the sport and to be adjusted with respect to the wind depending on the desired direction of travel of the foil board, with an inflatable front edge (6), along which a sailcloth (14) extends up to a rear edge (12), wherein the front edge (6) is curved on both sides from a crown area (20) away to a rear edge (12) of the sailcloth (14), characterized by , that - at least the leading edge (6) in the non-flow / loaded state has a V or U position viewed in the direction of flow, which opens upwards away from the surfer (4), wherein an angle of inclination (β) is maximum in the apex region (20) of the leading edge (6) and decreases towards both ends (8, 10) of the leading edge (6). [2] Wing rig (1) according to claim 1, wherein the approximately V- or U-shaped position extends to the trailing edge (12) of the sailcloth (14). [3] Wing rig (1) according to claim 1, wherein the angle of inclination (β) to the horizontal in the apex region (20) is between 10° and 30°, preferably more than 15°, particularly preferably about 20°. [4] Wing rig (1) according to claim 3, wherein the angle of inclination (β) in the region of the two ends (8, 10) of the leading edge (6) is between 0° and 20°, preferably more than 1°, preferably about 5°. [5] Wing rig (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a mean angle of inclination (γ) from the apex region (20) to the two ends (8, 10) of the leading edge (6) is approximately 5° to 20°, preferably approximately 10°. [6] Wing rig (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a center of gravity (22) of the sailcloth (14) is located at least 30% of the distance (a) between the apex region (20) of the leading edge (6) and a apex (24) of the trailing edge (12). [7] Wing rig (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the leading edge (6) and / or the sailcloth (14) are stiffened by means of stiffening elements. [8] Wing rig (1) according to claim 7, wherein the stiffening elements are sail battens which in turn are curved and / or tapered to profile the sail profile. [9] Wing rig (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with a safety line (44) for securing.

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