WING

Abstract

A wing is disclosed with a front tube 1 and at least two spaced-apart struts 2 and a sail 5, which is connected to and stretched by the front tube 1 and the struts 2, wherein the struts 2 are connected by at least one connecting element 3 to which the handle 4 is also connected.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wing, such as those used for surfing. This is essentially a sail stretched by reinforcing elements, which is held by the user using a handle and thus provides propulsion when the wind is blowing. Such a wing can also be used in combination with a skateboard or other devices and has enjoyed increasing popularity for years.

[0002] The wings known from the prior art typically have a curved leading edge, similar to a kite, forming the wing's leading edge. To inflate the sail, i.e., the covering, a strut extending rearward (towards the leech) is usually provided in the center of the leading edge. This strut, like the leading edge, is inflatable. A handle is typically attached to this strut, allowing the user to hold the wing and adjust it to the wind. A harness can also be attached to this handle. The wing is relatively easy and quick to set up by inflating the leading edge and the strut, and can be deflated just as easily. With the increasing popularity of wingsurfing in particular, efforts are being made to improve the wing's performance, i.e., its aerodynamic quality. This is also the aim of the invention.

[0003] The object of the invention is to create a wing that, compared to known designs, can generate significantly more thrust through improved aerodynamics. This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0004] According to the invention, the wing has a leading edge tube and at least two spaced-apart struts connected by at least one fixed connecting element, with a handle provided on one of these elements. The sail is connected to the leading edge tube and the struts in a manner known per se and is tensioned by them. The provision of at least two spaced-apart struts, stably connected by a connecting element, creates a significantly more stable structure. Such a structure does not deform as easily under the acting wind forces and maintains the desired aerodynamic shape much better than conventional designs.

[0005] The handle can be attached to any of the aforementioned elements, and attachment to multiple elements is also possible. In a design with two spaced-apart struts, these are advantageously positioned at equal distances from the wing's centerline. The handle, which should ideally be located on the centerline, can be connected to the aforementioned connecting element, and furthermore to a second connecting element or the leading edge. To allow for various handle positions and optimal wing angle to the wind, the handle should be of a certain length. It can therefore extend from the leading edge towards the trailing edge and be connected there to a connecting element that joins the two struts. Alternatively, a second connecting element can be provided in the forward section, i.e., near the leading edge, and the handle can be connected to both of these connecting elements.

[0006] In a design with an odd number of struts, a strut is preferably positioned in the center of the wing in the conventional manner. If, for example, three struts are used, one is located on the center line, and the other two are positioned at a certain distance from the central strut. The struts are connected by connecting elements, creating a rigid, torsion-resistant structure. The handle can then simply be attached to the central strut in the conventional way.

[0007] The struts can run parallel to each other, but an arrangement at a specific angle can also be advantageous, so that, for example, the distance between the struts is smaller in the leading edge area than in the trailing edge area. Ideally, the struts, like the leading edge, are made of inflatable material and are tubular in shape. The cross-section of the struts can be uniform or vary. The larger the cross-section, the more stable the strut. The cross-section can therefore be varied to achieve high strength in areas subjected to high stress, while, for example, the cross-section is reduced towards the trailing edge to improve aerodynamics.

[0008] In stronger winds, undesirable deformations occur, particularly at the outer edges of the wing, i.e., at the wingtips. Typically, for aerodynamic reasons, the leading edge in this area has a reduced or decreasing cross-section, which reduces its strength and allows wind forces to deform the wing undesirably. To prevent this, reinforcing elements can be incorporated between the leading edge and the struts. Especially in the trailing area, towards the leech, or directly at the leech—that is, at the ends of the leading edge and the struts—such reinforcing elements can at least mitigate the undesirable deformation of the wingtips. It is advantageous for such reinforcing elements to be made of a rigid material and firmly attached to the leading edge and struts. However, such reinforcing elements can negatively impact drag and aerodynamics.The reinforcement elements can therefore also be made of a flexible but non-stretchable material, such as webbing or similar materials. These reinforcement elements can be integrated into the sail and thus have no negative impact on aerodynamics. Reinforcement elements made of flexible but non-stretchable material can effectively prevent deformation of the wing in such a way that the wind forces attempt to increase the distance between the struts and the leading edge in the leech area, i.e., to push the leading edge outwards.

[0009] The wing is equipped with at least one upper sail that runs from the leading edge, over the struts, to the trailing edge of the wing. This upper sail is connected to the leading edge and the struts and is tensioned by them in the conventional manner. The upper sail can also partially or completely cover the leading edge. To further improve aerodynamics, a lower sail can also be provided, which runs similarly along the underside of the wing, where the handle for holding the wing is also located. This lower sail can extend completely to the trailing edge of the upper sail, so that the underside is 100% covered. This effectively conceals the struts, connecting elements, and reinforcements, thus improving aerodynamics. All variations between these two options—the version with only an upper sail and the version with the underside completely covered by a lower sail—are conceivable.This means a complete upper sail and a lower sail that, for example, only extends to half the wing's depth, thus covering only the front half of the wing's underside. If the lower sail is located in the area where the handle is positioned, or at least partially located, the handle is guided outwards through an opening in the lower sail, allowing the user to grasp it without difficulty.

[0010] To generate the necessary stability, the leading edge tube must have a certain diameter. Since this inflatable element is usually circular in cross-section, the diameter of the leading edge tube also determines the curvature of the wing's leading edge. This curvature is often considered less than optimal from an aerodynamic point of view. The aerodynamics of the leading edge can therefore be improved by an elongated shaped element positioned in front of the leading edge tube, preferably covered by the sail, thus ensuring the desired aerodynamic curvature of the wing's leading edge. This shaped element can extend over the entire leading edge tube or only a portion of it, particularly the section with a high cross-section. Such a shaped element is unnecessary at the angled ends of the leading edge tube.The molded body is suitably made of an inflatable material, or of a flexible but sufficiently dimensionally stable material in the cross-section in the area of ​​the wing, for example foam.

[0011] Alternatively, the front tube can be designed with a desired cross-section that deviates from a circular cross-section, but this is extremely complex for inflatable elements.

[0012] The invention is described in more detail using specific exemplary embodiments. Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment with two struts connected by means of two connecting elements. Fig. Figure 2 shows a further developed embodiment in which the two struts are additionally connected to the outer area of ​​the front tube by means of reinforcing elements. Fig. Figure 3 shows a modification of the embodiment according to Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 4 shows another variant. Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows in cross-section the front tube with a shaped body arranged in front of it in a variant with only one upper sail. Fig. Figure 6 shows a further development with a lower sail that spans the larger part of the underside of the wing. Fig. Figure 7 shows a variant with a lower sail extending to the leech.

[0013] Fig. Figure 1 shows a wing with a conventional leading edge 1, bent backwards at the end, which is connected to two spaced-apart struts 2. As can be clearly seen in the drawing, the struts 2 have a varying cross-section adapted to the loads that occur. The two struts are connected by connecting elements 3, which are arranged approximately at right angles to the struts 2. The handle 4 is attached centrally to these connecting elements, which are made of rigid material and are rod-like.

[0014] In a variation not shown, the front connecting element 3 is omitted and instead the handle 4 is connected to the front tube 1.

[0015] The depicted wing has only an upper sail 5, which is stretched by and connected to the leading edge 1 and the struts 2. Bands 6 are incorporated into the upper sail 5 approximately at the midpoint of its profile depth. These bands connect the end section 11 of the leading edge 1 to the middle section of the struts 2 and also connect the two struts 2 to each other. These bands 6 further stabilize the wing and prevent the leading edge 1 from being pushed outwards by the wind forces, which would undesirably tighten the upper sail 5 and cause it to lose its aerodynamically necessary camber.

[0016] The further Fig. Figures 2 to 4 show variants in which additional reinforcing elements 7 are provided between the struts 2 and the leading edge. These reinforcing elements are made of a rigid material and are connected to the leading edge 1 and the struts 2 in such a way as to prevent inward deformation of the end sections 11 of the leading edge 1 and the resulting undesirable deformation of the sail 5. In the area of ​​the struts 2, these reinforcing elements 7 can be arranged in a central area, in the aft area, or even at the very end in the area of ​​the leech 8. Fig. Figure 4 shows a variant in which the rear ends of the struts 2 are actually connected to the rear ends of the front tube 1.

[0017] Of course, the variants can also be adjusted according to Fig. 2 to 4 the front connecting element 3a is omitted and the front end of the handle 4 is attached directly to the front tube 1.

[0018] Fig. Figures 5 to 7 schematically show the arrangement of a shaped element in front of the leading edge 1 to improve aerodynamics, with various sail configurations. The other elements of the wing are not shown in these figures. Since the leading edge 1, particularly in the central area of ​​the wing, must have a certain cross-section to ensure sufficient stability, a radius of curvature is created that is not considered aerodynamically optimal. To improve the aerodynamics of the leading edge defined by the leading edge 1, a shaped element 8 is therefore placed in front of the leading edge 1. This element is enveloped by the upper sail 5, which extends from the underside of the leading edge 1, over the shaped element 8, to the trailing edge of the wing. This significantly improves the aerodynamics of the leading edge and increases the performance of the wing.The molded body 8 can be permanently attached to the front tube 1, but can also be designed to be removable, for example by attaching it to the front tube 1 using Velcro.

[0019] The Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows variants in which an additional lower sail 9 is used, which can cover part of the underside of the wing (see Fig. 6) or the entire underside of the wing and extends to the leech 8 (see Fig. 7) In a design according to Fig. 6 or Fig.7. Parts of the wing's structure, such as the struts 2, connecting elements 3, or reinforcing elements 7, are partially or even completely concealed by the lower sail 9, meaning they are located, so to speak, inside the wing. This significantly improves aerodynamics by preventing or at least suppressing turbulence on the underside of the wing. To allow the wing to be held, the handle 4 is passed through an opening in the lower sail 9.

Claims

[1] Wing comprising a front tube (1), a strut (2) and a sail (5) which is connected to and stretched by the front tube (1) and the strut (2), wherein a handle (4) is provided which is connected to one of these elements, characterized by , that at least two spaced struts (2) are provided which are connected by means of at least one fixed connecting element (3). [2] Wing according to claim 1, characterized by that two spaced-apart connecting elements (3) are provided. [3] Wing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle (4) is connected to one or two connecting elements (3). [4] Wing according to claim 3, characterized by , that the handle (4) is connected to a connecting element (3) and the front tube (1). [5] Wing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that two struts (2) are provided, each at the same distance from the center of the wing. [6] Wing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that three struts (2) are provided, one strut (2) being arranged in the middle of the wing and the others at the same distance from this middle strut (2). [7] Wing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the front tube (1) is curved and the end regions (11) of the front tube (1) are connected to a strut (2) by means of reinforcing elements (7). [8] Wing according to claim 7, characterized by , that the reinforcing elements (7) attack the end of the front tube (1) and are connected to an end area of ​​the struts (2). [9] Wing according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by , that the reinforcing elements (7) are made of solid material or of a flexible but non-stretchable material. [10] Wing according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the struts (2) are connected to the front tube (1). [11] Wing according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that the handle (4) is provided on the underside of the wing and the sail (5) is provided on the top side of the wing, the sail (5) covering the leading edge (1) and the struts (2) on the top side. [12] Wing according to claim 11, characterized by , that an additional lower sail (9) is provided which completely covers the lower part of the front tube (1) and at least partially covers the struts (2). [13] Wing according to claim 12, characterized by , that the lower sail (9) only covers the struts (2) in the front area, so that the rear area of ​​the wing towards the leech (8) is only covered by the upper sail (5). [14] Wing according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by , that the handle (4) protrudes through the lower sail (9) to the underside. [15] Wing according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by, that an elongated shaped body (8) is arranged in front of the front tube (1), which improves the aerodynamics of the front tube (1) and is preferably covered by the sail (5). [16] Wing according to claim 15, characterized by , that the shaped body (8) extends over at least 50% of the front tube (1), preferably over the entire front tube (1). [17] Wing according to claim 15 or 16, characterized by that the shaped body (8) is inflatable or consists of a flexible but dimensionally stable material in cross-section during operation.

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