Ergonomically shaped handlebar on a wing rig

Abstract

Hand-supported wing rig / wing (2) for wind-powered sports for use in foil surfing and / or skating, comprising a front tube (2.1) and a continuous support rod (2.3) arranged on a central strut (2.2), characterized in that the support rod has at least two segments (3.1, 3.2) facing each other at an angle (α)

Description

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

[0002] Wing rigs, also called wings, are fabric wings with a leading edge and a center strut running transversely to the leading edge of the wing. The leading edge and cross strut are preferably inflatable.

[0003] The wing generates lift forces through wind flow based on the hydrofoil principle, which can be used as traction by the user. Such wing rigs are used, for example, as wind power propulsion in foil surfing or skateboarding on land and / or water. They are held with the hands and steered in the wind flow depending on the hand position.

[0004] The front tube and the center strut each feature holding devices that allow the user to hold the wing rig while carrying it and during operation. The devices attached to the center strut primarily serve to hold, guide, and control the wing rig during operation. State of the art

[0005] There are various designs available for connecting the wing’s safety line to the user: In common designs, the safety leash is connected to the user's wrist with a loop that can be adjusted, for example, with a Velcro fastener.

[0006] In other common designs, the safety line is connected to a belt or leash that is closed and adjustable around the body, preferably around the waist of the user.

[0007] If the user unintentionally releases the handle of the wing, the wing will fall down under its own weight without any traction, while the connection to the user is maintained, or will float in the wind current with almost no traction.

[0008] On the center strut of common wing rigs, several attachment points are arranged at varying intervals for attaching a trapeze line. Users can attach an additional line to these attachment points, which are designed as buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, or simple knotted thickeners. Disadvantages of existing systems:

[0009] There are various designs of holding devices on the center strut of a wing: - several separately mounted flexible or rigid handles - a continuous straight support rod (boom) attached to at least 2 mounts on the center strut 1. When using flexible handles, the control and guidance of the wing in the wind flow is indirect. Transmitted control forces initially lead to a deformation of the handles themselves before the initiated control impulse is transmitted. Furthermore, due to the deformability of the handles, a defined ergonomic hand position in relation to the effective line of the holding forces is not possible. 2. When using rigid handles, the initiated control impulse can be transmitted directly, but the handle position along the central strut is limited to the specified position of the attachment. 3. Continuous support rods (booms) allow a flexible position of the handle along the central strut, but an ergonomic hand position directed in the actual line of action of the generated holding forces cannot be achieved. Object of the invention

[0010] The object of the invention is therefore to further develop the holding devices of a wing in such a way that a free selection of the handle position along a predetermined grip area of ​​the central strut is possible in a hand position that is ergonomic to the line of action of the generated holding forces. Disclosure of the invention

[0011] The object of the invention is achieved in that a continuous support rod is arranged on the central strut of the wing, which has at least two segments facing each other at an angle (α) and is curved in preferred embodiments. In preferred embodiments, the curvature has different radii. This enables the user to adopt an ergonomic hand position relative to the line of action of the lift force generated by the wing. With the curvature in different radii, a change in hand position can be achieved by moving the handle along the support rod, and the angle of the wrist can thus be ergonomically adjusted to the lift forces generated for the user by the wing as holding forces. This enables energy-saving operation and, at the same time, more direct, targeted control of the wing.

[0012] Embodiments for the application of the invention and the prior art are explained below with reference to the attached drawings: Fig. Figure 1 shows the current state of the art in the application of a hand-supported wing rig in a partially sectioned side view, with: - a wing rig (2), with a front tube (2.1), a central strut (2.2) and handles (2.4) arranged thereon, which are angled towards each other.

[0013] When using the known rigid handles shown here, the initiated control impulse is directly transmittable, but the handle position along the central strut is limited to the specified position of the attachment. The hand position is ergonomically limited to a fixed angle. A change requires the unergonomic variation of the wrist angle. Fig. Figure 2 shows the current state of the art in the application of a hand-supported wing rig in a side partial section view, with: - a wing rig (2), with a front tube (2.1), a center strut (2.2) and a “straight” support rod (2.3) attached to it.

[0014] When using the familiar "straight" handlebar shown here, the applied control impulses are directly transmitted, and the handle position along the center strut can be adjusted. A hand position adapted to the actual line of action of the force transmitted by the wing during operation, which depends on the lift force and steering, generally requires a position with non-ergonomic wrist angles.

[0015] Fig. Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the application of a hand-supported wing rig in a side partially sectioned view, with: - a wing rig (2) with a front tube (2.1), a central strut (2.2) and a support rod (3) bent according to the invention arranged thereon with two segments (3.1, 3.2) facing each other at an angle (¢).

[0016] When using the support rod shown in this preferred embodiment, initiated control impulses are directly transmitted, and the handle position can be adjusted along the center strut. Intuitive movement of the handles relative to each other and along the support rod enables ergonomic adjustment of the hand position to the line of action of the force transmitted by the wing during operation, which depends on the lift force and control. In another preferred embodiment, the angle (¢) is adjustable. The angle can be adjusted using rotatably mounted, fixable connecting pieces known in the art.

[0017] Fig.Figure 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the application of a hand-supported wing rig in a perspective view, with: - a wing rig (2), with a front tube (2.1), a central strut (2.2) and a support rod (3) arranged thereon, bent at different radii (R1, R2, R3) with 2 segments (3.1, 3.2) facing each other.

[0018] When using the support rod shown in this particularly preferred embodiment, initiated control impulses are directly transmitted, and the handle position along the center strut is adjustable. Intuitive movement of the handles relative to one another and along the support rod enables ergonomic adjustment of the hand position to the line of action of the force transmitted by the wing during operation, which is dependent on the lift force and control. Furthermore, any design in which the various radii of the curvature of the support rod (3) according to the invention are adjustable is intended to be protected. The variation of the curvature radii can be achieved, for example, using rotatably mounted, fixable connecting pieces.

Claims

[1] Hand-supported wing rig / wing (2) for wind-powered sports for use in foil surfing and / or skating with a front tube (2.1) and a continuous support bar (2.3) arranged on a central strut (2.2) characterized by that the support rod has at least 2 segments (3.1, 3.2) facing each other at an angle (α) [2] Wing rig according to claim 1, characterized by that the angle (α) is adjustable. [3] Wing rig according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the support rod has at least one curvature in a radius (R) in its longitudinal axis [4] Wing rig according to claim 3, characterized by that the curvature has different radii (R) in some sections. [5] Wing rig according to claim 4, characterized by that the curvature in the individual sections is adjustable.

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