Device for adjusting the length of the lines on a large wind vane

Abstract

Lines (1) on a large wind blade (5) which, when in operation with control lines (1.1) and flying lines (1.2), transmits tensile forces to a user and a bar (3), the line lengths being adjustable, characterized in that an adjusting device (6) with a longitudinal support (6.1) aligned in the direction of pull of the lines, around which the lines can be wound, is arranged on the lines (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the length adjustment of the lines of a large wind vane which, as a component of a sports device, transmits a pulling force to a connected user during operation according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such wind wings are used, for example, as large stunt kites, wings, or other towing devices for propelling kite (surf)boards, snowboards, skis, buggies, and other vehicles for sporting purposes. The wind wings are equipped with several lines that serve to control the direction and speed of flight, as well as to regulate the angle of attack (airflow angle).

[0003] The stunt kite generates lift forces through wind flow based on the hydrofoil principle, which are transferred as pulling forces via the lines to the bar and the user. The control lines are connected directly to the ends of the handlebar "bar". The flying lines are combined above the bar to form a tow line, which is led via deflections to the trapeze loop, which allows the connection to the user's harness. The lift-dependent pulling forces can be regulated by relative changes in the length of the flying and control lines. If the user pushes the bar "away from the body" via the tow line connected to the trapeze strap, the load is relieved on the control lines attached to the bar ends. The resulting tilting of the stunt kite in the lift-generating wind flow reduces the lift and the pulling forces.To pull the bar in order to increase the lift forces, as well as to control the direction and speed of the kite, the user must apply holding and steering forces by pulling on the bar accordingly.

[0004] Adjustment devices are attached to the line ends, which in the area of ​​the towing line are designed as rope clamps or a redirected webbing system with a webbing clamp. To adjust the length of the control lines and flying lines, knotted ladders are commonly used on the connecting lines of the kite and the bar. Less common length adjustments using rope clamps are also known. The length adjustment of the control lines on the bar is usually achieved with a float element that is pushed over the connecting lines of the bar, which are equipped with knotted or looped ladders. The float element serves to protect the user from unwanted line contact and to generate buoyancy, which allows the bar to float in water.The adjustment element of the tow line allows the relative line lengths to be adjusted depending on the desired area of ​​use and / or wind force during operation of the sports equipment. The other devices, on the other hand, are suitable for compensating for the progressively changing line lengths due to load during off-peak operation. State of the art

[0005] In common designs of the described sports equipment, devices for adjusting the lines are known in the following designs: 1) Designs in which the connecting lines of the kite and the bar include knotted or looped ladders. The flying and control lines end in opposing knotted / looped designs, which result in a change in the length of the lines depending on the position on the "ladder." The length change occurs gradually with the selection of knots / loops. On the bar side, the pre-adjusted line connections are typically covered by the float elements located there. 2) Furthermore, to a lesser extent, designs are known that utilize common and generally known rope clamps for adjusting the lengths. Such systems are preferably used at the bar-side ends of the control lines and are covered with the float elements typically located there. Disadvantages of existing systems: 1. With the system described under 1), the loop-knot connection must be loosened to allow adjustment. Experience has shown that, depending on the duration and load of use, loosening and fastening the connection leads to increased effort, particularly when opening the loops. The adjustment of the loop-knot ladder, particularly on the control lines, with exactly the same distances on both sides (left / right) of the user's bar handles, requires increasing effort with increasing use. Depending on the operational duration and intensity of use, experience has shown that the load on the individual knots / loops of the "ladder" leads to changes in length, which makes precise adjustment considerably more difficult for the user. 2. The designs described under 2) require precise, step-by-step and repeated checks to ensure the length of the lines is the same, as there are no defined positions at the connection point. Differences in line length, especially the control lines, lead to undesirable, one-sided pulling and steering directions of the kite during operation. Object of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to develop a device for adjusting the lengths of the lines of a towing kite connected to a user in such a way that a simple and reliable symmetrical (equal) length adjustment is possible at defined intervals. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by providing an adjustment device (6) on the lines (1) with a longitudinal support (6.1) aligned in the direction of tension of the lines, around which the lines can be wound. Defined and easily achievable identical winding of the lines of a pair of lines reliably enables precise adjustment of identical lengths.

[0008] In preferred embodiments, the cross-section of the longitudinal member of the adjustment device is round to prevent excessive line wear. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, the longitudinal member is bent at its ends to such an extent that slipping of the existing line windings is reliably prevented. In particularly preferred embodiments, the ends of the longitudinal member are bent by 180° to align its longitudinal axis and together project beyond the length of the longitudinal member. In particularly preferred embodiments, the distance between the projecting end regions of the securing sections should be less than the diameter of the line. As with systems already known and common in the prior art, the bar-side adjustment device is covered with the float elements typically used there.

[0009] Embodiments for the application of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 shows a state-of-the-art design with the following features: - Stunt kites (5) - Bar (3) - trapeze loop system (4) - Flying lines (1.2) - Control lines (1.1) - Tow line (1.3) - Length adjustment element of the pulling line (1.4) - Deflection of the tow line (1.3.1) - Float elements (2)

[0010] The towing line (1.3) is deflected (1.3.1) and features a length adjustment element (1.4) with which the relative line lengths can be adjusted during operation of the sports equipment. The control lines (1.1) connect the ends of the trailing edge of the kite to the ends of the connecting lines of the bar (3), which are covered by the float elements (2). Adjustment devices in accordance with the described state of the art in the form of loop / knot ladders or rope clamps are arranged on the connecting lines (not shown) of the stunt kite (5) and the bar (3).

[0011] Adjusting the line lengths leads to the disadvantages described above with increased requirements and difficulties regarding the reliability of the symmetry of the length adjustment.

[0012] In case of a not completely symmetrical length adjustment, especially of the control lines (2), undesirable one-sided flight movements of the kite tend to occur during operation.

[0013] Fig. 2 shows the principle of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the following features: - Adjustment device (6) - Longitudinal member (6.1) of the adjustment device - bent end areas (6.2) of the longitudinal member (6.1) - Leash (1)

[0014] The line (1) is wound around the longitudinal beam (6.1) of the adjustment device (6). The winding is visibly adjustable in number and circumference, making it easy to create symmetrical lines for each pair of lines. The end sections (6.2) of the longitudinal beam (6.1) are bent at more than 90° to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal beam to prevent the line windings from slipping in the direction of pull.

[0015] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention with the following features: - Adjustment device (6) - Longitudinal member (6.1) of the adjustment device - 180° bent end sections (6.2) of the longitudinal member (6.1) - Safety sections (6.3) connected to the end areas (6.2) - End areas (6.4) of the securing sections (6.3)

[0016] The end sections (6.2) of the longitudinal beam (6.1) are bent 180° to the longitudinal axis and twisted in opposite directions by an angle. The torsion angle is preferably adapted to the diameter of the rope to be used, so that the rope is supported with its end over the bent end section with as little friction as possible.

[0017] With securing sections (6.3) which together extend beyond the length of the longitudinal beam (6.1) and whose end regions (6.4) overlap at a distance which is smaller than the length of the line to be used, slipping of the line winding is reliably prevented even in the event of a complete loss of the operational tensile force.

[0018] The inventive designs enable reliable basic adjustment of the lengths of the lines used for operating the sports equipment. The adjustment device according to the invention is suitable for ensuring completely symmetrical length adjustment in defined diameter-dependent steps on the pairs of lines used in the sports equipment.

Claims

[1] Lines (1) on a large wind blade (5), which, when operated with control lines (1.1) and flying lines (1.2), transmits pulling forces to a user and a bar (3), whereby the line lengths are adjustable, characterized by that an adjusting device (6) with a longitudinal support (6.1) aligned in the pulling direction of the lines, around which the lines can be wound, is arranged on the lines (1). [2] Adjustment device according to claim 2, characterized by , the cross-section of the longitudinal member (6.1) is round. [3] Adjustment device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that at the ends of the longitudinal member there are areas (6.2) which are bent with a radius greater than half the line diameter and by more than 90° to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member (6.1). [4] Adjustment device according to claim 3, characterized by that the bending of the areas (6.2) to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member (6.1) is 180°. [5] Adjustment device according to claim 4, characterized by , to the curved areas (6.2) securing sections (6.3) are connected, the longitudinal axes of which run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member (6.1). [6] Adjustment device according to claim 5, characterized by , the combined length of the securing sections (6.3) exceeds the length of the longitudinal beam (6.1) [7] Adjustment device according to claim 6, characterized by that the distance between the end areas (6.4) of the securing sections (6.3) is smaller than the diameter of the lines (1).

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