Holding element for manually guiding a free-flying kite

Abstract

Holding element (100) for manually guiding a free-flying kite (380), which has a tubular or hollow cylindrical holding rod (110) that can be connected at least indirectly to a plurality of lines (370) attached to the kite (380), wherein a winding unit (120) for at least temporarily receiving at least a part of the lines (370) is arranged on or in the holding rod (110), which has a winding mechanism (122) that can be moved into an activated and a deactivated state by manual actuation, wherein in the activated state at least a part of the lines (370) is wound up by a movement of a winding element (124) and in the deactivated state the winding element (124) is locked.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding element for manually guiding a free-flying kite. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a para-wing or kite with the holding element according to the invention.

[0002] It is generally known to use tethering devices for free-flying kites. In water sports, these kites can enable wind-assisted riding on a watersports board. Typically, several lines are connected to the kite and the tethering device, so that the wind force acting on the kite is directly transferred to the tethering device. It is known that the lines can be attached to different areas of the tethering device, such as opposite edges of the device that serves as a handle for the user.

[0003] In water sports, the kite is used, for example, for para-wings and / or kites. Para-wings consist of at least one flat material that absorbs the pull of the air, thus enabling movement with the wind and its force. So-called low-profile kites, a special type of para-wing, also allow for riding upwind, resulting in more freedom of movement than with classic para-wing designs. Kites often have air-filled structures, making them particularly stable.

[0004] Besides applications in water sports, kites with attachments can also be used for snowboarding and / or all-terrain boarding. In these cases, the transfer of wind power to the attachment is used to move a user standing on a board.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved holding element, in particular a particularly comfortable holding element.

[0006] According to the invention, to solve this problem, a holding element for manually guiding a free-flying kite is proposed, which has a tubular or hollow cylindrical holding rod that can be connected at least indirectly to a plurality of lines attached to the kite, wherein a winding unit for at least temporarily receiving at least a part of the lines is arranged on or in the holding rod, which has a winding mechanism that can be moved into an activated and a deactivated state by manual actuation, wherein in the activated state at least a part of the lines is wound up by a movement of a winding element and in the deactivated state the winding element is locked.

[0007] Within the scope of the invention, it was recognized that using a kite as a propulsion device at the beginning and end of kite flying in windy conditions often leads to handling problems. For example, the lines between the launching pole and the kite can become twisted, and / or it can be difficult to ensure the kite is folded neatly. Against this background, the holding element according to the invention proposes the use of a winding mechanism for at least partially winding the lines. This reliably prevents the kite from twisting, even in windy conditions.

[0008] The kite's convenient packing and unpacking can be aided by wind, as it can help unwind the coiled portion of the lines once the activation state is reached. After uncoiling the lines to the desired length, the activated state can be manually switched to the deactivated state, in which the winding mechanism locks, thus maintaining a constant line length from the launching pole. After kite use, the lines can be easily rewound by manually switching the winding mechanism from the deactivated to the activated state.

[0009] The winding mechanism can enable automated winding, semi-automated winding, or completely manual winding via the winding element.

[0010] The kite, in accordance with known applications from the water sports sector, is made of flat material, which can preferably be single-layered, multi-layered, and / or partially air-filled. It follows directly from the above that the holding element according to the invention can be used for various kite structures, as long as lines can be used as the connection between the holding rod and the kite according to the invention.

[0011] Advantageously, the holding element according to the invention does not alter the flying experience during use of the kite, since the advantages of the invention are primarily effective when packing and / or unpacking the kite. Furthermore, existing kites can advantageously be combined with the holding element according to the invention.

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the holding element according to the invention are described below.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the winding unit has a housing that is at least partially attached to the support pole. Attaching it to the support pole allows for a particularly stable connection between the winding unit and the support pole for holding the kite connected by the lines. The connection to the housing can be achieved via a positive-locking, friction-locking, and / or material-locking connection. In particular, the housing can be attached to the support pole via a screw connection and / or a plug connection. Partial attachment can be achieved, for example, by attaching a portion of a multi-part housing to the support pole.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the winding unit has a housing that is arranged adjacent to a lateral end of the handle. This lateral arrangement of the housing advantageously prevents the winding unit from interfering with the user's grip on the handle and / or reducing the available gripping area along the handle. This allows for a particularly free grip on the handle while using the kite. Furthermore, the lateral arrangement ensures that the winding unit can be quickly and easily used to manually change the state of the winding mechanism from the activated state to the deactivated state.

[0015] In an alternative or supplementary embodiment, the winding unit has a housing that is at least partially arranged between opposing lateral ends of the support rod. In this embodiment, the housing of the winding unit can advantageously be arranged such that the entire width of the support element is not increased by the winding unit. Furthermore, a tensile force can act particularly centrally on the support rod via the winding unit, resulting in a particularly homogeneous force distribution along the support rod. Additionally, the winding unit can be designed between the lateral ends of the support rod in such a way as to prevent slippage when the support rod is held.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the support rod has an internal line guide and at least one opening in its outer surface, designed such that at least one of the plurality of lines can be guided through the opening by the winding unit. This embodiment advantageously ensures that, by guiding the lines along the support rod up to the at least one opening, particularly reliable winding by the winding element can be achieved. Preferably, all lines are guided through the line guide to the winding unit via the at least one opening, in particular via at least two openings, and most preferably via at least three openings. The ability to wind up all lines reliably prevents twisting of the lines when unpacking and / or packing away the kite.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the preceding design, at least the majority of lines are guided into the interior of the support rod through at least two openings, and in particular through at least three openings. Multiple openings in the outer surface of the support rod can advantageously ensure a uniform transmission of the force acting on the kite to the support rod of the holding element. In particular, the openings can be arranged substantially uniformly along the outer surface of the support rod to enable a uniform transmission of the force acting on the kite. In a preferred example of this embodiment, two of the openings are provided at opposite lateral ends of the support rod for winding up lines. This arrangement advantageously avoids a one-sided lateral force when using the kite.

[0018] In a further variant of the preceding embodiment, the line guide has at least one deflection element. In this variant, at least one of the plurality of lines can change its orientation particularly reliably from an orientation towards the kite to an orientation towards the winding element. The deflection element can be formed by a rounded edge, a pulley, and / or the like. This advantageously avoids the mechanical stress on the line at an edge of the holding element.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, the support rod has a grip area on at least part of its outer surface. This embodiment allows for comfortable gripping of the support rod during operation of the holding element. Particularly preferably, the grip area has a textured grip that enables intuitive holding of the support rod in a particularly suitable area. For example, the grip area can have a recessed grip at a particularly suitable, such as central, gripping position. Preferably, the grip area is made of a different material than the outer surface of the support rod, such as a softer material, to improve user comfort.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment, the winding element is powered by the release of stored energy when activated. This embodiment allows for particularly convenient semi-automatic or automatic winding. The application of the released stored energy creates a pulling force on at least one line. This enables the line to be wound even against the wind force acting on the kite connected to the line. The stored energy is preferably released by manually switching to the activated state. This switch can be triggered manually, for example, by pressing a button, using a rotary element, a toggle switch, and / or the like.

[0021] In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the winding element, when activated, is subjected to force by a spring element, an elastic element, a rubber element, a rubber cord, and / or a rubber band. Such components can enable winding within a winding element in a known manner. Examples of such winding mechanisms are known for other applications, such as dog leashes, so these structures will not be discussed in detail below. In particular, the inclusion of the spring element advantageously allows for a particularly robust and durable winding element, which reliably provides a spring force for winding the winding element even after many use cycles. The spring element, the elastic element, the rubber element, the rubber cord, and / or the rubber band from this embodiment is preferably arranged within a housing of the winding unit.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment, the winding element is locked in the deactivated state by a braking element against a winding force. In this embodiment, the braking element enables the holding element to be reliably held in the deactivated state. The braking element can act directly on the winding element of the winding unit. The braking element can be spring-loaded and / or mechanically locked. Alternatively or additionally, the braking element can bear directly against at least one cord to hold a fixed position of the cord by applying a corresponding braking force.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the preceding design, the braking element acts against a spring force. This allows the braking element to counteract the release of stored energy. In particular, the braking element can ensure locking when the retaining element is deactivated. Preferably, in this embodiment, the braking element is spring-loaded and / or mechanically locked. Preferably, the braking element is arranged within a housing of the winding unit. Particularly preferably, the braking element and a spring element providing the spring force are arranged together in the housing of the winding unit. This allows for a particularly compact and lightweight design of the opposing components of the spring element and the braking element.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the invention, a para-wing or kite with a holding element according to at least one of the preceding embodiments is proposed to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0025] The para-wing or kite according to a further aspect of the invention features the holding element according to the invention and therefore includes all the aforementioned advantages. In particular, the holding element according to the invention enables particularly convenient packing and / or unpacking of the para-wing or kite. The terms para-wing and kite can be understood to mean any flat and / or partially air-filled kite for pulling a user on a watersports board. Alternatively, a snowboard and / or an all-terrain board can also be used in combination with the para-wing or kite. The kite is connected to the holding element via multiple lines, so that pulling force is transmitted to a user of the para-wing or kite via the holding element according to the invention.

[0026] Preferably, the tensile force is applied to several points on the support rod of the retaining element via appropriately distributed lines. This allows the tensile force to be distributed evenly along the support rod.

[0027] Preferably, the para-wing or kite can be folded by wrapping the holding element with the kite after all lines have been wound over the winding unit. For this purpose, preferably no sharp edges are provided on any outer surface of the holding element.

[0028] In another embodiment of the para-wing or kite, a fastening mechanism is provided for attaching the lines to the kite. This fastening mechanism can be, for example, a hook-in structure, a snap-in structure, and / or the like. This allows the kite to be stored independently of the holding element according to the invention. Furthermore, the holding element according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously for different kites. Thus, the holding element according to the invention can be used with a kite according to individual preferences, and changing kites is possible at short notice depending on the weather, wind strength, change of user, and / or the like. Preferably, the lines are attached to the para-wing or kite in a coiled state to allow for particularly convenient uncoiling of the lines with a breeze.

[0029] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to advantageous embodiments schematically illustrated in the figures. These show, in detail: Fig. 1 a side view of an embodiment of a holding element according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the embodiment of the holding element according to the invention; and Fig. 3 a side view of an embodiment of a para-wing according to a further aspect of the invention.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a holding element 100 according to the invention.

[0031] The control element 100 is designed for the manual guidance of a free-flying kite. For this purpose, the control element 100 has a tubular or hollow cylindrical support rod 110, which can be connected, at least indirectly, to a plurality of lines attached to the kite. A winding unit 120 is arranged on or in the support rod 110 for the temporary storage of at least a portion of the lines. The winding unit 120 has a winding mechanism 122, which can be switched between an activated and a deactivated state by manual operation. Manual operation is effected, for example, by a corresponding button and / or a lever. In the activated state, at least a portion of the lines is wound up by a movement of a winding element 124, and in the deactivated state, the winding element 124 is locked in place.The deactivated state can be present during storage of the holding element 100 with the lines coiled and during use of the kite with the lines uncoiled. The activated state of the winding unit 120 can be present when the kite is uncoiled before use and when the kite is coiled up after use. An example of the holding element 100 being combined with the lines and the kite is shown in [reference to diagram]. Fig. 3.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the winding unit 120 is disc-shaped, and the winding element 124 is a roller onto which the line or multiple lines can be wound. The roller is protected from environmental influences by a housing 126 of the winding unit 120, which is arranged at a lateral end of the support rod 110. The support rod 110 can be reliably connected to the housing 126 via a screw or plug connection. The housing 126 consists of at least two components that are screwed together to form an interior space for the winding element 124 and the remaining winding mechanism 122. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the housing of the winding unit is provided at different ends of the support rod and / or centrally relative to the support rod.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, at least two openings 130, 130' are provided in a lateral surface 112 of the support rod 110, through which the ropes can be guided. Advantageously, a rope guide is provided inside the support rod 110 to guide the ropes in a controlled manner through the openings 130, 130' when rolling them up and unrolling them. In addition to the two openings in the support rod 110, the ropes are also guided through the openings 130, 130' in a controlled manner. Fig. In addition to the openings 130, 130' shown in Figure 1, further openings may be provided along a further extension of the support rod 110 (not shown). Furthermore, an opening 127 is provided in the housing 126 to guide the lines, at least partially, along the lateral edge of the support element 100 formed by the housing 126 and through the opening 127 to the kite. This allows the tensile forces acting on the support rod 110 during kite use to be distributed particularly evenly across the support rod 110.

[0034] At each of the openings 130, 130' in the support rod 110, a deflection element 132, 132' is arranged, which deflects the lines over a rounded edge during kite use, from an orientation towards the kite to an orientation towards the winding unit 120. This deflection prevents wear on the lines at the respective deflection edge. In particular, the deflection element 132, 132', mounted on the corresponding opening 130, 130', allows for a particularly large radius of curvature of the rounded edge in order to reduce the corresponding material wear at this edge. Alternatively or additionally to the rounded edge, a pulley is used as a deflection element in an embodiment not shown.

[0035] Between the deflection elements 132, 132' on the support rod 110, a grip area 140 is advantageously formed on the outer surface of the support rod 110. The support element can be held particularly easily on the grip area 140 without contact with the lines. In an embodiment not shown, the grip area comprises a different material, such as a softer material, for a particularly comfortable grip on the support element.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the holding element 100 according to the invention.

[0037] The retaining element 100 corresponds to the one in Fig. 1 shown retaining element 100, wherein in Fig. 2. Due to the chosen representation, the internal structure of the retaining element 100 is more easily recognizable.

[0038] This shows Fig. 2 a cavity in the support rod 110 through which the rope guide can be routed within the support rod 110. The interior is shaped to avoid sharp edges, so that the properly guided ropes are hardly subjected to any additional stress beyond the usual stresses on ropes when coiled and uncoiled according to the invention.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the winding element 120, when activated, is subjected to released energy in the form of spring force via a spring element 150. This allows the winding mechanism 122 to reliably and reversibly provide a spring force at the holding element 100, counteracting the wind force acting on the kite. In alternative embodiments not shown, a rubber element, a rubber rope, and / or a rubber band are used for the winding mechanism 122, either alternatively or additionally.

[0040] The locking of the winding element 124 is achieved by a braking force of a brake element 160 acting against the spring force of the spring element 150. The brake element 160 can be activated by a lever and / or by moving a component of the winding mechanism 122 in order to manually move the holding element 100 from the activated state to the deactivated state. In this case, moving the winding element 124 generates a braking force that prevents it from rotating. This prevents the length of the lines from being changed by the spring force of the spring element 150. Alternatively or additionally, a mechanical braking force can be applied via friction and / or a mechanical locking mechanism using a brake element designed as a lever to lock the winding element 124.

[0041] Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of a Para-Wing 300 according to a further aspect of the invention.

[0042] The Para-Wing 300 includes the one in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown holding elements 100. Additionally, the lines 370 and the kite 380, typical for the Para-Wing, are included. Fig. Figure 3 shows. In principle, it follows from the above that all embodiments of the Para-Wing 300 according to the invention can be implemented analogously for a kite, without any need to change the structure of the holding element 100 according to the invention.

[0043] By showing the lines 370, which were omitted from the previous figures for clarity, the line routing within the housing 126 of the winding unit 120 and within the support rod 110 can be clearly seen. The lines are thus transferred from a wound structure on the winding element 124 to a structure outside the support element 100 that is stretched by thermals and / or wind. A line 370 can divide into several lines at a corresponding branching point 372 to enable a particularly reliable attachment to the kite 380. This multiple lines prevent or at least reduce point loads on the kite 380. The lines 370 are permanently attached to the kite 380.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment not shown, the lines are attached to the kite via a releasable fastening device, such as a snap-in and / or hook-in mechanism. The lines are attached directly to the kite, at a branching point of the lines, and / or in the area of ​​the holding element. This advantageously allows the kite for the holding element to be changed depending on individual preferences. For example, the para-wing can be adapted to the current weather and / or wind strength. Alternatively, a simpler-to-handle kite can be attached to the holding element when the user changes. With the holding element according to the invention, the fastening devices can be positioned particularly compactly close to the holding element when the lines are coiled, thus simplifying the attachment of the kite.

[0045] The Dragon 380 is in Fig.Figure 3 is shown only schematically to illustrate that the functionality of the holding element 100 according to the invention is independent of any specific existing structure of the kite. This allows the holding element according to the invention to be used, in addition to known para-wings and kites, for all such applications where a kite must be held by a connecting rod via a plurality of lines. Reference symbol list 100 retaining elements 110 Handrail 112 Surface area of ​​the support rod 120 winding unit 122 Winding mechanism 124 Roll-up element 126 Housing of the winding unit 127 Opening in the housing 130, 130' Opening in handrail 132, 132' Deflection element 140 grip area 150 spring element 160 brake element 300 Para-Wing 370 line 372 Branching point of the Leine 380 Dragon

Claims

[1] Holding element (100) for manually guiding a free-flying kite (380), which has a tubular or hollow cylindrical holding rod (110) which can be connected at least indirectly to a plurality of lines (370) attached to the kite (380), wherein a winding unit (120) for at least temporarily receiving at least a part of the lines (370) is arranged on or in the holding rod (110), which has a winding mechanism (122) which can be moved into an activated and a deactivated state by manual actuation, wherein in the activated state at least a part of the lines (370) is wound up by a movement of a winding element (124) and in the deactivated state the winding element (124) is locked. [2] Holding element (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the winding unit (120) has a housing (126) which is at least partially attached to the support rod (110). [3] Holding element (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the winding unit (120) has a housing (126) which is arranged adjacent to a lateral end of the support rod (110). [4] Holding element (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the winding unit (120) has a housing (126) which is at least partially arranged between opposing lateral ends of the support rod (110). [5] Holding element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the retaining rod (110) has an internal rope guide and in its outer surface (112) at least one opening (130) which are designed such that at least one of the majority of ropes (370) can be guided from the winding unit (120) through the opening (130). [6] Holding element (100) according to claim 5, characterized by that the line guide has at least one deflection element (132). [7] Holding element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the retaining rod (110) has at least a partial grip area (140) on an outer lateral surface (112). [8] Holding element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the winding element (124) is subjected to force in the activated state by releasing stored energy. [9] Holding element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the winding element (124) in the activated state is subjected to force by a spring element (150), an elastic element, a rubber element, rubber rope and / or a rubber band. [10] Holding element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the winding element (124) is locked in the deactivated state by a braking element (160) against a winding force. [11] Holding element (100) according to claim 10, characterized by, that the brake element (160) acts against a spring force. [12] Para-wing (300) or kite with a holding element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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