Kite with windsock and its lighting system

Abstract

To make it easy to rotate a windsock member connected to a kite member about its axis or flutter it. [Solution] A kite with a windsock (100) comprises a kite member (20), a connecting string (30), a rotatable starting end connecting member (40) for attaching the starting end of the connecting string (30) to the kite member (20), and a windsock member (60) connected to the kite member (20) via the connecting string (30).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a kite with a windsock and also to a system for illuminating a kite with a windsock during flight. [Background technology]

[0002] It has been known for some time that a windsock is attached to the tail of a kite in order to ensure stable flight (Patent Document 1). This type of kite with a windsock utilizes the lift and drag of the windsock itself to ensure stable flight with the drag section, while the lift section supports the weight of the kite tail itself, thereby achieving stable flight while maintaining flight performance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 51-129393 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventor has been studying how to illuminate a kite with a windsock while it is in flight, making the kite, especially the windsock, shine beautifully in the air. If the windsock could be effectively rotated and fluttered in the air, the illuminated windsock would appear to sparkle even more.

[0005] On the other hand, the windsock kite described in Patent Document 1 merely attaches the windsock to the kite for stable flight, and does not anticipate illuminating the windsock or effectively rotating or flapping the windsock. In particular, the windsock kite in Patent Document 1 has a single tether attached to the tail end of the kite that branches into three strands on the windsock side, and these three strands are tied directly to the inlet side of the windsock at equal intervals. If the kite and windsock are connected by such a tether, when the windsock begins to rotate on its axis during flight, the three strands may become tangled, or the tangled strands may exert a force that causes them to return to their original positions, hindering the windsock's axial rotation. In Patent Document 1, a windsock is attached to the kite in order to ensure stable flight, and it can be said that it would be more effective if the windsock did not rotate on its axis or flutter, but if the goal was to rotate the windsock on its axis, etc., connecting strings of this shape were insufficient.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to make it easier to rotate and flutter a windsock member connected to a kite member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inventors of the present invention have thoroughly investigated ways to solve the problems of the conventional inventions. They have discovered that in a structure in which a kite member and a windsock member are connected by a connecting cord, by attaching the leading end of the connecting cord to the kite member via a rotatable connecting member such as a swivel, the connecting cord is less likely to twist or tangle, even when the windsock member rotates or flutters on its axis. This makes it easier for the windsock member to rotate or flutter on its axis compared to conventional kites with windsocks. Based on this discovery, the inventors have realized that the problems of the conventional inventions can be solved, and have completed the present invention. Specifically, the present invention has the following features:

[0008] The first aspect of the present invention relates to a kite with a windsock 100. The kite with a windsock 100 mainly comprises a kite member 20, a connecting string 30, a starting connecting member 40, and a windsock member 60. The windsock member 60 is connected to the kite member 20 via the connecting string 30. The starting connecting member 40 is a rotatable member that attaches the starting end of the connecting string 30 to the kite member 20. By providing the starting connecting member 40 with a freely rotatable axis, even if twisting occurs in the connecting string 30 as the windsock member 60 rotates or flutters, the twist is eliminated by the rotation of the starting connecting member 40. Therefore, it is possible to continuously rotate the windsock member 60 in one direction, for example, without causing significant twisting in the connecting string 30. This allows the windsock member 60 connected to the kite member 20 to continue rotating or fluttering in the air.

[0009] In the kite with windsock 100 according to the present invention, the windsock member 60 may include a body 61 and multiple overhead wires 62. The body 61 is formed with an air inlet 61a. The body 61 is preferably cylindrical, with the air inlet 61a at one end and the air outlet 61b at the other end. However, this is not limiting and the body 61 may be bag-like, with no air outlet 61b and a closed end. The body 61 preferably has a circular cross section, but the cross section may also be triangular, rectangular, or other polygonal. The multiple overhead wires 62 are strung across the air inlet 61a of the body 61 so as to intersect with each other. Therefore, at least two overhead wires 62 form at least one intersection, and the overhead wires 62 are fixed at at least four points around the periphery of the air inlet 61a of the body 61. The multiple overhead wires 62 are preferably strung tightly. The connecting cord 30 is attached to the intersection of the multiple overhead wires 62. When there are three or more overhead wires 62, it is preferable to install (stretch) each overhead wire 62 over the inlet 61a so that all of the overhead wires 62 intersect at one point. By intersecting the multiple overhead wires 62 installed over the inlet 61a of the windsock member 60 and attaching the connecting cord 30 to the intersection, the windsock member 60 can easily rotate around an axis passing through the intersection or the connecting cord 30 tied thereto. In other words, when the kite with windsock 100 is flown, the windsock member 60 receives the force of the wind and naturally rotates around the intersection of the multiple overhead wires 62. Since the multiple overhead wires 62 are strung tightly across the windsock member 60, the rotation of the windsock member 60 becomes more stable. Furthermore, because the connecting string 30 is attached as a single string near the center of the inlet 61a of the windsock member 60 (at the intersection of the overhead wires 62), the connecting string does not branch into multiple parts as in the prior art, eliminating factors that hinder the rotation of the windsock member 60. Thus, with the configuration of the kite with windsock 100 according to the present invention, the windsock member 60 can be rotated stably, which makes it possible to make the windsock member 60 in particular shine more beautifully when light is shone on the kite with windsock 100 during flight.

[0010] The kite with windsock 100 according to the present invention preferably further comprises a terminal connecting member 50. The terminal connecting member 50 is an axially rotatable member for attaching the terminal end of the connecting string 30 to the intersection of the multiple overhead wires 62 of the windsock member 60. By providing the terminal connecting member 50, which can freely rotate on its axis, even if twisting occurs in the connecting string 30 as the windsock member 60 rotates on its axis, the twist can be eliminated by rotating the terminal connecting member 50. Therefore, it becomes possible to continue rotating the windsock member 60 in one direction, for example, without causing significant twisting in the connecting string 30.

[0011] In the kite with windsock 100 according to the present invention, the terminal connecting member 50 preferably has a rotating connector 52 such as a swivel that can rotate around an axis. This rotating connector 52 is also preferably connected to the intersection of the multiple overhead wires 62. This allows the windsock member 60 to rotate more smoothly at the intersection of the multiple overhead wires 62.

[0012] In the kite with windsock 100 according to the present invention, the terminal connecting member 50 preferably further includes an openable / closable engaging device 51. In this case, the terminal end of the connecting cord 30 is connected to the rotating connecting device 52 via the openable / closable engaging device 51. By providing the openable / closable engaging device 51 in this way, the connecting cord 30 can be easily attached and detached, improving the ease of assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of the kite with windsock 100.

[0013] In the kite with windsock 100 according to the present invention, the multiple overhead wires 62 preferably include some that intersect at an angle of 85 to 95 degrees. By intersecting the overhead wires 62 at a substantially perpendicular angle (90 degrees ± 5 degrees) in this way, the rotation of the windsock member 60 becomes more stable. Specifically, the intersection formed by the perpendicular overhead wires 62 more accurately coincides with the central axis of the body 61 of the windsock member 60, thereby preventing eccentricity of the windsock member 60. Furthermore, the substantially perpendicular overhead wires 62 can maintain the uniform shape of the inlet 61a of the body 61, thereby enabling stable rotation. The substantially perpendicular angle (85 to 95 degrees) mentioned here is an angle range that takes into account manufacturing errors, deformation during use, and the like, and the above-mentioned effects can be fully achieved within this range.

[0014] In the kite with windsock 100 according to the present invention, the connecting string 30 may have a central string 31 and multiple branch strings 32. The central string 31 is attached to the kite member 20 via the starting connecting member 40. The multiple branch strings 32 branch off from the central string 30 and are attached to the periphery of the inlet 61a of the windsock member 60. In this case, it is preferable that some of the multiple branch strings 32 have different lengths so that, when the multiple branch strings 32 are stretched tightly, their intersections are offset from the central axis (C) of the inlet 61a. Having multiple branch strings 32 of different lengths in this way makes the inlet 61a of the windsock member 60 more likely to tilt when the kite with windsock 100 is launched. This tilt makes it easier for wind to strike the inner surface of the windsock member 60, particularly the upper part of the inner surface of the inlet 61a, more effectively receiving the wind. By tilting the inlet 61a in this way, the force of the wind is efficiently received, and the windsock member 60 is more likely to flutter as it is launched. In addition, since the intersection of the multiple branched cords 32 is offset from the central axis (C) of the inlet 61a, a rotational moment is more likely to be generated in the windsock member 60. This causes the windsock member 60 to rotate and flutter more vigorously. Furthermore, if the windsock member 60 rotates while being launched with the inlet 61a side tilted, the windsock member 60 appears to move dynamically. This makes the movement of the windsock member 60 stand out as it is launched.

[0015] In the kite 100 with a windsock according to the present invention, the windsock member 60 preferably has a body 61 formed with an air inlet 61a and an air outlet 61b. In this case, the body 61 may be narrowed so that the air outlet 61b is narrower than the air inlet 61a. By narrowing the air outlet 61b of the body 61 so that it is narrower than the air inlet 61a, air that has entered the body 61 is less likely to escape, thereby maintaining an appropriate air pressure within the body 61. This makes it easier for the body 61 to maintain a more inflated state when the windsock member 60 is exposed to wind, improving the stability of its shape. Furthermore, the accumulation of air inside the body 61 makes the movement of the windsock member 60 smoother and improves the sustainability of its axial rotation and fluttering. Furthermore, narrowing the air outlet 61b also makes it easier for the windsock member 60 to stabilize its posture when launched. This narrowed structure makes it easier for the wind to resist, and also controls the air flow within the body 61, making the rotational and fluttering movements of the windsock member 60 more beautiful.

[0016] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a lighting system. The lighting system according to the present invention comprises the windsock-equipped kite 100 according to the first embodiment described above, a pole 200 to which the windsock-equipped kite 100 is attached, and one or more lighting devices 300 for illuminating the windsock-equipped kite 100 attached to the pole 200. This lighting system allows the lighting devices 300 to illuminate the windsock-equipped kite 100 attached to the pole 200 as it spins around its axis and takes flight. In particular, the windsock-equipped kite 100 according to the present invention has a stable axial rotation of the windsock member 60, as described above, so that the windsock member 60, illuminated by the light from the lighting devices 300, shines beautifully as it rotates. Thus, the lighting system according to the present invention can create new decorative value, especially at night. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, the windsock member connected to the kite member can be easily rotated about its axis. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of a lighting system for a kite with a windsock according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a detailed view showing the main parts of the kite with windsock according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing the main parts of a kite with a windsock according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a schematic view of a windsock member of a kite with a windsock according to a second embodiment of the present invention being flown up. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and includes appropriate modifications of the embodiments described below within the scope obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0020] [First embodiment] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of a lighting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, this lighting system includes a kite with a windsock 100, a pole 200, and multiple lighting devices 300. When the kite with a windsock 100 is attached to the pole 200, it automatically flies in the air in response to natural wind. The multiple lighting devices 300 are arranged to irradiate light onto the kite with a windsock 100 while it is flying.

[0021] FIG. 1 also shows an example of the dimensions of the windsock kite 100 and the pole 200 to indicate their actual sizes. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the windsock kite 100 is quite long, measuring approximately 31,570 mm (approximately 31.57 m), and the pole 200 is also approximately 12,000 mm (approximately 12 m) in height. The windsock kite 100 and the pole 200 form a large structure, and illuminating the windsock kite 100 with light can leave a strong impression on spectators. The lighting system of the present invention is not limited to the exemplary dimensions shown in FIG. 1 ; its dimensions can be adjusted appropriately depending on the installation location and environment. However, to ensure a stable natural breeze for the windsock kite 100, it is preferable that the pole 200 have a height of 8 m or more, and particularly 10 m or more. To make a strong impression on spectators, the total length of the kite with windsock 100 is preferably 10 m or more, and particularly 15 m or more or 20 m or more. The total length of the kite with windsock 100 is preferably 1 time or more the total height of the pole 200, and particularly preferably 1.5 times or more or 2 times or more.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the kite with windsock 100 mainly comprises an attachment string 10, kite members 20, connecting string 30, start-side connecting member 40, end-side connecting member 50, and windsock member 60. The attachment string 10 is a string member used to attach the kite with windsock 100 (particularly the kite member 20) to a pole 200. The attachment string 10 is tied to the kite member 20, extends along the pole 200, and is fixed to the pole 200 by one or more fasteners 210. This prevents the kite with windsock 100 from flying too far away even if the pole 200 breaks. The kite member 20 is attached to the pole 200 via the attachment string 10 and flies in the natural wind. This embodiment is characterized by its long windsock member 60. Rather than attaching the windsock member 60 to the pole 200, placing the kite member 20 between the windsock member 60 and the pole 200 allows the long windsock member 60 to fly up neatly and straight. The connecting string 30 is a string member used to connect the kite member 20 and the windsock member 60. In this embodiment, a start-side connecting member 40 is used to connect the end of the connecting string 30 facing the kite member 20 (referred to as the "starting end") to the kite member 20. A terminal-side connecting member 50 is used to connect the end of the connecting string 30 facing the windsock member 60 (referred to as the "terminating end") to the windsock member 60. Both the start-side connecting member 40 and the terminal-side connecting member 50 are configured to be freely rotatable around their axes, preventing twisting of the connecting string 30. It is also possible to omit both or either of the start-end connecting member 40 and the end-end connecting member 50. The windsock member 60 is a distinctive, elongated element, and is the part that primarily reflects the light irradiated from the lighting device 300, creating a beautiful shine. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the length of the windsock member 60 is approximately 25,000 mm (approximately 25 m). The length of the windsock member 60 is not limited to this, but to make a strong impression on the spectators, it is preferably at least 10 m or more, more preferably 15 m or more or 20 m or more, and may be 25 m or more. In this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, a structure is adopted that makes it easier for the windsock member 60 to rotate about its axis during launch.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a more specific configuration of the windsock-equipped kite 100 shown in FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the windsock-equipped kite 100. First, the kite member 20 can have a structure similar to that used in ordinary kites. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the kite member 20 has a wing surface 21 made of fabric and a support member 22 that supports the wing surface 21. The wing surface 21 generates lift when catching wind and is made of a lightweight, durable fabric material such as polyvinyl chloride or nylon. The support member 22 is a rod-shaped member that maintains the wing surface 21 in a predetermined shape and is made of a lightweight, highly rigid material such as a carbon rod or glass fiber. In this embodiment, a so-called delta-shaped kite is used, but this is not limiting; kites of other shapes, such as a square or diamond shape, can also be used.

[0024] The connecting string 30 is a string-like member for connecting the kite member 20 and the windsock member 60, and is made of a material with sufficient tensile strength. For example, the connecting string 30 can be made of nylon string or braided rope. In this embodiment, the length of the connecting string 30 is approximately 4,000 mm (approximately 4 m), which ensures an appropriate distance between the kite member 20 and the windsock member 60. However, the length of the connecting string 30 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, 1 to 10 m or 2 to 6 m. Furthermore, the connecting string 30 is made of a single string and does not branch into multiple parts as in Patent Document 1, so it does not hinder the rotation of the windsock member 60.

[0025] The starting-end connecting member 40 is a member for connecting the starting end of the connecting cord 30 to the kite member 20 in an axially rotatable manner. As shown in the detailed view of FIG. 2(a), the starting-end connecting member 40 has an openable / closable engaging member 41 and an axially rotatable rotating coupler 42. The connecting cord 30 is tied to the opening / closing engaging member 41, which is configured to be openable and closable so that it can be easily attached to and detached from the rotating coupler 42. The opening / closing engaging member 41 can be, for example, a snap hook or a carabiner. The use of such an opening / closing engaging member 41 allows for easy attachment and detachment of the connection between the kite member 20 and the connecting cord 30, thereby enabling efficient maintenance work such as replacement and inspection of the connecting cord 30. The rotating coupler 42 is a freely rotatable member, such as a swivel, attached to the kite member 20. That is, in this embodiment, the rotating coupler 42 is interposed between the opening / closing engaging member 41 and the kite member 20. For example, the support 22 of the kite member 20 includes a central rib 22a, also called a spine, located along the center of the wing surface 21. A fixed string 22b is attached to this central rib 22a. A rotary coupler 42 is then attached to the fixed string 22b. By interposing the rotary coupler 42 between the opening / closing engaging member 41 and the kite member 20, the connecting string 30 tied to the opening / closing engaging member 41 can rotate freely relative to the kite member 20. The rotary coupler 42 can be a swivel or a rotary joint with a ball bearing, or any other rotatable member. Connecting the kite member 20 and the connecting string 30 via such a rotary coupler 42 effectively eliminates twisting of the connecting string 30.

[0026] The terminal-side connecting member 50 is a member for connecting the terminal end of the connecting cord 30 to the windsock member 60 so that the connection can be rotated about its axis. As shown in the detailed view of FIG. 2(b), the terminal-side connecting member 50, like the start-side connecting member 40, has an openable / closable engaging member 51 and an openable / closable rotating connecting member 52. The openable / closable engaging member 51 is configured to be openable / closable so that the connecting cord 30 can be easily attached to and detached from the rotating connecting member 52, and a snap hook, carabiner, or the like can be used. The rotating connecting member 52 is a freely rotatable member such as a swivel, and is attached to the intersection of the overhead wires 62 of the windsock member 60 (described later). By providing the openable / closable engaging member 51 and the rotating connecting member 52 at the connection between the windsock member 60 and the connecting cord 30 in this way, the axial rotation performance of the windsock member 60 is improved and maintainability is ensured. In particular, since the windsock member 60 is a member that rotates when exposed to wind, the rotational performance of this part is important. In this embodiment, however, the windsock member 60 is directly connected to the center of rotation (the intersection of the overhead wires 62) via the rotating connector 52, enabling stable rotation.

[0027] The windsock member 60 has a long body 61. In this embodiment, the body 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. That is, the body 61 has an air inlet 61a at one end and an air outlet 61b at the other end. With this structure, when the windsock member 60 is launched, air that flows into the body 61 through the inlet 61a is discharged through the outlet 61b, and the air flows in a fixed direction within the body 61, thereby inflating the body 61 and maintaining its cylindrical shape. In particular, to prevent air from escaping the body 61 and maintain the inflated state of the body 61, it is preferable that the body 61 be provided with only the inlet 61a and the outlet 61b without any air vents. This allows the body 61 to remain horizontally afloat in the air for a long period of time when the windsock member 60 is launched. The body 61 is also formed of a lightweight and durable fabric material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, or nylon. Among these, the material forming the body 61 is preferably polyethylene or polypropylene, which have excellent airtightness, and particularly preferably polyethylene. The diameters of the inlet 61a and outlet 61b of the body 61 may be, for example, 100 mm to 1500 mm, preferably 150 to 1000 mm, and particularly preferably 200 to 500 mm.

[0028] As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2(c), the body 61 has a folded portion 61c, at least at the end near the air inlet 61a, where the fabric material is folded inward. The tip of this folded portion 61c is joined to the main fabric material by a welded portion 61d, forming a hollow space between the folded portion and the welded portion 61d. The welded portion 61d can be formed by thermal welding, high-frequency welding, or the like. A rigid wire 61e is disposed in the hollow space of the folded portion 61c to maintain the shape of the air inlet 61a. The rigid wire 61e can be made of a high-strength, durable metal wire such as piano wire, or a lightweight, moderately rigid composite material such as glass fiber or carbon fiber. The rigid wire 61e is inserted and maintained in the hollow space of the folded portion 61c. This configuration ensures that the air inlet 61a of the body 61 is always properly shaped, allowing for a stable air inflow. Also, in FIG. 2, a folded portion 61c is formed at the inlet 61a and a rigid wire 61e is inserted therein, but a similar configuration can also be formed on the outlet 61b side.

[0029] The windsock member 60 further has a plurality of overhead wires 62. Each overhead wire 62 is linearly arranged across the inlet 61a of the body 61. As shown in FIG. 2(b), in this embodiment, two overhead wires 62 are arranged to cross each other. More specifically, these two overhead wires 62 cross near the center of the inlet 61a, and the crossing angle is set to be substantially perpendicular (85 to 95 degrees). In other words, fixing portions for fixing the ends of the overhead wires 62 are provided at intervals of approximately 90 degrees ((π / 2)r, where r is the radius of the inlet 61a) around the periphery of the inlet 61a of the approximately circular body 61, and the two overhead wires 62 are arranged to linearly connect fixing portions located at opposing positions on this circumference. In the example of FIG. 2, the first overhead wire 62 connects the 0-degree and 180-degree positions on the circumference of the inlet 61a, and the second overhead wire 62 connects the 90-degree and 270-degree positions on the circumference. These overhead wires 62 are preferably formed of lightweight wires with high tensile strength, such as fishing line. For example, the overhead wires 62 can be wires made of synthetic resins such as nylon, polyester, polyethylene, and fluorocarbon, or wires made of high-strength fibers such as aramid fiber. These wires may be composed of a single fiber or multiple fibers twisted together. In particular, it is preferable to use a single-fiber wire made of synthetic resin, which has excellent weather resistance and linearity.

[0030] Each overhead wire 62 is held by a wire holder 63 provided around the periphery of the inlet 61a. This wire holder 63 is provided at a fixing portion of the end of the overhead wire 62 on the periphery of the inlet 61a. The wire holder 63 is preferably attached to a rigid wire 61e provided at the folded-back portion 61c of the trunk 61. By being attached to this rigid wire 61e, the wire holder 63 securely fixes each overhead wire 62 and also has the function of applying an appropriate tension to the overhead wire 62. In the example shown in FIG. 2, as described above, four wire holders 63 are arranged at 90-degree intervals around the periphery of the inlet 61a of the trunk 61, and these wire holders 63 allow each overhead wire 62 to be stably strung without loosening. A state in which each overhead wire 62 is not loose means, for example, a state in which the deflection from an ideal straight line at the midpoint (intersection) of the overhead wires 62 is 5% or less of the diameter of the inlet 61a. For example, if the diameter of the inlet 61a is 1,000 mm, this deflection will be 50 mm or less. In order to achieve this deflection, it is preferable that an appropriate tension is applied to each overhead wire 62. By holding the overhead wires 62 without looseness in this way, the position of the intersection of the overhead wires 62, which serves as the center of rotation of the windsock member 60, is stable.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2(b), connecting cords 30 are attached to the intersections of the overhead wires 62 via terminal connecting members 50. More specifically, the axially rotatable terminal connecting members 50 are connected to the intersections of the overhead wires 62. In the example shown in FIG. 2, rotary connecting devices 52 (such as swivels) are connected to the intersections of the overhead wires 62. Although not shown, it is also possible to connect opening / closing engaging devices 51 (such as snap hooks) to the intersections of the overhead wires 62. All of the overhead wires 62 suspended over the inlet 61a of the trunk 61 are inserted through the connecting holes of the terminal connecting members 50 (rotary connecting members 52). Therefore, the connecting positions of the terminal connecting members 50 do not deviate from the intersections of the overhead wires 62. Since the connecting positions of the terminal connecting members 50 coincide with the intersections of the overhead wires 62 in this way, the center of rotation of the windsock member 60 is stabilized, allowing for smooth rotation. In particular, when the rotary coupler 52 is used, the rotary coupler 52 itself has an axially rotatable structure, which effectively eliminates twisting of the connecting cord 30 that accompanies the rotation of the windsock member 60. Furthermore, due to the structure in which the terminal connecting member 50 is connected to the intersection of the overhead wires 62, the windsock member 60, which rotates in the wind, can rotate independently of the connecting cord 30 via the terminal connecting member 50. This allows the windsock member 60 to continue stable axial rotational movement without its rotation being hindered by the connecting cord 30. Therefore, the windsock member 60 can create a more beautiful visual effect when illuminated by the lighting device 300.

[0032] Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 describes a configuration using two overhead wires 62, the number of overhead wires 62 is not limited to two and may be three or more. For example, even when three overhead wires 62 are used, the overhead wires 62 are arranged so that they intersect at a single point near the center of the inlet 61a. In this case, six wire holders 63 are arranged around the circumference of the inlet 61a at 60-degree intervals. Furthermore, when four overhead wires 62 are used, eight wire holders 63 are arranged at 45-degree intervals. Increasing the number of overhead wires 62 in this way stabilizes the center of rotation of the windsock member 60, allowing the windsock member 60 to rotate more smoothly. However, the more overhead wires 62 are used, the more complex the manufacturing process becomes and the greater the possibility of interference between the overhead wires 62. For this reason, it is preferable that the number of overhead wires 62 be between two and four.

[0033] Returning to FIG. 1 , the lighting device 300 will now be described. The lighting device 300, together with the support pole 200, is installed on the ground or on the roof of a building. It is configured to project light upward to illuminate the windsock-equipped kite 100 during flight. In this embodiment, the lighting device 300 employs multiple LED lights capable of emitting light of different colors. For example, the multiple lighting devices 300 may include red LED light sources that emit red light and blue LED light sources that emit blue light, each located at a different position on the ground. By projecting light from these lighting devices 300 onto the windsock-equipped kite 100 during flight at night, the light is reflected by the surface of the windsock member 60, causing the windsock member 60 to glow in different colors during flight. In particular, as the windsock member 60 rotates and sways in the wind, the color of the reflected light changes, creating a more attractive visual effect.

[0034] The arrangement of the lighting devices 300 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1. For example, it is possible to place multiple lighting devices 300 at different positions on a building, or to change the angle and direction of illumination of the lighting devices 300. It is also possible to attach the lighting devices 300 to the poles 200 and illuminate the kite 100 with light. The number and color of the lighting devices 300 can also be changed as needed. For example, adding light sources of other colors, such as white light or green light, can produce more diverse effects. Furthermore, it is possible to create dynamic effects by flashing the lighting devices 300 or changing the light intensity.

[0035] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the kite with windsock 100 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted, and the description will focus on the different components.

[0036] Figure 3 shows the main parts of a kite with a windsock 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The kite with a windsock 100 according to the second embodiment mainly comprises an attachment cord 10, a kite member 20, a connecting cord 30, a starting connecting member 40, and a windsock member 60. The differences between the components of the second embodiment and the first embodiment are mainly the configuration of the connecting cord 30 and the structure of the windsock member 60. Note that the second embodiment omits the ending connecting member 50, but it is also possible to employ the ending connecting member 50 as in the first embodiment.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the connecting cord 30 is composed of a central cord 31 and multiple branch cords 32. Similar to the connecting cord 30 of the first embodiment, the central cord 31 is attached to the kite member 20 via a start-end connecting member 40 (opening / closing engaging member 41 and rotating connecting member 42) (see FIG. 3(a)). The multiple branch cords 32 branch off from the central cord 31 and are attached directly to the periphery of the inlet 61a of the windsock member 60. As in the first embodiment, a rigid wire 61e is provided around the periphery of the inlet 61a of the windsock member 60 to maintain its shape, and one end of each branch cord 32 can be tied to this rigid wire 61e. In the example shown in FIG. 3, there are eight branch cords 32, but the number of branch cords 32 is not limited to this and may be, for example, 3 to 20, and preferably 4 to 12 or 6 to 10. Furthermore, for example, the central cord 31 and the multiple branch cords 32 may each be made of different cord materials, and the central cord 31 and the branch cords 32 may be formed by tying or fusing these multiple cord materials. Alternatively, the same number of cord materials as the number of multiple branch cords 32 may be prepared, and the central cord 31 may be formed by twisting these multiple cord materials together, and the multiple branch cords 32 may be formed from unraveled portions of the multiple branch cords. In the second embodiment, these branch cords 32 are used, and therefore the overhead wire material 62 in the first embodiment is omitted.

[0038] A characteristic feature of this embodiment is that at least some of the multiple branch cords 32 have lengths that are different from the other branch cords 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , this embodiment includes eight branch cords 32a to 32h, and the ends of these branch cords 32a to 32h are joined at a single intersection 32i. The central cord 31 is also joined to the ends of each of the branch cords 32a to 32h at this intersection 32i. The first branch cord 32a is longer than the fifth branch cord 32e, which is located on an extension of the intersection 32i and faces the first branch cord 32a. Similarly, the second branch cord 32b, which is located to the right of the first branch cord 32a, is longer than the sixth branch cord 32f, which is located on an opposite side of the intersection 32i. Similarly, the eighth branch cord 32h located to the left of the first branch cord 32a is longer than the fourth branch cord 32d located at a position opposite to it across the intersection 32i. For example, the difference in length between the branch cords 32 is preferably about 5% to 20% of the diameter of the inlet 61a. The third branch cord 32c located to the right of the second branch cord 32b and the seventh branch cord 32g located to the left of the eighth branch cord 32h are located at positions opposite to each other across the intersection 32i, but these branch cords 32c and 32g are substantially the same length. As a result, the intersection 32i of each branch cord 32 is offset from the central axis (C) of the inlet 61a of the windsock member 60. For example, the linear distance from the central axis (C) of the inlet 61a to the intersection 32i of each branch cord 32 is preferably 10 mm or more, 20 mm or more, or 30 mm or more, and may be 100 mm or less, 80 mm or less, or 60 mm or less.

[0039] By varying the lengths of the branch cords 32 in this manner, it is possible to intentionally tilt the inlet 61a of the windsock member 60 in a specific direction. As shown in FIG. 4, by varying the lengths of the branch cords 32, the inlet 61a of the windsock member 60 is tilted so that the upper part is higher and the lower part is lower. This tilt allows the upper inner surface of the inlet 61a to effectively receive the wind, causing the windsock member 60 to fly up more powerfully. This tilt also has the effect of applying a rotational moment to the windsock member 60, promoting axial rotation and fluttering motion. Furthermore, the windsock member 60 moves more actively when exposed to the wind. As a result, when light is irradiated from the lighting device 300, the light reflected on the surface of the windsock member 60 changes in a more diverse manner, resulting in a visually appealing effect.

[0040] 3, the body 61 of the windsock member 60 according to the second embodiment is narrowed so that the outlet 61b is narrower than the inlet 61a. For example, the diameter of the outlet 61b is preferably 80% or less, 70% or less, or 60% or less of the diameter of the inlet 61a, and may be 20% or more, 30% or more, or 40% or more. In particular, the diameter of the outlet 61b is preferably 40 to 60% (approximately half) of the diameter of the inlet 61a. This increases the retention time of air inside the windsock member 60, allowing the body 61 to maintain a more expanded state. Furthermore, the retention of air inside the windsock member 60 increases the stability of the shape.

[0041] Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 3, a folded portion 61f is formed near the outlet 61b of the windsock member 60, similar to the inlet 61b, and the tip of the folded portion 61f is joined to the main fabric body by a welded portion 61g, forming a hollow space between the folded portion and the welded portion 61g. A tying thread 61h is inserted into the hollow space on the outlet 61b side. The diameter of the outlet 61b can be adjusted by this tying thread 61h. A thin, lightweight thread such as fishing line can be used as the tying thread 61h. Note that it is also possible to adjust the outlet 61b by loosening the tying thread 61h to widen the outlet 61b in strong winds and tightening the tying thread 61h to narrow the outlet 61b in weak winds.

[0042] In the second embodiment, openings 21a are provided in the wing surfaces 21 of the kite member 20. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a circular opening 21a is formed near the center of the wing surface 21. The shape of the opening 21a is not limited to a circular shape and can be various. The openings 21a may be formed in multiple locations. For example, the opening 21a may be configured as a single large opening in the center of the wing surface 21, or as multiple small openings distributed around the center and periphery of the wing surface 21. However, because an excessively large opening 21a reduces the lift of the kite member 20, the total area of ​​the openings 21a is preferably approximately 5% to 30% of the total area of ​​the wing surface 21. The openings 21a are primarily intended to reduce the weight of the kite member 20 and improve its flight stability. The openings 21a distribute or reduce wind pressure acting on the kite member 20 during strong winds, thereby suppressing the kite member 20 from swaying or vibrating.

[0043] In addition, the structure for narrowing the outlet 61b of the windsock member 60, which is additionally adopted in the second embodiment, and the opening 21a formed in the wing surface 21 of the kite member 20 can also be applied to the first embodiment.

[0044] In the above description of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings in order to express the contents of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes modifications and improvements that are obvious to those skilled in the art based on the matters described in the present specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10...Attachment string 20...Kite member 21...wing surface 21a...opening 22...Support material 22a...Central bone 22b…Fixed string 30…Connecting string 31...Center string 32...Branch string 40...Starting end side connecting member 41...Opening and closing engaging device 42... Rotating connector 50... Terminal side connecting member 51...opening / closing engaging device 52...rotating connecting device 60...Streamer member 61...Body 61a...Inlet 61b...Outlet 61c...Folded portion 61d...Welded portion 61e... Rigid wire 61f... Folded portion 61g...welded part 61h...drawing thread 62...Overhead wire material 63...Wire material holder 100...Kite with streamer 200...Support pole 210... Fixture 300... Lighting device

Claims

1. A kite member (20); A connecting cord (30); a start-end connecting member (40) for attaching the start end of the connecting cord to the kite member, the start end connecting member having a connecting portion rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis, the start end of the connecting cord being connected to the connecting portion; a windsock member (60) connected to the kite member via the connecting cord; The windsock member has a body (61) in which an air inlet (61a) and an air outlet (61b) are formed, The connecting cord is a central string (31) attached to the kite member via the starting end connecting member; a plurality of branch cords (32) branching from the central cord and attached to the periphery of the inlet of the windsock member; The plurality of branched cords have different lengths so that the intersections of the plurality of branched cords are offset from the central axis of the inlet. Kite with windsock.

2. The body has a folded portion (61f) formed on the outlet side, and a drawstring (61h) is inserted into the hollow space of the folded portion, so that the outlet can be narrowed to be narrower than the inlet.

2. A kite with a windsock according to claim 1.

3. The length of the windsock member is 10 m or more.

2. A kite with a windsock according to claim 1.

4. A kite with a windsock (100) according to claim 1; a pole (200) to which the kite with windsock is attached; A lighting device (300) is provided for illuminating the kite with windsock attached to the pole. Lighting system.

Images