Safety device for kitewave riding

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety device that provides kitewave riders with a safe alternative for riding in challenging conditions, having a safety system for ejecting the equipment and saving life. It comprises a carabiner (1) for attachment to a harness (17), which is fastened to the belt (16) of the rider (15). Immediately adjacent to the carabiner (1) is a quick-release system within hand's reach (2 and 3), consisting of a core pin (3) and a tubular piece (2) that surrounds it and keeps the system in an armed state. The cylinder (2) encapsulates the pin (3) to connect the parts (1, 17, and 15) to the parts (4 to 14) of the safety device so that, when activated, it disconnects these parts, providing the advantage of simplicity and intuitive activation. The assembly includes a cord (10), which is an elastic, energy-absorbing component that prevents jolts. It further comprises a quick-coupling system (6, 7) along the cable to offer an additional layer of protection.

Description

[0001] SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE

[0002]

[0001] This is the invention of safety equipment for kitesurfing, specifically in the modality of kitesurfing on waves, commonly known as kitewave. In this context, "kitesurfing was invented in 1985 by two French brothers: Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux, but only achieved some popularity in the mid-1990s."

[0003]

[0002] Historically, the year 1995 is attributed to the birth of KITEWAVE, in Hawaii. Since then, kitesurfing has been experimented on the ocean waves, evolving as a sport with several practitioners today.

[0004]

[0003] Regarding the equipment for practicing this sport, unlike kitesurfing practiced in calm waters, in kitewave, the sailor uses a board without straps or ties next to it, that is, the board is loose. In this aspect, kitewave is similar to surfing.

[0005]

[0004] However, when a kite surfer (kitewaver) encounters challenging and adverse conditions, such as sailing in strong winds and large waves, and / or sailing on a rocky beach, it is unsafe to lose the board in these adverse conditions. Currently, to meet this need, kite surfers adapt surfing equipment due to the lack of alternatives.

[0006]

[0005] These devices are limited in several aspects. The solutions described in document US20210100219 A1, entitled "Quick Release Leash," are found in the prior art, demonstrating how to quickly release part of the equipment. However, since this equipment is attached to the ankle, this poses risks to the sailor's safety, as in a dragging situation, it is unlikely that the sailor will be able to reach the ankle trigger point.

[0007]

[0006] Another invention present in the prior art is described in document US 2022 / 0126954 A1, entitled “Swivel Lock Quick Release Device”, which also seeks to solve the quick release of the equipment. However, it does not apply to kitewave, since the clip attached to the ankle is inaccessible to the sailor in case of an emergency. Finally, the invention described in document GB 2565847 A, entitled: “Leash fora Surfboard”, is found in the prior art, which deals with a system to prevent the leash from tangling, but, for the same reasons, it also has limited safety issues.

[0008]

[0007] These adaptations end up putting the sailor at risk of a serious, life-threatening accident. The surf leash can wrap around the neck or legs while sailing or in an emergency, making it even more difficult to unhook from the ankle.

[0009]

[0008] Another problem highlighted by the use of surf leashes, aggravated by wind speed, is the so-called "slingshot effect." This effect occurs when a rider loses their board while moving. The image below shows the board stuck in the water; when launched out of the water, it could potentially hit the surfer. Although many surfers embrace the use of surf leashes (a small cord) when kiteboarding, this practice is very dangerous. When you're pulled by the kite and the board tends to "stick" in the water, the energy that forces the board to sink accumulates and eventually returns as a "slingshot" effect, propelling the board out of the water, ricocheting with great force, and possibly hitting the rider.

[0010]

[0009] Figure 1 shows the main equipment needed to practice kitesurfing: (A) trapeze, (B) kite, (C) control bar and (D) board.

[0011]

[0010] Figure 2 shows the main differences between the two types of kitesurfing.

[0012]

[0011] Figure 3 shows the slingshot effect promoted by the elasticity of the surf leash.

[0012] Figure 4 shows the safety equipment for kitewave.

[0013]

[0013] Figure 5 illustrates the quick-release device for kitewave.

[0014]

[0014] Figure 6 shows a side and top cross-sectional view of the anti-slingshot system.

[0015] In order to improve the safety of kitesurfers, this equipment consists of a carabiner (1) to be attached to the harness (17), which, in turn, is attached to the waist (16) of the sailor (15). In the best configuration developed, immediately next to the carabiner (1), there is a quick release system within reach of the hands (2 and 3) which is composed of a core (3) and a tubular piece (2) that surrounds and maintains the armed system.

[0015]

[0016] Figure 5 illustrates this attachment and ejection scheme in an exploded view. The cylinder (18) encapsulates the pin (19) to connect parts (1, 17, and 15) to parts (4 through 14) of the kitewave safety equipment. This way, when activated—that is, when the rider pulls it down with their hand—these parts will be released and disconnected, and consequently, the board will no longer be attached to their waist. Additionally, the assembly shown in Figure 5 could be part of a trapeze / kite system, achieving the same technical effect. The invention of this type of quick release coupling applied to kitewave practice offers advantages over previous ones due to greater simplicity, intuitive operation by the user, and low production costs.

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates a clip (6) with a pin (7) that fits into the hole (9) and joins parts (15, 16, 17, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8) to parts (10 to 14). It is held under pressure by the ring (6), which embraces part (8). It is removable and serves to disconnect the board from the sailor. To activate it, simply pull it upwards.

[0016]

[0018] Figure 4 illustrates all the parts that make up the safety equipment for kiteboarders. This equipment is attached to the rider's waist and to the kiteboard. To attach it to the rider's waist, there is a carabiner (1) that hooks onto the harness (17), which, in turn, is attached to the person's waist. It is important to mention that the harness (17) is an essential and fundamental piece of equipment for practicing this sport, as it is where the kite is attached, as shown in Figure 1. At the other end, there is a clip (12) that is attached to the small string on the tail of the kiteboard (13). This arrangement of attaching the kiteboard to the rider's waist mitigates the risk of the rider being pulled by the leg if dragged by the kite, and, most importantly, keeps safety equipment close to hand in case of an emergency.If the sailor loses the board, with the set attached to the sailor's body in a position closer to his center of mass, it is easier to maintain control, that is, the board will not promote rotational movements, only translational movements for the sailor.

[0019] Figure 4 illustrates a rigid, protruding area (2) that functions as an ejection system that, when pulled down, will release the board from the sailor's body (17). As an integral part of the board attachment system, there is a terminal piece

[0017] (4) which connects the safety system (2 and 3) described above to a flexible cable

[0018] (5) which is firmly attached, at the other end, there is a terminal piece (8). The piece (6 and 7) of the safety system (6) contains a central pin (7) which, in turn, fits the radial hole (9) of the terminal piece of the flexible cable (5). Next, there is a cord (10) which is both an elastic and energy-absorbing element. This element (10) can have its elasticity and cushioning adjusted to counteract the sling force in order to prevent jolts. As a terminal of the equipment, the tape (11), also commonly called a “tail protector”, which will secure, through the Velcro (12), the end (13) of the kitewave board (14). The described configuration of this “safety leash”, in addition to preventing possibly damaging jolts, has a quick coupling provided by the central pin (7) which offers redundancy in terms of the release means, ensuring another layer of safety.

[0019]

[0020] Component (10) serves to absorb the slingshot effect shown in Figure 3. Figure 6 shows another assembly possibility, in which two parts (20 and 21) have different elasticities and, when stretched, their ends are stretched and the forces cancel each other out. The use of two materials allows for greater flexibility in obtaining optimal elasticity and damping parameters. This construction minimizes the slingshot that can occur when the sailor, while moving, loses the board, which in turn "stuck" in the water. The rebound force (or slingshot) caused by the flexible cable (20) is softened by the tape (21), which contains lower-strength elasticity.

[0021] The IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) is adamant and strongly suggests that leash surfing should not be used under any circumstances because several accidents and even deaths have already occurred.

[0020]

[0022] It is important to emphasize that kitewave practice differs sufficiently from surfing, as it incorporates several other natural variables that are not considered in surfing, such as wind force, the drag force vector between wind, wave and current, and a variety of equipment.

[0023] Therefore, the safety equipment that is the subject of this invention patent application, now entitled SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE, which aims to provide kitewave practitioners with a safe alternative for sailing in challenging conditions and, in the event of imminent danger, they will have safety systems at their disposal to eject the equipment and save themselves.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE, characterized by having in its extension one or more quick-release coupling sets, in which a link element (19) wrapped in a ring (22) can hold a cord by restricting the movement provided by the retractable surrounding part (18).

2. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE, characterized by the inclusion of a system (10) for cushioning and absorbing slingshot force (rebound) between the board (14) and the sailor (15).

3. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE, characterized by including a redundant quick release system (7) in the form of a pin (at one end) attached to the cavity (at the other end), along the cord, between the board (14) and the sailor (15).

4. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE, according to claim 2, characterized by containing two or more materials combined with force absorption and / or cushioning properties, between the board (14) and the sailor (15).

5. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE, characterized by providing anchoring points for the harness system and the board system next to the sailor's body in a position close to the sailor's center of mass.

6. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE, according to claim 1, characterized by containing an ejection system (2) for quick release that is close to the sailor's hands.

7. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE, according to claim 1, characterized by allowing the rapid release of the kite system in case of emergency.

8. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE, according to claim 1, characterized by allowing the quick release of the board system in case of emergency.

9. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR KITEWAVE PRACTICE, according to any of the previous claims, characterized by comprising a unique set of connected parts that collaboratively promote a benefit in favor of the sailor's safety.

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