Kite Trim Bar With Integrated Spool Winder Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting the front lines of a kite for trimming is cumbersome and requires significant force and loss of control, as it necessitates both hands and reaching forward, whereas adjusting the rear lines simultaneously is impractical due to the imbalance of forces.
Innovation Solution
A system with a bar housing spools and a winder mechanism that allows simultaneous adjustment of both rear lines, using a rotatable arm and latch mechanism to wind or unwind lines onto spools, enabling one-handed control and precise adjustment without losing kite control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the front lines are adjusted by the known method, then the kite power can be adjusted, but both hands are required for adjustment and the kite surfer cannot control the kite during adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment mechanism for both rear lines into a single integrated spool assembly located on the bar. The spool is designed to wind both lines simultaneously, allowing the kite surfer to adjust both lines with one hand while maintaining kite control, thus merging two separate adjustment operations into one unified mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool acts as an intermediary mechanism between the kite lines and the surfer's hand. By placing the spool on the bar within easy reach, it mediates the adjustment process, allowing precise control of both lines through a single rotational motion without requiring the surfer to reach forward or use both hands.
2Ease of operation
If the front lines are adjusted by the known method, then the kite power can be adjusted, but significant force must be applied during adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical pulling method with a spool-based rotational system. Instead of pulling on the lines directly, the surfer rotates the spool, which converts linear force into rotational torque. This mechanical substitution reduces the direct force requirement by leveraging the rotational advantage of the spool mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism transitions from linear pulling in one dimension to rotational motion in another dimension. By converting the adjustment action from linear force application to rotational spool operation, the system reduces the force magnitude required while achieving the same line length adjustment effect.
3Ease of operation
If the front lines are adjusted by the known method, then the kite power can be adjusted, but the kite surfer must reach forward to the adjustment mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjustment mechanism from the traditional front-line configuration and relocates it to the bar area where the surfer already has control. By dividing the kite control system into separate functional zones and placing the adjustment mechanism in the surfer's immediate control zone, it eliminates the need to reach forward while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool mechanism is pre-positioned on the bar within easy reach of the surfer's hands during normal operation. This preliminary placement of the adjustment mechanism allows the surfer to perform adjustments without changing body position or reaching forward, as the mechanism is already in the optimal position for one-handed operation during flight.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for trimming a kite (10) having first and second lines (26, 27), first ends of which are secured to a first side to the kite. The system comprises a bar (20) having a hollow interior and at least one spool (28, 29) secured at a first end of the bar (20) such that second ends of the first and second lines (26, 27) are each secured to one of the spools (28, 29). A winder (40) is provided such that actuation of the winder (40) rotates each spool (28, 29). The first line (26) extends from the kite to the first end of the bar (20) and the second line (27) extends from the kite to a second end of the bar (20) and through the hollow interior of the bar (20) to the first end of the bar (20).