Rotatable Kite Harness Coupling for Line Twist Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Kite lines tend to twist during tricks and jumps, making it difficult for riders to manage and remove twists, which is a safety and operational challenge in kite surfing.
Innovation Solution
A device with independently releasable couplings rotatably attached to a kite harness loop, allowing secure attachment and release of kite lines, including a depower line and landing line, to prevent twisting by ensuring the first coupling is released before the second, and incorporating a rotatable attachment point for a leash to manage line tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If kite lines are secured to the harness loop using fixed couplings, then the attachment is stable and secure, but the lines become twisted during tricks and jumps and cannot be easily managed or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the couplings rotatable about a common axis, allowing them to adapt their orientation dynamically during kite surfing maneuvers. This rotational freedom prevents line twisting while maintaining secure attachment, and enables easy release when needed by simply rotating the coupling body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the attachment system into independently rotatable coupling units, each capable of rotating about the common axis. This segmentation allows each coupling to independently adjust to prevent twisting of its associated line, while maintaining overall system stability and security.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple kite lines are attached to the harness loop, then complete control and safety coverage is achieved, but the complexity of managing multiple lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple coupling mechanisms onto a single common axis, allowing them to share a common rotational structure. This combining approach maintains the functionality of multiple lines (depower line, landing line, leash) while simplifying management through unified rotational control and coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed with universal applicability to handle multiple types of kite lines (depower line, landing line, leash) through the same rotational coupling structure. This multi-functionality reduces the complexity of managing different line types by using a standardized, versatile attachment system.
3Ease of operation
If the couplings are made independently releasable, then the ability to release specific lines is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the release mechanism into independent components associated with each coupling, allowing individual line release. Each coupling can be released independently through its own handle or release mechanism, providing precise control over which line is released without affecting other lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent release capability is achieved through dynamic handling of each coupling, where each can be independently opened or closed. This dynamic control allows the rider to release specific lines as needed while keeping others secured, managing complexity through intuitive, separate control of each line's attachment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for coupling a pair of kite lines (17,18) to a kite harness loop(24) has a first releasable coupling (44,51,47) rotatably attached to the harness loop (24) for securing a first kite line (17) to the harness loop (24) and a second releasable coupling (60,62,63,58) rotatably attached to the harness loop (24) for securing a second kite line (18) to the harness loop (24). The first and second couplings are rotatable about a common axis (29). An attachment point (75) for a third line (73) is provided. The attachment point (75) is also rotatable about the common axis (29).